The Sun.
London, England, 1834-10-21 00:00:00

THE LATE CONFLAGRATION.

The Lords of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy
Council held a private Meeting at one o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon in the Council Chamber, to examine evidence re-
specting the cause of the late fire. A more numerous
meeting was never known, excepting only on occasions of
the demise of the Crown, than that which was held yester-
day at the Council Office for the purpose of inquiring into
the origin of the late destructive fire at the two Houses of
Parliament. All the Cabinet Ministers, except the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne, came to town for the purpose of as-
sisting at the inquiry ; but, owing, we understand, to the
arrival of an express bringing the melancholy intelligence
of the dangerous illness 'of Earl Spencer, Lord Althorp
was obliged again to leave at an early hour this morning for
Althorpe. The Marquis of Lansdowne, it is known, is at
present on the Continent. Lord Holland, although suffer-
ing under a severe visitation of the gout, remained with his
colleagues during nearly their entire sitting. The Marquis
Camden, Earl Rosslyn, and several other Privy Councillors
not connected with the Administration, to the number, we
believe, of twenty-two, were present.
The investigation was conducted with closed doors, and
it was said that even Mr. Gurney, the short-hand writer to
both Houses, whose services were necessary to take notes
of the evidence, was sworn to secrecy. The witnesses were
introduced one by one, and every precaution was adopted
to prevent the proceddings obtaining publicity.
We are, however, enabled to give the following short
account of what transpired, which we derive from sources
that may be relied upon. The Council deliberated for a
considerable time before any witness was called in, when,
we understand, it was determined that every individual,
either directly or indirectly connected with the House of
Lords, or who it could be ascertained were by any accident
on the premises on Thursday last, should be subjected to a
most rigid examination. The Attorney-General conducted
the inquiry.
The first witness called was Mr. Whibley, Clerk of the
Works, to whose superintendence the repairs of the House
were confided. This gentleman gave a full description of
the directions he had given to the different workmen, and
also stated that he authorised a man of the name of Cross
to burn the wooden tallies of the Court of Exchequer in the
stoves for heating the flues communicating with the House
of Lords. He could not have apprehended any danger
could result from such a procedure.
Miss Wright, the housekeeper of the House of Lords,
was next called in. This lady underwent a very long exa-
Initiation. We understand that she stated, that during the
day, becoming somewhat alarmed at the unusual heat in
the House and the apartments adjoining, she sent no less
than three different messages to Cross, to ascertain if there
was any danger, and advising him to be cautious. He an-
swered that there was no occasion to feel alarm, as he
would take care all should be right. At one time the ther-
mometer in the House was more than five degrees higher
than ever they had before been able to raise it consum-
ing an unlimited quantity of coals. The remainder of this
lady's evidence, who appeared unusually affected, was a
mere recapitulation of the first discovery of the fire, &c.,
which has been already more than once before the public.
Cross was next examined. The substance of his evi-
dence, as far as we were able to collect it,• was, that he
merely obeyed the instructions lie had received from the
Clerk of the Works, and lie had no apprehension of danger
until the fire broke out.

This witness underwent a most rigid examination by the
Lord Chancellor, as to some circumstances connected with
his former life, but which it is unnecessary for us to allude
to, as it had no bearing upon the immediate question under
inquiry. He persisted in denying that he was at any mo-
ment apprehensive of the fire produced by the burning of
the tallies doing any mischief.

John Reynolds, the man whose duty it is to light the fires
about the House, deposed that he went to the last witness
three separate times, and told him that he was acting in-
cautiously, as the flues would not bear the heat ; adding,
You are going it too rapid—they never will bear such a
I eat as this." Cross replied he knew what he was about.
He talked to him for some time on the subject, and recom-
mended him not to put so much in the stove at a time.
After that he left the House, and on his return in the even-
ing found it in flames.
The son of the preceding witness deposed that he was
present when his father cautioned Cross not to load the
fires so much, and that he was sent by Miss Wright three
different times to request of him to be careful, as she began
to feel quite alarmed.
The witness Cross was recalled ; but it wag found that
he had left the Council Office. Messengers were immedi-
ately despatched in search of him, and after a delay of about
half an hour they succeeded in finding him. On his return
he was again examined.
We understood that he in the most positive manner de-
nied having received more than one message on the subject
of the fire from Miss *Wright, or that he was cautioned by