The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-22 00:00:00

FAREWELL BANQUET TO MR VERDON.

A number of Australian colonists, or of gentlemen more
especially interested in the colony of Victoria, assembled
last evening at Willis's Rooms, to give a farewell banquet
to the Hon. F. F. Verdon, Finance Minister of Victoria,
who for the last few months has been on a mission to this
country, with the double object of facilitating certain finan-
cial operations in connection with the colony, and of ob-
taining from the Admiralty the grant of a wooden ship for
training purposes, and for making arrangements respecting
an ironclad frigate for the defence of the colony. The
chairman was Mr. H. Childers, M.P. Among the guests,
who consisted principally of gentlemen specially connected
with the colony of Victoria, were the Right Hon. Lord.
Carnarron, the Right Hon. Sir J. Pakington, Bart., 31•P•1
Gen. Sir E. M'Arthur, the Right Hon. Lord A. Churchill,
W. T. Waterhouse, Esq., Mr. Alderman Rose, Sir D.
Cooper, Bart., J. A. You], Esq., A. L. Elder, Esq., Scc.
The usual loyal toasts were proposed, after the cloth
had been removed, in brief and appropriate terms by the
Chairman. In giving " The Health of the Prince of Wales"
he observed that he could scarcely be wrong, in the pre-
sence of two of her Majesty's Ministers, in saying that the
colony of Victoria was remarkable for its loyalty, and
that the colonists would be most happy if, in the course
of time, any member of theßoyal family should find it pos-
sible to pay the colony a visit.
In proposing the toast of "The Army, the Navy, and the
Volunteers," the Chairman observed that one of the most
important acts having reference to the colonies that had
ever been enacted by Parliament was passed a short time
since, under which the Imperial Government and the Go-
vernment of the colonies were enabled to concert measures
for the improvement of their naval defences. When that
bill was passed the colony of Victoria was, he might say,
specially kept in view by the authors of the measure as the
colony most likely to be the first to take advantage of its
provisions. With the navy he would couple the name of
Sir John Pakington—(cheers)—a name which, he might
say without flattery, would always be dear to all colonists
who were acquainted with the manner in which the right
hon. gentleman had formerly administered the colonies,
and who, from that knowledge, would bereadily convinced
of the efficient manner in which, under his direction, the
affairs of the Admiralty would be administered. (Cheers.)
Gen. Sir E. M'Alerauß returned thanks in a few words
for the army.
Sir J. PAKINGTON, on rising to return thanks for the navy,
was greeted with great applause. He acknowledged, and
with the warmest thanks, the kind manner in 1% hich his
hon. friend had referred to him, and in which they had
been pleased to receive the mention of his name. As long
as he had the honour of being at the bead of the naval de-
partment he hoped and trusted that he should be able to
discharge the onerous duties.that devolved upon him with
respect to the officers and men of the navy with even-handed
justice and impartiality. (Cheers.) With respect to the yet
more important branch of this great question—the naval
strength of England—be hoped he should never be un-
mindful of the highly responsible duties committed to his
charge ; but he was sure that they would excuse him on
that occasion from entering more particularly or at greater
length into the subject. With reference to the special sub-
ject that had assembled them together, he desired to ex-
press the sincere and peculiar pleasure with which he con-
tributed his share to the honour which they proposed to do
to the guest of the evening, his friend Mr. Verdon. It
was right that he should not return to Victoria without
some such public acknowledgment. It had been his for-
tune on several occasions to come into contact with gentle-
men on missions to this country from the colonies, and he
might say without flattery that he had always found them
to be men of great capacity and high character ; men well
qualified to fill the highest positions in any country in
which their lot might be cast. (Hear, hear.) He might be
allowed to add that his hon. friend the guest of the evening
formed no exception to that rule. (Hear.) He was very
happy to be able to say that the mission of his hon. friend
had been successful. The object of the mission was that
the Government would, fromthe wooden vessels now lying
in the various harbours, grant them one of those vessels,
to be conveyed at the expense of the colonists to -Victoria
for the encouragement of the local navy of Victoria, and
to be used as a training ship for that purpose. (Hear.) The
other request was that the Government would contribute
the necessary funds, with the aid which the colony was able
to offer, to eiable them to purchase an armour-plated ship
for the defence of their noble bay and of the commerce
which crowded it. (Hear, hear.) The colonists of Victoria
did not come forward merely as suppliants, but in the most
straightforward and manly spirit. They had said that in
view of the many proofs of loyalty which they had given,
and after no slight exertions which they had made fortheir
own independent defence at considerable cost, they now
asked the home government, not for anything that the co-
lonists could do of themselves, but to give them a wooden
vessel for the purpose of a training ship, and to procure for
them what they could not procure for themselves, an ar-
mour-plated frigate. (Hear.) Her Majesty's Ministers felt
themselves unable to hesitate as to the answer to be

