EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 992, 17 October 1855, Page 3

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

GENERA!. SUMMARY. In the House of Lords, on p rid ay, June 20th, Lord Panmure announced the intention of Government to give henceforth double pay to all soldiers engaged in Uie operations m the Crimea, This increase, however.

is not to be pai l at once into the soldiers’ har-da ; hit is to be invested in a savings-bank, to be paid to him on his discharge hs an addition to his pension, o>- to he paid to bis representatives if b" shell'd >iiu in service. '1 be noble lord stated that, th mgb recruiting is now going ou at the rate of about 1000 u week, the army is still much below the amount voted by I’ailiament ; and lie (bought that doubling the pay would encourage recruiting hotter than increasing the boun y. A royal warrant has also been issued, bearing Die date of the declaration of war against Russia, increasing the pensions paid to tiie families ol officers killed in action, or dying from wounds received w Idle in service. “ or from illness brought on by the fatigue and exposure incident to active operations in tin* field. Mr, Roebuck, the mover and chairman of the So fas- , topol Inquiry Committee, lias given notice of a vote of cem-ure on both the Aberdeen and Palmerston Governments, founded on ibe evidence given before? the cominiltes and presented to Parliament. The vote, which it was at first expected would upset the ministry, lias been postponed Irom Die 7Di July to tho 17th ; and, ns it is u i\v generally anticipated that he will not press it to a division, the lucky premier is likely to hold Die reins of Government for some time to come. Already the Parliamentary sacrifices known as the “ Slaughter of the Innocents” have commenced, and it is generally anticipated that Parliament will be adjourned on the Btli of August, so that her Majesty and the court may pay a visit to Paris, where extraordinary piepnrations are being made for theii reception. The king of the Belgians arrived on a visit to his niece, Queen Victoria, on the 2nd July, and it is generally supposed, that political as well as personal motives have induced him to 1 -live Ids dominions. Prince Albert who has raivly meddled in political matters, made a singular speech at a dinner at the Trinity House, ou the Kbit of June, which, though no reporters were present, was afirrwa ds made public. In this speech, his Royal Highness hinted that, in a state of warfare, despotism enjoyed great advantages over constitutional governments, 'inis doctrine has been strongly denounced by the Press of all shades of politics and by several of the French papers. Most of tho European Sovereigns are at present “ sick men.” The Czar is said to lie ill from anxiety and vexation, the K dig of Prussia from delirium tremens, the King of Bavaria from fever, *aml the King of lienmark from tho i fleets of a fall from his hors;*, A par ion of the Foreign Legion, which is lining organised and drilled at Shornclifle, near Dover, will be ’ll such an advanced state of discipline as to he ready fur embarkation about the ‘2oib July. The destination of part of these troops is the Baltic, and tha remainder the Crimea. Troops and militia are being daily concentrated in the camps at Aldersbott in England, and at Cunagh in Ireland, and since the news of the repulse ou the loth of June, 12 000 British troops and 50,000 French have been ordered immediately to the Crimea. The Queen has been visiting the wounded troop-* at Chatham, and she is about to distribute medals to some hundreds of soldiers, who have returned home from the Crimea since the last distribution at the Horse Guards, early in June, Ou Tnuroday, June 28th, the Duke of Newcastle, late War Minister, left England for the Crimea and Circassia, and is not expected back until next spring. Lord DmulonuM, in a letter to the 'Times, offers, more positively ihan ever, to annihilate the defensive power of any Russian fort round the Baltic, and to insure peace more speedily than 200, Dili) men in the Crimea. Accounts received from the Sea of Azof}’at Odessa, state that about 12,01/0 quarters of wheat were d-siroyed by the Allies at Tagnrog, and that at Marinople tha total grain of all kinds destroyed was about 68,030 to 78,000 quarters. The extent of the losses at Kertch wa- not known. Thk English in hie Ciiimea. — Tn a French letter from the Crimea, it is mentioned that nothing can bn finer than the English army, w Inch is estimated at about .40,000 men. ‘‘.They ar.s-.ys the French despatch, “ magnificent troops, and capable of any thing.” They are well fed, well clothed, and in great spirits. There ar? .50 days’ provisions always on hand. «nd flesh supplies arriving every day. General P-llissier meets with an enthusiastic recent on flom the English whenever he appears among them. The Russian Small .Mines. —Some of our men hj ive suffered frani tho explosion of the small mines which the Russians have hurried in various directions. On (lie night of the 1 lib instant one of these explod* d as a party were moving near the Quarry work One man of the 55th regiment was blown to pieces, and four or live others of the same regiment were also wound* d. A stretcher carried fly one of the m*-n was thrown n long distance ot?’. A stamp of the foot on tlie part of the tufle above ground suiiicis to cause tho explosion. Many of them have been discovered and dug up Some seconds e’apse before the explosion takes place, even after the tube has been trodden upon, and Us contents sot free, to pass to the chamber contaii ing the combustibles. To this circumstance Goneial Airey owed lus preservation on the day of the last armistice. IBs horse trod on one of these mines, but being in a canter at the time, was sufficiently advanced for the General to escape unhurt. The tail of the horse was singed. In the instance also mentioned above, when some men of the s')ih Regiment were iinnrtd, the soldier who happened to tn-ad on the tube was in front when the box exploded, and fortunately was uninjured.

OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

Telegraphic news received at Ilerl in from Dantzic, mentions that various magazines had been dstroyed in Sweahorp by bombardment, as well as several cannon dismounted at Narva. Rear Admiral Seymour reports that on tho loth of June be surveyed the Bay of Narva, where he found a number of troops defended, by strong batteries. An attr ck was made upon the batteries, but without any decisive effect. “An opportunity was afforded,” be says, “ to try the practical efficiency of the gunboats, Fincher and Snap, under the immediate charge of Captain Hall of the Blenheim, who with good judgement, added one of bis main deck fit-pounders to the annament of the former, and until ran and equally weather inleifcred, their practice was good, and their constant change of position rendered them difficult objects to hit, though ibe fort guns wore Well ’served, using Lot shot, which frequently passed near and over them.” A n >, June 21.—The Grand Duke Nicholas has just reviewed the troops at Helsingfors and Abo, and inspected the fortifications of Swo-.borg. The English fleet is dispersed, and cruising along tho coasts of Fm--1 md. Stockholm, June *2T—The “ Post Tidningen” has accounts from He siugiors, stating hat the English Lave bombarded iLingo, and destroyed tho telegraph Station. A despatch from BetLn, dated -ith July, states—The town of Nystadt, situated at the entrance of the Gulf of Bothnia, has been bombarded and destroyed. A squadron of seven steamers passed Botaidavik, on the 2uth of June, with six prizes. Forty-six infernal machines Lave been discovered and destroyed. One of them exploded on tho poop of tho F.xmouth. Admiral Seymour and Captain Louis who were examining it at that time, w L re severely injured. Lieut. Pierce was slightly injured. An event has recently occurred in London which cannot fall to have a serious influence on the character cf the existing banking establishments, and to cause a painful feeling of doubt and alarm in the public mind throughout, the empire. At 217 in the Strand a banking establishment has long existed, conducted by Messrs. Stratum, Paul, and Bates, which has smashed under circumstances more suspicious than the worst bubble company. Warrants for the apprehension of these persons Lave been issued, and they are now' in custody on a charge of felony, —selling secuiities deposited with them in their capacity of bankers without the knowledge or consent of tboir clients. Their liabilities are said to exceed £7OO 000, —soma accounts say a million. The Times draws a frightful picture of the misery which the dishonesty of these persons will produce. “ What is it to rob—aye, to rob and murder half a dozen people, put them out of pain at once, and dispose of their bodies where nobody will know anything about them, compared with the eel of scattering ruin over hundreds of quiet, respectable, and virtuous households, the scene of sacred harmony and the sweet charities of domestic life? How many girls will go poitionlcss —how many young ladies become governesses— how many young nun go to Australia, or behind counters, ir.gtead of to Co.lege or the Guards, in consequence, of this bankruptcy?” One of the partners, Eir John Dean I’aul, bad a country bouse a short di-lance from London, whither rlie ofliebrs proceeded to take him into custod-. As it was too late to return the siime evening to London, they allowed him to go to bed, mill kept watch during the night that be did n I escape, 1 n the morning they proceeded with the prisoner to the railway station, where he contrived to slip into a tiaiti that was moving and left the officers bullied him ! -He has, however, given himself up shire. The Times thus refers tn the mode of life of this banking triumvirate, “Only think of a select society of I gentlemen, high in the fashionable, and even the religious wor d, living in magnificent style for years and years on the deposits of a number of confiding, and even admiring noblemen and gentlemen. They have had good houses, costly furniture, splendid establishments, sumptuous entertainments, and tie best company up to the very last, with the full consciou.-ness that they were doing it a!J ou. of the money of some

score, or lather some hundreds, of i>e<>p!e who Cut it hn honor to put thoii money into the I,.mils ol .such men. ' This, explosion will so shock public opinion that, as m all such cases, the indecent "ill sillier with the gudu The whole husines seems to he a slavish imitniion oi the career of Mr, Montague Tigg, in Dickens’ Marlin Chuzzlewit, with this difference, —that the romance ol the ready exceeds the fiction.

