The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-16 00:00:00

THE SUN) LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 16, 1855.

the command of the ship until be had ordered the Rus- j
sian engi;:rn to he hoisted, and an officer to with a
flag of truce to announce our surrender, I consider that
any effort on my part to aid the escape of the ship's
conipan3t, had it been practicable (our flag being struck),
would have been a breach of honour, nor could it have
been dine with due regard to the safety of the wounded,
or ourselves, considering the enormous force of the
enemy which by this time had collected. Had any loss
of life arisen from my taking such a course, I should
ever have considered myself most culpable. With your
permission I will now put in my certificates.
The first certificate was from Captain Burnack Pop-
ham, of the Pelican, which stated that Lieut. Royer had
erved under him on the west coast of Africa, and during
the whole period his conduct was that of a most able
and highly-intelligent officer.
The next was from Captain Craigie, of the Scout, who
spoke of Lieut. Royer's services in the most flattering
terms.

Lieut. Royer, from the Scout, went to the Melville,
from the captain of which vessel he received a certificate
to the same effect.

A certificate to the same effect was read from Captain
Grey, of the Belvidere.

He also read letters from the first lieutenant of the
Favourite, and from officers in other ships, all stating
that Captain Giffard and Lieut. Royer were on the strict-
est terms of friendship.
The President—Do you call any witnesses ?
Lieut. Royer raid he proposed to call a few for the
purpose of contradicting the evidence given by Baker
and Gi I, who would state that they never heard land
reported to him on the morning of the 12th of May ; and
from their position at the time, if any such observations
had been made to him, they must have heard them.

The following witnesses were then called by Lieutenant
Royer, in his defence :

Alfr©d Parker, sentry at the cabin door on the I2th of
May, sworn.
Lieutenant Royer—Did I come down to the captain
to make a report when the Tiger was lost ? Yes.
Did you hear what passed ? Yes. The first lieutenant
reported soundings.
Have you any recollection of what they were ? I
think they were seven.

The President—How often did Lieutenant Royer
come down ? Twice.

Captain Crispin---Did you hear what the captain said
to Lieutenant Royer I No, I did not ; the captain spoke
very slow.
Captain Caldwell—At what time was that ? About
two bells.

About what time was the last time ? Directly the
ship struck.
What interval of time was there between the first and
second time of Lieutenant Royer going to the captain '1
About three-quarters of an hour, as near as I can re-
collect.
J. H. Scudamora sworn.

Lieut. Royer—Do you remember my coming on deck
on the morning of the 12th of May ?—Yes, about 5.40.
What were you on board the Tiger at the time of the
wreck ?—Acting second master.
Hove long were you in the Dragon and Tiger, to the
be,t of your recollectionl—About four years.
What is your opinion of my general demeanour to-
wards my captain during that period ?—Respectful in
every way.
Dr. Doraville sworn.

Lieut. Royer—flow long were you with Cant. Giffard
and myself in the Tiger ?- -Three year+ and eight months.
What is youropinlon of my genera' demeanour towards
Capt. Giffard during that period ?—lnvariably respectful.
Mr. Wilkinson, mate, sworn.

Lieut. Royer—How long were you with Cap'. Gifford
and my,elf in the Tiger and Dragon ?—I think four years.
What is your opinion of my general demeanour to-
war's Captain Gifford during that period ?—lt was
always roost respectful.
Li-utena,nt Royer said, he would call no further wit-
nesses, unless it was the desire of the court that he
should do so.

The Pre4(lent—You must exercise your own discre-
tion as to that.

Lient. Rover—Then I will call nofurther witnesses.
The President—ls the master prepared with his de-
fence ?

Mr. Eddington said he should be prepared with it iu a
few minutes
After a short pause,
Mr. Eddington said he was prepared, but he wished to
state that all the certificates be had obtained during hid
service had been destroyed by the fire on board the
Tiger, with the exception of one.iwhich had been left be-
hind in England. That was from Capt. Hastings, with
whom he had sailed, and which he should hereafter lay
before the court.

