The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-04 00:00:00

THE EARL OF DIINDONALD.

3.Ir.FRENCH rose to ask the First Lord of the Trea-
sury what steps had been taken, and what decision, if
any, had been come to in relation to the proposal made
by the Earl of Dundonald for the destruction of the
Russian fortresses. In doing so he passed a high enlo-
gium on the personal character and the scientific acquire-
ments of the noble earl, and observed that the Govern-
ment might, on the reputation of the noble earl, safely
nave availed itself of the plan proposed by the nol.le earl.
The public of this country were deeply interested in the
matter, and if the noble lord attire bead of the Government '
would state positively that it was not the intention of
the Government to take it up and carry it out, an ap-
peal might be made to the country, and no doubt a sum
of money would readily be ootaiued by that means to
enable the noble earl to carry hi.; plans int, effect.
Lord PALMERSTON- replied that no one couli en-
tertain a higher opinion of Lord Dundonald than he did.
He had had the honour of the noble earl's personal ac-
quaintance for a great number of years. The noble
earl stood as high as any man in the profession to which
he belonged, and moreover possessed great and e.‘:tensive
scientific attainments. Therefore any opinion delibe-
rately entertained by the noble earl on the subject re-
ferred to by the hon. member was entitled to the best
consideration of the Government. (Hear, hear.) The
plan proposed by the noble earl last year was (f course
necessarily submitted to a certain number of professional
and scientific individuals. The result of their inquiries
and investigation into it was that there appeared
to be some difficulties of execution, aid much
doubtful anticipation of its capabilities, that nothing
could be done with regard to it. The plan had re-
cently again been pressed on the notice of the Govern-
ment by Lord Dundonald, and was still under considera
tion ; but he felt bound to say that it was far from being
so free from doubt and difficulty as to its operation, as
his hon. friend seemed to imagine. All he could say at
present was, that the plan was still under consideration,
and if any plan had been devised by the noble earl or by
any other person which was calculated to accomplish
the ends and objects stated, there was great objection
to publicly discussing its merits, and exposing what it
was intended to effect. (Hear, hear.)

CONDITION OF THE MILITIA,

Mr. H. BAILLIE then rose to call the attention of
the house to the state and condition of the militia force
in the United Kingdom, and to put a question to the
Government upon the subject. He observed that the
result of the recent alterations in the militia force had
been that the force had been reduced to a complete state
of disorganisation.

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COIF-

MITTEE-(THIS DAY.)

(Continued from our first edition.)

In further allusion to the purchase of guns from this
country in preference to the continent,
Sir Thomas Hastings went on to say that in case of an
invasion taking place being shut up in London without
a supply from Birmingham they could not arm the popu-
lation. If there should ever be an invasion, as Birming-
ham was located iu the centre of the kingdom, it would
furnish arms in any quantity. The Duke of Newcastle
listened most attentively to all be said on this subject,
and upon his remarking that 20,000 stand of arms would
not injure the commerce of Birmingham. He should
regret exceedingly that it should appear that he had op-
posed the obtaining of that number of muskets, but he
wished to explain that it was his impre-sion that such a
step, would quite destroy the gun trade of Birmingham.
They had not received a single musket from Bdgium.
By teaching the manufacturers there how to make a new
species of arms they could be sold to other countries and
might be turned against ourselves at any time. 152.000
muskets were ordered at Birmin4hain, of which 83,991
had been delivered.

By General Peel—He bad not beard of any comp!aints
made by the contractors as to delay occasioned in ob-
taining patterns for the arms required.
In reply to Mr. Laynrd, he went oil to st ite that
an offer was made from Cologne to supply arm,, but
it was not accepted. A good deal of business, in
connection with the Ordnance, was transacted t y the
order of Mr. Monsell, the Clerk of the Ordnance. The
board was not mace acquainted with the change which
was effected in that department, except through the
medium of the public journals. He was of opinion that
the system in which business had previou,ly been done
should be continued. The business of the War Depart-
ment latterly had been cond-icted in a very indefinite
way, but he could not say whether verbally or in
writing.
The witness proceeded afterwards to state that the
authority of the board had been used without that au-
thority being expressly delegated ; and mentioned one
instance in particular, which occurred in connection
with the new laboratory at Woolwich, into the details
of which he entered at some length.
In examination by Mr. Layard, a qnestim arose as
to the names of twnofficere, whom the witness ,tAted
bad misconducted themselves at Woolwichna short time
ago, and which be observed had militated against the
efficient discharge of the public service. Ho raid the
officers stood in the relation of principal and assistant,
and he had wished the Lieutenant-General to inquire
into the matter, but that he observed a strong Melina,-
' bon to put the thing aside. He, however, entertained a
I strong feeling upon the point ; for, with such anta-
gonism between the two officers, it was impossible
things could go right ; whilst, if it were passed over
without inquiry officially, it might, when it became
known, bring discredit and disgrace upon the public
service. He accordingly urged inquiry, but wai after-
wards informed that the Minister for War had taken
the matter into his own bands. The witness, when
asked, declined to mention the names of these officers,
whereupon the room was cleared.
On the readmission of the public,

Mr. Layard inquired of Sir Thomas Ha tins, in
whose hands were the appointments of the officers you
have alluded to ?
Witness—ln the hands of the Lieutenant-General and
the Master-General.

Mr. Layard—Has the Master-General full power to
dismiss officers who misconduct themselves ?

Witness—Entirely so.
Mr. Layard—During your connection with the board,
have you ever known of an instance in which the Mi-
nister for War interfered in such cases
Witness—Never until the present instance. I never'
knew the Minister for War interfere in any way with
the administration of the Ordnance board. _

Mr. Layard—lf any detriment to the public service
should ensue from the misconduct of any officers, the
board, I presume, would be responsible
Witness—yes.
Mr. Layard—Not the Minister for War ?
yitness—By no means.
urf;t'lleolricilaneyi.:tee adjourned shortly Lefore 4 o'clock

OFFICIAL DESPATCH PROM FIELD-
M AhnIAL LORD RAGLAN.

?is Gazette. )
( Prom a supP ---------.-----lement to Tuescia
Lord Panroure has this
WAR DEpAir"
clit-y):reCileiTv e' ilMaATles4p. atch and its
enclosures, of which the fo
conartopol, April 21.
front of Itala..ia...eva. it
hii lordship by Field-Alarsh.l tiaBl7,or° eltes, addresed to
Before
so„..(1 Iglan, G.C.B.
expcdient
My Loni,—Onier Pasha having
to wake a reconnaissance iu
, 1 I a, with a view
to ascertain what force the enemy had on the Tchernuya,
he proceeded at daylight on the 19th instant, by the ex-