The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-01 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES

FROM

SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

[FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE.]
ADMIRALTY, JUNE 29.
Despatches, of which the following are copies or extracts,
have been received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier,
K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and
vessels in the Baltic :

No. 151.

Enclosing Admiral Plumridge's Report of his proceedings

in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Duke of Wellington, Baro Sound,
June 18, 1854.
Sir,—l beg leave to enclose Admiral Plumridge's report
of his proceedings in the Gulf of Bothnia, from the sth
May to the 10th June, by which their Lordships will ob-
serve that he has destroyed forty-six vessels, afloat and on
the stocks, amounting to 11,000 tons; from 40,000 to
50,000 barrels of pitch and tar ; 60,000 square yards of
rough pitch; a great number of stacks of timber, spars, plank,
and deals, sails, rope, and various kinds of naval stores,ito
the amount of from 300,0001. to 400,0001., without the
loss of a man. Admiral Plumridge bas had to contend
with innumerable rocks and shoals, incorrectly laid down
in the charts, and met the ice up to the 30th May ; never-
theless, though several of his squadron have touched the
ground, I am happy to say they have received no damage
that he is not able to repair with his own means.
2. The Rear-Admiral, their lordships will observe,
speaks in the highest terms of the captains, officers, sea-
men, and marines, and particularly of Lieutenant B. P.
Priest, the first lieutenant of the Leopard, an old and de-
serving officer, and of Lieutenant Hammot, his flag lieu-
tenant.—l have, &c., _

. .
CHAS. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.

Enclosure No, 1, in Sir Charles Napier's Letter, No. 151.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard, at Sea,
10th Juno, 1854—lat. 64° 1' N ;
long. 22° 41' E. At noon.
Sir,—ln obedience to your orders of sth May, 1854,
I proceeded with the squadron under my command to ex-
amine, as far as practicable, the Island of Aland, but not
being able to procure a pilot, I found the hazard too great to
proceed further in the execution of that duty; the reports
of Captains Buckle and Gifford, numbered 1 and 2, will
more fully inform you of the result and termination, for
the present, of that service.
From thence I proceeded up the Gulf of Bothnia, and I
have now the honour herewith to transmit letters and
papers, numbered from 3 to 6, giving a detailed account
of the squadron's proceedings up to the date hereof.
The summary of the large amount of mischief done to
the enemy by the boats, as per margin, and a paper let-
tered A.

Boats of Leopard employed at Bralestad, Uleaborg, and
Tornea.

Ist Gig—Lieutenant B. P. Priest ; Mr. Terence H. Wall,
assistant-surgeon ; Mr. James Ray, passed clerk.
Ist Cutter—Lieutenant L. U. Hammet ; Mr. Richard
Harington, midshipman.
Galley—Lieutenant William Graham.; Mr. H. St. L.
Palliser, naval cadet.

Barge—Lieutenant G. W. E. Lloyd; Mr. Arthur Sal-
wey, mate.
Ist Launch—Mr. Henry G. Payne, mate; Lieutenant
E. D. Thelwall, R.M.A.
Pinnace—Mr. James Laurence, second master ; Mr. W.
D. M. Dalbin, navel cadet.
2d Gig—Mr. J. G. O'Connell, master's assistant.
2d Cutter—Mr. Augustus Jacob, naval cadet:
Valorous' Boats at Uleaborg and Tornea.
• Ist Launch—Lieutenant C. B. C. Dent ; Lieutenant W.
S. Davis, R.M.A.
Piunace—Mr. R. F. Broadrick, mate.
let Cutter—Mr. M. A. S. Hare, midshipman.
Ist Gig—Mr. J. R. Trofusis, naval cadet ; Mr. W. Ray
'M.D.) assistant-surgeon.
2d Gig—Mr. J. Bailey, cadet.
Vulture's Boats, at Brahestad and Uleaborg.

lst Launch—Lieut. C. Wise ; Mr. N. J. Morph—y, mato.
Barge—Mr. C. F. Hill, mate ; Mr. Chapman, master's-
assistant.

