On this page
-
Text (4)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
Society ) , would have us believe- The question is what policy is best adapted , compatible with the honour , interests , and dignity pf Great Britain , for maintaining the peace of Europe . No humane and reasonable man can be in favour of war ; but I fearlessly assert , and I believe it to be the opinion of a large majority of tHfe people of England , that the timid , vacillating , yet , withal , rash and uncertain policy of the Coalition Ministry , has actually brought us to the sad alternative of peace with national dishonour , or of war with incalculable loss and bloodshed . Yet , can any true-hearted Englishman , even after counting the cost , and looking to the past , the present , and the future , hesitate as to his choice of evils ?
" If Russia become predominant in the Black Sea , it will make her absolute mistress of Austria , Turkey , and Persia , and it will give her a floating bridge to our Eastern possessions . The only considerable railway which has been completed in Russia now invests that empire with a degree of importance in Europe which she never before possessed , and which will compel ail other nations to measure her political influence by a new standard . " Oar choice now lies between Turkey and freedom on the one hand , or Russia and despotism on the other . We may by war now lay a permanent foundation for future peace ; or , by a dastardly submission , indefinitely prolong this great crisis of the world ' s history . " I am , dear sir , very sincerely yours , u William Cootnoham . " Kemp-town , January 26 th . " '
Southampton . The most crowded and enthusiastic meeting that ever assembled within the Guildhall of Southampton was held on Tuesday , having been convened by the Mayor , in compliance with , a requisition very numerously signed by inhabitants of every shade of political opinion , " to take into consideration the unprovoked aggression of the Emperor of Bussia against Turkey . " The spacious Guildhall was crowded almost to suffocation before the hour named for the meeting , and hundreds were unable to obtain admission . The Mayor , Mr . J . T . Tucker , expressed his pleasure at meeting such a numerous assemblage of his fellowtownsmen . He would tell them at once that he was
for peace—but not at any price . ( Loud cheers . ) He would not do or say anything that would tend to disturb the peaceful relations of this country with other nations—neither would he do anything to tar * nish the . houourof this great empire . ( Cheers . ) The gentlemen who successively moved the resolutions , spoke a language in harmony with that of the chairman , expressing an earnest desire for the maintenance of peace , and a desire equally earnest for the maintenance of treaty rights and the morality of nations . The following resolutions were carried : —
" The four great Powers of Europe , parties to the treaty of 1841 , having called upon the Emperior of Bussia to -withdraw bis armies from the principalities , and he having decidedly refused to do so , those powers are bound in honour and the interests of civilisation to aid the Sultan , if necessary , by force of arms in expelling him , to require that he should pay all the expenses of the war , and also , in entering into any new arrangements , to take measures for securing the future tranquillity of Europe by a well defined treaty , which shall have for one of its conditions the opening of the Black Sea at all times to the ships of all nations . "
" That the cordial union now existing between the English and French Governments , as well as between the people of those two great nations , afforded the meeting the most sincere satisfaction ; and that it highly approved the decision by which the combined fleets are now cruising for the protection of Turkey in the Black sea . " A resolution was then agreed to , authorising the mayor to embody the foregoing views and expressions in a memorial to her Majesty , to sign the same on behalf of th « , meeting , and to forward it through Lord Clarendon for presentation to the Queen ; and it was also agreed that a copy of the resolutions should be forwarded through the French ambassador in London to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of France , and likewise through the Turkish embassy in London to the Sultan at Constantinople .
