The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28, 1862

EARL DE GREY ON PUBLIC AFFA-i1?

Earl de Grey was on Friday evening the guest of
the Mayor of Ripon. After dinner he returned
thanks for her Majesty's ministers, and spoke on
various topics of public interest. He would not
touch on party politics, he said ; but there were
sorle points upon which there could be very little
difference of opinion as to the course pursued by
Lord Palmerston's administration. With reference
to the American question he said :—" Upon those
questions which have arisen out of the unhappy
civil war in America there is little or no difference
of opinion in the country, and the general view of
the people of England is, I believe, that in preserv-
ing in the unfortunate contest a strict and impartial
neutrality her Majesty's Government have taken
the only course consistent alike with the position of
this country, and with the respect which was due
to the American people. (Cheers.) Very shortly
after I had the honour of addressing you upon a
similar occasion last year I was called to London by
my official ditties, and I certainly did not think when
I left this peaceful neighbourhood that I was likely
so soon to be engaged in sending our troops to
America in consequence of the possible occur-
rence of war with the United States. I think
the people of this country have fully endorsed
the conduct of the Government in those diffi-
cult and trying circumstances. (Hear, hear.) Her
Majesty's Ministers felt that it was their duty to
demand reparation for an injury, and to take those
measures which might be necessary to secure the
success of that demand, if there had been any in-
clination on the part of the American Government to
refuse it ; but at the same time they felt it was their
bounden duty to make that demand in the most cour-
teous and considerate manner, so that if, unhappily,
war had ensued, the grave responsibility of that ter-
rible occurrence would not have rested upon them.
(Hear,) And I could only wish that the American
people would take a fairer view of the course which
this country has pursued in their affairs. There
seems to be in the minds of many people across the
Atlantic very bitter feelings against this country,
and we hear language used as if, in the course we
have pursued, we had inflicted some great injury
upon them. It appears to me not only that the course
we have taken—that of strict and impartial neu-
trality between the two contending parties—was the
only course which it was just and right to follow
under such circumstances, but also that it was the
only course we could take with a due regard to the
dignity and character of the great people sprung
from our own race, and who inhabit those vast coun-
tries on the other side of the great ocean. (Cheers.)
You must, in a contest of that description, bestrictly
neutral, or you will be rapidly dragged into the con-
test on one side or the other; and I think the feel-
ing of this country would have been, if we had been
beset by great political difficulties and calamities,
that we knew, or fancied we knew, our own inte-
rests, and that it was best for us to be left to settle
our own affairs for ourselves. (Hear, hear.) I be-
lieve that the best course England can take, so far
as we can at all influence the result of that great
contest, is by preserving a strict neutrality, and that
whatever steps her Majesty's Government,may take
in the future must still be conducted in the strict
line of neutrality, which, whatever may be the in-
dividual feelings of this person or of that person,
preserves the even balance between the two con-
tending parties. (Hear, hear.) I would that those
who speak as if some great injury had been
inflicted by England on the United States would
recollect the deep suffering, the terrible evils
which that contest is inflicting upon us here at
home. They would give the Government some
credit for the patience with which they are watching
the progress of that terrible distress, produced by
no fault of the Government or of the people of this
couutry, but solely and singly the result of the con-
test in America; and they should, above all things,
give some credit to the people of this country—to
the people of Lancashire—that they are not press-
ing the Government to do what might seem an easy
method of putting an end to the distress by stepping
in and interfering in order to terminate the conflict.
(Cheers.) I believe that in the course we have taken
upon that question we have received the support
and approval of the country, and that we shall re-
ceive the approval of future generations of Ameri-
cans when they can reflect more calmly upon our
conduct. (Hear hear.) I believe, too, that I may
fairly claim that we have not misinterpreted the
feeling of the country in the manner in which we
have dealt with those intricate and difficult, though
happily not threatening questions, which have agi-
tated the mind of the Continent of Europe_ We
have adhered to the important principle of non-
intervention. 'We have refused to interfere in the
strife, and have prevented the interference of others;
but we have not concealed our sympathies—we
have frankly made them known, as I think became
the representatives and the ministers of England ;
not, however, wishing to force them upon other
people. (Hear.) Then there is one other point
upon which, perhaps, some difference of opinion
may exist, but upon which I do not think much
difference of opinion will exist in this room—l mean
the great question of national defence. I do not
think that you will be inclined to blame her
Majesty's Government because they have thought
it their duty to take measures for placing their
country in an adequate condition of defence—
(cheers)—for placing it in estate in which we might
be able to maintain that proud position which has
been won for us by the statesmanship and valour of
our ancestors. I can assure you that there can be
no hesitation on ,the part of her Majesty's Govern-
ment to go forward in that eourse. The cost has
been great, and I trust that in the future it may be
diminished. (Hear.) No doubt it is the duty of the
Government—and I am confident that it is a duty
we shall endeavour earnestly and honestly to dis-
charge—to see that no single shilling is taken un-
necessarily from the'pockets of the people—(cheers)
—but I believe there is none of you who would not
willingly continue to encounter the present heavy
taxation rather than that we should again return to
the condition, in respect to our military and naval
preparations, in which we were before the Crimean
e tc
war. (Hear, hear.) I can say nothing to my friend,
Captain Other, as to the course her Majesty's Go-
vt
he rr en of a
the
outto mayommueml_tiism(s
me—(laughter)—bat
ryhst.tear)klloibnbusterre l vgaeadmr regard
tht theooeo re-
port
and
trout to rise at it,
torevealeven thebe secrets skilled
hfiisdhdeflaerynmid hai
in
will not induce me ae
the breast of the Minister. (Renewed laughter.)
But there is one other point upon which I think
there is very little difference of opinion, and that
is in respect to the feelings with which the chief
of the Government is regarded throughout the
length and breadth of the land. (Hear.) I believe
that most of those who vote against the Govern-
ment, nevertheless, in
Palmerston is the best their
eh ema
nt
8,
ttehri nwke te ha
na t
hLaovred,
and
God part I earnestly trust that it may
please
owntopreserve still for the benefit and ad-
my
vantage of the country the life of that illustrious
and eminent statesman. (Loud cheers.) But, gen-
tlemen, although I must not detain you for more
than a moment longer, when I reflect upon the yet
higher pleasure which shortly awaits us (alluding
to the ball which was to follow the banquet), yet
there is one question upon which it would be im-
possible not to say a few words, when one is speak-
ing in the present day upon any public occasion ;
and that is, that terrible state of things which
exists in the bordering county of Lancashire.
That the distress, the undeserved distress—caused
by no fault of the people or of their Government,
and which has struck down thousands from a state
of prosperity, and reduced them to one of depen.
ita ht
hoi s
should excite the deepest sympathy
upon the charity of their
. throughout the
deuce, either upon the official
fealliodwo-mf etilhlPthara
length and breadth of the land only what must
necessarily occur in any Christian country ;but sad

