The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-25 00:00:00

in view of the solution of this question, whether in or out of
the conferences, no longer form a determined base for the
execution of which it - would be advisable 0 enter into en-
gagements, but rather furnish materials worthy of being taken
into consideration, and which perhaps may serve, according
to the events of the war—unfortunately alone capable of being
decisive—towards an assured state of right and of peace, for
which the resolution of the Diet of Dec. 9 designates the four
points in their essential contents, as an appropriate basis. To
tie one's hands in any manner whatever with respect to these
materials appears to us objectionable, and we would not even
counsel that to the Austrian Cabinet, and still less to our
German confederates. Such are the principal observations
suggested to us by the Austrian project just communicated
to us ; and I have to request your Excellency to inform Count
Buol of them, leaving him a copy of the present despatch. It
will be of great interest to us to learn to what an extent these
considerations, which we have deemed it our duty to express
to you openly and frankly, may influence the course which
the Austrian Cabinet will follow in this affhir. Receive,
'1 MANTEUFFXL."

THE FLYING SQUADRON.

The following extract from a letter from one of the
flying squadron of the Baltic fleet explains the circum-
stances of the death of Mr. Story, and other particulars,
not given in the official despatches we published yester-
day : _ .

" July 16.
"In the early pirt of last week wo crossed the gulf and
visited the south shore, calling at two places, Hounds. Bay
and Koskola, at both of which we found Cossacks and Go-
vernment stores. We burnt the buildings, including a
Cossack barrack, at Koskola,-from which the owners but
just cleared out, leaving much of their gear—lances, pistols,
saddles, bridles, coats, shakos, &c. On Friday the squadron
returned to the north shore, and anchored off the Strait of
Frangsund, one of the entrances of the passages leading to
Wiborg. On the afternoon of that day a reconnaissance was
made in force of the defences of the strait by the Ruby gun-
boat and the boats of the frigates, with the view to ascer-
tain the nature of the obstructions placed to prevent our
ingress. We started. about 6 p.m. with eight boats and the
gunboat, and proceeded unmolested up the narrow pas-
sage leading into Frangsuud, until within 400 yards of the
entrance, which we knew from pretty good authority to be
staked. A Russian steamer, towing some large row gun-
boats, appearing inside, the Ruby opened fire on her at very
long range, as well as the rocket-boats, and almost at the
same time a heavy fire of musketry was opened from the
left bank by men concealed behind a long low breastwork
recently thrown up, and from among the trees. This was
returned with great spirit by the boats, and shells fell with
beautiful precision. The boats, continuing to advance,
soon reached the obstruction, which was found to consist of
large caissons of timber filled with stones, a small pas-
sage being left open for boats to pass through; some
of the boats pulled over it, and passed inside, thus fairly
offering battle to the two steamers and the row gun-boats,
who were pitching shot and shell at the Ruby from behind.
the Point; they, however, were not game to come out, and,
as the object of the reconnaissance had now been
and all the soundings taken, the recall was hoisted, and the
flotilla commenced its retreat. The firing Lasted upwards of
411 hour,and was kept up with great spirit on both sides.
The Ruby, not being provided with rifle-plate bulwarks, was
much exposed, but most providentially no one on board was
hit. In the boats five men were wounded—one only severely.
A sad accident occurred in one of the Arrogant's boats by the,
ignition of a rocket that had been prepared and placed in the
boat ready for firing; the rocket exploded in the boat, and
ignited the small magazine of ammunition, containing some 100
rounds of ball cartridge as well as the bursting charges for the
rockets ; twoimen were severely burnt ; one has since died, and.
the midshipman (Mr. Story) was blown into the water and.
never again seen ; being unable to swim, it is supposed he sank at
once. The remainder of the crew jumped overboard, and
were picked up by the other boats. The Russians are con-
structing some very strong works on some islands in Frang-
sund Bay, covering the approaches to Wiborg, the works of
which are not considered well adapted for sea defence. It
is supposed they have a large number of row gunboats laid
up there for security. The Arrogant joined the fleet
at Nargen to-day, leaving the Magicienne at Hog-
land. In the late distribution of C.B.'s to Captains
who served in the Baltic last year I find Captain Scott
excluded How is this ? Captain Scott took an active
part in the first bombardment of Bomarsund, and after-
wards at Abo. Rear-Admiral Martin, who saw not a
shot fired, is made a K.C.B. The Ajax, 60, is anchored
at Foyle Fiord, Aland Islands (July 11) ; the Desperate,
Conflict, and Basilisk are blockading in the Gulf of
; the Pylades and Tartar are off Dagerort and
Nang° Head. The following ships are anchored off
Revel :—The Duke of Wellington, Exmouth, Russell, Pem-
broke, Hawke, Cornwallis, Amphion, Volcano, Vulture,
Merlin, Lightning, and Cossack, with 20 French and English
mortar-boats. We were glad to see, •on the 15th inst., the
Sparrowhawk cutter, the property of Messrs. Galt, of Portsea,
wine merchants, run up to our anchorage, 18 days from Eng-
land, laden with a very acceptable cargo. The new mortar-
boats have been practising for the first time against some
islands here, and have developed the extraordinary range of
upwards of 4,000 yards."