The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-24 00:00:00

~~j~

LONDON, TVEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, 1866.

Mr. MILNER GIBSON has been addressing his con-
stituents at Ashton-under-Lyne, and doubtless the
right hon. gentleman thinks he has been very suc-
cessful, and made a great impression ; but he has
not imparted any considerable amount of informa-
tion, and certainly he has divulged no official secrets.
Mr. S3IETHURST, in his introductory remarks, was
more downright than flattering, and very likely the
President of the Board of Trade would rather he
had left his allusions to malcontent spirits alone.
"He had heard it said that since the right
honourable gentleman had got into a snug
berth he had been a little bit of a trimmer
and done very little for his constituents." Mr.
SMETHURST, however, undertook to defend Mr.
GIBSON, and declared that his influence in the
Cabinet, although quiet, had been very great, and
that he had been is part a sort of schoolmaster to
the Cabinet. The most we have seen or felt of the
influence of the right hon. gentleman has been
during the great struggle which took place between
the States of North America, and, doubtless, his
advice also conduced to the hesitating and timid
policy that our Government pursued respecting
Denmark. At any rate Mr. GIBSON, generally a very
moderate speaker, seemed rather put upon his mettle,
and addressed the meeting in very decided terms.
He said that a man who was entrusted with any
particular department had better attend to it, and
not trouble himself about those things which came
under the notice of other people ; and he supposed
that it was in consequence of his carrying out this
principle that he was called " quiet," a term which
seems to have given him great offence. In reference
to political matters, Mr. Gissox did not show him-
self to be a very devoted partisan of his party, but
seemed rather to seek to identify himself with
general principles. It is certainly more sensible for
a man in an influential position to decline to make
positive assertions as to the strength of parties in a
new and untried House, and there is much to re-
spect in the straightforwardness with which Mr.
GIBSON states that he believes the truth of the case
to be that the " country at the last general election
signified emphatically that whoever are the men who
are to carry on the administration of thepublic affairs
of this country their policy must be guided by the
principles acted upon by the Reform Bill_of 1832,
gradual progress to political, to religious, and I
Islay say the entire accomplishment of commercial
freedom."

Mr. GIBSON took up the old argument about the
cause of the American war being the question of
slavery," and endeavoured to show that the work-
ing classes of England recognised it as such, but
signally failed in his attempt. We can assure Mr.
GIBSON that it was not only " many of the
masters in many parts of South Lancashire
who sympathised with the Southern cause,"
but that it vas generally popular in England,
and that no impartial judge ever confounded for a
moment the desire of the Federals to override the
Southern States, and monopolise all advantages to
themselves, with the question of " Slavery," which
had nothing whatever to do with the origin of the
war. As for congratulating the people of England
on the course Which we adopted during the eyentful

struggle that certainly seems rather a work of
supererogation. The President of the Board of
Trade has much to learn of true statesmanship and
of national honour if he thinks he and his
colleagues pursued any policy worthy of ad-
miration during that epoch. The most unjust
course was followed ; and while unwarrantable
privileges were accorded to the Northerners, the
adherents to the Southern cause were subjected to
all manner of persecutions, and great.injuries were
inflicted upon some subjects of the QUEEN in order
that Ministers might mollify or propitiate the Wash-
ington Government, and all this dignified with the
name of strict neutrality.
Mr. GIBSON did not say much upon " Reform."
He said, indeed, that to expatiate upon that topic
was not quite so easy as on those matters with
which he was more immediately concerned. He tried,
however, to do Lord RUSSELL all the honour he could,
and in so doing he was indifferent as to whether
or not he uttered facts and twisted circumstances
a little to fit. He said that four able Ministers
had failed in trying to introduce a Reform Rill,
but that was no reason why the attempt should not
be made again. All that he would say of a defi-
nite character as to official intelligence was that
the " Government, whatever may be the details of
the bill, will propose a measure which will admit to
electoral privileges a fair number of the upper portion
of the working classes of the country. " There was
great truth in one passing observation of the right
hon. gentleman's, that every true Reformer should
be guided " by the substantial merits of a Reform
Bill on the whole, and not base his opinions on
some particular point of detail." If he succeed in
impressing this truth upon his friends and the sup-
porters of the Government he will do a great deal ;
but it will most likely turn out, as on many former
occasions, that each one has his own pet project or
favourite theory to the exclusion of all others, which
must be considered of paramount importance and
vital interest.