returned. They at once decided the t the colony
should have their training ship and should have their
iron-plated frigate. (Hear, hear.) And he desired
further to say that the English Government and people
met the colonists of Victoria in the spirit in which
they came forward on this occasion, and that they looked
forward for a long future of prosperityfor the colony under
its principles of self-government and of well and wisely-
regulated liberty and freedom. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Health of her Majesty's
Ministers." On certain occasions some difficulty was asso-
ciated with this toast. It happened once, fur instance, that
the late Lord Palmerston, when at the head of the adminis-
tration, had to propose the toast, and he managed to do it
by saying that at least every man, whatever his political
opinions, desired that the members of the Government should
be men in their right minds, and he called upon the Lord
Chancellor to acknowledge the toast, as the person who had
official care of insane persons. (A laugh.) On the present
occasion, however, they met together as colonists, and they
had been honoured with the presence of two distinguished
members of her Majesty's Government. During the last
quarter of a century a great change had come over the
manner in which colonial questions were treated in this
country. Instead of having all the details of their govern-
ment settled at home, the colonies now governed them-
selves ; and he thought that all colonists would admit that
the present administration was one that ought to receive
every possible support from colonists. (Hear, hear.) Lord
the
Derby, the head of it, for many and troublous years held
office of Colonial Secretary. The Secretary of State
for India had, too, the opportunity of becoming personally
acquainted with the colonies, and the First Lord of the
Admiralty administered 14 years ago the colonies with the
greatest possible success, and settled in a few montns two
or three of the most difficult questions that could possibly
have come before the Colonial Office, such as the adminis-
tration of the gold fields, the administration of the Crown
lands, and the important questions relating to the consti-
tutions both of Australia and New Zealand. (Hear.) With
respect to the present Colonial Secretary, it would not be
the first time that the noble lord had been connected with
the Colonial Office, and all who had eome in contact with
him during his former administration as Under Secretary,
would bear witness to the assiduity with which the in-
terests of the colonies were watched. (Hear, hear.)
Lord CNARVON, who was warmly received, said that
the speech to which he had just listened brought to his
recollection the couplet of an old and excellent English

poet—
" Swift comes the reckoning, when the banquet's o'er,
The dreaded reckoning, and men smile no more."
And he felt that the reckoning had now come for him, in
having to return thanks for the very handsome speech to
which he had just listened from his hon. friend the chair-
man. He did not, however, presume to accept the toast in
a personal sense, but rather as a compliment paid to the
office he had the honour to hold. His hon. friend had said,
truly enough, that a great change had come over the spirit
of the Colonial-office, and Downing-street, as any ono
could tell who took the trouble to pay it a visit just now,
was undergoing great changes. (A laugh.) In other days
no doubt the mother country had been guilty of some mis-
takes and faults in her dealings with the colonies. (Hear.)
It might be said, perhaps, that the faults of the mother

country were the faults incidental to old age; that she was

sometimes too apt to be a little dogmatic in her dealings
with her children, while on the other hand the colonists

were perhaps sometimes in tho habit of being too impatient
even of the semblance of control. But, apart from these

sources of occasional misunderstanding, he was sure that
the mother country was really animated with the most

earnest sympathy for her colonies, and that, in their turn,
the colonies were deeply imbued with sentiments of pro-
found loyalty and lovefor the mother country. (Hear, hear.)
After some further observations his lordship concluded by
anuouncing, amidst great applause, that in consideration of
the valuable services which the mission of Mr. Verdon had
been the means of rendering, her Majesty had been pleased
to intimate that it was her pleasure to admit him to the
Uoinleanionship of the Bath.
T
C!,lAlnuale next proposed "The Health of the Guest
of the
Evening, Mr. Verdon," which was received with
three Braes three'.
Mr. Vssu ov • replied at some length, and with consider-
able eloquence. lie accepted the compliment as intended as
much for the colony Of which he was the representative as
for himself individuallgiving adequate ex preszy
a,
ordhe felt himself incapable of
thei gratitude which he felt for
the kindness whieh he
vdairiably received since his
arrival in England, and for the Position that had been
evinced on all hands to render whateaioassistance they could
in furthering the objects of his mission. (Hear, hear.) He
desired to express his gratitude for the
had been rendered by the associated boe„.d:isitanceanl.hiinch,
80retaoaL. ord
the sale of the debentures of the colonies; ananaim
Caruarvon and Sir J. Pakington for the great
wiith which they had listened to all his representationnsiese
re-
specting the ships, and had finally come to the conclusion
that it would be consistent with their duty to grant the ap-
plication. This was really a great colonial undertaking:,
which, in his view, would be likely to prove of equal bene-
fit to the Imperial Gov ernment and to the colony itself.
During his stay in Eugland he had become convinced that
the warm feelings of respect and loyalty which animated
the breasts of the colonists were reciprocated on the part

