The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-10 00:00:00

RAIL

'Ale.

Capt. Alexander, of the Euryelns, was among thoso who
received severe injury.
On the 7th inst., at daybreak, four vessels of the allied
squadron moved on to the forts at Hakusima ; but
the successes of the previous day and the play of the Arm-
strong guns induced the occupants of these forts to retire.
The Barossa and Leopard took charge of the captured guns,
spiking some, and taking others on board. Soon after this
(at 8 a.m. on the 7th September) a flag of truce was sent off
in a boat, under charge of one of the Japanese who had
lately been in England. In the course of the day the signal
of truce was hoisted all over the flaet, and it is reported
that Nagato is quite willing to open the straits and treat
foreigners civilly. It is even affirmed that he has offered to
open ports for trade upon his territories, and we can only

hope he is sincere.
The total loss sustained throughout the entire fleet does
not exceed 100 killed and wounded, that of the English
squadron being 15 killed and 49 wounded. We are not in
possession of the names of those who suffered ; but, as
despatches from the admiral go home by this mail the
details will no doubt be fully given in the regular official
form. No English officers have been killed, but one or two
are badly wounded.
When the forts were destroyed the Mince of Nagato's
officials sued for peace, saying that they would agree to
whatever terms might be proposed. A guarantee, it is
reported, was taken from the Prince, by which ho binds
himself to pay any indemnity that may be demanded.
This is rather vague, and seems to imply that Nagato is
ready to promise anything in order to get rid of the
allied fleet. The latest advices state that "a move is
about to be made towards Yeddo." We can only hope
that the recent successful operations have not led to
expectations on the part of the British minister which are
too high to be realised. The progress of negotiations with a
country like Japan must be slow, and any wanton employ-
ment of force will be a blunder under almost any circum-
stances. So far as can be learnt by native rumours a civil
war is at present going on in the interior of the country,
and is supposed to have arisen out of the foreign question.
The fighting is said to be between noble and noble ; but
native rumour is unreliable.
Her Majesty's ship Severn is ill Hong-Kong harbour
at present, bound for Japan, and on her arrival there it is
likely that Admiral Kuper, who is well pleased at the suc-
cess of the late operations, will return home to England."

The Seizure of the Confederate States
Steamer Florida,

The Index publishes the following official repor
of the commander :

