The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1854.

education of their children were more or less neglected.
He thought that a subject eminently deserving the conside-
ration of the Government, and he was certain the army
would never be perfectly organised so long as soldiers
abroad ]chew that their wives and children, whom they
had left behind them, would be thrown on the -*Orld
for charity during their absence. (Hear, hear, bear.)
He begged -to say a word on the increase 'of
the staff. He believed that what we called the staff of
our army in the field was one of the worst in Europe. The
reason was, that we had no opportunities for learning staff
duties, and no arrangement corresponding with the etat-
officers in the French service, except the 14 officers
went to study at Sandhurst with the view to the iNnvzjoo r
per-
formance of staff service.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, with respect to the
complaint of his hon. friend as to the appointments to the
household regiments, he had on a previous occasion stated
that the committee had reported that the three household
reeimentsof cavalry should be reserved for veteran officers
oedistinction, but they did not recommend that such an
arrangement should be insisted on with respect to the foot
guards, the appointments to which rested with the Sove-
reign, for the members of her family. In the case of the
household cavalry regiments the recommendation of the
committee had been scrupulously followed, Lord Strafford,
for example, having been appointed to one of them in con-
sideration of his long and brilliant services. With rerect
to the suggestion for an equalisation of the rates, he must
observe that the three regiments did not stand on the same
footieg as to numerical force ; and ho thought the vested
interestsi involved in the question should be respected. He
thought it was due to his royal highness to observe that
he (Mr. Sidney Herbert) hail occasion to make a proposal
to him with respect to his regiment. It had been a matter
of complaint in that li nice for a long time that theme ware
a great number of supernumerary officers in the guards,
and he (Mr. Sidney Herbert) made a proposal with respect
to those supernainerary offi..;eri which involved a sacrifice
on the part of the colonels of the guards of their patronage.
That proposal he subin'tted to his royal highness, who at
owe cousanted to relinquish his patronage. (Hear, hear.)
He thought it due to his royal highness to state that cir-
cumstance.
Mr W. WILLIAMS said that was a new fact to him, of
which he was not previously aware. (A laugh.)
Sir JOHN FITZGERALD related his own experience
in the army with respect to promotion, and contended
that some regulation ought to be introduced by which the
country might have the benefit of the services of general
officers at an earlier period of life than at present.
Lord GO DERICH called the attention of the committee
to the mode of education now adopted with respect to the
private soldier, under which he was required to attend
school only during the time when he was undergoing the
preliminary drill, the consequence being, of necessity
almost, that he acquired a dislike for the instruction he
received there. He suggested that the soldier should not
be required to attend school until after he had undergone
that preliminary drill, and then that he should do little or
nothing else for three or four montlia, an arrangement
which he (Lord Goderich) thought would tend to make
him appreciate the education the more at the time it was
imparted, and to use it afterwards as a means of relieving
the tedium of garrison duty during his subsequent service.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HUME contended that there should be some limit
to the number of general officers.
Mr. OT WAY asked whether the troops in service in
Labuan were employed and paid by the Government or by
the East India Company?
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said the Government paid

them first, and the money was afterwards repaid by the
East India Company.
Mr. J. G. PHILLIMOIIE said he could not help re-
marking at that point of the discussion, that had we adop-
ted a firm and manly tone at a much earlier period of the
negotiations on the Eastern questi 'a the same result would
have happened which followed the negociation in 1851,
when our remonstrances were backed by a fleet, and the
Emperor of Russia withdrew.
The vote was then agreed to.
Oa the vote of 3,923,288/., the estimated charge of her
M Ljesty's land forces, for service at home and abroad,
being proposed,
Mr. WILLLAMI moved that the emoluments of the
colonels of the Grenn, tier Foot Guards be reduced by
2,0001., and those of the colonels of the Fusilier Guards by
1,0001.
Colonel LINDSAY said the effect of the reduction pro-
posed by the hon. member for Lambeth would be that his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, who had nearly 3,000 men
under his command, would have to conduct his regiment
for the same sum that would be allowed to a colonel of a
regiment of the line for a single butt tilon.
Mr. HUME supported the amendment.
Lord LovAINE and Mr. M. CHAMBERS took the same
view of the proposition as Col. Lindsay.
Mr. WILLIAMS, in reply, contended that the colonei
of a regiment, whether his regiment consisted of one, two,
or three battalions, performed no duty; that his office
was, in fact, a sinecure, and considered as the reward for
distinguished services.
The amendment was negatived, and the vote agreed to.
A vote of 151,33_/. the estimated charge of general staff
officers and officers of the hospitals, was agreed to without
discussion, as was that of 105,093/. to .-efray the expenses
of the several public departments.
On the vote of 17,4011. bang proposed for the Royal
Military College.
Th- Marquis of BLANDFORD complained of the
charge of 401. a year made to the cadets of this college, and
that a revenue was derived from the establishment. Dur-
ing the last year the expenses had am-uuted to 16,4861.,
while the receipts showed an excess of 1,5441. on that sum.
Many of the widows of Officers could not afford to pay the
sum of 40/. a-year required for the education, and the be
neficient objects for which the college was founded were
thus, in part, frustrated. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that
some alteration would be made in the regulations which
wonld bring the institution more iu accordance with the
design of its original founder, the late Duke of York.
Mr. S. HERBERT said that he entertained considerable
doubt as to the propriety of affording eleemosynary educa-
tion to cadets in the army. He received constantly nume-
rous applications for admissions, and no complaints had
been made to him on the subject of the cost of the educa-
tion at the college. He thought they could not do a worse
thing for many of the widows of officers than to encourage
them to bring up their sons to so expensive a profession as
that of the army.
The Marquis of BLANDFORD stated that some of the
cadets of the "military college had turned out to be most
able and efficient officers.
Mr. HUME disagreed with the opinion which appeared
to be entertain d by the Secretary-at-War, that young
men of f a tune ought alone to be encouraged to enter the

