The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-29 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE MEDITERRANgAN FLEET.
It appears that we gave the Admiralty yesterday more
credit than they deserve for their int':ntion so to rein-
force Admiral Dundas's fleet as to make it more nearly
equal to that of the French. Instead of the Prince
Regent, 90, Captain Hutton, Sidon, 22, steam-frigate,
Captain Goldsmith, and Leopard, 16, Captain Gifford,
having been ordered from Spithead to the Mediterranean,
their instructions were merely to proceed to Devonport
to await orders.

We cannot account for this vacillation of their lord-
ships—or rather the Foreign-office. It is now well
known, as stated in our second edition yesterday, that
the French fleet of eight sail of the line (including three
screw ships) and steamers, whose armaments we under-
rated yesterday, sailed from Toulon, under the command
in chief of Admiral La Susse (the officer who com-
manded the Royal squadron on the visit of Louis
Philippe to Portsmouth), with Rear-Admiral Jacquenot
as second in command, on the 24th. This formid-
able fleet will probably communicate, perhaps anchor
in the same roadstead with the English force. If so,
what a shabby figure this country will cut along-
side the French. The British force, five sail of the
line, one of them a`7B-gun ship ; the French force, eight
sail of the line, three of them three-deckers, and all the
others second-class ships ; but with this great and almost
incalculable superiority in favour of the French—namely
that of the eight, three are screw-ships. Taking, there-
fore Captain Chads' estimate of the comparative effici-
ency of screw-ships and sailing-ships, we must regard
the French force as equal to 11 sail, or double the force
of Admiral Dundas's fleet. This state of things is dero-
gatory to England as the chief maritime power in the
world ; it is a reflection on our naval resources, which
are ample ; it bespeaks an inferiority, which is not real ;
it places us in a false position in the eyes of other powers.
We have the means of appearing respectable in the Me-
diterranean, and yet our ships are kept
.hugging the
coasts and ports of England, whilst from unwholesome
activity we are daily losing more men by desertion than
we are entering for general or particular service. The
French forces are in the Mediterranean, and there
should also be at least an equal number of British men-
of-war, leaving at home at the ports ships quite suffi-
cient to form a powerful north sea fleet, should the
weather or the state of affairs in the east threaten a
cruise to " Yarmouth."—Herald.

Rear-Admiral the Hon. M. F. F. Berkeley, C. 8., is
spending the holidays at his country place at Fish-
bourne, Chichester. The Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., is at
Albury-park, Guildford. Captain Milne, we are glad
to hear, has just recovered from a severe attack of bilious
fever. Captain W. A. B. Hamilton is still absent from
Whitehall in consequence of the continuous presence of
scarletina in his family.
Rear-Admiral Corry hoists his flag on board the
Queen, 116, Captain Michell, at Plymuuth, which ship
has been prdered to enter her full complement, 970.
She has now only 400 on her books ; where the other
400 blue jackets are to be found is a difficult question to
solve. The following additional appointments have been
made to this ship :—Lieutenants—W. B. llrmston
(1848), C. Stirling (1851), son of Sir James Stirling,
G. Taylor (1852.) Mates—R. Onslow, R. Chisholme,
and H. Berkeley. Naval Cadets—R. Boyle and H.
Herbert.

Captain John Moore (1848), has been appointed to the
command of the screw-corvette Highflyer, 21, at Ports-
mouth, vice Heathcote, promoted to the death vacancy
of Captain Matson. Captain Moore is the son of the
late Admiral Sir Graham Moore and nephew of the cele-
brated hero of Corunna. We believe he is the youngest
captain of his standing on the list.
Commander Thomas Archer (1851) died on the 24th,
in Derbyshire, aged 69. This officer was on the com-
manders' reserved half-pay list.
Lieutenant Frederick Robinson (1844), first lieutenant
of the Queen, 116, died at the Royal Naval Hospital,
Plymouth. This officer had seen a great deal of service
as a mate, and was one of the unrewarded lieutenants of
Sir James Ross's Arctic Expedition.
Dr. Edward Nolloth (1845)' has been appointed to the
Hercules, at Queenstown, vice Corry, in charge of the
Isle of Skye emigrants.

