The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-01 00:00:00

SUMMARY OF NEWS

AND

eptitton.

" lllto runs may read."

FOREIGN.
On Thursday evening their Majesties the King and
Queen of the French received Vice-Admiral Baudin,
Generals Sebastiani, Pernetz, de Monthyon and Duvi-
vier, the Duke de Coigny, the Duke de Crillon, the Count
de Mornay, the Baron de Bussiire, M. Liadiares, and
Colonel Fox,

It IN as stated on the Bourse on Saturday that Marshal
Soult and M. Lacave Laplagne (Minister of Finance)
pyre confined by illness.
The Count de Pontois, the French Ambassador to the
Swiss Confederation, has arrived in Paris.
Marshal Bugeaud left Marseilles for Algiers on board
the Cameleer' on the 25th inst.

A Bordeaux journal states that the camp near that
city will consist of from 20,000 to 25,000 men under the
command of his Royal Highness the Duke de Nemours,
who will be accompanied by the Duke d* Aun3ale.
A man named Noel des Quersonnilres died at Neuilly,
near Paris, on Tuesday last, in the 117th year of his
age. The freemasons had of late supported him, and
defrayed the expense of his interment, which took place
on Thursday.

The Belgian journals are very severe in their com-
ments on the discussion in the French Chamber of De-
puties relative to the treaty between France and Belgium.
They are astonished that any complaint should be made
of the Belgian Government as having taken unfair ad •
vantage of the spirit of concession of that of France, and
say, on the contrary, that Belgium has made concessions
for which she has little in the way of reciprocity.
It appears that M. Rosemond"de Beauvallon, the ad-
versary of M. Dujarrier in the late fatal duel, has taken
refuge in Holland with his seconds. The seconds of M.
Dujarrier are said, however, to be still in Paris, and have
pledged themselves to be forthcoming for their trial.
The Universal Gazate of Zurich, of the 25th instant,
states that the Council of State assembled on the 24th.
It would appear that news had arrived which announced
that grave events were preparing in the west. •
M. Castillo y Ayensa, the Spanish Envoy to the Papal
Court, arrived at Rome on the 13th, and on the following
day had an interview with Cardinal Lambruschini. It
was reported at Rome that the differences between the
Pope and Spain were in a fair way of adjustment.

SAW AND POLIC7M.
At Liverpool, Benjamin Anderson, who was indicted
for attempting to poison his wife and children, at Man-
chester, by administering to them sugar of lead, was
acquitted.

Richard Clarke was indicted at Bury St. Edmunds for
wounding John Day, with intent to maim and disable
him, an i do him grievous bodily harm, and also for re.
sisting his lawful apprehension. The prosecutors who
was a night-watcher on Sir Richard Affly's preserves,
observed the prisoner snaring a hare, pursued and over
took him, a struggle ensued, in which the prisoner got
possession of a stick with which the prosecutor had been
armed and struck him on the hi-ad with it two or three
times. He was found guilty of a common assault.
At the same assizes, Robert Drewe, convicted of arson,
was sentenced by Mr. Baron Parke to be transported for

COVET-FASHIONABLE.
Viscount Melbourne is expected to return to South-
street, on Thursday next, from Brocket Hall, Herts, for
the season.

The Right Hon. W. Gladstone and lady have returned
to their residence, in Carlton-gardens, from a visit to the
Archbishop of York.
The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, accord-
ing to present arrangements, will leave Alnwick Castle
in the course of next week, for Northumberland House,
for the season.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry and
Lady Alexandrine Vane contemplate a sojourn of about
a fortnight in Paris.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury are on
the eve of quitting Paris on their return to this country,
after a residence of nearly six months in the French
capital.
The Marquis of Hertford is expected to return from
Paris towards the end of the ensuing month.
The Earl of Lonsdale, who has been staying at Lowther
Castle, Westmoreland, since Monday last, was to leave
that seat on Saturday for Whitehaven Castle, from
whence the Noble Earl comes to town at the close of this
week. Lady Frederick Bentinck is still at Rome, but is
expected home early in May.
The Earl of Bessborough and family remain at Bess-
borough Castle. The Noble Earl is -till suffering from
the effects of his late accident, and is obliged to use
crutches.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, who
have been passing the holidays at Mulgrave Castle, are
expected in town on Friday next for the season.

MISCELLANEOUS.
About three o'clock on Saturday morning, a fire broke
out in the house of Mrs. Bond, a widow lady, Adding-
ton-square, Camberwell. The house 'in which the fire
originated was totally gutted. The roof of the adjoin-
ing building was likewise burned off, the top windows
destroyed, and the low'er part extensively injured by
water. There were no lives lost.

The clergy of the archdeaconry of Durham have re-
solved to petition both Houses of Parliament to repeal
such portions of the Act 6th and 7th of William IV.,
which proposes to unite in one the ancient bishoprics
of St. Asaph and Bangor, on either of these sees be-
coming vacant•

About eight o'clock on Sunday evening, a fire broke
out in the lower part of the premises occupied by Mr.
George Freestone, pork-butcher, 29, Great Suffolk-
street, Borough. The smoke was so dense for some
time, that considerable difficulty was experienced in as-
certaining the exact locality of the fire. Owing how-
ever to an abundant supply of water, and the timely,
arrival of several engines, the flames were subdued be-
fore any material damage was effected.
Driven by stress of circumstance, the performers who
lately composed the orchestra at the Adelaide Gallery
have taken refuge in " Sussex Hall " a large and com-
modious room in Leadenhall-street, well adapted for
musical purposes. Headed by M. Laurent, a series of
evening concerts A la Musard, are contemplated, and
from the appearance of the first, which took place on
Saturday, there is every reason to believe that the un-
dertaking will be prosperous.
The remains of the late Bishop of Ely, Dr. Allen,
will be deposited in the choir of Ely Cathedral to-day.
On Sunday afternoon information was received at
the several engine-etations that a fire was burning on
board the brig Betsy, Captain J. Rich, of Penryn, lying
off Prince Edward-stairs, opposite Rotherhithe. For
some time the greatest fears were entertained that the
whole vessel would fall a sacrifice to the fury of the
flames, which were then burning brightly and fiercely
in the after cabin. The floating engine, manned by
one hundred men, was got to work, and a vast body of
water poured into the cabin. At length the flames were
subdued, and all danger of their further extension at an
end ; but not before the after cabin and its contents
were nearly consumed. The fire from the cabin stove,
icsahidis n theot to probpeer ty
of
some cause which is unexplained, is said to have
cafucseadpttahien
Traner.
y, The
pveensrsyeli,), is in-
sured.

HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO THE

ISLE OF WIGHT.
COWES, SUNDAY AFTERNOON.—The Queen and
were
Prince Albert and the Princess Royal arrived here yes-
et eorndvaey;
conveyed
afternoonby spe
special
lm train Windsor.from t
hTeh. The
Farnboroughroyal
y f
Victoria and Albert. In consequence o the. royal
sta-
tion to Gosport, and thence to the island in the royal
yacht
t ' summer pianrtihoge hhaenrdfsoorfhtehre paintersiios and embellishers,
yacht
who are e ipnrge
the Lords of the Admiralty had
excur-
sions, it was not intended to make use of her upon the
present cccasion, and
to orderedomb
a embark her
the B Eagle
b fromut theW disasterolwich
Black
whichto P o r
occurredt outh,
to that vessel on her passage, and compelled her to put
Majesty,oback, created an unforeseen difficulty.the Hecate steam-sloop, fitting alongside the dock-yard,
In this emergency
was ordered to be got ready, but being by no means in a
fit state to receive her Majesty, the order was counter-
manded, and the royal yacht was ordered to be brought
from her moorings and put in the best state of prepara-
tion possible under the circumstances.
As soon as the royal party embarked on board the
royal yacht, that vessel immediately got under weigh,
and proceeded out of the harbour. The men-of-war
saluted and manned their yards, and as the yacht passed,
the batteries also saluted. The Eagle, lying at Spithead,
with the flag of Rear-Admiral Inglefield, manned her
yards, and fired a royal salute when the yacht passed
through that anchorage ; and upon arriving at Cowes,
salutes were fired from the Castle, and the Royal Yacht
Squadron Club House. lii consequence of the severity
of the weather, and the Elbe and other rivers being frozen,
there was a large fleet of foreign merchant vessels waiting
in the Medina river until the ices shall have cleared away.
The whole of these vessels saluted her Majesty, and kept
up a lengthened fire with such ordnance as they had
on board. Her Majesty landed opposite the Medina
hotel, where the royal carriages were in waiting to
is4Hoa
juesset.y
aTohdepdriinonceerAplabretryt,lassitr eveningpceoerils.isLteatdi
yofCahner-
ning, Miss Stanley, General Wem ,ss Colonel Grey,
Colonel ,
Colonel Bowater, and Mr. Anson. The royal party will
return on Tuesday.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, SUNDAY.--Yesterday, about half-past two,
the royal yacht came into the road, and the royal party
and suite proceeded up the harbour in the
al b
under salutes from the Hamburgh ship, Phcenyix,
cargte„
Sohst, from the Danish ship, Franziska, Capt. Baur, "and
from the batteries at the Castle, and at the Royal Yacht
Squadron House. The numerous foreign ships in the
roads and harbour were all decorated with flags as was
the whole line of shore ; there was a fine breeze from
the north-west, which showed to advantage the flags of
ten different nations hoisted in honour of the royal
visitors, Just before the barge reached the landing place
the Oriental steam-ship, Queen, Capt. Russell, com-
menced firing, as did Capt. Johansen from the Hamburgh
ship off the wharf. The day was very fine and the as-
semblage on the quays'very large. A few minutes before
three her Majesty landed, and was received with the
most hearty cheers of the inhabitants and the masters
of the foreign vessels in the port, about 30. The royal
party proceeded to Osborne in three carriages, escorted
by a party of gentlemen on horseback. Her Majesty
and Prince Albert walked this morning through the
grounds of Osborne, coming out by the Norris gate
where a carriage was waiting for them, in which they
took a morning drive. The royal party, it is under-
stood, are only down to give directions for the intended
enlargement of the house for the reception of her Ma-
jesty in July next; the present stay will only be till
Tuesday next,

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, March3l.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
Messengers from the Commissioners of Poor-laws, the
Board of Ordnance, the Commissioners of Bankrupt*
the Bank of England, and other Boards and pall
establishments, brought to the bar the usual returns. •
RAILWAYS, &c.
A petition was presented against the Newcastle Ana,
Berwick Railway, the petitioners praying to be heard •
by counsel against the Bill.
On the motion of Mr. MASTERMAN, the Londe°
and South Western Railway Bill (No. 2), was read
second time, and ordered to be committed.
A petition was presented in favour of the Caledonisn
Railway Bill.
Mr. DODD presented a petition from the Directors of
the London and Croydon Railway Company, praying the!
the report of the Railway Committee of the Board 0'
Trade be referred back to the Board for reconsiders'
tion. The Hon. Member gave notice that he would to'
morrow move that the petition be printed.
On the motion of Mr. BECKETT, the Midland Conn'
ties Branches Bills (Nottingham to Lincoln, Ely to
Lincoln, Swinton to Lincoln, and Systoa to Peter,
borough), were severally read a second time, and ordered
to be committed.
On the motion of Mr. W. PATTEN, the Sheffield,
Ashton-under Lyne, and Manchester Railway Bill WO
read a second time, and ordered to be committed.
On the motion of Mr. G. DUNCAN, the Paisley O#
Bill was read a second time.
Mr. B. BALDWIN presented seven petitions against
the South-Eastern Railway project.
On the motion of Mr. FOSTER, the Brighton, Leweef
and Hastings Railway Bill (Keymer branch), was reads .
second time, and ordered to be committed.
Mr. S. WORTLEY brought in the Sheffield and Re'
therham, the Birmingham and Gloucester, the Birming' •
liana and Worcester, and other Railway Bills, which •
were read a first time.
WATERFORD AND KILKENNY RAILWAY.
Mr. V. STEWART presented a petition in favour of
the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway Bill.
IRISH WORKHOUSES.
Mr. COOTE presented petitions from places in Ire
land, complaining of the mode of repayment of the,
money expended in the erection of workhouses, and
praying that they should be relieved from the burden.
PAYMENT OF CONSTABULARY.
The Hort. MEMBER also presented petitions, praying
that the constabulary should be paid out of the Consoli'
dated Fund.
MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.
An HON MEMBER presented a petition against in',,
creasing the grant to the College of Maynooth.
Sir R. H. INGLIS presented petitions, from places in
Cornwall and Cumberland, to the same effect ; also, one
to do away with the present annual grant to that College;
Lord HARRY VANE and Mr. KEMBLE presents('
similar petitions.