army. It was tot much the habit of persons of that class
to outer the army merely as a profession, and whom it
suited very well so long as peace lasted, but who, when
war came, too frequently sold out. (Cries of " NO, no.")
At all events, the army was too often made a mere conve,
nience, anti the consequence was, th it many who were
really soldiers, and who felt an interest in the profession,
were deprived of the emoluments and rank which ought
prop ply t., fall to their share.
Sir G. PECHELL thought that by a reduction of the
expenses of the managem •nt of the college. some additional
facilities might be a.fforde.l for the admission and educa-
tion of orphan sons of officers in the college.
Mr. OTWAY considered it exceedingly desirable that
some steps should he taken to give increased facilities for
the orphan sons of poorer officers being educated at the
public expense.

Mr. M. CH AMB ERS said that he had hail the happiness
cif being ethic ited tt Sandhurst, and felt much interest in
the college. He could not helpthinking that 401. a-year was
too much for the officers of some orphans to be called noon to
pay, and he regretted to hear the Right Hon. the Secretary-
at-War state that gentlemenof this description might not to
enter into her Majesty's service. (Hear.) On the contrary, he
thought they were the very men who ought to be afforded
the opportunity of entering, and considered it would be an
inducement and encouragement to many officers, who were
now about to engage in foreign service, if they knew that,
in the event of losing their lives, their orph ui sons would
be educated at the public expense. (Hear, hear.) Most
sincerely did he regret to hear the right hon. gentleman
state that the British service was too expulsive a profes-
sion for gentlemen of small fortune to enter. (Hear, hear.)
{e weuld suggest to the consideration of the right hon.
gentleman whether, as Sandhurst was at present a profit-
able establishment, the sums to be paid for education
might not ho arranged according to th rank of the parents
whose orphans requited that education which was given at
the college. (Hear, hear.)
The vote was then agreed to, as were also a vote of a
sum of 20,7501. for the Royal Military Asylum and Hiber-
nian S hoots, anti a sum of 83,0301. for volunteer corps.
The next vote proposed was 20,500/. for allowances to
officers fir distinguished services.
Mr. HUME wished to know why the recommendation of
the committee with respect to the abolition of the office of
constable of the Tower hail not been acted upon'
Mr. S. HERBERT stated that a warrant had recently
been signed by her Majesty fixing the establishment at the
Tower on a reduced scale, aril, as the vacancies occurred,
the pay would be appropriated to distinguished service
pensions.

}rd J. MANNERS suggested that some plan should be
adopted for rendering the buildings of the Tower more
siAtly than they were at present, and more in accordance
with the object for which it was built.
The vote was then agreed to.
On the proposal to vote a sum of 46,000/. for the pay of
general officers, _ _

- Mr. WILLIAMS called the attention of the committee
to the number of general officers. We had at present no
fewer than 324, or 24 to each regiment. This, he thought,
was an abuse which required the attention of the Govern-
ment.

Colonel LINDSAY said the hon. member must have in-
cluded a great number of retired general officers who re-
ceived no pay. There were not now more than 243 or 244
general officers who received pay.
Mr. HUME said that he thought no more officers should
be kept up than were required, and that therefore the num-
ber of generals should be reduced to what were requisite
to meet the exigencies of the service.
The vote was then agreed to.
On the vote of 49,800/. for full pay for retired officers,
Colonel LINL•SAY complained that the promotion of
retired officers ceased at the time of their retirement. As
the number of these officers was but small, and as the
iverage number of years' service of the retired lieutenant-
colones was about 38, and of majors 3C,, it was clear that
much addition to the higher ranks could not be made by
Mowing promotion to go on. He hoped this subject would
receive the attention of the commission to which the right
honourable gentleman had alluded.
The vote was then agreed to, as was also a vote of
115,889 for widows' pensions.
the•vote of 33,6711. for foreign half-pay,
Mr. HUME expressed his fear that great abuse took
place under this head. He had heard of the case of an
,fficer who signed receipts for 13 or 14 years' half-pay in
.-vivance, and these were received by his widow after his
death.