Bahia, Oct. 13, 1864.
Sir,—lt is with great pain that I have to repel.,
.he seizure of the Confederate States steamer
Florida, lately under my command.
I arrived at this port on the 4th inst., at nine
p.m., to procure coal and provisions, and also to get
soma slight repairs, after a cruise of 61 days. Just
after anchoring a boat passing around us asked the
name of our vessel, read upon receiving our reply
stated that the boat was from her Britannic Ma-
jesty's steamer Curlew. Next morning I found that
the United States steamer Wachusetts was at
anchor near us, but no English steamer ; so I at once
concluded that the boat which had hailed us the
evening before was from the Wachusetts.
We were visited on the morning of the sth by a
Brazilian officer, to whom I stated my wants, and
was informed by him that he would report the same
to the President, and that until his answer was re-
ceived we could hold no communication with the
shore. At noon I received a communication (which
was left on board the Florida) from the President,
stating that he was ready to receive me. At our
interview he informed that 48 hours would be allowed
me to refit and repair, but that should his chief en-
gineer, whom he would send on board to exemine the
machinery, deem the time too short, he would grant
the necessary extension. He was most urgent in his
request that I would strictly observe the laws of
neutrality, at the same time stating to me that
he had received the most solemn assurances from
the United States consul that ti.e United States
steamer would do nothing while in port contrary to
the lows of nations and of Brazil ; and that he de-
sired the same from me, which I unhesitatingly
gave. The Brazilian admiral, who was present at
the interview, suggested that I had better move my
vessel in between his ship and the shore, as our
proximity to the Wachusetts might cause some
difficulty. My assurances to the President seemed
to set his mind at rest on the score of any collision
between the two vessels, and upon leaving him I
immediately repaired on bo,ird and moved the Flo-
rida close in shore to the position suggested by the
admiral. I found the Br; z,lian engineer on board,
and was informed by him that it would re quire four
days to repair the pipe of the condenser. Feeling
now no apprehension of any difficulty occurring
while in port, and wishing to gratify the crew with
a short liberty, not only on the score of good con-
duct, but also of health, I determined to permit
one watch at a time to go ashore for twelve hours,
and sent the port watch off that afternoon. About
7.30 p.m, a boat came alongside, stating that she
was from the United States staamer Wechusetts
with the United Stated consul, who had an official
communication for the commander of the Florida.
The letter, with the card of the consul, was handed
to First Lieutenant Porter, who, after examining
it, and finding it directed to Captain Morris,
" sloop Florida," returned it unopened to the
consul, stating that it was improperly ad-
dressed ; thet the vessel was the Confederate
States steamer Florida, and that when the letter
was so directed it would be received. The next
day (6th) a Mr de Vidiky came on board, having
received a letter from the United States Consul ens
closing one for me. He requested me, before re-
ceiving my letter, to permit him to read to me the
one sent to him. It was a request to Mr de Vie
diky to carry a challenge to the commander of the
Florida, and, in case of its acceptance, to offer his
(the consul's) influence in having the repairs of the
Florida speedily finished. I informed Mr de Vi-
diky that I had heard quite enough, and, finding
the letter to me still improperly addressed, declined
receiving it; but at the same time said to him that
I had come to Bahia for a special purpose, which,
being accomplished, I should leave; that I would
neither seek nor avoid a contest with the Wachu-
setts ; but, should I encounter her outside of Bra-
zilian waters, would use my utmost endeavours to
destroy her. That afternoon, the port watch have
ing returned, I sent the starboard watch (the other
half of the crew) ashore on liberty, going a!
myself in company with several eaf the officers.
From our nearness to the Wachusetts persons on
board of that vessel could well see these men
leaving the ship. At 3.30 am. I was awakened by
the proprietor of the hotel at which I was
staying and told that there was some trouble on
board the Florida, as he had heard firing
and cheering in the direction of the vessel,
but on account of the darkness was unable
to discern anything. I immediately hastened to
the landing, and was informed by a Brazilian officer
the United States steamer Wachusetts had run into
and seized the Florida, and was then towing her
out of the harbour. 1 hurried off to the admiral's
vessel, and was told by him that he was at once
going in pursuit, which he did as soon as steam was
raised on board a steamer belonging to the fleet.
The admiral's ship being sailing vessel, sloop-of-war,
was taken in tow by the steamer, and went out of
the harbour. He returned in the afternoon with
all his vessels, having been unable to overtake the
Wachusetts. Upon mustering the officers and crew
left on shore I found there were four officers, viz.,
Lieutenant Barron, Paymaster Taylor, Midship-
man Dyke, and Master's Mate King, and 71
men, of whom six had escaped by swimming
from the Florida after her seizure. Of the
ac'uel occurrences and loss of life on board
the Florida I have been able to fled out very little.
Tne substance of what I hove gathered from the
six men who escaped is as follows :—Tnat at 3 15
a,m. on Oct. 7, Master T. W. Hunter, jun., being
in charge of the deck, the Wachusetts left her an-
chorage, and taking advantage of the darkness
steamed for the Florida, from whom she was not
seen till close aboard ; that she was hailed by Mr
Hunter, who receiving no answer, called "All
hands" to quarters. Before the officers and crews
were all on deck the Wachusetts struck the Florida
on her starboard quarter, cutting her rail down to
the deck and carrying away her mizenmast, at the
same time pouring a volley of musketry and a
charge of canister from her forecastle pivot
gun upon our decks. The Wachusetts then
backed off and demanded our surrender,
to which demand Lieutenant Porter dee
clined to accede. The enemy then fired again and
again into us, which was returned by the officers

and crew of the Florida. Another demand was
then made for our surrender, and Lieut. Porter an-
swered, " I will surrender conditionally." The
enemy then stopped firing, and the commander
called for Captain Morris to come on board ; Lieut.
Porter answered that Captain Morris was on shore,
and that ho as a commanding officer would come on
board as soon as he could get a boat ready. The
enemy then sent a number of armed boats to take
possession of the Florida. As soon as Lieut. Porter
was heard to surrender fifteen of our crew jumped
overboard to escape capture, of whom only six
succeeded, the remaining nine having been shot
in the water by the men on the forecastle and in
the boats of the Wachusetts. Mr Hunter was
wounded and a number of men killed. The enemy
made fast a hawser to the foremast of the Florida,
and, after slipping her cable, towed her out to sea.