indeed as is the condition of affairs, and
poignant
as is the regret which it must excite in the breast
of every rightk-thinking man, still we as English-
men may be Justly proud of the spirit which has
been manifested by those suffering these privations,
and of the patience and forbearance and justice
which they have displayed in their terrible misfor-
tunes. (Applause.) I agree with my friend Mr. Al-
derman Kears'ey that that great and magnificent
spectacle is mainly due to the progress of education;
and if you want to know what is the result of the
educational efforts of late years—if
you want to
bring it to a real practical test better than any
other to which by possibility you can put it—you
have only to look at Lancashire. But it is not by
words thai we should express our sympathy. We
have other and Chore substantial means of doing so,
and we should not neglect them. We hear it said
sometimes that the rich men, the manufacturers of
Lancashire, are not doing their duty towards the
people who have lately been in their employment.
Now, gentlemen, I am not sufficiently
well acquainted
with the facts to be alAt to pronounce a judgment on
the manufacturers oMancashire; and it seems to me
f
that no man who as not taken the trouble mi-
nutely to assure mself of the state of these facts
i
ought to proniunce a condemnation so severe and
terrible as thatikh.
we sometimes hear drop easily
0
and lightly fr en's lips. We ought to remember
that there sire tnau ways not seen by the world-
-4011.
not known, perhalis4. oat of their own parishes—in
which these men, for aught we know, are bearing
their part in the suffering endured by that popula-
tion. But if it be true to the utmost—if nothing at
all is being done by those who ought to do it, is that
a reason why we should hold our hand? Is it not
rather a reason why we should come forward, and
not refuse to aid those who would, in that case, be
suffering under a double calamity ? (Hear.) It was
well to hold back at first. It seems to me the time
has now come when we should take action ; the dis-
tress is becoming more and more pressing, and must
become more and more alarming as the winter goes
on ; and I cannot, therefore, avoid expressing my
opinion that the time has come for the country at
large to take their part in relieving the distress that
is afflicting at this moment our neighbours across
the borders of this county. (Hear, hear, and ap-
plause.)

late experiments took place under considerable dis-
advantage, as it had been lying for several winters
on the beach at Southsea, with the sea occasionally
washing over it, and no alterations whatever had
been made in it since it left the makers' hands.

