The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-10 00:00:00

of her Majesty's Government, in unison with the I
Emperor of the French, to take such measures as
will enable us to secure from the Chinese Emperor
the terms to which we are entitled by treaty, and
which will at the same time maintain our national
honour. (Cheers.) I need hardly call your atten-
tion to the events recently witnessed on the Conti-
nent which have led to a sanguinary campaign in
Italy, and in respect to which her Majesty's Go-
vernment have abstainedfrom all interference. But
the time may come when, treaties having been
signed, ulterior measures may be contemplated by
the great Powers of Europe, and when it is probable
that invitations may be addressed to the Govern-
ments which were parties to the Treaty of Vienna
to join in a continental Congress for the settlement
of the affairs of Italy. Hitherto, however, I may say
that no formal invitation to a Congreis relative to
the affairs of Italy has been addressed to her Ma-
jesty's Government. But if at any future time such
an invitation should be sent to them, it will be their
duty to deliberate upon the matter with a view to
maintain a principle which we regard as sacred—
viz., that no force shall be used for the purpose of
dictating to the Italian nation in the choice of their
rulers—(cheers)—or of coercing them in respect to
the Government which, after mature deliberation,
they may prefer. The recent campaign in Italy has
led to a general arming among the great Powers of
Europe. The storm which raged in Italy created a
disturbance in other countries which has not yet
subsided ; and it becomes us, looking to the unsettled
state of Europe, to be prepared with our national
defences, and not to be dependent on the sufferance
of any other power whatever, however friendly.
(Cheers.) I rejoice to find that all the assurances
which her Majesty's Government have received
from foreign States arc of a perfectly friendly, and
pacific character. Her Majesty's Government have
no reason to believe that any nation in Europe, or
in any other part of the world, entertains hostile
intentions towards this country. Nevertheless, hav-
ing regard to the present aspect and condition of
foreign States, it behoves us, as our greatest poet
says, to " wear our eye not jealous, nor secure." We
must remember—and it is a most satisfactory anl
consolatory reflection—that, considering the wealth
and resources of this country, if any real danger
presented itself, we should always be enabled to
confront it in an adequate and effective manner.
(Cheers.) But I trust that nobody in this hall will
think it is the wish of her Majesty's Government to
countenance or encourage any light or groundless
alarm. We are bound to guard against not merely
a probable, but even a possible danger. Whenever
probable danger does arise her Majesty's Govern-
ment will feel it their duty to take every necessary
step for the protection of our shores ; and in doing
so they feel confident that they can at all times rely
on the spirit of a great, a generous, and a mighty
people. (Cheers.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR then gave " the Health
of the Lord Mayor," which his Lordship duly ac-
knowledged, and then gave "the House of Lords."
The Duke of NEWCASTLE, in returning thanks,
said—l feel that it is as honourable to the House of
Peers as it is agreeable to the individual members
of that august assembly that they should hold the
high position in the estimation of their countrymen
which I am confident they occupy at this moment.
The peculiar organisation of that body does not
confine its members merely to those who derive
their origin from a long ancestral line, but enables
it to embrace many men who have sprung from the
people, and who bring with them into the House of
Peers the spirit of the people—men who have ar-
rived at rank and station by great deeds of arms,
as well as others who, like my noble and learned
friend (the Lord Chancellor), owe their distinction
to their own industry and talent in the jurispru-
dence of the country, or in the diplomatic and
other branches of the civil service of the State.
(Cheers.) The people of England feel that the
House of Lords do not occupy an isolated and sel-
fish position—that they ,will not, permanently
at any rate, oppose themselves to the well-understood
wishes and well-considered opinions of the nation;
but, while they maintain their own earnest convic-
tions, they will always be found to accommodate
themselves to the progress of events and to the ma-
tured judgment and deliberate reflection of their
fellow-countrymen. (Cheers.) The people of Eng-
land also know that in their private station the
Peers of the realm join with them in their pursuits,
help them in the performance of their duty, parti-
cipate in their dangers, and strive in every respect
to form one essential element in the great aggregate
which constitutes the British empire. And as long
as the British Peerage endeavours to walk in that
path I feel persuaded it will ever receive in assem-
blages like the present tokens of respect and friendly
feeling such as that just exhibited by the merchants
and traders of the city of London. (Cheers.)
The next toast was " The Judges of England," to
which Lord Chief Justice ERLE responded.
The LORD MAYOR then gave " The House of
Commons," associating with it the name of Mr.
Gladstone.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER—My Lord
Mayor, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—You
have done me, I fear, an unmerited honour in coup•
ling my•name with the tribute of regard which you
are pleased to pay to the House of Commons; but
it is on every occasion an agreeable duty for any
Englishman to find his name associated with a body
occupying such a place in the history of your coun-
try and in the hearts of the people. And permit
me, my lord, to say that I am well aware that if in
all other assemblies of Englishmen, without excep-
tion, the House of Common's is the object of warm
and affectionate regard, it is nowhere more so than
in the heart of the city of London ; because on every
great occasion, in every great crisis of the history
of the country, when there has unfortunately been
a conflict among its constitutional powers, it
has been commonly found that the side taken,
by the city of London has likewise been the side
adopted by the House of Commons. (Cheers.) I
feel, my lord, an undoubting confidence that the
place which the House of Commons has earned by
centuries of noble exertion in the estimation of
England and the world is not likely to be forfeited
or lost. It may be, and perhaps it is, that those
who now fill its benches, at least many among
them, are persons but little worthy to be the suc-
cessors of the great men who formerly adorned it,
and of whom you have conspicuous specimens be-
fore you. But we do not in these days depend
altogether upon the eminence of individuals. The
state and progress of modern cisilisation have sup-
plied to the statesmen of our country aids such as
they never before enjoyed from the action of a ma-
ture and enlightened public opinion. (Cheers.)
The present House of Commons is as yet a young
assembly, and has had but scanty opportunities of
proving what it can do for the country. But it
would not become me, at least, to think lightly of
that House of Commons, whether in connection
with the Administration to which I have the honour
to belong, and which it brought into power, or
whether in connection with the department over
which I am unworthily called to preside, because I
am bound to admit that, while I found myself under
the necessity of undertaking the disagreeable duty
of proposing no inconsiderable addition to the taxes
of the country in the last session, the House of
Commons answered to that call with a readiness
which has never been surpassed, and in that readi-
ness, permit me to say, I do not believe it belied or
exceeded the wishes and conviction of the people.
(Cheers.) I trust and am confident that, when that
house again assembles to resume the exercise of its
important functions, it will not, whether in the
business of finance or of legislation, disappoint your
reasonable expectations. If the constitution of that

