The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-28 00:00:00

TI FE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 28, 1855.

NIONEY M_ARKET

AND
COM`✓IEILCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.

The cotton market at Liverpool yesterday was
w Baker as regards the quotations. The sales
nounted to 5,000 bales, including 230 Pernam
al id Maranham at scl. to id., 200 Egyptian at
5 gd. to Bd., and 400 Surat at 3d. to 3d. per
11).. The Railway Shares, with the exception of
aledonia.n, were in good demand ; but no ma-
-1 arial alteration occurred in prices.
There are numerous arrivals this morning from
A.ustralia, the latest Melbourne dates being
5, but the letters and papers are not all de-
liv erect, as some of the ships are merely tele-
graphed. The Cluilian, from Adelaide, Oct. 2,
brings 5,000/. ; the Mario Polo, from Melbourne,
has 56,894 ounces and 4,2501. in gold, and the
El.ant 65,000 ounces. The accounts as to trade
a.. Lid the import markets appear to be of the same
co mplexion as before. The excessive quantity of
merchandise on hand can only be worked off after
urs:ntlis of comparatively limited arrivals. That
British capitalists, however, have not had all loss
or i their side, the following statement from the
Al.ripts newspaper will show :
" Our paper supplies a remarkable contrast in the
re' ;Lilts of two different modes of investing English ca-
p' ital. One is an investment to the extent of some 25
mn illions sterling in British merchandise, consigned to
this market for sale and returns. This investment has
resulted, on the average, in a disastrous loss, simply
for this reason, that the parties interested were ignorant
of our actual requirements, and did not know what to
send nor when to stop. The other investments is In
banking operations to a very limited amount. The total
oapital of the whole of the English banks in the Austra-
lian colonies is less than 2,500,0001., yet upon this
th oy have derived profits during the past year,
so far as ascertained, amounting to nearly 500,0001.
or 20 per cent. for this colony alone. From the other
colonies they may probably calculate on 20 per cent.
m ore, so that the total revenue derivable from the Eng-
Ufa' capital invested in Australian banks is 40 per cent.
But after all, the money is not invested in Australia.
It is invested in the British funds, from which the
shareholders derive an additional 3 per cent. Let
Thitish capitalists think well of these facts. They em-
body a most important lesson, which may be thus stated :
--This new country affords a finer and more profitable
field for the employment of capital than any other in the
world, but the investment must bo judicious and by tho-
roughly trustworthy agents. In the colonies the inhabi-
tants do not readily invest in banks, because private enter-
prises, under their personal superintendence, are more
profitable. So, in like manner, if the English capitalist
could combine colonial skill in the management of
colonial enterprises, he could at all times realise even
larger profits than those accruing to the banks. We
throw out these remarks merely as suggestions at pre-
sent to English capitalists, and request them to study
the capabilities and resources of this country. At a
future time we shall more distinctly point out modes of
investment which at once must advance immeasurably
the progress of this country, and at the same time, rea-
lise to the shareholders profits which, we beleive, will
completely eclipse even the large profits of the Australian
banks."

The intelligence received to-day from New
York, by the steamer Africa, is more favourable
with regard to the money market, and the effect
was visible in the activity of the speculation in
stocks. At the latest date, however, these were
rather heavy. The following, by a local writer,
is in teresting

" The news from Europe is not so favourable as specu-
lators for a rise expected, and the market receded under
its influence. The great aim of the brokers is to bring
in buyers from outside of Wall-street, and put upon
them the bulk of the weight which high prices has
made particularly burdensome. The accumulation of
money in the hands of those prone to speculation may
bring in purchasers to a moderate extent, but the com-
munity at large have not the ability or disposition to take
of the risk, andithe;movement must, therefore, for the want
material, be limited. When the recent enormous decline of
in fancy stocks commenced, there were very few fancy
stocks in the street. They were in the hands of outside
speculators, and the loss fell on that class of operators.
At the lowest dip of the market, the brokers became
purchasers, and they are now striving to get outsiders
to take them again at high prices. They may attract a
few, but not enough to materially relieve the market."

The suspension of payments by Mr. G. T.
Braille, in the China trade, for several days ru-
moured as impending, has at length been an-
nounced. This gentlemen stopped in 1847 from
a temporary difficulty, but was enabled to meet
all demands upon him. in full, with interest, and
showed a surplus exceeding 100,0001. The
India and China trades have, during the
last year or two been a source of heavy loss to
all who did not restrict their yperations, and the
Russian blockade has especially interfered with
the demand for the'finer sorts of indigo, which
were largely purchased for St. Petersburg. On
Saturday a heavy amount of bills falls due. as
usual on the 4th, which, in this instance, is Sun-
day, and other failures aro expected. Money is
worth 5 per cent, on good paper.
In the English Stock Market there is still a
want of buoyancy, and rather more disposition to
sell for immediate transfer. Consols have been
91 to k, and since 90 to 91. The New 3 per
Cents. have been 91g to -4, and the Reduced
911 to Bunk Stock is marked 213 i to 215.
Exchequer Bills have been Gs. to 9s. premium,
and the Bonds 9911- to

