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

•
LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 30, 1853.

LONDON AND COUNTY ASSURANCE
COMPANY.
AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the Share-
holders and Members of this Company will be held at the Chief
Offices, 484, New Oxford-street, on Wednesday neat, the 4th of May,
at two o'clock precisely, to elect
F ad
Rditional Directors.
ED. LAWRANCE, Manager.

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

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS, TRAFALGAR F TARE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the
EXHIBITION will Open on MONDAY next, the 24 of May,
at Twelve o clock.
Admission, Ono Shilling. Catalogue, One Shilling.
JOAN PRESCOTT KNIGHT, R.A., Sec.
Exhibitors and Students may receive their Tickets and Catalogues
by applying at the Academy on Monday, after 12.

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

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COPPER MINING
COMPANY.
The Committee of Management have the satisfaction of inform-
ing the Shareholders that the -hip Caro:ine, epic ally chartered Ity
this Company, &vied from FalmOath on the 15th inst., having on
board 17 Miners and Mechanics, and 500 tons of moat approved
machintry, tools, and stort,s,
the Engineers and superior Officers of the Company, with the re-
mainder of the Staff, will be dispatched by the ship Agra on the
10th of May.
A detailed Report of the position and prospects of the Company
will soon be printed, rnd may be had on application at the Offices of
the Company.

J. THOMPSON, Chairman.
London, 17, Gracecharch-street, 221 April, 1853.

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

ALLSOPP'S PALE ALE.—I refer the learned
to Baron Liebig, the temperate to Dr. Carpenter, invalids to
the medical profession, and the robust to the best clul3s of London
for the merits of my stock of ALLSOPP'S AE. The " Thirsty
Soul and " Constant Reader " of the " Times"L I can also satisfy
with my Imperial Measure.
Bottles (quarts) • • • • •..•
Do. (pints) •• ............ •• •• ...• .. 55. „
Kilderkins (18 gallons).. •• ... • ........ 305.
lIARRINGTON PARKER,
Beer-Merchant, 51, Pall-mall.

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

OUR BUDGET FOR THE SEASON
must be the ea,siest to understand and the most areciated,
because of its application in the most profitable and seasonable man-
ner to every individual in society. Its coatento are variety, abun-
dance, superior quality, and unparalleled cheapness ; reductions in
prices, and improvements in the style and comfort of Spring and
Summer Attire ; and all the requisities and elegancies of Dress de-
sired by all classes are brought out with brilliancy, beauty, perfec-
tion, and cheapness. To say our "Budget" contains some excellent
Styles and some remarkable features is purely unnecessary ; it con-
tains every novel invention which practical experience and the polite
customs of society will approve, and every feature which a mighty
progress in skill and commerce can produce. We, therefore, the
proprietors of the largest Clothing Business in the world. invite
