The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-17 00:00:00

THE SUM, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1855.

nistered during the last 11 months of war. In the year
1832 a change was made in the conduct of naval votes, and
more especially with reference to the accounts of the navy.
From a very early period, almost from the Revolution of
1788, owing to the wide extent of the naval expen liture,
an expenditure carried on in every part of the world, and
to the accounts having been remitted at uncertain periods,
whenever a war took place the naval debt began to ac-
cumulate, and, before the close of the war, in 1813, the
naval debt, separates from the national debt, amounted to
8,500,0001. The origin of this debt is to be traced partly
to the circumstance I have mentioned—of the wide area
over which that expenditure is spread, and partly also to
the vicious system of drawing bills at long dates, which
had prevailed from the Revolution down to the year 1832.
In that year precautions were taken by Parliament with
reference to the system of drawing bills. Instead of pay-
ment by bills prompt payment was introduced, and addi-
tional precautions were also taken to ensure greater accu-
racy in the preparation of the estimates ; because, under the
more lax system which prevailed up to that time, the
estimates were generally low, the expenditure in war con-
stantly exceeded them, and that excess was met by the
creation of a separate naval debt. Now, sir, the precau-
tions taken were considered at the time to be ample, and
I am glad to say, after 20 years' experience, they have
proved satisfactory. An alteration was made in the Ap-
propriation Act, which compelled not only the perpetual
audit of the accounts, but when there has been an excess
in the expenditure of the year beyond the vote of supply
for the naval expenditure of that year, it hs been by law
rendered compulsory that that excess shall be stated to
Parliament by an independent board of audit, and that
that excess shall be brought under the notice of a commit-
tee of supply, and tho deficiency made good by a separate
vote ; or, if there be a surplus,
.that that surplus shall be
carried to the credit of the year in which such em plus oc-
curred. (Hear.) The first vote I have to bring under your
notice is in accordance with this provision. In the year
ending the 31st of March, 1854, the surplus of expenditure
over the sum voted was 79,000/. Considering the large
sums of which the estimates were composed, this amount
is in itself insignificant, but the production of this excess
now is a proof of the efficacy of the new system and of the
careful observation of the rule laid down by Parliament.
(Hoar, hear.) The next vote, as I have already sail, has
reference to the present year, ending on the 31st of March,
and notwithstanding the large amount which Parliament
generously voted for the naval service in the last year,
amounting, independently of the cost of transports, to
above 8,000,0001., the actual surplus expenditure for the
year ending on the 31st of March, as nearly as we can cal-
culate it, including transports, will amount to a sum of
1,938,0001. Of this sum on a former evening, a vote was
taken on account for 1,600,000/., and there remains there-

