The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-17 00:00:00

THE MILITIA.

The Third West York Militia will assemble in Don-
caster on Tuesday, and the permanent staff are exceed.
ingly busy making the preparatory arrangements. Pub-
lic notices have been issued that special trains will leave
Sheffield and Leeds early on Tuesday morning for the
conveyance of the men to Doncaster. The first day, no
doubt, will be occupied,in forming the men into com-
panies and delivering out the clothing, and as each man
will receive the same clothes as he wore last year, the
regiment will present a much more soldierly appearance
than they did on the last occasion. A considerable num-
ber have volunteered into the regular service, but their
places have been supplied by new recruits, and the regi-
ment will assemble in Doncaster in as strong force as it
did last year.

The Ist Regiment of Cheshire Militia, above 9oa strong,
has just completed its 28 da)s' training and exercise at
Chester, under the most favourable circumstances. The
fineness of the weather enabled the men to be exercised for
five hours daily on the racecourse, and the regiment has
made immense progress, both in battalion squad
drill, and blank ammunition practice. The regiment was ,
inspected on Friday the 7th inst., by Colonel Derinzy;
Inspecting Field Officer of the Liverpool distridt,- who
was pleased to express himself in the most unqualified
terms of praise and approbation, not only with the clean-
liness of the men and their arms and accoutrementsr but
also with their steadiness under arms, and the rapidity
and precision of their field movements, adding, in con-
clusion, that he was surprised at the extent of knowledge
and information which had been acquired in so short a
period. The regiment was complete previous to assem-
bling, but owing to numerous enlistments and some few
casualties, the numbers are at present rather deficient,
but no difficulty will be experienced in completing them,
numbers having been refused on account of the quota
having been complete.

THE SEIZURE OF VESSELS IN THE

TB AMES.

The following correspondence) has taken place
respecting the seizure of certain vessels ordered by
the Russian Government to be built by Mr. Pitcher,
of Northfleet, upon whose conduct in the affair
severe remarks were made by some of our contem-
poraries. It will be seen from the correspondence
that Mr. Pitcher was entirely blameless
Northfleet Dockyard, April q.
Sir,—Accusations having been brought against me in the
columns of the Daily AVetvs and other papers charging me
with treasonable conduct in building two ships of war for
the Russian navy (the contract for which was entered into
by me with the Russian authorities at the close of the year
1852), and also accusing me of connivance with the Russian
Government, of attempting concealment and withholding
information from the Government as to the ships building
by me at Northfleet. I have to request the hon. Board of
Admiralty will be kind enough to express their sentiments
whether I have at any time refused information and aid to
the Admiralty Board or the Surveyor of the Navy, in order
to hinder or prevent the seizure of the said ships by the
Government, or directly or indirectly refused compliance
with any request made by the Government, or withheld or
refused any information required of me with reference to
the ships in question.
I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient humble
servant, WILLIAM PITCHER.
B. Osborne, Esq., Admiralty.

Admiralty, April 11.
Sir,—With reference to your letter of the Bth inst.,
wherein you state that you have been accused of attempt-
ing concealment and withholding information from her
Majesty's Government as to the ships building by you for
the Russian Government, I am commanded by my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, that on
inquiry being made by officers from the department of the
Surveyor of the Navy as to the circumstances under• which
the two vessels in question were being built by you, you
behaved in the most candid manner, and afforded every
information, stating that they were being constructed for
the Russian Government, and that in subsequent commu-
nications with you on the subject of the transfer of these
vessels, and their equipment for the purpose of being fitted
and adapted for her Majesty's service, you have afforded
every information and facility.
Their Lordships command me to add, that so far from
having reason to complain, they are of opinion that
throughout this transaction you have behaved with perfect
candour and honour.