COPPER ORE.
Mr. BECKETT presented a petition, signed by the
chief manufacturers of Leeds, praying for a reduction in
the duty on copper ore.
Mr. TIIORNELY presented a petition from the met",
chants of Wolverhampton, praying for a total repeal 01"
the import duty on copper ore.
MALT-TAX.
Mr. CARTER presented petitions from forty-fire :
towns in England, praying for a repeal of the malt4sic.
SALE OF LIQUORS ON SUNDAYS.
Mr BROADLEY presented petitions from Yorkshire
against the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday.
IMPORTATION OF HILL-COOLIES.
Dr. BOWRING presented a petition agreed to at
public meeting in Dublin against the impertation of hill•
coolies and slaves in India.
LOCAL ACTS.
Mr. HENRY BERKELEY presented a petition froth
several parishes in Montgomeryshire, praying for certaia
local acts for the better goverment of their local affairs.
RAILWAYS.
An HON. MEMBER, whose name we could not learth
presented a petition against the Birkenhead Railway.
Lord JOCELYN presented a petition for leave to brieg •
in a Bill to make a railway from East Derebam to Nor .4
with.
An Hox. MEMBER presented a petition against the
Leeds and Preston Railway.
Captain PLUMRIDGE presented a petition praying
that Manchester and Birmingham Railway Bill, ,1104
before
thetheHouse,
may
not be passed into law in its'pre-
sent shape.
NEW MEDICAL BILL.
Afr. WAKLEYpresented a petition from the weer •
bersofthe Royal College of Surgeons of England, rear
dent in the county of Gloucester, praying for an inquiri
which the provisions of the nee =
Cinhtoarttheer
have
ennbeer ill
been
carried into effect by the Council, '
that no Medical Bill be allowed to pass into a law which
shall confirm the unjust distinctions created by thel
Charter until such an investigation has been instituted.
CLERKENWELL IMPROVEMENT BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to b!) '
commiteed.

INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Mr. MASTERMAN moved the second reading °I
this Bill.—lt was ordered to be committed.
COLCHESTER AND DISS RAILWAY.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK presented a petition against
the Colchester and Diss Railway, which was referred t°
the Select Committee on Private Bills.
WELLS AND DEREHAM RAILWAY.
An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition against this
line, which was also referred to the Select Committee on
private Bills.
SHREWSBURY GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. •
Mr. DUNCOMBE presented a petition against this
Bill. It was referred to the Select Committee on private
Bills.

SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY BRANCH.
The HON. MEMBER, at the same time, presented a
petition against the projected extension of the South'
Eastern Railway to Hungerford-bridge.
MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.
Mr. J. NEIL presented a petition against any further
grant to Maynooth.
LAW OF SETTLEMENT.
Mr. BRAMSTONE presented a petition from severe'
plaeus in Essex against the Law of Settlement Bill.
ARREST OF WAGES FOR DEBT.
A petition was also presented against the Arrest 01
Wages in Scotland Bill.
OREGON TERRITORY.
Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that, on the Speaker
leaving the Chair on the moving of the Committee of
Ways and Means on Friday, he should move for
certain returns of the dispatches from the United State"
respecting the territory of Oregon.
QUARANTINE LAWS.
Dr. BO WRING gave notice that on an early day hi
should bring the present state of the quarantine laws
before the House.
POOR LAW OF SCOTLAND.
The LORD ADVOCATE gave notice that, as soon
as convenient to the House and the public business, he
should move fox leave to bring in a Bill for amending
the law for the relief of the poor in Scotland.l
IM RISONMENT FOR DEBT.
Lord DUNCAN seeing the Right Honourable Baronet
the Home Secretary in the House, begged to repeat the
question which he had asked on a former evening on the
subject of the Bill for imprisonment for debt. It
would be recollected by the House that when he
had formerly put the question which he was about
to ask, he had received a very unsatisfactory answer.
There had been very great dissatisfaction with the
27th clause of the Act of last session, which was
brought in for the purpose of abolishing imprisonment
for debts under 20/. He thought this a very unsatis-
factory state of things for small traders, and he was
anxious to know whether the Government were about
to introduce any remedy for this evil, for he thought
that it was high time that a remedy should be applied,
and if the Government did not introduce one he (Lord
Duncan) was inclined to do so.
Sir J. GRAHAM was very sorry that an answer given
by him to that question on a former occasion should have
been in any way displeasing to the Noble Lord. Having
prefaced his answer with these few words, he should
now state to the Noble Lord, that he would adhere
strictly to the answer already given, as he was not aware
of any inquiry since made that could induce him to alter
it. ll° should not assent to any measure that
would touch any debts which were contracted before
the passing of the Act. The experience which
they already had in the measure was not sufficient to,
justify any new enactment. He would beg further to,
state that the most important part of the measure was
bt this s
t:h
easwtohe rk
ißn
chlaad i s s
esn, t ewr ted w
whether
ri
thet h
ctbr
eed
icredit
egriavielyn
given was not beneficial to those classes themselves?
Mr. DIVETT said that there were some clauses in a
private Bill relating to some local courts in the west
of England which were quite inconsistent with the
Act of last session. He would ask the Right Hon.
Baronet whether the Government intended to support.
those inconsistencies ?
Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that they were mere
oversights, and the Government would therefore oppose
them.
Colonel RAWDON wished to ask the Right Hon.
Baronet whether it was the intention of the Government
to extend this measure to Ireland ?
Sir JAMES GRAHAM stated that that would
depend on the result of the experiment in England.
~.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY—NAVY ESTIMATES.
Mr. CURRY moved that the order of the day for the
House resolving itself into a Committee of Supply be read.
On the order of the day being moved the Speaker
called upon Sir Charles Napier, who had a notice
on the paper on the subject of the navy, but .11
Gallant Commodore did not answer. Mr. Wakley, w.t"
had also a notice on the paper 0 R the order of the_a tiy
for going into Committee of supply on the subject ofthe
opening of Mr. T. Duccombe's letters, was also absent
from the House. After a pause of a minute or two,
Mr. CORRY moved that the Speaker do leave the
Chair.
itsTelhf einmtooctioomn
twniatsteeagarmeeiddsttoiouadndchteheersH
foruosme rtehseol3vficl_
nisterial benches.
Mr. CORRY said he rose to propose the Navy Esti'
mates for the first time ; and in lioing so, he felt some-
what embarrassed—not only on account of the little
experience he possessed in addressing that House, but
also on account of the disadvantage under which he
athtlt aehamenbremayiodrduce.rs)o.drat entwsids
its indulgence.
tritSridsOoLcuenoEi
nfg;
oeayeefrintdlaheckui
hsenegne. succeeding
rcspn.
discharge
rrto
hgAnhea.
tte Frotter ihfh
eeeentnshudateimsornueeocisdwuettitaymtie:hySiiseoceheusre:xdo..-,
hurry, and interruptedremern.tecredorrythien Hthoeusceouinrsea
of
frehaist
speech, by saying—as he was walking to his place—Mr'
Chairman, I was in my place during the early part of the
evening—I only left my place for a moment—(" Order')
and I trust I shall not loso the opportunity of bringing
forward the motion of which I had given notice as were