fore to be voted a sum of about 300,000/. Now, the
estimates for the ensuing year are larger than the esti-
mates voted for the current year, independently of this
supplementary estimate, by a sum of about 2,000,0001.
If we take, in addition to the sum actually
voted, this supplementary estimate for the current
year of 1,938,0001., the sum asked being about 10,000,0001.,
is only an increase of 299,0001., independently of trans-
ports, for the whole naval service of next year, as com-
pared with the expenditure of the current year. In fornier
years of war the number of men voted has been infinitely
larger than the number of men which I now ask at your
hands. The number of men voted in 1814 was no less than
147,000 men. The proposition which I now make to the
committee is, that there shall be an addition to the pre-
sent force of 6,700 seamen and boys, and of 500 marines,
making the naval force for the ensuing year amount to
70,000 men. The excess now asked for over the sum
voted for the current year amounts altogether, as I have
already stated, excluding the supplementary estimate,
which is the second vote, to about 2,000,000/. This ex-
cess arises upon five votes. It arises upon vote 1, for men,
amounting to 231,000/. ; upon vote 2, for victuals, amount-
ing to 303,000/. ; on vote 8, for wages, 171,000/.; vote 10,
for stores, machinery, and ships, amounting to 1,088,000/. ;
and. vote 11, new works, 188,000/. As I have already
stated to the house, the large number of seamen voted at
the end of the former war, amounted altogether, seamen
and marines, to 147,000 men, and I have contrasted that
number with the present force which it is fry duty to pro-
pose to you. But I must here call to the remembrance of
the house the altered circumstances under which the na-
val force is now created. Throughout the last war impress-
ment universally prevailed. I have the pleasure of stating
to the committee that, at this moment, the full amount of
naval force voted by Parliament, exclusive of marines,
amounting to somewhere near 61,000 men—the whole of
that force is now afloat and is available for service, by vo-
luntary enlistment—(hear, hear)—and the whole number
voted by Parliament is, indeed, somewhat exceeded.
(Hear.) The expenditure under vote 1, which is some-
what in excess, is to be traced to causes which have ren-
dered this voluntary enlistment comparatively easy
By the generosity of Parliament various alterations
have been introduced into the pay and allowances
of seamen. Souse of these, I think, I have stated
upon former occasions to the house ; some I have
now to state for the first time. There was, for ex-
ample, what appeared to the Board of Admiralty an un-
just distinction in the pay of marines afloat as compared
with the pay of those on shore. A deduction was made
from their pay in consideration of the rations which were
issued to them together with the seamen. That reduction
has now been abolished, and a marine now receives his pay
whether afloat or on shore, without any reduction, and-
when serving afloat is placed on a footing of perfect equality
with seamen. (Hear.) Then, again, there was a new
rating introduced towards the close of the last year—that
of leading men, with a higher class of pay, as constrasted
with ablebodied seamen. Then, again, we have introduced
a system of payment infinitely more prompt than hereto-
fore. By this arrangement, ships are paid almost imme-
diately on their arrival in port, a principle which was in-
troduced by the Government which preceded the one to
which I lately had the honour to belong, by the Board of
Admiralty, presided over by the Doke of Northumber-
land. In consequence of this system of prompt payment,
I may mention the Baltic fleet, which has recently re-
turned to England, had been paid up in full, with the ex-
ception of some two moo ths'pay. Then, again as to allot-
ments of pay ;—therehave been increasedfacilities afforded
in that important matter—the privilege of the seaman in
exercising an independent right of disposal over his own
earnings. 'there were restrictions formerly on that right
which appeared to me to be neither necessary nor just. A
seaman was not permitted to allot his pay, excepting in
certain degrees of ailinity—relationship was necessary to
constitute the right of an al'ottee. The Board of Admiral.),
has abolished that restriction, and a seaman now has a
perfect right to nominate any person to whom he wishes
his pay to be allotted, without ref. r.;nce at all to any degree
of relationship, or any other consideration. Then again, in
regard to another important matter, a considerable sum,
197,0301., in excess of the vote for slops—clothing issued
to the seamen. Tie cost price of articles of that descrip-
tion has risen highly, but it has not been thought expe-
.lient to raise the price of those issue 1 to the seamen,
and, in consequence, there is on the face of the esti-
mates the sum of 197,0001., which is the estimated
difference between the cost price to the public and the
lower price at which they are to be sold to the seamen.
(Hear.) Then, again, as to continuous service. This prin-
ciple was adopted last session, wile the full consent of
Parliament that men entering for a period of years not less
than 10 should receive a higher rate of pay, on account of
the permanent hold which the country would posses over
their services by the abandonment of the right which men
hitherto had of claiming their discharge at the end of five
years' service. That higher rate of pay has acted as an in-
ducement, and I am glad to inform the committee that at
this moment nearly 20,000 seamen and first-class boys
have availed themselves of this higher rate of pay, and
this will form, before long, I believe, the best reserve on
which the country can rely for their naval force. (Hear.)
I have also to state that we have added, within the last
three years, nearly 4,000 men to the marines. I cannot
too strongly impress on the committee my earnest desire,
the result of experience and of reflection, that this amount
of 16,000 marines should, under any state of circum-
stances, whether of peace or of war, be considered by Par-
liament as the permanent force to be maintained. lam
quite satisfied that this force is the nucleus from which a
fleet can be formed in the shortest time and with the
greatest certainty. There are no men who, on the whole,
are of such inestimable value. They are perfect as soldiers,
they have been taught with success the light infantry ex-
ercise, they are now acting as such in connexiou with
Lord Raglan's army, and, as to fitting out ships, they are
so expert that there is a slackness on the part of seamen
to enter until the marines on board have performed the
heaviest portion of the fitting out. They are perfect sol-
diers, accomplished sailors—their merits cannot be too
highly extolled or valued, and I am quite satisfied that it
is most conducive to the welfare of the naval service, and,
consequently, to the safety of the State, that this shouldl
be regarded as the permanent force, and I hope that
Parliament will not, even in a time of peace, hastily
diminish the number of marines, or that any Govern-
ment, judging from past experience, wilt be slow to
reduce this force of 16,000 mon, which has required such
great exertions to raise, and which we have so successfully
trained, and which, I repeat, I am satisfied is the most
valuable addition to the naval forces of this country which
it is possible to obtain. (Hear, hear) Upon the other
heads I have explained, so far as is necessary at present
to do, the excess of vote lin the number of men. I have
shown that, for 231,0001., you will obtain an increase of
6,000 sailors and 500 marines. The next excess arises upon
vote 2, for provisions. That is easily explained by the in-
creased number of men to be employed—not less than
9,ooo—and, in addition, there has been a material rise in the
prices of articles which mainly constitute the provisioning
of the navy—salt provisions, fresh meat, and spirits—the
rise upon which articles has been nearly 18 per cont. These
two circumstances account for this increase. The next vote
in which there is an increase is vote 8, for wages to artifi-
cers, &c., employed in her Maj esty's establishments at home.
That excess arises mainly from an addition of 800 ship-
wrights, which, on account of the war, it has been thought
fit to make to the establishments at home, and also from
the rise in wages paid to labourers arising from the high
prices of provisions, and perhaps still more from the urgent
necessity for the prompt execution of works indispensably
necessary for carrying on the war, which has rendered it
expedient not only to increase the number of shipwrights,
but also not to permit them any longer to work by day.
work, only by task, without any limitation of the amount
of work they might be able to perform. This has enabled
us, with great expedition, to fit out a very large number
of ships, and, consideringthe work which has been done,
and the rapidity with which it has been executed, I hope
the increase of 71,0001. will not be thought excessive by
the committee. I now come to the principal excess in
the vote for the ensuing year as compared with that
for the past year, which will be found in vote 10, for
stores for the building, outfit, and repairs of the fleet,
and for the purchase and building of ships by contract
in merchant dockyards. The excess in this vote mainly
consists of the following items :—With regard to stores,
Pt::: 1
ihaveeitjwrp risen in some of the most important mate-
rials. I will illustrate this by five articles—timber, hemp,
7,Covaenrd
iifroln.
canvas, co
mistake I s h oul
not,d somewheresta te that
aboutun de r '
180.0001. of the entire excess of 1,088,000/. and that of that
hemp which the sum a very large
.Eooration is to be traced to the purchases of
importance that this It t%l of Admiralty have thought it expe-
dient to make.has always appeared to me of the last
I,,,gyeat naval country should be moan-
cipated from its de
isitioli).pqi
supply
quality
hemp.ty asco(mtipeaarre..i 1 n,,,,i,otahioynil:t,~hi,tel Baltic
uees hemp of vets Cape-
and the Board
of Admiralty has had an opportueliet hemuArchasing a very
true than Baltic
moonegismated re-
, large quantity of Italian hemp at a 1Y of
woonshall
hemp, a quantity quite setticient fur al'll.
quirements of the naval service for 12
and still snore rely:
is of a quality, juttt.e
This hemp will be supplied from Italy alone, anat.° shall
thus us be altogether emancipated from our dependence
xe rpi
ea
rl ,i e
ntoo,co ,
ourilimar.lftircomfor
the experience of cur naval ally-.—l mean France—
ing on hemp.
own limited The ma
et
• ltic hemp. • I think the committee
vastly superior to Baltic
will agree that an expenditure on a large scale, in order to
develope the Italian market
for hemp, was a provident
ex-
penditure. (Hear.) The other items to which I refer
this moment
arose from the circumstance of the war. At
we have substituted in the Black Sea for 10 sail of the line
f sailing ships
consisting entirely, with one exception, o ,

