The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-20 00:00:00

Isla
re found
the that Lord Auckland had appointedth t h .
men pass him by. And the only solution which he which was most comprehensive
ali d
impartialthe present
wished to
which
drawsir üßp.
Portsmouth
could arrive at for that dereliction of public duty on
part of the hon. gentleman was, that weer.
) If the of the Navy, anti he hthade
dsutattieesdet.
instrinctionass too deeritElerm.
In May, 1845, Lord Auckland in
atheeoNffivicshe
there was no Conservative candidate. (Hear.)
-111Vi-sad'rearftwinstruic)tions that the surveyor would be at liberty
circular of 1835
house granted him the committee heiswas( confident that
to correspond with the officers of the yards ; but that he
or to enter
he could prove still further that this
stroke of the was not to issue any orders of a general kind,
He had now dis- into correspondence with the superintendents of the yards.
had-been also virtually cancelled, not by a
pen, but by act and deed. (Hear.)
Lord Auckland. The superintendents
charged the duty he had assumed. He had stated that It could not be imagined that this most important subject
he did not bring the m
and it high in the service,
motion forward from any personal could have escaped .
was alwae s intended
were
officersshould communicate directly with the Secretary
of public duty, and if
hostility to the hon. gentleman. (Hear.) He had
that they
of the Admiralty.He believed that every Secretary of the
been actuated solely by a sense
Admiralty had corresponded with the superintendents of
the late Board of Admiralty, he
the house granted the committee, and the result of it
the yards. But the hon. baronet (Sir 13. Hall) said that
should be to acquit
should be ready to admit his hiserror, and would be happy he should wish to lay the whole responsibility on the Sur-
to have it shown that the influence of a great public de- veyor of the Navy. He questioned whether it was not
partment of the state had been properly exercised, and much better that they should be able in parliament to call
its patronage honestly distributed.
(Cheers.) upon the Secretary of the Admiralty to explain every ap-
Sir G. FECHELL seconded the motion. pointment, from that of John Smith (of whom he knew
Mr. STAFFORD rose amid loud cheers from the Con-
nothing) to those of the other individuals whose names had
of the hon. been mentioned. He thought that this was a wholesome
servative benches to reply to the allegations practice, and he was not disposed to shirk that responsi-
bility, or to repent that he had undertaken to relieve an
member for Marylebone. He commenced by tendering an
acknowledgment to the hon. baronet for the courteous tone over-worked officer from a charge which had lately been
in which he had spoken of him, and then asked the indul- forced upon him. In doing so, he had acted upon the
opinion of the highest naval authorities. He would not
venture to go over this public or private letter which had
genre of the house whilst he attempted to defend- his con-
duct whilst Secretary of the Admiralty ; a task which
been addressed to the Duke of Northumberland by Sir
Baldwin Walker. In that letter Sir B. Walker stated that
would have been much easier were he now. filling that
office, for, notwithstanding
the Admiralty,
courtesy of Sir J. Graham, he felt it his duty to call his grace's attention to the evil
there were docu- connected with the system of promotion in the dockyards,
the present First Lord of th
that he out of and complained that correspondence had been carried on with
ments at the Admiralty which, now was
He (Mr. Stafford) had taken upon himself to correspondthe authorities of the dockyards without his intervention.
office, were not so accessible to him as they would have
been if he were now a member of the Government. With with them, but he had never interfered with the steam de-
an respect
to the hon. baronet the member for Marylebone, partment, which he thou ht
B. Walker then said that
ht ought to be left under the
he would take leave to answer his charges not exactly in control of the .
the order in which they were made. The hon. baronet
. there would be no one S
to control the estimates, and that
the surveyor could not be held responsible if they were ex-
had most justly stated that it was the privilege of the re- ceeded. He (Mr. Stafford) believed that those who had to
presentatives of the people to ask questions of the Execu- answer for these estimates were responsible.ltio Parliamentie tive Government in reference to several departments, and and the country, and from that responsibi 1
that the Executive Government had the choice of either
salty
which neces-
shrink from the responsibility
not shrink; and he hoped that no secretary ofythee .Zdmi-
giving an immediate answer or refusing to do so. t wouldsariryattached to the administration of the finances of that
There was another course open to those officials—that of gigantic establishment. (Hear.) But ter
rethwe
admirals,
giving to hon. members subsequent explanation. He be- who would exercise a centrol
lieved that the house would not judge harshly of any mem- commodores,
them as officers and men
ber of the Government, however subordinate, if, after yardscommodoresheaVewcapentaeluno.sh u.perinetreenldvent of the dock-
having made a statement, he came down to the house and those establishments, and he could wish thoesel estabnliper-
o i business
said that, on further inquiry, he found that he had to give ments no better luck than that they might b o g u
an answer different from that which he had already given the cent o
the names of various per-
hon. baronet had mentioned
r 1 of the officers who at present did controlu them.
to the inquiry of an hon. member. (Hear.) He (3/I.r.
The
es
whom he said had been unfairly promoted. He (Mr.
Stafford) aknowledged that the hon. baronet put questions
rt nity of looking over the
to him in the terms which he had quoted. He acknow- Admiralty, had had asn. opportunity Stafford), through the courtesy of the First Lord of the
With uregard to the Devonport
lodged that he had given answers such as the hon. baronet papers 1?
had stated, and that he had declined tosubsequent
give any
West of Englandmight began axe entries, ithe thesescape f the hon. baronet from the
explanations. In fact, he never once thought of giving any be no better judge of the sort of men entered than the hon.
such
explanations. (Hear, hear.) It was his practice when baronet himself. John Smith and others might have been
Secretary to the Admiralty to go to the First Lord of the entered, on the responsibility of the superintendent, for a
Admiralty, the Duke of Northumberland, every morning week's work. The superinendents would never have men-
tioned the entry of men for the purpose stated by the hon.
with such papers as he thought were sufficiently important to
baronet. For instance, he (Mr. Stafford) sent down a list
of 12 boys be entered at Woolwich, but what did Cap-
be submitted to him. On the 26th of April, 1852, the Duke
of N to
orthumberland told him that the Surveyor of . the Navy taro Eden do ?He refused 11 of them. (A laugh.) Captain
was exe,eedingly annoyed by a circular which . had been issued Eden, in a sailor's straightforward, frank, and honest man-
ner said—" I know nothing of politics in the dockyard,
and if you send me down unfit men, I will chuck them
on the 19th, and which, he considered, had cast a stigma ,
neck and heels into the streets." (Hear, and laughter.)
upon his character. - The Duke of Northumberland said
He believed that every one of these superintendents would
that he did not believe the surveyor would remain in office
unless that stigma was removed.