m055....................................mary...- ......+. .............' ....."... _
exist: great anxiety on the subject.— (Cries of "Order, I opportunity of directing attention to certain statements
order.") connected with the force of the country. He did not
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Greene)—The House is now I kuow whether those statements were correct or not ;
in a Committee of the whole House and cannot enter- but at all events if they were not, it would be no Calk
Lain the rnetion of the Hon. Gentleman.—(licar, hear.) en' his, for it would be recollected that some time ago he
Mr. CORRY—I did not move the Committee until made application to the Government for certain re-
five o'clock. turns, which returns were refused, because it
Mr. WAKLEY rose amidst loud cries of " Order, was not thought proper by her Majesty's Government
order, chair, chair," from all parts of the House. that they should go forth to the public. The first re-
The Honourable Gentleman exclaimed with con- turn which he wished to be made was a report of a survey
siderable animation, I hope that it will be under- into the state of the navy, which took place bhortly after
stood that this (the Opposition) side of the House the present Government came into office ; but that report
approves of my not going on with my motion.—(Cries was refused him. Now he had been told by a gentleman
of " Order, order.") who had seen that report, that it was by no means setts-
Mr. CORRY resumed. He was observing, before the factory. He had not seen the report himself, and if
interruption took place, that he threw himself upon the this was an incorrect impression, perhaps the Right
indulgence of the House, which was always willingly Hon. Baronet would be able to set him right. It would
extended towards gentlemen circumstanced as he was, be remembered that he asked for a return, show-
The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to make his state- ing the number and state of all classes of
ment of the estimates, but throughout he spoke in ships in the navy on the Ist of January, 1845, but
such a low tone as to be frequently quite inaudible. this return was refused. Now, he thought that after a
He believed that it would be only conforming with peace of thirty years, during which they had spent be-
the wish of the Committee, if in this preliminary tween forty and fifty millions in the construction of
statement, he should confine himself as much as pos- ships, the Government ought not to be ashamed to
sible to the various cases of increase and decrease show to the whole world that the British navy
under the several heads in the estimates which he had was now as perfect as it could possibly be.—(Hear.)
now to propose. With respect to the first, that of He did think, that after a peace which had laetsd for
the increase of 4,000 men to the navy, it thirty or forty years, that the Board of the Admiralty
was- unnecessary for him to enter, after what had ought not to be ashamed to show the British navy to
fallen from his Right Hon. Friend at the head of the the whole world ; but he especially conceived that this
Government in his financial statement. That increase was particularly applicable to the steam navy.
bad been rendered necessary by the increased demand at It was well known that this, was an arm of the ser-
the three great stations on the coasts of Africa, and vice particularly applicable to the present state of science,
China, and in the Pacific. On those stations alone 6,000 and that it vi as likely to come into still more powerful
men were required, a force equal to the full complement use than had ever before been witnessed. He thought,
of eight ships of the line, and this force was therefore, that he was fully entitled to ".sk for re.
indispensable for the protection of British interests, turns respecting the steam navy. The Hon. Member
The vote which was required for wages was 1,889,5451., for Montrose had, in 1843, asked for and obtained
being an increase of 119,0674 The next vote was for returns respecting this branch of the service, and he did
victualling the seamen and marines, and in this vote not understand why returns connected with this branch
the increase was 65,585/. In vote three, for the Admi- —he might say the very same returns—should not be
ralty offices, there was an increase of 2,8601., which had given to him up to the year 1833. They had returns
been principally occasioned by:additional salaries to the of the several classes of the navy, apparently some of
surveyors of the navy and the director of the works, them very complete. They had returns of the frigates
The salary of the Secretary of the Admiralty was re- from 28 to 58 guns, and of line-of-battle ships from 70
dated by the estimate from 1,500/. to 1,0001. a year— guns up to 90, and he perceived that there were 74
(Hear, hear)—and in the vote for the registry of merchant coasters and other small vessels, 65 sloops, 45 frigates,
seamen there had been an increase, but that was neces- and 50 stationary ships. Now he should wish to
sary from the passing of the Act during the last year. know what possible objection there could be to give him
There was a slight increase in the expenditure of those a statement of the number of ships in commission last
removed from the dock-yards to the penal settlements. year, including a return of the steam navy of the country ?
The whole sum proposed to be voted is 1,199,1401, It appeared to him very anomalous that the Government
being an increase of 145,1561., as compared with the vote should be continually calling for large estimates
of last year. For No. 11 he proposed the large from the public purse, when they had already posses-
amount of 486,346/., being an increase of 184,4801. sion of the effective fleet which they represented in their
s compared with the vote of last year. The returns in -the course of last year. Now he believed
whole of the increase was entirely for the purpose of that if these estimates were necessary they would
building steam-vessels, which were now in progress in require as much as 50 sail of the line. Now, he believed
Portsmouth and Devonport. The expense of construct- that, with all their advantages, they could not get fifty
ing such vessels was necessarily great, and he felt sail of the line on the water in less than twelve ,months.
sure the House would not object to such an He meant with the complement of frigates, sloops, and
expenditure. They were for the protection of corvettes. He knew that fifty sail of the line, with all these
a long line of coast, which in time of war was most ex- necessary adjuncts, was no mean fleet to send to sea,
posed to invasion. They were required for the protec- and he was well aware of the power which such
Ilion of commerce. For the steam-vessels now in a fleet would exercise, if rightly manned by
regress, ,•
ress 100 000/ would be allocated for the build- British seamen, when once .fairly under weigh,
p ,
ing of steam-vessels at Portsmouth, and 80,000/. and he was anxious to support efficiently the navy ; but
for a similar purpose at Devonport. 15,0001. was still he conceived that with the large sums which they
proposed for the steam factories at Woolwich, were called upon to vote, they ought to be able to put
45,000/. for first-class slips for the building of such a fleet to sea in the most efficient manner.
steamers for the Channel, and 140,0001, for the With their present means he believed they could not
purchase of machinery for the dockyards. In do this in less than twelve months, though with a better
consequence of the recommendation of the Committee system, by which they would be able to bring the mer-
of last year considerable increase had taken place chant dockyards into play, they could with little
under this head, amounting—(as we guessed, for, to un- or no delay send twenty sail of the line, -with their
derstand the Hon. Gentleman was impossible)—to additions of frigates, sloops, and corvettes. If the
4,7001. In the estimate, No. 13, there had been a very vessels were well built and properly kept in repair,