In Foreign Stocks there is more business doing.
Mexican Bonds have been quoted at 201, and
Peruvian 72 to 721, being au advance upon
the latter. Equador have realised 33.
Grenada 15g. Sardinian Stock has realised and
Grenada aBsd.
Belgian 4-i per Cents. have been 931, Dutch
Four per Cents. 931, and Russian Five per Cents.
99/. Spanish Deferred aro 17i-
The following are the nominal prices of foreign
stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 to 6 ; Mexi-
can, 201 to 21l ; Peruvian, 71 to 7
2; ditto Three
per Cents., 491 to 5(:q.,; Portuguese Four per Cents.,
41 to 43 ; Russian Five per Cents., 98 to 100 ;
ditto Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 87 to 89 ;
Spanish New Deferred, 171 to 18 ; ditto Three
per Cents., 36 to 36i ; ditto Certificates, 4i to 5;
ditto Passive, 4 to 41.
The Railway Share market has been flatter,
arid with very little doing, but Caledonian are
firm. The quotations are in several instances ex
dividend. Sambre and Meuse have risen,l to
per share. The Scinde shares have been dealt in
at g premium.
The Agua Fria Mine is lower, the Banks are
firm, and the Miscellaneous Companies' aro gene-
rally the same in price, with very little inquiry.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES.
(Prom the Oficial Let.)
Business done

Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 9li h h
3 per Cent. Consols Annxities . 9l H 901 1
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 4 3.1 G
India Stock
Consols for Account, Bth March , 9li 1
Exchequer Bills, 24d. ,
£lOOO
......
£5OO G9

Small 6 9

Exchequer Bonds 1858, 31 per Cent. --
Ditto 1859, ~
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY:.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto New, 1852, 4} per Cent 94A
Fquador Bonds 33
Grenada Bonds, 1A per Cent . .
foxican 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 41 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St 99 8a
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. B5
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 36
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent l7i
rurkish Bonds, 6 per cent 751
Swedish 4 per Cent.....,.. 76 6
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Belgian Bonds 41 per Cent. ex. 25 fr 931 A
Dutch Exchange, 21 per Cent. 12 bluff' .
Ditto 4 nor Cent. Cortifleates
THREE O'CLOCK.
Cangols 9Ol 1
Ditto, March Account

31

25
St.
20
St

19i
14
20
114
St.

124
St
50
40

20
20
50
20

4
20? s,

MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.—At the
general annual meeting of the governors of this institu-
tion, held on Monday at the London Tavern, G. C.
Clarke, Esq., in the chair, eight boys and four girls
were elected from a list of 35 candidates. The report
read stated that there were at present in the asylum 114
children, and that, owing to the double income tax, and
the dearness of provisions, the committee could not re-
port very favourably of the prosperity of the institution,
but that they bad, notwithstanding, resolved upon ad-
mitting a larger number of children than usual in order
to reduce, as far as lay in their power, the number of
destitute orphans which the recent melancholy ship-
wrecks had thrown upon the sympathy of the public.
The committee tendered their best thanks to Lord John
Russell for presiding at the last annual
.dinner, and to
the East India Company, and the Trinity House, for
their liberaldonatioss. The statement of accounts showed
a balance in hand and at the bankers of 1861. Os. 7d.
CIRCULATION OF BANS NOTES.—A fresh return, moved
for by Mr. Glyn, has just been issued of the diminution
in the paper circulation of the country, caused by various
banks having ceased to issue notes since the Bank Char-
ter Act of 1844. The total shows an increase of 8,737 i.
since last year, and is AM 705,0021.

SHARE MARKETS.

(TIIIS DAY.)

RAILWAYS.

Shr. j ved.l

1100
8,..1

100
100
100

all
all
14i
4
100

LOO
3
100

!o1
all '
all
13: 1

itll
1418.

20
10
20
20

ReumAlre.

Aberdeen.

Ambg. Nottng. Bost
and Eastn. Junct
Belfast & Ballymena
Birming. Wolverh.
Stour Valley ......
B'rkenhd. Lanesh. d
Cheshire Janet
Do. Chesil. di Birk.,
£5O and 225 Cons.
Do., 220

Rlgth & Tyn origina
£25 (issd. at £45.
-Bristol and Exeter ,
Caledonian
Carmarthen and Car

Chester & Holyhead
Cork and Bandon
Cork, Black, 4 Pas
Cornwall

Cricti' Junction......
Dublin&BellastJunc
Dundee Perth&Abci
dem Junction......

