The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

LAW OF LUNACY.

Mr. NEATE rose to call attention to some defects in the
law relating to lunatics, and to move for copies of any re-
turns in possession of the Government as to English sub-
jects now in confinement in lunatic asylums abroad.
The hon. member proceeded to explain the defects of

the system, when the Speaker's attention was directed to
the fact that there were not 40 members present, and the
house was accordingly counted at 20 minutes past 7
o'clock.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-MAY 30.
ROMAN CATHOLIC OATH BILL.

Order read for resuming adjourned debate on question,
" That Mr. Speaker do now leave the chair." Question
again proposed, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the
chair." Debate resumed. Amendment proposed, to leave
out from the wed " That "to the end of the question, in
order to add the words " this house will, upon this day
six months, resolve itself into the said committee," in-
stead thereof. Question put, "That the words proposed
to be left out stand part of the question." The house
divided—Ayes, 193 ; Noes, 126.

- -
AYES —193.
Acton, Sir J. Foljambe, F. J. S. Moncreir, J.
Adair, H. E. Forster, C. Moor, H.
Adam, W. P. Forster, W. E. Moore, C.
Agar-Ellis, L. G. Fortescue F. D. Morrison, W.
Bagwell, J. Fortescue, C. S. Murphy, N. D.
Baines, E. French, Col. Neate, C.
Baring, A. H. Gavin, Major O'Brien, Sir P.
Baring, Sir F. Gibson, T. M. O'Conor Don, The
Baring, T. G. Gilpin, C. O'Donoghue, The
Bass, M. T. Gladstone, W. E. O'Ferrall, M.
Baz ley, T. Goldsmid, Sir F. O'Loghlen, Sir C.
Beale, S. Goschen, O. J. O'Reilly, at. W.
Beaumont, W. B. Gower, F, L. Packe, Col.
Blake, J. Greene, J. Paget, Lord C.
Blencowe, J. G. Gregory, W. H. Palmer, R. W.
Bouverie, E. P. Greville, Col. F. Pease, H.
Bouverie, P. P. Grey, Sir G. Peel, Sir R.
Bowyer, Sir G. Gr,,svenor,Lordßd. Peel, F.
Brady, Dr Gurdon, B. Peel, J.
Bramston, T. W. Gurney, S. Pilkington, J.
Brand, H. Hadfield, G. Pollard Urquhart W
Bright, J. Hanbury, R. Portman, W. H. B.
Browne, Lord J. T. Hankey, T. Potter, E.
Bruce, Lord C. Hanmer, Sir J. Potter, T. B.
Bruce, H. A. Hartington,Marqula Powell, J. J.
Buckley, Gen. Hervey, Lord A. Pritchard, J.
Burke, Sir T. J. Hervey, Lord A H. Ramsden, Sir J. W
Butt, I. Hassard, M. Redmond, J. E.
Buxton, C. Headlam, T. E. Robartes, T. J. A.
Cardwell, E. Henderson, J. Robertson, H.
Cheetham, J. Henley, Lord Roebuck, J. A.
Cholmeley, Sir M. Hennessy,J. P. Russell, A.
Churchill, Lord A. Hesketh, Si,S T. St. Aubyn, J.
Clay, J. Hibbert, J. T. Salomona,Aiderman
Clifford, C. C. lliorsmun. E. Schneider, 11. W.
Clive, G. Howard, Lord E. G. Scully, V.
Cogan, W. H. Hunt, G. W. Seely, C.
Colebrooke, Sir T.E. Jackson, W. Seymour, Danby
Collins, T. Jervoise, Sir J. Seymour, Ingby
Corbally, M. E. Johnstone, Sir J. Shelley, Sir J. V.
Cowper, W. F. Kekewich, S. T. Sheridan, 11. B.
Cox, W. Kennedy, r. Smith, J. B.
Crawford, R. W. King, P. J. L. Stacpoole, W.
Dalglish, R. Kinglake, A. W. Stansfeld, J.
Davey, It. Laird, J. " Steel, J.
Davie, Col. F. Layard, A. H. Stirling, W.
Denman, G. Lanigan, J. Thompson, H. S.
Dent, J. D. Lawson, W. Tollemache, F. J.
Dickson, Col. Leader, N. P. Tottenham, Lt.-Col.
Diliwyn, L. L. Lefevre, G. J. S. Trelawny, Sir J. S.
Dodson, J. G. Lever, J. 0. Vandeleur, CA.
Douglas, Sir C. Lewis, H. Villiers, C. P.
Doulton, F. Liddell, IL G. Walter, J.
Duff, M. E. Locke. J. Western, S.
Dundas. Sir D. Longlield, R. Westhead, J.y. B.
Dunne, M. Lowe, IL White, J.
Egerton, E. C. 11PCann, J. White, L.
Enfield, Viscount MacEvoy, E. Wickham, H. W.
Ennis, J. Mackinnon, W.(LY.) Winnington, Sir T.
Esmonde. J. M'Mahon, P. Woods, IL
Evans, Sir Do L. Maguire, J. F. Wyvill, M.
Evans, T. W. Marjoribanks, D. C.
Ewart, J. C. Marsh, M. IL TELLERS.
Fenwick, E. M. Martin,J.
Fenwick, 11. Mills, J. It. Monsell, W.
Foley, H. W. Mitchell, T. A. Castlerosae, Vist.