six sail of th,e !tine, one a three-decker, another of 100 gnus
on two chicks and four other ships of the line of the largest
class, all pro polled by steam power and it is not intended
by the Grovel :ament to send any sailing ships whatever to
the Baltic. Olean) Our experience has taught us that 1
the mixture of screw and sailing ships is not conducive
to the interei iis of the service. They cannot be manoeuvred
together. T.ll e commander-in-chief, not using the same
arm, but ha ling to consider the use, first, of the sailing ,
ships, and then of the screw ships, is baffled in his ar-
rangements, and the efficiency of the fleet materially af-
fected. It is intended to send into the Baltic in the en-
suing year -vowels propelled by steam alone, and I hope
before six -weeks or two months are over 20 sail of the
line, propelled by steam, will be ready to resume
operations in that quarter. (Cheers.) Considering the
scale of those operations, the consumption of coal must be
enormous. The expense, therefore, is great, though ex-
perience shows that the expense is not so great having re-
gard to the supericeity of the screw over sailing vessels. I
have already told yet!. that at the end of the French war
we had 147,000 sailors And marines. I ask you onllf on the
present occasion to hay. e 70,000. At the end of tht French
war, when we had really' not an enemy on the sea, nor a
rival, we had in commiss.lon somewhere about 100 or 110
sail-of-the-line. According, to the proposition which I now
make, we shall not have above 46 or 50 sail-of-the-lino,
but I believe the smaller force, with a smaller number of
men, but with all the appliances of modern art and
science, will be found no less' efficacious to sustain the
honour of this country either ha measures of offence or de-
fence. (Hear.) And if that be so, although the propor-
tion of expenditure may be heavy in the purchase of ma-
chinery, and the substitution of an artificial propelling
• power fora natural one, yet, on -the whole, my belief is,
that, notwithstanding the extra expenditure, the balance
of advantage even on the lower ground of expense will be
• found to be in favour of modern science and modern im-

provemont. (Hear.) The excess of coal is estimated at
bOO,OOO/. That may appear alarming, bat it must be re-
membered that in the Black Sea we are rapidly substitut-
ing steam vessels only for a force mainly consisting of sail-
ing vessels, and, as I have stated, we intend to send to the
Baltic 20 sail-of-the-line, which will form part of a fleet of
100 vessels, all propelled by steam. This brings me to an-
other explanation of this heavy expenditure. France and
England have come to a mutual agreement to prepare for

operation in the Baltic 5 floating batteries, 20 gunboats,
and 10 mortar-boats, making together 10 floating batteries,
40 gunboats, and 20 mortar-boats, all heavily armed, and
of light draught, and all propelled by steam. In con-
cert with France—happily our ally, no longer our rival,
except in the honest and earnest endeavour to bring this
contest to an honourable close by increased exertions—
we have during the winter been preparing this im-
mense armament. Parliament, in its generosity, voted
a large portion to meet this expenditure, but a considerable
amount for steam-engines and the construction of vessels
still remains outstanding; and, having mentioned the in-
crease of the vete for the purchase of stores and coals, the
residue of excess is made up of 650,0001. for steam ma-
chinery, and 350,000/. still outstanding for the building of
floating batteries, mortar-boats, and gun-vessels, to which
I have already adverted. The 650,0001. for steam machi-
nery will not only be applied to vessels already launched
and forming part of the naval force to be employed in the
Baltic and the Black Sea, but it is proposed, in the course
of the ensuing year, to launch five or six line-of-battle
ships and frigates, of a most powerful description, for
which steam machinery will be supplied under the vote
which I now ask. Therefore, you will observe, steps have
been taken not only to increase the efficiency of the force
now afloat, but to meet any reverses, should they occur—
and reverses in war can never bo considered as avoidable.
They will occur, and precautions are taken by haring ships
of equal capacity and equal power to meet any loss which,
in the course of the coming year, may be sustained.
(Hoar, hear.) The next vote of which there is any excess
is vote 11, for new works. The sum of that excess is
188,0001., partly to be traced to a new bakery at Deptford,
necessitated by the large demand for the suppy of biscuits
to the fleets. The new mode of construction has so added
to the length of ships of war as to render necessary the
lengthening of the docks at Portsmouth, Chatham, and
'
Sheerness, the expense of which is considerable • and there
is also a sum expended on works at Keyham to expedite
the completion of the factories there for the construction
of steamers of war. (Hear, hear.) Now, sir, I have gone
through briefly the principal heads of excess in the votes
of tho ensuing year as contrasted with the votes of the
past, and this will probably form the effective expenditure.
It will be satisfactory to the house to hear that what
is termed the dead weight of the navy is progressively.
diminishing. In 1831, when my attention was first di-
rected to these matters, the half-pay of the navy was
874,000/. For the current Tear, 1854, it is only
693,0001., showing a decrease of 182,0001. Then, too,
with regard to civil pensions. In 1834 I had the honour
of introducing a measure for the purpose of effecting con-
siderable reductions in that branch. The difference is very
sensible, and it will become more and more so. In 1834
the civil pensions of the navy amounted to 230,0001. This
year we ask only for 149,0001. showing a decrease, which
is progressive, of 81,0001. lam warned that I shall not
find it easy to continue these remarks, even if the com-
mittee should kindly bear with me ; but I thought it my
duty to appear this evening for the purpose, however im-
perfectly, of stating the questions now to be submitted to
you with regard to the nary expenditure. (The right hon.
baronet was evidently suffering from recent indisposition.)
It has been said, and said truly, that to bring this war to
a speedy and honourable conclusion every effort which this
country can make is indispensable. (Hear.) I would have
the committee bear in mind we are making war on a Sove-
reign whose empire is great and remarkable on account of
its being almost unassailable. We are carrying on that
war in the neighbourhood of his resources and at a distance
from our own. We.have carried that war into his coun-
try—a country almost destitute of provisions—and we are
carrying it on upon the Black Sea, which is a sea without
a harbour. These are great strains on our naval power.
(Hear.) It is asked, what have yon done with regard to
your expenditure for the navy ? Now, I really must say
that on the whole the operations in the Baltic, as they were
conducted last year, appear to me to deserve the apdroba-
tion of the house. Bomarsund, a most important naval
station, fortified strongly, and bearing marks of an inten-
tion to carry that system of fortification to a much greater
extent, has been destroyed. The naval arsenal close to
the capital of the Emperor of Russia was visited by a force
inferior to the force there stationed. Battle was repeatedly
offered and repeatedly declined. (Hear.) Up to last month
Sweaborg, with nine sail.of-the-line, was blockaded by
an inferior force of frigates only. Never were operations
more successful, displaying more gallantry, more discipline
than the operations in the Baltic. (Hear, hear.) In
that sea not a ship was lost, and a most effective blockade
was kept up, and one that were displayed the energy, sk ill,
and gallantry of English officers and men, and the pressui e
brought to bear upon the enemy was, I believe, by no
means light. Then, also, I are bound to say, with reference
to the conduct of the navy everywhere that it has been
most satisfactory. You have a commerce covering every
sea, and extending to the most remote parts of the globe,
and I am not aware that a single merchant ship has fallen ,
into the hands of the enemy. I hope and believe that, as
you have always done, as you will now have reason to de-
pend upon the naval service for the support you have a
right to expect. The naval service is the spear and the
shield of the country, it is the weapon of attack and the
buckler of defence, it is the rock upon which we may build
our hopes of safety without fear of disappointment. (Hear.)
This nation has never failed to regard that service with
the partiality and confidence it deserves, and you, as faith-
ful representatives of the people, will never do anything
to injure that service. You will require a strict account
of expenditure from those who administer its affairs, but
you will do nothing to impair its efficiency; and I am
satisfied that, in so doing, you will best provide for the
national interests and the national security. (Hear.) The
right hon. baronet concluded by proposing a vote of
79,0931., to defray the excess of expenditure over the esti-
mates of last year.

