(From the Lyttetion Times, May 29.)

Otago Witness, Issue 57, 19 June 1852, Page 4

(From the Lyttetion Times, May 29.)

The arrival of the " Stag" brings our news from England down to the 3rd January, only two days latei than our previous advices. The cabinet of Lord John Russell is in a very precarious state, and extensive modifications are confidently spoken of by the infusion of some of the leading men of the Peelites. It is understood that Sir James Graham and Mr. Cardwell would certainly enter the ministry prior to the assembling of Parliament, and that Mr. Gladstone and the Duke of Newcastle would follow. There was some talk that the latter would supersede the Marquis of Dalhousie in the Government of India, but we have reason to believe that such would not be the case.

Sir C. Napier has been calling attention to his naval services, and the disregard they are held in by the Whig Government, by publishing a correspondence with Lord John Russell, seeking promotion, which the latter refuses :—: — " In April last, Sir Charles Napier reminded

Lord John Russell that he finished his ' not

very pleasant letter of the 25th January, 1850,' by saying to Sir Charles — ' Your brilliant services on the coast of Syria evince the energy and boldness of your professional character, and will always be remembered by me.' As Sir William Parker was ' not likely to remain in the Mediterranean all his life,' Sir Charles suggested that Lord John would have an opportunity of rewarding his 'brilliant service?.' Lord John Russell answered, that he had not at all altered his opinion of Sir Charles's energy and decision, but

the Mediterranean command was not vacant,

and he did not know how sooryt would be so ; he must preserve his opinion quite unfettered till then, when he should weigh only the merits of the officers eligible. At the end of September, Sir Charles learned, with the rest of the public, that Sir Francis Baring had selected Rear Admiral Dundas for the command of the Mediterranean : so he wrote to Lord John,

bringing his services under notice, and asking

if his merits had been weighed as promised ? Wtffrout disparaging Admiral Dundas, whose gSMJits he admitted, but who had not had the BfflJJportunity of gi\ ing such services to the country as himself, he thought that he had reason to complain of lac intended arrangement. Lord John Russell answered that the value of Sir

Charles'b services were not disputed ; but the

Mediterranean command required 'an officer who shall possess the full confidence of the

Government ;' lie must be an officer on whose ' secrecy and discretion' the Queen's Ministers can fully rely. 'I am sorry to say,' Lord John added, ' that notwithstanding your many brilliant exploits, I could not place in you that implicit confidence which is required.' Sir Charles Napier replied that such candour as

this in the first instanse would have sored Lord John and himself some trouble : if I do not now enjoy the confidence of the present Board, they have changed their opinions, — biassed, no doubt, by the First Lord, ' who took the earliest ] opportunity of insulting me, for reasons best known to himself;' he hoped the officer chosen | for the Mediterranean command ' may he successful and discreet enough to uphold a tottering administration.' Sir Charles followed up his letter by another, accompanied by a vast number of testimonials of confidence in his conduct, which he has received from the Admiralty since 1828, when Lord Melville was at its head. He concluded now with these sentences — ' I don't dispute, my lord, your right to appoint to the Mediterranean command whom you please; but I dispute your right to damn my professional reputation by sending me the letter you have done. This is not the time, my lord, to affront an officer who has rendered a great deal of some service to the Queen and country, when France, with an army of 400,000 men, is in a blaze. Your lordship is renowned for writing indiscreet epistles, and as it would be a pity to withhold your last, I shall send it to the press.' The whole correspondence was sent to the ' Times' newspaper, that the country and navy may see that Ministerial and Admiralty jobbery are of more consequence in the eyes of a Whig Prime Minister than either rank or (to make use of his own expressions) ' brilliant exploits.' Sir Charles's letter to the editor winds up with a Naperian defiance of the Admiralty. ' Were the Navy ruled by a professional man, he would not have dared to dishonour an officer ; that is left to Lord John Russell and Sir Francis Baring, who appear not to know what military honour is ; and, thank God, I am in a position and independent enough to tell them so.' "

"We yesterday received by the " Twins" Wellington papers to the 18th instant.

Their columns are filled with interesting intelligence from Europe and the Cape of Good Hope. We borrow the more important news which our contemporaries have extracted from the Sydney <J Empire" of the 3rd May. The following is the " Spectator's" summary : —

The European News received,' by way of Sydney, by the " Marmora," which will be found in our present issue, is of the most important kind. Affairs appear to wear a threatening aspect, and it was considered probable that the reckless and unscrupulous career upon which Loifis Napoleon had entered to gratify the cravings of his inordinate ambition, would lead to an European war. Louis Napoleon had adopted the most determined measures, and with the view of securing himself in his present position had not hesitated to banish from France all the most eminent public men, who were in any way likely to oppose his measures, and in the name ! of Liberty and the Republic, had established, by means of the army, a tyranny more stern and absolute than that of any European despot. — With the view of adopting necessary measures of precaution, some formidable batteries were to be erected on the coast of England, the artillery was to be increased by 2400 men, and the army to the number of 10,000 additional men. Such a calamity as an European war, in which England would be forced to bear a prominent part, would prove a great misfortune to the colonies, in interrupting commerce, and in putting a stop to emigration from the mother country.

The news from the Cape was of the most distressing nature. The " Birkenhead," a splendid steamer of the largest size, loaded with troops that were proceeding to the scene of operations, had struck on a rock during the night and sunk with immense destruction of life. The troops were principally of the 74th regiment, which had previously suffered severely in an attack on the natives, in the early part of November, in which the commanding officer, LieutenantColonel Fordyce, and Lieutenant Carey and several of the men were killed. By the late melancholy catastrophe, several officers and 450 troops had met a watery grave. Sir Harry Smith had been recalled, and Major-General Cathcart had been appointed his successor.