The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-05 00:00:00

say, whose ability and ffdness the hot Lai will recognise
the committee should cone to be nat led—and that they
were of opinion with him that there was no necessity to
detain Sir B. Walker from his important duties, as he had
already given his evidence fully regarding the' branch of the
Admiralty wit& which he was connected. My gallant

friend stated the same thing distinctly to the house in the
course of the evening. (Hoar, hear.) I therefore applied
to my noble friend at the head of the Government to decide •
whether, under these circumstances, Sir B. Walker
ought to go or remain, adding that I was sure my noble
friend the Duke of Somerset would be ready to consult the
wishes of the house. My noble friend replied that he did,
not think there hail been any conclusive expression of opi-
nion on the part of•the house that the gallant admiral ought
to remain. That was the state of the case on Thursday.
It is quite true that on Friday evening the right hon. gen-
tlemen the member for Oxfordshire expressed a desire that
Sir B, Walker should remain. (Hear, hear.) It being
my duty to make known any observations which may be
made in th.;s house to the noble duke and to the Board of
Admiralty, ,my noble friend asked whether I thought
there had been any general expression of opinion on the
part of the house. I could not say that there had been •
anything beyond the fact that the right hon. gentlenian,
who seemed to have taken 00 himself a very leading part
in this matter—(hear)—had mL'de the request, and, on th
other hand, that the gallant admiral, for himself and his
friends had expressed a wish that Sir B. Walker should
proceed on the service indicated. The question, therefore,
remains—Did the house express any ovinion on the sub-
ject ? I can say honestly that Ido not think any decided
opinion was expressed. But if such be now the wish of the
house I beg to say that I will this night acquaint the noble
duke with that wish, and will take measures to atop Sir B.
Walker, at whatever inconvenience to the public serieise.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HENLEY—It must be apparent to every one that
evidence said to have been given before a committee having
reference specially to dockyards cannot properly be relevant
to such a very different question as the constitution of the;
Board of Admiralty, and therefore the evidence of Sir B.
Walker, having been so restrained cannot be applicable to
the preseat purpose. Now, the Admiralty does not stand
particularly well in public estimation at the present mo-
ment—(hear, hear)—many persons have not been able to
re6,:mcile to theanvelves the assent given to the'appdintment
of this cOunittene
and I put it to the noble lord whether the:
public would 1...59t
apt to say that the Admiralty granted
this committee at tb
e same time that they took care th
only man who could rt.
eilly give evidence should be re-
.
m9ved. (Hear, hear.) If my recollection does not fail
me, Sir Baldwin Walker was appointed to his late posi-
tionof the late Sir R. Peel.
during the administratieSl
See, therefore, what immense' experience he must have
possessed. All the changes of inal.'°rtallna in naval con- ,
struction must have taken place dueliZg his reign at the
Admiralty. Therefore, it is quite impos,:ible• that with-
out the presence of the gallant admiral the matter can be•
fairly inquired into. (Hear.) He is the only person who;
can carry the stream of information through such a number
of years, and through all those interesting changes as to
which the public mind is so much excited as almost to have
come to the conclusion that some error, or' shortcoming, or
mistake, has existed somewhere. If the inquiry is to be
useful, let us have the means of pursuing it effectually; bast
if not, it would be better to come to a resolution condemna-
tory of the Admiralty at once, and call on the Government.'
to provide a substitute.
Lord PALMERSTON—What my noble friend hat; stated
is perfectly true. On Thursday evening the right hon. baro-
net expressed a wish that Sir B. Walker should be detained ;
but the gallant admiral by whom the committee wal tube
was
no for stated in the most distinct manner that there
no necessity to examine Sir B. Walker, as evidence amply
sufficient for all purposes had already been given by hitu;
and on grounds of public importance he agreed that
should go to his station without delay. On that I stated tet
my noble friend that I was satisfied the gallant admiral hat
better go. On the other hand, as there appears to be a de-
sire on the part of those who are to be members of the Com-
mittee that Sir B. Walker should be examined,•l sates-
fled the noble duke at the head of the Admiralty will give,
directions to have him called .back as soon as possible,. I
have only to add that there has been no desire to withdraw
this officer from examination ; on the contrary, her Ma-C
jesty's Government, I am sure, have no wish except to give,
the fullest information on every point to which the atten-
tion of the committee may be directed. Steps shall imme-
diately be taken to have him brought back. (Hear.)
The debate on Italian affairs was then adjourned to this.
evening.

~ la._.