The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-30 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 30, 1853.

•••=l..me
LONDON AND COUNTY ASSURANCE
COMPANY.
AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL' MEETING of the Share-
holders and Members of this Company will be held at the Chief
Offices, 484, New Oxfot d-street, on Wednesday next, the 4th of May,
at two o'clock precisely, to elect additional Directors.
FRED. LIWRANCE, Manager.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS, TRAFALGAR FQ'TARE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the
EXIIIBITION will Open on MONDAY next, the 2d of May,
at Twelve o clock.
Admission, One Shilling. Catalogue, One Shilling.
JOHN PRESCOTT KNIGHT, ILA., Sec.
Exhibitors and Students may receive their Tickets and Catalogues
by applying at the Academy on Monday, after 12.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COPPER MINING
COMPANY.
Tho Committee of Management have the satisfaction of inform-
ing the Shareholders that the ►hip Caroline, spec ally chartered by
this Company, sailed from Falmouth on the 15th inst., having on
board 17 Miners and Mechanics, and 500 tons of most approved
machinery, tools, and stores, &c.
file Engineers and superior Officers of the Company, with the re-
mainder of the Staff, will be dispatched by the ship Agra on the
10th of May.
A detailed Report of the position and prospects of the Company
will soma be printed, end may be had on application at the Offices of
the Company.

J. THOMPSOv-, Chairman
London, 17, Gracechurch-street, 221 April, 1853.

STEAM TO AUSTRALIA.

GENERAL SCREW STEAM SHIPPING
COMPANY.
NOTICE Is HEREBY GIVEN, That this Company's Auxiliary Iron
Screw Steam-ship ARGO, 1,850 tons, George Hyde, Commander, will
leave Southampton for PORT PHILIP and SYDNEY on SATUR-
DAY. the 7th of May next.
he accommodation is of a superior description, and the cabins are
fully furnished. Tha rates of passage money—After rabin, first
class, 80/. ; Fore Cabin, second clam, 501. These rates are exclusive
of wines, beer, and spiriftrus liquors, which, however, may be had
on board at moderate prices. The ship will carry an experienced
surgeon.
N.B. —ln compliance with numerous applications the sailing of
this vessel has been postponed to Saturday the 7th of May.
Applications for passage to be made at the Company's Offices, 2,
Royal Exchange-buildilgs ; and for freight and parcels, to Messrs
Balfour, Laming, and Owen, 16, St. Mary-axe

ALLSOPP'S PALE ALE.—I refer the learned
to Baron Liebig, the ter Aerate to Dr. Carpenter, invalids t,)
the medical prefession, and the robu.t to the best clubs of London
for the merits of my stock of A LI,,SOPP'S ALE. The " Thirsty
Soul " and " Constant Reader " of the " Times" I can also satisfy
with my Imperial Measure.
Bottles (quarts) • • • • 8s per dozen.
Do. (pints) •• •• •....... •• •• •• ss. „
Kilderkins (18 ga110n5)........
lIARRINGTON PARKER,
Beer-Merchant, 51, Pall-mall.

"Divide about the broad bride cake,
Round about the bride's stake."—BEN Joiesole.
WEDDING BREAKFAST, BALL SUP-
PERS, and DINNERS, provided entire, in Town or Coun-
try, by Messrs. PURSSELL, Cornhill, including Wines of the most
re herche description, and use of Plate, Linen, China, Glass, and
Attendance ; Seats, Tables, Lights, Diming Hollands, and Instru-
mental Music ; Wedding and Invitation Stationary, as in Paris ;
Carriage., Post or otherwise ; an elegant assortment of Bride Cakes
for selection ; Dessert and Evening Ices. A competent person sent
to receive Orders and give Instuctions as to the Management of
Entertainments.
Note.—Messrs. Pulasszta. have no other Business Premises except
those in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange.

