The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-08 00:00:00

REP RES ENTATION OF GREENWICH.

Last night Lieut.-Gen. Codrington was afforded an-
otheropportunity, at a large public meeting of the inhabi-
tants of Greenwich, convened in the Lecture-hall, of
stating the grounds on which he presents himself as a can-
didate for the vacant seat in the representation. He was
accompanied by Mr. J. C. Lethbridge, Mr. A. R. Bris-
tow, Mr. J. Lang, Capt. Pengelly, Mr. John Wilson,
and several other members of the constituency, who
signed the requisition to him to offer himself as a candi-
date. There were also present, as at the meeting at
Deptford on Monday night, several of the electors who
take a conspicuous part in opposing the gallant General
principally on the grounds of his refusing to support the
ballot, including the Rev. Mr. Gascoigne, a Unitarian
minister at Deptford, Mr. Tassel!, and others. Sir
William in a brief speech last night recapitulated his
political opinions in much the same terms as he did at
the meeting at Deptford on Monday evening, and as
reported in this journal on the following morning. At
the conclusion of his address Sir William expressed his
readiness to answer any question that might be put to
him with the view to elicit his opinions on points on
which he might have omitted to touch ; and in reply to
Mr. Gascoigne he said he looked on the continuance of
the 9d. in the pound on the income-tax which was added
to maintain the war as a po-itive wrong, now that the
war was concluded, and -would do all he could, short of
a national breach of faith, to get rid of that part of the
tax. He would not, however, assent to its unconditional
removal, for there might be outstanding obligations in-
curred during the war for the liquidation of which it
might be essentially necessary. Adverting to the
ballot, in answer to a question from the same quarter,
he said he regarded anything like coercion, bribery, or
intimidation over an elector in disposing of his vote as
a positive wickedness and grossly improper • but he had
never been able to see that the ballot would guarantee
that perfect freedom in the exercise of the suffrage which
all men desired. That opinion had not been formed
yesterday, for years ago he maintained it against his
father, who was long in Parliament, and a decided ad-
vocate for the ballot.
Mr. W. BENNETT, an elector, asked Sir William, amid
strong expressions of disapprobation, if he was prepared
to remain neutral on the question of the ballot, if elected,
or to pledge himself not to vote against it.
Sir WILLIAM said he had been asked if he was pre-
pared to stultify himself by not expressing any opinion
be might entertain if returned to the House of Commons.
He would not pledge himself to do any such thing. He
added, in reply to Mr. Layton, that the tax upon income
was, as it appeared to him, most oppressive, taken inde-
pendently of property. He was quite willing to support
the principle that the tax should be placed on property
in preference to incomes ; but further than that he would
not give a specific p:edge, for he would not consent to
be their delegate to vote any particular way on any par-
ticular occasion. He should be unworthy to represent
them if he did otherwise. He stated, in answer to Mr.
Clemmison, in reference to the vexed question of educa-
tion, that he would support to the utmost of his ability
any measure-that would tend to advance education, irre-
spective of creed. To questions put by Mr. Allford and
Mr. Stonehouse he said he would not pledge himself to
support a 51. elective franchise ; nor would he support
a suffrage based on purely educational grounds, simply
because of the intangibility of such a qualification.
The difficulty of applying such a test would be inter•
minable, because no one would know where to draw the
line.

A WORKING MAN, who spoke from the body of the
,ball, said be felt himself as much entitled to the fra•l•
chise as any gentleman educated at Oxford or Cam-
bridge. (Cheers and laughter.) As he was on his legs
he would ask the General if he was prepared to vote for
promotion by merit and not by purchase in the army 1
He was induced to put that question from a considera-
tion of the general mismanagement of affairs in the
Crimea, which the public, and himself among the rest,
had come to attribute to the command of the army in
its several branches being intrusted to members of the
aristocracy, nursed in the lap of luxury, one of whom
was known to have preferred snug quarters and the com-
forts afforded on board his yacht at Balaklava, instead
of roughing it with the rank and file iu the camp. Let
the General answer him that question, and he would ask
him another. (Laughter and cheers.)
General CODRINGTON said be bad been asked a diffi-
cult question, for was merit not the very thing they all
wanted to find out What was merit, and how were
they to discover it ? He could only say he was not pre-
pared to vote for the abolition of purchase in the army.
(Disapprobation and counter cheers.)
The WORKING MAN inquired if the General would
support any bill having for its object the opening of the
Crystal Palace, the British Museum, and the National
Gallery on Sundays, the only day on which labouring
men bad leisure to visit places of recreation
General CODRINGTON said he must candidly repeat that
he would not pledge himself to give any particular vote.
He had, however, no hesitation in saying that he thought
it exceedingly desirable' tbat the Crystal Palace should
be opened on Sundays, and, indeed, any other place of
innocent recreation for the poor classes, provided it was
not a place in which drink was sold.
On the motion of Mr. Lang, three cheers were given
for General Codrington, and the meeting, over which
Mr. Noble, an elector, presided; separated.
'lr. Sleigh, the other candidate in the field, addressed
a meeting of the electors at Woolwich on Tuesday