THE ATTACKS ON THE MALAKOFF AND REDAN.

I The following are extr.ic-is from the Timex' 1 correspondence relating to the attacks upon the Malabo!}'and Redan works on the Itith June ; Camp before Sebastopol, June 20. It is hut natural that the attack of the allies ou the principal points of the Russian defences should how hj" scrutinised in all its details, and, as it has failed, hat ike plan of that attack should ho severely criticised and unsparingly censured. The gravest charge of all is that the success of tiie assault was compromised by the facility with which Lord Raglan yielded to General Pelissior’s request, and lulu on the evening of the 17th altered the arrangements for ihe following morning. As to the propriety of General IVlissier's views in making that request there is scarcely a difference of opinion in this army. If the Russians were indeed about to assault the Mamelon before dawn, he would have been prepared for them with overwhelming numbers, could have decimated • hem as they retreated with his artillery, and could have immediately attacked a position field by a beaten and dispirited enemy. If they were not prepared to attack the Mamelon, but were prepared to resist us, the original plan of bombarding them for three hours before we attacked, could not have failed to drive them from their works under cover, and to slay great numbers of them. That plan was perfectly successful in the attack on (lie Mamelon, which was easily taken, after a fierce cannonade, in the open day which drove the enemy out of the works. Although we had silenced many guns in the Redan, we had not silenced all, nor had we touched the ships’ batteries ; and Prince Gortschakoff tells us daily, and as wo find true—“ The damage done to us by day we repiir at night,” We never searched out the strength of the R-daii on that morning, and the Russians might have—for all we know or know—replaced every injured gun, and have had the battery in ag good order as when we opened fire. In my former letter, written hastily and under the impression of our ill success, I could not do more than give a meagre sketch of what look place, and 1 am not now able to amend my defects, it will be remembered i hut the plan of attack originuljv proposed was, that the Allies were to open a cannonade for three hours on the Malakofl and Hudau after dawn on the morning of tin? Iflih ; that the French were to assault the Mahikoff, and that when they ha J gained possession of it we wore to attack the Redan. As the latter work is commanded by the former, it would not be possible to carry or to hold it till the Malakoff was taken. The manner of our attack was as follows ;—The senior brigades of the Light Division, Second Division, Third Division and fourth Division were to furnish each 1 coluinn of 1750 men, to whom weio joined 60 sailors, and these columns were to be employed against the Redan and the Cemetery and batteries on our left of the He flin, close to the m-ck of the Dockyard Creek. The second brigades of these divisions were to be in reserve, and die Guards Brigade and the Highland Brigade were moved up ami kept in reserve also for any duty that might occur. The attacking pa-fy of tin? Second Division was the only exception to tbe.se rules, as it was formed of broken brigades. Sir George Brown ha I the direction gf tiie assault. The 17 U men in each instance were formed of -100 men for the assaulting column, a working party of -IOt) men to cover them in case of a lodgment, and to reverse Die woik 800 men as a support, and luO riflemen or sharp-shooters preceding the bead of the assaulting column to keep down the lire of the flatteries and the enemy's chasseurs, and 50 men carrying woolpacks to bridge over the ditches. To these were added sixty sailors bearing scalingladders. The Russian column, which is said to have iisuecl from Malakoff’just before our assault, to attac ; the Mamelon, was certainly so small, that it was, according to some, merely intended as a feint to draw out the French ami lead them to the assault, for which the enemy were only too well prepared A deserter, who came in yesterday (Tuesday), lus declared that the garrison Lave been •xpi-ciiug an attack since the ter urination of the third bombardment, and that the allies got the CJuaries and the Ain melon because the hulk of the Russians were concern rated in the Redan and Malakoff, which iln-v thought we should attack as soon as we had seized these outlying works. Heavy columns of infantry have be* n marched up every night, according to bis statement, to the roar of tbo batteries, as soon as our lire ceases, and are withdrawn soon after daybreak. As the 34-th Regiment advanced, the supports, by