NOES-126.
Adderley, C. B. Floyer J. North, Col.
Arbuthnott, Gen. Fraser, Sir W. A. O'Neill, E.
Archdall,Capt.ALE. Gallwey, Sir W. P. Pakington, Sir J.
Astell, J. H. Galway, Viscount Palk, Sir L.
Ayrton, A. S. Gard, It. S. Parker, Major W.
Aytoun, it. S. Getty, S. G. Patten, Col. W.
Bailey, C. Goddard, A. L. Paull, li.
Bateson, Sir T. Gore, J. It. 0. Pevensey, Viscount
Beach, Sir M. Gore, W. It. 0. Powell, P. S.
Beach, W. W. Grogan, Sir E. Pryse, E. L.
Bentinck, G. W. P. Hamilton, Lord C Reptou, G. W. J.
Bentinck, G. C. Hamilton, 1. T. Ridley, Sir M. W.
Benyon, IL Hardy, G. Rogers, J. J.
Beresford, W. Hardy, J. Rose, W. A.
Berestord, 1). Hartopp, E. B. Selater-Booth, G,
Blackburn, P Harvey, K. B. Smith, Abel
Booth, Sir R. G. Heygate, Sir F. Smith, S. G.
Bremridge, R. Hollord, It. S. Smollett, P. B.
Bridges, Sir B. W. Ilood, sir A, Somerset, Col. E.
Bruce, Sir H. Hopwood, J. T. Somes, J.
Burrell, Sir P. Ingestre, Viscount Strouge, Sir J. M.
Butler, C. S. Jervis, Captain Stewart, Sir M. It.
Cairns, Sir H. Jolliffe, H. Surtees, H. E.
Cargill, W. W. Jones, 1). Sykes, Col. W. 11.
Cartwright, Col. Ker, D. S. Taylor, CoL
Cave, S. King, J. K. The, W.
Cobbold, J. C. Kinnaird, A. F. Tollemache, J.
Cole, H. Knox, Major W S. Torrens, It.
Cole, J. L. Langton, IV. G. Tretusis, C. H. R.
Corry, H. L. Langton, W. H. G. Treherne, H.
Craufurd, E. H. J. Lee, W. Trevor, Lord A.
Curzon, Viscount 3lacaulay, K. TroHope, Sir J.
Davie, Sir 11. R. P. Mackie, J. Vance, J.
Du Cane, C. Mainwaring, T. Verner, Sir W.
Duncombe, A. Maicolin, J. W. Verner, B. W.
lilkdeerg, r
J.
ei-iLesile
R.
Dundas, P. Manners, Lord J. Walcott, Admiral
Du Pre, C. G. Mills, A. NVa
Dutton, R.ll. Montgomery. Sir G. yit
Egerton, A. P. Mordaunt, Sir C. Whiteside, J.
Pane, Col. Mowbray, J. K. Whitmore, H.
Farquhar, Sir M. Mundy, W. TELLERS.
Fellowes, E. Nicol, W. Newdegate, C.
Fergusson, Sir J. Noel, G. J. Leroy, A.