PORTSMOUTH, March 28.
Rear-Admiral M. F. F. Berkeley, C. 8., M.P., one
of the Lords of the Admiralty, and Capt. Sir Baldwin
Walker, K.C.B , &c., Surveyor of the'Navy, arrived in
this port to-day on a semi-official visit, the gallant Ad-
miral from his seat, near Chichester. They made an in-
spection of the dockyard, accompanied by Rear-Admiral
Arthur Fanshawe, C. 8., Superintendent, and especially
the ships building and refitting, after which the visitors
embarked in Rear-Admiral Fanshavve's barge, and
visited the screw-frigate Highflyer, 21, Capt. Heath-
cote, and the Cruiser, 14, Commander the Hon. G. H.
Douglas, both of which vessels got up steam this morn-
ing, and came into harbour. After inspecting these
vessels, the gallant Admirals and Surveyor of the Navy
landed and left the port by the four o'clock South Coast
train.

The IViegmra steam troop-frigate, Commander John-
ston, sailed from Spithead this morning for Barbadoes,
with draughts of the 36th, 67th, and 69th Regiments•
The sprightly steam-tender, Mr, (imp AlloA 40:

ing-Master Commanding, left this afternoon for the east-
ward with supernumeraries for the ships fitting there.
The Menelaus, lazaretto-ship for the Motherbank, was
undocked this morning, after repairs, and the York, old
74, went into the vacated dock to be stripped of her
copper, before being made a butt for the Excellent.
A serious accident occurred this afternoon in this
dockyard, on board the Conflict screw steam-sloop, to a
seaman belonging to the Blenheim, named Charles Hider-
son, whose leg was broken by one of the gun-carriages
falling on him. He was immediately conveyed to
Haslar Hospital.
The -Duke of Wellington 131 (screw), Capt. H. B.
Martin, C.B.—This noble ship hauled out of dock this
afternoon, at 5 p.m., into the steam-basin. It was
somewhat feared they would not get sufficient water to
float her off the blocks ; but everything was well man-
aged, and notwithstanding the enormous weight of her
masts, spars, and rigging, with her iron tanks, cables,
and anchors, and sundry other stores, she only drew 4
inches more than when she was docked, her water-line
being now 20 feet 8 inches. She will stow 14 weeks'
provisions and about 270 tons of water. She will now
take on board her lower, fore, and main yards.

PLYMO U TH, MARCH 28.

Her Majesty's screw steam gun-vessel Rifleman, 8,
Lieutenant-Commander R. H. Dalton, was spoken with,
all well, at noon to-day, off the Start, by No. 6, Ply-
mouth pilot cutter. The Rifleman is 56 days from Rio
Janeiro, is short of provisions, and was proceeding under
steam and canvas for Portsmouth. Wind S.E.

The Prince Regent, 90, the Sidon, 22, and the Leop-
ard, 16, from Portsmouth, arrived in the Sound this
morning.
The Rhadamanthus arrived from Woolwich on Sun-
day.
The Hanoverian galliot Agneta Juliana, Captain W.
Haan, from Seville for London, put in here this after-
noon with part of the passengers and seamen of the emi-
grant ship Duncan Ritchie, of Glasgow, Captain M'Kin-
non. This ship left Leith for Port Philip on the 19th
of March, and has been leaking more or less ever since.
On Good Friday, at 1 a.m., in lat. 49 23 N., long. 5 33
W., heavy weather from the south-east, the leak in-
creased and could not be kept under, the pumps being
choked. At daylight she spoke the galliot, and sent on
board the captain's wife, all her passengers, and 13 of
the crew. The next morning, Saturday, the weather
abated, the leak decreased, and Captain Mliinnon dis-
patched his longboat, in charge of the mate; for the pas-
sengers and crew, stating his intention to bear up for the
first pert. About 20 of the passengers returned, but the
crew refused. After receiving stores from the ship, the
galliot made sail. The Duncan Ritchie was at that time
observed loosening her foretopsail, and the pumps still
at work, her crew comprising only the master, chief offi-
cer, second mate, two carpenters, boatswain, one able
seaman; the cook, and steward.
The passengers landed here are Mr. Cameron, wife,
and three children ; Mr. Smith, mother, and sister ;
Mrs. Young and family of four, Mr. Henry Watson, and
Mr. Alfred De Fivas-15 in all. The names of the sea-
men are William Mowatt, John Black, George Nicholl,
Finlay Hamilton, Daniel Taylor, Neal M'Mullen, and
William Allen, able seamen ; James Smith and John
Malcolm, ordinary ; John Livingstone and Robert
Seaton, apprentices ; Alexander White, steward ; and
Robert Eurisson, cook's mate-13 in all. They state
that the Duncan. Ritchie appeared to be preparing for
prosecuting her voyage.

SHEERNESS, MARCH 28.
The Amphion, 34, screw steam-frigate.—Captain
Charles G-. E. Patey, Lieutenant B. G-. W. Nicolas, and
Lieutenant Charles S. Dunbar, have returned from Ply-
mouth and Portsmouth, having been engaged in volun-
teering service at the above-named ports. The Amphion
will be put out of the basin to-morrow.
The Lizard, iron paddle-wheel steam-vessel, has been
docked to make good some slight damage to sponson
stays.