The anchors for the iron-plated frigate Royal Oak,
1,000 horse power, have arrived at Chatham Dock-
yard from the works of Messrs. Brown and Lennox
—the firm employed by the Admiralty to forge
anchors of the largest size. The two bower an-
chors weigh about 90cwt. each, and the sheet an-
chors 95 cwt. each. During the week they will be
taken to the testing house in the dockyard, y% here
they will be subjected to most powerful hydraulic
pressure to discover any flaw before they are placed
on board. The stream and other smaller anchors
will be supplied from the dockyard.
The Pylades, 21, 350 horse power, fitting at
Chatham dockyard, has her topgallant masts on end,
and has nearly completed fitting her rigging. Her
water tanks were put on board yesterdoy, and from
the energy with which the work on board is prose-
cuted everything betokens that she will be com-
pleted and ready to hoist the pendant by the date
ordered by the Admiralty—Nov. 27. It was ori-
ginally intended to place the Pylades in the first-
class steam reserve when out of the hands.of the
dockyard officials, but it is now more than proba-
ble, from certain matters connected with the Ame-
rican complications, that she will ultimately be de-
patched to reinforce the squadron in North Ameri-
' can waters, under the command of Admiral Sir A.
Milne, K.C.B.
Commander Wilson, of the sailing reserve at De-
vonport, has been promoted to the rank of Retired
Captain, under order of Council dated Aug. 1.
The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—F. Penfold, paymaster, addi-
tional, to the Wellesley; J. Orchard, first-class
assist.-engineer, to the Asia for the Tyrian ; A. D.
Garwood, first-class assist.-engineer, to the Asia for
the Charger ; W. P. Clapp, confirmed as assist.-
surg. to the Tribune ; and W. Evans, assist.-pay-
master to the Wellesley.

STUART'S RAID INTO PENNSYL VANIA.

The raid made by Stuart's Cavalry into Pennsyl-
vania appears to have been effected almost without
molestation. The Philadelphia Inquirer has an
account, from which the subjoined extracts are

taken :
" The cavalry, about 3,000 in number (although
accounts differ as to their strength, some parties
insisting there were not more than 700 of them), and
six pieces of artillery, crossed the Potomac at Han-
cock or Clear Spring on Friday morning, and pro-
ceeded at once to Mercersburg without committing
any depredations, or in the least degree interfering
with the inhabitants along the route, it evidently
being their intention at the outset to spare the per-
sons and property of private citizens, horses ex-
cepted; in fact, this was communicated by some of
them to parties in Chambersburg. They entered
Mercersburg about noon, to the great astonishment
of the citizens, who at first thought it was a body
of Union troops. No damage was done at Mercers-
burg, with the exception of pressing a number of
horses, there being no railroad depot, public work •
shops, or Government stores in the town. They
passed through the town, and took the Pittsburg
pike for Chambersburg, arriving near the town just
before 'dark. One of their first acts was to plant
three pieces of artillery on a hill at the back of the
town, after which a detachment of 15 men were
sent into the town, bearing a flag of truce and re-
questing to see the chief personages or authorities,
stating that they had an ample farce at hand, and
that the town must be surrendered or shelled, at the
same time stating that guns were in position for that
purpose. Hon. A. K. M'Clure and Provost-Mar-
shal Stimmel then accompanied them to the officer
in command, and, all resistance being impossible,
the town was surrendered and soon after fully
occupied. Previous to their entrance, however,
a number of the militia of Chambersburg pro-
ceeded to arm themselves and make a show of
resistance, but the project was abandoned as
entirely futile. One of the first acts on entering
was to plant two pieces of artillery in the square
of the town commanding the principal thorough -
fares, and placing guards at different points. The
town was fairly occupied about 7 o'clock in the
evening. Shortly afterwards a large portion of
them made directly for the warehouse and cars, in
which were stored a great quantity of government
goods, consisting principally of uniforms and a
small quantity of boots. Not long afterwards the
whole town was converted into one vast dressing-
room. On every hotel porch, at every corner, on
the greater portion of street doorsteps—in fact all
over the town, might be seen rebel cavalry donning
Yankee uniforms and throwing their own worn-out
and faded garments into the street. In many in-
stances one man would esconce his pedestals into
two or three new new pairs of pants, as many coats,
and with the same number of caps hanging about
him. The streets became full of dirty rebel clothing.
It is a noticeable fact that many of them had "on
Union uniforms when they entered the town, and a
number of their horses were marked U. S. During
the night until daybreak a portion of them scoured
the country round in quest of horses, and captured
about 600, ten of which belonged to the Hon. A. K.
M'Clure, and were fine animals. Among the horses
taken was a celebrated black stallion, owned by
some gentleman in Chambersburg, and valued at
1,200 dole. It is a very large and fine animal, and
had quite a reputation in the surrounding country.
The rebels fed their horses at the corn-fields around
Chambersburg. The road for five or six miles to-
wards Harrisburg is strewn with corn-stalks that
were gathered in the fields and brought to the edge
of the road for the horses. The horses of those that
remained in the town were ranged along the streets
facing the sidewalks, and remained there for the
night, the riders lying around in different direc-
tions. It is not known that they made any attempt
to enter a single private house. The taverns were
all visited directly after they arrived, and a consi-
derable quantity of whisky punished, for which
payment was generally proffered in Confederate
scrip. The men were, as a general thing, friendly
and even socially disposed towards the inhabitants,
entering into conversation with the citizens in
the taverns, barber shops, &c. In one instance
one of them entered a'Ativern in which were several
citizens, and slightly hesitated at the door. Some
one remarked, 'Come in, we won't hurt you,' where-
upon he entered, remarking, Well, perhaps not;
but some of you Yankees lie so.' With the excep-
tion of the occurrences above related, the night was
quietly spent. Preparations for leaving the town
were commenced about daylight. Combustibles
were placed in the railroad depot, the warehouse in
which government stores were kept, and the machine
shop, and a train laid to the powder magazine at
the warehouse. The stolen horses were got together,d
a large Government waggon with four horses and
two or three ambulances found in the townd wereeach
well filled with military clothing, ,S:c•,
before and behind him, on his horse,
Tette
cavalry man had a quantity of clothing
raapnaileyd
in
slotaaeostityheeshis
chic.
ssevger cars
oad were
Valley Rear
belonging to the Cumberland d above
buildings state
then utterly destroyed; the bud
pileand
thereacshaimnge
nu
upm to
be r
of
pa .
They waited long
were fired and totally consume :
would be com-
morning the whole
plate, and at 8 o'clock in the
an
and horse a small-
party left the town, eache; The noise occasioned
enough to see that the
sized clothing establishol
owder magazine was so
of the P
by the explosion
beard at the distance of several
great that it was
valley, and gave rise to a report,
miles down the .tion that cannonading war
that direction that
that spread
Chambersburg.Bt
very
The walls of the ware-
going en 8- strong, did not fall down after
house, being
explosion, which fortunate circumstance pre.
the destruction .