He (Mr. Stafford) im- have said the same. He should do them dishonour if he
thought that, with folded arms, they would have mediately said that nothing could be easier than to remove
mated him to attempt any political jobbing. (Hear.) The
per-
that imputation—that another circular could beissuedthat
next case which the hon. baronet had mentioned was that
of Atkinson, who had been. appointed on probation, and
day. The duke assented, and he (Mr. Stafford) proceeded
,which was sub-to his office to draw a rough draft
at the end of his period of probation was reported as not
sequently
issued. Sir B. Walker had written a letter ' • little longer.
being sufficiently competent • and all he (Mr. Stafford) had
done was to ask that he might be triedan
addressed to the. Admiralty, and entrusted to Admiral
(Hear.) With regard to the case of Longson, he was a man
Hyde Parker, in which he complained of the stigma which
the said circular of the 19th April cast upon him as Sur-who had served 17 years and 11 months, and who had been
discharged for having been found drunk. According to
veyor of the Navy. Admiral Hyde Parker, however, be- thepolice report, he and another man had been taking
complaint of
lieving that the fresh circular removed any '
rsome of contractors'thteeefoed rum,e
that soit, determined to destroy that letter. (Cheers.) The
and
consequenence of the high character
re;
therefore,
in , ordered to be reprimanded and dis-
hon. member for Marylebone had asked him (Mr. Stafford) charged
we. i given him by the master shipwright, and as he
whether he had ever seen that letter. He was not going neglected his duty for about a minute, he was
to shrink from answering fairly, and ho would say in reply restoredn about five weeks after his dismissal, that hay-
that, according to the best of his belief, he never did see ing been considered sufficient punishment for so small an
that letter. Not being aware that any such letter was offence. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the case of the
ever written, he certainly did say in the House of Com-miller
o was promoted, although, as it was said, he had
been reorted as suffering from a disease o the srmatic
mons, in reply to the hon. baronet, that no such letter
cord, and consequently unfit for promotion,f the truth was,
had been addressed to the Admiralty. Sir B. Walker, that he (Mr. Stafford) had not appointed him, but had sine-
finding that no answer had been returned to his letter, Ply directed him to call at Somerset-house, to be examined
wrote another letter to the board, complaining that no
by
Dr. Bryce, the second surgeon in the naval service, who
answer had ben vouchsafed to pronounced him to be in perfect health, and quite able to
his previous communica- discharge all the duties of a miller, which situation he be-
tion. Having ultimately discovered that his first letter loved he was now filling to the entire satisfaction of all
charge himself with as had been brought against much
him. to
did not reach its destination, he wrote the following letter
concerned. He did not consider that he had so
to him (Mr. Stafford) :—" With reference to your letter
(Cheers.) He knew not what other hon. members who
of the 26th inst., I beg to acquaint you that, since my would follow might have to say against him, but having
communication of the 25th inst., I have been informed taken all the cases brought forward by the hon. baronet,
very fairy handed them to him before bringing on
that my letter of the 21st of April, addressed to the Secre- 7
this') hadotiom he could not see that any very great amount
tart' of the Admiralty, which was delivered to Vice- of blamem could fairly be charged against him. (Cheers.)
Admiral Hyde Parker, was not brought before the board ; Ho came now to the case of Cotsell, and he hoped that the
and, with reference to the letter of the 10th of May, house would favour him with attending very minutely to
it was a communication addressed to the First Lord the dates in this case. The hon. baronet had yesterday
of the Admiralty, and not to the Secretary." He had offered to show him the deposition which he had to-night
taken a most straightforward course, and he did not see produced, but he (Mr. Stafford) said, in return, that he had
that he had anything to conceal in the statement which no wish to see it. He could not see that this deposition,
ho had made. He thought that the affair had been settled signed by Mr. Scott, relieving officer, had at all effected
as far as Admiral Parker was concerned. When the rtes- him, inasmuch as it did not even say that Cotsell had seen
tion of the letter was mooted in the Chatham committee him when he came to London.
he thought that the simplest way would be to move for the sir B. HALL said that the substance of the deposition
correspondence, with a view to its being laid on the table was, that after the election Cotsell, having got this appoint-
of the house. He believed that it would explain itself most want, stated to the deponent (Scott) that now the election
completely. When the motion for the correspondence was was over, he did not mind telling. how he had got it. He
made, the hon. and gallant member for Brighton moved, said that Mr. Stafford had promised him the appointment,
by way of amendment, an addition—,, And in case such and that he went up to the Admiralty, where he saw a
correspondence shall not be in the office, that the serve or gentleman whom he knew. He was taken into a room,
shall bo directed to furnish copies of any letter or letters and saw the appointment of Wells lying on the table. After
addressed by him to the Secretary or the First Lord of the some conversation the appointment was put on one side,
Admiralty on such subject." He (Mr. Stafford) received a and the gentleman told him that he need not trouble him-
letter addressed to himself, and he must say that he read it self any more about it.
