The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-03 00:00:00

THE MISSING STEAMER PACIFIC.

A letter received-at Lloyd's, to-day, from their
agent at Figueira, dated 24th Mkrch, siya :
" The Skipwith, arrived here from Newfound-
land, fell in with ice to the distance of 200 miles
from the land, and 'saw the lights of a steamer
in the ice.' " The Skipwith left St. John's,'
Newfoundland, 13th February.

- - - - -
THE MILITARY BOARD OF INQUIRY.

(Meeting This Day.)
The board of military officers appointed to inquire into
the conduct of those officers inculpated in the report of
Sir J. I'Neil and Colonel Tulloch, actually commenced
their Unties this morning in the Great Hall, Chelsea,
which had been conveniently and comfortably fitted up
for the accommodation, not only of the persons mere
immediately connected with the inquiry, the officers
whose conduct is to be inquired into, and the witnesses.
to be examined, bnt also the public. The arrangements
for the press are excellent.

A body of police waa present, under Superintendent
Gibbs, to maintain order and prevent inconvenience,
should eager crowds assemble to witness thee proceed-
ings.

The inquiry was fixed to commence at 11 o'clock,
but, probably owing to the many times the public have
been disappointed as to the exact day when the commis-
sion would sit, the small number of persons present this
_morning is to be attributed.

At half-past 11 o'clock the filloming general offi,,,,ers,
forming the board, dressed in full regimentals, and with
their various decorations, entered the ball, and took
their seats at the table :—Sir. Alex. Woodford, Lord
Deauchamp, General Rowan, Sir John Bell, General
Peel, M.P., General Knollys, and General- Sir George
Berkeley.

Sir Alerinder Woodford took th? chair, as president
of the Board of Inquiry. ,
The Judge-Advocate (the Right Hon. C. P. Villier
4.P.) read the Royal warrant appointing the. Board,
and stating the purposes for which it had been consti-
tuted ;
.and, next, a letter from Lord Palmerston to
Lord, Panmure, informing him officially of the appoint-
ment of the commission and the scope and nature of the
inquiry.

The President inquired of the Judge-Advocate if he
could inform the Court the names of the officers who
had been inculpated by the report in question, and who
had complained in consequence ?
The Judge-Advocate said that, before he received the
Royal warrant, he applied to the ComMander-in-Cisief
for the names, of the officers whose conduct had beep, in
culpated by the report, and who had complained to him
in consequence, and also a similar letter to the Hone
Guards, and he received in reply the names of Earl
Lucan, Earl Cardigan, Sir R. Airey, and Lieutenant
Colonel Gordon.

The President handej to the Judge-Advocate the
form of proceedings for.tbe Court.
The Judge-Advocate then read the regulations, which-.
'stated that the proceedings of the Board would be con
ducted, as near as possible, with the practice of Ordinary,
military courts of inquiry. Evidence might be given in
writing or orally, The Court was not empowered to
examine witnesses on oath. Every military witness
would be at liberty to decline making any statement that
might af4rwards be 'made the subject of a charge for a
court-martial' against hint, but that having, done so it
might be used against' him. Tue cases of persons whose
conduct bad to be inquired into would be taken sepiv-
rately.
The Judge-Advocate then asked the 13.vird to con='
sider what docdraent try evidence they wished to be
brought befoiethem ?

• General Berkeley, asked if any summonses had been
issued ?

The Jadge-Advocate replied no, because summonses
could only be issued 'under the direction of the Boar I.
Tee officers whose names had been mentioned had haa.
no official notice of the meeting of the Board that day.
communicated to them. They could only know of the
meeting -officially by the ;surnnionies, which would be
issued to them under the direction of the B 'ark!. `
General Berkeley—Are all these officers in town ?
The Judge Advocate could not say. He thought that
by Monday next there would be time enough for every
person interested in this inquiry to be summoned.

The Board than deciled that copies of all papers that
had been laid before Parliament relating to the officers
id question should be laid before the Board.
The, Judge-Advocate said that all papers bearing on
this inquiry, if for-warded to the Judge-Advocate-offiep,
,hould be laid before the B tard.

The Board, after a short consultation, decided that
the. Earl of Lucan's case should be taken first, and di-
rected that summonses should be hrthwith sent to him
and his witnesses, requiring his attendance on &Londny
next.

The Judge-Advocate asked if the 13,3ard would require,
in the first instance, the name/ of the witnesses to be
examined ?

The President replied in the affirmative, and added
that the officers who wished to call witnesses ha',
better have them in relliness to be produced when called„
upon.

The Judge-Advocate said--Then, it is decided that
this inquiry shall commence on ➢Monday next with the
nese of the Earl of, Lucan, and proceed afterwards with
the officer next in rank to him, and observe that course
t iroughout the sittings of the Court ?
The President—Yes.

The Judge-Advocate—Then, do I understand the
Board to direct that no summonses shall be issued to `no
other persona than those whose names I have read ?

The Preshlent—Yes,

The-Judge-Advocate aaid,,Then -the Board will wait,
for fresh applications from persons who think they ought
to appear before the Beard
The President—Yes.

The Judge•Advocate—Until other persons appear
complaining, you are unwilling to isine summonses to
them l•

The President—:Yes.
The Judge Advocate—ls it your wish, as a matter of
°courtesy, that some notification should be made to Sir J.
M'Neil and Colonel Tulle* that their report is to be
called into question by this inquiry. I am not aware
where they are,to be found, but I suppose there will be
na diffieulty in finding them out by applying. at the
-Horse Guards ?

The President —Yeg,
The Board then decided that the court would sit daily
after Monday next from eleven a.m, until four p.m.
The court then adjourned to Monday next at eleven
o'clock,.when the court will proceed with the case of
Earl Lucan.

The Earl of Eglinton entertained a large party of
officers of the 1-t Life Guards, and other friends, orA.
Tuesday evening, in St. James's square. There were
present Viscount Powerscourt, Viscount Elmley, Via
count and Viscountess Ingestre,_ Sir A. Hay and the.
Misses Hay, Col. Parker, Col. Hogg, Capt. Bateson,
Capt. the Hon. W. E. Duncombe, M.P., Mr. Biddulph,
Capt. Wyndham, Mr. Patten, Mr. North, Mr. Grosve-
nor, Capt. De Winton, and Mr. K. Fraser, &c.
The Earl and Countess of Derby and Lady Emma
Stanley are expected in town to-day from Knowsley.
Viscount and Viscountess Sylney are ,expected _in
town to-dajr from Frognal, Kent; ,
ly iNlars Wood has issued cards, for a reception on
Wednesday,marriage of
9 the Ladythinst.l e
t dl
Russellmiralty
The w
ra
JameS'Wandesford Butler is fixed to take plaeti.this
morning, at St. Peter's Church.
The Right Hon. R. Vernon, Smith, M.P., gave a
dinner, last evening, to his colleagues in the Cabinet.
'All the Ministers attended except the Earl Granville and
the Earl of Clarendon—the latter being absent in Paris;
and the foinacr.' we regret to learn, too unwell to attend.
Col. Sir g. K. C. 13., has been appointed
to succeed
o
eedGf
tenhe.!tSiait rrd
rGil:oianoccokmpasaonyn.e ihe
nominated