PRICE..... -..4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

vented much damage to surrounding private pro-
perty. None of the private dwellings were destroyed
by the fire. The buildings were fired about half-
past seven o'clock. The citizens of the ,town were
gathered together at different points, and, of course,
had to endure the mortification of bei;:g passive
spectators of the scene. Some few straggling
soldiers were in the town at the time the rebel&
entered, but either remained concealed or made good
their escape towards liaggerstown or Harrisburg.
Ater leaving town the rebels proceeded down the
Baltimore road in the direction of Gettysburg.

" About 30 of the rebels are reported to have been
captured by the Ist Maine and other cavalry r€gi-
ments as they were crossing the Potomac into Vir-
ginia, at Nolan's Ford. The rebels all rode the
sleekest kind of horses evidently stolen from Penn-
sylvanian farmers. It is stated that they had in
their possession some 580 captured horses, upon
w hose backs were strapped all the valuables they
had secured."

A Washington letter in the New York Tribune

says: --

" Expectation still stands on tiptoe in the effort to
see the movement of which General Stuart's ex-
cursion is supposed to have been the prelude. Some
will have it that Lee means to follow the same path
to throw a large force on the right flank of M'Clellan,
Others favour the supposition that General Sigel
will soon be attacked, but the report growing out of
this hypothesis, to the effect that 10,000 rebels are
at Middlesburg, is unfounded ; at least, the
Government has no such news. Others think
the cavalry dash designed to cover a gene-
ral retreat. Generol Stuart did not hurry
to eross the Potomac after he reached it
on his return to Virginia. He stopped a full
hour, according to reports which ha ye been received
here, in sight of the ferry, for the purpose of giving
his horses a last feed of ' My Maryland's corn.'
Gen. Stoneman's infantry were meantime coming'
up from Poolesville, six miles away, and Gen. Plea-
santon, whose 800 cavalry were too much exhausted
to attack, having marched 78 miles in 24 hours
without change of horses, was amusing himself with
artillery practice across the river—two guns against
two rebel guns. Gen. Stuart is reported to have
told people at the ferry that he 6 had fooled the
whole party,' but had not done all he intended—had
not destroyed the Government stores at Frederick,
nor burnt the bridge over the Moaocacy. Before
leaving, Gen. Stuart sent his compliments to Gen.
Seth Williams, M'Clellan's Assistant .Adjutant-
General, and to others of his old military friends.
None of his men were killed, injured, or captured
by our army, but the Pennsylvania farmers rallied
and took prisoner the advance guard—one man.
The Surgeon-General received a telegram to-day
from the surgeon in charge of the hospital at Cham-
bersburg, to the effect that all the patients were
paroled by Gen. Stuart, but the hospital and stores
were not injured in the least. It is believed in best
informed circles here that Gen. Lee has received
reinforcements to the number of at least 25,000 men
since he crossed the Potomac, perhaps enough to
replace those he lost in Maryland."