The Wildfire, steam-tender to the Waterloo, remains
at Gravesend looking out for deserters.

WOOLWICH, MARCH 28.

The Royal Albert, 131, screw steam-ship, is progressing
rapidly towards being ready for launching, upwards of
200 men and boys being constantly employed upon her
on task and jobwork, and they are so anxious to make
full time that many of them do not go home to dinner.
The frame-work of the stern is now all put up the entire
length of the alterations, and the workmen are making
ready the piles on which will be placed the ways over
which she is to pass when launched.
It is stated in naval circles that Capt. John Moore (d)
(1848) will have the command of the Highflyer screw
mteath-sloop; in the room of Captain Henry'''. Matson,'
deceased.

Mr. John Dinnen, inspector of 'steam machinery afloat,
visited the Tribune, 30, screw steam-frigate in dock at
Woolwich, on Saturday last, to report the progress made
in fitting her engines, by Mandalay, Sons, and Field, in
order to state the actual valuq.of work done, for the in-
formation of the Right Hon. Sir J. Graham, that the
First Lord may be able to give a correct statement to
the House of Commons on its re-opening of the works
executed, and sums drawn upon them at the close of the
financial year, which expires on the 31st inst.
Mr. Taplin, second-assistant to the chief engineer at
Woolwich dockyard, left this afternoon for Birmingham
to report on the state of works and sums drawn on ac-
count at that manufacturing town.

The crews of the dockyard hoys are to be paid wages
on Saturday next.

RELEASE OF THE MADIAIS.

The following letter has been received from Florence,
dated March 19 :

" The pardon of the Madiais arrived unexpectedly. It
was the intention of the. Government that it should have
been kept secret until their arrival at Marseilles. On
Tuesday, the 15th, the two confessors were brought to
Leghorn and immediately conducted on board a steam-
boat, where they remained 24 hours before they left for
Marseilles. Only the English consul,. Mr. Macbean, and
the Rev. Mr. Sleeman were able to see and converse with
them. The former had received the information through a
note which Rosa found means to convey to him. Their
friends at Florence were informed by another channel, but
it was too late. They arrived at Leghorn on Wednesday,
the 16th, three hours after the steamer had left. Rosa was
tolerably well provided with clothing, which Miss S-
had taken the precaution to place in the hands of the direc-
tor of the penitentiary at Lucca, at the beginning of the'
new year. But her husband was not permitted to take
what had been left for him by Mr. C-, at the inn at
Volterra. He was obliged to proceed to Leghorn in bad
cotton clothing. He has arrived knocked-up with fatigue,
and chilled with cold. The English consul sent him
warmer clothing, and a cloak, on board the steam-boat.
As he was very feeble, and almost always obliged to keep
his bed, I much fear the effects of so sudden a change and
such a painful journey. He had fever and delirium dur-
ing the night he passed on board the steamer in the port
of Leghorn ; but, thanks be to God, he is at last free, and
restored to the care of his excellent wife. The Lord will
accomplish what remains, or rather He will do all, as
-He has hitherto done. Let us commit into his hands
those He has just delivered, that He may watch over
them in the day of temptation, and preserve them
from spiritual pride. The Madiais are about to encoun-
ter new trials more dangerous than what they have
already undergone. May the Lord be with them by
his holy spirit. They have hitherto been full of grati-
tude-and humility, but let us continue to pray for them,
and for all who suffer for the same cause. The Madiais
will probably remain in the south of France, or at Nice,
until Francisco's health is re-established. They will
then, if it please God, proceed to Geneva. For a long
time they will much need retirement and repose, and I
am quite sure that, notwithstanding the very natural
desire our brethren will experience to see them, they
will be earcful not to compel them to exhibit themselves
in public. Excuse the expression ; but you will doubt-
less understand me. The excellent Mr. C-, whose
self-devotion is indefatigable, has embarked for Marseilles
to rejoin those to whom he has already given so many
proofs of brotherly affection, and, in order that he may
himself superintend the necessary arrangements for their
comfort. The English consul has besides given to them
letters of introduction. This is nearly all lam able to
tell you, and, indeed, it may be that, by the time you
receive this letter, you may know much more than we do
on this interesting subject."

