The Sun.
London, England, 1828-07-29 00:00:00

THE FRENCH NAVY.

The following are the most interesting parts
of the speech of the Minister of Marine (M.
Hyde de Neuville) to which we have referred :

" I shall limit myself to a concise explanation of
the system followed up to the present day, of the
condition in which I find affairs, of the measures
which I have already been able to accomplish, of
those which I reckon upon being able in a short time
to accomplish, of the expenditure which has taken
place in preceding years, and of that expenditure
-which I am now forced in consequence to incur; in
shoo, gentlemen, I will state to you facts, and leave
the inferences to be deduced from them to your wis-
dom and patriotism.
My predecessor formed the Admiralty,- the
marine force (les equipages de ligne), and the mari-
time prefectures. This ►s an immense service ren-
dered to our navy, and it will always retain a grate-
ful remembrance of it. But, gentlemen, these insti-
tutions, which we have so long wanted, and which
we have obtained after so much difficulty, so power-
fitl is the force of ancient habits, even when we
Filew their abuse and insufficiency—these institu•
/ions, which have become of vital importance, are
vet only in their infancy. We have laid the fowl-
-dation—we have still to form and consolidate the su-
perstructure. It is to that object that my efforts
have been and still must be directed.

" The most valuable arrangements are already in
force in the different departments of the Admiralty;
and that institution, which is strictly conservative,
will find in its final organization all the elements of
which it stands in need, not only to create useful
doctrines, but also to relieve them from that•deplor-
able change which I must here point out as the
greatest defect in a department in which it is a mat-
ter of most urgent necessity that all its proceedings
should be uniform and consistent.

" The Minister, alone, is responsible: he ought
then to remain armed with all the authority with
which it has pleased the King to invest him. Ihere
ought to be no impediment to the progress of his ad-
ministration; but in proportion as the obstacles
which ought to impede him are small, ought the
facility- to be great of furnishing him with useful
counsels at the time when the emergency of the ser-
vice may require them. This is made a point of
imperious necessity by the interest of the sovereign,
by the interest of the country, and I may also add,
by the interest of the Minister, if it be rightly un-
derstood : for the power of doing good is far better
than the power of doing every thing.
" An order of the King upon the military orga-
nization and administration of the Royal corps of
Marines (equipages de ligne) will soon appear.
This order will contain a complete account of the
method of organizing these corps, of which the uti-
lity is so great, and so demonstrable, that I should
conceive myself guilt of wasting the time of the
Chamber if I were seriously to defend an institution
so important and so essentially national.
u Gentlemen, it is a magnificent idea to.associate
the whole of France with our naval glory. I have
often heard it said that it is unfortunate for our navy
that Paris is not a seaport. Well t. if the capital
has long been ignorant of what a ship is, and of the
importance of a navy—if it has been ignorant of all
the advantages which we can derive to our prospe-
rity and to our power from those seas which sur-
round us, from those noble harbours created by na-
ture and Louis XIV., all France will know it now.
The children of Neptune, dispersed throughout the
kingdom, will make the navy.to be known,. to be
loved, and to be. respected; and we shall..fi
just
in
•
Auvergne as in Britanny, excellent sailors, ustas
we find in Britanny as well as in Auvergne intrepid
old iers.

" France stands in need of union; can any thing
'be found more effective in rendering. that union last-
ing than by making its glories common property
Let us congratulate ourselves on the extinction of
the phrase, the sea belongs to the Bretons.' At
present it belongs to us all. (Bravos.) Let a few
years elapse, and then we shall see what these
marines are, and what they can do. The reporter
of your Committee uses this expression In order
to let the marines arrive at the degree of utility of
which they are capable, the Minister must oftei-, re-
call to the attention of the Officers, that it is sailors
and not soldiers that they have to form.'
" Let our colleague regain his confidence. The
Minister knows, the officers of marines know also,
that the management of small arms, and the exercise
of infantry,. are only secondary duties with a sailor.
Besides, every Frenchman is by instinct a warrior.
When, therefore, we send him to the sea, we must

endeavour first of all to make a marine of him, and
afterwards to make a soldier of him too. This is