Untitled Article
THE EASTERN QUESTION . The following resolutions have been published by Lord Ponsonby , with an intimation that , if the noble lord ' s health will permit , it is his intention to move them in the House of Lords for adoption : — " 1 . That the maintenance of the independence of the Ottoman Empire is of great importance for the security of some of the greatest interests of the Queen ' s subjects . " 2 . That attacks have been lately mado upon that independence . " 3 . That those attacks were mado with great advantage to the attndters , derived from positions they hud obtained upon the confines of tfio Ottomun Empire by various treaties . " -I . That a war having taken place between the Sultan and the Emperor of Russia , tlio treaties between those Sovereigns are thereby rendered void and null . " 5 . That for the purpose of giving more security to the Sultan against further attacks , it is necessary that the suitl treaties should not bo renewed between the Subliino Porte and the Imperial Russian Sovereign . " C . That moved by tbo above-stated considerations , thia houBo * is ^| i opinion that her Majesty ' s Minisctrs who may be en ^ nged on any negotiations fora peace between the Im perial llubaian Government and the CJovcrrnnent of the Sublime Porto , shouId employ all tlio . means in tlit-ir power for the
prevention of the nenewal of the treaties which have been rendered nnll and void by the existence of war between the Russian and Tar lush Sovereigns , " 7 . That , in the opinion of this house , it might be highly advantageous to the interests of her . Majesty ' s subjects , and for the future preservation of general peace , that her Majesty's Ministers , being engaged in any negotiation that may- be on foot for the restoration of peace bet-ween the aforesaid belligerents , should use their best endeavours that in any new treaties made between those Powers it should be provided that the Sublime Porte sfconld be pat in possession of the territory between the River Pruth and the River Dneister—to the south of a line to be drawn from , on . the Prath , to , on the Dneister . " 8 . That the said Ministers should also support , the Sublime Porte in the due fulfilment of any engagement his Majesty the Sultan may have entered into with the independent Caucasian chiefs , "
Untitled Article
WAR PREPARATIONS . Warlike activity is now observable on all sides . Exertions are being made to strengthen the artillery service by recruits , and thirty-nine parties hare set out from Woolwich during the last three weeks . The report that an Irish militia will be , raised has been followed by a similar statement that 10 , 000 Scotch militia are to be organised . Lieut .-Colonel Vickers , and three other engineer officers have been ordered by the British Government to attend the British squadron in the Black Sea . In the naval departments activity is unceasing . The James Watt , 90 gun screw-ship , has just been commissioned , and others will be commissioned in a few weeks . On Thursday week , the Thetis arrived at Portsmouth , from abroad . Her crew were not " paid off , " but " paid down ; " and the reason for the step was communicated to them in an unusual way . Bear-Admiral Richard Dundas , a Lord of the Admiralty , visited the Thetis on Saturday , and all hands being piped on to the quarter-deck , the Admiral made the following speech : — r
" My men , —I have come down , by request of the Board of Admiralty , to make known to you that we are on the eve of a war , and that war with Russia . My object , . therefore , in addressing you by desire of their lordships , is to prepare you for such event ; and I am sure you will receive this announcement as becomes Englishmen and British sailors . It is my duty to inform you that the country cannot dispense with your services , however hard it may appear after you having been away for so long a period ; yet ,, the exigencies of the service most be paramount to all other considerations . Instead , therefore , of your being paid off , you will all be paid down . You shall have a few weeks * run , after which I feel assured that you will act as British seamen ever have done in defence of their country . I trust you will receive this communication in its right and proper light , and I make this known to you thus early to prevent any feelings of disappointment . I have earnestly to hope that the evil may yet pass away , but we must be prepared for any ^ aud every emergency . * Pipe down . ' "
Great efforts are being made to raise seamen on the western coast of Ireland-Scotland will furnish 150 O men towards the coast volunteers ; and Captain Craigie has been commissioned to raise them . Last Saturday he addressed the men of Aberdeen . This led to an incident at once dramatic and significant . Having described the duties , privileges , and pay of the force , Captain Craigie said : — " They all knew that Europe at present was in a very critical state : the Government wished to be prepared for the worst . Should any outbreak really occur which would endanger our liberties , impressment or the ballot must be
resorted to if the present proposal were not successful , for the country must be defended . To poor men the ballot was virtually the same as impressment , as they could not pay for substitutes , but the fishermen on the east coast , ho felt assured , would readily come forward , and , in the noble s pirit of their forefathers , enrol themselves tor the defence of their country . ( Cheers . ) To be of good service , however , it was necessary that , they should be disciplined , for all the hardy-fellows before him would have little chance with even a dozen of men well trained . Had the Government resorted to the population generally , to raise the number of men required ^ 1500 ) , they would , no doubt , have succeeded , but
as the fisherman resided on the coaBts it was felt that they were most in need of protection , and it was thereforo decided to give them the first offer to enrol themselves in the service ; and he was glad to say that , so far as he had yet proceeded , they had responded nobly to his appeal . 1 hough he had only begun last week , ho had already enrolled 250 namesthe fishermen , wherever he went , being enthusiastic in the cause . ( Cheers . ^ And he had not the least doubt but that when ho returned to Aberdeen , throe weeks hence , to receive names , tho fine fellows beforo him would show the sarno ardour to defend the shores of old Scotland , their sweethearts and wives . " ( Cheers . )
George Urands , a seaman , then stood forward , and in a very enthusiastic address backed Captain Craigie ' appeal . " 1 was out in 1798 , " he said , " and I can assure the young men around me , that their forefathers acted nobly ; and I am sure the ' follc of Filtio ' [ fishermen of Foot Dee ] will prove themselves worthy of being called their sons . " ( Cheers . ) Three cheers were then given for Captain Oaigio and three for Frovost Blaikie , after which the meeting adjourned .