THE OYSTER TRADE OF NEW YOBS.—It would hardly
be credited that the yearly sales of oysters in this city ex-
ceed five millions of dollars, and that the number of per-
sons employed in the business, directly or indirectly, is
about 50,000. It is a singular fact, that of the whole
amount of oysters sold in our markets, about two-
thirds come from Virginia, which has a more extensive
oyster trade than any other State in the Union.
The residue is obtained from the waters of our own State,
and those of New Jersey—the East river furnishing
the largest supply. A considerable supply is pro-
cured
from Shrewsbury and York Bay ; but very
few of the latter are consumed in this city, as they are
cultivated particularly for the western market. One ;of
the most interesting features in the business is the trans-
planting of oysters, or their removal from the "rock,"
or a natural bed to an artificial one. This process is
of peculiar importance, and absolutely necessary to the
successful prosecution of the trade. It would, in fact,
be next to impossible to supply the market during the
whole year, but for the general system of transplanting,
which is pursued by all the dealers. More than a mil-
lion dollars' worth are removed every year to artificial
beds, and by this means prevented from spawning, which
renders them unfit for use. Thus a large proportion
of our East river oysters were originally obtained from
the North river, where the soil and water are not consi-
dered so favourable to their cultivation. Of the fifty
thousand persons engaged in the business, the majority,
of course, are dependent upon their -own labour for sup=
port ; but there are a considerable number of the dealers,
pr, as they might more properly be called, oyster mer
chants, who possess large fortunes, amassed from the
sale of oysters alone. They are among the most worthy
of our citizens, and New York is not a little indebted to
their enterprise for her extensive business in what has
now become an indispensable article of food,—New York
.11ercild.

The Constitutionnel and the Assemblee Nationale,
which, although greatly opposed to each other in
general politics, and both organs in manufactures
and commerce of the Protectionist party, attack
the Debats for taking under its protection the ar-
guments of M. Dollfus in favour of admitting fo-
reign competition in cotton manufactures. The
arguments in the two Protectionist journals are
nearly the same, and generally speaking they are
without novelty. We only think it necessary to
extract from the Constitutionnel a paragraph in
which it attempts to show that protection against
the competition of foreigners does not prevent
competition in France. It says :
" There were in France at the beginning of last year
4,300,000 spindles for cotton, divided between 650 esta-
blishments, and occupying 60,000 workmen. It is esti-
mated that since the consolidation of order in 1852,
nearly 500,000 more have heen constructed, or are being
constructed. If there be a monopoly then, it is one
that is singularly divided and warmly disputed."

There is nothing else of interest in the original
columns of the Paris journals.
From the exposé des motif of the Budget of 1854
we make the following extract :-•-•
" France is, we are pleased to hope, about to com-
mence from next year a fresh ascensional movement.
The indirect revenues of 1854 have been estimated by the
Government at 851,756,050 f. This amount exceeds by
about 42 millions the produce of the indirect revenues of
1852. But .experience has, shown that the produce of
this kind of receipts increases in times of security and of
calm. The produce of the indirect revenues rose, for in-
stance, from about 569 millions in 1833, to 828 millions
in 1846, or at the average rate of 20 millions a-year.
The calculation of improvement which we have reckoned
on is therefore borne out by the experience of the past.
The extreme probability of its correctness may be seen
when_it_iLsonsidered that the commencement of 1852
was subjected to thsecrirTretique of the political criais con-
nected with the events of the 2d of December. The pro-
duce of the indirect taxes during the interval from the
Ist of March, 1852, to the Ist of March of the present
year amounted to 821,286,000 f. In order to arrive at
the previsions which we have adopted relative to 1854,
it will be seen that it is only necessar; to suppose an in-
crease of 15 millions a-year, and it is difficult to enter-
tain a more moderate hope than that which in a pacific
state of things supposes such an increase. The ensemble
of the receipts for 1854 being estimated at 1,520,039,572 f.
and the expenditure at 1,519,250,942 f., the general
budget presents a surplus of receipts of 1,388,630 f. This
surplus would even have amounted to 2,734,957 f., if we
had not placed among the expenses the annuities regu-
lated by the rote of the bills on the repurchase of the
different canals."
_ _

The general account of the materiel of the War
department for the year 1851 has just been pub-
lished, from which it appears the whole value of
such materiel, as far as it can be approximatively
estimated, was on the 31st of December of that
year 448,857,481 f., being 11,570,180 f. more
than at the corresponding period of 1850. In the
items provisions are set down at 13,600,356 f. ;
hospital expenses, 16,895,284 f. ; clothing,
22,758,197 f. ; military bedding and camp equip-
age, 16,327,931 f. ; general remount of cavalry,
38,998,610 f. ; forage, 8,349,935 f. ; artillery,
289,587,558 f. ; engineers, 17,246,675 f. • powder
and saltpetre, 10,429,509 f. The different ser-
vices in Algeria amounted to 3,509,258 f.
_ _