the double object of the order of which I have been
just speaking. The marines of our vessels will be
principally, and without distinction, employed in
every kind of service which belongs to manoeuvres,
to artillery, to steerage, to the preservation, and
to the management of the ship. They will
perform, besides, the service of infantry, on
hoard the vessels of war, and in the ar-
senals, in such a•manner as will make oar soldiers
marines, and our marines soldiers. The thing is
possible—let us say easy : our conscripts have proved
it, and I can say, without exaggeration, that they
will know in a few months how to mount the masts,
just as they would know on the first day of their
service, if it were necessary, to mount to the assault.
Ah, gentlemen, what is there that a Frenchman
cannot do, when his intelligence is applied to pur-
poses of utility, and when his courage is really ex-
cited ? It is these marines of ours, so recently

formed, that achieved the triumph of Navarin. It is
true that they were nobly commanded. Yes, gentle-
man, every chief; every officer acted like an example
to them, and on that day all of them conquered.
" A few more observations on these marines.
This institution will make us find sailors, and excel-
lent sailors, in every part of France.
" I calculate that 20,000 men will be wanted for
them in time of peace-13,000 for the fleet, and
7,000 for the garrieons of the naval fortresses.—
Should war or extraordinary circumstances surprise
us, land troops may supply the 7,000 Marines, who
are in our harbours, and we shall then have imme-
diately 7,000 Marines more. Commerce can but
gain by the formation of these corps of Marines.—
Commerce is often much inconvenienced, as you
know, when we take from its employment a number
of sailors. The time will come when we shall be
able to furnish it with sailors, and with excellent
sailors too. Observe, too, gentlemen, that in form-
ing marines we create lasting professions. The sol-
dier, in returning to the fire-side of his family, often
finds himself without an occupation. After eight
years' service on beard our ships, the sailor full of
strength and of life, will be courted and sought for
1)y our merchants. The ocean is a vast field which
his courage may always explore : during war, glory
—during peace, industry--will animate the marine.
lie is, therefore, alwars sure of being employed, and
of being able to serve his country. A draught of an
ordinance (a work of great extent and long wanted)
relative to the service of the marine in the maritime
districts, has just been completed. This ordinance
will defier., inlielcar and precise manner, the amount
of service requi,red from each district. It will put
we end to the uncertainty of the conflicts, to the
possible abuses of authority,—it will simplify the
wheel-works of administration,—it will render its
superintendence more sure, and more active,—it will,
in a word, secure in our harbours the punctual exe-
cution of the regulations and the laws of the king-
etnn.
" The King, in his paternal goodness, has deigned
to cast an eye of favour upon the cabin of the mo-
dest fisherman; he wishes to give consolation to his
poverty, and the ordinance of the 29th of last June
completes the benefit of that of the 12th of March,
1826. You know, gentlemen, the actual state of
our navy ; we have afloat and building 33t vessels,
of which 53 are ships of the line, and .57 frigates.
Of these 53 vessels, seven are at sea, and three soon
will be; 23 are laid tip in ordinary, and 20 are on
the stocks. Of the frigates, 36 are at sea or ready

for it, 18 are building, and of these four will be im-
mediately equipped and afloat.
Every year the navy has complained, and has-
had reason to complain, of the insufficiency of its
budget. Every year that insufficiency has been ac
knowledged : and in reminding you that my prede-
cessor was compelled 16 renounce the useful expen,
diture which woUld'have required above 13,000,000.:
expenses, in which are included the pioYisionini ctf
the reserve, your reporter adds, "ro renounce the
supply for the reserve is to sacrifice the future for
the present,'
" I state to, you that the French navy is that Which
costs the least. The budgets of every eolintry prove
this, and a few short observations would serve to
demonstrate the fact. However, to be brief, I shall
here take for terms of comparison only those powers
whose naval force most generally fixes attention.