house is to be changed, we may feel assured, from
the temper which prevails throughout the country—
from the general attachment of the people to the
Crown and the institutions of England—that, what-
ever changes are adopted, will be conceived in the
spirit of the constitution itself, and will have no
other object than to maintain to us that stability of
public life which, under Providence, we have so
long enjoyed, and to make the House of Commons
in a yet increased degree the organ of the reason-
able wishes and the guardian of the great interests
of the nation. (Cheers.) As respects the finances
of the country, I m certain that the House of Com-
mons, while giving no countenance to groundless
alarms, while giving :credit to other Christian na-
tions for possessing those Christian sentiments
which we claim for ourselves, will nevertheless re-
spect the mature and clear expectations of the coun-
try, and leave nothing undone that pertains to the
security or honour• of England. (Cheers.) Allow
me, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, to say that I
trust, when the Ifouse cf Commons has fulfilled that
great and paramount function, it will also recollect
that, next to the security and honour of the coun-
try, it is its duty to adhere to those principles of
good husbandry and thrift which have done so
much for this nation during the times in which we
live, and which have enabled successive Govern-
ments and Parliaments to amend the laws, to re-
duce the taxes, to relieve the burdens and increase
the comforts of every class of Englishmen, and
above all of the humbler and labouring classes.
(Cheers.) I conclude by expressing alike the hope
and expectation that, though statesmen and govern-
ments may rise and fall,-from these duties the
House of Commons will never shrink, and that
consequently it will never lose the place which I
rejoice to find it at present holds in yOur esteem.
(Cheers.)
Several other complimentary toasts followed, and
the company retired.
The musical arrangements, which were excellent,
were unsler the direction of Mr. William Fielding,
assisted by a large corps of vocalists.
The dinner was provided by Messrs. Staples, and
fully supported the reputation of their establish-
ment.

THE WRECK OF THE MAIL STEAM-

ASILIT PARAMA2TA.