OUR BUDGET FOR THE SEASON
must be the easiest to understand and the most appreciated,
because of its application in the most prolitatle and seasonable man-
ner to every Individual in society. Its coatents are variety, abun-
dance, superior quality, and unparalleled cheapness ; reductions in
prices, and improvements In the style and comfort of Spring and
Summer Attire ; and all the requisities and elegancies of Dress de-
sired by ail classes are brought out with brilliancy, beauty, perfec-
tion, and cheapness. To say our "Budget" contains some excellent
Styles and some remarkable features is purely unnecessary ; it con-
tains every novel invention which practical experience and the polite
customs of society will approve, and every feature which a mighty
progress in skill and commerce can produce. We, therefore, the
proprietors of the largest Clothing Business in the world. invite
attention to New Styles of Dress in countless succession, for gentle-
men and their sons, for mechanics, and all others who are making a
change in their wardrobe suitable Sro the present season, and only
repeat a well known fact, " That every kital of Dress procured at E.
MOSES and SOWS is the newest and neatest, the most serviceable
and comfortable, as well as the cheapest which can be obtained.
E. MOSES and SON'S Spring and Summer Hats, Caps, Hosiery,
Goods., Sicc., are splendid exhibitions of the richest and the best
They have been selected from every distiagulshed manufac-
tory, Bfitish and Foreign, and are as much celebrated for their sty e,
quality, and superior finish, as they are for being the cheapest Goods
in the world.
THE TIME AND POINT OF EMIGRATION.
This is the Time, and Australia is the Point to which thousands
are about to steer. Everyone has lime to examine his Outfit and
the Clothing he will require at the Establishment of E. MOSES and
SON. A separate department is kept wife, e the Goods are arranged
for inspection; and every article required is furnished in the best
quality at the lowest price.
1' The Largest Wholesale Clothing Establishment in the world is that
of E. MOSES and SON, where Merchants, Captains, and Emigrants
may at auy moment make the most suitable and profitable invest-
ments.
Full Lists of Outfits for Ladies and Gentlemen, and Ship-sailing
information, may be had on application, or post-free to any part of

the kingdom.
SPECIAL NOTICE, to prevent disappointment. —The Establish-
ments will be Closed tue whole day, FRIDAY. April 29, but will Re-
open as usual on the evening of Saturday, April 30.
CAUTION.—E. MOSES and SON regret having to guard the
public against imposition, having learned that the untradesman-like
falsehood of " Being connected with their Establishment," or " It's
the same concern," has been resorted to in many instances, and for
obvious reasons, they beg to state that they have
No CONNEXION WITH ANT OTHER HOUSE IN 011 OUT OF LONDON,
except their own Establishments, as follows :
London City Establishment, 154, 155, 156, and 157, Minories, 83,
84, 85, and 86, Aldgate, opposite the Church, all communicating.
London West-end Branch, 5%6, 507, 508, New Oxfo.d-street, 1,2,
3, Hart-street, all communicating.
Bradford (Yorkshire) Branch, 19 nd 20, Bridge-street.
Sheffield Branch, 36, Fargate.
Merchant Tailors, Clothiers, Hatters, Hosiers, Furriers, Boot and
Shoe Makers, and General Outfitters for Ladies and Gentlemen.
I M POR TANT.—Should any article not give satisfaction, It will be
exchanged if desired, or, if preferred, the money will be returned
without hesitation. All goods are marked in plain figures, the lowest
price, from which no abatement can be made.
The Establishments are closed from sunset Friday to sunset on
Saturdays, when business is resumed till 12 o'clock.
A new Book, " The Herald of the Seasons," containing full lists
of prices, our system of self-measurement, facts relative to Australia,
advice to emigrants, &c., may be had on application, or post-free to
any part of the kingdom.
A handsome Almanac for the year ending 1853 can be had gratis,
on application.
Ici Pon parle,Francais. Qui al parla Italian.
Hier spricht man Deur..ch. Aqua se habla Espanol

and heavy stores. She is complete in her rigging, and
only requires painting.
A court-martial will be held on board the Victory to-
morrow (Saturday), on Mr. Edward Howard Place, act-
ing mate of her Majesty's ship Basilisk, for exceeding his
leave (five days), and after his return 2,ttenipting to go
on shore without leave.
Ships of war at Spithead, commencing from the east-
ward :—Basilisk, 6, paddle ; Cruiser, 16, screw ; Odin,
16, paddle ; Imperieuse, 60, screw ; London, 90 ; En-
counter, 14, screw ; Agamemnon, 90, screw; Sidon, 22,
paddle ; and Banshee, "avant courier' to the Channel
squadron.

PLYMOUTH, APRIL 29:
Yesterday, at 2 p.m., the Perseverance pilot boat saw
a large barque outside the harbour, bearing the English
ensign, reaching in. The boat went to windward in
order to board her, but on nearing the barque wore round
and stood off ; wind east by north.
Immediately after the Perseverance saw a man-of-war
brig going up Channel, showing a white ensign. The
bark had troops on board, and was supposed to be in
company with the brig.
This morning at 3 o'clock a Brixham trawl, sloop,
coming from Mount's bay, on reaching in about a mile
north-west of the Eddystone, saw a- large two-decked
man-of-war standing off, head south-east, under steam,
and single reefed topsails and topgallfint sails,'' Wind,
E.N.E. ; strong.
The Edinburgh, screw gunnery slarp:„, Captain R. S.
Hewlett, steamed out of harbour on Wednesday. She
11
is to take a cruise in the Channel to 'ercise the crew.
Shipwrights are employed extra ho ', to prepare the
Diligence transport for service on the .ctic Expedition.
Thomas Brewer, able seaman, was ^ erday sentenced
by court-martial to nine months' imprisonment for de-
sertion from the Termagant. ‘ !‘;.

