The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-16 00:00:00

THE DEBT OF BUENOS AYRES.

A correspondent has addressed the following letter to
the Euitor of the Morning Post:--
" Sir,—As a creditor of the Buenos Ayres Republic,
I thank you for your review, in the Morning Post of
Thursday, of the committee's able pamphlet. I recom-
mend every creditor to obtain it. Let them read Mr.
Frank Parish's severe clstigation of Dr. Don Irineo
Portela and his code of finance, and what he calls jus-
tice. What is to be expected from a Ministry composed
of such men q Nothing! I thank you for drawing my
attention to this report, as it further leads me to the
conclusion that the small driblet, which in future is to be
doubled (and will pay us about 3 per cent. instead of
merely 1 per cent. per annum), comes with a sad grace ;
for at the moment this 'sop to Cerberus' is thrown—this
' bait to silence Mr. Giro, Mr. Parish,' and, if possible,
the bondholders and Lord Clarendon—this report tells
us a seizure is made upon our lands in the vicinity of
Buenos Ayres, that are-so-nntbrionsly of high value that
they (this mortgage on them is secured by the original
bonds) would pay this paltry debt off if it were three
times the amount it is. Well might the bondholders
point to the 9 per cent. paying by Chili and Peru (being
6 per cent. on capital and 3 on arrears), besides (as
pointed out in the Morning Post of Friday) a redemp-
tion fund that, in the case of Peru, insures its total pay-
ment and liquidation within a very short time. What
a contrast !

"I will not touch upon the policy or impolicy of Mr.
Robertson's allusions to the late President, General
Rosas, as I do not understand the political bearings of
such remarks. This, however, I venture to say anti to
recommend to the creditors—' Let them, agitate till they
obtain justice,' whoever may be President of Buenos
Ayres—be it Rome, be it Obligado, a Rivadavia, or
Garcia. Our money (1,000,0001. sterling) was lent at
85 per cent, to the Republic:, not to its president or pre-
sidents, be they who they may.
"If General Rosas has signed decrees such as Mr. Ro-
bertson refers to, they certainly do the General credit
and honour ; and I hope and wish he (the General) may
further elucidate the matter, as he is, I hear, still in
England. With regard to his general policy and his
bold and ambitious invasions of the Banda Oriental
and the southernmost Brazilian province of Rio Grande
de Sul, it might have been an error, for the Emperor of
Brazil had large navies, a well•paid and well-disciplined
army, and enjoyed a credit oval to any State in Eu-
rope ; whilst Rosas was, from mistaken policy, inferior
in all these respects. Still I have heard even Brazilians
admit that, in crushing Monte Video and laying waste
the Banda and Rio Grande do Sul, he aimed (perhaps
erroneously) at making Buenos Ayres a great and pros-
perous city, securing to it a monopoly. We all know
the result (and General Rosas more than others) of this
mistaken policy.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
" J. T., A BUENOS AYREIAN CREDITOR.
" City, Feb. 8, 1856."

MINING INTELLIGENCE.—The mining market opened
this week very heavily, and a considerable decline in
prices took place in several shares which were offered
for sale, the decline 111 each case being without any ap-
parent cause, excepting a preponderance of sellers ; and
a s the public demand was limited, the dealers would
only buy at their own prices. The shares most affected
in- price were—Rosewarae, 'United Mines, East Rose,
8itt411.24) G•few cittari....4finiag Journal of this
dey!

LORDS LUCAN AND CARDIGAN.