largeincrease,of67,ooo/., for the purchase of land for dock- the Government would save a great deal of money. He
yards, workshops, and buildings at Portsmouth. In the would then go through the number of vessels in the
meat estimate, No. 18 (relating to half-pay), there was a docks besides the number of those in the water. It ap-
decrease of 16,2361. ; but he thought it right to take that peered to him that many of them were not tit
opportunity of informing the House that in the course for service* and if they were not intended to be sent
of the session he should have to propose an estimate to sea again, they ought to be sold at once, as they
in connexion with this vote 19 enable the Government would produce a considerable sum of money. Before
to carry into effect a scheme for (we believe) the eaten- showing the number of ships in the docks it was neces-
sion of the steam navy. He thought that the House would be sary to show what number of vessels were on the stocks.
desirous to co-operate with the Government in giving The Queen was proved to be a bad vessel, having been
encouragement to a class of men who were unem- obliged to be taken into the Sheerness Dock because
ployed, although in full possession of their unimpaired she could not steer properly ; it was found necessary to
energies.—(Cheers.) The details of the measure put a false bow in her, and also I believe she got a false
wore not yet fully prepared.—(Hear, hear.) The follow- stern, a bustle—(Laughter)--at considerable expense;
ing items, Nos. 15, 16, 17, and 18, did not call for any and now they did not kuow whether she would
particular explanation. They included an increase to answer. So much for the Queen.—(Laughter.) The
the amount of 29,485/. He now came to the last rote of Boscawen having been turned into a 70 gun-
these estimates, No. 19, which was for the sum of 212,2321. ship was pulled to pieces ; the Union, the
for thecontract for the Atlantic and otherdistant packets. Severn, the Porcupine of 20 guns, the Sealark
The whole expense of the contract, which opened up a of 10 guns, the Tigris and the Ibis were also
steam communication once a month with India, and once pulled to pieces. There were three deck ships, independent
st fortnight with China, would be only 160,000/. ; and of that number, the Royal Albert, Victoria, and Prince of
of this sum 70,0004 would be borne by the East Wales. When the present surveyor of the navy came into
India Company. Before he concluded, he was office, he commenced by building at a great breadth, but
most anxious that the whole of the increase where were they to stop now ? It appeared most extra-
in the naval estimates should be fully explained. ordinary. The Royal Albert was made sixteen feet
The whole of the votes were estimated at broader than the Queen ;if we increase them, where
686,0721, and of this sum 193,2804 - were for are we to get men to furl their sails ? It was
wages for the victualling and registering astonishin,‘, to him how it could be done at all.
of seamen-78,0544 for the expenses of dock- He thought, before the House voted more money for
yards—these made a total of 271,3741., making the construction of steam-boats, they ought to have
es gross total in round numbers of 400,000/. an assurance that some person would be op-
;383,0001. were required for the purposes of steam nevi- pointed to inquire into the subject. It was useless for
gation, and this was an increase upon the estimates of Members to suppose that they did their duty in voting
the preceding year of 31,0001. He trusted the House for the motion that had been proposed. It was the same
would agree with him in opinion that these estimates thing with regard to those lion. Gentlemen near him,
had been framed as much for the efficiency of this who had a fellow feeling with the official gentlemen on
branch of the public service as with that view to economy the other side of the House, because they had some
with which he was always ready to admit those subjects expectation of being in the same position themselves.
should be approached. He believed, also, it would be They were, therefore, always found in the same lobby
conceded that the increased expenditure was not when it came to a vote. Now there was the Retribution,
large, or greater than the increased extent of a steam-vessel, of 1640 tons. She was larger than a
the navy eleinanded. The increased sum stated frigate, but did not carry a gun on her main deck, and it
as necessary for an addition to the steam navy would was morally impossible to fire her stern guns. There
be readily admitted to be not more than could be was a still larger steam-vessel, of 1830 tons, which was
deemed requisite fur that branch of the service, in order so built that it was impossible to get her guns out. She
that it should not be inferior to that of any other had no stern-posts, though he had heard that two had
maritime nation.—(Hear, hear.) Re would now con- been cut in her. He should like to see them, however.
elude, and begged to thank the House for the kind and The Samson was in the same category exactly, and he
indulgent manner in which they had heard him, thought that the machinery in the Samson was worse
tend to move that 40,000 men be employed in the navy, placed than in any of the others. It was higher up, and
including 10,500 men for the Marines, from and after he would defy a shot to be fired into her engine-house
the 31st of March, 1846, without carrying away her machinery, it was so exposed.
Upon the CHAIRMAN putting the question, With regard to the Firebrand, Captain Corrie, who
Mr. WAKLEY rose and said he begged to move that went with the experimental expedition, and than whom
the Chairman do now report progress, and ask leave to there was not a better officer, nor one who would give
sit again, and he did so for the purpose of reminding her a fairer report, said of her that she was perfectly useless.
Majesty's Government of what had taken place in He would say nothing of the Vulture, because he had
this House before Easter in reference to a question he not been on board of her, and he would not state any-
then brought forward. He begged to remind the Right thing that he did not know. The Cyclops was intended
Hon. Baronet, her Majesty's Secretary of State for the for a frigate, but it was found that she would not carry
Home Department, of what he (Mr. Wakley) had said guns on her main-deck at all ; and the Gorgon frigate
upon that occasion in reference to the Post-office affair. had to be cut down to a corvette, and the sooner the
--(Hear, hear.) He then said that his constituents had same was done with the Cyclops the better. He now
forwarded him a petition, requesting him to present it to came to the steam sloops. They consisted of 24, and
this House, in reference to the opening of letters ; and they cost 462,1041. without the machinery, and the
-at the same time expressing the great anxiety machinery cost perhaps as much more, but they were
-they felt for a full explanation upon the only fit to be used as packet vessels. Their engine
subject, not having yet had anything like a houses were so high that it was impossible for a shot to be
satisfactory explanation.—(Hear, hear.) When he pre- fired into them without destroying their machinery.
sented that petition he stated that it was not his wish He had had a great deal of conversation with the best
to put her Majesty's Government to any inconvenience ; engineers of the country, and they had told him that if a
1 but he felt compelled to adoptthe course he had taken, his proper sum of money were paid, there would he no diffi-
ieonstituents having declared that they would not be culty in reducing this machinery to a level with the
natisfied until they had been assured whether or not main deck, to bring it at least as low as the cylinder, thus
any warrant had ever been issued, authorising the open- exposing nothing but the piston-rod and the connecting-
ting 0! certain letters already mentioned.—(Hear.) How- rod, and he even believed that it would be possible to get