Mr. Eddington then read the following document in
answer to the charge of losing the ship :—" Mr. President
and members of this honourable court, it is with deep
regret that I new find myself arraigned before you on a
charge of losing my ship, the circumstances attending
which loss have been fully brought before you. In de-
fence of my conduct as master and pilot of the Tiger, I
have briefly to state that on the 11th of May, 1854, we
left the admiral at noon ; we were in lat. 44 39 N., and
long. 32 53, Cape Aix S.E. by E. E. true, and distant
30 miles. At eight o'clock p.m. Captain Giffard sent
for me, and, after looking at the chart, considered with
myself that a north-west course (nothing to the north.
war.i) would take us to the edge of the Odessa bank, on
which there is five fathoms; his orders, however, being
that when the ship got so near to it as to be in ten
fathoms, he was to be called. I had previously to this
voyage been twice into Odessa. We proceeded on the
given course at the rate ranging from eight to nine knots,
stopping occasionally to get soundings. I myself being
on deck the whole of the middle watch, excepting a few
minutes while I reported soundings, as well as during
the morning watch, until the ship struck. At about
twenty minutes past five, in the morning watch, Mr.
Wilkinson, the officer of that watch, who had just
before relieved Lieutenant Royer, reported to him
16 fathoms, and then went below, to acquaint the cap-
tain of the depth of water. I remained on the quarter-
deck, near the standard compass, to hear the captain's
reply. Mr. Wilkinson returned with orders that she was
to go on the same course at 4i knots, or less, until we
got 5 fathoms, and then she was to be steered west; my
opinion that we were by the reckoning some 15 or 16
miles to the eastward of Odessa, and when the 5 fathoms
was obtained, by steering west we should deepen our
wster, and find ourslves in the bay of Odessa. It is too
well known that from this time the water gradually
shoaled to 7, and almost immedia,ely to 5 fathoms, the
ship taking the ground on the steep beach under the
high land, about four miles to the southward of
Odessa. I fear much that this honourable court
may he under the impression that I showed a want
j.idgment in running the ship at such a speed through
so dense a fog; but as I was not acquainted with the ob-
jsct of our service on that occasion, further than the cap-
tain was anxious to he off Odessa as early in the morn-
ing as possible, I was induced to retard her curse
but little, consistent with the safety of the ship, and
trusting much to my previous knowlege of the locality.
It has b -en stated before this hon. court by the leads-
man and look-outman of the morning watch that they
reporte 1 the land to me, which they did not, at least so
that I could hear them, and which statement has also
been shown to be incorrect from the fact that no land
could be seen in the direction which they state, or at the
distance which we were from it, when they say they
saw it, as well as their having contradicted each other in
the description of the land. I will now conclude this de-
fence by stating candidly to this hon. court thatl believe
this ship to have been set off her course to the westward
by the current which, after her stranding, was known to
have let her paddle-box boat away from the ship in a
southwesterly direction at a rate of nearly four knots,
and to which cause, operating upon her particu'arly
during the morning watch, whilst she was eased and
stopped for the purpose of attending soundings, I attri-
bute her running ashore. lam a master of fourteen
years' standinz, and during that time I have served and
been in charge of her Majesty's ships Harlequin, Bril-
liant, Penelope, Devastation, Dragon, and Tiger, and
have never before had the misfortune to cause the least
injury to one of them. During the above period of 14
years I have at all times obtained the confidence of my
captains, in the proof of which I now submit to this hon.
court the only remaining certificate in my possession,
which happened to be lo'.ged in England, and thereby
saved from being lost in the Tiger. I would add, that
in proof of Captain Gifftrd's opinion of me, I have
served with him in three different sihps. I now leave
my case in the hands of this hon. court, who I am sure
will bear in mind the anxiety which I have suffered
during the last eleven months, and I trust, from what
the court have observed at this trial as to my conduct,
that they will acquit me of blame in the loss of the
Tiger.

Lieut. Royer was called as a witness by Mr. Edding-
ton, and he said—l have no hesitation in expressing the
opinion that on all points connected with the navigation
of the ship in which we served, Mr. Eddington was un-
remitting in his attention to his duties as ma=ter of the
ship, and I think him quite equal to all the duties ; an l
I know that Captain Giffard was satisfied with the cor-
rectness of his observations and attention.

Several other witnesses were then called, who spoke
most highly of his skill as a master, and as to his integ-
rity as an officer.