I called in person on the President as soon as
possible, but could get no further information from
him, On the Bth I sent a protest to the President,
of which I send you a copy, marked 2. On the 10th
our agent was informed by the interpreter that the
President did not inteLid to answer my protest, es
the Confederate Government had not been recog-
nised by Brazil, and that 1 could find all the official
correspondence in the newspapers. I then wrote the
letter marked 3, in which reference is made to a let•
ter from the President marked 4. Just before leaving
Bahia, having receives no answer, I sent our agent,
Mr D wyer, to the President. The result of his visit
is contained in his letter marked 5. The Bahia pas
pera contain a number of reports as to the killed
and wounded on board the Florida, all of which I
have thoroughly sifted and find no foundation for

the same.
At the time of her seizure there were about 25
tons of coal on board, most cf which was dust.
The list of officers captured is contained in the re-
port of Paymaster Taylor, marked 6.
The enclosed newspaper is an official extra, con-
taining all the Brazilian official correspondence in
reference to the Florida.—l am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
(Signed) C. MANIGAULT MORRIS,
Lieutenant Commanding C.S. Navy.

Gedney v. Smith,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—I shall feel greatly indebted to you if you wi 1
kindly allow me, through the medium of your valuable
journal, to state that I am not in the slightest degree con-
nected with the person calling himself Dr. Goss, and
residing in King-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields. This is
another of the gross cases in which a medical man is sub-
jected to annoyance and injury caused by an apparent
similarity of name.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL DAY-GOSS, M,D., F,R,G,S,
24, Newington-place, Kennington-Park.

The Fatal Gunpowder Explosion at
Faversham.

The inquest on the bodies of Geo. Sherwood, 61, labourer
and Henry Keene, 28, labourer, who were killed by the ex
plosion at Messrs Hall's powderworks, near this town, on
Monday afternoon, took place to-day, before Mr T. T. Dela-.
saux, coroner for East Kent. It was stated durirg the pro-.
ceedings that it was 26 years yesterday since the last fatal
casualty occurred in connection with these works,
Mr James Teasell attended to watch the proceedings on
behalf of Messrs Hall and Son. The friends of the deceased
were not represented.
The jury having been sworn, proceeded to view the bodies
which were lying in a portion of the works near where the
explosion occurred. On their return the following evidence
was adduced:—
Christopher Johncock, labourer, employed by Messrs
Hall at the powder-works, Davington, deposed—On Mon-
day I was working at the powder boats from half-past 6in
the morning until between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. I was
removing powder from the presshouse to the corninghouse,
and thence to the glszinghouse. The dust which came
from the powder I took back to the chargehouse in order
that it might be returned to the mill. At half-past three
o'clock I was waiting in the boat shed for more powder,
when I heard a report proceeding from the corninghouse.
I knew at that time that Henry Keene and John Sherwood
were at work theie. I had been in the corninghouse about
half an hour before, and at that time Sherwood was stand-
ing on the platform and Keene was sweeping up the dust
with a hair broom. That is the usual mode adopted. On
hearing the explosion I put on my slippers and went to-
wards the corninghouse. I saw the boards and materials
with which the corninghouse was built scattered and fired
in all directions, but could not see anything of the deceased.
I asseted in extinguishing the fire and then returned to
the boat. I put the powder from the boat into the charge-
house and left. I cannot say anything as to the cause of
the explosion.
By a juror—When I was in the corninghouse the ma-
chinery was not going.
The Coroner having briefly summed up, the jury, with.
out retiring, returned a verdict of accidental death, coupling
with it an expression of their opinion that " every possible
precaution is taken in connexion with Messrs Hall's gun-
powder works to prevent accidents."
This afternoon Colonel Boxer attended at the works on
behalf of the Government to institute an examination into
,he probable causes of the explosion.

Wit*-1300.
,t3tolll.
:iza2A_v *Tit
(.4 ffutt .