Mr. HERBERT said that great care was taken to pre-
vent abuse, and it had of late years been usual to insist
:won personal attendance.
The vote was then agreed to ; as was also a vote of
75,5001. for the compassionate allowances, as of her Ma-
iesty's royal bounty.
On the vote of 31,6941. for the exp3uses of Chelsea and
i~iitnainham hospitals,
Mr. I. BUTT asked what steps had been taken by the
!iovernment with respect to Kilmainham Hospital in con-
sequence of the address agreed to by that house in the last
~:ssion of Parliament?

151 r. HERBERT said that, in consequence of that address,
he had, acting upon the decision of the house, prepared a
new warrant, which was now in force at Kilmainham. Ho
had made some alterations in the arrangements of the hos-
pital, in some cases attaining a reduction of expense, in all
greater eMcieney. The number of pensioners admitted this
year would be somewhat greater than it was last year ;
Midin future the number of in-pensioners would be perma-
nently kept up at 114).
Mr. Bu.TT complained that this arrangement did not
comply with the spirit of the address of last session. In
1845, the number of is pensioners at Kilmainham was fixed
at 2W, and 1284 BO MUMMA until a predecessor of the right

hon. gentleman's had altogether stopped the admission of
pensioners. The spirit of the address of last year was that
the number should be restored to what it was in 1845. He
feared that if the plan of the Government were carried
out, the good effect produced in Ireland by the address of
last year would be done away—and that, too, at a time
when it was most desirable that no Oissatisfaction should
be felt on a point of this kind, and it would be believed
that there was, on the part of Government, an intention to
curtail and tamper with everything Irish. Nor could such
an impression fail to be strengthened when it was seen that
the vote for Chelsea Hospital was increased.
Colonel DUNNE complained that the vote for the more
expensive establishment—Chelsea—was increased, while
that for the less expensive establishment—Kilmainham—
was reduced ; for no other reason, as far as he could see,
but that it was Irish. He thought that when they had
imposed upon Ireland taxation not warranted by the union,
the least they could do was to maintain her public esta-
blishments.

Mr.HUME believed that it was desirable to abolish both
Kilmainham an I Chelsea hospitals ; there was considerable
difficulty in getting in-pensioners, because the fact was the
old men lived much more comfortably with their friends
and families out of doors.

Mr. VANCE bore testimony to the excellent manner in
which Kil..minham was conducted, and to its tendency to
keep up a national spirit in Ireland. It would accommo
date 220 pensioners, and he, therefore, thought it was only
fair that the number should be kept up at 200. The popu-
larity of the establishment was very much increasing with
the pensioners.
Mr. WILLIAMS remarked that 4G officers of one kind
or another were employed in looking after 93 old soldiers
in this establishment. (A laugh.) Ho believed the pen-
sioners would be much more comfortable with their families
than as inmates of an establishment of this kind.
Mr. P. O'BRIEN said that the staff of officers to which
the hon. member for Lambeth had alluded was composed
of old soldiers and officers who had served, and deserved
well of, their country. There was a great disposition to
enter this hospital on the part of men who, having served
twenty or twenty-five years abroad, had lost sight of their
family connections, and were therefore glad to go whore
they might meet with their old comrades, who were now
their only frierlis. Ho hoped that they would not, just on
the eve of a war, by any utilitarian proceedings in that
house, repress the strong feeling which always animated
Irishmen to come forward in defence of their country.
Mr. HUME pointed out that all the officers at Kilmain-
ham could not have served their country, because their oc-
cupations showed that they had not been soldier ; besides,
some of them—the nurses, for example—were women.
Mr. BUTT said that very few of the men who were em-
ployed at Kilmainham had not served their country ; and
as for the nurses, they were the widows of men who had
served. They were, however, not then discussing the ques-
tion of the maintenance of Kilmainham Hospital; that
was decided by a vote of the house last year; and he was
sure that if the question were again raised, that decision
would be confirmed by a still larger majority. What he
desired to do was to appeal to the right hon. gentleman to
reconsider the warrant which fixed the number of the in-
mates of Kilmainham so low rs 140.
Mr. S. HERBERT said it was not correct to state that
the number of pensioners in Kilmainham Hospital had
been reduced. When he visited the establishment, the
number of inmates was 127 or 130, but he had increased
the number to 140, and the officers composing the staff
were men who had served their country abroad.
The vote was agreed to.

The remaining votes-38,0001. for superannuation allow.
anees, awl 1,215,712/. for out-pensions—were passed with-
out remark.