Mr. W. WILLIAMS did not rise for the purpose of op-
posing any of the votes which might bo proposed, as he
had, since the commencement of the war, toestantly ex-
pressed an epinion that every facility should be afforded
to the Government to enable them to carry on the war
with vigour, in order to secure a speedy and honourable
peace. He wished to make a few observations on what
had fallen from the right hon. baronet. The right hon.
baronet had referred to "the number of men required to
'carry on the present war, as compared with the number
required to carry on the last ; but he did not think
that there was any credit to be taken because the number
required for the present war fell short of that required
in the last. In the late war the naval forces of the coun-
try had to operate in all parts of the world, while in the
present they were confined to blockading the enemy in two
seas alone. With regard to the additional men required,
he thought that unless some more was to be done than had
been done last year they were unnecessary. The right bon
baronet had taken credit for the reduction of the half-pay
and, retired pensions list, but he could not join with him
in expressing any approbation on that account. What was
the state of the half-pay list at the present time The
committee must bear in mind that the services of only 17
admirals were required, and of those, 4 were employed as
port admirals. How many admirals, he woald ask, were
on the half-pay list ? There were no less than 270—that
was to say, that there was an admiral for every. ship in
commission, as there were 9 admirals more upon it than
last year. With regard to captains, there were 124 em-
ployed on service, while the number on the half-pay list
was 480; there were 127 commanders employed, while the
number living upon half-pay wax 817. With these facts
before him, he did not feel justified in congratulating the
committee. With regard to new works, some might be
necessary or even indispensable, but still ho thought a large
portion of what was contemplated was not called for at
all. With regard to what had taken place in the Baltic
last year, he thought that if nothing more wore intended
to be done this year the expenditure proposed was exces-
sive. In manning the Baltic fleet last year, a number of
men had been taken from the Coastguard at higher wages
than those paid to the remainder of the crews, and he hoped
that the Coastguard men had been sent back, and that it
would be practicable to man the Baltic fleet in the ordi-

nary manner. It appeared upon good authority that coal
could be procured in the Black Sea at the price of 7s. a-
ton, and he did not see the necessity of a sum of 200.0001,
to supply transports with coal. It was not his intention
to offer any opposition to the present vote, but he should
feel it to be his duty to offer some observations to the com-
mittee when some of the subsequent votes were brought
forward.
Captain SCOBELL, after expressing his regret at the
absence of tho hon. member for Montrose, observed, that
the right hon. baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty had
drawn attention to the merits of the marines. As marines,
no one could praise them more highly than he (Captain
&obeli); but when the right hon. baronet stated that they
were accomplished sailors as well as soldiers, he begged to
demur to that proposition. The marine never went aloft,'
and he could neither hand, reef, nor steer. In the course
of their discussions a few nights ago upon the proposed re-
forms in the army, they had boon told about a modern
Hercules sweeping away the Horse Guards. He could only
hope when the modern Hercules appeared, that he would
also attack the Admiralty. He did not think that we ever
had a better First Lord than at the present time ; but the
system was thoroughly bad. A noble lord, who bad hail
some oi6eiPl experience, had stated in another place, that
if the administration of the army were assimilated to that
of the navy it would become a hot-bed of jobbery and
bribery. He did not go quite so far us to say that, but
he did complain erongly of the system of promotion in the
navy, and he recommended the First Lord to abandon that
system and to determine to advance merit, and ineritalone.
This cone so had been commenced in the dockyards, and in
the civil service; and if it were carried out in the navy it
would lead to the promotion of active, energetic, and skil-
ful men. (Hear.) There were at the present time lieute-
nants on the list who were of from 36 to 50 years' stand-
ing. Of course they never could bo promoted now, for
theirra day was gone ; but it showed how defective the aye-
Leartr. In fact, as at present exercised, it was perfectly
heartbreaking for it was notorious that the men who had
the greatest parliamentary and family influenceinfluence were the
first to b 0 advanced (Hear.) He (Captain Scobell) askd
nothing for himself or for anybody else ; but he said thate,
if the First Lord would put an end to the present system