Cutter—Mr. C. P. Fortescue, midshipman.
Gig-1111. J. V. D. Butler, navel cadet; Mr. George
Duncan, assistant-surgeon.
Odin's Boats at Brahestad and Uleaborg.
Ist Launch—Lieut. W. Mould ; Mr. C. F. Montague,
mato ; Lieut. A. 9. Lewis, R.M.A.

Pinnace—Lient. Carrington; Mr. Long, acting second
master.

Barge—Lieut. J. H. B. Fellowes.
Cutter—Mr. Henry Althorpe, midshipman.
Ist Gig—Mr. C. Rice, naval cadet.
2d Gig—Mr. H. Salmond, naval cadet ; Mr. J. C. Ha-
milton, assistant-surgeon.
From the hindrances the squadron have encountered in
this service, it has spread over a greater space of time than
lat first contemplated ; the intricacies of the ice, naviga-
tion, innumerable rocks, shoals, and the imperfect state of
the charts as to the soundings on the Russian side of the
Gulf, together with the difficulties we experienced in dis-
entangling the squadron, up to the 30th May, from the
floes and fields of ice (of which we saw the last this morn-
ing), could not be surmounted in less time, or with less
vigilance, by the officers in command, and that of the cap-
tain of my flag-ship, together with the constant perse-
verance and zeal evinced by Mr. George B. F. Swain, the
master of the Leopard ; which ship I may here observe, to
the credit of these two officers, has :ed the squadron from
leaving the Aland Islands.
I feel it incumbent on me to notice how sensibly I feel
the zealous co-operation of Captains Buckle, Giffard,
Glasse, and Scott, as well as the good arrangements of their
ships' boats for service.
r a
ITI
eealteetnt
ae rust
efrom Nb
eoa.t
53
et
eom6m, sahnodwe
dt hbeynLa e east
°oaf
atuhte
Bse.vpe
LPfiues.t,
Hofamthmis ship,
lel iieeeruus ee
nn thoseaa tin tt s'
subordinate, the ispetomantehdne,m8C marinesnnddt th,
(Davis, Lewis, and Thelwall), my thank are fully due.
eb
ay
ao mdt het
hr fle
oai
rffig
Any credit that may arise from such extensive damage
having been executed, will, I trust, pardon me for thus
bringing to your special notice the name of that steady,
old, and deserving officer, Lieutenant B. Priest, who held
the boat command from Brahestad to Uleaborg and Tomes.
I cannot refrain from again reverting to the ability and
exertions of Captain• George Giffard, feeling as I do that
it is my duty to take this opportunity of bringing some of
his merits before you.—l have, Stc.
(Signed) HANWAY PLUMRIDGE, Rear-Admiral.
Return of Enemy's Property destroyed at Brahestad,
Ulea-
borg, and on the Kemi River, near Tomes, between the
30th May and Bth June, 1854.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard, June 9.
Burnt afloat and on shore, and totally destroyed :
Brahestad, May 30.
1 brig, 250 tons, under repair and empty.
1 barque, 450 tons, just launched and empty.
1 topsail schooner, 140 tons,
2F. and A. schooners, 60 to 80 tons, in ballast.
5 sloops, 60 to 80 tons, JJ
4 large vessels, building, 300 to 500 tons.
Naval Stores destroyed

About 25,000 barrels of pitoh, tai, and oil.
A large quantity of timber, spars, plank, and materials
for ship building.
Three building yards, with workshops and storehouses.
Off Uleaborg, June 1.-
3 schooners, 60 to 170 tons, 1 empty and 2 laden with
tar, but burnt ; they sank in the gale of 2d June.
5 barques, 300 to 400 tons, building and nearly com-
plete.

June 1 and 2, 1854.
8 schooners, 50 to 150 tons, hauled up on shore and pur-
posely damaged.
Scuttled and purposely sunk
2 brigs, 600 tons, partially laden with tar.
1 brig, 400 tons, partially laden with tar.
1 brig, 350 tons, partially laden with tar.
1 cutter, 100 tons, contents not ascertained.
1 schooner, 150 tons, contents not ascertained.
1 brig, 300 tons, just launched and empty.
trkovaryakka, June 1 and 2, 1854.
1 vessel, ready for launching, 201 feet long, about 1,200
tons.
1 vessel, in frame, not measured.
1 barque, 60t tons, empty, but scuttled.