- .....
Do. New .
East Anglian.
Eastern Counties.....
Eastern Union, A
Stock ......
De., B Stock
Do., New A........
East Lancashire
Edinburgh & Glasgolv
Ed iub. and Peebles
Min. Pr Lb do Dundee
Forth & Clyde June.
Furness

Do. Extension..

Glasgow & S. Westi;rl,
Groat Northern
Do., A. Stock
Do., B. Stock
Gt. Sth. &Wcst.(lre )
Great Western
Do. Stour Val. Rail
Gua. Stk
Irish South-Eastern
Lancaster & Carlisle
Do., Thirds
Do. Now Thirds
Lancash. audYorksh
Do., Fifths
Do., Wk. Riding Un
Liv.Crsby.&Southpt
London & Blackwal
Load. Bright & S.Cst
Lond. and N. Wostn.
Do. Fifths
Do.lo/.511.,31&8 1
Do. Eighths
London andS. Westn
Do., £5O
Do., £4O
LuudrrySzColerain(
Lndndrry. & Ennisk.
Vfa.ncit.Slief.& Linch
Do. I Shares, No. l
Do., Lfan. & Lin. Un.
Midland
Birinng. &Dee))
',Mid. G. West. (Ire, )
Do. Half Shares
Newcastle & Carlisle
No wink t.Bury E xteu
Nwpt.Aborg. &Hrfd
Newry & Euniskillou
Newry Warrenpoint
and Rostrevor
Norfolk
Northn.Connties Un
North British
North Devon, No. 1
Do., No. 2
Do., 1 A Deferred
Do., B Guaranteed
Eastern—Berwick
Do. do. Extension
Dodo. G.N.E. Purek
Do. Leeds
Do. York
North London
Do. New £lO
N. &S. Wstrn , Hamp-
stead, and City Jn
North Staffordshire
North Western
& S. Wostrn. June
Nuneaton, Hinckley
and Leicester..
Oxford, Worcester,&
Wolverhampton
Portsmouth
kottish Central
icottishMidland

ihrowsby. & Horofd.
ihropsliire Union
4outh Devon
;anti' Eastern
,oath Wales
4. Yrksh. & Riv. Dun
i)o
;taines, Wok. &Wok
-tookton it Darlin
4teekton rk Hartley'
raw Vale ..
,)o. £lO shares
Do. Pref., No. 1....
l'hames Haven Doe}
and Railway
Vale of Neath
Wattn f 1. & Kilk cult\
•Vatorford&Limerj
'West C0rnwa11...,.,, -
West End of Londoi
and Crystal Palace.
West L0ud0n..........
Winiblodn & Croydon

Closing Price'
this day.

191 - 20.1
41 -4.;

••. ..•
Si
13 -12 i
16 - 17
74 641:1

90 - !)2
62k - 62

... - ...
121 - 131

i = i.

6 - 7

13.4 - lgi
11_ - 11;

29 - 31
20 - 22

70 72
55 57
2d par
193 20&

70 - 72
89 - 90
70 - 72
126 - 128
88 -f0
63 - 636
GO - 62

70 - 75
6 - 7.
5 ..... 7
74. - 74/

•• • - ...0

7$ -
06 - 98
97j -97 i
- id
1
81 8:,31
884 i,
•
71 -61 l

23 -
7i -7 gi

G 7 - 674
40 -

P - p
11r - 9
-

48 go
3j 3A
28 ... 29
8 10

••
64 7A
71 - 72
—61 d
44 4
12 —12 i
49 50
49 LO
d par
id ITS
41 —41 d
1 d par

29 - 31

99 - 101
64 - €6

45 - 47
- 13.
28} -28 i
4 - 2
2 1

37 --- 39

3 - 31
It; 17
34 - 4
23-
ci

JOINT-

6 - 7

61 - 6
1 -
4 - 3i

par— & p

-•- P
ri
32i .r. 32i
1I 6A
- lip
- 11)

.. . ... d 1

par 4p
par ip
21
2i 21
164 17}
95 97
95 -- 97
99 101

92 .; 94
2 d -- par
97 —• 100

... di.
1 i 2 p

1 d i -,i
0 i

GA _ 7

Business done
this day.

sot
63 21

111

= 3i

lit 12;

71 i

631 i

71
97197 i

83 i
34i

67 a

59 i

••• ..... . .
84 ....• gi
2oa 20Ip

39 41
V,
pm
21— 22
par
21
7 8 lid

••• .•••• ...
••• •-- pm

21i f

••• r...
3i 31
„...: d
v§ .... 4

6•• .... ...
17i -18 i

BANBI3.