The ccairt was then cleared, and remained closed for
four hours. On its re-opening,

L. Greetham, Esq., the
shore deputy judge advocate, read
the &elit, of the court, which was to the following
t ed a s
effect :—"7fhat the said ship Tiger was run on
in consequence of having been rashly
she approached the coast of Odessa, xnd conducted
after
the ship had been run on share, the measures resorted
to get her aff at were very injudicious ; but iii respect
to the surrender of the Tiger to the enemy, shat
as t'ie ship was around, without any hope being enter-
tained of floating her off; and as she was exposed to the
enemy's guns, which had set her on fire, and up on
which the guns of the ship could not be brought to bear.
no blame can be imputed in consequence of such surren-
der. Tae Court is further of opinion no blame is imput-
able to Lieut. Royer, since he acted under the imme-
diate direction of his captain, and the Court cloth adiudi.
cate him to be acquitted. The Court is further of opinion
that Mr. Francis Eldington is blameable for the want
of caution which was exhibited by him in approaching
the shore near Odessa, but in consideration of his pre-
vious good character and long service doth a'ljudge him
t) be only severely reprimanded ; and the said Lieut.
Royer is hereby acquitted, and the said Francis Eddina
ton be and is hereby severely reprimanded.
The court then briike up. •
, ...
We. cannot CloSe thili'miject without doing an act of
barejustice to L. Greetham, El' the deputy judge ad-
vocate for the uniform courtesy he showed to the repre-
sentatives of the press, and for his earnest desire to give
them every assistance and accommodation in his power.

TRE NEW GOVERNMENT LOAN.

(From the Times' City Article of this clay.)

The influence of the new loan on the prices of the
funds, even after it.; conditioes shall have been arranged
at the Trea-mry with the Governor.; of the Bank and the
London capiteliste, will continue to be in some degree
indefinite until the Chancellor of the Exchequer shall
have stated on Friday next his general financial scheme
for the current year. Its most important bearings', how-
ever, can readily be weighed. On the expediency of the
loan itself there is nothing to be added to what has al-
ready been urged. Most persons can see that if it would
be madness for a farmer to depend on no pecuniary re-
sources beyond those of his daily incomings to meet a
year of bl.ght, or for a steam company to throw upon
the six months in which it occurred the entire loss from '
a wreck of some of its principal vessels, thtra can be
nothing to justify a Government in puiesuing such
a course on the occurrence of a war, when the
great effort should be to limit the disturbance
that must follow, and to avert for the time all sacri-
fices beyond the dreadful ones that are inevitable.
It is true the allegation has been made, that the ex-
penses of hostilities cannot be compared to the useful
outlay which a farmer is entitled to spread over a num-
ber of years by borrowing ; but as the difference between
a man who cuts trenches and puts up fences to avert
disastrous floods or the visits of wild beasts, or who has
to meet the exceptional ravages of storms of murrain,
and the nation that for its permanentsecurity feelscalled
upon to resist analogous evils, was not shown, the objec-
tion may be dismissed. Assuming, therefore, that the
policy of the measure is unquestionable, the only point
for inquiry is what will be its immediate results on the
general relations of business ?
The loan may be considered already to have affected
Consols to the extent of 4 or 5 per cent., and there has
been an actual fall of nearly 3 per cent., . when, instead
of a fall, a rise of 1 or 2 per cent, from the recent influx
of money might otherwise have been expected. Looking
at the magnitude of this movement, the public may be
likely to assume it as a consequence of its being the na-
ture of a loan under all circumstances to operate as a
drain upon the capital and resources of the country,
which must diminish the amount available for future in-
vestment. But this would be an error. The loan in the
present case will not draw from the public a single far-
thing of capital, and is, in fact, to be regarded as nothing
else than an immediate addition of 15,000,0001., or what-
ever may be its amount, to the property of the country.
A certain expenditure was to be met ; there was no
question as to the possibility of escaping it, and the only
thing to be settled was, whether it should be drawn from
the people by direct taxation, in which case their mettles
would be instantly diminished to that extent, or whether
in return for it an annuity charge should he given them
on future generations, saleable at all times in the public
markets, equal in value to 1001. for every 1001. they have
advanced, and, consequent'y, tantainountto an increase
of wealth sufficient to compensate for that which is with-
drawn. This increase of available wealth is obtained only
by undertaking new liabilities for the future, but that
part of the subject is not now under consideration.