Killonerusit, June 1 and 2, 1854.
1 schooner, 100 tons, laden with tar, purposely scuttled.
1 schooner, 70 tons, hauled up and fresh caulked.
3 schooners, 80 to 100 tons, empty.
Naval Stores destroyed :
Uleaborg, June and 2, 1854.
From 40 to 50,000 barrels of tar and pitch.
6,000 square yards of rough pitch.
A vast number of stacks of timber, spars, planks,
deals, &c.
A large number of storehouses, containing sails, rope,
and all kinds of stores.
Numerous workshops, with forges. •
Several building yards, and a great extent of wharfage
Komi River, near Tornea, June 8, 1854.

1 schooner, of aboitt 80 tons, empty.

80 stacks of timber.
Being a total of 46 vessels destroyed ; and, at the lowest
estivate, the enemy has suffered damage to the extent of—
At Brahestad
Uleaborg
Kenai River

£380,000

(Signed) GEO. GIFFARD, Captain.

Sub-Enclosure No. 1, in Enclosure No. 1, in Sir Charles
Napier's Letter No. 151.
Her Majesty's ship Valorous, at Sea, May 15,1854.
Sir,—l have4e honour to report to you that in come-

quenco of thick foggy weather, I did not reach Gritsel-
hamn until noon of the 6th instant.
On landing to communicate, I found that the com-
mandant was absent at Stockholm, but the officer in com-
mand, Captain Billbery, very obligingly afforded me all the
information in his power through the interpretation
of Captain Fahnelyelin, the director of the electric tele-
graph, which was to be in operation in about a week.
No pilots for the Aland Islands could be obtained, and I
believe they are not permitted to serve in our ships of
war. The commandant observed that he believed there
were not more than 1,000 troops at Bomarsund, and that
300 of them had lately been relieved by 500 from Russia;
he did not appear to know anything about the gun-boats.
The only information I could obtain relative to the Aland
Islands was, that the inhabitants appeared to be well dis-
posed towards the English, and that they had declined
taking up arms to oppose us. He was anxious to know
whether their Post-boat, Eckero, would be intercepted by
us. I replied it would not, unless it contained military
despatches to or from the Russian Government, but that
I considered it advisable that a passport should be obtained
from the Commander-in-Chief, to be produced when
boarded by ci uizers.
2. I proceeded next morning in the direction of Wardo
I Island and Bomarsund, but in the afternoon found myself
mar some shoals, with ice on some of the patches;
I therefore anchored to sound, and a fog soon came on
which prevented my moving until noon on the fol-
lowing day. On standing to the southward, on tho Bth
inst., towards Wardo Island, I observed s. barque running
to the southward among the islands, and an my steering to
cut her off, she bore up. I therefore stood in cautiously,.
and finding a good channel close to some rocks and small
islands, I proceeded in, anchoring in 15 fathoms, with
Vulture in company, within a mile of the barque, in a
good harbour formed by the Island of Saggo and numerous
others. On sending the boats, the-barque was found to be
aground and deserted, in a small cove. Russian colours and
a paper found on board proved her tobethePrincess ofUlea-
borg, of 346 tons, with a cargo of salt (part havingbeen
landed), from St. Übes, bound to Abo, . Observing a boat
pulling away from her, I sent a gig which brought
her back, with the master, mate, and three men, the
ship's papers, and their private effects. I have sent her
to Faro, with a prize crew of eleven men from the Valorous
and Vulture, in charge of the second master of this ship.
The village, consisting of half a dozen cottages, was de-
serted, with the exception of au old woman. I left a paper
in the largest house, on which I caused the master of the
captured vessel to state that the English would not molest
them, or touch their property, but would pay for anything
they had to dispose of, and this was likewise explained to
the woman. We also found a cutter of about 35 tons, de
serted and empty, called, the Alfred, which the master of
the Priticess said was a revenue vessel. The barque having
been got afloat and brought out during the night, I started
the following afternoon with the Vulture, towing tho
barque, and the cutter not being worth removing I di-
rected her to be burnt.

