regiment in which (as we understood) he commanded. The trial had continued for two years, and he was bound to declare that the result had not been what was expected, and that they were obliged to resort to flogging again. When Hon. Members talked of the total abolition of flogging in the army, would they be good enough to point out a substitute for such punishment? He did not know of anything which could be efficiently substituted for its total abolition. But the fact was, there was a gradual diminution in the army from year to year of corporal punishment. He admitted that it ought to be resorted to only in extreme cases, but he did not think that it would be safe to take away altogether the power of inflicting it.

Sir R. Ferguson said the amendment of the Hon. Member for Middlesex placed him in a very unpleasant situation; he could not vote for it, and he would not vote against it. He was always adverse to corporal punishments when they could be avoided, but it was frequently impossible to dispense with them.

Sir F. Burdett suggested that there might be introduced in the amendment these words,—“that the Mutiny Act shall confine this punishment to open mutiny, thieving, and being drunk on guard."

Mr. Hume acceded to the suggestion.

The House then divided, when there appeared :

For the original motion, 151; against it, 140-Majority, 11.

15th APRIL.

Navy Estimates.-Sir James Graham said that, notwithstanding the reduction of 7,000, which had been made under this head (the Admiralty) last year, a still further reduction of 17,000. was made in the present estimates, together with the sum of 5,000, arising from fees, which had been altogether abolished; thus showing a reduction under this head during the last two years of not less than 29,0007. He had also to inform the House that the balance-sheet for the last year was now upon the table of the House. It would show that the estimates for the last year had not been exceeded; but, on the contrary, that there was a considerable balance remaining out of them. He then moved, seriatim, the various sums for the disbursements of the naval expenditure for the year; which were all, after some slight manifestations for a still greater penny-wise retrenchment in the usual quarter, agreed to.

Upon the motion for the sum of 438,4261. for wages of persons employed in esta blishments at home, Mr. B. Carter said that he was instructed by his constituents to press upon Ministers the propriety of not carrying into effect the proposed reduction of the number of artificers employed in Portsmouth dock-yard.

26,9057. for the wages of artificers and labourers in the dock-yards abroad, and 423.0007. for naval stores, repairing docks, &c. were the next votes.

Sir J. Graham stated, in answer to a question of Mr. G. F. Young, that the supply of foreign timber for the naval service was exclusively obtained by public tender. The next vote was 63,7007. for new works and improvements in the yards.

Sir J. Graham called the attention of the Committee to a vote which was appended to this part of the estimates; because upon the decision of the Committee would depend the amount of money which, in future, would be applied to the expenses for carrying on the works of the Breakwater at Plymouth, The vote was to the following effect:-"The sum of 38,0007. which appeared in the estimates, was to defray the expense of depositing and forming the rubble. In addition to the above, a further sum of 99,7617. will be required to case the remainder of the western arm with masonry, and to form the foundation of a lighthouse at the extreme western end, which were strongly recommended by Sir John Rennie. If, however, it should not be decided to use masonry as above stated, then 15,000l. will be required to finish the remainder of the western arm, and the centre of the main arm, with rubble, and 15,0007. for the foundation of a lighthouse." The Admiralty had, acting upon the advice of Sir John Rennie, recommended that the work should be finished by solid masonry, which underwent a severe trial of its efficiency in the course of the last winter. From the report of the engineer it appeared that, notwithstanding a most violent hurricane which lately took place, all the vessels rode in safety within the Breakwater, and the works sustained no damage. A few stones only were thrown over on the north side, while the whole line of work finished in solid masonry remained firm. The stones thrown over came from a part not consisting of solid masonry. It was highly honourable to Sir John Rennie, that the expense of the work was found to fall within the original estimate. The estimate was 1,200,0007., and the expenditure would not exceed 1,100,000.

The vote was then agreed to, as were several other grants, after a brief discussion. On the motion that a sum not exceeding 871,8587. be granted for defraying the halfpay of officers of the Royal Navy and Marines

Mr. Hume objected to the amount of this grant. If officers were taken from the half-pay list and placed upon full pay, as vacancies occurred in the service, not only would the amount of this grant be diminished, but an easy method would be found of remunerating individuals who, by their past conduct, had deserved well of their country. Captain D. Dundas said, that if the plan of the Honourable Member for Middlesex were adopted, the navy would be officered by men who were already worn out in the service. He called the attention of the Committee to the scanty pittance which was now allowed as half-pay to those meritorious men, the pursers in the navy.

Sir E. Codrington agreed with his gallant friend behind him, that if the system proposed by the Honourable Member for Middlesex were adopted by the Admiralty, it would fill our ships not with young and efficient officers, but with men who had literally been worn out in the service. He complained bitterly of the scanty half-pay system now adopted towards the navy, and denounced it as a disgrace to the country, The resolution was then agreed to, and several other resolutions without discussion.