" We have afloat, or on the stocks 336 vessels.
" England •- •- 600
" The United Starq have 53
" Of this number France has 53 ships of the line.
" England has 141
" The. United States have
" Of this same number France has 55 frigate
" England has • -
". The United States l7
" Total ships of the line and frigates in France 10S
England 283
the United States 29

" Now, whether we take for the term of compa-
rison the whole of the resfsels afloat or building in
the three countries, or whether we confine ourselves
to ships of the line or frigates only, it will be found
that. we always do the most with the least expellee.
" This, gentlemen, is a fact which I can prove.
A commodore of the United States, all excellent
seaman and an enlightened naval administrators has
declared, after visiting our maritime establishments,
after admiring these fine ports which so proudly de-
clare the power of our kings, that he could not con-
ceive how the French marine could accomplish and
maintain so many things with its budget. Com-
pare, gentlemen, the pay in each country. Compare
also the number of officers, and say whether there
be any abuse or superfluity with us. We have 30
General officers—we had 64 in 1787: according to
the preceding comparison, and adopting the Calcula-
tion which is least favourable to us, England ought
to have eighty—whereas she has 215. France has
80 captains of ships of the line, and in 1787 she had
123. England, abiding always by the same data,
should have 220—she has 850. We have 120 cap-
tains of frigates, England has 868 commanders,
who are of the corresponding rank. Our lieutenants
and ensigns united amount to 728 at present—
England has 3,710 lieutenants, and 543 masters. I
would observe, that the United States had, even so
far back as 1818, as may be seen in Seybert, more
captains than they have even at present ships and,
frigates. They have Ready as many masters and
commanders as captains, nearly 200 lieutenants, and
more than 400 midshipmen." .

LONDON.
TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 29, 1828.

The KING'S Speech yesterday is little calcu-
lated to appease the " rebellion" which the
alarMists thought proper to kindle in Ireland—
for not one word is said in that Official Docu-
ment respecting the Sister Kingdom. We may
therefore
~now take it for granted, that. the
" rebellion" was all a hoax got up, by those
in the secret as a set-off to O'CoNNELL's
return to Parliament. The Corn Bill is referred
to as a proof of the wisdom and liberality of Par-
liament, but the Test and Corporation Acts are
very properly consigned to oblivion, because the
bare mention of a subject bearing upon civil and
religious liberty would naturally lug in something
about Catholic Emancipation, and Ministers
have wisely determined that the least said about
that the better.

With respect to the other topics touched on
in the Speech from the Throne, we shall at pre-
sent abstain from any remarks, being fully satis-
fied that they bear their own comments along
with them.

Parliament is prorogued to Thursday the
28th of August, but it is expected that it will
meet in November.

The Russian squadron destined for the Me-
diterranean has at length made its appearance on
our shores. Yesterday afternoon seven large men
of war were seen in the offing, - steering for the
Downs, but it is probable that they will proceed
to Portsmouth. They may arrive to join Admiral
HEYDEN, by the 20th of August, before which
time the Russian army will be near Constantinople.
When once Count HEYDEN finds himself suffici-
ently strong, be may either force the passage of the
Dardanelles, or wait till the Emperor arrives and
make a conjoint attack upon Constantinople.
Where then will be the virtue of the EmPEßort's
previous declaration, that he had recalled the
separate instructions which had been given to the
Commander of his naval forces in that sea,
directing hostile operations against the Ottoman
Porte ? The fact will prove that his IMPERIAL
MAJESTY has only consented to waive the exer-
cise of his Belligerent rights for a sea-
son—that
is, he can put them in exe-
cution with axy reasonable chance of success.
What could the Russian fleet non in the Me-
diterranean
do against the combined forces of
France and England, supposing these two
powers to act upon the spirit of the Treaty
of London, from which Russia must necessarily •
be a seceder? Literally nothing. The Empe.
ror NICHOLAS even knows that his fleet is not
safe in the Mediterranean till he can get
a port of his own, and it is from this
conviction only, and not from any feelings of
forbearance or Imperial moderation._ that he now
consents to act on his good behaviour. How
different will be leis speech when the Imperial
eagle floats on the towers of ST. SOPHIA,
and
the Russian fleet anchors securely in the Bay of
Constantinople !

