The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-25 00:00:00

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_arvoy Birch weretaken by Capt. _ gym, who
refines to deliver them. The Harvey Bircii-was-a- `-
ship six years old, and of 1,482 tons register. Be-
fore we lost sight of the ship her masts had gene
over the side, and she was burnt to the water's edge.
" W, H. NELSON.
" Sworn in the Consulate of the United States at
London, this 22d day of November, 1861."

THE SITN, LONDON., MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 25, 1861.

PRICE .4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

2HE NAVY.

stringent character, and such as to render it a mat-
ter of impossibility that meat unfitted for consump-
tion can be issued to the troops, the sheep and
beasts supplied being subjected to a rigid inspec-
tion, both before and after they are slaughtered.
Nothing is allowed to be issued to the soldiers which
has not been sealed with the seal of the Assist.-Com-
missary-Gen.,or the proper officer appointed by him.
The sth company of Royal Engineers now attached
to head-quarters, Chatham, will, it is understood,
relieve the 10th company in China, the later com-
pany being shortly expected to arrive in England.
A number of the most intelligent and experi-
enced non-commissioned officers and men have
been selected from the Royal Engineers at Chatham
to be despatched to Galicia, where they will be
employed on surveying operations in connection
with the Danubian boundary commission. The
non-commissioned officer who goes out in charge of
the surveying expedition is Sergeant Hales, who is
thoroughly conversant with the nature of the duties
which will devolve on him and the force under his
orders.

Fisher, I have much pleasure in presenting you
with this handsome cup, presented by Lieutenant
Gudgeon, the quartermaster of the corps, being the
second prize for the best shooting at unknown dis•
tances, and I congratulate you on being the second

BA

Sl7'.