It was not to be expected that Mr. GIBSON woulp
take a very fair view of the Jamaica question,
but he certainly need not have gone out of
his way to cast discredit upon the officials of the
island. When we reflect upon the remarks made
by the right hon. gentleman, we are justified in
coming to the conclusion that in this business, as in
other matters, he has been exercising that "quiet"
and " very great" influence before alluded to. It
is outraging the ordinary rules of official etiquette,
and totally disregarding the observances of justice,
fora Cabinet Minister to prejudge matters and form
hasty conclusions, as Mr. GIBSON has done. In the
face of all that has been said and written by
the inhabitants of the island, in spite of all
the reports that have reached us, with
the knowledge that the Legislative Council
and House of Assembly have recorded their
thanks to the Governor and their appreciation of
his services, Mr. GIBSON coolly informs his hearers
that " when the news arrived of the shameful pro-
ceedings which had occurred in that island, it was
felt at once by the Government that there was a
prima facie case for inquiry ;" and adds that, while
a large and important deputation waited on the
Colonial Minister to urge an inquiry, Sir R.
STOCKS was on his way from Malta to conduct it.
We ask, by what right Mr. GIBSON speaks in this
style, and how he dares to calumniate faith-
ful public servants of the Crown after
this fashion? Not a word is said of the great
danger which was run by the white population,
not a sentence is uttered as to the services of the
Governor and those,who zealously aided him, but sly
innuendoes and significant phrases are introduced,
such as " shameful proceedings" and " dreadful
proceedings." Such a course is quite unworthy of
a Minister of England, and if such is to be the lan-
guage used in the house during the session the
Government is not likely to find favour either there
or in the country, for there is nothing less likely to
be tolerated in England than a want of fair play.

According to the intelligence brought from New
York by the City of London, President JOHNSON
is assuming the reins of power with a stronger
hand. He is apparently getting wearied of the con-
stant opposition and hindrances which his measures
have encountered, not only in the Congress, but
among his own immediate associates and colleagues.
It is stated with confidence that the President has
fully determined to reconstract his Cabinet, re-

taining only two of its present members. Mr.
STANTON, who is known to have been one of the
great obstacles in the President's way, from his
hatred of the South and his antagonism to
England, is, it is said, to be sent to this country
in place of Mr. ADAMS, a selection which
seems to be somewhat singular, considering
his predilections, or rather his aversions. Perhaps
Mr. JOHNSON thinks that by sending him
to London he will impose upon him the restraints
of diplomatic courtesy, and make him better
acquainted with the people and Government whom
he distrusts and dislikes. At any rate he will be
free from his immediate interference, and perhaps

hat is the PRESIDENT'S principal object for the

time being. Mr. SUMNER was to be absent three
weeks, according to the official announcement.
The reduction of the war establishment con-
tinues, notwithstanding the critical posi-

tion of affairs with Mexico. Twenty-two
regiments have been mustered out in Texas,
and the War Department has ordered that 10,000
more shall be mustered out of the whole army. The
military committee of the Senate has reported a
bill fixing the future strength of the Federal army
at seven regiments of artillery, ten of cavalry, and
sixty of infantry, the aggregate strength of the army
being 60,000, and one new regiment of artillery and
two of cavalry to consist of coloured troops. Gen.
TnomAs has officially announced that all Federal
troops will be withdrawn from Georgia and Ala-
bama, and that arms and ammunition will be fur-
nished to the militia. This augurs well for
the restoration of civil order and the re-
establishment of confidence and public liberty
in the Southern States. President JOHNSON evi-
dently wishes to strengthen his hands by concen-
trating his forces, and he is anxious, no doubt, to
be able to show a firmer front to the extreme
Radicals. There can be nothing like strong or
national government so long as the executive is at
the mercy of any one faction or party, bound to
consult their wishes, and defer to their opinions.
Mr. JOHNSON is not the man to undertake the
government on such terms, and so long as he pos-
sesses at least the nominal authority he will endea-
vour to have the substance as well as the shadow.
Fortunately, now that the first excitement and irri-
tation have died out, Mr. JOHNSON has the sense of
the people with him in his wise and patriotic course.
If he succeeds in inspiring the public with confi-
dence in his Government he will have gained an
important-point. His hands will then be strong
enough to crown his gifts to the South by the
release of JEFFERSON DAVIS, by which means he
will do more to consolidate his Government and
reconcile the disaffected portions of the Southern
States than by any other measure.