with considerable surprise ; and although it was most dis- Mr. STAFFORD- Certainly the election was over, but
tasteful to him to mention a private letter, yet when he the election committee was not over. (Hear.) Why did
found that the letter which ho received was in answer to a not this relieving officer come before the committee with
private note, written by himself to the Surveyor of the that statement ? (Hear, hear.) In the list delivered in by
Navy on the 2c] of the same month, he felt that he could the petitioners, he found that the name of Costell was set
not do otherwise than refer to it. His letter was marked
" private and confidential." The hon. gentleman then down both as a briber and a person bribed, and the person
read the letter, which was to the following effect :—That bribing him was the Secretary of the Admiralty. (A
he from Sir G. Pechell). The hon. and gallant gentle-
he found that great dissatisfaction existed amongst his man might laugh if he chose ; calumnies such as this
political friends as to the arrangements and promotions in might be good to divert a mind like that of the hon. and
the dockyards—and that there was a general impression gallant gentleman, but those who had charged Costell with
that all these things were disposed of for political pur- being bribed, and himself (Mr. Stafford) with having
Chats, insomuch that there seemed no alternative but to bribed him, had an opportunity—if they had the manli-
resume the system which had existed previously to Sept., ness and courage to do so—to bring forward the charge
1849. He need not say that he did not throw any blame on before one of the constituted tribunals of this country ;
him (Sir B. Walker) who was altogether too much removed they might have put him and Costell upon their oaths,
from politics to understand these matters. (Hear, hear.) For and forced them to tell the truth, or risk the consequences
himself he hated all notion of patronage, which only exposed of perjury. (Cheers.) But instead of taking that course,
him to trouble, and he stated the case to him in perfect now, at the latest hour, when it was too late for himst,
to
frankness for the purpose of obtaininc, his opinion. That communicate with Costell, the relieving officer came for-
letter might have been right, or it mightc have been wrong, ward to make this charge, which, after all, went no far-
but he certainly had not expected to see a quotation made ther than to show how closely the eyes of enmity had
from that letter. (Hear, hear.) He must be permitted watched for every act of his which might not be able to
to observe, with respect to the second letter which had bear the strictest scrutiny. (Hear.) No more than that
been referred to, that it always rested with the discretion did it prove in the estimation of the house. (Hear hear.)
of the First Lord of the Admiralty to say whether a letter Costell said that he had asked to be transferreh from
was public or private. The First Lord of the Admiralty Chatham and Portsmouth, and certainly he had made such
was a Cabinet Minister, but the other members of the a request as he (Mr. Stafford) was going round the dock-
board were not in the Cabinet, neither was the Secretary ; yard, saying at the same time that he had sent a memorial
and, considering the vast amount of correspondence that to the Lords of Admiralty on the subject. He had told
took place, the house world see that it was not only wise Costa. that he would consider his request, but that was
but indispensable that the First Lord should have the all. Without for the moment alluding to the political
power of saying whether a letter should be considered pub- part of the question, he would observe that, upon Costell's
He or private. He did not know what had been done in appointment hung four others, all whom were recommended
this case—he did not know whether there had been a pri- by the highest testimonials of their respective superiors.
vats interview, or whether the First Lord had written an The rank of master at Portsouth was the chancel-
answer. He (Mr. Stafford) trusted that he had shOwn to the l°
ship of the smithery,smith and this man had raised himself to
satisfaction of the house that lie believed he was answering claim it from the lowest situation in his business, who was
conscientiously when he gave the answer which he had supported by Mr. Abethell, the master shipwright. The
given, and that he did not stand charged with the public Surveyor of the Navy denied having any share of the
offence of wittingly stating that which was not the fact. appointment. Costal had petitioned to be promoted
He now came to the first question proposed by the hon. to Portsmouth, while Wells was willing to remain
baronet (Sir B. Hall). The hon. baronet wished to know at Chatham ; and on the 29th of January the surveyor
"the circumstances under which a circular sent to the wrote to the Admiralty superintendent respecting that
superintendents of her Majesty's dockyards dated Sept. man, that for gene: al fitness for the situation of master
26, 1849, was cancelled on the 19th of April, 1852, with- smith, with regard to his endeavours for economy and ap-
out any order or minute of the board." He (Mr. Stafford) preciation of all modern improvements in smithery, he had
had to state that he had looked through the general board e highest opinion of Costell." (Hear.) Sir B. Walker
minute-book, and finding that the circular had not been wth
as asked before the committee who had examined Wells,
issued by a general board minute, he had ascertained that and he replied that he could not recollect. Upon the 16th
it had been issued by a board minute. Then it was said October, 1852, Wells was directed to proceed to Somerset
that he had signed it by their lordships' command. He House, and was there examined by himself (the Surveyor
had to inform the hon. baronet that the secretary only of the Navy) and Mr. Lloyd, the chief engineer. So, el-
ected as the servant of the board—that he had no vote, though the surveyor had examined Wells himself on the
and that his duty was merely to carry out the directions of 16th October, 1852, yet in February, 1853, the matter
the board. The circular in question, however, was re- had so entirely passed from his memory that he could not
affirmed by a general minute on the 26th of April, and recollect who examined the man. In another part of
therefore it had received a double guarantee. At the his evidence Sir B. Walker said he did not know whether
board held on that day there were present the Duke of Nor- Wells had any letter from the Admiralty appointing him,
thumberland, Sir Hyde Parker, Sir T. Herbert, Captain and that he never saw him until he had been dismissed.