(ever, though he did forego his right in order not to in- the eccentric rod into a hollow tube so as to preserve it
convenience the Government, he now begged to say from the shot of the enemy. Now the steam-pipes also
that he vats compelled to make the motion, and should in all these steam-vessels were carried along the
!eke the ;vase of the House upon it, for he felt it a duty deck about the water-mark ;so were the steam
incumbent opon him to do so, and this course he had boxes, and it was altogether a farce to call these
intimated to Zlee Right Hon. Baronet his intention to steam-vessels vessels of war. If they took one of them
adopt, before Renter. Now, he had come down to the and fired a shot along her decks without damaging her
Home, to-day, for diet purpose, and remained there three engines he would never open his mouth again.—
quarters of an hour, And then absented himself (Laughter.) Now he held in his hand a list of the
for about sor 6 minutes; and yet, to his surprise, he found steam-packets which had been lately built, some eight in
on, his return, though it was not then five o'clock, that all, which had cost, each of them, about 58,752/., exclu-
the Holiest had commenced business in Committee ; and sive of the machinery. He had the bills at that moe
that, he should say, appeared to him to be rather sharp ment—(Laughter)—but be would come to the ships
practice.—(Hear, hear.) He did think the usual that had been built, and here he would speak from per-
prae ace was to discuss grievances .Before going sonal knowledge. He had been on board of the Centaur,
into Committee of Supply. He should be the day before yesterday, and he found that she was in
sorrr that any course should be adopted by this Ufnise the same category with the others; but it was not yet
that would he likely to create any excitement outofdoors ; Lou late to alter her, and to give her stern guns on the
but le could not help saying that it was not quite fair maii;-deck. He believed they were all pretty near the
to have acted towards him in this way after what he build of each other.—(Hear, hear.) The Govern-
sand in reference to this subject before Easter.—(Hear.)' meat had at last, however, appointed Mr. Pin
Sir IteOBERT PEEL trusted that the Hon. Member cher to build a steamboat, and lie (Sir Charles
wo inld not persevere in his present motion, o.r that he Napier) would call it the first steam-boat they had ap-
wo mid not take the sense of the House upon it.—(Hear.) plicable to the purposes of war, as upon it they could
At the same time, he begged to assure the Hon. Member, point four guns aft and two for'ard. They could also have
that there was not the slightest intention on his side of two swivel guns pointed from the fore deck. On the
the 'House to take any unfair advantage of him, authority of such men as Mr. Filcher, he was willing to
It r. WAKLEY—i was absent only five or six mi- undertake a great deal of responsibility. He would not
mute,;, hesitate to deepen a vessel fur the purpose of enabling
Sit ROBERT PEEL begged to assure the Honour- her to carry two hundred tons of coal additional. lie
able Member that no intention whatever existed approved of the building of iron steamers, as in the
to 4ke the advantage of him he appeared to ap- case of the Vulture ; for he was one of the first to build
prehe ed; but every Hon. Member should be an ironsteamer, and he was the first to cross the Channel
aveaee that it had been determined on to commence the in one. But as they were at present constructed he
p_ublic business at half-past four o'clock.—(Hear, hear.) thought that they were dangerous. It was to be re-
Beside i, he begged to say in addition, that it was membered, that if a shot passed through iron plates, the
the impression of her Majesty's Ministers that the iron would not be so easily plugged as wood ; and he,
Ron_ al-ember did not intend to persevere with his therefore, should recommend that there should be a
motion. .He also begged to assure the Honourable considerable quantity of timber along the iron, the whole
Member, that after the notices of motion length between wind and water. He would recommend
had
been reed to-day, five or six minutes elapsed the Gallant Officer to make the experiment of passing a
before his Hon. Friend the Secretary of the shot through a steamer to try the result. It had been
Admiralt moved that the House do go into- Committee his intention to move for a Committee ; but after the
of Supply _.(l3ear, hear.) Again he begged to assure statement which had been made in that House, he really
the Hon. Member that there was not the slightest wish thought it would not hurt the dignity of the admirable
hotako any advantage of him, and he (Sir R. Peel) row of those gentlemen who were out of office,
hoped he did not think so.—(Hear.) if they were to order a commission to inquire whether
Mr. WAKLEY could only state that it was intimated the existing system was the best.
to him as he came into the House that sharp practice had Sir G. COCKBURN, who spoke in so low a tone of
been selopted in his case.—(Hear, hear.) voice as to be scarcely audible in the gallery, said,
Sir ( IHARLES NAPIER said if his lion. Friend had he thought his Hon. and Gallant Friend ouht
heto have
i
reason Ito complain, he thought he had still more so. H© which
Wiath
had on ly left the House to secure a paper, and brought under the consideration of t e use. .
given notice of the various subjects
althougi Ihe ran back as fast as he could, h foud the regard to the steam navy, he would state, that it was
Sneaker had left the chair. Nobody
'than he did the retirement ofthe Hon. Gentle- • not so well utnlerstood as it was at present.
reetted more established at a time when the system of steam naviga-
Right tam was
man the Secretory at War from the office of Secretary When the present Government came
re buinto
ilt office
was the
to the Admiralty. He believed it was very generally principle upon which steam frigates wefhwater.t ha
admitted that no man had peformed the duties better of having the machinery above the level o t e
than he did. The Right Honourable Gentleman He believed that the Penelope war steamer was one n..`.
displayed great zeal and sbilitY while he held that office, the best and most serviceable in the service, and lie could
and he thought he had fully earned his promotion. If not but think that the employment of such steamers rousttt‘
anything could remove the regret which he entertained be beneficial to all parties. In those steam-vessels, has
at losing that Right Honourable Gentleman, it was the whole of the machinery being under water, it w
new
of seeing installed into the office the present safe as magazine stores. He could assure the ouse.aathat
new Secretary to the Admiralty, who had just made a the Admiralty had not failed in giving encouragement, to
Most able and excellent statement. He did not believe projectors in the art of ship-building, and eve body
the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government who suggested an improvement in the construction.t. of.
could have selected a more competent or efficient person ships to the Board of Admiralty, had a OAF trial.
to fill that office.—(Hear.) He was extremely happy He felt very much obliged to the Gallant Officer
valuable
1
to find from the statement of that Right Hon. Gentle site (Sir C. Nepier) for the suggestions—the _
maw that they were going to have an experimental suggestions—lee had made ; and the Admiraltyi would
squadron, and he hoped when that squadron weer to sea be always most anxious to take advantage oft iem.—
it would be commanded by an officer who would look (Hear, hear.) lie thought it right tq state, however,e
out for a good squall or bad weather to try the cape, that Mr. Finchen declined to carry out the enteesmen a-
bilities of the new ships belonging to this country.— tines ,gf the Gallant Officer. In respect to our steam
Before they proceeded to vote immense navy, as compared withthat of our neighbours, he esti-
sums for the use of the navy, he must take the mated them as three to t v/Q—our steam navy had 30,000