NAVY ESTIMATES.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM—Sir, I shall now proceed, if the
house pleases, with the navy estimates, and shall state very
shortly what is the result of our calculations for the year. On
a former evening the house consented to vote the three first
items, which are the largest in point of amount. The in-
crease in the navy estimates generally may be stated at
1,200,0001., the increase upon the three first votes whicl.
have been already passed being 711,0001. It will be satisfac-
tory to the committee to hear that the entire sum voted for
the navy estimates this year is by no means the largest sum
which has been voted within the last ten years. I think in
the year 1848-49, the entire sum voted for the navy estimates
amounted to nearly 8,000,000/. ; this year it is under
7,500,0001. At the same time, you will bear in mind that
the number of men for whom provision is made in the votes
which have been already passed amounts to 58,500, whereas
in 1848-49, when a larger sum of money was voted than in
the present year, the number of men was only 42,500. The
increase in the remaining votes is under 500,000/. Last year
the house somewhat objected to the diminution effected in
the scientific branch of the service, namely, the fifth vote,
and, notwithstanding the large expenditure which it will be
necessary to make with reference to the anticipation of ware
like operations, I thought I should best consult the wishes
of the house by not continuing the reduction upon the
scientific branch, and this year the house will observe there
is a very considerable increase. I shall state the particular
services in which that increase arises. In the first place, as
I have already announced, in answer to a question put to me
the other night by an hon. friend of mine, with reference to
meteorological observations, we propose a vote of 1,0001., in
consequence of the conference which took place at Brussels.
Observations have likewise been directed to be made and re-
corded daily in some of her Majesty's ships of war ; and iu
concert with my right lion. friend the President of the Board
of Trade, I have arranged for the taking of similar observa-
tions in the mercantile marine. These records will be care-
fully kept, the statistical information will be properly digested,
and I have uo doubt the advantage to science will be conside-
rable. In the second place, my noble friend the Secretary
for Foreign Affairs has thought it necessary to send an expe-
dition to Central Africa for the purpose of making a survey
Df the river Tchaddo., with the view of opening up the interior
of that vast continent to our commerce, and the cost of that
expedition will be 5,0001. It is also necessary to provide for
sending a supply of provisions to the Arctic regions, both to
Behring's Straits and the extremity of Wellington Sound.
The committee will probably be aware of the announcement
which the Admiralty has thought it necessary to make, that,
considering the little prospect there is now of the return of
Sir John Franklin and his gallant comrades, it is not intended,
after the present year, to send any further expeditions upon
that hopeless search ; but for the preseitt it will be necessary
to make provision for the ships already employed in that dis-
tant and hazardous service. The next vote to which I will
refer shows an increase of 200,0001. as compared with the
estimates of last year. That increase is owing to the high
price of provisions, and to the increased duties to be per-
formed in the dockyard within the shortest possible time.
The artificers employed in those establishments are now work-
ing extrahours, and their pay has consequently to be increased,
iu addition to the expense attending the employment of a
larger number of unskilled labourers. The next increase is