Untitled Article
THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION . At the Monday meeting of the Royal Geographical Sopiety , the Secretary ( Dr . Shaw ) , read a report upon the proposed Australian explorations * Our readers will remember that in May last a committee of the society met to take into consideration a proposal to explore Australia from Perth to Shark Bay and Cambridge Gulf , and thence across the great interior of the continent to the Darling or the Murray rivers ; The result of the deliberations of the committee was a report recommending to the council an exploration from the mouth of the Victoria to that of the Albert , in the Gulf of Carpentaria , the means of
transportation to be by bullock-drays and horses , procured at Moreton Bay , where the expedition was to be organised . The mouth of the Victoria having been selected as a starting point , it was proposed that the expedition should ascend that stream , as far as its . water-shed ( probably about 300 or 400 miles south of Cambridge Gulf ) , then deflecting eastward , as the nature of the country and the facilities of travelling demanded , the explorers expected to strike i , he head waters of the Albert , descending with the stream to the Gtuf of Carpentaria , where a small vessel would be prepared for them . This expedition , it was calculated , would cost 2500 / . ; but this sum might be considerably
reduced if the Government were to give a free passage to the commanders of the expedition , and to lend them the arms and . instruments necessary for the use of 16 men , wh ^ ich number it waff proposed , should constitute the strength of the party . At the conclusion of the paper , the noble chairman called on Sir Charles Fellows , vice-president , to state the resultr of a deputation from the council of the society which had waited upon the Duke of Newcastle on the 18 th instant . Sir Charlea Fellows observed that the object of the deputation was to lay before the Government a proposal for an . expedition to discover the northern parts of Australia . The Duke of
Newcastle received the deputation in a very kh ^ d epirit ^ and expressed the approval of the plan oh ! the part of the Government , and their willingness to fall inter the views of the society . His Grace expressed an apprehension that the estimate made by the" society ( as given by Captain Sturt ) would not be sufficient . y and announced that the Government intended w ^ take the expedition into their own hands . The * nobleduke also observed that , in taking this' course , the-Government might be chargedswitli reaping the har ~ vest which others had sown , but that the fleid waiti wide one , and other portions might be explored by - private enterprise ; The gentleman to whom the
Government looked to command the expedition was Captain Stokes , but they hoped that the Royal Geographical Society would interest itself in the appointment of the other officers . They also recommended that a geologist and a botanist be appointed to join the expedition . Captain Sturt expressed the plea- * sure which it would afford him to join the expedition . As one of the oldest explorers of Australia , he might be permitted to say that , having examined the - proposed route , he believed it was the most judicious
that could be selected . No better person could be appointed to its command than Captain Stokes , and ' he had no doubt that the expedition Would lie successful , by opening up that vast and probably * fertile but unexplored territory in the north-western portion of tlie Australian continent . It was also' announced that Mr . Bainea , the author of the " Sketches of South African Scenery , " -in the room , had also volunteered to join the expedition . [ Is Mr . Ernest Haug-, the original projector of the expedition , to be shelved ?]
After the above had been compiled , we were gratified at finding the subject had not escaped the notice of the Morning Chronicle , which thus rebukes the Royal Geographical Society for suppressing all mention of Mr . Haug : — " Some months ago , we drew the attention of oar readers to the contemplated expedition for the exploration of Northern Australia—a scheme originally proposed in the early part of last summer by Mr . Haug , in a memorial to the Royal Geographical Society . All persons who have interested themselves in the matter will have observed , with great surprise and . regret , that , in the report of the Society ' s committee on this subject , which appeared in our impresaion of last Tuesday , all mention of that gentleman ' s name is studiously omitted ; and the carefully framed plan whioh he had kid before the Society , and which has formed the basis the
of Jill tho subsequent proceedings with respect to expedition , is merely referred to as ' a jprojaosal , without the slightest allusion to its able and enterprising author . Tho motives for this strange and unworthy treatment of a gontleinan to whom the British public , and the Royal Geographical Society itself , are so deeply indebted for successfully stirring a question alike interesting to the statesman , tlio merchant , the emigrant , and tho man of science , we do not euro to inquire , lint , whatever difference of opinion may have arisen between Mr . Haug and the committee , it will bo universally felt that this attempt to deprive him of the honour wliich is bo eminently hia due , is , to say the least , « 8 discreditable to tlio Society aa it is unjust to that gentle inan . " Wo trust , however , that notwithstanding the injustice with wliich Mr . Haug has been treated by the body which professes to represent the interests of geographical science , iiia name will yet bo formally and officially connected with
Untitled Article
January 28 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 77
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 28, 1854, page 77, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2023/page/5/
-