The following letters have been addressed to the
editor of the Times:—

Sir,- -Having laid before the Secretary of State for
War a statement in reply to the allegations male against
me in the report of the commission to the Crimea, and
which will be made public, it will be unnecessary, and,
indeed, impossible, for me to answer all the calumnies
of anonymous writers ; but to the letter of " A Civilian,"
which occupies a conspicuous place in your journal of
to-day, I will give the following replies :-
1. I had no power to move the Light Cavalry Bri-
gade ; such an order must have come through the Lieu.
tenant-General of the Division from the Commander-in-
Chief of the army.
2. I attended the camp daily with scarcely any ex-
ception, and sometimes twice a-day.
3. It was no part of •ny duty to visit the sentries by
night or day ; they were only the usual camp sentries,
and ought to be visited by the orderly officer. If they
had been videttes at the outposts, and there were none
at that time from the Light Cavalry Brigade, they would
have been visited by the field officer of the day.
4. When a friene of mine brought out a yacht which
I had lent to him Lord Raglan recommended and sanc-
tioned my sleeping on board it. This was a sufficient
auth3rity for me to do so, and so feel confident that there
was nothing improper in the measure.
5. There is no correspondence in existence which can
in the slightest degree reflect upon me.
6. With regard to other groundless insinuations, I do
not consider it necessary to notice them.—l am, sir,
your obedient servant, CARDIGAN.
Portman-square, Feb. 15.

Sir,—Lord Panmure having► undertaken to lay the
enclosed letter on the table of the House of Lords this
day, I am enabled to give it to you for publication,
should you consider it deserving of a place in your
columns, and for which I shall feel obliged.—l have the
honour to be, sir, your very obedient servant,
Hanover.square, Feb. 15.

LUCAN.

"Hanover square, Feb. 7.
" My Lord,—Late last evening only I had the oppor-
tunity of reading the report of the Commission of In-
quiry in the East. I consider that I have much cause
of complaint.. The Commissioners have allowed them-
selves to offer opinions -which, if founded on fact, mast
tell to the disadvantage of the cavalry, as also to my
own, their commander. In one place the Commissioners
state that the mortality of horses from eickness in the
cavalry exceeded that of the transport animals which is
notoriously inconsistent with fact. In another place it
is inferred, and without foundation, that there was tar-
diness in the construction of stables, and that the cavalry
only commeneed their construction at the end of January
or beginning of February, and only terminated in the
middle of March ; when, on the contrary, they com-
menced early in December, so soon as Lord Raglan
could be prevailed upon to move them from the heights
before Sebastopol to a permanent camp ; and instead of
only completing in the middle of March, the 800 horses,
of which the cavalry then consisted, were every one of
them stabled on the 11th of February ; and, so far from
there having been many disposable hands for this work,
and that so small a proportion of the regiments was em-
ployed in transport and carriage of sick, as it is alleged,
I am prepared to show by nominal return of men that
every disposable n'an was put to constructing stables,
but that on many days in many regiments not one man,
in consequence of other duties, was available. I made
it the first duty of my Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster-
General to report daily upon the progress made in this
hutting. I constantly visited the different camps my-
self ; and, not altogether satisfied, as I fancied, with the
energy displayed by-some regiments of the Light Bri-
gade, I made them report to me daily the work of the
day before. I venture to observe that it was most cre-
ditable to the cavalry that, against every difficulty and
obstruction, they succeeded in stabling all their horses,
when in the French army at the same time, whatever
may have since happensd, not one horse was under cover.
Again, these Commissioners have not scrupled to charge
the Lieutenant-General with deterring officers from pro-
posing to stable their horses in consequence of the man-
ner, as they state, with which I received a proposal from
the officer commanding the Scots Greys. Now, my
Lord, I have no personal knowledge of these Commis-
sioners, but I think it not only doe to myself, but,
perhaps, to others, to show how these gentlemen have,
in my case at least, allowed themselves hastily to form
and unscrupulously to promulgate opinions, if at all
founded, most prejudicial to professional character,
without giving themselves an opportunity, either by the
cross-examining a witness or by a reference to the party
accused, of elicit ng the truth. Sir John M'Neill is
not justified in casting imputatiens upon me without
giving me an opportunity of justification or defence.
Had he felt disposed to do me justice he might have
asked for my examination, or have referred to me for in-
formation ; and I cannot withhold that, through his
omission to do either, be has infLeted a wrong where, in
the discharge of a public duty, he should have shown a
spirit of equity and justice. Now, my lord, to satisfy
your lordship that I have cause to feel hurt, and for
some indignation, I must, at the risk of extending this
letter, give the facts in the case of Colonel Griffiths as
they occurred. Subsequent to the storm of the 14th of
November, Colonel Griffiths, when visiting me, as field
officer of the day of the•nivision, to report upon the out-
posts, spoke to me in a complaining tone of the suffer-
ings of his men and horses. I was at that time, and had
been many days previou,, in daily communication with
Lord Raglan personally, or the Quartermaster-General,
depicting to them the fearful sufferings of the horses,
and urging them, in every possible manner, either to
allow the cavalry to bo moved to a position less ex-
posed, or where their forage or the materials for hut-
ting would be available. It is difficult to exaggerate
my anxiety at this time, and your lordihip must ob-
serve, that before any stabling could be constructed
it was necessary for a permanent winter camp to be
fixed upon, which teould depend upon the state of the
siege of Sebastopol, and the means of defence of Lord
Raglan had at his disposal to protect the rear of his po-
sition. Both Raglan and General Canrobert felt that
they could not spare, the cavalry at that time, and de-
tained them accordingly. At the moment that Colonel
Griffitbs referred to the stabling of his horses we were
only occupying a temporary camp, and it was undecided
whether we wore to shift to another position, still on the
heights, but a little removed, or were to take up a per-
manent winter camp in the neighbourhood of Kadikoi ;
and this last was at the end of ten days decided upon,
As has been said, Colonel Griffiths referred in a plain-
tive tone to the stete of his horses, and in one of re-
proach. I, knowing front, the past that I felt to say
the least, as much anxiety for the horses of the
Greys as Colonel Griffiths, replied accordingly ;
upon which this officer allowed himself a manner and
the use of words so disrespectful that I de-ired
him to desist, or I would place him under arrest.
If Colonel Griffiths in his evidence intended to say
that ho was threatened with arrest for expressing any
anxiety about his horses, and not on account of his dis-
respectful manner in the conversation which followed,
he has stated that which is as unworthy of him as it is
untrue. At this time no horse-of my own, of my staff,
nor do I believe of any of the regimental officers, was
stabled. I cannot recollect a single structute within
the cavalry camp excepting Colonel Griffiths's kitchen.
"My lord, in this report inferences are drawn re-
specting the commissariat supplies, so far as the cavalry
are concerned, so much at variance with the state of the
case, that I think it my duty to tender myself as a wit-
ness. No officer, so far as the Cava'ry Division is con-
cerned, can speak with equal knowledge and authority
of all the circumstances and fasts, and this report must
continue very incomplete without my evidence.--I have
the honour, &c.,