evening.
Yesterday Mr. William Jones, a solicitor in extensive
practice in the city, and a resident within the borough,
who some time ago announced himself as a candidate in
the Liberal interest, issued an address stating his inten-
tion to retire from the contest now that a man with the
recommendation of General Codrington bad entered the
field. He states that when lie first became a candidate
no other had offered himself whose position and antece-
dents gave him the slightest chance of becoming the re-
presentative of Greenwich, and with only Mr. Sleigh as
an opponent he and those who supported him (Mr.
Jones) felt confident of ultimate success.

THE LATE GALES,

The fate of the Violet, Dover and Ostend steamier, is
now beyond all doubt. The wreck seen on the southern
edge of the Goodwin Sands, as reported in The Sun of
yesterday, has been ascertained to be that mail packet,
and every person on board of her has perished. Part
of her cabin doors, her chainbox, a saloon chair, and
other articles, identified as having belonged to her,
were picked up by fishing boats, and taken into Folke
stone yesterday. There were also picked up a black
trunk, "Arthur Majendie, Esq.," being painted on the
lid, and a small black parcel. Captain Smithett, of
the company's service, in a communication whioti he
forwarded to the directors, expresses hie opinion that,
from the position in which the wreck lies on the
Goodwin, Captain Lynes, having imagined that he had
run his distance, caught a glimpse through the falling
snow of the Gull Stream Lights, and mistaking them
for those of the South Foreland, actually steamed
right down an the sands. Several disastrous casuaities
have occurred recently through masters falling into the
name mistake.

An inquest was held yesterday at Ramsgate, before
' Mr. R. Joiner, coroner, on the bodies of three men
found at sea, lashed to a lifebuoy, near to the wreck of
the Violet. The deceased were identified by Wm. Kay,
second mate of the Empress, as Nathaniel Harman and
Samuel Sharp, and although the witness did not know
the name of the other, he stated that all three were
stokers on board the Violet. Janes Hogbrin, master
of the Ramsgate lifeboat which went to the wreck,
proved the finding of the bodies lashed to the buoy.
They were taken into the boat and brought to Rams
gate. Captain Luke Smithett stated that the Violet
was commanded by Captain Lynes, who was a very
efficient officer. Her crew consisted of 17 men. He
did not know how many passengers were on board, but
he had heard three out of four declined to come by her
from Ostend, in consequence of the bad weather.
The jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned."
The lugger Victory, of Margate, which went down
off the North Foreland during the gale on Monday
night, contained 10 courageous boatmen who had gone
out to render help to distressed, vessel,. The catastrophe
is reported t have been witnessed by the crew of another
lugger, the Ocean, who made every exertion to rescue
the unfortunate men. Unhappily they did not succeed,
and their own boat nearly filled in their noble attempt.
Two American ships were wrecked in the vicinity of the
Downs. The Lien, Captain Ryan, from London for
Callao, went ashore ne ir Ringdowe, Deal,—crew sa% ed ;
and the Northern Belle, Captain Tate, from New York
for London, driven ashore at Kinffsgate. The crew
were the rigging all night, and ° suffered severely.
Trey were rfacuA by the lifeboat at daybreak. At the
mouth of Orford Haven, near Orfordness, a fatal loss
took place just before daybreak on Tue,clay morning.
The brig Rocketer, from Sunderland, was driven on to
the beach, and the mate and four seamen perished, the
master, apprentice, and three hands being saved. The
vessel shortly afterwards went to pieces. Another colli-r
(name unknown) went ash ,re a short distance to th,
southward of the Ness. The brig Sarah, belonging ;o
Loudon, from the north, was wrecked on the Whitaker
Spit. At Lowestoft and Yarmouth more shipwrecks
are reported. The Zephyr, brig, of Scarborough,
Pauline, French schooner ; brig Blenheim, of Stockton
and Darlington, bound to London, are ashore near the