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Nov.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal Iligs
uesses the Princess of Wales and Princess
gale
drove out this morning in a carriage and four's
tended by the equerry in waiting. t out
Her Royal Highness Princess Louise Wen'
•

driving. cod
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, att°
by Mdlle. Norelle, took a carriage drive. tho
This morning, it being the anniversary °'
birthday of his Royal Highness the 0
Priric°,
Wales, the band of the 2d Regiment of Life (3116;b8
performed the following selection of music i°

quadrangle :
Chorale, " 0 Thou to whom all creatures
Prince CO
bow"
Overture, " Flauto Magico"
Duet, " I would that my love"— Mendelssolln'
The Prince of Wales's Quick March Duchess of Pilos
A
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales sleli
out shooting, attended by Major Teesdale, i°.,
Methuen, Col. the Hon. A. Hardinge, and Lie
Col. Kiagacote.
The following, in addition to her Majesty' -
the Prince and Princess of Wales's households, shad:o
the honour of being invited to the Castle in
evening—Lieut,-Gen. the Hon. C. and Mrs II
and the Hon. Mrs W. Grey, Major-Gen. and 1)34
Mary Hood and Miss Hood, Major-Gen. and
Emily Seymour and Miss Seymour, the Hon. Lip'.
Biddulph, the Dean of Windsor and the Hon.
Wellesley, Col. and Mrs H. Ponsonby, the 14'
C. Tarver, Mr Buff, and Mr Sahl.
Earl de Grey and Ripon arrived at the Cebu
yesterday, and had the honour of dining with
Majesty and the Royal family.

Visit of the Prince and Princess of v''
to Knowsley.
It is now positively fixed that their Royal --,
nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales are to ',a%
Windsor Castle on Tusday next to honour the Poi
and Countess of Derby by a visit to Knowslei
Their Royal Highnesses will remain the goeBfo
the noble earl and countess till Saturday, 03 abeigl
stated. The day for the visit of their Royal '7l
nesses to Liverpool is not yet determined, but 'I
said either Thursday or Friday will be the &lot
pointed for the visit. The Prince, we under9to
is desirous that his visit should be a private 00%
that no addresses should be presented. The al i
ments, therefore, have been left in the hands °
Mayor of Liverpool.
A,

The Marchioness of Ely has left town 00
tinental tour. yodJ
The Earl and Countess Russell and Deo
Georgina Russell will return to town on Dion
DY
from Alderley Park, Cheshire. A Oil
The Earl sand Countess Stanhope ,tow
Mary Stanhope have left Chevening Park, on a ViS','"
Duke and Duchess of Cleveland, at Battle Abbey',
Lord and Lady Southampton have left tow,
Clermont Lodge, Thetford, Norfolk, 41111
Sir Erskine and Lady Perri have left 0- 00
join the circle assembled at Dudbrooke Hens?, ss,,ef'9
visit to Frances Countess Waldegrave and the ItiP.
Chichester Fortescue, IM.P. dfl
If
Sir Coutts and Lady Lindsay will leave t 6"
morrow, for Paris.
Captain the ion. S. C. and Mrs Vivian btl/° 1,.
town on a visit to the Earl and Countess of 10113
Tot quay. tit ,OP
THE DUKE CF HAMILTON.—The Duke of '`,"
ton, who is still pursuing his studies at Christ CV
Oxford, has so far recovered from the accident oces3:o,,
by his hunting with the Christ Church hariers last 1.
to remove the bandage and shade from the injured el
Birthday of the Prince of WI