Australasia ...........
British Colonial Bank
and Loan
ACompan3
British N. ll ,
Chartd. Bank of Asia '
Chad. Bak. of India,
Australia, St China
Colonial .............
Commercial of Loud.
English Scottish and
Australian ..........
Loud.. Chart. pk. ot
Australh .............
1 Ditto New .............
Loudon L uounty..
London Joint Stock..
Loud. Sc Westminster
(National Provincial
of Eng1und...........
Do. Now . • ..............
National of Ireland..
Now South wales
Oriental Bank of
Corporation
Provincial of Ireland
Do. Now .
Royal Australu.Bkg
Sc Gold Imp Co
South Australia
Union of Australia._
Do. New
Union of Loudon 1

80 83

••• --- •
ld—i•d

~ --
...

'.• '''. ...

2/ -

191 -- 201
d
3G 33

..• - •••
33 .- 35

37 - 39

all
all
2i
10

38 - 40
61 - 66
7 - 9
0041 = 1111

17 i

15i
201 i

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

The screw line-of-battle ship Cresq, 80, Captain R.L.
Warren, is detained in the Downs in consequence of a
dense fog, which prevailed, without intermission, for
upwards of 24 hours. She left Sheerness on the after-
noon of the 23d inst., en route for Spithead, in charge
of Mr. Brockman, P.N., Master of the Wildfire, brought
up at the Great Nore for the night, weighed at 2 p.m.
on the 24th, ar.chored at 6 p.m. off the North Foreland,
proceeded at daylight on the 25th for the Downs,
where she arrived about noun, and discharged pilot;
attempted to round the South Foreland, but, owing to
the hazy state of the atmosphere, was compelled to
anchor off Deal. A vast number of merchant vessels
bound to the eastward are prevented by the fog from
passing up the Dover Channel. The Cressy will
proceed to the westward as soon as the weather becomes
more favourable. She is ordered to Spithead to await
the assembling at that anchorage of the other ships
intended for the Baltic, and all of which are to be ready
for sea by the 13th of March. •

The Royal George, 102' and Majestic, SO, are under
orders to be at Spithead by the 4th proximo.

ARRIVAL OF SICK AND WOUNDED.

On Monday the transport Sultana arrived off Graves-
end with sick and wounded soldiers from Scutari, and,
every preparation being made for their disembarkation,
yesterday morning they were landed at the Terrace-pier
with the tenderest care, and with every precaution re-
garding their comfort and convenience. A special train
had been in readiness, and, after partaking of a hearty
breakfast, they proceeded to Fort Pitt, Chatham. Mr.
Dobson, the Mayor of Gravesend, was on the spot, and,
as on a former similar occasion, tendered his services in
aid of the military authorities, who superintended the
disembarkation and departure for hospital of these poor
fellows, many of whom were severely wounded, and all
more or less sickly and feeble in body, but not broken in
spirit. Previous to the men leaving the ship a grateful
acknowledgment of the sense they entertained of the
treatment they had received during the voyage from the
officer in command and the surgeon who had medical
charge of them was signed by them, 158 in number, and
presented to those officers.
Among the wounded was an intelligent Pole (a pri-
vate), who had deserted from the. Russians and joined
and fought with the 47th Regiment.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-(YESTERDAY.)
ROYAL ASSENT.

The royal assent was given this day to the Army Ser-
vice Amendment Act.
Their lordships adjourned during pleasure.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his sent on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

MAJOR-GEN. VIVIAN AND THE TURKISH

CONTINGENT.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said he had given
notice to the War Minister of his intention to ask
some questions relative to the appointment of
Major-General Vivian, late Adjutant-General of the
Madras army, to the important post of Commander of
the Turkish contingent, and also whether the Go-
vernment had yet appointed a person to proceed
to the Crimea to ascertain the exact state of the
army at the present time. (Hear.) He wished to
know also whether the Government would have any
objection to lay on the table of the house a statement of
the war Fer vices of Major-General Vivian. It appeared
to him (the Earl of Ellenborough) to be a matter of the
greatest importance that this gentleman should be qua-
• lifted in every particular for the command of the
Turkish army. He had asked for this infer-
mation really because he was unable to obtain
it elsewhere. Let it not be supposed that be
at all impugned the military character of Major-General
Vivian, because he really knew nothing about him. This
officer might, for all he knew' be a most gallant
and respectable gentleman. He, however, believed that
Major-General Vivian had not even obtained the honour
of Commander of the Bath, and considering the liberality
with which that honour was given to the officers of the
Indian army, it struck him that this fact was sufficient
to show that this officer had not distinguished himself
upon any important occasion. The noble earl then
referred to other circumstances, with a view of showing
the unfitness of Major-General Vivian for this com-
mand, and observed that before any of the Indian
officers were appointed to command any portion
of the fumes in the Crimea, a statement
should have been made to the Governor-General of
India on the subject, and his advice asked in respect to
such appointment.
Lord PANMURE regretted the course the noble
earl had thought it his duty to pursue. He did not
mean to question the right of the noble earl to make
such inquiry, but he did question the justice of the
noble earl's observations as far as Major-General
Vivian was concerned. He (Lord Panmure) could
scarcely say that Major-General Vivian was yet ap-
pointed to the command of the Turkish contingent, inas-
much as he was still in concert with that gallant officer
upon the subject referred to. He had no hesitation in
stating that a more gallant officer to take command of
the Turks could not be found. The testimonials he had
read from Major-General Vivian were of the highest
possible description, and such as any officer might be
proud of. With respect to the appointment of an officer
to proceed to the Crimea to ascertain the state of the
army, he had to state that it was not the
intention of her Majesty's Government to appoint
any person to perform that duty, it being the intention
of the Government to wait for the report of the gallant
gentleman appointed to the command of the staff.
Lord VIVIAN was astonished that any noble lord
should be found not only to make an attack on, but to
canvas the appointment in such a manner as to damage
the reputation of a military officer. Such an attack was
as unjust as it was cruel. The noble lord then read a
letter from General Armstrong, of Madras, the General
in command of the Presidency, speaking in the highest
terms of the military ability of Major-GeneralVivian.
The subject then dropped.
_ _