THE COMMITTEE ON DOCKYARD APPOINT.
• MENTS AND PROMOTIONS.

- MR. STAFFORD'S CASE.
Yesterday, the seleat committee appointed for this
inquiry met at 11 o'clock. The proceedings still kept up
,their-interest in• the public mind, as the room thtough-
:out the daY was. crowded ,by members of Parliament and
other gentlemen.
Before the examination of witnesses was commenced,
Captain Dul'ombe, one of the Lorils.of the lateToard
of Admiralty, requested, on behalf of both Mr. Stafford
and 'the,late toard of Admiralty,.that he might hii,e the
privilege of putting some. questions to the witnesses
called, with a view of explaining the transactions to'
which the inquiry was devoted. 7.11 e also expressed , a
hope that the committee would close the case 'hs he
might term it; for the prosecution first, and then ad-
journ• over- until Monday, when Mr. Stafford would
enter upon his defence. .
The Cliairmn (Lord Seymour) observed that with
ference to queitioning the witnesses, of course any :ques-
-tions that were put to the witnesses under examination
ought to be put, through the members of the committee.
This was the usual course, and he thought that it was
known that this would be perrnitted,.or he should have
mentioned it on the previous day. With regard to
postponing Mr. Stafford's evidence until Monday, he on
the previous day thought there would-be some difficulty,
and therefore proposed adjourning until Saturday ' • but
now he did not know whether the committee would have
witnesses enough for the day's examination.
After some further conversation, it was arranged that
Mr. Stafford's examination should be postponed till the
other witnesses were heard.
Captain Milne, one of the Junior Lords of the Admi-
ralty, was then called ; and
The Chairman, before putting any questions to him,
read' a letter lie had received from Sir F. Baring, ex-
pressing his willingness that any officer whom the com-
mittee should examine should freely make known any
communication he might have had with him on the sub-
ject matter before the committee, and mentioning that
it teas his wish that this should be done.