The Warrior, 40, iron screw frigate, Capt. the
Hon. H. H. Cochrane, C. 8., arrived at Spithead at
730 on Saturday from Plymouth Sound, having
made a splendid run from anchorage to anchorage
in 10 hours, nine of which were at full speed clear
of the breakwater of the Sound to St. Helen's Roads,
the tide being unfavourable nearly the whole time.
The maximum speed during the day was 171 knots
under steam and plain sail to royals, with the wind
on the port quarter and smooth water, the revolu-
tions of the engines at the time being 541. Rear-
Admiral R. S. Robinson, Controller of the Navy,
landed at Portsmouth from the ship yesterday
morning. It is probable that the Warrior will
go into Portsmouth harbour to-day or to-morrow to
make good slight defects, and to carry out some few
alterations which have been suggested from the ex-
perience gained on her sea trip. The most important
of these may be an enlargement of her rudder, and
an application of hydraulic power to work it. The
Warrior's cruise has furnished many valuable hints
regarding the fitment of iron ships, and Captain
Cochrane's presence at Portsmouth will enable him
to afford invaluable assistance to the authorities re-
lative to their outfit of the Black Prince.
Orders from the Lords of the Admiralty were
received at the Devonport dockyard on Saturday to
expedite the repairs of the screw steam frigate
Eme'rald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming. She will take on
board the armament of two gunboats and supernu-
meraries for the ships on the Brazilian station. The
gunboats Sheldrake and Spider are brought forward
at Devonport, and will in all probability be sent to
the Brazils. They will be furnished with Arm-
strong guns.
The naval cadets on board the Britannia cadet
training ship, at Portsmouth, received unexpectedly
on Saturday leave of absence to visit their homes
until the 24th of Jan., 1862, with the exception of
some 40 who remain on board for examination on
Thursday, after which they too will receive their
leave. The cadets' Christmas holidays generally
commence some three weeks later, but the Admi-
ralty have displayed a right spirit in sending the
boys at once to their homes, and quieting the fears
of their friends, considering the many exaggerated
reports which have appeared in print respecting the
ship. In the meantime the question of ship or col-
lege can be decided. The only positive remedy that
ought to be applied—the completion of the outfits
of the sailing frigate Eurydice as a sea-going ten-
der, seems to have been altogether lost sight of in
this " battle of the ports."
The Black Prince, iron frigate, is taking out jury
spars and gear under the Sheer-jetty at Portsmouth
preparatory to going into dock.
The Shannon, 51, screw frigate, in the first-class
reserve at Portsmouth, is ordered to have Armstrong
field pieces substituted for her present smooth-bores.
In our report of the official trial of the Octavia
frigate at Portsmouth on Wednesdaylast, two errors
were inadvertently committed which require to be
rectified. In referring to the cylinders of the en-
gines, it was said they were surrounded with
" water-jackets ;" it was intended to have said
" steam-jackets." The report further said that the
Octavia's were the first screw engines, when it
should have been the first frigate's screw engines so
fitted in her Majesty's navy. The new line-of-battle
ships Gibraltar, Atlas, Anson, and Defiance, all re-
cently fitted or now fitting, are on the same plan
and by the same firm—Maudslay, Field, and Co.
In fact, the modern system of working, with a
greater amount of expansion, has led to the adop-
tion of the jacket to screw engines. In paddle en-
gines they have been in use during the past 30
years. The propeller used by the Octavia on her
trial was a Griffiths-Maudslay, having a diameter
of 18ft. and a pitch of 20ft.
Experimental firing took place at Portsmouth on
Friday upon a sample armour plate for the iron
frigate Valiant, manufactured by Messrs. John
Brown and Co., of the Atlas Steel and Iron Works,
Sheffield, and the results showed an extraordinary
power of resistance without injury to the ship's side
or timber backing of the plate. The plate, lsft. 3in.
by 3ft. 3in., and 41in. thick, was bolted to the side
of the Java target frigate, which was moored in
the usual position in Porchester Lake. The practice
took place from the 95ewt. smooth-bore gun of the
Stork, at 200 yards' range, with the usual service
charge of 161 b. of powder. The first shot struck the
lower left-hand corner of the plate between two
bolt holes, only 15in. apart, fracturing the plate
between the bolt holes and indenting the plate 2in.
from the surface. This being an " edge blow," no
positive results could be drawn from it, except that
it showed the tenacity of the metal and its perfect
welding. Shots 2,3, and 5 were placed close together
in a vertical line at about 3ft. Gin. from the end of
the plate, and from their position no severer test
could have been applied, the three shots being in a
space of 24in. by 12in. The indentations were re-
spectively—lkin., 11-in., and 2in. No. 4 shot struck
the centre of the plate and merely made a 2in. in-
dentation. The cracks from the blows were of the
usual character, and the trial of the plates was con-
sidered of a very satisfactory nature.
The Flying Fish,6, 350-horse power,Commander
W. H. Anderson, was removed from No. 3 dock, at
Sheerness, on Saturday, to the great basin, where
she is to complete fitting for foreign service. Since
she has been in dock she has had both her funnels
taken out and replaced by two new ones, besides
some alterations effected in her. The repairs to her
engines are being proceeded with as expeditiously
as possible, and are so far completed that the steamer
will be ready to take her trial trip in a day or two.
The Flying Fish is under orders to proceed to the
coast of Africa.
In consequence of the facilities afforded by the
new regulations with respect to continuous ser-
vice men, the Swallow, 9, screw steam sloop,
although only commissioned at the Noro a
few days since, is already fully manned, and
so far as her crew are concerned, is ready for sea.
On Saturday she received her detachment of Royal
Marines on board from the Chatham division. The
S wallow proceeds to Japan for the purpose of mak-
ing a complete survey of the coasts, shores, and
inlets of those islands, and is expected to be absent
from England on that duty for several years. The
crew are a remarkably smart and fine body of men.
The following appointments were made on Satur-
Saatt e ltl hi
tee , Aeodmmmiriaseltioyo:e—d C; aLpite.oJt..
LO..
SJ.omhnesaorna,,
ttoo
dthaey
command the Sheldrake, commissioned ; Lieut. E.
A. T. Stubbs, to command the Spider, commissioned;
Philip Johns, acting second master, to the Impreg-
nable, for the Pike ; George Tucker, chief engineer,
to the Asia, for the Black Prince ; Robert J. Wil-
son, chief engineer, to the Indus, for the agt M • -
cienne ; John Robson, chief engineer, to the Asia,
for the Highfiyer ; and W. R. Macavoy, acting
second class assist, engineer, to the Asia, for the
Black Prince.

