The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-19 00:00:00

THE SEIZURE OF THE TIGER.

The Earl cf MALMESBURY wished to know when
the Government could confirm, or otherwise the report
circulated by the newspapers to the effect that Her
Majesty's ship the Tiger had been wrecked in the Black
Sea near Odessa, and the whole of the crew made pri-
soners ? He also inquired whether it was true that Ad-
miral Dundas had given up to the Russian authori-
ties at Odessa a number of prisoners, notwithstanding
these authorities had refused to say whether they would
release the English sailors who were detained at Odessa?

The Duke of NEWCASTLE was not able to confirm
the report in any way, but so far as an opinion could be
formed he should rather think it was untrue. The
only information in the possession of the Government
on the subject was that obtained from a telegraphic mes-
sage received yesterday by a mercantile house in the city,
and which gave rise to the rumour in the newspapers.
But as the Tiger was represented in the report as a screw
steamer, while she was a paddle-wheel one, he was led
to hope that, as in the case of the Amphion, this
was a story of Russian fabrication. (Hear) With re-
gard to the second question, the facts were these :—The
British ships took some 40 or 50 prisoners in the Black
Sea, they chiefly belonged to Russian merchant vessels,
and were in no way connected with Russian men-of-war.
Admiral Dundasunder the supposition that English sailors
belonging to merchant vessels were detained prisoners
at Odessa, he wrote to Baron Osten Sacken, offering an
exchange of prisoners, and he received a courteous
reply from the Baron the same day, stating that
he had no instructions to agree to such a pro-
posal, but he would write to Prince Paskiewitch.
Up to the time of the last despatch of Admiral Dundas,
no final answer had been received, and there was no
reason to suppose that the report referred to was correct.
As regarded prisoners which might be taken in the
course of the war, definite instructions had been sent
.out by the Government to Admiral Dundas respecting
the conduct he was to pursue.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH deprecated the
noble earl's exciting the nervousness of the public and
the house by putting questions of this nature regarding
the loss of a single vessel, which was a casualty that
was to be expected in all wars.
The Earl of MALMESBURY gave a reproof to the
'noble earl for thrusting his advice, not only upon indi-
vidual peers, but also upon the Government, in regard
to all matters affecting the war, whether by sea or land.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said he should con-
tinue to do what he had aways done to give such opi-
nions as he thought might tend to strengthen our posi-
tion for carrying on the war.
The subject then dropped.
[LEFT SITTING. j

ROUSE OF COMMONS-(THIS EVENING.)

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
—Bolton Improvement ; Bradford Corporation Water-
works; Great Western Railway (Stratford, &c.) ; Kings-
ton upon Thames Gas ; Shrewsbury and Chester Railway;
Trowbridge Roads.
The North Yorkshire and Cleveland Railway, and the
Winchester and Petersfield Road were considered, and
ordered to be read a third time.
PETITIONS,
Petitions were presented by Mr. Gonlburn from King's
College, Cambridge, praying for the establishment in that
university of two additional professorships of theology ;
by Mr. Cobden and other hon. members, against the
opening of public-houses on Sunday • by Mr. Spooner,
from Warwickshire, against the alteration of Oaths Bill ;
by Mr. John Macgregor, from Glasgow, against all reli-
gious endowments ; by Mr. G. Berkeley, from Evesham,
praying for the abolition of church-rates; by Mr. M'Cann,
from the Port and Harbour Commissioners of Drogheda,
praying for the most
.effective Government survey of the
eastern coast of Ireland, in order that a harbour of refuge
be constructed in the most eligible position along that
particularly dangerous coast.
IRISH FAIRS.
Mr. COGAN asked the Secretary for Ireland, if it is the
intention of the Government to bring it, any bill for the
regulation of fairs and markets in Ireland, in accordance
with the suggestions of the commissioners' report.
Sir J. YOUNG said a bill would shortly be laid on the
table ; but it was not intended to proceed with it this
session. It would partially carry out the recommendation
of the commissioners.
THE BLACK WARRIOR.
Mr. HUTCHINS asked Lorl John Russell, whether
the Government have received any correspondence from
Madrid relating to the affair of the Black Warrior, and
wh :ther they are prepared to place all the information
from there anti from he, Majesty's Minister at Washing-
ton, upon the table of the house.
Lord J. RUeiSELL acid their certainly had been a
correspondence with Madrid on the subject, but the hon.
gentleman must understand that the Government had
taken no official part in the matter. The communications
which had taken place were merely those which always
Pass between friendly Governments when matters of this
sort occur, anti he could not, therefore, say that it would I
be right to lay the correspondence on the table. He could
!tate, however, that the last accounts from Madrid gave
40Pes of an amicable settlement of the dispute. (Hear.)
THE ANDES.
Mr. COWAN
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty a
question relative to the Andes which was employed to
carry the First Royals to Gallipoli. He wished to know
whether any accounts had been received from the officers
who embarked in this.
vessel, of the treatment they received
while on board.
B. OSBORNE found that the Andes, with the First
Royals on board, made the passage out within 15 days, and
when she arrived at her destination all were well and per-
fectly satisfied with the shp.
a testimonial to the Captain The officers had presented
towards them. for his courtesy and kindness

LAW OF PARTNERSHIP.
Mr. HORSFALL asked the Secretary of the Treasury
if the report of the Royal Commiesio- ere on the law of
partnership is printed, and when it mayub
exPected to be
111 the hands of the members of this house'''.
Arr. WILSON said a portion of the report had already
been laid on the table ; the remainder would be ready
in
about a fortnight, and then the whole would be printed.
OATHS' BILL.

Mr. SPOONER observed that the second remain.. of the
Oaths' Bill stood for Thursday next, and he should be
gad to know if it was intended to go on with it on that
Lord J. RUSSELL replied, that if the financial resolu-
tions were not disposed of on Monday, he should propose
an adjournment of the debate until Friday, with the view
of taking the Oaths' Bill on Thursday.
CHURCH RATES.
Sir W. CLAY gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he
should move for leave to bring in a hill for the entire abo-
lition of church rates.
BOYS FOR THE NAVY.
Mr. ALEXANDER asked the First Lord of the Ad-
miralty, whether the Board of Admiralty are prepared to
take, as apprentices to the Royal Navy, boys from the
Workhouses in Ireland.
Sir J GRAHAM should be sorry to believe that boys
ao situated could not rise to become most gallant and ex-
ssellent seamen—(hear, hear) —but he must tell the house
that from friendly services the supply of volunteers was
larger than the Admiralty could take, and as there was a
prejudice against boys coming from workhouses, it would
affect the supply from these sources if they were taken,
.and therefore it had been determined not to take any for
ltbe present. (Hear, hear.)
LOSS OF THE TIGER.
kk'r. HUME wished to ask the right hon. baronet a
sinestion relative to the report that one of our ships of war,
saw oy, the Tiger, had unfortunAtely got aground and been
taken possession of by the Russians. Ha wished to know