ofj Englishmen generally by feelings of deep attachment,
and by a desire to further in every way the interests both
of the colony of Victoria and of the other colonies generally.
(Hear.) It was sometimes asked whether the colonieswere
not an expense to England, and whether it might not be
desirable that the relations betweem them should be severed.
He was strongly opposed to this view. There was not in
any part of her Majesty's dominions mord loyalty to the
throne than in the colonies. (Hear.) Why should they
be separated from the mother-country ? Why should they
be deprived of the great privilege of forming part of the
empire ? The oolonies had no history of their own as yet.
All they had was in the present and the future. Why
were they to be deprived of being able to consider the his-
tory of England as their own ? A greater calamity could
not be inflicted upon the colonies than such a separation.
(Hear, hear.) The whole surface of the globe had now
been explored. Whatever fresh experiments in the arts of
governing were yet to be tried must be tried in Australia.
Nor did he think that a great empire could be more
nobly employed than in founding in that new world fresh
communities founded upon the customs and beliefs of Eng-
land. (Hear, hear.) After referring to some topics con-
nected with Victoria, the speaker concluded by saying the
honour which her Majesty had been pleased to confer upon
him, though unsolicited on his part, would be more highly
prized by him than he could easily express, and he should
endeavour so to shape his career hereafter as to show that
he was neither insensible to the honour nor to the respon-
sibilities that attended it. (Cheers.)
After some further toasts, the company separated.

Letter from Mr. E. James, M.P., on the

Reform Movement.

The following letter has been forwarded to the
Manchester Guardian. It was not read at the ban-
quet, nor was any mention made of it :
" Queen's Hotel, Manchester, 10th Oct., 1866.
" Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of an invitation to attend a banquet, proposed
to be held at Manchester, ' immediately after the
close of a National Reform Conference at which the
members and friends of the National Reform Union
will discuss the position of the Reform question, and
how the Liberal party in the House of Commons
may be best supported.' I regret that I cannot ac-
cept the invitation. It is evidently the object of the
promoters of the conference to organise an opposi-
tion to the present Administration before there has
been any opportunity of ascertaining whether such
opposition be called for or not. This I consider a

'actions proceeding, and 1 cannot in any way lend
myself to its accomplishment. This movement
emanates, moreover, from a party, and is under the
auspices of leaders, whose extreme views on the
question of Parliamentary reform and the means of
carrying it into effect are repugnant to my prin-
ciples and to those on which I obtained the suffrages
of an overwhelming majority of the liberal and en-
lightened constituency of Manchester. Those prin-
ciples aim at the establishing, by fair and legitimate
means—not by intimidation and threats—of a re-
form in the representation, which shall be moderate,
constitutional, and progressive in its character. The
intentions of the present Administration on the ques-
tion of reform are as yet unknown. I protest, there-
fore, most strongly against the unwarrantable as-
sumption which has been made by distinguished
leaders of the agitation, that any bill introduced by
Lord Derby must necessarily be a delusion and a
sham. In 1859 he introduced a bill the failure of
which, by reason of the course adopted by the Liberal
party on the second reading, and, therefore, with-
out any opportunity being afforded for discussing in
committee such amendments as might in their judg-
ment have rendered it deserving of acceptance by the
country, I have never ceased to regret. Although
differing from Lord Derby on many vital principles
I see no reason for thinking that the bill was not the
result of an honest endeavour on his part to settle
the difficult question of Reform ; and I would not,
therefore, by attending the banquet, which is held for
the purpose of setting the seal to a scheme of oppo-
sition, inaugurated by men who have permitted to
pass, not only without challenge, but even with ap-
plause, a declaration that such bill was fraudulent,
hold myself out as tacitly approving of an assertion
which I believe to be as untrue as it is reckless and
malignant. I may be deceiving myself, but I sin-
cerely believe that the course which I feel it my duty
to pursue will meet with the approval of the great
bulk of the intelligent working classes, who, from
their education and integrity, arc deserving of the
electoral franchise. Their approbation I desire,and I
am convinced that they have too keen a sense of jus-
tice and too much love of fair play to approve of an
agitation designed to procure Buchan extension of the
suffrage as would place the destinies of our country,
it is to be feared, in the power of one predominant
class. Under these circumstances I feel it my duty, as
a Liberal member of the Legislature, to abstain from
any act which may be characterised as factious, and to
wait until the coming session shall disclose the inten

tions of the Administration. If Lord Derby should
introduce a bill which shall contain within itself, or
may by practicable amendments be made to contain,

provisions calculated to effect a reform likely to be, and
deserving of being acceptable to the country, I will

give it my support, even though it do emanate from a
party which occupies benches on the opposite side of
the house to that on which T have the honour to sit.

