The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-22 00:00:00

DEATH OF SIR WM. MOLESWORTH

It is with deep regret that we have to an-
nounce the melancholy intelligence of the death
of the flight Hon. Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTII,
her Majesty's Principal Se,cretary of State for the
Colonial Department. A very formidable attack
of peritonitis was, we believe, the immediate cause
of this deplorable event. There is, however,
but too much reason to fear that the devoted and
indefatigable attention which he bestowed on the
duties of his office greatly accelerated, if it did
not occasion, the melancholy event. The attack
set in with such terrible force that from the first
moment of advice being taken, but little hope
remained of the recovery of the distinguished
patient. It would be a sad catastrophe .at
any time, but it is peculiarly so at the
present time, when the assistance of
every true-hearted Englishman was required.
The Colonies will also have abundant reason to
lament the premature death of a Statesman
who had studied their condition closely, and
was thoroughly earnest in his desire to ren-
der complete justice to our dependencies
in every quarter of the globe, and to do all in his
power to develope their resources. Men of
all
classes and conditions will feel the mag-
nitude of the calamity, and sympathise with
his bereaved family, who have sustained a
loss in every respect so irreparable.

In our impression of Saturday we briefly
alluded to the important achievement, of which
official intelligence had just been received—which
placed one of the pillars of the strongly-guarded
gate to Nicolaieff and to Kherson, the chief ar-
senal and granary of Southern. Russia, in our
hands. The brilliant and important exploit was
most judiciously managed, so that our triumph
was unalloyed by any serious loss. Three forts,
1,500 prisoners, and 70 guns are the immediate
results of the operation. But .far greater rewards
await us if we only follow up our successes fairly,
and seek to obtain the legitimate fruits of the good
seed so carefully sown. We now command the
estuary of the Boug and Dnieper, completely cut
off the sea entrance to the greatest stations still
remaining to Russia, from which she has hitherto
been enabled to provide the army of the Crimea
with men, provisions, and the munitions of
But this is only an infinitesimal
portion of the substantial advantages of the tram-
action. It is the valuable position which we
vecupy, and which enables us to turn against
Russia the formidable weapon she has so fre-
quently resorted to and with such striking effects.
Kinbourn may now be regarded as a standing
menace to Nicolaieff and to Kherson, while the
maritime commerce of the entire districts watered
by the Bone-, the ancient boundary of Russia, and
the Dnieper, is hermetically sealed up. These
magnificent "silent highways" are now compara-
tively useless to Russia, and all its produce must
be transported by laud carriage. It is unneces-
sary to expatiate on the enormous difficulties and
embarrassment which must necessarily be occa-
sioned by this serious privation, which must be
continued so long as Kinbourn is occupied by the
Allied troops, and protected by an Allied Fleet !
The manner in which this brilliant exploit Was
accomplished must materially enhance the gratill-.
cation with which the glad tidings will be received.

war.