upon the naval stores ; it amounts to 119,721€., and arises

chiefly from the high price paid for articles principally con-
sumed in the dockyards such as coal and other commodities,
the consumption of which pis very large. The next item to
which 1 shall refer is an increase of 115,0001. upon new
works. This increase principally arises from the expenditure
at Keyham, in the immediate neighbourhood of the arsenal
at Devonport, where a considerable sum will require to be
expended in the present year. It is proposed to give a sum
of 60,0Q01. to complete the two docks and basin; 50,000/.
will ,be " requisite for the commencement of the works for
the repair of steamships of war, and 10,0;10/. will be ex-
pended upon the tunnel between Devonport dockyard and
Keyham. The only remaining sum to which I shall allude
in vote 17, in which the increase is 72,0001., which is con-
nected with the army and ordnance, and which is the sum
taken for the conveyance of troops within the year. I may
state to the house that, upon the whole, my confident expec-
tation is, that the entire sum which I now propose to be voted
will cover the expenses of the present amount of the forces,
with the exception, perhaps, of two particulars. I am not
quite sure that another vote may not be necessary under the
head of No. 2---for provisions —the price of which keeps per-
petually rising. lam inclined to think, also, with respect to
the expenditure under vote 17, for the conveyance of troops,
that a larger sum will be necessary at a subsequent period of
the session. Now, sir, I know not that it is necessary for
me, before going into the discussion of the votes separately,
to address any further observations to the committee. I cer-
tainly do not think it expedient to make any vain-glorious
boast in regard to the state of preparation in which we now
find ourselves; but, in justice to my predecessors, you must
a:low me to state that I found the affairs of the department
in admirable order, all the branches in good working condi-
tion, and all the servants zealous and efficient. One great
change is now in progress—the application of the screw as an
auxiliary power to sailing vessels ; and I would not be doing
justice to my predecessors if I did not state that the first ap-
plication of that principle took place under the administration
of my noble friend the Earl of Haddington, on the recommen-
dation of the present Surveyor of the Navy, to whom the
greatest merit is due for promoting so vast an improvement
in the face of much opposition. My right hon. friend the
member for Portsmouth is also deserving of the thanks of the
country for the efforts he made while at the head of the Ad-
miralty to increase the efficiency of our naval forces; and I
would be guilty of great injustice to the administration of
my noble friend the Duke of Northumberland, if I did not say
that to his grace, acting upon the advice of Sir Baldwin
Walker, we owe the application of the screw principle to a
large number of ships of war. Whatever may be said, there-
fore, of the state of preparation in which our naval forces
now are, the praise is to be distributed among my prede-
cessors, who have introduced great and decided improve-
ments into all the branches of that department of the public
service. The result is, sir, that without over-confidence, I
may assure the house, that I believe the British navy will
be found more efficient than ever it was before, and ready
and prepared to maintain the honour and independence of
the country. (Hear, hear.)
On the vote of 138,4671. for the Admiralty-office,
Captain ,COBELL thought there was no one in the nation
who would be more worthy to be a permanent First' Lord of
the Admiralty than the right hon. gentleman who now filled
the office ; but it would be well if they could divest the office
of all Parliamentary influence, and apply to it the principle
which was laid down in the paragraph used with respect to
the dockyards—that merit, and merit only, should be the
ground for advancement. The present system of naval offi-
cers certainly required great change and alteration. They
had 7,000 officers of all descriptions (not including midship-
men or mates), and 250 or 260 admirals, and about 400 post-
captains. There was no way, in his opinion, to bring the
navy into an efficient state, even in war time, than by at least
reducing their active list one-half. In consequence of having
so large a list, the officers were four or five years on shore for
everyone, they were at sea ; and some of the admirals, when
they hoisted their flags, had been a quarter of a century on
shore. There were 3,000 officers on the retired list, and
1,690 admirals, captains, and lieutenants, of whom a great
many would ni ver go afloat again; and the navy list was
kept crowded without any good to it whatever. He would
glance at an arrangement that was made some years ago, and
which required some alteration. It was now required that
every post-captain should serve a certain number of years in
a post-ship, or otherwise ; when he came to the head of the
list, he would be put on the retired list, and would not be
employed iu active service. It would be well to take into
recollection the whole service of each man. Some of those
who were set aside had served much longer as midshipmen,
two or three times the period as lieutenants, and three or
four times the period as commanders; but because they had
not siirved six years as post-captaius, they were not consi-
dered fit to be made admirals. Such men might have been
twenty years afloat, 'when those who were made admirals be-
cause they had served the six years might not have been more
than thirteen or fourteen years afloat. He hoped he should
live to see the day when the navy would be more effi-
cient, and that could only be done by its being esta-
blished on a system. They had voted that night some-
thing more than Si. per man for raising 18,900 soldiers, and
it was not fair or equitable not to offer an equal bounty to
seamen as they did to the soldiers and to the marines
who served with the seamen. They wanted 7,000 men for
the navy, and they offer 51. per head to come to them. -The
nature of the sailors was this—they were generally in, want of