On the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR, the
Criminal Justice Bill and Speedy Trial of Offenders Bill
passed through committee.

THE TRANSPORT SERVICE.

The Earl of HARDWICKE rose to move for the returns of
which he had given notice, relating to the transport service, as
follows :—" Return of the number of transports employed in
carrying troops and munitions of war, between the Ist of
November, 1853, and the Ist of January, 1855, inclusive ; the
name of each vessel (transport) ; her tonnage under old and
new measurement, distinguishing steam from sailing vessels ;
if steam, number of horse power ; showing the amount of ton-
nage occupied by machinery, coals, crew, water, provisions,
and ship stores; showing what amount is loft :for cargo ;
showing if any transport is under agreement for postal or any
other service previous to being taken up as a transport ;
showing the amount fer the hiring of each vessel per month
orper year ; how long a period each transport is hired for ;
for what service she is engaged ; from what owner she is hired ;
showing whether any alteration has been made in the terms
since first hired, and, if any, what difference; if alterations
have been made (or fittings added) in the internal arrange-
ments of any transport, describing the alteration or fitting;
with the vessel's name ; at whose expense the alteration or
fitting has been made, and the amount of expense incurred."
In submitting this motion, ho felt bound to make some state-
ment of the case which induced him to press for these retunis.
Nothing could convey a stronger notion of the desire existing
among the public to carry on this war with vigour, and for
that purpose to lay the whole resources of the country at the
feet of the Government, than the fact that the other night a
vote of 5,081,0001. should have passed the other house with-
out discussion, intended to defray the cost of the transport
service for the ensuing yoar, which must be added to
the sum of 3,532,000 E., its cost during the past year.
Those two sums, added' together, would, in his belief,
purchase the whole of the transports empryed in the
service of the Crown. He found that there wore 102
steam transports, of 121,e60 tons, and 115 sailing vessels of
93,172 tons; making together a tonnage of 214,232, hired at.
the rate of 161. a ton per mouth for the whole period, not in-
cluding the cost of coals. In 1830 and 1831 the amount of
money asked for the whole service of the Royal Navy was
about equal to that now asked for transports only—the naval
estimates then - amounting to between 5,000,0001. and
6,000,0001. Under these circumstances, the question natu-
rally asked by every man living was, how had this amount of
money been expended ? He would venture to assert that iu
the whole service of the Crown there bad hardly ever been
evinced a greater degree of profligate extravagance in the ex-
penditure of money, carelessness and ignorance in the making
of contracts, slovenliness in their employment of vessels, and.
confusion and mismanagement as to their departures from and
arrivals in the ports of this country. In the region where
they were employed their utility had been marred by the
utter want of arrangement in everything that concerned the
business of embarking, carrying, and lauding cargoes, so fa-
miliar to all persons engaged in mercantile concerns in this
country. When first the war broke out, and it was thought
necessary to have a large quantity of shipping in readiness,
ships came forward so quickly that the whole trade of the
country seemed to be laid for the moment at the feet of the
Crown. Government made engagements with the owners of
the transports on terms that astonished the merchants, and
showed them to be utterly ignorant of the manner in which busi-
ness of this kind ought to be conducted. The tonnage was bar-
gained and paid for on the builder's measurement, though every
one was aware that that was merely nominal, the difference be-
tween it and the real tonnage being often.so wide that in the
case of the Britannia, for example, the builder's tonnage was
1,154, whilst the tonnage for cargo was but 619, 535 tons
being taken up by the propelling power. The expense being
so enormous,, it not unnaturally occurred to Government, that
the best mode of extricating themselves from the difficulty
would be to purchase the vessels hired. Two transports of
the number were actually so purchased, and delivered to the
uses of the Crown, but the only result was to entail a great
additional expense on the countrythe Prince having been
lost in the storm at Balaklava, and the Perseverance upset
the other day in the dock, and so lunch damaged that she
would require to be refitted for service at a very groat outlay.
Another company whose ships were hired, and which carried
on the postal service with the North American and West
Indian colonies, continued to receive between 200,0001. and