some means or other, got mixed together wiili them, and some confusion arose in coiisequeucs. Ou crossing the trench, instead of coming upon the opening in a body, they ware broken into twos and threes. This arose from the want of a temporary step above the helm, which would have enabled the troops to cross the parapet with regularity ; instead of which, they had to scramble over il as well ns they could ; nud, as the top of the trench is of unequal height and form, their line was quite brol en. The moment they came out from the trench, the enemy began to direct on their whole front a deliberate and well-aimed mitrailie, which increased the want of order and unsteadiness caused by the mode o' their advance. Poor Col. Yea saw ihe consequences too clearly. Having in vain tried to obviate the evil caused by the broken formation and confusion of bis men, w’.io were falling fast around him, he exclaimed, “ This wilt never do 1 Where’s the bugler to calf them hack?” But, alas! at that critical moment no bugler was to he found. The gallant old soldier, by voice and gesture, tried to form and compose bis men, hut the thunder of tha enemy’s guns plpse tq hand, and (he gloom of early dawn frustrated his efforts, and as he rushed along the troubled mass of troops which were herding together, under the rush of grape, and endeavouring to get them in order for a rush at the batteries, which was belter than standing still or retrea ing in panic, a charge of the deadly missiles passed, and the noble soldier fell dead in advance of his men, struck at once in head and stomach fly grape shot. In the 31-th, Captain Shiffner and Captain Robinson were killed close by their leader, a id in a few moments Captain Gwilt, Captain Jordan, Captain Warty, Lieutenant Alt, Lieutenant Clayton, and Lieutenant Hannan, of the sumo regiment, fell more or less wounded to (he ground. A gallant and fine young soldier, poor Hoffson, the Adjutant of the 7th, fell with his chief mortally wounded, and is since dead, after amputation of his right thigh. The 7th Regiment has now only three or (our officers left for duty. Major Pach, Lord Richard Brown, Lieutenant (lukwman) Julies, Ensign Milan, Ensign Wright, Lieutenant Robinson, Lieutenant Applcvard, and the Honorable E. Fitzclarcnce were wounded. The latter has had his left thigh amputated. In Die 33rd, Colonel Johnstone had his left hand shot away, since amputated. Lieutenantc-General Muudv was slightly wounded ; Lieut-Colouel Ciuayle, shot through the body (doing well) ; Capt. Wickham wounded; Lieutenants Bennett and Ryland were killed. in the 23rd, which was favourably placed, the only officer injured was Lieutenant-Colonel Lysons, w ho received a severe contusion. In the Ulltli, Captain Brown had his right arm carried clean away hy a round shot. In the Rifle Brigade, Captain Plunkett and Lieutenants Knox and Freernantle were wounded. The division had lost upwards of 320 men killed ai)d wounded, and it suffered severely when il retired from the futile attack. The signal for our assault was to he given by the discharge of two service rockets, which were to have been fired when the French got into the MalakhofT, *iul the latter were to have hoisted a flag as a signal of success. Jt is certain that the French did for a short time establish themselves in the MalakhofT, but they were soon expelled with loss, and I saw with my own eyes a triangular blue and black Hag waving from the MalakhofT during all the night. The moment the rockets were fired, the Light Divison rushed out of cover ; in a quarter of an hour this iq fan try Balaclava was over, so far as any chance of success was concerned. The Second Division, seeing that the flank attacks failed, I wisely kept under cover, and suffered but trifling loss. J II ad they foolishly advanced, we should have to deplore I greater and more useless slaughter. The brigade under Major-General Eyre, which was destined to occupy the Cemetery and to cany the Barrack Batteries, consisted of the 9th regiment, KS'Ji regiment, 2eth regiment, 3Bth regiment, and 44th regiment. Four volunteers from each company were selected to form an advanced party, under Major Fietdcn, son of Rector Fk-Iden, of Babbington, of the 41-tli regiment, to fed the way and cover the advance. The iStli Royal Irish followed as the storming regiment. The brigade was turned out at 12 o’clock, and proceeded to march down the road to the Cemetery, and halted under cover, while the necessary dispositions were being made for the attack. General Eire. addressing the IStli, said—“l hope, my men, that this morning you will do something that will make every cabin in Ireland ring again !” The reply was a lou^