ho would lay the navy under the greatest possible obliga-
tions to him. (Hear, hear.) It bad been said that the
Baltic fleet had been badly manned and worse disci-
plined. He believed that some of those ships had been
badly manned, and he knew that it was very difficult to
bring badly manned ships into good discipline. A number
of landsmen and men from the coastguard and dockyards
were huddled together and called a "ship's crew." A
gallant officer had observed to him that, however much
pressed, he would not have taken the command of some of
these ships, because he was persuaded that if he had gone
into action with them he would have lost his reputation.
He recommended that bounties should be given to sailors
as well as to soldiers. The good effect of raising a bounty
had been experienced in the case of the army, and he could
not but regard it as an act of craziness to withhold it from
the sailor, He rejoiced that an Order of Merit was about
to be instituted, which would be attainable by men of all
ranks. He was convinedd that it would act as agi eat
stimulus directly it became known, and he trusted that
it would be speedily adopted and promptly awarded. A
great deal had been said as to the :tate of the harbour at
Balaklava, and he, as a naval officer, could not conceive
why such confusion had prevailed there, fur thou ;h the
harbour was small yet the water was smooth, and the ships
could lie by the side of each other. In the case of the
Prince, he should like to know under whose superinten-
dence it was loaded, so that the wrong things were placed
uppermost, and when it had entered the harbour with a
mod precious freight of clothing for the soldiers, souse one
ordered it out, and who gave that order ?
Sir J. GR AM—lt never entered the harbour.

Captain SCOBELL—Why had it not entered, then ? It
was there several days before it lost its anchor and cable or
two and was wrecked. He trusted that this country would
not, in carrying ou the war with vigour, attempt to imitate
the continental Powers with regard to size of the army.
It was impossible that this country could compete with
them in numbers; but there was no reason why the army
should not be kept in a state of efficiency.
Mr. COWPER, observed that, by the regulations made
by the Admiralty, admirals who were incapable of active
service passed off to the retired lists, while officers reached
their flags when they were full of vigour and were able
to render more active service to their country than had
been the case under former regulations. The complaint
as to no bounty having been given was not a reasonable
one, as it would be seen by the votes that, without the
bounty, they obtained 44 more seamen than -the number
that had be.rn voted by Parliament. The hon. member
(Captain Scobell) had spoken to the house of the lots of the
Prince, and he (Mr. Cowper) thought that the observations
made should act as a warning to all who trusted too lightly
to the accounts received of the loss of ships in the Crimea,
as the hon. member was entirely wrong is supposing that
the Prince had over entered the harbour of Balaklava, for
on its arrival, the harbour was so full of ships unloading
that it 'became necessary for the Prince to wait outside
for its turn to enter. The loss of the Prince could not be
quoted as a loss against the Royal Navy, for the captain
was not in her Majesty's service, and, if fault there was,
it ought to rest on the merchant service, and not on the
Royal Navy.
Mr. LA.YAR,D was desirous of saying a few words on
behalf of a deserving and meritorious class of men in the
navy, who he thought had of late been somewhat ill-treated
—be alluded to the masters. The house was aware of the
onerous duties of the masters in the navy, and, though in
the Black Sea their services had not been so much required
in the Baltic the services of this class had been called forth
in a very distinguished manner, and yet not a single pru-
motion had been conferred upon them. Oue of the mas-
ters, Mr. Ball, had particularly distinguished himself, and
had been mentioned in the despatches. He believed that
the omission of this branch of the service had created con-
siderable disappointment. He trusted that the hon. and
gallant member for Middlesex (Mr. B. Osborne), in his ar-
dent zeal for the improvement of the public service, would
not overlook the claims of this very meritorious branch of
the public service. (Hear.)
Admiral BERKELEY said, that the subject just alluded
to by the hon. member was under the consideration of the
Admiralty. (Hear, hear.) A good deal had been said about
the stowage of the unfortunate ship the Prince. Now,
a committee had been appointed by the Government to in-
quire into the loss of that ill-fated vessel, and ho would
read au extract from the report at which this committee
arrived. The extract in question was to the effect that tho
evidence adduced not only disproved theallegation that the
loading of the ship was grossly neglected, but also esta-
blished the fact that the captain of the vessel had noground
whatever for stating that shot, shell, and gunpowder had
been placed on the top of the medical stores. With regard
to the transport service, it should beremembered thatthei e
could be no comparison made between the state of the
transport service during the last war and the improved
mannerin which it was now conducted. The house might
depend upon it that there was little to complain of with
regard to this branch of the service.
Sir G. TYLER said, that in the course of last session he
had ventured to suggest to the First Lord of the Admiralty
that bounties should be offered to induce able seamen to
enter the navy, a measure which, he thought, would be
productive of very beneficial results. Tha consequence of
such bounties not being given, he regretted to say, had been
that the Baltic fleet was anything but well manned. There
was a very marked distinction between the naval and mili-
tary services in this respect, which must, he thought, tend
to excite disgust in the navy, unless it wore allowed to
participate in the advantages enjoyed by the sister service.
The bounty given in the army averaged from Gl. to 10/.
per man, and the soldier also received his clothing free.
The right hon. baronet said that clothing was furnished
to the seamen at a cheaper rate than its prime cost ; but
why, he asked, should he not be presented with it, on
entering the service, in the same wayas the soldier was im-
mediately on his volunteering for the army ? The same
stamp of property might easily be placed on the sailor's
do thing as was impressed on the uniform of the soldier. But
the army possessed other advantages over the navy ; and if
this inequality were redressed he believed it would afford
great satisfaction to the latter service. Inother point that
had been referred to in that discussion related to the naval
coast volunteers. 116 saw an item of 50,000/. in the esti-
mates of the last and the present year for these coast volun-
teers. He thought it would be in the rignt hon. baronet's
recollection that ho had previouslypressed on his attention
the propriety of establishing a naval reserve, and the right
hoe. gentlemen bad expressed his intention to introduce a
measuic to eftbct that object. He wished, therefore, to ask
if the increase of 20,000 men now proposed was designed
to form the reserve which it was meant to establish ?
Sir J. GRAHAM.—It would bo the commencement
of it.