300,0001. a year from the Government, although it was actu-
ally deprived of the means of fulfilling the engagements of its
postal contract. The fact was, that from the number of
steamers hired by the Government, communication with our
colonies abroad, and with the Crimea itself, was almost
stopped. Whilst the owners of the transports thus hired re-
velled in the enjoyment of highly advantageous contracts, the
'vessels had in many cases been called upon to perform little
or no service. The Simla, a very largo ship, of about 3,000
tons, lay six weeks at Constantinople without anything to do,
to the astonishment of everybody. In another case, a vessel
loaded in England with boots and shoes for the Crimea was
not allowed to discharge its cargo on arriving at Balaklava,
and had to cross the Black Sea three or four times before she
had an opportunity of doing so. Another flagrant case of
'mismanagement was that of the potatoes sent out, by the Hes-
perus, which lay so long on board that they began to grow,
and were finally distributed by the captain to the Jews and
other strangers residing at Balaklava, who sold them to the
troops for whose benefit they had been intended, at the highest
possible price. It was observable that transports laden with
stores for the use of the navy at any of the dockyards were
properly stowed and loaded, whilst in those carrying army
stores utter confusion prevailed, tho commissariat stores,
ordnance shot and shells, and medical stores, being 11
jumbled together, that the wrong articles were placed . up-
permost, and the cargoes either not filled
.up, or excessive.
The same mismanagement attended the ariival. of the trans-
ports in the harbour of this country. Iu various instances
they have been ordered round from Portsmouth to the Med-
way, at a cost of not less than 4001. for coals, tobslayhnroaduillpedwabery-
haps 100 invalids, who mighthavtebt sucheenconinl
for 501. It was most important that
brought under the notice of Parliament, in order that there
might be some chance of havinc, these tremendous mistakes
and abuses rectified. Such had been the confusionprevailing
as to the embarkation of cargo, and the ignorance of the
Government authorities, that when the Prince was lost the
Admiralty wrote to every dockyard in the country in-
quiring if they knew what was in her, and what cargo she
had received at that particular port. Could anything be more
absurd than to make such inquiries of the western dockyards,
when the vessel had been loaded under the very nose of Go-
vernment in the:Thames ? Of all matters connected with the
management of the war, it appeared to him that none might
have been more easily- or simply provided for than the trans.
port service.. Had Government.only asked the advice of any
established Mercantile house as to the best mode of turning
shipping to account, he was confident that the amount of
money asked for the transport service might have been
greatly reduced. He would suggest that the surest and most
economical plan to follow in hiring steam-ships was to make
a contract with the owner, including the price of coal ; but
taking the power of deducting say 50s. for every toil of coal
supplied to him. He was informed that the Simla had been
hired at the rate per mouth of 90,000/. .a-year, her whole
cost not having been more than 100,0001., and every one con-
versant with such subjects must know that 25 per cent. would
be ample to cover all the expenses of the ship. He was
sorry to observe that only the other day occurred an instance
of the same wasteful extravagance as had been marked. Their
lordships had heard much of the issue of coffee iu the raw
beau to the troops in the Crimea. The Government, beingile
anxious to remedy this crying evil as speedily as possible,
hired a ship to proceed to the Crimea with roasted
coffee.
For this purpose the Telegraph was engaged,
measure -
geTI a screw
steamer of 500 tons register and 900 tons b
ment, which had cost its owners 28,0001.,
and the Government
whichi would iu ten
agreed to pay for its use 2,5001. a month,
She was loaded with
when
months give the full value of thove
coffee, and about to start, General Simpson, who was
to have gone out in
herlt_wher, and declared that he would
not go in her. He did n
nor did the ship itself ; for they
loaded her so deeply With coffee that the water ran in through
the
intoe dock.Vater-closet tubes, and they were obliged to take her
If she reached Constantinople at all he believed
it would only be after coaling three or four times on the voy-
I age. The facts he had mentioned were only tramples of he

occurrences that had excited so justly the public discontent
and indignation. They might not warrant him in casting a
censure en the Government, but they did in asking for suet
returns as would furnish their lordships with authentic infor-
mation as to these transactions.