The Bel jan Contingent in Mexico.

BRUSSELS, May 28.

The Minister of War has issued the following
order of the day - in consequence of the official de-
spatches received from Mexico describing the en-
gagements in which the Belgiant Contingent have
recently taken part :

" The country and the army will learn with grief and
pride the immense and glorious loss which they have just
sustained.

" The subjoined report, received by the Government
from the Cabinet of the Emperor of Mexico, needs no com-
ment. It will be entered in the orderly-books of the diffe-
rent regiments, and read to the assembled companies.
" It would givo me much pleasure if the almoners of the
garrison would hold a funeral service for the repose of the
souls of our comrades who fell heroically upon the field of
battle.

" On the day of this ceremony all duty will bo sus-
pended to enable all to bo present.
" Baron CRAzAL, Minister of War.

" Brussels, May 28"

Here follows the official report from Mexico
alluded to above, headed " Reports upon the events
which led to the engagements at Tacamburo," and
dated April 11, 1865. It states that the remnants
of the old Republican army of the centre, which
were driven from Jalisco last year, took refuge in
the State of Michoacan. These remnants still mus-
ter from 3,000 to 3,500 men, commanded by Ar-
teaga, Regules, Pueblita, &c. At the approach of
the rainseason it was necessary for them to leave
the Tierra Caliente, where the climate rendered it
impossible to follow them, and go up to the tempe-
rate regions of the north, in which the populous
towns are situated and maize is cultivated, in order
to levy money and provisions. With this object Re-
gules having concentrated his forces, marched upon
Zamora and La Piedad. Not being able to enter
those places he took an easterly course between the
Lakes of Patzcuaro and Cuitzo at the beginning
of April. The pacification of Michoacan was
intrusted to the French Colonel Potier, a very
active and energetic officer, who was the captor of
the notorious guerilla Romero. He had under his
orders a battalion of the French 81st Line Regiment,
two battalions of Belgian Volunteers—one com-
manded by Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen, the other by
Major Tydgadt, and the Mexican brigade of Gen.
Tapia, 1,500 to 1,600 strong. The cavalry consisted
of a squadron of the Imperatrice Regiment and two
auxiliary squadrons under Col. Lamadrid. The plan
formed by Col. Potier was to confine the Juarists to
the.unhealthiest and most depopulated district of the
Tierra Caliente, between the Rio de las Balsas on
the south and the two rivers descending, one from
Urupuan on the west, the other from Tacamburo on
the east. Col. Potier would subsequently enter the
rectangle with five flying columns—two coming from
the banks of the Rio de Urupuan, two others from
the Rio de Tacamburo, and the fifth from Taretan.
Urupuan and Ario were already occupied by two
Imperial garrisons, each of 150 men, with two mor-
tars. The enemy having unmasked his movement,
by marching from Zamora under Zacapu, Col. Po-
tier left Morelia on April 3d with three columns, the
Ist, under his orders, comprisihg the battalion of the
81st French Regiment and a part of Tapia's brigade
the 21, under Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen, consisting
of the battalion of Belgian Grenadiers, half a squad-
ron of the Imperatrice Regiment, and one mortar ;
and the 3d, under Major Tydgadt, of 25 Belgian
Volunteers, half a squadron of the Empress Regi-
ment, and a mountain mortar. The two first co-
lumns met at Patzcuaxa ; the third xeceived orders
to descend to Cuitzco and afterwards to Tacamburo
to take up their position. Regules deceived the anti-
cipations of Col. Potier by marching from Zacapu to
Cuitzco.. Lieut.-Col. Vandersmissen was sent to
Chucandiro with general directions to always inter-
pose his force between the enemy and Morelia, but
could not march quick enough to intercept the Jua-
rists, who each day made from 15 to 18 leagues.
Regules, after entering Cuitzco, marched upon Ta-
camburo, closely pursued by the Imperialists. Not
being embarrassed by any baggage, and command-
ing Indians indefatigable in marching, he succeeded
in putting a distance of 20 leagues between himself
and the enemy. Tacamburo, situated at the entrance
to the Tierra Caliente of Michoacan, is surrounded
on all sides by thick vegetation, little hills and
ravines, so disposed that it is very easy to approach
the place unseen. The church stands in the centre
of the town, having a large open space in front.
Major Tydgadt partered his troops in a co event