j cheer, which ins'antly drew on the men a shower ot grape. 'The skirmishers advanced just as the general j aCnef; he; qu, and, with some French on their lett, rushed at the Cemetery, which was very feebly defended. They got possession of the place after slight resistance, with but smalt loss, and took some prisoners, but the moment the enemy retreated their batteries opened a heavy fire on the place from the left ol the Redan and from the Barrack Battery, Four companies of the 18th at once rushed on out of the Cemetery toI wards the town, and actually succeeded in getting possession of the suburb. Captain dayman was gal- ! lantly leading on his company when he was shot through the knee. Captain Esmonds fallowed, and the men, onoe established, prepared to defend the houses they occupied. As they drove the Russians out they were pelted with large stones by the latter on their way to the battery, which quite overhangs the suburb. The Russians could not depress their guns sufficiently to lire down upon our men, but they directed a severe flanking tire upon them from an angle of the Rqdan works. There was nothing for it but to keep up a vigorous tire from the houses, and to delude the enemy into the belief that the occupiers were more numerous than they were. Meantime the Russians did their utmost to blow down the bouses with shell and shot, and fired grape incessantly, but the soldiers kept close, though they lost men occasionally, and they were most materially aided by the fire of the regiments in the Cemetery behind them, which was directed at the Russian embrasures, so that the enemy could not get out to fits down on the houses below, Some of the houses were comfortably furnished. One oft hem was as well fitted i.p as most English mansions, tho rooms full of fine furniture, a piano in the drawing room, and articles ot luxury and taste not deficient. Our men, unfortiw irately, found (hat the cellars were not empty, and that there was au abundance of fine Muscat wine from the south coast of the Crimea, and of the stronger wines, perfumed with roses and mixed with fruits, which are grown in the interior, in the better aqrt of houses. Some of the officers when they went away, carried oil’ articles of clothing and papers, as proofs of their entrance into the place ; and some others took away pigeons and gumea-pigs, which were tame in the house. The troops entered the place about 4 o’clock in the morning, and could not leave it till nine in the evening. The Russians blew up many houses, and set fire to others, and when our men retired the flames were spreading along the streets. The SUth Regiment lost 250 men. Tn the middle of the day Captain Esmonds wrote to General Eyre to say that he wanted more support, that the men were short of ammunition, and that the rifles were clogged. The rifles, which were of the Enfield pattern, had only been served-to the regiment the day before, and again it was found that these admirable weapons arc open to the grave defect which has so frequently been mentioned, and they are liable to become useless after firing 20 rounds. A sergeant volunteered to creep back with this letter, hut when he reached the place where the general ought to have been, he found that the latter had been obliged to withdraw, owing to his wound, and he therefore delivered the document to Col. Edwards, As there was no possibility of getting support down to the troops, Colonel Edwards crept down, along with the sergeant, and got into the bouses to see how matters were going on. The officer in command, on learning the state of the case, ordered the men to ke> p up the hottest tire they could ; and, meantime they picked up the rides and ammunition of the killed and wound'd, an 1 wore by that means enabled to continue their fus-1-ade. The 9th Regiment succeeded in effecting a lodgm m in the houses in two or three different places, ami held their position as wad as the 18ih. A sergean and handful of nmn actually got possession of the little Wasp ba'tery, in which there were only twelve or fourteen Russian artillerymen. Tuey fled at the a j> preach of our men ; but when the l itter turned round, they discovered they were quite uusu pored ; ami the Russians, seeing that Ihe poor fellows were left alone came down on them, and drove them out of the battery. An officer and half-a-dozen of the same ivgimentgot up close to a part of the Flagstaff Battery, ami wort advancing into it, whan they too saw that they were by themselves, and as it was futile to attempt holding their ground, they retreated. About fifteen French soldiers ou their left aided them, hut, as they were likewise unsupported, they had to retire. Another officer, with only twelve men, took one of the Russian rille pits, bayoneted those they found In it, and held possession cf it tluoughoui the day. Mem’imp, while these portions of the sili and 13ih, and parties of the -Wthand lath were in the houses, the detachments of the .-amo regiments, am) of the 38 hj kept up a hot lire from the Cemetery on the Russians, in the battery and on the sharp-hooters, nil the time being exposed to a (icmendous shower of bullets, grape, round shot, and shell. The loss of tire brigade, under such circumstances, could not bat be extremely severe. One part of it, separated from the other, was exposed to a destructive fire in bouses, the upper portion of «l;iib crumbled into pieces, or fell in under fire, and ii was only by keeping in the lower sioiy, which was vaulted and well-built, that ihey were enabled to hold their own The other parts of it, far advanced from our bait* ri*?s, were almost wholly unprotected, nud were under a constant mitrailie and botaba-jdment from gins which our batteries had failed to touch. Captain Smith, of the 9ih was struck by a grapeshot in the back, as he w -8 in the ac: o: getting Captain A rm strong of the 1 Sib into a liner, with the assistance of Captain Gaynor. The shot broke his spine, and drove his ribs into Ids lungs. 110 died yesterday. Lieutenant Do iglas and Leutenaut M' Quean were also wounded. Of ill’s regiment 6 men were killed and 53 wounded. In the IS'.h, Lieutenant Aieurant was killed, Major Kennedy, Captain I lay man (slightly). Captain Connick (severe lv). Captain Armstrong (slightly), Captain Wilkinson i slightly) Ensign Fe indy and Ensign Hot ham (severe y) wounded. 34 men killed and 2lfl wounded, la tlieflS'h, Lieutenant Davies, a brave and esteemed young officer was lulled, and five more were wound.d more or less severely, among whom were the gallant Lieut.-Colonel Louth and Lieutenant French ; the latter lias a fractured thigh. In the 44th Regiment no less then seven officers wounded, of whom throe—namely, Cqplaiu Bowes Fenwick, Captain the hmioraHerbert Agar, and Captain F. Caulfield are reported to have died of iheir wounds. Captain Mansfields thigh is fractured ; 17 men were killed and P'S woundedThe 89th region nt was in the trenches, err 1 had a f w men wounded. The total number of killed and wounded. of Hie brigade was. up to the last returns 1 could sea, 107 killed, 552 wounded : total 659.