Lord PANMURE said it was, of course, impossible for him
to anticipate all the points to which the noble earl had called
their lordships' attention, but he gave the noble earl full
credit foi asking for the returns with no other view than
that of obtaining accurate information as to the matters to
which they related. Ile fully admitted that Parliament was
entitled to have a strict account of the manner in which' the
great sums expended for the public service had been em-
ployed. The Government which preceded the present, was
fully aware that the hurry of despatching the troops to the
East and taking up the transports fur the public service in-
volved some increase in the expense. Having had.their at-
tentio,n called to the errors and mistakes alleged to have been
committed in the management ,of the transport service in
loading the vessels and unloading them on their arrival at
their destination, officers had been appointed to make spe-
cial inquiry into these Matters. The reports of those officers
had reached him only that day, so that he had not yet been
able to give them due consideration An inquiry was going ou
into many of the subjects referred to by the noble earl, and when
that inquiry should have closed, there would be no objection to
lay the result before Parliament. With regard to what the noble
earl had said ju reference to chartering steamers, he could as-
sure their lordships that the Government had made the bargain
with their eyes open, and there could be no doubt that the
contract would prove far more economical than if it had been
regulated by tonnage. All the other defects and imperfec-
tions to which the noble earl had referred would, ie was
satisfied,_ bo obviated in future by the new Transport Board ;
and in expending the large sums of money which Parliament
'had placed at the disposal of the Admiralty for carrying on
the transport service, the utmost economy would be practised
consistent with efficiency. Cousider;ng the large quantities
of troops, materials, and stores which Government had had
to transport to the seat of war, not only for the use of our
own army but also for the use of our allies the French, as
well as of the Turks themselves, he thought that, on the
whole, the transport semis() had been fairly conducted.
There might have been some deviations from former practice,-
there might have been omissions and mistakes committed
occasionally ; but on the whole, he must repeat, the service
had been conducted with efficiency. With these observations
it only remained for him to state that there would be no ob-
jection to the production of the returns. _

- The Earl of DERBY said, the noble lord having consented
to the returns, and having fully admitted that great in-
attention had prevailed, that great mismanagement and
considerable abuses had hitherto characterised the transport
service—but, above all, the noble lord having promised to
furnish such information as should show the country upon
whom the blame and responsibility rested, it was not neces-
sary for him to trouble their lordships with any remarks.
His only object in rising was to draw the noble lord's atten-
tion to a paragraph which occurred in Lord Raglan's last des-
patch. In that despatch Lord Raglan complained that he
had not received a large supply of hay and forage, which he
had been led to expect would have arrived out befoYe the date
at which he wrote. Now, he wished to ask the noble lord
whether he had made any inquiry into that circumstance, and
whether steps would be taken, or had been taken, for insuring
a more regular supply of forage to the army ? (Hear.)
Lord PANMURE denied that he had admitted, or had in-
tensed to admit, that great abuses and mismanagement had
prerailed in the conduct of the transport service. With re-
ference to the question about the hay and forage, the explana-
tion which he had to give was this—no doubt, at the period
when Lord Raglan penned his despatch, there was a de-
ficiency of hay at Balaklava, but steps had been taken to
insure a regular supply, and within a day or two after Lord
Raglan wrote his letter au ample supply of forage had arrived
at Balaklava. He had reason to believe that the steps taken
by the Admiralty would insure a supply of forage at Bala-
klava at least every fornight. (Hear.)
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH inquired whether it would
not be cheaper to contract for pressing the hay than allowing
it to remain in the hands of the Government ?
Lord PANMUILE said experience had shown that it was
cheaper that Government should undertake the pressing.
Viscount CANNING wished to correct a mistake which the
noble earl had fallen into, who had moved for these returns.
Instead of the Cunard or any other company that contracted
with the Government for carrying mails receiving between
200,0001. and 300,000/. for their postal services in addition to
what they received for transports, they were only paid an
equivalent for the exact service they were enabled to perform
for the Post-office.

The returns were then ordered, and their lordships ad-
journed at half-past seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-YESTERDAY.

The SPEAKER took the chair shortly before four o'clock.

NEW MEMBER.

Mr. DAVIES, the newly-elected member for Cardigan,
,00k the oaths and his seat.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a second time and
ordered to be committee.:—Connaught Mining Com-
pany, Westminster Improvements, Westminster Land
Company, and Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.

SOUTH WALES RAILWAY BILL.
On the motion that this bill be now read a second
time,

Viscount EVELYN moved that it be read a second
time this day six months.
Mr. WISE seconded the motion.
Sir J. GRAHAM also briefly spoke against the bill.
After a short discussion the house divided, when the
numbers were—
Ayes
Noes

65
130

Majority
The bill was thereupon ordered to be read a second
ime this day six months.
PETITIONS.

Sir J. DUKE presented a petition from several
printers in the city of London in fAvour of the repeal of
the newspaper stamp.