Sir G. TYLER supposed that they would be kept as a
mere coastguard in England and Scotland. Another item
was for the additional pay of petty officers in the coast-
guard service. Now, he asked, if these coastguardsrnes,
when serving on board ship, were to be allowed to receise
double pay—that was, pay as both coastguardsmen and as
seamen at one and the same time ? This would be unjust
towards the other seamen who were doing the same duty at
sea as these coastguardsmen. He thought that, when we
had these additional men for a naval reserve, if the coast-
guard were not required for the navy, they should be
allowed to return to their original employment. Ho had
made these remarks in the hope that the right hon. baronet
would consider them worthy of attention, and he believed
that, if we granted the same indulgences to the navy as
were shown to the army, we should be able to secure the
services of good and efficient seamen for her Majesty's
navy.
Sir J. GRAHAM always listened with respect to sugges-
tions emanating from the hon. and gallant member. As to
the comparative pay of the army and navy, the remunera-
tion of the sailor was, relatively, infinitely higher than
that of the soldier. Whatever was given to the latter in the
shape of bounty was reimbursed by him in the form of
stoppages of pay on his first employment; whereas the
sailor, from the moment he entered the service, received a
higher scale of pay, which was liable to no such reduction.
The gallant member had been misinformed if he supposed
that coastguardsmen serving as sailors drew pay both as
coastguardsmen and as sailors. Tue real state of the case
was that the coastguardsman when on board ship was con-
tinued in the enjoyment' of the coastguard pay, but he
received nothing in his capacity as a sailor. Every dispo-
sition was evinced to allow the coastguard to return to ser-
vice on shore, but the bargain made with• them bound
them to serve on board ship when required in time of war,
and a discretion must of course be vested in the ruling
power to determine when their services at sea could or
could not be dispensed with.
Mr. PELLATT was understood to inquire whether any
provision was made for granting pensions to the widows
of warrant officers, and whether sayings-banks were en-
couraged in the navy ? He wished also to know if com-
petition was allowed in regard to the manufacture of
machinery for the navy ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said, that abuses had crept in under
the former system of granting pensions to the widows of
these officers, and therefore an increase of pay had been
allowed to the men in lieu of it. The practice of placing
small deposits in savings-banks was fostered by every
means in the Admiralty's power. As to the manufacture
of the machinery required for the service, the Admiralty
found by experience that there were only six or eight
firms in this country that could execute this description
of work ; and the system pursued, when new orders had
to be given, was to issue private letters to sack of those
firms, informing them of the nature of the machinery that
was demanded, and then to leave them to compete with
each other for its construction. _ _

Mr. J. PHILLIMORE said, that he did not mean to
enter upon the general question of the blockade at pre-
sent, but he was anxious to know whether an explanation
could be given of the extraordinary manner in which
Odessa appeared to have been treated ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said, that he had no difficulty in
stating that en more than one occasion within the last six
months the attention of the commander-in-chief of the
Mack Sea had been drawn to the state of Odessa, and, if
it were capable of being attacked by naval means, an
opinion was expressed that, should the opportunity offer,
there should be no hesitation whatever in exercising the
full uud complete power accorded of making a hostile visi-
tation to that place ; therefore the affair was entirely in
the discretion of the admiral in that sea.
Admiral BERKELEY, in reply to Admiral Walcott,
said, the subject of clothing the navy and of making penal
the purchase of seamen's clothes, was under the considers-

ti.n of the Admiralty.
Mr. D. SEYMOUR, referring to a statement of the First
Lord of the Admiralty respecting gun-boats, said he did
not think that 20 gun-boats and five batteries were suffi-
cient for our parposesin the Baltic. Ho thought the Danube
ought to be cleared of the guns of the enemy, which pre-
vented the free use of that river.
Sir J. GRAHAM repeated the statement which he had
previously made, in reference to the number of gun-boats
now being built for the Baltic expedition. He agreed that
it would be most desirable to clear the Danube, as had been
suggested by the hon. gentleman, but that did net depend
upon gun-boats. The difficulty arose from the enemy's
batteries on the left side of the Danube, which prevented
the ships passing up. The right hon. gentleman (in reply
to Lord Lovaine) repeated the statement which ho made
in answer to Mr. Phillimore's question, relative to the i►n-
portance of making a hostile attack on Odessa.
Mr. LAYARD said that Odessa was the great store-house
of the south of Russia, where her corn was brought to be
exported into the various countries of Europe. Itu,sia was
now concentrating her forces there, and from thence Rue.
sian armies have passed over to the Crimea. By sparing
Meese this country had suffered severely. When the
Tiger had been attacked off Odessa there wore only a few
batteries; now, it was a strongly fortified place. If we bad
attacked that place with energy, Russia would not have
been enabled t 3 make the exertions which she had from
that quarter.
Mr. H. HERBERT said that the Russian Government
had rewarded their soldiers for having effected gallant ex-
ploits in connection with the attack and defence of Odessa,
which did not justify observations which, he understood,
were made by the noble lord opposite.
Lord LOVAINE did not expect to hear in a British
House of Commons the expression of a desire that British
troops should wantonly assail Russian troops.
Mr. WILSON deprecated this useless conversation.
The vote was then agreed to, as were also the votes ef---
389,344/. for the expenditure of the Marines.
70,000 men for the purposes of the Navy.