It will be said, however, that the increase of secu-
rities is counterbalanced by the depreciation in
price of the large amount of similar securities pre-
viously existing, and that therefore the apparent
benefit is a delusion. Such is n.,t the case. Un-
questionably an immense depreciation has already
been witnessed, but it is merely temporary ; and,

.
when the real causes of it have passed away, the effect
of the new creation of stock now about to be proposed
on the price of Consols and other securities will be
scarcely appreciable. Indeed, if the fall which has just
occurred were to be regarded as anything more than a
momentary depreciation, the conclusion would be that
the introduction of 15,000,0001. of new stock causes a
diminution of 40,000,000/. in the value of the stock pre-
viously in existence, since a reduction of 5 per cent. in
the market price of the entire national debt would be
equal to that sum, to say nothing of the still larger mass
of other securities that have been influenced in a greater
degree. The fact is, that the depreciation is only mo-
mentary, and such as is always observable when any
market receives a sudden a'ldmtional supply requiring
time fur distribution. If on Monday next the quantity
of wheat u,ually brought to Mark-lane were increased
threefold by an isolated arrival from a fresh field, a
heavy drop would be witnessed, but the price thus
reached would not be the true one at which to estimate
the value of all the wheat remaining in the country,

which, as soon as the new quantity had been cleared off,
would be nearly the same as before. It must also be
remembered that an increase in the supply of Consols or
other British stock is not like an increase of any article
subject to a limited demand. The promise of an annuity
of 31. per annum is a promise of gold, which commands
all articles, and its value can be damaged only when-
ever doubts are raised as to the ability or intention of
the nation to fulfil it. If an individual holding an an-
nuity from Rothschild's or Baring's for 5001. were to
hear that they had subsequently, granted an annuity
to his neighbour for 1001., he would not consider his
property depreciated, although, if he found them reck-
lessly granting annuities for as many millions, he would,
of course, consider it to have become worthless.

The facts to be borne in mind, therefore, at the pre-
sent moment, as regards the condition of the money-
market, are that the disturbance will be of short dura-
tion, that the loan will not unfavourably affect the

foreign exchanges, since it will not OnUSG a Shilling to
leave the country beyond what must have been sent even
if it had not been resolved upon, and finally, that com-
mercial credit will be upheld to the extent of the new
property distributed among the people in place of that
which is drawn from them. The way in which this
15,000,000/. of new stock property will become distri-
buted so as ultimately to restore the money.market to
its ordinary state may easily be understood. If
15,001,000/. had been drawn from the people without
their receiving anything in exchange for it, their means
and credit would have been lessened to that extent.
When, on the contrary, they have absorbed in return
for their money 15,000,000/. of Consols, their mutual
credit is proportionably strengthened, and they can do
without capital with which they have been required to
part.

METROPOLITAN A ND LOCAL
LEGISLATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIR SUN.