Duncombe, and Captain Mylne, and they deemed it ad- (Hear, hear.) So, although he would not swear whether
visable to revert to the system previously in force, "of this man had ever forged an anchor, he would swear
having all the communications on the subject addressed to that he had never seen him. (Hear, hear.) Now, he
this office in the first instance." Therefore the charge of would approach the political part of
the question. The
his having made this alteration without the knowledge of hon. baronet had stated that these claims would never
the board, at all events, fell to the ground. With regard have been recognised, in spite of the eulogies of Mr.
to the cancelling of the circular, which he was called Abethell, if Cotsell had not been an elector. It so hap-
upon to explain, he hoped that the house would hear penecl that his (Mr. Stafford's) great opponent upon this
him, and then judge as to the state of circumstances which occasion had been the hen, member for Liverpool, the then
had induced the board to determine that it should be can- Secretary to the Treasury, who complained that Wells was
celled. When Sir Henry Ward was at the Admiralty, the a staunch supporter of his, and had voted for him and his
administration of that department was conducted with the colleague. He had a long interview with that hon. gen-
greatest firmness and success; but it afterwards fell into tleman at the Treasury, and never did a man care less for
the more amiable hands of Mr. John Parker, then a mem- the dockyard and more for his friend than he did ; and,
ber of the house. Ho (Mr Stafford) had two letters which without being actually angry, had intimated that, as the
were samples of innumerable communications which he had Admiralty was the junior department to the Treasuryi it
received on the subject of dockyard patronage. The writer ought to give way. But he (Mr. Stafford) declined
to give
of the first said that when the Whigs, in 1848, began to way, and did not give way, preferring to maintain the
feel their power, they thought it necessary to devise some rights of the dockyard men. The right hon. baronet at
system by which, if they left office, the dockyard patronage the head of the Admiralty, upen the 21st February last,
would! still be left in their hands. They consequently had had said that if the dockyards were justly administered,
stuffed every hole and corner in these yards with Whig without consideration of political influence, chances offered
Tet,k,le, excluding altogether those who did not belong to themselves to every man, even in the humblest position,
the Liberal interest, and the writer expressed his belief to attain to the highest. A noble sentiment, upon which
certain
asappointmentice The writer of the second letter Cotsell to command the trade in a pla .
en of good conduct and experience, merely laboured in an inferior capacity. And lot him remind the
fresh handsbecausethilntztained Conservative opinions, had had house of the value of the men who toiled in these yards—
in one of the dec.., Over their heads. Mr. ----, an officer they formed the dockyard battalions, to whom were en-
the Whigs, the '''',: Vs, showed the greatest partiality for trusted the priceless materials of our navy. They were men
worst work. 0-14 r, zeatives being invariably put to the loyal and proud of their Sovereign and their country—pre-
that these statements Gera and a laugh.) He did not say pared to shed the last drop of blood for the good of either.
change, but it was repeate,.eene sufficient to justify the They were men who keenly felt the blighting of their
pointments had been mai
la
or y:
one lde. The Conservative preferred. (Hear.) The hon. baronet had made charges
rangement, of course, for hon. extremely convenient an- respecting the general superintendents. In all boroughs,
hear, and a laugh)—but only let tleemmesna
y°PoPosj.te—(hes.r, where dockyards were situate, the Government naturally
ere so evidently
not let them shield up for purity in dockyaids ` mice, and must have influence. But what were the facts ? At Ports-
like Irish reciprocity, all the appointments were Politics, when, mouth there had beenno contest ; the hon. baronet opposite
made on one side. (Hear, hear.) He found that the Se had no enemy to contend with but the heat. If the late
cretaryeat- War always corresponded with the supe ''
- Government had been inclined to use its influence so an-
tendeets of the yards ; the hon. member for Tyrone (reT; scrupelously as it was suggested it had done, there might
Corry), when in office, haul done so, an.l he (Mr. Stafford), eaely have been a contest there. From Devonport there
previously to
did not see why the communication should be choked „p wa' no Petition, and, if there had been any opportunity of
by Somerset-house, as had been the case re assault upon that score, it would not have been omitted by 1
Sept., 1849. Throughout the whole of the dockyard! in- piyahion.ttaronet who brought the matter forward. From .
Geotyie:rnment influence. From Greenwich
WI
aion ; from Rochester none, and from
structions it would be seen, that communications from baronet
otifler° was a Petition, but it contained no
the dockyards were to be made directly to the Board of there was no
had been cirOcnn;a*teAie held in his hand a placard
Admiralty. These instructions, which were dated in Chatham theTe
inChatham at the time of i
1844, were signed by the Earl of Hadding,ton, Sir which
in
twhehiAelmtihrealty was electorse were warned that
G. Cockburn, Sir W. H. Gage, and by
"AllMa Sy.epHeoere- tthhee
seeeleic.etitoanry,
Sir F.
bent. One instruction was as follows :--
se every circumstance
from the officers of the yards are to be submitted by the Smith upon his canvass, but that a comcc4miPtren?yfinthge house
ottocadillseedlobefore tthe.committee;
Superin tend,..^nt to the Secretary for the direction of the would compel that Seerweatasrny
did not coevne am a word in
board." He was free to confess that, so far from following of his visit. Notwithstanding this threat, the terrible Secre-
the suggestions which he had chiefly tart' to the Admiralty
')ehtical precedents, • hwere to be found in the evidence and the report of that committee
studied were, those which
person who reference to him. He (Mr. Stafford) beli d that, with-
of Sir H. Ward and Lord Auckland; and any
of the working of that de- out the votes of the dockyard men, Sir F. S •
mith
wished to obtain a knowledge
) If anything could
partment could not do better than to read that evidence would still have been elected, (Hear.

prove the absence of improper abuse of patronage on the
part of the Government, it was the absence of petitions from
any other boroughs having dockyards attached. The hon.
baronet had accused him of going to Devonport and walking
through the dockyard there, and had also talked about a
dinner at which certain persons were present, among whom,
he said, were the two candidates ; but in one case he was
wrong, for the hon. and gallant member for Devonport was
not there. (Hear.) With regard to having availed himself
of the Black Eagle that charge he must admit ; and he
could not wish the'hon. baronet any better enjoyment than
a trip in that vessel if he were fond of yachting. (A laugh.)