Although the army has been disappointed by the result of the attack on the Redan and MalakhofT, it lias not despaired—it does not despair of this weary siege. I venture to flay that the exoectaMon of nearly every* officer and soldier in the camp on the day of the 18ih of June was, that Die assault would bo renewed that evening, or on tho following morning, but we are now, it is said going to atttack the Redan and MalakhofT by sap; we are about to undergo the tedious process of mines and countermines, globes of compression, etonnoirs. forgasses, and all the apparatus of scientific engineering, in which the Russians are at least ourequ-ds-It is not 100 much to s-y that General Jones, our Chief Engireer, expects nothing to b ■ achieved for several weeks to come—that Sir George Brown is wiser and more discreet, and L -rd Raglan less sanguine and more perturbed than they have been for some time past. Cries of “ Murder’’ from tbo tips of expiring officers have been echoed through Die camp, but they have now died away in silence or in the noise < f active argument and discussion. Oppressed by the nows of death’s doings among many dear friends, and by Die intelligence ol the loss of one who was valqed by all who know bow to appreciate rare scholarship, a quaint humour, a pure heart, and a lively fauev. I can Scarcely be supposed competent to »ijw our position in its na'ural aspect, or to escape from the influence of the gloomy atmosphere with which I am just now surrounded. Lord Raglan’s ami ble disposition is acutely toughed hy the loss of so many gallant men. For myself, I admit that, knowing nothing of war, ami merely chronicling, as (ar us possible, the result ol its operations, Ido not see any possibility of onr being able to abandon onr present position on the south side of Sebastopol, or to make a general (•tiack on Die Russian armies which fire encamped be r tore us.

NAPIER’S THREATENED THUNDER.

MeiTino at Siiepfibid—Conttiispo noence Evi HAonniNAjiv. A one dug of ihe Sheffield Corarait'ee for Investigating Fuu-iyn Affairs was held at the Sheffield Councilflail, on Tuesday evening lust ; Mr. Alderman Carr in the chair Mr Ironside m-v.-fi —“That this meeting fully concurring with Mr. Roebuck in his strong condemnation of the conduct of Lord John Russell, in flavin**- agreed at Vienna to deprive the Principalities of ihe right of managing their own affairs, hereby requests him to move a vote of censure on the Government for Dial act; a**‘) also that Mr. Hadflel ihe requested to second the motion and Mr .Cofl, lea to support it.”—lbe resolution was earned." Mr. Ironside then moved,” That Mr. Roebuck be requested to move the appointment of a committee to inquire into the Bailie expedition of lasi year.” Ho flail heard such a description of the lettere between Sir J. Graham ami Sir C. Napier, that he bad written to Mr. Grant, who, ho was informed, had them in Ins possession, to send them to him. My. G aut replied thus