MAY 3.

He re

Army Estimates.-Mr. Ellice recapitulated the statements that had been lately made by his predecessor. The increase in the land forces was caused by the state of Ireland and the West India colonies, since in the former country it was thought absolutely necessary to increase the forces to the amount of 3000 men, and also it was considered necessary to make the same increase of force in the colonies mentioned. The increase altogether was between six and seven thousand men. gretted that circumstances, over which the Government had no control, required this increase. He begged to mention that the reduction made in the forces of England was 4000 men; and he hoped that when the Honourable Member for Middlesex proposed further reductions, he would be specific as to the way they might be effected. Some retrenchments had been made by his predecessors, and he assured the Committee that others were in progress, and that all the reductions that would be found practicable, compatibly with the public service, would be effected. The Government was prepared to make every saving; and the emoluments and rewards of general officers would be referred to a committee up stairs. However, this was not to be done through any neglect or disrespect towards those officers, for he considered their claims would be better considered in that committee than by the whole House. With respect to clothing the army, it would be seen that some of the regiments were to be clothed by public contract. It would not be necessary for him to enter into the details of the little differences between the estimates of the present year and of the past. He would merely again observe, that those differences were caused by an increase of troops in Ireland and in the colonies, and by a decrease in England. He proposed, "That a sum not exceeding 3,168,2167. 14s. 1d. be voted for defraying the charges of the land forces for the service of the United Kingdom and our possessions abroad, except for the troops employed in the country possessed by the East India Company, for the year beginning the 31st March, 1833, and ending the 31st March, 1834." Mr. Hume moved as an amendment, "That a sum not exceeding 2,888,7207. be voted," &c.

Sir H. Hardinge rose and said, that however desirous he was of every advisable retrenchment, he could not help saying that the reduction proposed by the Hon. Member was, in the circumstances of the country, perfectly preposterous. Thinking, as he did, that the estimates were as moderate as they could be, he would give his support to Ministers in almost all the items.

Sir H. Parnell had heard with satisfaction the course proposed to be pursued by his Majesty's Government, and he did not mean to object to any of the items. He agreed with the Hon. Member for Middlesex as to the necessity of economy; but he did not think that the Honourable Member for Middlesex had pursued the proper course to obtain it.

Sir John Byng said, that he agreed with the Right Honourable Baronet the Member for Dundee, that the plan proposed by him was the best.

Lord Althorp said, that at present Government did not feel themselves justified in making any reduction in the army; but he could assure the House, that if in the course of the year an opportunity occurred of reducing the army, it should be done in the way suggested by the Right Honourable Member for Dundee.

The Committee then divided :

For the amendment, 70; against it, 238-Majority, 168.

The resolution was then agreed to.

DISTRIBUTION and charge of THE ARMY ACCORDING TO THE ESTIMATES

British,

RETURN OF THE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE REGULAR FORCES.

129,263

RETURN OF THE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE MILITIA FORCES.

RETURN OF THE EFFECTIVE FORCE OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,

DISTINGUISHING INFANTRY, CAVALRY, AND ARTILLERY.

INFANTRY-1217 Field Officers; 3710 Captains; 7543 Subalterns; 1781 Staff Officers; 13,473 Serjeants; 6623 Trumpeters or Drummers; and 254,544 Rank and File.

CAVALRY.-162 Field Officers; 496 Captains; 1040 Subalterns; 760 Staff Officers; 1546 Serjeants; 523 Trumpeters or Drummers; and 25,342 Rank and File.

ARTILLERY.-25 Field Officers; 129 Captains; 253 Subalterns; 45 Staff Officers; 505 Serjeants; 209 Trumpeters or Drummers; and 9420 Rank and File.

TOTAL-1404 Field Officers; 4335 Captains: 8836 Subalterns; 2586 Staff Officers; 15,524 Serjeants; 7355 Trumpeters or Drummers; and 289,306 Rank and File.

MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OCCURRENCES, AND CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS OF THE ARMY.

January. Several strong forts, in the beginning of this year, were reduced in Koonch and Bundelkund, (East Indies,) by a detachment under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hawkins. The fort of Chameer was carried by assault, at noon day, on which occasion the 2ď battalion of the 1st, and 1st battalion of the 16th Native infantry, were distinguished.-18th. His Majesty's army, under Brigadier-General Auchmuty, (the investment of Monte Video being determined upon,-see Annals 1806,) effected a landing near Caretas Point, about nine miles eastward of Monte VideoThe enemy had assembled in considerable numbers on the heights, and with several pieces of

• Declaration of war against Russia, 18th December.