attention to New Styles of Dress in countless succession, for gentle-
men and their sons, for mechanics, and all others who are making a
change in the 'r wardrobe suitable for the present season, and only
repeat a well known fact, " That every kbod of Dress procured at E.
MOSES aid SON'S is the newest and neatest, the most serviceable
and comfortable, as well as the cheapest which can be obtained.
E. MOSES and SON'S Spring and Summer Hats, Caps, Hosiery,
&c., &c., are sp'endid exhibitions of the richest and the best
Goods. They have been selected from every distiaguished manufac-
tory, British and Foreign, and are as much celebrated for their sty e,
quality, and superior finish, as they are for being the cheapest Goods
in the world.
THE TIME AND POINT OF EMIGRATION.
This is the Time, and Australia is the Point to which thousands
are about to steer. Everyone has Time to examine his Outfit and
the Clothing he will require at the Establishment of E. MOs,ES and
SON. A separate department Is kept where the Goods are arranged
for inspection ; and every article required is furnished in the best
quality at the lowest price.
The Largest Wholesale Clothing Establishment in the world is that
of E. MOSES and SON, where Merchants, Captains, and Emigrants
may at any moment make the most suitable and profitable invest-
ments.
Full Lists of Outfits for Ladles and Gentlemen, and Ship-sailing
information, may be had on application, or post-free to any part of
the kingdom.
SPECIAL NOTICE, to prevent disappointment. —The Establish-
ments will be Closed tie whole day, FRIDAY. April 29, but will Re-
open as usual on the evening of Saturday, April 30.
CAUTION.—E. MOSES and SON regret having to guard the
public against imposition, having learned that the tentradesman-like
falsehood of " Being connected with their Establishment," or " It's
the same concern," has been resorted to in many instances, and for
obvious reasons, they beg to state that they have
No CONNEXION WITH ANY OTHER HOUSE IN OR OUT OF LONDON,
except their own Establishments, as follows :
London City Establishment, 154, 155, 156, and 157, Minortes, 83,
84, 85; and 85, Aldgate, opposite the Church, all communicating.
London West-end Branch, 51,5, 507, 508, New Oxford-street, I, 2,
3, Hart-street, all communicating.
Bradford (Yorkshire) Branch, 19 nd 20, Bridge-street.
Sheffield Branch, 30, 5 ar.tate.
'Merchant Tailors, Clothiers, Hatters, Hosiers, Furriers. Boot and
Shoe Sinkers, and General Outfitters for Ladies and Gentlemen.
I NE PO It 'CANT —Should any article not give satisfaction, it will he
exchanged if desired, or, if preferred, the money will be returned
without hesitation. AU goods are marked in plain figures, the lowest
price, from which no abatement can be made.
The Establishments are closed from sunset Friday to sunset on
Saturdays, when business is resumed tell 12 o'clock.
A new Book, " The Herald of the Seasons," containing full lists
of prices, our system of self-measurement, facts relative to Australia,
advice to emigrants, &c., may be had on application, or post-free to
any part of the kingdom.
A handsome Almanac for the year ending 1853 can be had gratis,
on application.