f
The 23d anniversary of the birth of the Prince ° "0,5
was celebrated yesterday in the metropolis by tileold
of joyous peals at many of the principal churches'
et
by the display of union jacks at Se'°Se 51
ti
owwniatsthhi
imparted
anvz.
edboatilooouwt
and at a few other of the Government offices- dre
his
rhe
ed London-bridgeriver bunting,fo robmy were als oa°l If&
sin
at
In the evening •
gether at St. James's Hall. The party, consistia
s
ades
a hundred, was presided over by Mr Sy.,Burto f v-f°
royal
high.: whichs
dsi, t distance' nr rulea
f,
Burton, o
street.
The whole of the inmates of ChelsereCollege Wer°„ri:leglol,
with good old English fare of roast beef and plum-P.-hea
The dining.hall presented a very interesting scene vio I
plum-puddings of Gib, weight each were placed °Pvioet
table. The gallant old pensioners heartily enjeYecii
selves, and drank the health of the Prince of
the vigour of refreshed British lions. scie/I_,
The day was kept by the Prince and Princess au P
whither their royal highnesses proceeded on l'ues°B'
visit to her Majesty, they
At a few minutes before seven in the morning
of the 2d Life Guards, now quartered at Windsor, '000• 1
cto the Castle, and, by her Majesty's special °
serenaded the prince and princess. Under the
los joil
tendence of Mr Froehuert, the bandmaster, the
0 on
were stationed at the foot of King Edward
which their royal highnesses occupy a splendid ;O• f
apartments, just as the Castle clack time the 0,001
seven; and as the first red streaks were tinging tiled
sky, the band commenced the serenade with the 'co GI
solemn strains cf the chorale composed by the Prilloolll
sort. This was followed by the quick and livel/A-00,
to "Flauto Magico," after which the band pinie"iiaer
" I would that my love," by Mendelssohn, the te-ato
impassioned strains of which were admirably stliAte,,fat
occasion. The serenade, which occupied about PIO
concluded with the performance of the'` Prince toil
Quick March,'' a lively tune composed on the Pr'
birthday by the Duchess of Kent.
In the royal borough more than the usual den1°)(101
of loyalty were exhibited. At intervals during till,
bells of the Chapel Royal of St. George, from the 001
Julius Caesar's Tower, and those of the parish ellitiftel
John, rang out right merrily, while a royal se'itig
guns was fired from the town artillery in the
fn
and was answered from Fort Belvidere and the
Virginia Water. The principal thoroughfares ef 00
were most gaily decorated with flags and ban!: ea/
brightest colours. High-street was a conaPiewilee)
bunting, amongst which the Prince of Wales': Po VI
Very conspicuous. In the evening many of t1:10 rOY 00641 t,
people illuminated the fronts of their shops and ll° to
the 'newly-elected mayor, Mr W. H. Harris, Wial
poration, dined at the White Hart Hotel.
In London the illuminations were very ge- n
°4ll;i
theatres contributed materially to the displal'ostes
prince's and others of the royal tradesmen mania
loyalty by the exhibition of many tasteful dec've
and pretty transparencies. Among the more reel"
these were the following : 1,4
REGENT-STREET,--W. C, Jay and Co., t'11;0a
0T
General Mourning Warehouse—This was 13P` pie/
play of gas illumination, consisting of a .10114°i0°
feathers, surrounded by laurel wreaths and te Fri
cornucopia, the letters P. W., and two gars, 0
summit of the building floated several flags. ltl
of the North did not miss the chance of showiliZerl
as St James's Hall had brilliant devices both nt
street and Piccadilly entrances, Tho royal et'''
displayed from the top of the hall.
130 ND-STREET.—Mr Mitchell's Royal Librei-'OO.
tient star of large size in radiated jets cf go,
the letters P. W., and in Stafford-street tho,iir
Wales's feathers with the motto Ich Dien, als°ll je
whole presenting an elegant and effective dieP:ei
and Roskell, Jewellers—A massive plume, 0t1r,,,-°'
laurel brancher, and the words " God bless 1:11100,
F. Hancock (corner of Bruton-street, jeweller tgA 7
and Prince of Wales)—Tho royal initiate. dOl
prince's plume with motto, surmounted 11 0!
star—the whole in gas. Messrs London al w, esea
huge Holbein badge of jewels, compoaedie ar.
glass, illustrating diamonds, sapphires, IlibBP
rwe
ralds, lit from behind with gas. t v0,,j1
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.—Messrs. "'etrio A ti
Co., music puldishers to the Queen end t-cooip.
Wales : A transparent star of eight points d "1,,
liants—in the centre the Prince's plume °I:4 51
cir, led with rubies—the whole illuminated ‘"1",,,e
lIATIAARKET.—W. S. Adams and Sons, ir°l-0
her Majesty and the Prince of Wales—Gas
front of the building, with irran'Alovulti
royal arms, supported by the letters P.W--
he'
racters.—Hooper and Co., coachbuilders to
,
the Prince of Wales : The Prince's plane' Itetols4
the initials ENV., and enclosed by laurel brave,
OXFORD-STREET.—William S. Burton, irto
appointment : The Prince's feather and 13'elt the
star in gas.—ln addition to.an illumination ° 0111
the Prince's birthday was loyally celebrated, tsltA/0A
of the National Anthem, the solo parts bei°Poiertri
Russell, Miss Fitzhenry, and Miss Tyra-,
of the establishment completed them usical
~,,`"or 'd
enthusiasm of the audience (a Lord 1k.".1 co,
bumper) was immense. a gone!
HATTON- faARDEN,—A. Rowland an. - 8(1
S:e.,Tv,R-AarNeD.ho.l warehouse a
e:n A t
andsp Co.,splendid
watch anddidstaring ees'vo in or
STRAND.—Dent oeoat
to the Queen and Prince of Wales : star
monogram P.W.