"Lucas, Major. General.
"P.S. Since writing the above, I am informed that
there is no very pleasant mention made of the subject of
this letter in the Times. I have not read it, purposely ;
but your lordship will, I am sure, feel that it is not now
the less important to me that the examination I seek
should be accorded.

" LUEIAN."

INSURRECTION IN ALGERIA.

We read in the Moniteur Algerien of thelOth:—

"The Governor-General received information on the
21st ult. that an insurrection had broken out in the
Valley of the Sebaou, and that several tribes had col-
lected together and made a hostile movement towards
Tizi-Ouzou, and threatened -the new post established
there. Not knowing whether this insurrection might
have ramifications in other parts, at Kabylie,
orders were immediately given to concentrate a
sufficient force to re-establish order. On the 2d, three
battalions of the 60th reigment, a squadron of the 7th
Hussars, and a detachment of artillery under the com-
mand of General do ligny, left Algiers and pro-
ceeded by forced marches towards Tizt-Ouzou. The ad-
vanced guard arrived there at daybreak on the 24th. The
news of the rapid approach of the French troops had the
effect of clearing away the insurgents from the neigh-
bourhood of that post ; still the Kabyles did not retire
to their homes, but remained in numerous groups on the
sides of their mountains, firing off their muskets by way
of challenge to the French. In order to establish the
French authority in the plain, and also to draw the
Kabyles into the ground more favourable to the opera-
tions of the French troops, Gen. de Ligny, on the 28th,
ordered a razzia to be made in the direction of the village
of Meddour, two leagues to the east of Tizi Ouzou. This
operation was effected without the troops i
engagedn it
meeting with anyresistance, but at the moment when they
were returning to the camp, Capt. Beaupretre, who bad
pushed a reconnaissance to some distance along the valley,
was followed by a body of horsemen, aided by from NO to
400 foot. The general sent a force to support the captain,
and the squadron of hussars under Captain de Sers
charged the enemy, who hastily retreated, leaving 20
killed in the hands of the French. After this success it
was hoped that the Beni-Onaguenous would abandon
the insurgent tribes and return to their submission, but
as they persisted in their outbreak, it was resolved to
punish them. On the 30th a column left the camp,
crossed the Sebaou, and attacked the Kabyles. They
resisted obstinately, hut were at length put to the rout,
with the loss of 50 killed, and several wounded, besides
a great number of oxen and sheep. The lass of the
French was only four killed. Almost all the tribes on
the right bank of the Sebaou have quitted the other in-
surgent.- and renewed their submission to French autho-
rity, and those tribes who still remain in rebellion have
retired into the mountains of the Beni-Raten."