It is not likely, at such a juncture, that the
PRESIDENT courts war, and the mustering out of so
many troops certainly indicates a desire for peace.
At the p=o time thO American Go7,lllllllOnt is not

inclined to abandon its position towards Mexico; and
Mr. SEWARD, in a despatch to Mr. BIGELOW on the
14th ult., strongly insists on the necessity of all com-
munications received from the French Minister hav-
ing the Emrmores sanction, without which they are
worthless. From the policy pursued on both sides of
the Atlantic we may hope for some conciliatory settle-
ment of this difficult and complicated question.

The labours and researches of our adventurous
explorers are never more useful than when they are
directed to the improvement of our knowledge of
our own dominions. There may be more interest
and excitement in penetrating the interior of Africa
and endeavouring to elucidate the mystery which
still partly shrouds the origin of its mighty river,
and there may be more to attract the seeker of " the
bubble reputation" in exploits in those remote
polar regions where so many brave men have left
their bones ; but for a practical and serviceable ex-
ploration no more suitable field could be selected than
our own colonies. The Australian continent possesses
so many natural advantages, so excellent a climate,
and so vast a territory, that she bids fair to realise
the vision of the poet, when he exclaimed—

" As in a cradled HERCULES, we trace
The lines of empire in thine infant faco."
Australia has risen in population and importance
with a rapidity which CAMPBELL could not have
foreseen when he looked out upon the shipload of
departing emigrants, departing not to the rich
goldfields or populous cities of our own day, but
merely to the freer scope and richer pastures of a
fine agricultural country. Notwithstanding all that
has been done and gained, there are immense tracts
of land which are turned to no account, and which,
nevertheless, offer most attractive fields to enter-
prise and industry. Besides that vast interior, of
which as yet no one can speak with certainty, there
is room for colonisation to a great extent in the
north-east and north-west. The two papers read
at the meeting of the Royal Geographical
Society on Monday last were very interesting,
and contained some valuable information. One
of them was a description of Cape York district,
furnished by Mr. JoHN JARDINE, and referred to
the land lying to the north of a line drawn from
the estuary of the Kennedy River, at the
head of Newcastle Bay, to the opposite
or north-west coast. The general character of
the country is agreeable and salubrious though the
aborigines belong to a very low order. The climate
is healthy for Europeans, there having been no
serious illness among the residents at the new
settlement, which has been founded as a coal depot
for steamers, and a harbour of refuge for trade in
the dangerous navigation of the Torres Straits.
Horses and cattle, goats and pigs, get on
fairly, but sheep do not thrive. Fish is good, and
green turtle plentiful. There is no doubt that the
new settlement may, if turned to good account,
prove the foundation of a prosperous colony.

The other papers referred to Mr. J. MARTIN'S ex-
plorations in the north-west, which were directed
chiefly in the neighourhood of the Glenelg River.
Mr. MARTIN considered from the climate and capa-
cities of soil that it was essentially a wood-growing
country, besides being luxuriantly grassed and
watered. At the lowest estimate it would, he be-
lieved, carry a sheep to an acre, but in some parts
that number might be quadrupled without fear.
Here is room for enterprise, indeed, and it is a
field of speculation which offers no risk provided
the speculator has a fair allowance of capital, in-
telligence, and industry.