2,885,567/. for the wages of the men. • •
1,374,081/. for the Victualling Department.
140,469/. for salaries of officers connected with the Ad-
miralty office, and 50,000/. for Royal Coast Volunteers.
On the motion that 51,657/. be granted for the salaries
of the scientific department of the Navy;
Sir J. GRAHAM, iu reply to Mr. J. Ball, said the me-
teorological returns for the Navy were forwarded from the
Admiralty to the Board: of Trade, and were combined
with similar returns from merchant shipping.
The following votes were then agreed to, viz. :-142,5711.
to salaries and expenses of her Majesty's Naval establish-
ments at home ; 26,919/. to salaries and expenses of her
Majesty's Naval establishments abroad; 1,102,220/. wages
to artificers, &c., employed in her Majesty's establishments
at home ; and 57,5001. wages to artificers, &c., employed
in her Majesty's establishments abroad.
Oe the proposition of 2,928,301/. for naval stores, and
the building and repairing of ships, Stc.,
Sir J. GRAHAM, in reply to a question from an hon.
gentleman, referred in terms of high commendation to the
conduct of Sir J. Stirling, commanding it the Chinese Seas.
He had visited Japan, where he was received in the most
friendly manner. Ho had negotiated a treaty with the Em-
peror of Japan, whereby he had secured, in certain specified
ports of that country, the right of entry, for refitting and
victualling to her Majesty's ship, and the saiir3 privilege
to all British merchant ships. He negotiated tho treaty
on his own responsibility, and then seat it home for rati-
fication. It was approved. of by the Government. At
the time of sending ,this treaty home for ratification, Sir
James Stirling intimated to the Government that it would
be deirable to make a present to the Emperor of Japan,
such as that which is included in this vote, in the shape
of a stelae yacht of small size. Such a present, it was
thought, would be likely to improve our friendly relations
with that country ; and it was highly important to keep
such au object in view, inasmuch as Japan is so near to
the important Russian settlements at the mouth of the
Amver. This country would derive immediate advantages
from this treaty, so boldly and so wisely obtained. The
Government had agreed to Sir J. Stirling's proposal, and
they now asked the house to vete tho money for that pur-
pose.

The vote was then agreed to.
The next vote was 567,563/. for new works, improve-
ments, and repairs in the yards, &e.
Sir :T. V. SHELLEY asked for a word of explanation
in reference to the sawing machinery ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said that this curious machinery had
been found so useful at Chatham, that it had been intro-
duced elsewhere, and a groat saving of manual labour had
thereby been effected.
The vote was then agreed to.
On the proposition of 62,1001. for medicines and medical
stores,

Mr. STAFFORD said he could not allow this vote to
pass without bearing his testimony to the efficiency of the
arrangements at the hospital at Heraclea. He thought the
parties who supplied that hospital should be named, that
they might supply others. He then called attention to the
difficulties attending the disembarkatio❑ of the wounded.
The arrangements were not so efficient as might reasonably
b. expected from navel men. He trusted that the atten-
tion of the Government would be directed to this point.
Sir' J. GRA.HANI was pleased to hear the hon. gentle-
man's favourable testimony respecting the hospital in ques-
tion.

Mr. G. DUNDAS was understood to say that Dr. Rees,
of the Britannia, had organised this hospital.
The Hon. A. KINNAIR,D referred to the case of th•
Harbinger, and the evils attending the disembarkation of
the wounded in this country, whereby valuable lives had
been sacrificed.

Sir J. GRAHAM said, the duty of the Admiralty ceased
when the invalids were brought into harbour ; they wore
the❑ iu the hands of the military authorities.
The Hon. A. KINNAIRD said, that was just what he
complained of ; they wore driven from pillar to post—from
the Admiralty to the Horse Guards, and from the Horse
Guards back to the Admiralty.
Mr. LAYARD said Smyrna was unhealthy; Rhodos or
Mytileno would be better.
Sir J. GRAHAM said, during the cold months Smyrna
would have its advantages for convalescents; it was not
intended to form any permanent establishment there.

Mr. STAFFORDsid that the Smyrna Hospital would
have advantages iu affording facilities for the disembarka-
tion of invali,ls.

Mr. LA YARD complained of the state of the hospital al
Balaklava.

Lord PALMERSTON said the commission would in-
quire into that hospital as well as the others.
The vote was then agreed to.
The sum of 73,086/. was voted for miscellaneous stores ;
635,4971. forhalf- pay, reserved half-pay, and retirement to
officers of the Navy and Royal Marines.
The vote was agreed to, as were the votes 469,720/, for
military pensioners, and 49,5381. for civil pensioners.
On the vote of 5,128,000/, to defray the expenses con-
nected with the transport service and prisoners of war,
Sir J. GRAHAM stated that the superintendence of
this department was formerly confided to one individual ;
but for the future, as the transactions were of so large a
nature, the contracts for transports averaging from
3,000,0001. to 4,000,0001. annually, he proposed that this
duty shall be confided during tho war to a board of super-
intendence, consisting of 3 members, selected from the
naval service, tne mercantile service, and the army, the
Lords of the Admiralty attending and assisting in the ad-
ministrative department. Sir James then detailed the
number of troops and stores which were conveyed by trans-
ports during the past year, and the preparations that were
in progress for increasing the efficiency of the service dur-
ing the continuance of the war. The management of the
transport service in the Black Sea had been placed in the
charge of Sir Edmund Lyons, and to him would the' Go-
vernment look fer its efficient conduct.
Colonel KNOX considered the arrangements proposed
by the right hon. baronet very good, and he quite concurred
in them. A large transport service, it was quite true, had
been sent out from this country, but what became of them
when they got out to the Black Sea ?

Mr. V.-SMITII objected to the appointment of the con-
templated board, as ho considered that the management
or superintendence of one experienced brave officer would
be more economic and effective. In the event of the happy
prospect of peace being ro-established, he wished to know
if it was intended that the functions of the Board should
cease.

Sir J. GRAHAM said that the warrants of appointment
of the members of the Board bore upon the face of them a
statement that the office should continue only during the
pleasure of the Crown, or until the termination of the
war.

Mr. STAFFORD expressed his satisfaction that the
transport of the sick soldiers from Balaklava to the Bos-
phorus was to be confided to the care of Sir E. Lyons.
Mr. HENLE Y inquired how much of the vote of
4,200,0005 was for arrears, and how much was for the
actual serf ice of the year 1855-G, as it did not appear very
clearly on the estimate ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said the estimate for the year 1855-6
was framed on the experience of the past year, and the
words used wore those which had been invariably used
from time immemorial for_the same purpose. The arrears
outstanding were very small, but the custom was to take
the vote large enough to cover unsettled and diaputed
claims.