Among the charges made was one that he had employed a
steam-vessel at the Government expense, to enable him to
visit the ports of the Mediterranean, to which he could
only reply that he never took a Government vessel a
mile out of her way. He had corresponded with Admiral
Dundas, and finding that a steamer was to call at cer-
tain ports, he contrived to be at those ports in time to
meet it, but he never caused it to move one mile out of its
way on that account. (Hear.) The only expense to which
he put the Government was 121., and he had been the happy
yo
fh
ge
osi
nh ogu d
throughree o
tl-
lcet guestdt 000 c fhkAiys a
rdl madt lest a ls
th
eph
couounu
da Dundas,
wf
s itt s
wet hehreoescP ih at
advisable, detail some
curious circumstances with regard to some persons never in
that house, as well as to others elsewhere. He would frankly
admit that it would have been better if he had not gone
round the dockards, and would recommend his successor
not to do so. He made that admission, although he had
never canvassed in the dockyards, and hadalways, with two
exceptions, been accompanied by the superintendent of
the yard, expressly to be relieved from demands of suitors.
No conversation did he hold, except to assure people that
the Government would not press against any man for freely
exercising his political rights. (Hear.) He had given these
assurances because complaints had been made against the
other side, and that was all he had done. Still, he repeated,
it would have been better if he had not gone at all. He was
not aware that there was any other matter which had
escaped him, and as the house had heard him with patience,
he was sure it would decide with justice. He had been called
to that office in the middle of a session, and on the eve of a ge-
neral election, and those who were the most competent to
judge of the difficulties and temptations attending such a po-
sition would be the most lenient judges. However, he did
not appeal in misericordictnt, but relied upon the truth to
justify him. He had the satisfaction of knowing that the
men, without whose able and zealous aid he could not have
carried on the business of his office, were fully aware that
he had not wasted his time in political jobs, and there were
officers, some at home, and some abroad, high in command,
whose thanks he had earned, and who would add their tes-
timony to that of his own conscience, that he had always
endeavoured, without distinction of party, to co-operate
with them in promoting the welfare of that gallant and
glorious service with which he had been connected. (Hear,
hear.)
Sir F. TFIESIGER said no scrutiny could obtain any
additional facts ; there would therefore be no use in
appointing a committee. If a committee was to be ap-
pointed to inquire respecting the last resolution, it would
be necessary to alter and exterd its wording, so that it
might include not the distribution of patronage in a par-
ticular office, but the distribution of patronage generally.
There was no use in trying to disguise from themselves the
facts with respect to such distribution of patronage. Sup-
posing that they were to inquire into the distribution of
patronage by the Treasury ? (Hear.) Was there a single
member of the house who bad not asked for favours from
the treasury for political friends on account of electioneer-
ing services ? (Hear, hear.) They must be fair, open,
and candid in this matter. The excise and post-office
appointments were notoriously given to the members for
boroughs and counties who supported the Government for
the time being. (Hear, hear.) To propose an inquiry,
therefore, into the distribution of patronage by the Ad-
miralty did, in the present state of their political know-
ledge, seem to him to be a mere affectation of purism.
(Hear, hear.) It was ridiculous, absurd, and hypocritical.
(Hear, hear.) The facts were now known to every member
of the house—the matter was ripe for decision at the pre-
sent moment, and it would therefore be a senseless and
unreasonable proceeding to institute an investigation.
(Hear, hear.)
Sir J. GRAHAM said, havinglistened with attention to the
debate, he did not hesitate to declare that all doubt, all
shade of doubt—if his personal knowledge of the hon. gen-
tleman opposite could allow any to exist—that might have
rested on his mind as to the personal honour of the bon.
gentleman entirely disappeared. (Hear, hear.) It was
quite certain that a misunderstanding did arise be-
tween honourable seen who were officially associated.
The Surveyor of the Navy wrote a letter, which
ha addressed to the Sseretary of the Admiralty Board,
which he thought a sense of duty compelled him
to write, but it appeared that that letter never came
into the hands of the hon. gentleman. Nor was it sent
in the customary channel ; but it was put into the hands
of the senior lord, who communicated it to the First Lord.
It appeared that he, on reading the letter, requested Sir
H. Parker to communicate with the hon. gentleman and
Sir B. Walker, for the purpose of preventing his resigna-
tion. A long interview consequently took place between
the hon. gentleman, Sir H. Parker, and Sir B. Walker,
the result of which was that a minute which had been pre-
pared by the hon. gentleman was carried into effect, for
the purpose of saving the honour of Sir B. Walker with
regard to the revocation of the order previously in force.
And Sir B. Walker, on the whole accepted that arrange-
ment as satisfactory. Now upon this point he thought an
inquiry was necessary, in order to afford Sir B. Walker an
opportunity of explaining himself. (Hear, hear.) It was
said that political motives caused the removal of Mr.
Wells, and the transfer of Mr. Cotsell to Portsmouth ;
not giving him promotion, but having the effect of open-
ing:the way to promotion in the other dockyard. If there
was no taint of political influence in that arrangement,
there was no harm done, but it was alleged that it was
connected with political matters at Chatham. He could
not help saying that this was a legitimate subject of in-
quiry by a committee. The hon. and learned member for
Stamford had talked of such inquiries with the utmost
contempt—treated them as absurd, hypocritical, and said
that all political parties were tainted in this respect. He
(Sir J. Graham) was no purist—(hear, hear, and a laugh)
—and he said it was impossible to carry on the govern-
ment without there being a fair share of patronage given
to the supporters of the Government. It matured little
in the dockyards from whom the nominations flowed; no
doubt they came first from political friends ; but if you
adhered to the system of strict examination of nominees
before they were appointed, ho cared not from whom the
nominations came, but it became of vital importance that
when once persons were in the dockyards promotion should
come from merit only. He had said he was no purist,
and he repeated that, although much patronage must be
granted to the Government, which, in the first in-
' sance, was checked by the examination, but after ap-
pointments were made, political influence should be ex-
cluded. (Hear.) He knew the tendency almost inevitable
to endeavour to conciliate political friends, and he knew
how difficult it was to avoid such influences. He believed
that the Duke of Northumberland, anxious to avoid this
difficulty, gave up all the patronage to the hon. gentleman.