near the church, and constructed a strong breast-
work before it, with an embrasure for a mortar. On
April 11, about 5 a.m., Regules, well acquainted
with the position by some of his partisans, entered
all the avenues of Tacamburo at quick step, and his
troops, numbering about 3,000, inundated all the
streets like a torrent. Although surprised, Major
Tydgadt preserved complete self-possession, con-
centrated his troops in the church, and disposed
himself to resist an enemy more than ten times
superior in number. The Juarists seized all the
houses and posted two pieces of artillery in the
great square, and a third upon an elevation com-
manding the town at a certain distance. From all
the terraces they kept up a heavy fire, supported by
ball and shells. Several sorties were made by the
besieged Imperialists. Capt. Eugene de Lannoy,
Lieut. Palmaert, and Sub-Lieuts. Petit and Van-
denbosch were thus killed at the head of their com-
panies. These sorties, however, only had the effect
of momentarily repulsing the enemy without break-
ing his ranks, since the mass of men filling the
square and the adjacent streets was so compact that
the first ranks charged by the Belgians could not fly
on account of the crowd pressing from behind.
Tydgadt, although wounded in the shoulder, did not
quit his post, and continued to give his orders. The
Juarists, unable to overcome this obstinate resist-
ance, set fire to the church, the roof of which, being
constructed of pine planks, was soon in flames, and
fell in. Major Tydgadt, however, still refused to
surrender, and took refuge in a sort of redoubt on
the left of the church. The report says in conclu-
sion :

" His small troop was weakened, and its ranks diminished
every moment ; nevertheless, he ordered a fresh charge
with the bayonet and received a second bullet, which
pierced his arm. Captain-Adjutant Chazel heroically
defended the entrance to the redoubt with a handful
of men, until he fell mortally wounded, pierced by three
bullets and a bayonet stab. The redoubt was set on fire.
The mortar had exhausted its ammunition, and the enemy
made head on all sides. Major Tydgadt had the greater
part of his officers killed or wounded at his side. He was
still eager to defend himself, but the combat had already
lasted four hours, his men had no more cartridges, and he
was forced to surrender. The losses were great. Captains
Chazal and Delannoy, Lieut. Palntaert, Sub-Lieuts. Petit
and Vandenbosch, Surgeon Lejeune, and Lieut. Nava, of
the Imperatrice Regiment, were killed ; Major Tydgadt,
Capt. De Schrymackers, Lieut. Carlot, and Capt. Gauchin
were wounded. From 29 to 30 men of the troop were killed,
but it is not yet possible exactly to state the number of
wounded, as the enemy carried away with him all capable
of being transported.

" Colonel de Potier, pursuing his plan of campaign with-
out intermission, reached Tacamburo on the 16th, where
he recovered Major Tydgadt, who died the same day, Capt.
De Schrymackers, Lieut. Carlot, and 12 men wounded.
The enemy had buried in the cemetery more than 100 of
his dead, and abandoned 42 of his own wounded, among
them two officers. At 1 p.m. on the 24th Colonel de Potier
came up with Regules at Tanijuco. He skirmished with
his cavalry to give the infantry time to arrive, then
launched his columns at the centre of the Juarist line.
After a desperate struggle he succeeded in forcing the
line, in placing 500 of the enemy hors de combat, and in
throwing the remainder into total rout. For five hours he
pursued the fugitive bands, forcing them to leave behind
over 700 stragglers or deserters, and to retreat to the
most unhealthy portion of the Tierra Caliente, where it
was his plan to shut them up. In this magnificent com-
bat of April 24 the squadron of French Hussars covered
itself with glory in the arduous period preceding the arrival
of the infantry. Tho Belgian Company, then under fire
for the first time vied in dash and daring with the battalion
of the 81st, and the artillery, directing its fire with re-
markable precision, constantly prevented the hostile lines
from being re-formed."