We received at a late hour yesterday after-
noon the Hanzburgh Reporter of the 25th inst.
which bears upon its page the mark of Censorial
interference, by a large blank space. We had
hoped that the reign of Censorship had net ex-
tended its disgraceful absolutism to the free town
of Hamburgh, but so it is.
The news in these Papers from the East is
not very important ; but we are informed that
the Emperor of AusTrtrA is now seriously bent
upon putting his army on a warlike footing. A
levy of 100,000 rnen is confidently spoken of; and
it is also said that Russia has invited A ustria to
take military possession of Bosnia and Scrvia
pro tempore. If this be true, we think Russia
is playing a deep game with her friends at the
expence of her natural foe, the PORTE. If
Austria can overcome her scruples of conscience,
and take advantage of this invitation, Russia
will thereby be enabled to concentre her armies
towards Constantinople, leaving the Austrians to
keep watch on their right. By this means the

Turks will be driven out of Europe, and Russia'
remaik mistress of Constantinople
:
VIENNA, JULY 17.—The meeting of a Hungarian
Diet, and a considerable levy of recruits in that kingdom,
are confidently spoken of as likely soon to take place.
Giurgivo still continues to hold out.
Private letters from Bucharest of the 4th inst. ear, that
the, Russian authorities had-.arrested fifteen individuals,
guilty of designedly having brought the plague to that
city. The same letters assert that the Russian troops had
already effected a landing near Varna.
The Emperor of Austria and his Court will remain at
Baden till: the 29th inst., after which he will repair to his
hereditary dominions, and return to Baden in the early Part
ikf Septembef. The saute paper adds, that during his last
visit to his capital some very Important subjects were de-
bated in the Council in the presence of his Majesty. A
lety of 100,000 men is confidently spoken of, and it is
also said that Bnasia has invited Austria to take military
possession of Bosnia and Servia, pro tern. Both these as-
sertiens raft as yet, however, be only considered in the
light of reports.
FROM THE VISTULA, JulX 4.--The movements of
troops in the interior of Russia have not yet ceased. In
the vicinity of Moscow, above 80,000 men are encamped,
who have been raised for the most part by the late levy of
recruits. / According as they are trained and equipped,
they are marched in detachments of 500 men towards the
South-western provinces of the empire. The number of
regular Cossack corps is said to have been increased very
considerably, and that a large part of the reinforcements
lately sent to the army of the Caucasus consisted of trooPs
of this description.
ST. PETERSBUNGH, Jour 12.--LThe congregation .of
the Lutheran Church of St. Peter celebrated today the
first centenary of its foundation, under the reign of the
Emperor Peter the Great.
Russia, always rich in navigable rivers and canals, has
just acquired a new means of communication by the Kiri-
loff, which, connecting the navigation of the Baltic and the
Black Sea, will prove highly advantageous to northern
provinces of the empire. The Canal of Kiriloff was com-
pleted last Autumn, and opened the Sth of June, thi syear.
Up to the 9th of this month, 610 ships had arrived at
Cronstadt.—Journal of St. Petersburgh, July 12.
EXCHANGES ON LoNnon•—Amsterdam, July 25.
12 05 ; two months, 12 00. Hamburgh, July 25.-
13 1 li; two months, 13 10. Leipaic, July 21.—Three
months, 6 154. Berlin, July 22.—Three months, 624.
Christiania, July 12.—Three months, 66. Stockholm,
July 18-75 days, 12 3. St. Peteraborgh, July 11.—
three months, 10i.

The French Papers of Saturday, and the
Gazette de France of Sunday's date, contain
no news from the East of Europe. They, how-
ever, speak with confidence of the speedy de-,
parture of the French expedition for the Morea.
The command is given to Lieutenant-General
the Marquis de MAISON ; Briadier-General
TIBURW SEBASTIANI, brother of the General-
in-Chief of the name, is one of the Generals
under him. General DURRIER is Chief of the
Staff. _ _

It appears that a slight commotion took place
at Policastro, in the kingdom of Naples, which
had been magnified into a revolt, for the purpose
of depressing the Austrian Funds. The affair
was, however, soon settled by the dispersion of

the rioters.
We have no recent news from the theatre of war. The
official bulletins reach us so late by the direct route, that
we receive them almost as quickly by way of Berlin.
This delay is ascribed to a want of regulation of the com-
munication between Bucharest and the right bank of the
Danube, and to the strictness of our quarantine, which is
of three days' continuance. The progress of the Russians
on the other side of the Danube will furnish means to re-
medy the first inconvenience.Augsburgh Gazette.
PA XIS, JULY 26.—Mr. Stratford Canning arrived on
the 12th July, at Leghorn, proceeding in all haste to
Ancona, and thence to Corfu.
A squadron commanded by Captain Cuvellier arrived at
Toulon on the 22(1 July ; it has brought back onr troops
from Cadiz. _ _ _

The Duke of I'enthievre, one of the sons of the Duke
of Orleans, died to-day at noon, at the Chateau of Nenilly.
This prince was eight years and a half old, and died of a
lingering complaint.
Fx.P.Nclt FttNns.—Five per Cents. 105 f. 85c. 80c.
s.sc. 90c. Four per Cents. 99f. Three per Cents.
72f. 15e. .20c. 25c. 30c. ; Bank Shares, 18851. ; City of
Paris Rentes, 103 f. 25c.

