The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-02 00:00:00

in the Mediterranean, and another of 20 sail of the line in
the North Sea, with frigates and light vessels in proportion.
There could be no safety to the country unless the navy were
raised to that extent. Then there were the demands of our
foreign and colonial stations to be supplied, so that altoge-
ther, according to the best authorities, we ought not to be
content with less than 80 sail of the line and a proportionate
number of frigates and light vessels. This might seem
a large force to be under the necessity of keeping up,
but it must be remembered that is, 1815 we had 244 sail of
the line, and that now we had only 46, which were not
all ready for sea. All the points relating to the subject
of manning the navy were dealt with in the re-
port of the commissioners. It might be objected to
that report that it was somewhat speculative, and no doubt
it was open to that objection„ because, in the first place, it
was not certain that the number of men necessary to form
a reserved volunteer corps could be got • nor when they
were got, and their names entered on the boots, was it cer-
tain that they would always be forthcoming when wanted.
A great number of shipmasters had been consulted by the
commissioners on this question, and they were all of opi-
nion that a retaining fee would be likely to induce a num-
ber of men to come forward and enter themselves, and they
thought that this plan, if limited in a certain way—giving
the fee only to men engaged in short voyages—would be
sure to answer. The late Government had placed the mat-
ter on such a footing as would in a few years, if the present
Government carried out their views earnestly, place the
country in a most satisfactory position in regard to manning
the navy. There would be an absolute certainty of obtaining
men when they were needed, and great expenses would be
saved by doing away with the necessity of keeping up large
establishments when there was ne use for them. (Hear.)
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—I heard with great
satisfaction what fell from the noble duke opposite with
respect to the intentions of the present Government on: the
important subject of the navy, but it was no more than I
expected, because I bore in mind what fell from Lord
Palmerston two or three years ago, in the course of a dis-
cussion on the navy in the other house. The noble lord
said he thought the navy of this country ought to be equal
to contend not only with the navy of France, but also
with the navy of any other great maritime Power united
with France—(hear)—and I think it is impossible that
under the present circumstances of the country, which are
much graver than any which existed at that time, or indeed,
in my opinion, at any time during the last half century, Lord
Palmerston could in the slightest degree have changed that
opinion. If that be the object which we have in view the
noble duke must feel that he is only in a state of progress,
and that he has a great deal to do. (Hear, hear.) I be-
lieve I might venture to go as far as my noble and gal-
lant friend who spoke last, and say that no force of line-of-
battle ships less than 70 would be sufficient for the protec-
tion of our maritime interests. I would not distribute them
as he proposes to do, but that number we ought to have.
(Hear.) We ought to have, also, a proportion of smaller
vessels for the protection of our trade, for it must be recol-
lected that however equal our navy may be with the navies
of France and Russia, the detachments we are compelled to
send out for the protection of our colonies and our trade,
extending all over the world, are so great that the force re-
maining for the defence of our own country is by no means
so great as we should expect. But I rose principally to en-
deavour to impress upon your lordships and the country
the truth which I feelmost deeply, that no extent of increased
efficiency which you can give to your navy can now, under
the changed circumstances of navigation, give you an effec-
tual protection against invasion, if an enemy be determined
to invade you. The advantage which an enemy derives from
the possession of forts like Brest and Cherbourg, and from
the improvements in steam navigation, are so peat that, at
least during six months in the year, he may land 60,000 or
80,000 men upon any beach on the south coast of England.
But recollect that the great ad vantage of a powerful and
superior fleet is, that, though a force may be landed it losses
its communications. (Hear.) The late Napoleon said, and
I have no doubt the present Emperor has seen reason to
adopt the maxim, that the science of war consists in the
science of communication. If that be so, no prudent general
would land a force in this country unless he had a reason-
able_expectation of always being able to preserve a commu-
nicnion with the country from which that force had come.
And this leads me to offer a suggestion for the immediate
consideration of the noble duke, which is this—that no time
whatever should be lost in protecting all the ports and all the
roads in which it would be possible for an enemy to place a
fleet with any degree of security, and where he might form
a tete du pont that would assist his future operations. I trust
he will lose no time in placing at every one of these points—
and I particularly recommend to his notice the port of Port-
land—some one fort atleast, capable of sustaining a siege of
a week or a fortnight, so that it would be impossible for as
enemy to hold that position with a fleet to assist his opera-
tions. I refer to the new
_port of Portland, that port which
the late French Ambassador went down to reconnoitre,and
which he took the trouble of visiting at the end of last sum-
mer in order to see the particular advantage it possessed.
I trust that whenever that respectable gentleman goes to
that port again he will find it in a better position than it is
now. (A laugh.) Now, my lords, whatever you do with
respect to the navy, it is impossible to neglect your army—
that military strength by which at last must be defended
everything we value. The noble duke is right to extend
the force of the navy. It is a security for our interest and
honour, and it may be productive of great advantages in
carrying on our defences. But of itself our navy is not
sufficient, and unless you determine to establish on a per-
manent and secure basis the future military defences of this
country, I feel confident that, considering the passions that
animate persona on the Continent who are hostile to us,
considering the vast power at their disposal and the reasons
for running the risk of invasion, I can speak with perfect
assurance, and to my own mind almost in the language of
iropheey, that the attempt will be made. It will not be made
urmg this war. What we have to apprehend is when this

war has terminated—when France has broken the military
strength of Austria,—when she has terrified the other
Powers of the Continent—when there is a close connection
and understanding with Russia—when she has the opportu-
nity of bringing a disciplined and victorious army—for they
will consider themselves certain of success, to realize the last
project of the Emperor Napoleon 1., all -whose projects the
present Emperor has boasted it is his fate to accomplish. I
cannot close these few observations without expressing my
conviction that if we do not take advantage of this respite of
time—of the advantage given us by the war France is en-
gaged in—we shall imperil everything that every man in
this country values—its independence, its honour, and its
constitution. (Hear, hear.)
CHURCH RATES.

Lord PORTMAN said that in the absence of the right
rev. prelates he would postpone until an early day the ob-
servati•ns he had intended to make in calling the attention
of their lordships to the present state of the law of church
rates.

Their lordships adjourned at half-past seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
SWEARING IN.

Lord BURY took the oaths and his seat for Norwich ;
and Mr. M. Gibson for Ashton. Mr. Cobden, introduced
by Mr. Gilpin and Mr. Dillwyn, took the oaths and his
seat for Rochdale, and seated himself on the second bench
behind the Ministers.