A report will be found in another column of one
of the worst and most sad cases of joint-stock vil-
lainy ever announced to the London public. For ten
years past advertisements have incessantly appeared
in all quarters of the' Bank of Deposit and National
Assurance and Investment Association," with the
names of Mr. Peter Morrison as managing director,
and of various noblemen and others as constituting
the Board. The terms offered in these advertisements
furnished evidence of dishonesty or ignorance to
every practical person, and about two or three years
back the Times made the utmost effort consistent
with a regard to the law of libel to warn the victims
and bring the deception to a close. Such, however,
is the credulity of the humbler classes, and the re-
liance of adventurers on the legal powers always
available for purposes of malversation by those who
command large funds that the attempt proved vain,
and the concern was able to continue its career
until a few weeks back, when its stoppage was sud-
denly announced. Its affairs are now placed both
in the Winding-up Court and Bankruptcy Court
—a double proceeding, which seems calculated to
dissipate the small funds that remain, and a report
by Messrs Harding and Co., the professional ac-
countants called in, gives a history of its progress,
and developes an amount of deliberate, long-
continued, and heartless wickedness such as has
never been exceeded. The scheme has been car-
ried on for 17 years, and the aggregate amount
now owing to the multitude of people who have
sought through its agency to make some provision
for themselves and their families is £362,597,
of which the utmost that can be expected to be re-
covered is a sum equal to 3s. in the pound. The
loss will fall on all parts of the kingdom, from
Aberdeen to Portsmouth,branch offices having been
established in numerous districts ; and a heavy im-
position would likewise apparently have been prac-
tised on a large body of French investors but for a
stipulation upon which they happily insisted, that
an amount to cover their claims should be placed in
French Rentes. In concliding their report the
accountants intimate that they refrain from com-
ment, as the conduct of the parties concerned must
doubtless form the subject of consideration else-
where. Notwithstanding this remark, however,
there will be every probability—unless, under the
Fraudulent Trustees Act, the :machinery in such
cases has been greatly improved since the break-up
of the London and Eastern Bank Corporation—
that Mr. Peter Morrison and all his colleagues will
be subjected to little molestation.. They have
already had ample time to make arrangements for
heir future convenience and to secure an immunity

successful competitor under such difficult circum-
stances. (Cheers.)
The Bth prize consisted of the officers' contribu-
tion of 30 guineas, which was divided into three
prizes—viz., 15 guineas for the highest score at
350, 400, 500 and 600 yards, five shots at each,
which was won by Corporal Nevill, No. 9 Company;
10 guineas for the second best score at the same

ranges, won by Sergeant R. A. Buckle, No. 4 Com-
pany; and five guineas for the greatest number of
hits at the same ranges, won by Private W.
Knowles, No. 1 Company.
Lady Pollock having placed these prizes in the
hands of their respective winners, with suitable
compliments, proceeded to deliver the Corps' Prize
of £3l 10s., divided into four sums of twelve, ten,
five, and three guineas, for :the highest score
the third-class ranges, five shots at each,

The facilities afforded by the war authorities for
the delivery of lectures upon popular subjects at
the various military stations have been well re-
ceived by the troops stationed in Colchester Camp,
before whom weekly lectures are now delivered
upon questions intimately eonnected with the mili-
tary profession.
The 51st and 94th Regiments now serving in
India, with depots at Chatham, requiring about
100 volunteers each, orders have been received if
possible to procure that number of men from the
44th, 66th, 66th, and 88th Regiments, and the
transfer has already commenced.

won by Private Robertson, No. 1 Company ;
for the second best score, won by Corporal S. Wicks,

