The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-27 00:00:00

CONTINGENT.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said he had given
notice to the War Minister of his intention to ask
soma 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 services 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-
lified in every particular for the command of the
Turkish army. He had asked for this infor-
mation really because he was unable to obtain
it elsewhere. Let it not be supposed that he
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 et 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 observes that before any of the Indian
officers were appointed to command any portion
of the forces 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 net
mean to question the right of the noble earl to snake
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 bad 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 lard 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 Sill
passed through committee.
(LEFT BITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair shortly before four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. Auras; the newly-elected member for Cardigan,
took 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 motioa 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 hill.
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
time 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 for 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.