cash—(laughter)—and if they told them there was ready '
money for them, which would enable them to put on a new
suit of clothes, they were likely to accept of it. (Hear.) As
to enteriug landsmen, he protested against it. He did not
mean to say that no landsmen should be on board ship ; but
if ever they had even a moiety of landsmen in blue jackets,
farewell to their triumphs. (Hear.) They would have them
tumbling off the yards, and they would have many more ac-
cidents. They were told they were on the verge of a war, and
he darcsay they were. He trusted and believed the navy
would do their duty. (Hear.) They never had such power-
ful ships, and he only hoped they would have such good crews
as they had during the last war. (Hear.) It should be,
however, observed, that the best crews did not shake into
their places for some months, and they could not expect that
ships would all at once be as effective as if they had been in
commission for 6 or 8 months. It required time to enable the
offiJeni to judge of them, and to put them in their places.
Some remarks had been made, reflecting on the conduct of
the ambassador at Constantinople (he would leave him to take
care of himself), and also on the conduct of the admirals.
Comments had been made as to why they went here and there:
but they should recollect the dangers that must occur in an
unknown sea of narrow' dimensions, where the fleets of two
nations were cruising together ; and the best thing to do dur-
ing the dark nights and bad weather was to do what had been
done—ta keep up a chain of steamers between themselves
and Sebastopol, let the Russians go to sea, and then get be-
tween them and Sebastopol and stop them. Some of the gen-
tlemen who commented upon these matters had never seen a
gale at sea. (A laugh.) With respect to the Baltic, he had
served there three years, and had been at the blockade of
Cronstadt. At that time they were at war with Denmark,
Sweden, and Russia. The enemy managal to get in, and all
they could do was to blockade them. Whether their screws
would do more he could not say, but they kept the enemy in,
end they never attempted to get out. He hoped for more de-
cided results somewhere in the Black Sea or iu the Baltic.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY was desirous to put a question re-
lating to the affair at Sinope.
The CHAIRMAN reminded the hon. baronet that the ques-
tion had no reference to the vote under consideration.
In answer to an HON. MEMBER,
Sir J. GRAHAM said, orders had been sent to the officer in
command of the Plover, leaving him to exercise his discretion
whether ho would stay one winter more, or return when the
ice sets in.
Mr. HUME hoped the Government would consider the ad-
vancement in other branches of her Majesty's service when
leafing with the seamen, being convinced that they could not
get the best men without giving a fair price.
Sir J. GRAHAM spoke in so low a tone as to be almost in-
audible. He was understood to refer to the advancement in
the pay of the navy by the late Board of Admiralty, and the
regulations with respect to punishment which had been
adopted, as improvements which had resulted in a consider-
able accession of naval volunteers. Notwithstanding the
general rise in seamen's wages, and the emigration from all
parts of the United Kingdom, the royal service had become so
popular that since November, 1852, 7,000 additional seamen
and 1,800 marines had been entered, showing that there was
no necessity at the present time for any bounty. The hon.
member was in error in supposing a bounty of 51. would only
involve the sum of 35,000/. for the 7,000 fresh volunteers.
By a just law the Admiralty would be bound to give the same
bounty to the seamen already entered, and that would amount
to at least 200,0001, (Hear.) The spirit of the seafaring
population was above all praise, and, as a proof of the alacrity
with which the men came forward, he was happy to say they
'ead in the month of February entered no less than 900 men
i)37 voluntary enlistment alone, and volunteers were still
coming in as quickly as they could desire, (Hear, hear.)
Admiral Sir G. PECHELL agread with Sir James Graham
that there was no fear of any want of seamen. He was glad
to find that the operation of the act with regard to the Coast
,luard had answered, but he still doubted if they obtained all
the benefits from it which were expected. Ho had, however,
the strongest hope and belief that the ships would be able
to perform those duties which the country expected of them,
and he felt fully justified in saying at no former periol in the
.iistory of this country had the navy been in such excellent
condition. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the injustice of
placing captains who had not been six years at sea, when
;hey came to the head of their list, on what was called the
!eserved list, and not upon the list for active service as
tdmirals, it had been fully discussed in the other House of
Parliament, though he had not observed it stated that some-
times the captains got better situations, and did not apply for
any appointment to ships in commission. The First Lord had
given them reason to believe all ships would be required to
perform service in the Baltic and Black Sea, but he hoped
come attention would be paid to the suppression of the slave
',rade, which could only be done effectually by a blockade of
the coast of Cuba. He hoped the Admiralty had taken such
)recautions as to leave a sufficient number of ships for the
purpose, for he observed the present captain-general of Cuba
:tas determined to prevent the importation of slaves--
Lord J. MANNERS rose to order. The chairman had pre-
vented the honourable member for Evesham discussing the
'Weir at Sinope. Surely the slave trade of Cuba was quite as
rregular. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said the gallant admiral was connecting
it with the administration of the Admiralty.
Sir G. PECHELL considered the interruption of the noble
lord very unnecessary, and really thought the honourable
iaronet (Sir H. Willoughby) might have discussed the dread-
:ul catastrophe at Sinope, as the Admiralty had seat a fleet
to the neighbourhood without appealing to the chairman at
ill on the matter. (A laugh.) Perhaps some discussion of
that subject would have been of advantage in preventing the
recurrence of so great a calamity. (Cries of "go on, go on.")
It was satisfactory to find that the screw propeller was now
:;o be applied to all the vessels of the royal navy. He hoped
the right honourable gentleman would not forget the subject
if the freight-money receivable by officers in the navy. He
wished to ask the right hon. gentleman whether that valuable
ertiele, marine glue, so useful in the construction of the masts'
if line-of-battle ships, and of the larger class of vessels gene-
rally, was made use of in the navy ? This glue also enabled
them to get rid of the process of caulking, and the use of
pitch on board of our vessels, which in tropical climates
caused a very offensive nuisances injurious to the healths of
the crews.
Sir J. GRAHAM would begin first with the glue. (A
laugh.) He had the greatest pleasure in telling the gallant
member that so far from the Ilse of that article being discon-
tinued in the navy, it still proved a very efficacious and
Ilscellent material, which was used very largely, and effected
a great saving to the public. The practice with regard to
freight-money, to which the gallant member referred, had
been superseded in a great degree by the course of events ;
and he was not aware that any instance of it had occurred for
considerable period. There was another observation of the
;anent gentleman which he could not allow to pass unnoticed.
it would be very undesirable that it should be supposed in
!Africa and Cuba that on account of the naval exertions the
country was called on to make, we had the least intention of
relaxing our efforts in suppressing the slave trade. He (Sir
J. Graham) had great pleasure in iuforming the house that be
sad not withdraw from the African station a single ship, and
he had no intention to do so. The flag-ship would be replaced
by a most efficient screw-steamer ; and the directions of the
admiral were to keep a close watch, the earnest resolution of
the Government being that the efforts and vigil ince of the
squadron in [suppressing the slave trade should not undergo
ruy diminution, (Hear.)
Mr. W. WILLIAMI said that there were 243 clerks in the
Admiralty, the number of messengers being 67, which he
thought an excessive number in proportion to the staff of
clerks.