BROADSTAIBS, Tuesday. The American barque
Northern Belle (after a most awful night) went ashore
at Kingsgate last evening, between eleven and twelve
o'clock. A terrific gale from the north-east was blowing
at the time, and for some hours it was believed impossible
to save the crew.

This morning, however between nine and ten o'clock,
the Broadstairs life-boat made an effort to save the crew
of the ill-fated vessel, for which three journeys were
necessary. In the first two journeys all the crew, with
the exception of the captain and pilot, were brought
ashore, those two remaining. Ultimately, however,
they were induced to leave the vessel, and were landed
in safety. The scene upon the cliffs in the immediate
vicinity was harrowing beyond description. Of the
gallant crew of the life-boat who risked their own lives
we may particularly mention John Castel!, George
Castelt (his son), Thomas Sandwell, and William Hiller,
jun. The extraordinary intrepidity and generous cour-
age of these men deserve far more mention than our
columns can gi►e. From the time their life-boat left the
shore till she returned with the crew of the vessel, it
was a mere question of instantaneous death, the sea
running literally " mountains high." If these poor
fellows do not one and all receive a medal for their
meritorious conduct we can only say that no mariner
ever yet deserved one. -
LIFEBOAT SERVICES DURING THE RECENT
HEAVY GALE.

Some of the life boats of the Royal National Life
Boat Institution were, daring the awful gale which
visited the coast on Sunday last, instrumental in saving
many lives from shipwreck.
On that day the Hauzley (Northumberland) life boat,
manned by 12 men, put off and rescued 11 men from the
brig Sophie, of Oporto. The sea was at the time making
a complete breach over the vessel, which soon afterwards
went to pieces.

Later in the day the same life boat went off again,
manned by the same intrepid crew, and saved the crew
of the Georgina, of Inverness, which, in stress of weather,
had run on shore near Hauxley. This vessel is also ex-
pected to become a total wreck.
On the same day (Sunday) the Filey life boat put off
and rescued the crew of 9 hands of the brig Ratcliffe, of
Whitby. She was unable to keep off the land, from the
violence of the gale and the partial loss of her rails; she
afterwards sunk.

On Saturday last the Tenby lifeboat went off with
the view of rendering assistance to a schooner in distress,
which was overtaken by the gale which sprung up on
that day. After the life-boat had rowed about three
miles, the schooner suddenly bore away right before the
wind. This life-boat, about three weeks ago, rescued
nine men from a foreign vessel.
On Sunday the Rhyl life-boat rescued four men from
a vessel which was wrecked opposite that place. This
life-boat had also, a few days previously, saved three of
the crew of the Mary Ann, of Liverpool.
On Monday the Walmer life-boat, which the Nationil
Life-boat Institution has just placed on that important
station, saved the crew, of eight men, of the Reliance,
of London, which was driven ashore by the gale near
Walmer Castle. The Marquis of Dalhousie, as Lord
Warden'of the Cinque Ports, has promised to subscribe
61. a year towards the support of this beautiful life-boat.
This life-boat has since saved the crew of another
wreck at Singsgate. The crew were in the rigging all
night, and suffered severely. At Idaybreak they were
taken of by the life-boat.
The crews of the several life-boats spoke in the highest
terms of their qualities.
It is a very gratifying fact, that during the 33 years
this institution has been established only one fatal acci-
dent—and that occurred more than 21 years ago—has
happened to any of its lile boats.
All honour to the brave men who always so promptly
volunteer to go, in all weather, in these life boats.
is impossible adequately to reward such men for their
gallantservices, but they will receive a liberal reward
from the National Life Boat Institution for their exer-
tions. In the cases we have given above 50 ship
wrecked men were rescued; as it were, from the jaws
of death. It is sincerely hoped that in the great and
extraordinary exertions which this truly philanthropic
society is now making to supply exposed points with
• fficient life boats, liberal public support will be ex-
tended to it. It should be remembered that a life
boat establishment, with its boat, carriage, house, and
life belts for the crew, costs about 3501. So that
without. the cordial co-operation of the public the
National Life Boat Institution cannot keep up its
numerous life boat establishments and progressively
increase the same on the coast. Let the wealthy of
the land and others help it in its mission of mercy.