No. 6 Company; for the greatest number of hits
won by Mr. J. B. Hemmings, No. 4 Company; and
for the second largest number of hits, at the same

ranges, won by Private J. D. Gregory, No. 1 Com-
pany. Her Ladyship congratulated Mr. Robertson
on being the winner of the highest prize provided

from the funds of the corps, which she was sure
would encourage him to continue those efforts which
she understood had hitherto been so praiseworthy to

perfect himself in all the duties of a rifleman. To
Mr. Hemmings her Ladyship said she understood
that he shot very well for several of the other

The medical charge of the 10th Depot Battalion
at Colchester camp has been transferred from Staff
Surg. Martin to Staff Surg. Bone. The 44th, 54th,
66th, and 88th Depots are about to contribute 200
volunteers to the 51st and 94th Regiments, the
strength of which has been diminished during long
service in India.

prizes, and trodden very close on the heels of some
of the winners. She was, therefore, glad he had
been rewarded by gaining one of the Corps' prizes.
(Cheers.)
This exhausted the printed programme of prizes.
There were six other sums, however, of £3, awarded
as consolation money to candidates who ranked
second in the competition. These were Private H.
Boteler, Sergt. Stevens, Corporal Puckle, Sergt.
Chisholme, Private French, and Sergt. Timms.

Lady POLLOCK, in presenting to them the above
sums, said she was pleased to learn that they had
shown themselves so expert, although they had not

the honour to be winners. She had no doubt on
another occasion they would be more fortunate.

(Cheers.)
Lieut.-Col. MACDONALD, addressing Lady Pollock
said, I cannot permit this interesting ceremony to
close without giving expression to the deep sense of
gratitude which I, in conjunction with the other
officers, entertain of the honour which you have
done us in undertaking to present to the successful
competitors the prizes of this year ; and for the very
admirable manner in which you have accomplished
that arduous task—a manner not only gratifying to
us, but to the whole regiment. (Cheers.) It is a
very great satisfaction to us to find that, while we
have in your honoured husband and our honorary
colonel one of the most distinguished Generals of
the age—(cheers)—to whom we can always go in
the hour of need for counsel and advice should the
day come when our services may be required in the
field, we have in yourself, Lady Pollock, so very
friendly and ardent supporter of the Volunteer
movement—(cheers)—who takes so much pleasure
in doing everything to advance the interests of this
regiment. (Cheers.) And while I look around on
this fair assembly I must needs add that, in your
favourable appreciation of the Volunteer movement,
you are not an exception in the class to which you
belong. I may say with truth that to no class are
the Volunteers more indebted for the success they
have achieved than to the ladies of England.
(Cheers.) I beg again, therefore, to thank you, Lady
Pollock, for honouring us with your presence this
day. Permit me also to take this opportunity of
returning the thanks of the corps to those generous
friends who have given prizes on this occasion. I
would particularly mention the ladies of Clapham,
Denmark-hill, and the neighbourhood, and spe-
cially the Misses Elliotson—(cheers)—the donors of
that magnificent epergne. (Cheers.) To the hono-
rary members of the corps and to Mr. Knowles,
one of our most ardent and munificent supporters;
to Lieutenant Puckle, Mr. Johu Clutton, Lieutenant
and Quartermaster Gudgeon, I have also to return
the thanks of the regiment for their gifts. (Cheers.)
Some people may think we make too much parade
in the distribution of our prizes. I don't think so.
Believing as I do—holding the conviction most
firmly, that unless a person is a skilful marksman
he is only half a rifleman, I think we are bound to
encourage the volunteers to practice ball-firing so
as to become good shots, and, while such prizes as
we have distributed to-day encourage emulation,
there is much in the eclat which attends a public
celebration like this at once to reward the winner
and stimulate the unsuccessful. I beg again, Lady
Pollock, to thank you for the honour you have done
the regiment on this occasion. (Cheers.)
Sir Geo. POLLOCK—I have to thank you, Colonel
Macdonald, for the very kind terms in which you
haoe referred to Lady Pollock. I can assure you
she feels highly honoured in having been requested
to give away the prizes here to-day. (Cheers.) As
you have also alluded to my connection with the lst
Surrey Rifles, I must say I consider it no mean
distinction to be your honorary colonel. (Cheers.)
It is as fine a regiment as any volunteer corps in
the whole kingdom. I have inspected them, and I
think I have never seen any regiment who went
through their manoeuvres better, with more celerity
and exactness. I wish you and them every success.
(Cheers.)
Col. MACDONALD—Before dismissing the bat-
talion I will call on you, officers and men, to affirm
the expression of your thanks, which I have just
attempted to convey to Lady Pollock, by giving
three cheers for General Sir George and Lady
Pollock.
The cheers were given la ith great cordiality.
Three cheers were also given for the Lieutenant-
Colonel and the Queen, the band playing the Na.
tional Anthem, which terminated the proceedings.