let Fon parleFraneats.
liter spricht man DeuLach.

Qui si parla Italian.
Aqua se habil' Espanol

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

Mr. W. M. Rice, now master shipwright at Pembroke
Dockyard, has been appointed to the vacancy at Wool-
wich caused by the decease of Mr. Oliver Lang, and Mr
C. W. Lang has been nominated to Pembroke. We
believe that these appointments will give satisfaction not
only to the public, but to all who are officially connected
with these gentlemen.
The Rev. W. L. Onslow has received his appointment
as chaplain and naval instructor to the Duke of Wel-
lington at Portsmouth.
The Argus and Basilisk, steamers, are ordered to pre-
pare to accompany the Leander to New York. The
Basilisk is commanded by the son of tho Earl of Elles-

PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 29.
The Queen and Court are expected to arrive here to•
norrow en route to Osborne. Lord Adolphus Fitz-
clarence will be in attendance on her Majesty, and hoist
his broad pendant on board the Royal yacht.
The Odin, 16, paddle, Captain Francis Scott, returned
to Spithead last evening, having gone across the bay as
far as Vigo. We are happy to report that the voyage
has shaken off the sickness ~on board. Her machinery
will want overhauling, and she will come into harbour
for such purpose.
The Conflict, 8, screw, has landed her ordinary pro-
peller, and taken on board ene of Boomerang construc-
tion, which does not appear to be of more than one-third
the weight. She will fit this to-morrow, and on Monday
try its merits at the measure mile.
The London, 90, Captain Charles Ede, will require
caulking her topsides, which will be done at Spithead.
We understand she is fearfully short of hands.
The Vulcan, 6 (screw iron troop-frigate), Commander
Von Dmiop, will be paid wages to-morrow (Saturday) ;
her crew to be granted a few days' leave of absence.—
Qy. How many will return
The African, steam-tug, came into harbour this morn-
ing from Sheerness with volunteers for the ships at this
port, having landed which, she steamed on with others
to Devonport.
The Carysfort, old 26, has been brought down the
harbour to-day, and is to be fitted as a receiving ship
for the workmen and artificers employed in the defences
at Scores Point, Isle of Wight.
Hastings, 72, Captain F. W. Austen, has landed her
guns, besides 60 condemned and sent home by her.
This has been a bad working day in discharging her
stores, the rain coming down in torrents. She is ex-
pected to be clear, and will pay off, on Wednesday
next. Prince Ernest of Leiningen, nephew of her
Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who left England
some three years since as midshipman on board the Fox,
frigate, came home in the Hastings, to which ship he
has been attached the last two years. The Prince was
present, with other officers, at the first attack on Prome,
and in subsequent boat expeditions up the river. On
one occasion the Prince had a very narrow escape, the
enemy's shot passing between him and the cockswain.
He was a general favourite on board. Prince Edward
of Saxe Wiemar, who was staying with his noble rela-
tive the Duke of Richmond at Goodwood, left there to
meet the Prince at the Royal George Hotel, at this port,
on Wednesday last, after which the Prince Leiningen
proceeded on a visit to her Majesty, at Buckingham
Palace, and will doubtless accompany his august aunt to
the Royal Palace at Osborne. We had much pleasure
in noticing the kindly and gentlemanly feeling that ex-
isted amongst the officers of the Hastings, as well as the
efficiency and excellent discipline of the crew. Our
remarks are fully borne out by the following official
document, which attracted our attention in the ward-
room, and, as our memory is retentive, we give as
nearly as we can what we had much pleasure in notic-
ing

mere.

" H.M.S. Victory, Portsmouth Harbour,
" April 21, 1853.
Sir,—With reference to the report of the Preparation
for Battle' of her Majesty's ship Hastings, under your com-
mand, I have great pleasure in acquainting you that my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have expressed to
me their satisfaction in receiving so favourable a report dr
the highly creditable state of the Hastings.
(Signed) '` THOS. COCEIRANE,
Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.
" To Captain F. W. Austen,
Her Majesty's ship Hastings."

The Gorgon, 6, paddle, has hauled over to the north
side of the steam basin, where she will receive her guns