COLLISION IN THE NORTH SEA. —The following conam u
nication has bee❑ forwarded, by direction of the Board
of Trade, to Capt. Baldwin, of the James Hartley, screw
steamer, of Hartlepool, respecting tbat vessel running
down the brig Messenger, of Shields, on the 6th of last
month, about three miles off Sunderland, when all bands
(with the exception of two seamen) went down with the
vessel and perished.

<<" Board of Trade, Whitehall, Jan. 2, 1857.
Sir,—l am directed by the Lords of the Coremittee of
Privy Council for Trade to inform you that they have had
before them the report of the justices who have held an in-
quiry into the circumstances connected with the collision
between the steamer James Hartley, of which you were
master, and the brig Messenger on the 6th ult.
"The Court have not reported it as their opinion that
the collision was the result of your wrongful act or default,
although they consider that previous to the accident there
was not a good look-out kept on board the steamer. My
Lords desire me, therefore, to return to you your certifi-
cate of competency as master, herewith transmitted.
"My Lords cannot, however, allow to pass over unno-
ticed one point, to which the justices have called attention.
They say, ' We also consider that the captain and officer
showed great want of presence of mind, if not negligence,
in not, immediately after the brig sunk, steaming over the
place where she went down, and lowering the boats to
search for any one that might be floating on the water."
"In this statement my Lords, after considering the evi-
dence, fully concur ; and they direct me to express their
opinion that the negligence in question showed a want of
common humanity, for which no excuse can prevail.
" I have the honour to be your obedient servant,

" T. H. FARBER.
"To R. C. Baldwin, master of the James
Hartley screw-steamer, of Hartlepool."

ACCIDENT TO TT IN SUBJIARINE

CABLES.

We are informed by the Submarine Telegraph Com-
pany that an accident has happened to the submarine
line across the Channel, and that telegraphic communi-
cation with the continent is temporarily delayed in con
sequence. It appears that during the fearful gales of
the sth instant a ship of 700 tons, heavily laden, lost
her anchor in the Dewns, and, driven by the force
of the gale and tide, fouled a schooner ; she then,
becoming more unmanageable, drifted into five fathoms
water. An anchor was speedily let go, with 40 fathoms
chain attached, but the barque, still impelled by the
unusual force of the gale, dragged her anchor until she
wat brought up sharply, head to wind, on opening the
western light of the South Foreland. It is feared that
she here came upon the Submarine Company's Ostend
cable ; the hurricane prevailing, however, coupled with
the tide, the weight of the ship, and the necessity of her
keeping her foretopsail out and aback to drift into deep
water, worked's° much upon the submarine line that,
after holding her for some length of time, the cable
giving way, as is supposed, she instantly swung round
bef ire the wind, and was careering forward with in
cress !d velocity and momentum, when she was suddenly
brought up head to wind again by the Calais cable. The
bark was held, in spite of the heavy sea, the gale, and
the pressure of the wind on her sails, for about an hour,
when once more she broke away, and sailed off down the
Channel. Both submarine lines unfortunately became
unworkable in consequence of this untoward accident,
and cocrenunication with the continent was partially
stopped. The sea at the point where the vessel caught
the cables is about 14 fathoms deep only, and the spot is
within three-quarters of a mile from the shore. The
company have already made arrangements to repair the
cables the moment the weather will permit, and mean.
time messages are being telegraphed to Dover, ee
it
thence by the steamer, which leaves thrice daily, to
Calais, and are from Calais telegraphed to their various
cestinatione. It is supposed that, the weather proving
favourable, both cables might be completely repaired in
the course of one day. The gale which caused this acci-
dent was of the most fearful description. 40 chains and
as chors were lost near Deal alone. A large American
ship drive ashore at Kingsdown, close to Deal ; another
ship was rapidly going to pieces further along the coast,
and the remains of a steamer, supposed to be the Vitelet,
from Ostend, were seen on the Goodwin. A b 'at from
MCrgate went down with 14 hands,.and altogether the
101 of life and property has been moat deplorable.