Tragedy at Sea.

rLYMOUTII, Jan. 23.
The arrival of a small schooner, the Tamar

Queen, of Plymouth, at this port this (Tuesday)
morning, sets forth another horror at sea. For the
last few weeks a long series of wrecks, attended

with frightful losses of life, have been the constantly
recurring themes. Now a mutiny, attended with
murders and retribution, is recorded. The Tamar
Queen, Captain Trernills, left Plymouth about four
months ago, in ballast, for Cardiff, from whence
she embarked a cargo of coals for Lisbon, and hav-
ing discharged the same at the latter port she pro-
ceeded to the Western Islands to ship a cargo of
fruit for England. As is customary with the
fruiterers, she had to pick up her cargo at dif-
ferent islands. At St. George's she had shipped
about 570 boxes of oranges, and from thence
was to proceed to Va Das Vellas to take in
more. Here a drama began that for strange
and startling incident fully equals any of Mar-
ryatt's scenes, and may give a useful hint to
our penny sensational weekly periodicals. At St.
George's, one of the crew having been left ashore
through illness, it became necessary to ship a man
in his room. Accordingly one of the islanders, a
mixed race, being a sort of bastard Portuguese, was
sent on board, making the crew consist of captain,
mate, three men, and a boy. This hero of the

murderous work that was to follow was tall and
stately in his person, over six feet in height, of a
dark and swarthy complexion, utterly ignorant of the
English language, but by no means an indifferent
seaman. The first day of his embarkation (Thurs-
day, Jan. 4) he ate his meals with the crew and
silently attended to his share of the duties of the
vessel, acting for the nonce altogether, as the crew
thought " like a Christian." On the following day
(Friday) he abstained from the usual meals, for which
the crew thought him mad, overlooking the fact that
he was probably a devout Catholic, and duly attend-
ing to his fast. That night they also observed that
he slept but little, attributing this also to mental I
aberration, never dreaming that he was coolly
arranging in his mind a plot to take their lives.
The next day the man proceeded to assist in the
ship's work, and nothing further occurred until
about 2 p.m. on the afternoon of that day (Satur-
day, Jan. 6), when the schooner was under weigh
about five miles from St. George's. The mate was
then employed in hauling in some ropes forward,
when, turning round at an unusual noise, he saw the
islander armed with the cook's hatchet, with which
he had despatched the captain and the seaman that
was aft at the wheel, and making towards him to
award him the same fate. The mate at once armed
himself with a handspike, and a fierce encounter
ensued. The mate struck at the murderer, and
endeavoured to avoid his blows. After this scene
had occurred for a few minutes by a fortunate slip
the mate was enabled to get the man down, the
only remaining seaman coming to his aid with a
heavy boat's tiller. Having entangled one of the
islander's legs in a rope, and secured it to a belay-
ing pin, they broke one of his arms, one of his
thighs in two places, and broke his back. They then
lashed him up, and in this state the wretched man
lived until the following morning, when at about 4
a.m. they found him dead. The mate signalled to
a schooner that was in sight, the Delgrada, of
Liverpool, and her captain and mate came on board
and saw the bodies, and heard what the mate had to
say. Ultimately the bodies were thrown overboard,
and the schooner bore up for England. The whole
of the English crew were Plymouth seamen. The
survivors are Thomas Pickard, mate ; Samuel
Brown, seaman ; and Richard Ford, boy. They
have related their story to the local magistrates, but
no charge has been made against them to justify
their detention. A Board of Trade inquiry will,
however, no doubt ensue.
It is believed that the islander on board the
Tamar Queen, after massacreing the crew, intended
to appropriate the schooner and her contents, and
could scarcely have contemplated such a design
without accomplices. This renders an inquiry
doubly necessary both by the English and Portu-
guese authorities

Dn. FORBES WINSLOW.—We regret to hear that
Dr. 'Winslow has been suffering from an injury to the
back, caused by a fall from his home. He has, however
sufficiently recovered from the effects of the accident to
regime his pr910§§19441 duties.