3. While casting the anchor, three or four cables'
length from where vs had been lying, the ship touched
on a sunken rock.
4. The prize parted company in the evening, and I
proceeded with the Vulture in the direction of Bomar-
sund. The master of the Princess stated that he had been
three weeks at Marsund, a,.d that the Russians had 50',1
troops there and 1500 at different parts among the islands,
but principally at Bomarsund. Some, he said, were in
the vicinity of the opot at which we had captured his
vessel, and several vatch-fires which wore kept up during
the night on the vdjoining hills, whioh are rocky and
covered with pine4,rees, supported the assertion, though
we saw none.

Next morning' the Vulture in company, I pro-
veded in the direction of Bomarsuud, but found
the channels very intricate between the innume-
rable small islasds and rocks, which did not cor-
respond with any of the charts, and which appear to be
far from correct. Having no pilot, I proceeded cautiously
by the eye and :ead, the water being perfectly smooth.
About two p.m. I observed a part of the works of Bomar-
sued, which proved to be two casemate(' batteries, one
of which appeared to have double loop holes below, and
both with embrasures on the summit, with chimneys ap-
pearing between them, a sketch of which, as I observed it
to be from our mastheads, was taken by Mr. Broadrick,
mate, is enclosed herewith ; the distance was about 5 miles
from Bomarsun I. I was led there by observing the mast-
heads of several vessels over the laud. In standing cau-
tiously towards them the ship touched the ground
once, but I succeeded in anchoring, in company
with .the Vulture, about a mile from the vessels.
Wo made out six or seven, and I sent in coven
boats from the two ships ; they found them de-
serted, six being small schooners, and the other was a
brigantine—all empty and scarcely of any value. The
boats brought out the brigantine and two schooners ; the
latter had the appearance of being fitted for gun-boats, I
therefore burnt them. The others were apparently un-
seaworthy, except the brigantine ; but as she was very
badly found, and not fit for a voyage to England, and be-
lon.,ing apparently to the poorer people of the place,
whose good-will I consider it advisable to gain, I left her
untouched. The lights of Bomarsund were visible above
the trees of the adjoining island from the masthead; and,
with the assistance of a glass, the sketch was accurately
made.

We started next morning without meeting with any op-
position, only a few of the people of the village being seen
at a distance. Tho channels between the innumerable
rocks and Islands are intricate, and so different from the
positions on the charts, that I considered it unsafe to pro-
ceed further south than Wardo without a pilot, nor could
I find the channel track by which I entered ; fortunately,
the water was very smooth and clear, and the rocks bold,
so that I could steer through them by the eye and lead,
which generally indicated tfe approach to shoal water.
5. On the 12th instant I net the Win, and received the
rendezvous from her, since vhich I h.ve been drawn away
to the N. W. by chaSing seNeral vessels which proved to be
Swedes and Norwegians.-1 have, Szc.,_
(Signed) C. 11. BUCKLE, Captain.
Rear-Admiral J. H. Plumxidge.
Sub-Inclusure No. 2, in Enclosure No. 1, in Sir Charles
Napier's Letter No. 151.
Ecr Majesty's ship Leopard,
off Uleaborg, June 1, 1854.
Sir,—l have the honour to forward the enclosed report,
from Lieutenant Benjamir. P. Priest (senior lieutenant of
this ship), of the operatiors of the boats of the squadron
under his command, sent into Brahestad harbour on the
30th ultimo ; and have great pleasure in reporting the
very good conduct of every officer and man employed ;
the boats having been assay upwards of seven hours, im-
mediately after clearing the ico in which the squadron
had been blocked up for tie previous twenty-four hours.
Lieutenant Priest deserves credit for the able manner
he conducted the operatiors, and I beg leave to bring his
services under your notice.—l have, &c.
GEORGE GIFFARD, Captain.
Rear-Admiral J. Hanway Plumridge.

Her Majesty's ship Leopard, off Brahestad,
May 30, 1854.
Sir,-.-In obedience to your orders, I this afternoon pro-
ceeded with detachments of boats from Her Majesty's
steam-frigates, Leopard, Vulture, and Odin, into the har-
bour of Brahestad, where I damaged enemy's property as
folly ws :
BURNT ON SHORE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED, VIZ. :
Four large vessels, building and nearly complete on the
stocks, the largest being about 500 tons burden and pierced
for six guns.
Three detached stores of timber, fit for building ships
of large scantling.
Two detached storehouses, containing some thousand
barrels of pitch, tar, and oil, a large number of them
marked with the Imperial crown.