SIR,—Pending the investigation of the merits of Sir
B. Hall's bill, for the amendment of our Metropolitan
and Local Legislation, permit me, through the medium
of your valuable journal, to direct public attention to
ono important fact, which appears altogether to have
escaped mere general notice. The bill in question con-
veys the power, under certain limitations, to make and
collect rates, for carrying into effect all measures pro-
posed by its enactments. But in no clause is it eithar
stated or defined upon what basis this proposed rate
should be assessed, nor what standard should be fol-
lowed in its collection. The power to make and collect
any rate, either for the purposes of the Beard of Health
or otherwise, is no trifling consideration or authority
to be demanded, and of itself necessarily involves a
large amount of responsibility, both in its delegation
and in its administration—since such a rate must be over
and above all poor rates, paving rates, sewers, police, or
any other now existing rate, at present chargeable upon
all houses, lands, and properties throughout the king-
dom. It should, therefore, be borne in mind, and I sub-
mit it should now be first decided, what hereafter shall
constitute the true and correct data of parochial as-,ess-
ment. The present assessment of the whole metropolis
to the poor's-rate, &c., is most notoriously defective—
( Vide Magistrates' Returns)---for while such parishes as
St. Martin's, St. Clement's, Gwent Garden, St James's,
Bethnal Green, Chelsea, &c., are, by that document,
declared to be assessed upon comparatively a correct
valuation, and to the utmost amount at which such
parishes should be chargeable, such other parishes, as
St. Mary-le-Strand, St. George, Hanover-square, St.
Pancras, Marylebone, &c., are also declared to be assessed
upon arbi.rery and ideal amounts, and in suirr,
varying from 52 per cent. downwards below their
actual net annual value, upon which the first-named
parishes are assessed. Therefore, in order to obtain
something like uniformity in the coanty rate (but in the
county rate alone) the magistrates in session have been
compelled to add even in hundreds of thousands of
pounds a proportionate sum to the assessment of those
last-named parishes, and to almost every other perish in
the county but those previously excepted, in order to
equalise the assessment to the county
Nor does the house tax, fnueled upon income-tax
' returns (whereon the actual fact is too often sought to be
evaded), supply a basis of assessment one jot more certain
or even more approximately correct than the former. I
therefore take the liberty of suggesting that the proper
tune has now arrived when the Legislature should be
loudly called upon to declare, and correctly to define,
that which hereafter shall constitute the true and cor-
rect data of parochial assessment, and determine that
standard, after which all rates uuiversally shall be made
regulate all metropolitan legislation, to
and collected. To accomplish this great desideratum
nothing further is requisite than, through the bill which
hereafter shall
declare that the provisions of the 6th and 7th Win. IV.,
cemmonly called "The Parochial Assessment Act,"
shall be made compulsory of adoption upon all parishes,
and that the enactments as regards valuation, assess-
ment, &c., shall be administered upon both (like the
Metropolitan Buildings Act), since the act alluded to.
and now so almost universally evaded, declares " that
no rate shall be valid or be of any force which is not made
upon the net annual value of all the several hereditaments
rated" thereunto. Such a provision, simple as it would be
would, in fact, place the saddle upon the right horse
and thus it would bring the wealthy parish of St. George,
Hanover,ep
far as their own quota is concerne I, into contrihution of
Jere, and many others of the like kind, as
their fair share toward the relief of the poor, which in this
one instance is about is. 6rl. or 2s. in the pound per
annum ; while some of the smaller parishes in the City
pay as much as Bs. 6d. in the pound per annum to ac-
complish the same object.
'Filerefore, in, one homogeneous scheme of parochial
Jurisprudence, let the Legislature be called upon now to
interpose, and by statutory enactment to do away with all
such existing anomalies as these—viz., that the house tax
be collected upon one standard of assessment, the pour
rate upon another, the police and county rates upon
another, and so on through the catalogue. Let the
Legislature now declare that which hereafter shall and
ought to be, and all will be well ; and in the alteration
which will be hereby accomplished, the a,lilitionel im-
post of a 'rate for the -Board of Health will scarcely be
felt. Otherwise,let uudue pressure remain, let the de-
firation .bf one Correct standard aseessnient 'rest. utee
touched, and evil upon evil will be perpetrated, the
enactments and proceedings of the Board of Health will
become a mere mockery of and departure from all prin-
ciple, a public delusion as to its real purpose, and a snare
to the pockets of all unsuspecting and by far too willing

ratepayers ; and that though called a Bill of Health, it i
will in reality be fou-!fl a, s-
Remaining, Sir, your most obethent
" PRO RATA." I

Bedford-row, April 10, 1855.

VOICES FROM THE BATTLE-FIELD.

CORPORAL DONALD MACDONALD. IST COMPANY IST
BATTALION SCOTS FUSILIER GUARDS.

" BALAKLAVA, March 19.—Our health and appearance
is much improved since we have been here. We begin
to look like guardsmen again. Indeed, our brigadier-
general gave us praise yesterday for our appearance on
parade. We have the wooden houses to live in now, but
we ought to have had them four months ago, and then
many of our poor fellows might have been saved. The
condition of the army is improving a little. The wea-
ther is very fine, and has been for the last ten days. It
is not so bad in the trenches now as it was two months
ago. We have got our last year's clothing, and we look
quite smart again. We are expecting an attack upon
this place from General Liprandi's army, but I think he
had better leave it alone."