The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-22 00:00:00

The SPEAKER having called on Lord Dudley Stuart,
whose motion for the repeal of the Septennial Act and of
shortening the duration of parliaments, stood next on the
notice paper,
Mr. HUME submitted to his noble friend whether, con-
sidering that the government had promised to introduce a
reform bill next session ; considering also the great im-
portance of the subject, the state of the house (which was
very thin), and the prospect of the debate being inter-
rupted, it would be better for his noble friend not sub-
mit his motion under these circumstances. (Hear, hear.)
Lord D. STUART said lie was most unwilling to post-
pone a question of so much importance as the shortening of
the duration of parliaments, but at the same time he was
desirous of giving every weight to the opinion of so old, so
tried, and so steady a reformer as his hon. friend. He was
quite aware also that he rose to bring forward his motion at
the most critical hour of the day. (Laughter.) .Under these
circumstances he would bow to the better judgment of
his hon. friend. But he should decline to give any pledge
as to the course he should pursue in reference' to the sub-
ject in the present session, or any future session of Parlia-
ment., (Hear, hear.) -

The nietionwas tlien withdraws.
SEIZURE OF WATCHES. '

Mr. M. CHAMBERS rose to move forle.' select com-
mittee to inquire into the circumstances connected with
the unlawful seizure by two officers of the customs, on the
10th day of February, 1852, of foreign and English
watches of the value of upwards of 5,0001., and of books,
'letters, papers and bills of exchange, the property of
Lucien Marchand, and to ascertain what steps have been
taken by the commissioners of customs to investigate the
conduct of the officers, and to make restitution of such
property. The hon. and learned gentleman, after a few
introductory observations, and characterising the seizure
as unlawful, was proceeding to state the circumstances
under which it was made, when
An HON. MEMBER moved that the house be counted.

And there being but 35 members present, the house
adjourned at a quarter to eight o'clock.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 21.
ARRIVAL OF REAR-ADMIRAL CARRY'S SQUADRON AT

SPITHEAD.

Rear-Admiral Corry's squadron, consisting of the
Prince Regent, 90 (flag) ; London, 90 ; Imperieuse, 60 ;
Alnphion, 34 ; Highflyer, 21; and Leopard, 12, hove in
sight off this port this day at half-past 12, and came up
to Spitileaci- in the following order :—The Prince Regent,
towed by the Leopard ; London, towed by the Impe-
rieuse ; Amphion, towed (!) by the Highflyer. The
Prince Regent anchored at 1 55 p.m. ; London, at 2 ;
Leopanl, at 2 4 Imperieuse, at 2 16 ; Amphion, at
220 ; and Highflyer, at 2 34. There is now assembled
at this port the most powerful fleet of steamers of war
the world can produce, among them nine sail of the line
(sailers and steamers), and eight first-class frigates, as
the following enumeration of their character s ill show :
Horse-
Name. Guns. power. Class.
Duke of Wellington 131 780 Screw three-decker.
Neptune 120 Sailing three-decker
•

Agamemnon
Prince Regent OO Sailing two-decker.
London
_ .

Imperieuse 6O 360 Screw frigate.
-•-- - -

Blenheim
Ajax . 6O 450 Screw two-decker.

Hogue 6O 450 Screw two-decker.
Edinburgh 5B 450 Screw two-decker.
Arrogant
Amphion .
Sidon
_ .

Highflyer
Odin

Encounter
Vesuvius,

14 360 Screw corette.
6 280 Paddle sloop.

Banshee

2 360 Paddle express boat,

A most appalling accident occurred on board the
London. The Imperieuse had her in tow. By some
unaccountable means the chain at the end of the towing
hawser snapped, and in an instant killed First Lieu-
tenant Wellesley P. Chapman and five men, besides
severely wounding five others, one of whom died shortly
afterwards. On the same day a marine jumped ever-
board from the London, and was picked up by. High-
flyer's boat, which was instantly manned and lowered
in time to pick up the man and save his life. The above
accident happened when the Lizard bore N.E. by E.
730 miles. Barring accidents, the squadron, is healthy.
It appears, that on coming out of Lisbon, the Am-
phion., broke her slide-valve, which placed her, as a
cripple -in regard to steam. The squadron exchanged
signals with the French merchant barque Brilliant, in
lat. 41 55 N., and long. 14 15 W. ; they also, in leaving
Lisbon on the 12th, passed the William M'Gower, of
Dumfries. The evolutions of the squadron consisted of
bending and reefing sails, beating to quarters, night
attacks, boarding, &C.

The Neptune, 120, Captain Scott, came out of the
basin to-day,
.and took up moorings off Gosport. She
is fitting for sea with all expedition.
The Odin, 16, Captain F. Scott, came into harbour to-
day to have her bottom examined.
The Oberon steam-vessel, Lieut. Wise, came into har-
bour to-day to be paid off.
The Banshee dispatch steam-vessel, Lieut. Hosken,
came into harbour this afternoon to coal.
The Royal yacht Victoria and. Albert, Capt. Crispin,
received her crew to-day, and is now ready for her Ma-
jesty's service.
-The Vernon Indiaman passed this port for London
this morning, from Bombay. She sent in, by the Deal
lugger, Axton, master, the following passengers :
Lieut. T. J. Francis, of the 9th Lancers ; Ensign Wm.
Sheehy, 64th Regt. ; and Mrs. Abbott and family.
COURTS-MARTIAL.--A court-martial took place on
board the Victory this day to try Thomas Calmeaton,
quartermaster of her Majesty's steamer Encounter, for
stealing and disposing of an eyeglass belonging to Mr.
John Browne, naval cadet of the same ship. The case
-depended upon the identity.of the receiver, and this not
being satisfactory to the court the prisoner was acquitted.
A court-martial has also been ordered on Thomas Ben-
nett Clarke, gunner of the Royal Marine Artillery of her
Majesty's steamer Arrogant, for leaving his station, re-
fusing to do his duty, and for striking his serjeant.
PRINCESS ROYAL, 91, SCREW.—Everything in connec-
tion with the progress of this launch is being carried
into effect with the
,utmost energy. Seats have been
erected for the accommodation of upwards of 5,000 per-
so4s. It has been considered necessary to carry out her
ways some 20 feet, in case of any falling short of the rise
of tide. Nothing has been spared to give effeet,.to the
launch of this sister ship to Agamemnon, and we trust
that a fine day will give effect to a scene ao dear to the