The Minister of Police has addressed the follow-
ing circular to the prefects, dated " March 15." It
would appear to have been called for by the demon-
stration made by the Socialists of Paris at the late
funeral of Mme. Raspail
"Monsieur le Prefet,—The Socialist party.appears in-
clined to again put itself in movement, and seek for op-
portunities to bring itself before the world. Availing
themselves of sentiments which are entitled to respect,
they, in particular, appear to seize on the occasion of the
funeral of certain persons to organise these manifesta-
tions, which assume a character exclusively political. In
proportion as the Government is disposed to give every
possible latitude to meetings which are formed under
the inspiration of family affection, so much it ought to
pay attention to prevent this kind of profanation, which
seizes as a pretext on the mortal remains of some one
quite unknown to the crowd which follow the coffin, in
order to stimulate a respect which is only a falsehood,
and to make a political demonstration which is evident
to every one. We are no longer in a period when a
handful of men could, without obstacle or repression,
fill the public mind with fear or agitation, and the au-
thorities are bound to prevent and repress all that may
tend to compromise tranquillity and interfere with good
order. I therefore recommend you, Monsieur le Prefet,
to adopt measures to prevent any such manifstations.
The best means of doing so will be to prevent too
great an assemblage at the house of the deceased, to
dissipate every crowd of persons which should have the
character of a mob, to prevent too great a number of
persons unconnected with the family from entering the
churchyard, and to interdict any kind of address or
speech.* It is most important to unite the respect due to
the dead with the measures called for by public safety,and
you will have to recommend to your agents the greatest
prudence and reserve in these delicate circumstances. I
request you to keep me informed of any facts which may
arise in your department connected with this matter."

A letter from Toulon says that the sailing ves-
sels of the' Mediterranean fleet have taken five
months' provisions on board, and not two months',
as at first stated. The steamers have only taken
supplies for three months, as they had no room for
any more. Orders have, it is said, been given for
fitting out the Friedland and the lena, and also the
Tilsitt, but not with so much expedition.
It has been stated that the inauguration of the
tomb of the Emperor Napoleon, at the Hotel des
Invalides, is to take place on the sth May, the an-
niversary of his death ; but, as Ascension-day this
year falls on that date, the ceremony has been fixed
for the 4th. It is to be attended by the Emperor,
the Imperial family, deputations of the army
_and
navy, the Ministers, and the great bodies of the
State.

The Peace deputation has arrived here from Lon-
don. The gentlemen forming it arc- Sir James
Duke, Bart., M.P., Sir Edward Buxton, Bart.,
Mr. Samuel Gurney, Mr. Wm. Gladstone, Mr. St.
Leger Glyn, Mr. Thomas Dent, Mr. J. D. Powles,
and Mr. G. Barclay. They are commissioned by
nearly 3,000 of the merchants, bankers, and traders
of London, to wait upon the French Emperor, and
to present to him a declaration of the friendly feel-
ings which exist in England towards the people of
France, and to deprecate the ill-feeling which the
tone of certain English journals has been calculated
to arouse. The deputation was received yesterday
by the Emperor.
The Evening Presse, in its usual weekly commer-
cial bulletin, says :
" Business is very quiet in Paris, both in the manu-
factures and in the retail trade. The continuance of the
cold weather does considerable injury to several branches
of business. The fete of Longchamps, which is usually
a period of increased activity in many branches of trade,
has passed over almost without any effect. The export
houses have, during the past fortnight, given some or-
ders for the manufacturers, and English houses have
made some purchases in perfumery and gloves. Several
manufacturers are also employed for the Brazil and South
American trades, but almost all the orders for the United
States are executed. The accounts from Rouen, Mul-
house, and other points, state that business is also very
dull there."

There was not a great deal of business transacted
on the Bourse yesterday, but the sales effected
were principally at a lower figure than the currency
of Saturday. Bank Stock experienced a heavy
fall, this description of securities being operated in
at a decline of 20f. In the Three per Cents. for
cash there is no change to report from the last
quoted prices ; but the Four-and-a-Half per Cents.
exhibit a decline of sc. For the account the
Three per Cents. have fallen 15c., while the Four-
and-a-Half per Cents. remain as last reported.
The market had a generally firm appearance at the
close of business. The following were the closing
prices :—For cash—Three per Cents., 79f. 90c. ;
Four and-a-Half per Cents., 103 f. 65c. For the
account—Three per Cents., 79f. 80c. ; Four-and-
a-Half per Cents. 103 f. 60c. Bank Stock, 2,640.