An election took place ; there was a pressure from political
friends, who said that they were deserted, that you were
untrue and unjust to them, and an honourable man might
perhaps in such a moment forget what was due to public
virtue. The right hon. gentleman then concluded by say-
ing to the effect, that he would make every allowance for
such circumstances, and was not desirous that undue pres-
sure should be put on the hon. gentleman ; that all he
wished was that for the future much that had occurred
should be avoided, and that for that purpose an inquiry
should be made, for the sake of the hon. gentleman him-
self, who, although his personal honour had been cleared
to night, might yet be open to a charge of error in judg-
ment ; there should be inquiry when the honour of a dis-
tinguished officer was in question, and he hoped that all
sides of the house would show a willingness to grant an
inquiry without narrowing its sphere, and he thought that
the hon. member for Marylebone would do wisely in adopt-
ing the suggestion of the hon. and learned member for
Stamford, and that if he enlarged the terms of his inquiry
it would be more satisfactory. (Hear.)
Mr. DISRAELI said that the question during a pro-
tracted struggle had assumed various and varying aspects.
It had now taken after the speech of the right honourable
gentleman the form of an allegation of corruption on the
part of the late Government ; and he must make some re-
ference to an individual who had been merely mentioned
in the debate, but who from his position was much inte-
rested in the que -tion ; he meant the nobleman who had
lately presided over the Board of Admiralty. He (Mr.
Disraeli) could have wished that any other department of
the late Gevernment had been questioned rather than the
Admiralty, for he would say most solemnly that there
was no individual who had ever presided over that depart-
ment of the Government who pursued a more conscientious
course in the disposal of his patronage, or exercised the
power of his department with a greater desire for the
good of the country. (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman
(Sir J. Graham) had observed that the competition of the
private yards could only be counteracted by rigidly carry-
ing out the system of promotion ; and it was on that prin-
ciple that his hon. friend had proceeded. Now, he must
confess, that if the question depended on the vindication
of his honourable friend (Mr. Stafford), in whose case there
was not, as it appeared to him, a single flaw, there would
be no necessity for appointing a committee; but he ad-
mitted that as the discussion proceeded, the question as-
sumed a different form, and it was quite impossible that a
vote of the House of Commons could decide upon the con-
duct of Sir Baldwin Walker. He felt that it would be
most invidious and unjust not to give that gallant officer
an opportunity of entering into explanations. He had no
personal acquaintance with him; he knew him only by
reputation, as a distinguished officer and most honourable
man. Under the circumstances, he should recommend
his hon. friend not to oppose the motion for a committee.
(Cheers.)

C. Shapland Whitmore, Esq., Hon. Frederick Ponsionby,
and John Carlon Heath, Esq. He would put the question
of treating in this case entirely aside, but he might say that
the committee had not been able to extort evidence from
adverse witnesses, who gave their testimony in a very un-
satisfactory manner, and he only expressed the opinion of
the committee when he 'said that a great amount of perjury
had been committed. (Hear.) It was, however, shown that
the agent for the sitting member was a gentleman named
Parker, and that when he arrived in the borough he went
to the house of a man who was familiarly known as the
"King of the Island," and offered him 1501. down for his
interest, which was supposed to extend to some 20 or 25
votes. This offer was made so openly that the agent of the
opposite party, who had been sent as a spy to the enemy's
camp, was present at the time. He (Lord R. Grosvenor)
had no doubt that an advance was made by the opposite
party upon the offer made on behalf of the sitting member,
for the King of the Island," and all his liege subjects,
voted for the unsuccessful candidate. It was proved before
the committee that at the previous election a highly re-
spectable merchant, Mr. Miller, was requested by a stand-
ing committee in Malden to go down and canvass the
borough. Mr. Miller inquired what the expenses would be.
" Oh," said the agent, "we should be much obliged if, as
a preliminary, you would have the goodness to pay 4,0001.,
which is the amount due to the electors for the last elec-
tion." (Hear, and a laugh.) Mr. Miller took the opinion
of counsel on the point, and he was told by his adviser—
the late Mr. Talbot—that if he complied with the request
of the committee he would vitiate his election. (A laugh.)
He (Lord R. Grosvenor) hoped that, under these circum-
stances, the house would assent to his motion.
Mr. BANKES expressed his regret that a motion of so
much importance should be brought forward at so late an
hour, because he thought no motion for a commission ought
to be agreed to without full discussion. (Hear, hear.)
The house divided ; the numbers were—
For the address .............................. 69
Against it ... ......................... 48
Majority for the addre55......... —2l
TAXING-OFFICER (IRELAND).
Sir J. YOUNG moved for leave to bring in a bill to make
better provision for the efficient discharge of the duties of
the taxing-officer in and for the common law business in
Ireland.
After an inquiry made by Mr. WHITESIDE, and answered
by Sir J. YOUNG,
Leave was given.
On the motion of Mr. GROGAN, a return was ordered
respecting the clerks employed in the Census-offices in Eng-
land and in Ireland, and the clerks employed temporarily
in the Poor Law Commissioners'-office, Dublin.
Mr. WHITESIDE asked when the notice which stood
on the paper in Sir J. Young's name, and which had just
been passed over, would be proceeded' with? It was on an
important subject—viz., for a bill to continue the powers
of applying for a sale of lands under the Encumbered
Estates Acts.
Sir J. YOUNG would be glad to move it, but had been
told not to do so late at night, as there would be discus-
sion.

Mr. WHITESIDE would repeat his question this day.
The committee on the County Rates and Expenditure
Bill was deferred till this clay.
BUSINESS FOR THURSDAY.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in moving
the adjournment of the house, wished to mention that, on
Thursday, the first business would be the statement of the
Secreta to the Treasury (Mr. J. Wilson), with respect to
the Customs; after that the committee on the bill for the
redemption and conversion of stocks ; and after that the
Pilotage Bill.
