The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-16 00:00:00

high position I have the honour to occupy, stand
with reference to the Commander-in-Chief in India,
and, in short, how I stand with reference to the
whole matter." The illustrious Duke then pro-
ceeded to explain that he had very little to do with
the discipline of the Army in India. He stood in
the position of a referee, as a last appeal. In regard
to the proceedings of Colonel CRAW LEY with respect
to Sergeant-Major LILLEY he observed that, when
his report was drawn up, he was not in possession
of the whole facts of the case. He, therefore, did
not summarily dismiss the Colonel, but reserved his
judgment till more was known. In reference to
Sir HUGH ROSE and Sir W. MANSFIELD, the Duke
of CAMBRIDGE spoke very decidedly. He said that
it had been imputed to them that the reason nothing
was done was in consequence of their being con-
cerned in the transaction :—" No doubt these two
distinguished General officers were concerned ; but
the question arises, were they concerned in such a
manner that I was called on to take action at once?
Now, I most conscientiously believe that these two
distinguished officers had every desire to do their
duty, but
,they committed a very serious error of
judgment. That was my conviction, and I believe
that to be the real state of the case. I believe that
will come out as the result of any further investi-
gation that may take place, even on the question of
the erroneous imprisonment to which such import-
ance has been given." Further on, the Duke stated
that the result of the imprisonment was not known
to him when the memorandum was written. Also,
he acknowledged that he did not believe that these
distinguished officers, Sir H. ROSE and Sir W.
MANSFIELD, had been actuated by personal feeling,
and that they had erred in judgment, "and from
no desire to do what was cruel, unjust, or wrong in
point of law." The illustrious Duke then explained
that he had not acted so undecidedly as some sup-
posed, because it was only within the last ten days
that he had been in a position to advise that a court-
martial should take place upon the merits of the
case. After referring to the great delay that in-
evitably took place, because of the time it took to
communicate with India and the many questions
that had to be put concerning the whole transac-
tion, the Duke of CAMBRIDGE concluded in these
impressive words :—" I have been obliged to point
out these facts to your lordships in order to show
that, whatever has been done has been with a view
not to screen any person, but with the strictest and
most earnest desire to do justice to all—not only to
do justice to the feelings of distress naturally occa-
sioned by the painful circumstances that have oc-
curred, but also to do justice to those who have been
implicated, and to whom your lordships must wish
to give every possible opportunity of defending and
justifying themselves. That, my lords, is the only
statement I have to make. As to any pressure
being put upon me, I would, of course, spurn the
idea. It does so happen that I never discussed the
matter in any manner but with those parties on
whose judgment I was enabled to rely in coming
to a sound, just, and safe conclusion."
It must be acknowledged by every one that the
Duke of CAMBRIDGE spoke in a decided manner,
and showed great judgment in his spirited and yet
cautious reply. It is also significant that he never
made any allusion to Colonel CRAWLEY'S conduct.
It is most satisfactory that this question has been
taken up at last in a proper manner, and there now
seems no reason to cavil any longer at the question,
since the proper authorities are about to investigate
the matter ; and apart from their own sense of right,
the knowledge that so many are watching their
proceedings will ensure full justice being meted out
all offenders.

Another debate between the Marquis of CLAN-
RICARDE and .E.,:rl RUSSELL on the much-vexed
question of our neutral commerce to American
waters took place last evening in the House of
Lords, As on previoas occasions, however, the
noble Marquis was unable to convince his opponent
that there had been any three of harshness, injus-
tice, or illegality in the acts of the Federal autho-
rities. On the contrary, the sentiments of the noble
Earl at the head of the Foreign Department seem
to grow more and more mild and pacific. Although
rash and intemperate expressions would ill become
a Minister of the Crown, yet the representatives of
our mercantile interest may well feel disinclined
to trust their cause altogether in th e
hands of our Foreign Secretary. In his anxiety to
be just to the Federal Government he is inclined to
slight the claims of his own countrymen to con-
sideration. No doubt the situation presents many
awkward aspects which render it difficult to deal
with, but a more assured and manly tone on the
part of the English Government throughout would
unquestionably have saved much loss and annoy-
ance. On the only occasion on which our Ministers
showed anything like spirit or determination
matters were speedily adjusted ; and though we
should shrink from exerting our great naval
strength as a means of tyrannising over weaker
powers, there is no reason that we should allow the
Federals to tyrannise over us. The war which is
desolating their country, decimating their popu-
lation, and crippling their resources, is certainly
none of our doings. It was madly rushed into by
themselves, and has been recklessly carried on, no
matter at what cost of life and happiness. America
certainly presents a warning against the evils of
war, but a calm and resolute maintenance of our
own rights is the way to avoid war rather than to
seek it. A Government and a people need not be
so proverbially " cute" as the Northerners to per-
ceive that our Ministry will submit to any insult or
injury they may chose to inflict on our commerce,
rather than risk a quarrel. So timid and hesitating
are their proceedings that our naval officers have
outstripped Lord RUSSELL'S sentiments considerably
in their actions. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE
referred to the case of the Ruby, an English vessel,
for the capture of which Admiral WILKES, that
Federal NELSON, had given orders, wherever she
might be found, whether engaged in running the
blockade or not. Admiral MILNE, on hearing
this, sent the Ariadne to protect the Ruby, who
was found at a short distance from Admiral
WILKES, who, like other valiant commanders,
esteemed discretion the better part of valour, and
departed. It is satisfactory after this to read the
letter quoted by the First Lord of the Admiralty
from Sir ALEXANDER MILNE, expressing the sense
which he and all his officers entertained of Admiral
WILKES'S invariable courtesy and attention.
Doubtless the commander of the Ruby was ex-
tremely sensible of the attention so kindly shown
thattcjoi
avesselt by the Northern naval hero. It is a
Pity if English interests are to be submitted to the
d
reverse efAmerican authorities, that we cannot
the
position of affairs and obtain their
opinion of it, supposing it to be an American case
In the old legends culpritsdeweetere sometimes called ou
it
fh
we they stillee e l
could
ge t
t to
sup-
posedpronounce
o fftehneci
er 8 ot own
be secret, anedn
an American view of our case it would undoubtedly
be very advantageous. The Marquis of CLANRI-
CARDE reminded the House that in 1816 an eminent
American statesman had declared that it was re-
pugnant to the law of nations for sev,:al hundred
miles of coast to be blockaded. The Spanish
Government withdrew the proclamation on this
representation, and the blockade ceased. The noble