TnE lEolf MINES IN Nova SCOTIA —The prospectus
has bcen issued of a company for working, the iron
minor' of Nora, Sbotia, to be called the Acadian 1t:ou Cow.
PUY, Withcapital of 200,0004., 6148laarput

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The Thames, No. 92, steam-transport, Capt. Strutt,
arrived at Portsmouth yesterday from the East. She left
Balaklava on the 27th of Jan., Constantinople on the
29th, Malta on the 4th of Feb., Gibraltar on the 9th,
with Lieut. W. Daunt, of the 9th Regt., in command of
invalids; Staff-Surgeon G. H. Powell, Assistant-Surgeon
J. M. Bleckley, of the 14th FOot ; Assistant-Surgeon E.
L. L. Lundy, of the 79th ; Capt. Hy. Foster, 95th; Lieut.
H. J. de Carteret, 79th Highlanders; Quartermaster
Addy, Land Transp wrt Corps ; Mr. Jno. Luard, 1 medi-
cal staff steward, 25 orderlies, 1 assistant-storekeeper, 2
Commissariat drivers, 1 labourer, Army Works Corps, 1
distressed seaman from Malta, and miltary invalids. All
have wonderfully improved On the voyage home, and no
efforts were spared to make them comfortable. They
disembarked at Portsmouth dockyard yesterday after-
noon, under the direction of Deputy-Quartermaster-
General Dalgetty and Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-Gene-
ral Nelson.

The Basilisk, 6, paddle-wheel sloop, has been com-
missioned at Portsmouth by Commander Crofton, of the
Rosamond, and most of the crew of the latter have been
turned over to her.

The Ruby gun-boat arrived at Portsmouth yesterday
from the eastward.

The Esk, 21 guns, screw corvette, Captain Thomas
Birch, has been recalled from the Great Nore, where
she has been riding, and orders have been received for
her to prepare for being paid off.
It is reported at Sheerness that the Majestic, 80 gong,
Captain James Hope, C. 8., is also to be paid off. Por-
tions of the crews of this ship and the Esk will be
draughted into other ships.
The Eurotas, 12 guns, screw mortar ship, bas been
put out of No. 2 dry dock, Sheerness. She had received
her foremast, and is now receiving her boilers and heavy
machinery. Artificers are working extra hours to ex-
pedite her completion.
The Retribution, 28 guns, paddle-wheel steam-frigate,
Captain Thomas Fisher, has received orders to take o❑
board at Sheerness 300 tons of coal, and preparations
are being made to store and victual her for her de-
parture.

The launch of the 20-gun screw corvetts Cadmus, at
Chatham, has been postponed for a month.
Her Majesty's ship Geyser, 6, Commander Dew, went
to Spithead yesterday, on her way to Liverpool, for a
convoy of newly-built gun-boats from the docks of Mr.

Seijeant Brodie, who, until lately, was serjeant-saddler
of the Ist Royal Dragoons, has been appointed by the
Secretary-for-War Inspecting Foreman of Saddlery at
Weedon -Beck.

Mr. Jeans is likely to be secretary to Rear-Admiral
Sir M. Seymour.
A committee of flag officers and captains assembled
yesterday at the Admiralty, to decide upon the regula-
tions of the new contemplated naval uniforms. Admiral
Rous, Captain Shepherd, Captain Charles Eden, Capt.
Pelham, and many others, were present in consultation
with the Board of Admiralty.