Lord D. STUART had thought that it was perfectly regu-
lar for the hon. baronet (Sir H. Willoughby) to make remarks
on the subject of the affair at Sinope, or other events in the
Greek waters, upon a vote for the Admiralty salaries ; and
ctertainly, if it had been known before the house went into
,;ommittee that such a discussion would proceed, he believed
that the house would not have been allowed to go into com-
mittee so soon. However, the chairman having ruled it
otherwise, it was their duty to bow to his decision. He was
;lad that from the improvements which had been recently in-
troduced into the navy, and the reduction which had been
made in corporal punishments, little difficulty was now ex-
perienced in manning our fleet. He believed, however, that
the service would be rendered still more popular if the odious
and unconstitutional practice of impressment were altogether
abolished. By adopting that course the Government would
also prove to our enemies and to the world the confidence
they could place in the patriotism and good feeling of our
maratime population, to come forward voluntarily and spon-
taneously to man our fleet

In answer to an honourable member,
Sir J. GRAHAM said that there was no intention on the
part of the Admiralty to supply her Majesty's ships with
Colt's revolvers.
The vote was then agreed to, and it was resolved that the
Chairman should report progress, and ask leave to sit again
on Monday.
The house then resumed.
TOWNS IMPROVEMENT (IRELAND).

The Towns Improvement (Ireland), and the Improvement
of Towns (Ireland) Bills, were severally read a second time,
and ordered to be committed, Lord NAAS suggesting, with
respect to tho Ministerial measure, that as a very short period
had elapsed since its introduction, sufficient time ought to be
allowed, before it proceeded another stage, to enable his con-
stituents, and others interested, to consider its provisions.
COLONIAL CLERGY DISABILITIES.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, in moving for leave to bring
.n a bill to relieve the colonial clergy from certain disabilities,
said he should confine himself at that late hour, to a very
brief statement of the object of the measure, of the way in
which it was proposed to attain it, and of the reasons which
made it necessary that some such measure should be passed.
There was at present a great deal of doubt as to the legality
of the colonial clergy meeting together for the purpose of
agreeing, either among themselves or in conjunction with the
lay members of the Church, upon any regulations or arrange-
ments which might be necessary for the conduct of their
ecclesiastical affairs. Honourable members who were present
at the discussion of the question that took place iu the pre-
ceding Parliament would remember that disability arose--or
was supposed, and he thought justly, to arise—out of a
statute passed in the reign of King Henry VIII., and which
prohibited the clergy from meeting together for the pur-
pose of making any order, canon, or constitution, without
being summoned for that purpose by the king. That statute
had become part of the supremacy of the Crown, and as the
supremacy was held to extend over the whole country as
well as to any foreign possession, there was very good
reason, he thought, for the apprehension that the colonial
clergy—carrying with them, as they did, the obligation
of obedience to that statute—would be acting in viola-
tion of the law if they attempted any meeting, either
by themselves or jointly with the laity, for the purpose of
making any ecclesiastical regulation or arrangement. (Hear.)
The effect of this disability was to press very hardly on the
clergy, and to place the Church of England in the colonies in
a position very far inferior to the freedom possessed by reli-
gious bodies of every other denomination. It became abun-
dantly necessary, therefore, that some step should bo taken,
not for making any church establishments in the colonies,
but for giving to the Church of England there the same free-
dom which was enjoyed by other communions. It was unfair
to place the clergy iu a position of inferiority to other reli-
gious bodies in countries where they had not the same tribu-
nals to appeal to which were available to their brethren in
this country; and it was necessary that the disability should be
removed, because in the present state of things it was impos-
ble to have the mutual relations between the clergy and their
bishops defined and carried out. The result was that the
bishop exercised despotic power ; and he might deprive a
clergyman of his license, and, with his license, of the stipend
which he received from the colonial legislature—taking away
from him his whole ecclesiastical and clerical status, and, iu
fact, depriving him altogether of his privileges, without his
having any opportunity of appal. (Hear, Tho bishops
were reluctant to exercise this power ; the clergy felt them-
selves oppressed by the existence of a power which was not
regulated by a legal cheek ; and it had been very generally
felt, ou a variety of occasions, that some legislation was neces-
sary. (Hear.) The difficulty in legislating appeared to be to
confine the bill to the mere object of removing the disability,
without proceeding by implication to do what he be'ieved
would be very generally deprecated, giving the clergy and
laity the power, when assembled, to make laws ; or impart-
ing to any regulations on which they might agree, the force
of an Imperial enactment. (Hear.) In the bill which he had
prepared he had endeavoured to collect what he believed to
be the prevaling sentiment on both sides of the house ; for
lie had found, on both sides, a concurrent expression of
opinion that it was absolutely necessary that there
should be legislative interference, but that it should be
expre3sly confined, to conferring upon the Church a liberty