And, in adopting this course, I am glad to know that
I shall have the eminent example of the late Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gladstone.—l have the
honour to be, sir, your very obedient servant,

" EDWARD JAMES.
To J. D. Morton, Esq., 12, Newall's-buildings,
Manchester."

The Insurrection in Jamaica.

Mr. Buxton has published the following corre.
spondence

LIEUT. BRAND, R.N., TO MR. C. BUXTON, M.P.
" (Private.)

" Her Majesty's Ship Delight, Jamaica, Aug. 8.
"Sir,—Last mail brought me an English Standard,
with a letter from yourself about your Jamaica
Committee, with so many wicked and malicious lies
in it, that I am forced to write to inform you that
' a couple of young lieutenants and an ensign' did
not, as you well know, and all your committee too,
go on hanging any one they pleased, for I (the Pre-
sident) never ordered a single person to be brought
before
only, who
for trial. My duty was to try those, and
those
were sent for trial by my superior,
and every verdict was subject to the approval and
confirmation of the officer convening the court.
That is the first lie. The second is, upwards* of
200 perished by their orders alone.'
polished gentlemen at Exeteer
" You may be a very fin
aline kwr ah
oa
wmaonntgesdt
Mr.
Eyre suspended with a rope,' and the old ladies of
Clapham, but when you come
with your uliar
little assertions in print, and
such barefacedpeculiar
lies,
too, I think it is time for the trampled worm to turn.
H you have a spark of gentlemanly or generous
to give m
tees ;
and
feeling left you will contradict your letter relative
to my counrta, owrayl smhoalrleexspueiteetdyotuo
my
tastes
know
satis-
faction
ithis, Sir, that it is a damned cowardly thing
for you to write officers (who did their best, and
whose acts were fully approved by their superiors)
down, when you well know that they are not allowed
to write to a newspaper. However, England and
the Admiralty are my judges, not Buxton and Co.
-I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient ser-
vant, " H. BRAND.
as
P.S. I have written ' private' onhtahmised to by advice,
as my friends say, He was not
falsehoods about the beardless boy, so he may sneak
into the Admiralty and say he is afraid of him,' but
you need not be so. We have a new Admiralty,
my friend. I, 11. B."

"Fox Warren, Cobham, Sept. 2.

" Sir,—l have received your letter. It has not
wholly removed the doubt I had ventured to express
whether you ought to have been entrusted for a full
month with the power of life and death over some
hundreds of persons.

" In a postscript you inform me that you have
been advised to mark your letter private' lest I
should ' sneak to the Admiralty for protection' from
your vengeance ! You cannot ask me to respect a
mark of privacy which you yourself assure me was
affixed for the express purpose of insulting me.
"Nor can you call any one a liar, coward, and
sneak, and then shelter yourself by a mere dodge
from the proper punishment for such a letter—viz.,
its publication.
" But, in fact, your letter is necessarily a public

*My words, Nearly two hundred."—B.

document. You have no right to address any pri-
vate communication to me on the subject. I did
not mention your name in the letter to which you
allude. And you write to me in answer to a public
statement made by me in my public capacity in your
public capacity as president of the court-martial
whose acts I impugned.

" Nay, your letter demands from me a public
contradiction of my public statement.

" I am advised, therefore, that I have a perfect
right to publish your letter, and I intend to do so.
But I will spare you this disgrace, provided that by
the return mail I receive an ample retractation and
apology.-1 am, Sir, your obedient servant,

" CHARLES BUXTON.

" P.S.--A colonel in the army, who is staying
with me, is confident that the letter I have received
is a hoax, as no officer could have written it. if so,
I most heartily apologise for a mistake so injurious
to your character as a gentleman."

" Jamaica, Oct. 23.
" Sir,—Your letter, dated September 2, I received
at Newcastle on October 9, and it only confirmsmy
former opinion of your character as a gentleman.
" Talking so arrogantly about your public capa-
city is all nonsense, as you have before been told
elsewhere.

"Supposing I and a few more got up a society,
do you think I should be justified in stating and
publishing falsehoods about other people, and when
they complained, then say Oh ! I did it in my public
capacity ?' Nonsense, sir, you are not a public man
as far as Jamaica is concerned at all. As for your
saying my letter is injurious to my character as a
gentleman, it is simply an impertinence for which I
shall bring you to book. Don't imagine lam afraid
of the mighty Buxton, who can write so cunningly
and say, I never mentioned your name.' Oh ! it
makes me ill, for I gave you credit for more pluck,
Mr. Public Capacity. You may publish this, too,
if you like, also your answer to my first ; it will only
be telling the world of your own cowardice, only
don't clip them at all. Fair play is my motto,
and true blue my colours.
" Please don't write any more, as I am very ner-
vous and you terrify me.—l am your most obedient
servant, " H. BRAND."