Burnt afloat and totally destroyed.
1 barque just launched, not masted, about 450 tons
burden.
1 brig under repair.
1 topsail schooner.
2 fore and aft schooners.
5 sloops.
All in ballast.

As the inhabitants yielded immediately to our force, 1
was very careful not to damage the private houses ; at the
same time I satisfied myself, by personal inspection, that
there was no contraband of war within those storehouses,
which were situated in the immediate vicinity of and in-
side the town, which I did not destroy.
Two large stores, on the outskirts of the town, were found
to contain floor ; these were not destroyed, as I had reason
for supposing it to be private property.
All the officers placed under my orders vied with me in
preventing unnecessary alarm to the inhabitants; and I
feel it to be my duty to report the alacrity, great steadi-
ness, and good conduct shown by all the officers and sea-
men employed on this service.
It is almost superfluous to add that the royal marines
under Lieutenant Thelwall, shored their admi-
rable discipline.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) Biwa. PRIEST,
Senior and Gunnery Lieut.
Captain Giffard, H.M.S. Leopard.
DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY'S PROPIOITY.
In all 14 vessels destroyed.
About 25,000 barrels of pitch, tar, and oil.
A large quantity of timber, spars, plank, and materials
for ship-building.
3 building yards, with workshops and stye-houses.

- . . -,-- -----
BOATS EMPLOYED ON THE 30TH BIAS, 1854.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard, .
2d Cutter—Lieutenant B. P. Priest.
Ist Clatter —Lieutenant Hammet (next in command) ;
Mr. Harrington, midshipman.
lst Launch—Mr. Payne, mate; Lieutenant Thelwall,
R.M.A.
Pinnace—Mr. Lawrence, second master.'
•
navalls d t
cadet.
Wall, assistant-surgeon; Mr. Palliser,
HER MAJESTY'S SHIP VULTURE.
Ist Launch—Lieutenant Wise ; Mr. Hill, mate.
Mr
Barge—Mr. Morphy, mate ; Mr. Chapman, master's as-
sistant.
Gig—Mr.
g—Mr. Duncan, assistant-surgeon
;. Butler, naval
cadet.i
Cutter—Mr. Fortescue, midshipman.
HER MAJESTY'S SHIP ODIN.
Ist Launch—Lieutenant Mould, Lieutenant Lowis,
R.M.A., and Mr. Montague, mato.
Pinnace—Lieutenant Carrington, and Mr. Long, acting
quartermaster.
Cutter —Mr. Athorpe, IrliddliPMall.
• Ist Gig—Mr. Hamilton, assistant-surgeion ; Mr. Rice,
naval cadet.
OPwitultzt, 25 officers,
2d Gig - Mr. Salmond, naval cadet.
er howitzer, 3
guTno-bt
:1;83, eachgun - w boats,ith
201 seamen, 78 marines.
Grand total-6 gun-boats, 8 smaller boits, 25 officers,
and 279 men. le2ac.phouwnidtehr2h4
Sub-Enclosure No. 3, in Enclosure No. rain Sir Charles
Napier's Letter, No. 151.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard, -Jeff Uleaborg„
June 4, 1854. ,

n notice.
Sir,—l have the honour to enclose qua, reports of the
officers commanding the several detach ts of boats of
the squadron sent from this ship on the 1 and 2d instant,
Iti
after the ships had anchored within rang of tle town of
Uleaborg ; and I hive much pleasure in main bringing the
zeal
commandand
por
if Luiiepuatie nf
oarnete , B
to n j
your
ainni P. Priest, who
An the officers and men engaged hi this trying duty

TOTAL NUMBER OF VESSELS DESTROYED.
Lieut. Priest's division
Lieut. Priest's division
Lieut. Graham's division 2 building.
Lieut. Graham's division 1 afloat, unseaworthy.
Lieut. Lloyd's division 5 small vessels.
Captured by Lieut. Young on
31st May, and burnt 3 schooners.

31
NAVAL STORES BURNT.

From 40 to 50,000 barrels of tar and pitch.
6,000 square yards of rough pitch. •
A vast number of stacks of timber, spars, planks, deals,
&c.