calla

THE COMMITTEE ON DOCKYARD APPOINT.I Surveyor or direct from the dockyards. I think
MENTS AND PROMOTIONS. it would be advantageous to the service if the men
in the dockyards ceased to have votes. I may mention,
with reference to my interviews with Sir B. "Walker
about the copies of his correspondence with Mr. Staf-
ford, that I went to him because I thought it was a pity
to take up a business which had passed over for several
months. I went to him as a friend to both parties to
try and use my, influence to endeavour to arrange that
the correspondence should not be sent in. I acted only
in a friendly spirit, not wishing to act against one side
or the other, but I got him to withhold the letters. This
was on the 29th of November. I went on seeing the
Board minute ordering the copies of the correspondence
to be sent in. I might or might not then have seen the
question asked in Parliament referring to this. I
thought the matter had dropped about his resignation,
and that sonic arrangement had been made, and that we
should have nothing snore to do with it.
Captain Duncombe here put in some questions which
he wished the Chairman to put to the witness, and on
several occasions during the day adopted this course.
In answering them, Captain Milne said—l do not
remember any instance in which the Board have been
placed in such a position as to be obliged to allow some
orders of the Secretary which they disapproved of. The
conduct of the Secretary was never made matter of
conversation at the Board that lam aware of. No
Secretary of the Admiralty could stop the returns. It
would be hardly in the power of any Secretary to stop
or withhold them. Sir F. Baring did not remove a
storekeeper from Chatham to Devonport on account of
his Radical political opinions. I know he had been a
political partisan at Sheerness and Chatham, and I
thought he had better go to Devonport. I am not aware
whether he took any part there or not, but he is since
dead. Mr. Stafford asked me, as I was a Mutual friend
of both parties, to see Sir B. Walker about the corres-
pondence between them and to act as a mediator, and
that was my own feeling at that time. I thought I
could stop any further proceedings taking place, and
I was.anxious to do so. Mr. Stafford requested me to
mediateirrihe matter to induce-Sir R Walker to with-
hold the correspondence, and, as I have already men-
tioned, I thought it was a pity to rake all this matter
up again.
Captain Duncombe (through the Chairman)—When
Mr. Stafford asked you to mediate, did he mention a
wish to have the letters suppressed ?
Witness—l think he made use of the expression, that
it would be very disagreeable for him if Sir B. Walker
sent these letters. He said it would be far better if this
could be avoided and the matter let alone.
Captain Pelham, private secretary to the Duke of
Northumberland when First Lord of the Admiralty, was
then called. He said he received a letter from Sir B.
Walker in his capacity as private secretary. He stated
then to the committee that his position with respect
to the Duke of Northumberland was one of an entirely
confidential nature, and though he had no difficulty
in answering the question put to him by the committee,
he thought it right to state that all that passed while he
was in the capacity of private secretary to his grace he
considered of a private nature. He did not, however,
urge this in consequence of anything that the duke had
told him on the subject. When he received the sum-
mons to attend this committee, he .waited on his grace
and told him that he should suggest to the committee
what he had just stated. His grace, he wished it to be
understood, gave him no direction whatever to refuse
giving any information in his power.
Sir Baldwin Walker, in answer to some questions,
stated that his submissions to the Board of Admiralty
with respect to promotions, if in existence, ought to be
in the Record-office. He had sent there, and after two
days' search he'received for answer that they had never
been there at all.
Mr. Ballow, keeper of the Record-office, connected
with the Admiralty, was then called, and stated that
the document in question could not be found. He
gave a description of the routine of the office, and said
that papers were frequently misplaced through the great
quantities they received continually.
Mr. J. H. Hay, chief clerk of the Admiralty, was
also examined with reference to the papers that passed
through his hands, and described the system adopted.
He also stated that it came under his observation that
papers were very frequently lost.
Sir B. Walker was then examined at great length,
with respect principally to the case of Wells and Cotsell,
most of the circumstances of which transpired before the
Chatham Election Committee, and during the debate
lately in the House of Commons. He stated that
it was found necessary for the good of the service
to appoint the master smiths at some of the dock-
yards from private yards, instead of raising men already
in the dockyard to fill that position, because the Govern-
ment yards got behind the improvements .of the day
The correspondence between the Board of Admiralty and
Sir Baldwin relative to the withdrawal from him of the
appointment of master smiths and other officers in the
dockyards, printed by order of the House of Commons,
was very largely referred to during his examination. He
declared that Wells was not, as had been stated, any
protege of his. He was recommended by the master
smith atWoolwich, before which he had never even heard