Yesterday an official inquiry, instituted by direc-
tion of the Board of Trade, into the circumstances
attending the loss of the Royal Mail Steam Navi-
gation Company's ship Paramatta, was held at the
Greenwich Police-court, before Mr. Traill, police
magistrate, and Captain Harris, nautical assessor.
The ship, of an estimated value of nearly £200,000,
was wrecked on the 30th of June last on the Ane-
gada Reef on her voyage from Southampton to St.
Thomas's, that being her first and only voyage
made.

Mr. O'Dowd attended to conduct the inquiry on
behalf of the Board of Trade, and Mr. Coxwell, of
Southampton, on behalf of Captain Baynton.
Captain Wilson, one of the directors of the com-
pany, sat on the bench during the day.
Mr. O'Dowd having opened the case,
Mr. Coxwell, previous to the witnesses being
called, said he had to protest, on the part of Cap-
tain Baynton, under the 432 d and 433 d section of
the Merchant Shipping Act, against the inquiry
proceeding,—first on the ground that several officers
of the ship were at present in the West Indies;
and, secondly, that the inquiry ought to take place
at Southampton.
Mr. Traill said, he considered that the Board of
Trade had used its discretion in ordering the in-
quiry to take place at that court, and it would pro-
ceed, but the protest could be received.
Mr. O'Dowd remarked that this court had juris-
diction.
The certificate of Captain Baynton was hero
called for, and handed to Mr. Boustred, the chief
clerk, upon which
Mr. Traill said, as the conduct of Captain Bayn-
ton was not complained against, it would be de-
parting from the principle adopted in these in-
quiries to require him to hand in his certificate, but
which could be called for, if necessary, at any other
part of the proceedings.
The certificate having been returned to Captain
Baynton,
• Mr. Traill continued, by stating that the usual
course was to examine.the captain first, to receive
his statement voluntarily, and to put him on oath
afterwards, if required.
Mr. Coxwell said, he generally objected to the
captain being examined previous to other witnesses
giving their evidence; but if his evidence were to
be given he should prefer it to be taken on oath.
Mr. Traill said, it would prejudice his (Captain
Baynton's) position if he did not make his state-
ment.
Mr. Coxwell said, the last inquiry which had
taken place at that court (alluding to the loss of
the Alma) had partaken of a prosecution ; but he
would not further object to the captain being ex-
amined, as stated.
Capt. Edward George Baynton was then placed
under examination, and said—l hold a certificate of
competency as Master from the Board of Trade,
dated December, 1850. I was captain of the Para-
matta on her first voyage. She was the property
of the Royal Steam Navigation Company. The
crew consisted of about 220, officers and men. She
had also on board about 60 passengers, and carried
the West India and Pacific mails. She left South-
ampton on the 17th of June last, bound for St.
Thomas's. It was fine weather. On the 24th of
June, at 1 p.m., something struck the starboard
paddlewheel. The engines were stopped to ascer-
tain the damage, when a float of the paddles was
found to be broken off and one of the iron stays
broken and twisted. On further examination we
found the centre boss cracked nearly two thirds
round. We secured the wheel in the best manner
possible with chains, and went on. Tbis caused a
delay of six hours. The following morning we
stopped about half an hour to inspect the wheel,
and, finding no further damage, we proceeded on
our voyage. Nothing further occurred until noon
of the 30th of June, when it was found by observa-
tion that the ship was 89 miles from the Island of
Sombrero. The island bore 26.45 W. At 20 minutes
past noon the course was altered by compass to S.
20 W. We continued in that course till 650 p.m.,
when the chief officer was on the lookout, and
hailed from the masthead that he saw the island of
Sombrero on the starboard bow. We kept the
ship away in consequence and for the purpose of
ascertaining the truth of the assertion, I desired
the chief officer to let me know when the island
was ahead. A few minutes afterwards he hailed
from the masthead, and said that which he thought
was the island was a vessel under sail. I then
asked him how the ship's head was, and was told
W. ;1 N. I ordered it to be kept W.S.W. During
these six hours we were going at the rate of 12
knots an hour, the wind being E.S.E. At 725 the
chief officer and myself took observations of the
polestar, which gave latitude 18.40 N. At 8 p.m.
the course was altered to S.W. by W.' At 820
we again took an observation of the polestar, which
gave the latitude 18.38. The horizon was perfectly
clear on the first observation, but not so clear on
the second. IVe continued on this course until ten
minutes past nine, when I directed the third officer
of the watch to take another observation of the
same star. This observation did not agree with the
former, it giving 18.24 N., on which I desired the
chief officer to take the observation with his sextant.
He made the latitude 18.34, but remarked that it
could not be depended upon, as the horizon was
,not so good. I then ordered the course to be altered
to S.W., a little more to the southward. This was
at 9.15. The paddle-wheel which had been damaged
was working very well. After keeping her away
to the S.W., the chief officer and myself remained
on the forecastle looking out for the high land of
Virgin Gorda, which we expected to make on the
starboard bow. About 9.27 I observed a hazy ap-
pearance ahead,'which did not at all resemble the
high land of Virgin Gorda ; I therefore told the
chief officer I would go and look at the chart, and
that he was not to leave the forecastle, but to keep
a sharp look-out. Before I reached my cabin the
ship struck. We then stopped the engines and I
sent down to see if dhe was making any water.
Finding she was not, we reversed the engines full
speed. It was not a shock, but something like
running up a sandy beach. No soundings were
taken previous to her striking. It did not occur to
me to heave the lead, as there was something con-
flicting about the latitude. She was on one of the
Horseshoe Reefs, and remained there.