horse-power to their 20,000 horse-power.—(Hear, hear.) I
Regarding the allusions which had been made to old and
imperfectly constructed ships, it should be remembered
that a long period had elapsed since their construc-
tion, but yet not one of those ships had been broken up,
and only one of them was made a receiving-ship. It was
not at all extraordinary that changes should be made
in the construction of ships, now that some of the old
models had, by the progress of science and experience,
become obsolete ; in fact, the great cause of alteration
was, the increase of science.—(Hear, hear.) how-
ever, Hon. Members should not run away with the idea
that all the ships in the last war were bad ones, or of an
inferior construction ; it should be recollected that
during the war, the Inconstant, a frigate of small
power, compelled a French man-of•war, which was clear.
ing the harbour of Malta, to lower the topsails and
yards, and actually engaged with her until one of our
line-of-battle ships came up. Yet, this French man of-
war was considered the he plus ultra of French genius.
The Hon. and Gallant Officer mentioned other instances
where British ships of much inferior size and force were
victorious over foreign vessels. It was true enough, as
observed by the Hon. Member for Montrose, that Eng-
land was the only nation which, at the close of the war,
had not a scientific Board for naval affairs. A school of
naval architecture had been subsequently established,
which bred many excellent seamen ; but he thought the
present system was as well calculated to encourage
genius as any other. It was an extraordinary fact,
that, notwithstanding all that had been done to-
wards uniformity--to secure a principle which might
be generally applied to ship-building—the Admi-
ralty had been unsuccessful ; and the most ex-
cellent steam-vessels had been constructed on
totally different principles. As an instance, he might
quoted the Espiegle and the Flying Fish—both admir-
able vessels, but both constructed in different modes.
Several plans had been proposed, amongst others the
parabolic curve, by Lord Dundonald, but he would not
anticipate the results until they all had a fair trial. The
1-lon, and Gallant Officer had alluded to alterations
made in the construction of steam-vessels recently built.
The Surveyor of the Navy, one of the most accomplished
sailors in the navy, had, certainly, directed some alte-
rations, and be thought he should be allowed to carry
them out without interruption. He hoped the House
would allow the estimates to be gone through, after the
explanation he had given.
Captain BERKELEY was glad to hear the Hon. and
Gallant Officer state our superiority in point of steam-
vessels over our neighbours. He did not think the pam-
phlet of the Prince de Joinville was written in a hos-
tile spirit, but it kindled a wholesome spirit of improve-
ment in the British public as rep arded our navy, which
was of the utmost importance. He thought the increase
sought for was necessary, and he should support it cor-
dially. The best way to preserve the peace of Europe
was to maintain and fortify our maritime power. The
Prince de Joinville had suggested a steam navy as the
best mode of bringing the contending Powers into a hand
and hand conflict. If such should be the case, he be.
lieved that, taking former occurrences for our guide, we
should be, in ninety-nine encounters out of a hundred,
successful. Then it was in the power of the British
Government to fit out a fleet of steam-vessels, from her
mercantile superiority, capable, not only of contend-
ing with France, but with the whole world. If
they were to refer to Glasgow, to Liverpool, and the
other great ports of our commercial intercourse, and
which formed the entreptes of the navy of the kingdom,
they would immediately see the immense power which
the country possessed in the way of a steam navy, and
how available they would be in the ability to form a
steam navy for the purposes of war. If the Committee
wauld allow him to suggest, he would say that the best
way to form a navy of this kind would be to establish
some power, by which they would be enabled to form a
steam navy by which this country would be enabled
to meet the power of the whole of the world. They
had little to do but to place pivot-guns on the decks
of these steamers to render them most effective vessels of
war ; and they might estimate, from the return of the
mercantile navy, the number of effective vessels of war
which they could command, and by them they would
be enabled to calculate their prowess for effective war-
fare. This power might, it was true, be indefinitely
extended ; and if the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secre-
tary for the Admiralty were anxious that it should be
extended, he for one was not anxious to restrict his
powers nor those of the Government. The question, as
it appeared to him, was as to how far the Government
were entitled to this vote of credit on the strength of
their past performances. For his part, he conceived
that all that was necessary was to invest the Govern-
ment with a power to make arrangements with the
proprietors of these vessels as they stood at present, and
at a moment send them to sea. Now he had a plan to
suggest, and he did so with considerable diffidence, but
yet, as the object was the public service, he did not con-
ceive that any trespass that he might make on the patience
of the house would be too great to obliterate the im-
portance of the public service, and he was exceedingly
desirous that if the powers which the Government pos-
sessed were used to enlarge the effect of this mercantile
power, there would at once be a steam navy that
would be able to compete with that of all the
world. What he would beg to suggest would be,
that the navy should be drilled upz,n the custom
of the marines, and what he wished was, that the navy
should be drilled according to the fashion of the marines
and in the same divisions as the marines were classed.