of him. On the Ist of Oct. Cotsell was appointed to
Portsmouth yard, and Smale, who had formerly been at
Woolwich, was appointed to Chatham. On the 2d
Commander Eden came to him (Sir B. Walker)
and asked why the appointment had been made ?
He (Sir B. Walker) was very much surprised to
hear of it, as no- communication had been made
to him, and he went to the Admiralty in company
with Commander Eden, and saw Admiral Parker.
Admiral Pa,rl,:er said that it was impossible' for only the
day before, in the board-room, Mr. Stafford had asked
hint to give Cotsell the appointment to Portsmouth, and
he (Admiral Parker) said he would not hear of such a
thing ; it was not at all desirable that Cotsell should go
back to the yard where he had formerly been in a junior
department, and assured them that the appointment was
impossible. He also said, "If this is the case, either Mr
Stafford or I will leave the Admiralty." This was said
in the presence of Commander Eden—in fact, to him.
Admiral Parker was going out of town next morning,
and the following day he (Sir B. Walker) saw him, and
he said he would write to the Duke of Northumberland,
and afterwards told him he had done so, and had pointed
out to his grace how impossible it was to appoint Cotsell
to Portsmouth. He (Sir B. Walker) did not see the First
Lord, or any of the Lords of the Admiralty, on the sub-
ject. Admiral Parker was his immediate chief, and
therefore he addressed him.
Mr. Haughton, a clerk from the Admiralty, produced
the books, and stated that there was no minute referring
to the dockyard, Portsmouth, on the ISth of October, in
the minute book ; but in the general book there was
one about Wells' memorial to the Admiralty, with the
reply of Mr. Stafford on the 16th of October, in which
he says—
" I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to inform you that they are not aware that you
have received any appointment from them, and that their
Lordships do not consider you justified in designating
yourself Late master smith of her Majesty's dockyard at
Portsmouth.' My Lords cannot recognise you as Late
master smith' of Portsmouth Dockyard, Its no warrant has
been given to you by their Lordships for such an appoint-
ment."
Mr. Haughton also referred to the minute of the ap-
pointment of Wells as master smith at Portsmouth
Dockyard, on probation for 6 months, bearing date the
10th of Sept., and signed by Capt. Hamilton.
Mr. Bell, another clerk of the Admiralty, stated that
he made out the warrant for the appointment of Wells,
ready for signature. It was sent up to the chief clerks
whose duty it was to forward it to be signed by two
Lords and the Secretary.
Mr. Piers, in the Parliamentary department of the
Admiralty, stated that the warrant came to Captain
Hamilton for signature. Captain Hamilton said.
" Who could have appointed Wells master smith ?"
He knew nothing about it. He directed witness to
get the ordinary minute of his appointment from 1
the Record-office, which he did. When lie saw
that it was signed by Admiral Parker, he said that
he was not authorised to carry it out, and con-
sulted Sir T. Herbert, who advised him to wait
until Mr. Stafford, who was expected the follow-
ing week, should return to town, as it was well
understood that the dockyard appointments were
vested in Mr. Stafford. The papers were given into
witness's hands then, to keep until Mr. Stafford re-
turned. On his return witness either gave them to him
or Mr. Grant—he could not recollect which. If he gave
them to Mr. Grant it was to hand over to Mr. Stafford.
It must have been some time in September, and a day
or two after the return of that gentleman. This was all
he knew with reference to these papers. He had not
seen anything of them since, and had nothing to do
with them from that time.
The Chairman then inquired of Mr. Stafford whether
he wished to defer his examination generally until
Monday.
Mr. Stafford said he would rather do so than
.bn
amined on Saturday ; but with reference to abp
which the last witness had givenoiwould
et eoxr;
evidence o
of the parties
wish to say a word. The only reason he wiiinshpeiditatotio
examined on this point was, that by it
some
l
had been cast on the professional character
simply to state that he re-
mentioned, and he wished
ySitti‘hribneo.t,ter
i nl
eutttee
rsfvohki
eehn ohfe f(rmomr.
I,Tierm.
Piers.bered
toHhaeveworuerled_eilvpueceitsthnema
'Grahali on the subject :-
16, James
Bond-street, April 30, 1853.
Stafford) wrote to
,S,
"My. dear Sir,—I did not quite understand last night,
in the House of Commons, what was the missing document
to which Admiral Berkeley referred in his speech, but I
see in tho Tiiivs of this morning that it is the submission
of the Surveyor of the Navy recommending Mr..pWapelelrs27l,
the 9th September, 1852. I most distinctly rem. Wells,, on
receiving that document, and, to the best of any
belief, the letter or submission in Parliamentary Paper Willing to
page 1, is an exact copy of it, and I am
uf
fdgehaatrn
state this in the House of Commons.
TAYFORD."
not to take this
e,abftue truly yours,
He
rest, on Mr. Grant ; he was most that might otherwise
to the committee. To the best
anxious to state this
was never made out. He k of his belief the warrant
signed, as Mr. Piers stated. He
that it had never been
the House of Commons that of stated in his place in
stopped, because it would
send a warrant when it not have been of any use to
should be appointed. was
in
k • doubt whether Wells
trwtaorlic‘lslea:rmhno:
or not, and the warrant was till