The following are extracts from German
Papers received this morning. Count GUILLE-
M INOT is said to have returned an answer to
the ItEts EFFENDI, declaring the impossibility
of his return to Constantinople till the Turkish
Government resolves to accept the mediation of
the Allied Powers

,CIO, JUNE 9.

Reports are still spread that the Greeks intend to
attempt another landing on this island. The inhabitants,
who now amount to about 14,000, are hereby kept in the
greatest alarm. The town remains desert and empty, as
it was before, though the inhabitants begin again to collect
in the villages. Last month the Governor retvived a
firm/in, in which he was ordered to pull down the town to
the distance of 60 fathoms beyond the moat, and he was
informs? at the same time that a surveyor and 2,000 work-
men had been sent to erect new works. The garrison at
present consists of 3,000 men, of wham 1,000 are regular
Troops; the other Ilumeliots. All the Asiatic troops have
returned to the Continent.
A few days ago two lonian Captains induced the com-
mander of the post in the village of Themina to embark on
F4nrd their vessels with his 177 men, on payment of 32
piastres for each ; it is not known whither the ship is
gone. This affair has made a great noise here, and greatly
incensed the Pacha against the lonians, who continually
endeavour to trouble the tranquillity of the Island.
SMTANA, JUNE 14.

Pirates have again appeared in various places ; the
Leipsie Austrian corvette has brought in here the Ilydriot
schooner, which it has captured near the Island of Thasos.
VIENNA, Jets 18.—Metalliques, 93 1-10; Bank
Shares, 1,067.

Letters received this morning from Barcelona
of the 18th July make no mention of any insur-
rection there. All was ix a state of profound
tranquillity. If this be correct, what object had
the French for spreading reports of a contrary
tendency ?

THE FUNDS-(THIS DAY).

CITY, MILTS 0' CLOCK.

The King's speech has had the slight, effect on
the Consol market this morning, of raising them
per cent.; it is viewed in various ways by our
City politicians, and Consols, which left off yester-
day at Sq, buyers, opened at the same price, went
up to 86i,atid may now be quoted at Bfil, alternately
buyers and sellers. A report prevails, said to be re-
ceived by private letters from Madeira, that a frigate,
sent there by Don Miguel, had been fired at and
eleven men killed and wounded. Our arrivals this
morning are of little import.
QUA-RTER TO TTV O.

The Consol Market has remained steady during the
morning fluctuating between 884 and 87, and at present
may be quoted 8611 for the Account, with little business
doing. The Commissioners botight Consols at 861. Re-
duce7l has been scarce, and in demand. _ _

Up to the present hour we have no farther intelligence
either from the East or Portugal; the report is the early
part of the day of Don Mignel's frigate being fired at en
entering Madeira is supposed to be an old affair, as some
time ago letters stated, that a new Governor was sent there
in a frigate, but they would not suffer him to land.
In the Foreign Market there is scarcely a bargain doing.
Portuguese Bonds have somewhat improved ; Brazil 624-;
Buenos Ayres, 421 31; Chilian 26,27 ; Colombian 24i ;
Danish 62; Greek 17 18; Mexican 39 40 ; Peruvian
2I ; Portuguese 53/ 4 ; Russian 914 ; Spanish 10i 11.
T 11111i.E O' CL 0 CA.
Consols for Account, 87k.
Accounts from Bordeaux state, that the packet
from Vera Cruz was just entering the harbour ; this
does away with the report of her being captured and
the erew murdered.

FOUR O'CLOCK.—CLOSING PRICES,
Consols 86i 7 Danish 61ti
Do. for Ac. 87
Greek, 1825 171
Brazilian Bonds 62a
Mexican, 1825 391
Buenos Ayres Peruvian
Chilian Do. Russian 94i
Colurnbian, 1824 24 Spanish, 1821