By Captain Harris—The navigation allowed from
noon, when lying off, was 5 degrees westerly, and
the day before 7 degrees.
By Mr. Traill—Had not the accident occurred to
the paddle-wheel, we should have been at the
place where the ship struck six hours earlier, and
by daylight. The observations at 7.25 and 8.20
agreed with the dead reckoning, there being a
difference of 10 miles between the observations
made by the third and chief officers.
By Captain Harris—The width of the channel
between Sombrero and the Anegada Reef is 40
miles. Up to 6.50 we were steering to make Som-
brero a little on the port bow. At noon on the
29th of June we had good observations, and an
equally good observation on the 30th at noon.
I had observed her course had been slightly
altered, but took it to arise from shortness of sail.
There were 2 degrees difference between the course
made and the course steered in 360 miles: I subse-
quently found my chronometers correct ; they gave
the longitude within a mile. The compasses were
adjusted previous to the ship leaving Southampton.
There was a considerable difference between the
standard and steering compasses. The steering
compass was adjusted by magnet, the standard was
not. The standard compass was about four feet
before the mizenmast, and five feet high from the
deck. I was supplied with a table of errors for the
standard compass. I don't recollect the differetiees
between the steering and standard compass when
the ship was swung at Southampton. I computed
the courses and bearings by the standard compass,
and an officer took it by compass with the steering
compasses. The quartermaster was directed Fre-
quently to compare the standard with the steering
compasses. I steered throughout the voyage by
the starboard binnacle compass, which compass had
been adjusted at Southampton. Up to noon of the
30th of June, the courses steered were found to be
perfectly correct by observation. On the evening
of the 30th it was fine, clear, tropical weather. The
Island of Sombrero is a long flat rock, abeht 40 feet
high, and a mile and a half long, the soundings ex-
tending about two miles from the island. I have
been 16 years in the service of the company, and
have made a great many voyages—as many as 40
—to the West Indies, in 12 or 14 of which I have
acted as captain. I am well acquainted with the
passage between the Caribbean and the Virgin
Islands. I have never met a strong current there,
and have never been more than three miles out in
making Sombrero. I was not aware that there were
any currents there in the month of June, though
later in the year they would be affected by the rains.
The wind was R.S.E., very moderate, and I had
therefore no reason to believe that a Strong current
would be running from the N.W. The distance from
Sombrero to St. Thomas is about 00 miles, and I
.expected to have got there about 4 o'clock in the
morning. The soundings from the Horseshoe
Reef extend from 21 miles to the eastward, and
go off from 33 fathoms to 145 fathoms, with no
bottom. I ascertained after we were on shore that
there was a very strong N.W. current, which con-
tinued several days, and it has occurred to me since
that we crossed the magnetic meridian between
noon and the time of getting on shore. I an only
account for the ship being out of her course by the
second current. On the afternoon of June 30, at
3.15, I got sight from my chronometers, and the
longitude at that time carried us within a mile of
the longitude of the observation taken at noon. I
took no further observations. My latitude at 7.25