The report is dated Mexico, April 29, 1865, and
signed by Ed. Pierron, Sub-Chief of the Military
Cabinet of the Emperor Maximilian.

" San Pedro, April 24, 1865

"Monsieur le Marechal,—l have the honour to acquaint
your Excellency that at 1 p.m. I encountered the army of
Regules, 3,500 strong, at Tanyuco, and that after a very
brilliant and spirited engagement it was routed. I pursued
this army from 2 p.m. to 7 30 p.m. with a continual fire of
artillery and musketry, without leaving them an instant's
respite, notwithstanding the heavy rain which set in at 3
o'clock. Nightfall alone saved the army of Rogules from
complete destruction. The lossesin killed and wounded are
500 mon, and at least 700 deserters. We have to regret the
death of 15 men, and have about 20 wounded, among whom
is Captain Weber, of the Hussar squadron.
"The Hussars behaved heroically, under the skilful
orders of Captain Foussat, at the difficult movement which
preceded the arrival of the infantry.
" The Belgian company, which was under fire for the
first time on this occasion, showed great xalour.
"The 81st maintained as usual their brilliant reputation;
the artillery displayed their wonted zeal; and were very
successful in their fire.

"To-morrow I shall continue the pursuit of Regules, in
order to force him to return to the south.

" Accept, Monsieur to MarCehal,
" P. POTIER, the Colonel Commanding."

CHY SEWERS COMMISSION.

Yesterday, at 12 o'clock, the Commissioners of
Sewers met at the Guildhall, under the presidency
of Mr. Deputy and Under-Sheriff De Jersey.
The court was occupied for some time in discuss-
ing a motion of which Mr. Cox had given notice in
reference to the purchase of the houses Nos. 83 and
84, Newgate-street, for the purpose of widening that
thoroughfare. The question has been under conside-
ration at previous meetings of the commission, and
at the court held on the 17th of April last a resolu-
tion was come to " that no further proceedings
should be taken in the matter."
Mr. Cox yesterday moved that that resolution
should be rescinded, and that " this court doth order
that notices be served upon all parties interested in
the said premises, to purchase and obtain possession
of the same for the widening and improving New-
gate-street, in continuation of the line already begun
therein."

Upon a show of hands the motion was negatived.
A division was taken, and 15 members voted for the
motion and 15 against it.

The chairman gave the casting vote against the
motion, which was consequently lost.

SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CITY'.

Dr. LETHEBY, medical officer of health, reported
that 241 houses had been inspected during the past
week, and he submitted a list of 472 places for sani-
tary improvement in various particulars. He also
submitted a list of places requiring further proceed-
ings, on account of orders already issued but not
yet complied with.
The markets and slaughter-houses had been duly
inspected, and the officers had condemned 4,4811b5.
.of meat as unfit for human food. It consisted of 9
sheep, 1 calf, 12 pigs, 12 quarters of beef, and 205
joints of meat. Most of it was tainted, but 774 lbs.
were diseased, and the rest was from animals that
had died from disease.
Last week there were 52 births and 40 deaths
registered in the City. The mortality returns were
below the average for the corresponding week of
the last nine years. Fourteen of the deaths were
among children of less than five years of age, and
nine among persons of 60 and upwards. The chief
causes of death were as follows : —Phthisis 8, mesen-
teric disease 3, hydrocephalus 2, bronchitis 5, con-
tinued fever 2, scarlet fever 1, whooping cough 2,
and infantile diarrhoea 1, making together 13 deaths
from tubercular disease, 5 from inflammatory affec-
ticnis of the lungs, and 6 from diseases of a zymotic
character. These returns indicate a satisfactory
condition of the public health.