A large number of storehouses, containing sails, rope,
and all kinds of stores, workshops, forges, &c.
Several building yards, and a great extent of wharfage.
Estimated damage to the enemy above 300,000/.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard,
off Uleaborg, Juno 2.
Sir,—ln compliance with your orders, I yesterday
evening took under my command the boats of near-
Admiral Plumridge's squadron, as per margin,* and pro-
ceeded up the river to Uleaborg.
Taking possession of the town of Uleaborg, I spent two
hours in examining the buildings, of which none appeared
to belong to the Russian Government, except the Cossacks'
Barracks, situated in the very heart of the town ; and as
its destruction by fire would have involved the burning of
a large number of private houses, if not of the whole town
(containing several thousand inhabitants), I judged it bet-
ter to spare it.
In thus acting I had the less reason to expect your dis-
approbation, as it was little better than a collection of
hovels.

The storehouses within the town were for the most part
cleared out ; no naval stores were found in any of them,
and as their burning would also have endangered the town,
they were spared.
I next detached Lieutenant L. 11. Hammet, (flag lieute-
nant) in command of a division to examine both the sides
of a river, below the narrows, to recover any of the sunken
vessels, if practicable in a short time ; otherwise to destroy
all the enemy's shipping and naval stores ; impressing
upon him your orders to be careful not to damage any pri-
vate dwelling, a service which ho performed with discretion
and ability.
Proceeding myself with the other division to the island
opposite to the town, I fired and destroyed all the ships
building, together with the storehouses containing ship-
building materials, and workshops, and continuing de-
stroying as I passed down on both sides of the river, I
rejoined Lieutenant Hammet and returned on board.
During the performance of this service, the men were
exposed to great trials and temptations, both from the
almost uninterrupted sleet, with very cold weather, and
the large number of spirit stores open ; yet, notwithstand-
ing this their general behaviour gave me the greatest con-
fidence in their devotion and daring, had the enemy show,,
opposition.
Total - 4 gun-boats, with 24-pounder howitzer; 4
gunboats, each with 12-pounder howitzer ; 27 officers, 203
seamen, and 98 marines.
Grand Total-8 guu-boats, 8 smaller boats, 27 officers,
and 301 men.
e
disci
in praise, exposed so much to temptation when sentries in
Lieutenant O f
t h e oNnird.uSe t.
Davis,
vi s
the town. mpl.iAne.) olf
cat
All the shipping, boats, &c., were found scuttled and
sunk ; and as considerable time would have been required
otinsaaryintoeso under
to weigh and load them, all were burnt and destroyed.
The whole service lasted nearly 12 hours, and the fol-
lowing list shows the loss which has been inflicted on the
enemy, which, at a low estimate, cannot be valued under
200,0001.:

BURNT ASHORE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED.
5 barques or ships, of from 300 to 400 tons, all nearly
complete on the stocks.
8 schooners, sloops, and small vessels, hauled up on
shore, and all damaged purposely, so as to render them un-
seaworthy unless extensively repaired.
A very large number of storehouses, containing sails,
rope, shipwrights' gear, and other materials for fitting and
building ships.
A vast number of stacks of timber, some of very largo
scantling.
Many stacks of deck planks.
Several heaps of spars.
A stack of crooked oak timber, apparently for stern and
stem pieces of ships.
An enormous heap of unmanufactured pitch, extending
over about 6,09. square yards of surface, having an aver-
age height of about three feet.
Eight stores facing the river containing tar and pitch.
A largo storo at the back of this, containing tar, Szc.
A largo open space both before and behind these store-
houses, containing barrels of pitch and tar. Calculating
the contents, and taking the very lowest possible estimate,
there must have been at least 30,000 barrels of pitch and
tar on this portion of the banks of the river, as the con-
flagration was on each side of the river, amid extended
ovor a great length. Several storehouses containing salt
were involved in their destruction. Eight storehouses on
the right bank of the river were spared because their
burning would have destroyed a private house. The con-
tents, as f►r as regarded a small quantity of naval stores,
were taken possession of. There were many launches
(most of them purposely scuttled and sunk) which were
spared because they were reported to be the property of
poor men.