Mr. WHITESIDE said there had been an understand-
ing that the bill for the reform of the superior courts of
common lrw in Ireland should come on next Thursday.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that,
if so, some arrangement should be made to take that bill
on Thursday or Friday.
Mr. J. M`GREGO.R hoped the Pilotage Bill would not
be taken late on Thursday night.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
would not.

The hous e adjourned at a quarter past one o'clock.

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE of YESTERDAY.

DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
Joseph Loader, of Finsbury-pavement, upholsterer,
second dividend of 2s. in the pound, payable at 3, Guild-
hall-chambers, Basinghall-street, on any Tuesday.
James Biekford, Brighton, jeweller, first dividend of
Ils. 6d. in the pound, payable at 3, uildhall-chambers,
Basinghall-street, on any Tuesday.
William Williams, and Robert Mudge Marchant, of 18,
Great George.street, Westminster, of Liverpool, and of
Campden, Gloucestershire, contractors, a dividend of 20s.
in the pound, payable at 3, Guildhall-chambers, Basing-
hall-street, on any Tuesday.
Emil Kretschmar, of 15, King-square, manufacturing
jeweller, second and final dividend of id. in the pound,
payable at 12, Abchurch-lane, City, on Saturday, April
23, and three subsequent Saturdays.
May Metcalfe and Co., of Great Yarmouth, soap manu-
facturers, second dividend of 2id. in the pound, payable
at 12, Abchumh-lane, City, on Saturday, April 23, and
three subsequent Saturdays.
William Benning and John Girton Gilleat, of Fleet-
street, booksellers, second dividend of sid. the pound,
payable at 2, Basinghall-street, on any Wednesday.
Sinckler Porter, of Chester, attorney-at-law, second divi-
dend of 2.id. in the pound, payable at 11, Eldon-chambers,
S o
Johnu t h J och
rnessswae,
at
jLaotbihvoi
eiernr pegi
first
Royal
dividend
NewtoniAv iin.(cieandTdeh,
South John-street, Liverpool, on any Thursday.
ell
Richard Blundell, of Liverpool, distiller, third dividend
of 20. in thee ound, payable at 11, Eldon-chambers,
urofN Hall,
4d ae
Nwycorst
5-12d.thi Northumber-
land,
in.mu pb
theoenr
pound,lari d ,
payable
Tyne, on Saturday, April 23, and any subsequent Satur-
day.
Robert llennie, late of Lidford, Devonshire, barrack
master, a dividend of 3s. sd. in the pound, payable at 5,
Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Richard Wade, late of Chatham, linendraper, a dividend,
of 2s. 4Ad. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin-
coln's inn.
James Haliburton, jun., of Commercial-road, Lambeth
clerk in the Admiralty, a dividend of ls. 90. (making ss.
2id.) in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-
inn.

John Pritchard Smith, late of Pontypool, Monmouth-
shire, skinner, a dividend of 6s. 10d. in the pound, payable
at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Richard Morse, late of Gloucester, boot and shoemaker,
a dividend of is. 14d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-
street, Lincoln's-inn.
John Albinson, jun., late of Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire,
iron founder, a dividend of .4d. in the pound, payable at
5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's inn.
George Edward Cocksege, late of Frindsbury, Kent, lieu-
tenant in her Majesty's Royal Navy, on half-pay, a divi-
dend of 4s. Bd. (making 10s. 11d.) in the pound, payable at
5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn.
Henry William Neville, jun., late of Deptford, mate of
a steam-ship, a dividend of ls. 84d. in the pound, payable
at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Robert Douglas, late of Clay Gate, Surrey, colonel in
the army, a dividend of 4s. (making 2s. M.) in the pound,
payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Peter Smith, late of Hoo, Kent, lieutenant on half-pay,
a dividend of 3s. Od. (making ss. 9d.) in the pound, payable
at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Thomas Powis, of Crimscott-street, Bermondsey, City,
fruit meter, a dividend of 2d. (making ls. 4id.) in the
pound, payable at 5, Portugal street, Lincoln's-inn.
William Dickson, of Tillotson-puce, Waterloo-bridge.
road, Surrey, clerk in the Admiralty-office, Somerset-
house, a dividend of Is. 2d. (making 2s. 114 d.) in the pound,
payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Thomas Henry Carstairs, of 81, Lombard-street, City,
professor of writing, a dividend of ls. 5t,,d, in the pound,
payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
John Daniell, of 86, Harrison-street, Gray's-inn-lane,
auctioneer, a dividend of 3s. 6d. in the pound, payable at
5, Portugal-street, Lincoln'i inn.
Augustus Grafton, of 14, Sheffield-terrace, Kensington,
secretary to a diorama, a dividend of 7s. 9d. in the pound
payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn. ,
William Durand Cooper, of 21, King's-row, Walworth
time-keeper on the London, Brighton, and Dover Railway,
a dividend of 3s. 9d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal.
street, Lincoln's-inn.
Charles Dore, of Austin-friars, City, clerk, a dividendoi
3s. 2d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin.
coin's-inn.

James Turner Powell, of Middleton-square, Clerkenwell,
clerk in the Paymaster-General's office, a dividend of ls. ld.
in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
Henry Martin, late of Havant, Hants, licensed victualler,
a dividend of 10s. 10id. in the politic', payable at 5, Por-
tugal-street, Lincoln's-in n .
Edward Evans, late of Great Turner-street, Commercial-
road East, painter, a dividend of 7s. 3d. (making lrs. 7d.)
in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
William Inwood, late of Abingdon, Berkshire, grocer,
a streetdenLinco of Gs. 5d..
in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-
William ns-inn
Grix, late of Brighton, schoolmaster, a dividend
of 74d. in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lin-
coln's-inn.