“ Dear Sir, —I had in u.y possession for six Keeks, the whole correspondence—not copies, but the originals —which passed between Sir Janies Graham and Sir Chailes Napier, f oin the starling of the Baltic expedition, lust year, till its return, but I returned it to Sir Charles Napier a month ago. Sir Charles spontaneously placed the documents in my hands—which I* need not say are of infinite importune —on the mui'-rs anding that I should i. Ol allow them to go out of my sight. I had, however no prohibiiion as to showing them to friends, and had you chanced to call on me while they were in my posession, 1 should hare had much pleasure in showing them to you. 1 have nahesitation in s tying that, if I have any idea of what evidence is these letters would sullioc, with oilier facts of undoubted accuracy, to convict Sir James Graham of treason. “ Yours, truly, “ James Grant.” On receipt of th s le'ter, he (Mr. Ironside) had written to Sir Charles Napier, stating the contents of Mr. Giant’s letter, and asking Sir Charles to let him have the letters. In reply, Sir Charles had sent him the following letter ; “ Merchestown, Iforndean, June 17th, IR-55. Sir, — Mr. Grant has told you the truth. I did not give those letters to him to publish, because I might have been accused of giving my plans of attack to the enemy ; but when it is decided not to attack the parts I pointed out, and when there is no dagger of publication, 1 shall go to Lord Palmerston, and ask him if ha will give the papers to the house; and if ha refuses, I shall then publish thenwwiiatever is the consequence to mysa'f. I have no hesitation in saying, had 1 dona what Sir James Graham wished me; od*, plainly expresssd in letters, both public and private, I should have lost her Majesty’s fleet; and I think Sir James Graham deserves impeachment for goading me to da <o the winter, what he was advsing me not to do in the summer. Hosbuck was so successful with Lis Sebastopol Committee, that he ought to take up the Baltic, Sir James Graham has I een publicly accused by me of perverting my Utters, and or endangering the Queen’s fleet; and that accusation ought not to by dormant. Were 1 in Parliament, it should not sleep for twentyfour hours, Ido not think it rjgbt to send you the papers, but would be glad to show them to you, had I an opportunity. 11 1 remain, yours very truly, “ Chas. Napier.”

WITTER FROM SIR CHARLES NAPIER ON THE BALTIC FLEET.

Sm, —You asR why our squadron in the Ba'tic, which did nothing to signify lost year, is likely to do nothing this ? The question is easily answered, via, because Sir Jaipes Graham did not attend to the plan* 1 rent him last June, and which lie pretended to know nothing about; and because the Admirality did not attend to the plana 1 sent th-in last September. Had Admiral Dundas been furnished with the appliances I pointed out. Sweaborg might have been bombarded and probairly destroyed. Instead ofdoingtbaL thi-y speqlaboul half a million of mouey in building iron floating batteries, which will haidly swim, and if sent to the Baltic will probably never return ; and this, after it was proved, at Portsmouth, that GS-pounders would destroy them at 40t) yards ; and at 800 yards everybody knows that they could do no harm to granite walls. Had the same money been spent in mortar vessels, something might have been expected, or had half the money been laid out inputting Lord Dundonald’a plana (which he communicated to me) in execution, 1 have no doubt they would have been successfully employed, both in tha Baltic and Black Sea. My time will come, and before long, when I rhrll be able to expose all Sir James Graham’s conduct to me. He has been shown to have opened, private letters by Mr. Buncombe. He endeavoured to throw the blame of poor Captain Christie’• death on Mr. Bayard, and I have accused him of perverting my letters, which I am prevented from proving, by the pretence that the publication Would afford information to the ( nemy. I hat pretence will soon ceas*-, and the country shall know what means the Right Hon. Baronet used to induce Admiral Berkley and Admiral Richards to sign instructions, which, if carried out. would have lost the Queen’s fleet. The country shall know whether the First laird of the Admiralty lias the power to turn an officer’s private letters into public ones, and prevent him doing the game w.th the First Lord's. I am, Sir, yours, &c., Charles Napieb.