similar to that enjoyed by Colonel Waugh, Mr.
Stephens, and others of the fraternity.—Times' City
Article.

THE CAPTURE OF T.HE HARVEY

BIRCH.

OFFICIAL PROTEST OF CAPTAIN NELSON
On Saturday Captain W. H. Nelson, late com
mander of the American ship Harvey Birch, made
the following protest at the United States Con-
sulate-office, Gracechurch-street, City, respecting
the capture and destruction of his ship:—
"I, William Henry Nelson, of the city of New
York, in the United States of America, master
mariner, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear
that I sailed from the said. city of New York on
the 20th day of September last, as master of and in
the ship Harvey Birch, of New York, a ship owned
and registered in New York in conformity with the
laws of the United States, bound for the port of
Havre do Grace, in France, with a cargo consisting
of wheat. About the 9th day of October I arrived
at Havre, and having discharged the cargo of my
ship and ballasted her, I sailed in her again for the
port of New York on the 16th of November, first
having received the register, crew-list, articles, and
all papers belonging to the ship in proper form
from the United States consul there. On the morn-
ing of Tuesday, the 19th, the ship then being in
about lat. 49 6 N., long. 9 52 W., a steamer was
made out bearing for the Harvey Birch, which on
getting nearer was found to be an armed vessel,
and hoisted at the peak the flag of the so-called
Confederate States; and when within hailing a
person on board, who I learnt was the captain,
hailed my ship, saying, Haul down your colours
and heave the ship to,' the ensign of the United
States being at this time set at the peak of my
vessel. This order was complied with, and I then
received the order, Lower your boat and come on
board,' which I also complied with, taking my
ship's papers with me. On arriving on board the
steamer, I was introduced by the first lieutenant,
by name Fauntleroy, to Captain Pegram, as com-
mander of the Confederate States steamer Nashville,
to whom I produced all the papers of my ship for
examination, to show that I was engaged in legal
trade. Captain Pegram took the ship's papers, he did
not return them, and still holds them, and then told
me that he should hold me a prisoner of war by
authority of the Confederate States. He then told
me I might go on board my ship, and I was ordered
to send my crew on board the steamer as quickly as
possible. I returned to my ship, and at once made
preparations to leave her, but orders were re-
peatedly given from the steamer to bring up, and
sufficient time was not given to enable either my-
self or my crew to get our effects out of the ship.
The second lieutenant, with other officers, came on
board the ship and took charge of her, and orders
were given to seize fresh stores, &c., and in conse-
quence thereof, all the fresh meat, `poultry, pigs,
eggs, and butter, were taken out and put on board
the steamer, and especially it was ordered that the
oil, tea, coffee, and .sugar, should be put on board
the steamer, which was done. When all this had
been accomplished, the crew left the ship by order
of the: s:cond-lieutenant, I being last on board,
leaving the second lieutenant and his boat's crew
charge of the ship. After arriving on board the
steamer, we saw that the Harvey Birch was in
flames, and the seconi lieutenant returned on board
the steamer with his boat, which was secured, but
the ship's quarter-boats, which had been used in
communicating, were cast adrift. Captain Pegram
now said, " Now as it is all over, we will give her a
gun,' or words to that effect, and a gun was dis-
charged at the ship, but without apparently hitting
her. The steamer was then put on an easterly
course, the screw of the ship having previously
been put in irons, I, with my officers, was sum-
moned to the captain's cabin, and there signed, at
the request of the captain, a document stating that
we would not take up arms against them while in
their custody, he having stated that 1 and my offi.
cers should have our liberty on board when we had
signed it. I was frequently told that an oath
would b 3 exacted of us not take up arms against
the Confederate States' before I could be libe-
rated, but I was liberated witbout .any such being
taken. The steamer steamed up the English
Channel, and arrived at Southampton at about
eight a.m. on the 21st inst., and came to anchor in
the river. Captain Pegram then told me
that I and my crew were at liberty, and might
go on shore, but he refused to put us on shore, and
I therefore employed a steam tug at my own ex-
pense, and landed my crew in Southampton Docks
between 9 and 10 a.m., and they were taken charge
of by the United States consul there. Repeatedly
while on board the steamer, in conversation with
her officers, I was told that she was not fitted out
as a vessel of war, that she was on a special mission
to England, but naval officers were in command of"
her. I was told by one of the crew that the crew
originally signed articles at Charleston, South Caro
ling, to go to Liverpool, but before sailing the
officers were all changed, and new articles were
brought on board, which the crew were c?mpelled
to sign by threats of force. I was also informed
that the crew was composed of English and Irish.
The chronometer and barometer belonging to the