Walter Bullen, late of Garden-street, Stepney, locker in
her Majesty's Customs, dividend of ss. Bd. (making 13s. Bd.)
in the pound, payable at 5, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn.
William Everett, late of Salisbury•street, Portman-mar-
ket, superannuated clerk of Chelsea Hospital, dividend of
3s. 3d. (making 14s. in the pound), payable at 5, Portugal-
street, Lincoln's-inn.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
Archibald Kintrea and Edward Capps, of Cross-street
South, Great George-street, Bermondsey, soap-makers—
Thomas Morris, Thomas Jones, and Peter Basset, of Liver-
pool, woollen-drapers (so far as regards T. Morris)—Purton
Weston and Trayton Weston, of Haddonham, Bucking.
hamshire, drapers—W. Chadwick and E. Chadwick, of
Batley Carr, Yorkshire, joiners—J. Priddy and R. P.
Priddy, of 7, Dockhead, cheesemongers —Henry R. Linnell
and W. Rigby, of Macclesfield, tanners—Nathaniel W.
Thompson, Robert P. Downing, and Patrick M'Anaspie, of
Liverpool, cement manufacturers—Jardine, Matheson, and
Co., of- China, merchants (so far as regards Alexander
Matheson)—Michael Longridge, William Smith Longridge,
Robert Bewick Longridge, Charles John Longridge, Henry
Gordon Longridge, and Thomas Stirling Begbio, of Bed-
lington, Northumberland engineers (so far as regards T.
S. Begbie)—William Harris and Michael Smith, of West
Bromwich, Staffordshire, millers—Joseph Lief, Alfred
Carter, and William Henry Grove, of 33, Queen-street,
Soho, jewel-case manufacturers (so far as regards W. H.
Grove)—EdwardLarchin, Edward Johnson Seaton, William
Haldimand Prinsep, Josias Bracken Canning Alexander,
and Henry Barnardiston Raymond Barker, of Ratcliffe-
cross, brewers (so far as regards H. Larchin)—John Smith
and George Dawes, of Southampton and Salisbury, car-
riers—Ernest Leviny and Frederic Booke, of 86, New-
man-street, Oxford-street, jewellers, Richard Scovell,
John Scovell, and James Warner, of Hambell, South-
ampton, shell-fish merchants (so far as regards John.
Scovell)—Benjamin Vezey and Charles Shell, of Muddi-
ford, Hampshire, farmers—Henry Jenkins and Matthew
Jenkins, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, conlectioners—William
Drane and Josiah Corrie' of 43, Ludgate-hill, jewellers—
Peter Clayton, jun., and Charles Augustus Cordingley, of
Manchester, cotton spinners—Thomas Earle, Thomas Web-
ster Harby, and Henry Earle, of London, contractors—A.
Gabrielli and Thomas tdmond, of 37, Old Broad-street and
Bombay, merchants—T. B. Hughes and Josiah Beazley,
of LiverpoOl, cotton brokers—Joseph Barker and William
Horwood, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, linen-drapers—Thomas
Peacock and William Towndrow, jun., of Macclesfield, hat
manufacturers—Thomas Cannon and Co., of Richmond,
Yorkshire, linendrapers—William Wallace and John Wal-
lace, of Cardiff, drapers.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
George Ainslie, of Kincardine, merchant, April 22 and
May 13, at twelve, at Marshall's Commercial Inn, Kincar-
dine.

Lord J. RUSSELL said he rose simply for the purpose
of saying that if he saw any words in the motion, which
appeared to him to contain any imputation upon the per-
sonal honour of the hon. member for Northamptonshire,
he should certainly move their omission. He did not,
however, find any such worth, and he must say that he
thought the hon. gentleman had successfully vindicated
himself by his speech. (Cheers.) He could not approve
of the revoking of the minute of 1849. In the mainten-
ance of that minute he thought a great public principle
was involved ; for upon promotion for merit only depended
the efficiency of the service. (Hear.) It was quite need-
less to vindicate the character of the Duke of Northum-
berland, upon which no imputation could rest. (Hear.)
Captain DUNCOMBE said, though a personal friend of
Sir Baldwin Walker, he thought there were some discre-
pancies in his evidence, and these he had no doubt would
be explained.
Mr. NEWDEGATE deprecated an inquiry before a
select committee, when there had been an opportunity of
examining witnesses on oath before the election committee.
Mr. M. MILNER wished the hon. baronet who had in-
troduced this motion to leave out of the inquiry all the
circumstances connected with the appointment of Wells
and Cotsell, which would only serve to keep up an unne-
cessary agitation in the dockyard. (Hear, hear.)
Sir B. HALL was willing to strike out all the wards
after the word " borough" in one part of the resolution, as
had been suggested by two honourable members ; but he
could not consent to strike out anything else. (Hear.)
The motion, as amended, was then put from the chair
and agreed to without a division.
Sir B. HALL said he hoped the house would have no
objection to allow the committee of selection to name the
members to serve on this committee. (Hear, hear.)
CHURCH RATES.
Mr. PHILLIMORE said he had a motion on the paper
for leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the law re-
lating to church rates, but at that late hour it could not
bo expected that ho should go on with it. He hoped,
however, as he had given way in favour of the motion
which had just been disposed of, the Government would
find it convenient to name a day when he could bring his
motion foward. (Hear, hear.)
Lord J. r
RUSSELL was understood to reply that the
hon. and learned gentleman should have Thursday.
MALDON ELECTION.
to issue a com
Lord R. GROSVENOR moved an address to the Crown,
mission to inquire into the existence of cor-
rupt practices in the borough of Maldon :—Commissioners,

Charles M`Carthy, of Glasgow, surgeon, April 26 and
May 17, at two, at the Buck's Head Hotel, Glasgow.
Dennis Hayes, of Edinburgh, boot and shoemaker,
April 22 and May 13, at two, at Dowell's and Lyon's
•Rooms, Edinburgh.