SPEECH OF THE EMERGE ON OPENING THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

On Monday, the Emperor Louis Napoleon opened the Legislative Assembly, in p. speech in which he vindicated the past policy of France and England, and announced his determination to persevere in tin same until it was crowned with success. The speech breathes lire light spirit, and will be received in a kindred spirit in England. The Emperor says : “ Messieurs les Senateurs, Messieurs les Deputes, —The diplomatic negociatious commenced during the course of last session, already rtiade yon foresee, that I should be obliged to call yon together when they came to a determination. Unhappily the Conferences of V-iepna have failed in procuring peace, and 1 come again to apeal to the patriotism of the country and to your own. Were we wanting in moderation ip settling the conditions ? 1 do not fear to examine the question before you. One year already had passed since the commencement of the war, and already France and England had saved Turkey, gained two battles, forced Ru-s a to evacuate the "Principalities, and to exhaust her forces m the defence of the Crimea. We had, moreover, in our favor, the adhesion of Austria and the moral approbation of the rest of Europe. In that situation the I abinet of Visana. asked us if we would consent to treat upon bases vaguely formulated? Be’bre our successes, q refusal on our part seemed natural. Mas it not to be sup-r posed, forsooth, that the demands of Franca and England would increase in proportion to the greatness of the struggle aqd the sacrifices already made f Well, Franee and England did not turn t hair advantage to account, or even make the most of the righ s given to them by previous treaties, so much had they at heart to facilitate peace, and to give an unchallengeable proof oflheir moderation. Wa restricted ourselves to ask, in the interests of Germany, the free navigation of the Danube, and a breakwater against the Russian flood which continually obstructed the mouth ot that trreat river. We demand in the interest of Austria and Germany, a better constitution for thr Danubian Principalities, that they might as a barrier against these repeated invasions of the North. We demanded, in tb,e interest of humanity and of j.istjce, the same guarantees for tho Christians qf every confession under the exahwva protection of the Sultan. In the inlciesis of the Porte, as well as in those of Europe, we demandrd that Russia should limit to a reasonable degree sufficient to shield her against any attack, the number of her ships in the Black Sea—a number which she could only maintain with an aggressive object. Well, all these propositions, which I nicy call magnanimous from their disinterestedness, and which were approved in principle by Austria, by Prussia, and by Russia herself, have evaporated in the Conferences. Russia, who had consented, in theory, to put an end to he* preponderance in the Black Sea, has refused every limitation of her naval forces, and we have still to wait for Austria to fulfil h*r engagements, which consisted in rendering our treaty ot alliance offensive and defensive if the negociations failed Austria, it is true, proposed to us to guarantee with her by treaty the independence of Turkey, and to consider tor the future, as a cosus belli, an increase ot the number pf Russian ships-of-war exceeding that, before the commencement of hostilities. To accept .such a proposition was impossible, for it ia no manner hound Russia; and, on the contrary, we should apparently have sai c - tioned her preponderance in the R.ack Sea, by treaty. The war had to follow its coura**. The admiral)!* devotion of the tnnv and navy will, I trust, iooii mail to u happy result. |t is for you to provide me with the means to centum ■ the struggle. Ibo pouniry has already shown what resources it has at its command, and the confidence it places in me. Some months siuce.it offered mo 1,7iM»,000/ ! «Of. more than I dmantled. A portion of that sum will sutfice to nu i.r tain its military honor and its rights as a great nation. 1 had resolved to go and place myself in the midst of that valiant army, where the presence of the Sovereign could not have failed to produce a happy influence, and a witness of the heroic efforts of our soldiprs, I should have been proud to lead them; but serious questions agitated abroad, which have always remained pending, and the nature of circumstances demand'd at home new arul important measures. It is, therefore, with regret that 1 abandon idea. My government will propose to you to vole the annual Recruitment Bill ; there will be no extraordinary levy, and the hill will take the usuil course necessary (or the regularity of the administration pf a Recruitment Bill In conclusion, gentlemejj, let us pay here solemnly, a just tribute of praise to those who fight for the country ; let us m ijgie our regrets with those whose loss we to denlore. So great au example ol unselfishness and cocs.aucy will no* have been given in vain to oths world. Lpi us not he discouraged by the sacrifices which are necessary for, as you aware, a nation must either abdicat-* every political character, or, if it possesses the instinct ami the will to act conform Liy to its generous natures, to its historic traditions, to iis providential mission, it must learn how to support at times, the trials which alone can retemper it, and restore it to the rank which is its due. Faith in the Almighty, perseverance in our efforts, and we shall soon obtain a neace wor.liy of the ailjauce ot tl e tv?q great nations,” .