Mr. HENLEY said the right hon. baronet had not yet
explained what portion of this large sum was for arrears,
or whether the arrears wore arrears of pay to accrue in
1856, or arrears which had already accrued.
Sir J. GRAHAM thought ho had sufficiently explained
the matter in making the motion for going into committee.
The estimate was a growing expenditure • and any excess
would be reported by the Audit Office in 1856, and carried
over again to the account of the Trea-ury.
Mr. HENLEY had every confidence in the practice of
the Audit Office, but he objected to the wording of the
vote, as being far too wide, so as to admit of the expendi-
ture of 1854-5 being defrayed out of the vote for 1855-6.
He wished they had been more explicit. •
Sir J. GRAHAM said, if the right hon. gentleman would
allow the vote to be taken to-night he should be happy to
have his assistance on a future occasion in making the
wording of these votes more explicit.
The vote was then agreed to, after which the Chairman
reported progress, and the house resumed.
The motion with respect to the newspaper stamp duty
was postponed till Monday .
The report of of the Committee on Ways and Means was
brought up and agreed to.
Sir J. YOUNG moved the second reading of the Fairs
and Markets (Ireland) Bill.
Lord NAAS thought a bill of so important a nature
should not be proceeded with at so late an hour (quarter
past twelve), and suggested that the second reading should
be postponed to a future day.
After some conversation, Sir J. YOUNG agreed to the
suggestion, and postponed the second reading to next
week.

On the motion of Mr. SOTEIERON, the Friendly So-
cieties Bill was read a second time.
The other orders of the day worn then disposed of, and
the house adjourned at half-past twelve.

THE LONDON GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

CROWN-OFFICE, FEB. 16.

MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN TfUTPRESENT rAx

/WENT.
Borough of New Windsor—Samson Ricardo, of Titness
Park.
County of Wilts—Southern Division—The Right Hon.
Sidney Herbert, one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries
of State.

WAR-OFFICE, FEB. 16.
Scots Fusilier Guards—To be Ensigns and Lieutenants,
without purchase.—Lieutenant Godfrey Wentworth Beau-
mont, from the 21st Foot ; Lieutenant Henry David Ers-
kine, from the 30th Foot.

Ist Regiment of Foot—George William Thompson,
Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase ; Lieutenant John
Martin Brown to be Adjutant, vice Turner, promoted.
4th Foot—To be Ensigns, without purchase—Edward
Bromboad, Gent. ; John James Martin, Gent.
9th Foot—Lieutenant H. J. Wilkinson to be Captain,
without purchase, vice Dent, deceased ; Ensign C. J. Bor-
ton to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Wilkinson ;
Ensign H. C. Vibait to be Lieutenant, without purchase,
vice Borton, whose promotion on the 12th Jan., 1855, has
been cancelled ; Sergeant John McQueen to be Ensign,
without purchase, and Adjutant, vice Burden, promoted;
Samuel Edward Wood, Gent., to be Ensign, without pur-
chase.

14th Foot—Frederick Francis Wall, Gent., to be En-
sign, without purchase.
20th Foot—Francis George Holmes, Gent., to bo En-
sign, without purchase.
23d Foot—Colour-Serjeant John Luke O'Connor to be
Ensign, without purchase.
33d Foot—Lieutenant W. H. Parry, to be Captain, with-
out purchase, vice Burke, deceased; Ensign H. Donovan,
to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Parry ; Ensign
F. A. Ball to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Dono-
van, whose promotion on the 9th Feb. has been cancelled ;
Ensign J. H. Campbell, from the 56th Foot, to be Lieu-
tenant, without purchase.
34th Foot—Lieutenant Spencer Loy Greaves, from the
48th Northampton Militia, and Julius Dyson Laurie,
Gent., to be Ensigns, without purchase.
38th FoA—Algernon Henry Beltield, Gent., to be En-
sign, without purchase. •
39th Foot—Charles Prichard, Gent., to be Ensign, with-
out purchase. _ _ .

42. d Foot :.Quar!ermaster William Wood to be Ensign,
without purchase, and Adjutant, vice Drysdale, promoted.
41.hh Foot--Lieutenant W. Earle to be Captain, by pur-
ehasa, vice Ilrevet-Lioutena.nt-Colonel Browne, who re-
tiree. _ _

62,1 Foot—Lieutenant Graham Hay to be Captain, by
purchase, vice Brevet Major Mauls, who retires; Assistant-
Surgeon Dudley Hanley, M.D., from the Staff, to be Sur-
geon, vice Langley, promoted on the Staff.
631 Foot—Frederick Harris Dawes Voith, Gent., to be
Ensign, without purchase.
68th Foot—Henry Milligat, Gent., to be Ensign, with-
out purchase.
71st Foot—Edward William Donne, Gent., to be En-
sign, without purchase.
88th Foot—Ensign H. Waring, from the 12th Foot, to
be Ensign, without purchase.

00th Foot—Henry Bingham, Gent., to bo Ensign, with-
out purchase.

9Sti Foot—Lieutenant W. Mcßean to bo Adjutant, vice
Dawson, promoted.
2d West India Regiment—Lieutenant George Marcus
Cary, from half-pay Rifle Brigade, to be Lieatenant, vice
Eaton, appointed to the 26th Foot ; Ensign Robert Bourne
to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Cary, who retires
John Robert Thomson, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase,
vice Bourne.

St. Helena Regiment—Ensign J. S. Help■ to be Lieu-
tenant, without purchase, vice Cowell, appointed Adju-
tant.

LAND TRANSPORT CORPS.

To be Quartermaster of the Corps—Charles Hudson,
Gent.

To he Quartermasters of Brigades—Lieutenant D. S.
Ogilvy, Madras Native Infantry ; Miles Monckton, Gent. ;
Beznard Henry O'Reilly, Gent. ; Sergeant-Major Henry
M`Gorrery, Royal Artillery ; C. V. Trotter Trotter, Gent.;
Henry Miller, Gent. ; Thomas Vokes, Gent. ; F. W.
Dowse, Gent.; Robert Godbor ; Richard Brennan ; Thcs.
Downie.