MR. STAFFORD'S CASE.
Yesterday, the select committee appointed for this
inquiry met at 11 o'clock. The proceedings still kept up
their interest in the public mind, as the room through-
out the day was crowded by members of Parliament and
other gentlemen.
Before the examination of witnesses was commenced,
Captain Duncombe, one of the Lords of the late Board
of Admiralty, requested, on behalf of both Mr. Stafford
and the late Board of Admiralty, that he might have the
-ivilege of putting sonic questions. to the witnesses
A, with a view of explaining the transactions to
which the inquiry was devoted. He also expressed a
hope that the committee would close the case, as he
might term it, for the prosecution first, and, then ad-
journ over until Monday, when Mr. Stafford would
enter upon his defence.
The Chairman (Lord. Seymour) observed that with re-
ference to questioning the witnesses, of course any ques-
tions that were put.to the witnesses under examination
ought to be put through the members of the committee.
This was the usual course, and he thought that it was
known that this would be permitted, or he should have
mentioned it on the previous day. With regard to
postponing Mr. Stafford's evidence until Monday, he on
the previous day thought there would be some difficulty,
and therefore proposed adjourning until Saturday ' • but
now he did not know whether the committee would have
witnesses enough for the day's examination. •
After some further conversation, it was arranged that
Mr. Stafford's examination should be postponed till the
other witnesses were heard.
Captain Milne, one of the Junior Lords of the Admi-
ralty, was then called ; and
The Chairman, before putting any questions to him,
read a letter he had received from Sir F. Baring, ex-
pressing his willingness that any officer whom the com-
mittee should examine should freely make known any
communication he might have had with him on the.sub-
ject matter before the Committee, and mentioning that
it was his wish that this should be done.
Captain Milne was then examined at considerable
length. He stated that he was first appointed to the
Board under Lord Auckland, in September, 1847 ; he
remained there with Sir F. Baring, and subsequently
under the Duke of Northumberland, and was continued
by Sir James Graham when he took the office of First
Lord. He. took charge of the store department of the
navy, the victualling troops, the transports, ,and, for-
merly, the medical department ; but the latter he did not
superintend at present. His department did not make
him acquainted with the dockyard management, as he
had nothing to do with appointments connected
with that department, or the minor details, except so far
as ho had to do with the store department. The
promotion of the higher officers of the dockyard depart-
ment, such, for instance, as the master-shipwrights, was
vested in the First Lord ; the minor ones, such as the
foremen, leading men, heads of trades in the shops, and
all who were commonly called inferior officers, were
vested in the Secretary to the Admiralty. He was made
acquainted on the 25th or 26th of April by the Surveyor
of the Navy with the circular of the 19th of that month.
He did not consult with any of the other Lords, and he
was the junior member of the Beard, and as such did
not consider himself responsible for it, it not affecting
the department with which he was concerned. On the
21st of April be went by chance into Admiral Parker's
room, and Sir B. Walker was there. Admiral Parker
told him (Captain Milne) that Sir B. Walker had ten-
dered his resignation, and he then, he believed, read
the letter announcing this. He had no communication
with Sir B. Walker on the subject of his resignation.
He had no consultation with any of the Lords of
the Admiralty, or the Secretary of the Admiralty, on
the subject. He merely heard of it, as he had stated,
on coming into the room, as the third party, by
chance. He was present at the Board on the 26th of
April, when the circular was issued. It was not formally
brought under the notice of the Board at all. The
minute of the 26th of April was decided upon before
it came to the Board. It had the sanction of Admiral
Parker and the Secretary to the Admiralty, and he
(Captain Milne) supposed it had the sanction of the First
Lord before coming before the Board. He did not ob-
serve the difference between the words of the minute as
read from the book and the circular as it was issued.
Any letter emanating from the Admiralty, and signed
by the Secretary, would be laid before the Board. It
would then be a letter stating that the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty had done so and so, or that he
(the secretary) was desired by my Lords, &c. It was
not usual for the Secretary to issue a circular from their
Lordships which had not been sanctioned by the Board.
ifbe did so, it would be an irregularity. Before that
rcular was issued, it aught to have been brought before
the Board, and it required two Lords and the Secretary
to form a Board. The Secretary could only use the
names of their Lordships without applying to'them, or
obtaining their sanction, in cases of minor detail under
his own particular supervisionfor instance, if he had
the appointment in the dockyards, he would have the
right to use the name of the Board ; but it required