If they did this, the navy would be able to act as
marines, and the whole force would become one of effec-
tive artillery. His object was to convert the navy into
as valuable artillery as the navy had proved themselves
to be during the time of war.
Sir GEORGE COCK[3URN said, it should be recol-
lected that all these men were trained.

Captain BERKELEY said that he was aware that
the question which had been raised by the Right Hon.
Baronet, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, was one of
great importance, and he was aware that many of the
marines had been trained under the admirable system of
Sir John Pritchard, at Portsmouth. By that system
the whole of the sailors had become gunners, but it
should be recollected that marines were engaged during
a lung series of years, that they were occupied during
the whole of their engagement in a continual series
of exercises. The marines were engaged during
a period of twenty-one years. Throughout the
whole of that period they had the full opportunity
of rendering themselves effectual ; and he must say that,
while he acknowledged the claims of the navy, he must
at the same time acknowledge that the marines were
entitled to equal respect. He believed that the designs
of Sir W. Symonds had done very great good to the
naval service ; but he must, at the same time, say that
it was necessary also to consider the feelings of the men
who were engaged in that service, and what their claims
would be in the event of war. Under these circum-
stances, he trusted that the Members of that House
would well consider what they were about, before they
voted those immense sums for the use of the navy.
Captain ROUS said that he fully felt the effect of the
observations of the Hon. Member for Ripon, and that
he was alive to the great importance of those points
which that Hon. Gentleman had introduced. With him
he was inclined to complain of the way in which these
things had been represented to the House. He had
complained that the Eurydice was a donkey frigate, but
he must beg to dissent from this opinion for the fact was
that it was necessary to distinguish between these donkey
frigates, of which the Hon. Gentleman seemed to be so
fond, and others of the same class which were of a much
more weighty order. The fact was that the Eurydice
was of 940 tons burthen, and the general class of frigates
to which he had alluded were not more than 600 tons,
and he thought, therefore, that the opprobrious term of
" donkey frigates" might be obviated by a little altera-
tion in the estimates.
Sir G. COCKBURN explained by stating that
these " donkey" frigates had been built before the im-
provements in naval architecture had been obtained.
Captain ROUS said, to a certain extent, this might be
true, but the fact was, the Admiralty had been reduced
to the position of cutting down vessels from their real
grade to that of an inferior one, in order to obtain the
effective benefit of their qualities ; for instance, a vessel
of 900 tons burden had been reduced to one of 600 ; line-
of-battle ships had been made frigates, and frigates had
been changed into corvettes. He would adduce this one
instance—that of the " Penelope," which, from a frigate
of first-class character, had been extended into a
steamer.—(Great laughter.) Now he thought such a
sum as 1,273,0001. ought not to be expended without a
full knowledge of the facts which required it being ex-
plained to the House. With respect to line-of•battle
ships, he must say that the business was better observed,
but he could not forget—and if he had forgotten, the
observations of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary
to the Admiralty would have reminded him—that no
less a sum than 200,000,0001. had been expended since
the peace in the conservation of the navy. He perfectly
recolle led the observations of Mr. Pitt, shortly after the
peace of Amiens—that it was necessary to render this
country perfectly independent of all foreign powers in
the way of naval architecture and appointment, and, in
1806, he had moved the appointment of a Select Committee
on the state of the dockyards ; and he did not think
that the same returns which had been granted to the
Prime Minister in 1806, when the country was in a
state of universal war, should be refused in 1845, when
the country was in a state of peace. At the present
moment, we had 306 vessels, including 88 sloops and
other smaller vessels, and 21 ,frigates. At that time—
the time to which he referred—there was no less than
1,100 vessels of one sort or other in commission. Of
these, a great number were some of the line, and some
of the lowest class were 50 gun frigates. Now, he held
the surveyor of the navy in the highest esteem. In
1841 to 1844, it would be advisable to give a full
statement of the state of the navy in every class of v ssel,
and he believed the expenditure of 100,0001. would be
little thought of by the country if it were necessary to
put the navy in an effective state ; and to render the
people satisfied that their favourite service was effective
in every portion of its department. For these reasons,
he was exceedingly happy to find that an experimental
squadron was about to be sent to sea ; and he trusted
that if three months were not sufficient that they would
take six to establish the respective qualities of the ships
of the squadron. He had heard the late experimental
squadron had not been able to find a gale of wind, and
that they had sailed with all their canvas set, and that
occasionally double reefed top-sails had been used, when
In fact they ought to have been under royals. He be,
lieyed that large ships were the very worst school which
could possibly be used by officers in the navy, and he
was anxious that wen Who were to be used as effective
officers should have the best possible edu,eetioß. Instead
of the ten "lazy" sail of the line, he woad have
twenty, and those he would make the best possible
school fur young officer& He had been led to understand
that /04,33;4-41 which the Hon. and Gallant Mem-
ber referred had been gat/ Se4r4 iu tb,,, navy. Now he
knew bim to be a man of first-rate edutialitsn—df liih
attainment in his profession, and of consummate experi-
ence; but still he thought that the experience of that
Gal:.ant Officer was insufficient to proven case wLich
was ithinsicaily He (Captain Rous) was aware of
his services in 010 D.C.icliterraneua, 4A, xtill he must