Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-01
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

The chief interest in Great Britain was absorbed
in the sailing of the Baltic fleet We have the fol
lowing account of it /: "
The first division Of the British feet destined for the
turday the 1lth of March, under the command of Vice.
Admiral Sir Charles Napier The day magnifcently
fine, the wind fair and the spectacle exciting
onewas witnessed by tens Of thousands of people from
Portsmouth and from the shores of the Isle Of Wight
The whole number Fifteen ships) steamers three of
them only being paddle steamers Just previous the ships
putting to Queen Victoria in her steam yacht passed
through the feet the whole of the ships manning yards
and firing royal salute. .... ..'. -, .
Her Majesty then gnaed the admirals and captains to
repair board her yacht, where, obeyng the
mons they received by the Queen and Prince Albert
and each commanding officer having taken leave of the
royal party and returned to their respective Ships the
signal for sailing given, and this magnificent fleet
instantly got underwegh. None Of the ships got
up steam, but went out under full canvass.
The fleet passed the Straits of Dover at the fol-
lowing day. The nucleus of the second division is rapid
y forming, and WILL possible, proceed under
the flag of Admiral Chads to join Admiral Napier in the
North Sea- The total British force dispatched to the
Baltic will then consist of forty -four ships mounting 200
guns propelled by steam power of 16 900 horses and
manned by upwards of 1000 men. '..,...
The first Lord of the Admiralty announced in the House
OF Commons on the 18th instant that Admiral Naper's
division Of the fleet will not for the present the Rus
sian waters Their destination is Wingoe Sound, but
squadron of observation was to be stationed at Kiel
just as Sir Charles was the point of leaving Ports
mouth the corporation of that place presented him with
an address, to which he made the following reply:
Mr. Mayor and gentlemen: When tell you that have
had only twenyour hours to get ready 90 aoat you
will not be surprised if decline make long speech
However, beg to thank you for this very kind and hand
some address. believe it is not usual when man goes
to have addresses of this kind presented to him
but all can say is this that will do the best to
prevent the British flag from being tarnished know
great deal is expected from the feet but gentlemen you
must not expect too much We going to meet
mon enemy We are going to meet enemy well pre-
pared am sure every officer and in the feet will
do his duty glorously but Mt the same time warn you
sgain that you must not expect much The fleet is
new one the system of warfare is great consdera
ton is required to ascertain how il is best to manage
fleet urged by steam The system Of warfare is entirely
different now to what it formerly but we will do
best; and sure shall remember to the last day of
my life the kindness of the people of Portsmouth" Loud
cheers. a.'. .....
In the House of Commons on the 18th. Mr.. FREscn
inquired of Sir j. GRAHAM whether it was true as
ported in the newspaper accounts of the late dinner a,
the Reform Club that he had given Sir c. Napier power
to declare war Immediately upon entering the Baltic and
if so, by what authority that power delegated to
British admiral, and when was it to be acted upon?
Sir J, GRAHAM Although do admit the right oi
the honorable gentleman to put question to me in re-
spect Of what passed after dinner Laughter perhaps il
may be respectful to the House that should give an an
to the question. have to state to the honorable
gentleman, in respect to authority given by me- as al
legged in the report that Sir Charles Napier observed that
he hoped before he entered the Baltic that he might
have authority to declare war; and l. in following up
said that when he entered the Baltic hoped there would
be difficulty his part in declaring war But have
to state to the House that at present there no dccar
ton of order has been given to Sir Charles Napier
to the Baltic and when declared proper noti
fcatons will be made.
The principal topic Of interest apart from the war pre-
paratons is controversy between the Russian and Eng
lish Governments respecting former negotiations
more properly conversations, about the condition anc
prospects of the Turkish Empire
The st. Petersburgh Journal Of March 2, commentn,
upon the remarks Of Lord John Russell in the House
Commons respecting the bad faith Of Russia made il
substance the following statements, the article ben.
manifesy "by authority" That since 1920 there ha,
been confidential communications between the two Gov