great discretion in drawing the line of distinction.
The Chairman—Are the duties of the Secretary to the
Admiralty so distinct that he can correctly ascertain
what orders he may, or may not, give without applica-
tion to the board ?
Witness -It is very difficult to define the limits with-
out knowing how the case exactly bore on that point.
The Chairman—You have been a znenzber of the Ad-
miralty under several Administrations ; I wish to ask
you whether the Lords of the Admiralty have occasion-
ally differed from their Secretary as to the use of their
authority ?
Witness— I do not remember any instance which I
can bring forward. lam not aware of any where there
has been an interference on the part of the Secretary
with reference to Board notices. A circular could not
be issued without coming before the Board.
The Chairman—l understand you to say that, in your
opinion, the circular of the 26th of April seemed to have
been agreed upon before Alcamo to the Board.
Witness—l think so.
The Chairman—Do you not visit the dockyards occa-
sionally?
Witness —I visited only two last year—Portsmouth
land Sheerness. In previous years I have always at-
tended the visits of the Admiralty. I was one of the
committee when Sir H. Ward visited all the yards. We
visited them with a view of looking into their whole de-
tall and arrangement, and to make such recommenda-
tions for alterations as we might think necessary. We
did not enter into the subject of promotion ; that had
been previously settled by the circular of 1847, and we
considered that the system then established was work-
ing satisfactorily.
The Chairman—Considering the system established
by the circular of 1847 was satisfactory, did you form
any opinion as to the circular of 1849
Witness—The circular of 1849 was merely affirming
a part of the system then in force, which, I believe, was
this :—Returns came from the dockyards every two
months. They, I believe, were immediately sent to
the Surveyor of the Navy, and he represented what
vacancies should be filled up, and then they were sent
back to the Admiralty. Then came the order of
1849, which directed that they should be sent, first,
to the Surveyor of the Navy, and from the Sur-
veyor to the Secretary of the Admiralty. The Surveyor
is in this position—he is responsible for all the work
of the dockyards, and he ought to know what vacancies
there are to fill up in each. He might, perhaps, find
his work in some of the yards getting ahead of the money
he has to lay out, and then, instead of filling up all the
vacancies, he will work out in the wages which would
otherwise be paid the sums due by those yards. I think
the Surveyor ought to have this control. I think the
circular of 1849 was an improvement, so far as it went.
I am not aware of any reason why it should have been
altered. I never heard of any difficulty with regard to
it, or any complaints. I have not taken any part in
political matters, directly or indirectly, since my appoint-
ment. I was appointed with the understanding that I
should not. Before the circular of April 19, I have no
reason for thinking that any political motives led to pro-
motions in the dockyards, or that persons were discharged
in consequence of their opinions. I will go back to the
time when I came to the Admiralty, which was subse-
quent to the regulations of 1847. In all the appoint-
ments of Sir F. Baring it was always made one of the con-
ditions of promotion that it was given with the distinct
understanding that the recipient should take no political
part in the dockyards or elsewhere. The letter written
by Sir B. Walker to the First Lord on the 11th May
was not to my knowledge brought under the notice of
the Board. I believe I became acquainted with it
through the Surveyor of the Navy himself mentioning it
to me. Nothing has occurred to make me form any
opinion on the mode of promotion going on since the
circular of the 19th April.
Lord Hotham—What is the direct patronage of the
First Lord ?
Witness—The First Lord has the promotion of all offi-
cers of the navy and of senior appointments in the dock-
yards, as master shipwrights, &c. The Senior Naval
Lord has only a certain number of appointments to fill
up in the course of the year, and has promotions. The
next Naval Lord takes all the appointments of officers
to ships, lieutenants, masters, second masters, &c.
There has been no alteration with respect to these.
Sometimes when a new Government comes in the Board
makes a different arrangement.
Lord Hotham—Has it ever happened that a minute
has come to the Board previously agreed on ?
Witness— Very seldom.
Lord Hotham—You have stated that Sir F. Baring
made parties pledge themselves when promoted
s being
not to
interfere with politics ; are you aware of any order
sent to the superintendents of the yards to see
that such
orders were not broken ?
Witness—l am not. I believe it must be left to the
honour of the parties themselves.
Lord Hotham—May we assume that there has been a
thorough absence of any active partisanship in the dif-
ferent elections ?
Witness—lt is impossible for me to say, for .I know
nothing about it.
By the Chairman—The Surveyor of the Navy ought
to have an opportunity of making his remarks on
those mentioned for promotion. The difference between
the two circulars was merely a question whether the
returns were to reach the Admiralty through the