EXCITING SCENE ON THE SE.R.P.EN.
TINE, HYDE PARK.

Last evening, between the hours of five and six
o'clock, just as the sky had become obsured with
fog, as a gentleman named T. G. Walter, of Spring
Garden-place, Stepney, was proceeding along the
banks of the Serpentine his attention was directed
to a man struggling in the water. He at once gave
au alarm to the Royal Humane Society's officers,
and, pending the time lost before their arrival, which
was less than three minutes, Mr. Walter had suc-
ceeded in undressinr, himself, and, having plunged
into the river, was keeping the head of th unfortu-
nate man above water until Deputy Parsons and
Mr. Superintendent Williams arrived.
The unfortunate individual was at once removed
to the receiving-house in an insensible state, and
apparently dead. Having been placed in a hot bath,
he was afterwards placed in a bed. By the exer-
tions of Mr. Roberts, assistant to Dr. Christian, the
man appeared to rally, but was unable to speak
when the reporter left the receiving-house last night.
In his pockets were cheques drawn upon the Bucks
and Union Bank for!sums of £22,1:29, £3, and £26.
There was also a trifling amount of money on his
person. The following letter was also found in his
possession :

THE ARM}

By the appointment of Major-Gen. W. H. Elliott,
K. 8., to the colonelcy of the 55th Regiment, a good
service pension will be placed at the disposal of his
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
A rumour was prevalent at the head-quarters of
the Royal Marines, Chatham, yesterday, that in
addition to the expeditionary force of Royal Marines
which has just proceeded to Mexico, the Govern-
ment has decided on despatching a battalion of
Marines to Canada.
The new arrangements made by Major- Gen . Eyre,
in conjunction with Assist.-Commissary-Gen.lbbet-
son, for supplying the Royal Artillery and the other
troops at Chatham garrison and Sheerness with
h
thetrtoto
purveyors
authorities.
to ies.
prevent
have been attended with the most satisfactory
results. Not the slightest complaints are now made
on the
n subjectac contractors
d th
-
plying diseased And inferior meat are of the 1319§t

London.
My dear Father—l have been putting myself to a great
deal of inconvenience for a long time past, until I find I
must make my plans otherwise. I shall be quite a ruined
man. I had quite made up my mind to have my children
with me after Christmas, and provide a home for them, and
to do that I must have my money. 1 think you ourrht to
get it at a much cheaper rate of interest. I took the enclosed
two advertisements to you. Mr. Bruton thinks ho can get
me £315 for the bills ; but I cannot lose £4s.—With love,
yours affectionately "F. 11. JOHNSON.
P.S.--My children are scattered about, and also my
goods, and no house for myself."
The envelope was addressed to Mr. B. Johnson,
Piccadilly, and bore the post mark of Nov. 23, 1861.
The man, however, was unable to give any ac-
count of himself, and it is impossible to tell whether
it was a case of attempted suicide or accident.