THE CONDITION OF OUR ARMY IN THE
CRIMEA.
Sir E. B. LYTTON presented a petition from the in-
habitants of Saddlewortb, Yorkshire, praying fur a
searching inquiry into the causes of the calamities suf-
fered by our army in the Crimea.
CLOSING OF PUBLIC-HOUSES ON SUNDAY.
Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from a place
in Yorkshire in favour of the closing of public•houses
during the whole of Sunday.
NEW WRIT.
Mr. HAYTER moved that the clerk of the Crown be
instructed to issue a writ for the election of a Commoner
to serve in the present Parliament for the borough of
Northampton, in the room of the Right Hon. Mr. Vernon
Smith, who bai accepted the office of President of the
Board of Control.
THE BERNAL COLLECTION. -

Viscount EBRINGTON presented a petition from the
Council of the Society of Arts, praying that steps may
be taken to secure the benefit of the Bernal Collection
for the nation, and moved that it be printed with the
votes.

THE NATIONAL QALLERY, &e.
Sir J. WALMSLEY also moved that a petition be
presented to her Majesty in favour of the opening of the
National Gallery and British Mu.eum after divine ser-
vice on Sundays.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS.

In reply to Mr. HADFIELD,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL stated that it was the
intention of the Government during the present session
to introduce a bill to abolish Ecclesiastical Courts, or to
transfer the testamentary jurisdiction thereof to any
other court, and to make ono probate of will or grant of
administration of sufficient binding authority over the
entire property of any deceased person in all parts of
the United Kingdom, the colonies!, or elsewhere within
the dominions of the Crown.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL also added, in reply to
Mr. COWAN, that care would be taken that confirmation
granted in Scotland should have equal validity and au-
thority with one probate or letters of administration
over the entire property of a deceased person in what-
ever part of her Majesty's dominions it may be situated.
WINTER CLOTHING TO OUR TROOPS.

Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE asked the Secretary at
War if it was true that no winter clothing had been sup-
plied to the 46th and 63d Regiments in the Crimea ;
that, in consequence of that neglect, these regiments
had been almost destroyed ; and whether any one had
been dismissed or censured for that neglect I
Mr. F. PEEL said that he believed the winter cloth-
ing supplied to these regiments had been lest in the
Prince, but that inquiry was now being made into the
matter.

REPORT OF THE MAYNOOTH COMMIS.
SIONERS.
In reply to a question from Mr. SPOONER, as to 'whe-
ther a copy of the evidence taken by the Commissioners
bad been supplied to Dr. Cullen,
Lord PALMERSTON said that before the report
was drawn up a question arose as to the selection of
certain questions regarding ecclesiastical discipline as
connected with Maynooth. One of the -commiesionere
and the secretary were desirous of having the
opinion of Dr. Cullen, as one of the trustees
of the college, on these questions ; but Dr. Cullen re-
plied that he could. not answer the question unless he
was furnished with the evidence on which these ques-
tions arose, and accordingly that evidence was column-
nicated to him. Dr. Cullen, however, misunderstanding
probably the purpose for which it was placed in his
hands and the particular discretion confided in him,
took it to Rome, and without the knowledge of the com-
mission bad a portion of it translated into Italian. So
far, therefore, as the Commissioners were concerned
they were not to blame, except, so far as their prudence
was concerned, in placing the evidence is the hands of
Dr. Cullen.
THE " KENNEDY CASE." _
- -

Mr. BLAND (previously to Sir J. v. Shelley bringing
on his motion on this subject) wished to ask the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, whether, notwithstanding the
Treasury Minute of the 10th of May last, wherein the
First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exche-
quer are stated to have considered the office theretofore
held by Mr. Kennedy vacant, and notwithstanding Mr.
Kennedy's own letter, mentioning himself as dismissed
from such office as from Nay last, he, Mr. Kennedy,
had continued to draw the salary in respect of sucli offic
and, if so, up to whet time, and for what services ?
Mr. WILSON, in reply, stated, that after making in-
quiry into this matter, he had found that at the time when
theminute in question a passed declaring the office held
by Mr. Kennedy vacant, after that gentleman's letter
in which he stated his belief tl'at he had been dismissed
it became a question with the Treasury as to what was
to be done under the circumstances. At that time a
motion was before the house at the instance of his hon.
friend the member fur West Surrey, for a committee of
inquiry into this subject, and the Government did
not feel by any means justified in filling up the
vacancy in the face of that motion. Other circum-
stances had since happened which prevented the situa-
tion from being filled up. On inquiry as to the course
to be pursued for the fulfilment of the duties of the office
in the interim, the Treasury were advised that Mr.
Kennedy's patent could not be worked until his succes-
sor had been appointed. Another difficulty arose as to
the Act of Parliament under which that gentleman's
office was held, and which empowered the Treasury to allo-
cate the duties to be performed to the two commissioners