Prince Napoleon is preparing .to go to Algeria,
where be is' to preside over a commission which is
to inquire into the state of that colony. It is sup-
posed that this commission is the preliminary of
his taking possession of the place to which he has
so long been nominated—that of Lieutenant of the
Emperor.
There is not much variety in the leading columns
of the Paris journals of yesterday, but two of the
articles possess some interest ; one as being on a
subject of importance to persons whose attention is
turned towards the amelioration of the condition of
the labouring classes ; the other is an almost laugh-
able instance of the irreverence of the, republican
organ the Siècle for royalty. The Constitittionncl
publishes as a leader a letter of several columns by
M. Audiganno on the institution of Cites 0 toriercs,
which has received the warm support of the Em
peror, and has been much lauded in the different
j o n
The members of the Legislative body met on
Thursday in their bureau to name several commit-
tees : one was on a bill to authorise a loan of
30,000 fr. by tie Cotes-du-Nord ; another on three
bills,o ol
e R
ocf authorise
bills to authorise a loan of 900,000 fr. in the
f
Charente-Inferieure ; a loan of 500,000 fr. by the
er;
Port of Rochelle • and a loan of 500,000 fr. by the
town anad
lleaasntlye,fa2c,ooommo,oioofrttee. by theonfour
city of Marseilles ; a second, to modify the circum-
scription of the cantons north and south of the
town of Tarbes (Hautes-P 6 )
yren es ; a third, to au-
thorise the town of Bourges to contract a loan of
200,000 fr. ; and, the fourth, to authorise the city
of Rouen to contract a loan of 500,000 fr.
The Prefect of the Indre and Loire
has addressed
a circular to the mayors in that department, in-
forming them that theJnemies of the go vernment are
engaged in spretang falSe reports, accusing per-
sons high in authority of forestallingthe
market.
The subscription for the new bank at Darmstadt,
opened at Frankfort, at the banking establishment
of Bethmann Brothers, produced in one day 106
millions of florins, instead of 25,000,000. The
shares are quoted at a premium of 25 per cent.
At the Bourse, yesterday, the quotations of
Thursday remained unchanged, viz. :—For Cash—.
Three per Cents., 80f. 60c. ; Four-and-a-Half per
Cents., 103 f. 20c. There was a decline of sf. in the
price of shares of the Bank of France, which closed
at 2,715 f. In the quotations of railway securities
to-day there have been considerable fluctuations,
a decline having taken place in ,the shares of some
lines at the close of business.

SPAIN.
The Madrid journals of the 24th are destitute of
news of interest. The King, and Queen accom-
panied by the ministers, after attending Divine
service at the church of Atocha, left on the previ-
ous evening for Aranjuez. The Nacion mentions
a report that, without waiting for surveys- to be
made, there was a question of authorising M. Sala-
manca to construct a railway from Madrid to Se-
ville. The 24th being Sunday, the Stock Exchange
was not open.