Captain Milne was then -examsnertr'st-tiMiateMbie
length. He stated that he was first appointed to the
Board under Lord Auckland, in September, 1847 ; he
remained there with Sir F. Baring, and subsequently
under the Duke of Northumberland, and was continued
by Sir James Graham when he took the office of First
Lord. He took charge of the store department of the
navy, the victualling troops, the transports, and, for-
merly, the medical department ; bvt the latter he did not
superintend at present. His department did not make
him acquainted with the dockyard management, as he
had nothing to do with appointments connected
with that department, or the minor details, except so far
as he had to do with the store department. The
promotion of the higher officers of the dockyard depart-
ment, such, for instance, as the master-shipwrights, was
vested in the First Lord ; the minor ones, such as the
foremen, leading men, heads of trades in the shops, and
all who were commonly called inferior officers, were
vested in the Secretary to the Admiralty. He was made
acquainted on the 25th or 26th of April by the Surveyor
of the Navy with the circular of the 19th of that month.
He did not consult with any of the other Lords, and he
was the junior member of the Beard, and as such did
not consider himself responsible for it, it not affecting
the department with which he was concerned. On the
21st of April he went by chance into Admiral Parker's
room, and Sir B. Walker was there. Admiral Parker
told him (Captain Milne) that Sir B. Walker had ten-
dered his resignation, and he then, he believed, read
the letter announcing this. He had no communication
with Sir B. Walker on the subject of his resignation.
He had no consultation with any of the Lords of
the Admiralty, or the Secretary of the Admiralty, on
the subject. He merely heard of it, as he had stated,
on coming into the room, as the third party, by
chance. He was present at the Board on the 26th of
April, when the circular was issued. It was not formally
brought under the notice of the Board at all. The
minute of the 26th of April was decided upon before
it came to the Board. It had the sanction of Admiral
Parker and the Secretary to the Admiralty, and he
(Captain Milne) supposed it had the sanction of the First
Lord before coming before the Board. He did not ob-
serve the difference between the words of the minute as
read from the book and the circular as it was issued.
Any letter emanating from the Admiralty, and signed
by the Secretary, would be laid before the Board. It
would then be a letter stating that the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty had done so and so, or that he
(the secretary) was desired by my Lords, &c. It was
not usual for the Secretary to issue a circular from their
Lordships which had not been sanctioned by the Board.
If be did so, it would be an irregularity. Before that
circular was issued, it ought to have been brought before
the Board, and it required two Lords and the Secretary
to form a Board. The Secretary could only use the
names of their Lordships without applying to them, or
obtaining their sanction, in cases of minor detail under
his own particular supervision—for instance, if he had
the appointment in the dockyards, he would have the
right to use the name of the oard ; but it required
great discretion in drawing the line of distinction.
The Chairman—Are the duties of the Secretary to the
Admiralty so distinct that he can correctly ascertain
what orders he may, or may not, give without applica-
tion to the board ?
Witness—lt is very difficult to define the limits with-
out knowing how the case exactly bore on that point.
The Chairman—You have been a member of the Ad-
miralty under several Administrations ; I wish to ask
you whether the Lords of the Admiralty have occasion-
ally differed from their Secretary as to the use of their
authority ?
Witness— I do not remember any instance which I
can bring forward. lam not aware of any where there
has been an interference on the part of the Secretary
with reference to Board notices. A. circular could not
be issued without coming before the Board.
The Chairman—l understand you to say that, in your
opinion, the circular of the 26th of April seemed to have
been agreed upon before iticame to the Board.
Witness—l think so.
The Chairman—Do you not visit the dockyards occa-
sionally?
Witness--I visited only two last year—Portsmouth.
and Sheerness. In previous years I have always at-
tended the visits of the Admiralty. I was one of the
committee when Sir H. Ward visited all the yards. We
visited them with a view of looking into their whole de-
tail and arrangement, and to make such recommenda-
tions for alterations as we might think necessary. We
did not enter into the subject of promotion ; that had
been previously settled by the circular of 1847, and we
considered that the system then established was work-
ing satisfactorily.
The Chairman—Considering the system established
by the circular of 1847 was satisfactory, did you form
any opinion as to the circular of 1849 ?
Witness—The circular of 1849 was merely affirming
a part of the system then in force, which, I believe, was
this :—Returns came from the dockyards every two
months. They, I believe, were immediately sent to
the Surveyor of the Navy, and he represented what
vacancies should be filled up, and then they were sent
back to the Admiralty. Then came the order of
1849, which directed that they should be sent, first,
to the Surveyor of the Navy, and from the Sur-
veyor to the Secretary of the Admiralty. The Surveyor
is in this position—he is responsible for all the work
of the dockyards, and he ought to know what vacancies
there are to fill up in each. He might, perhaps, find
his work in some of the yards getting ahead of the money
he has to lay out, and then, instead of filling up all the
vacancies, he will work out in the wages which would
otherwise be paid the sums due by those yards. I think
the Surveyor ought to have this control. I think the
circular of 1849 was an improvement, so far as it went.
I am not aware of any reason why it should have been
altered. I never heard of any difficulty with regard to
it, or any complaints. I have not taken any part in
political matters, directly or indirectly, since my appoint-
ment. I was appointed with the understanding that I
should not. Before the circular of April 19, I have no
reason for thinking that any political motives led to pro-
motions in the dockyards, or that persons were discharged
in consequence of their opinions. I will go back to the
time when I came to the Admiralty, which was subse-
quent to the regulations of 1847. In all the appoint-
ments of Sir F. Baring it was always made one of the con-
ditions of promotion that it was given with the distinct
understanding that the recipient should take no political
part in the dockyards or elsewhere. The letter written
by Sir B. Walker to the First Lord on the 11th May
was not to my knowledge brought under the notice of
the Board. I believe I became acquainted with it
through the Surveyor of the Navy himself mentioning it
to me. Nothing has occurred to make me form any
opinion on the mode of promotion going on since the
circular of the 19th April.
Lord Hotham—What is the direct patronage of the
First Lord ?
Witness—The First Lord has the promotion of all offi-
cers of the navy and of senior appointments in the dock-
yards, as master shipwrights, &c. The Senior Naval
Lord has only a certain number of appointments to fill
up in the course of the year, and has promotions. The
next Naval Lord takes all the appointments of officers
to ships, lieutenants, masters, second masters, &c.
There has been no alteration with respect to these.
Sometimes when a new Government comes in the Board
makes a different arrangement.
Lord Hotham—Has it ever happened that a minute
has come to the Board previously agreed on ?
Witness—Very seldom.
Lord Hotham—You have stated that Sir F. Baring
made parties pledge themselves when promoted not to
interfere with politics ; are you aware of any orders being
sent to the superintendents of the yards to see that such
orders were not broken ?
Witness—l am not. I believe it must be left to the
honour of the parties themselves.
Lord Hotham—My we assume that tiler('
ihnasthbeeendifa.
thorough absence of a
any active partisansl up
ferent elections ?
Witness—lt is impossible for me to say, for I know
nothing about it.
rk son
ought
By the Chairman—The Surveyko hri of
his the Navy
rem
to have an opportunity of Ina g
The difference between
those mentioned for promoetrineln);
a question whether the
the two circulars was
the .Admiralty through the
returns were to reach the