correspondent with that enjoyed by other religious sects.
To that purpose it was strictly limited ; and therefore
while it took away from the clergy, while in the colonies and
doing spiritual duty there, the disability to meet, either by
themselves or with their lay brethren, for the purpose of
dealing with their ecclesiastical affairs, it was careful to
provide that no authority should be conferred, or derived
by implication from the statute which could give to any
regulations made at any of these meetings any binding force,
unless, indeed, they were confirmed by an act of the colonial
legislature. These were the general features of the bill,
which he hoped would meet with the assent of both sides of
the house.

Mr. HENLEY said that he would not oppose the introduc-
tion of the bill, but he must reserve to himself the right of
judging of the measure when the bill was printed. He was
afraid that it might be open to the objection that it did little
else than relieve the clergy in the colonies from the supremacy
of the Crown.

Mr. JOHN PHILLIMORE said that the measure would not
abolish the supremacy of the Crown, but would merely place
the Church of England in the colonies in the same position
as other religious bodies. It was a melancholy thing that
this boon should have come so late, and he thanked the
Government for having taken up a question with which all
previous Governments had been unable or unwilling to
grapple.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that there was no more
reason to fear that by this measure the clergy would be re-
lieved from the supremacy of the Crown than from their
obedience to the laws of England.
The bill was brought in and read a first time.
OATHS BILL.

The order for the second reading of this bill on Monday
next was discharged ; and the second reading was fixed for
Friday, 24th of March.
The house adjourned at ten minutes after ono o'clock.

of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Asprey, Bedford-row.
James Kingston, draper and leather seller, Reading,
March 15, at half-past twelve, and April 10, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee ; Ashunt
and Son, Old Jewry.
William Stratford Vaile, licensed victualler, East Green-
wich, Kent, March 15, at two, awl April 10, at twelve, at
the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee ;
Corner, Tooley-street.
William Kidston and Filmier Kidston, medical fitters,
North-street, Mile End, March 9, at eleven, and April 11,
at twelv -, at the Court of Bankrupt,37. Bell, official as-
signee, Coleman-street-buildings ; Cattarns, Mark-lane.
William Miles, shipowner, King's Lynn, Norfolk,
March 4 at twelve, and April 7 at one, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Wilkin, Furnival's-inn.
Thomas Broomfield. butcher, Worcester, March 11 and
27, at ten, at the Birmingham District Court. Bittleston,
official assignee, Birmingham ; Knipe, Worcester, Mot-
teram and Knight, Birmingham.
James Bough, carpet manufacturer, Kidderminster,
March 8, and April 4, at twelve, at the Birmingham
District Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Birming-
ham ; Brinton, Kidderminster ; Reece, Birmingham.
Samuel Ratcliffe, whitesmith, Stanningley, Yorkshire,
March 7 and April 4, at twelve, at the Leeds District
Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Naylor, Leeds.
John Matthews Bayley, beerseller,• Wheaton Aston,
Stafford, March 6 and 27, at ten, at the Birmingham Dis-
trict Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ;
Slaney, Newcastle-under-Lyne ; Motteram and Knight,
Birmingham.
John Ducker, beerseller, Bilston, Warwick, March
and 27, at ten, at the Birmingham District Court. Whit-
more, official assignee, Birmingham; East, Birmingham.

SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.

Richard Murdoch, baker;Stirling.
John Mackenzie Ross, ironmonger, Inverness.
Walter Mercer, woollen manufacturer, Jedburgh.
Thomas Gardner, brickmaker, Glasgow.
Charles Watt, innkeeper, Bridge of Allan.
INSOLVENT PETITIONERS.

C. S. Gamlyn, Carpenter-place, Berkeley-square, and
Grosvenor-mews, builder—J. Dedmau, Oxford-row, Old
Kent-road, cheesemonger—W. Haynes, Rockingham-place,
New Kent-road, shoemaker—H. C. Biggs, Cumberland-
place, Newington-butts, hosier—S. J. Christmas, Cross-
street, Walworth, chemist—W. Collens, Ranelagh-grove,
Pimlico, dealer in horses—J. Gregg, Ealing and Brentford,
Middlesex, inspector of weights and measures—Harriett
Hill, Charlotte-street, Islington, lodging-house keeper—
A. Maugham, Battersea, Surrey, beer shop keeper—F.
Hill, Modeni-terrace, Old Kent-road, carpenter—H. Jessop,
St. Albans-place, Paddington, cow keeper—J. B. Cash,
Cannon-street, St. George's East, beer shop keeper—J. G.
Kammerer, Cranbourne-street, St. Martin's, coffee house
keeper.