In the month of February, the Indian army had to lament the departure for Europe of their gallant Commander-in-Chief, Lord Lake, under whose personal command in the field they had established a proud and lasting reputation for professional gallantry and personal attachment and devotion to the service. An interregnum ensued, during which the office of Commanderin-Chief was administered by three different General Officers; when, towards the end of the year, Lieut.-General George Hewett arrived, and entered on the command in virtue of his appointment from England. In October of this year, Lord Lake was created a Viscount.

+ The command including also part of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Embarked for Halifax, Nova Scotia, 13th Sept. 1807.

The following General Officers were employed under Lord Catheart in this expedition: -Lieutenant-Generals H. Burrard, Earl of Rosslyn, Hon. Sir George Ludlow, K.B, Sir D. Baird, K.C.; Major-Generals Hon. E. Finch, T. Grosvenor, R. Hunter, Sir A. Wellesley, T. Blomfield, B. Spencer, F. de Drechsel, C. de Linsingen: Brigadier-Generals H. Ward, Robert McFarlane, Richard Stewart, and Vander Decken.

The estimate for this fund was entirely new. No actual provision had ever before been made by Parliament for the Compassionate List. For several years it had rested upon an imaginary fund,-savings from the half-pay,-which did not exist. But it was now judged proper to state the exigency to Parliament, and to require a distinct provision. The utmost that was given to any one person was 201. a-year.

An increase of 5234 on the preceding year, but the scale of establishment was nearly the same, being at the rate of 800 men a regiment for cavalry; and of battalions of 1200 men, 1000, 800, 600, or 400 for the infantry, according to the actual strength of the corps.

cannon, seemed determined to oppose the progress of the troops. They did not advance to prevent the debarkation, but suffered the Brigadier-General to take a strong position about a mile from the shore. A distant cannonade was, however, kept up by the enemy, and continued skirmishing took place at the outposts.-19th. The army began to move towards Monte Video. It was divided into two columns: the right under Brigadier-General Lumley, the left under Colonel Browne, and the reserve under Lieut.-Colonel Backhouse. The right was early opposed. About 4000 of the enemy's horse occupied two heights to the front and right of Brigadier-General Lumley. As the troops advanced, a heavy fire of round and grape shot was opened upon them. Brigadier-General Auchmuty's horse was killed under him, and 25 men killed and wounded. A spirited charge. however, being made in front by the light battalion under Lieut.-Colonel Brownrigg, the corps opposed to him was dispersed with the loss of a gun. The enemy on the flank retreated without waiting for a similar movement. They continued retiring, and permitted the British troops, without any further opposition, except a distant cannonade, to take a position about two miles from the citadel.-20th. The enemy sallied from the town in the morning, and attacked the English with their whole force, about 6000 men, and a number of guns. They advanced in two columns; the right, consisting of cavalry, to turn the left flank; while the other, infantry, attacked the left of the line. This column pushed on the advanced posts, and pressed so hard on the out-picket of 400 men, that Colonel Browne, who commanded on the left, ordered three companies of the 40th regiment, under Major Campbell, to their support. These companies fell in with the head of the column, and charged it with great bravery. The charge was as gallantly received, and great numbers fell on both sides-25th. Batteries of four 24-pounders, and two mortars, were opened, and all the frigates and smaller vessels stood in as close as they could with safety, and cannouaded the town.-28th. Finding that the garrison was not intimidated into a surrender, the BrigadierGeneral constructed a battery of six 24-pounders, within a thousand yards of the south-east bastion of the citadel, which, he was informed, was in so weak a state that it might be easily breached. The parapet was soon in ruins, but the wall received very little injury, and Brigadier-General Auchmuty was shortly convinced that his means were unequal to a regular siege. The only prospect of success that presented itself was, to erect a battery as near as possible to a wall by the south gate that joins the works to the sea, and endeavour to breach it. This was effected by a six-gun battery, within 600 yards; and although it was exposed to a very superior fire from the Spaniards, which had been incessant during the whole of the siege, a breach was reported practicable by the 2d of the following month.

Feb. 2d. Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty summoned the principal officers of the corps to be employed in the assault of Monte Video, to meet him and receive their instructions. He directed the grenadiers of the army to be embodied for the purpose of storming, and placed them under the command of Major Campbell of the 40th, and Major Tucker of the 72d regiments. The advance, or forlorn, was given to Lieut. Everard of the 2d. The rest of the troops destined for the assault consisted of the rifle corps under Major Gardiner, the light infantry under Lieut.-Colonel Brownrigg and Major Trotter, and the 38th regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Vassall and Major Nugent. They were supported by the 40th under Major Dalrymple, and the 87th under Lieut-Colonel Butler and Major Miller. The whole were placed under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Browne. The remainder of the British force, composed of the 17th light dragoons, detachments of the 20th and 21st light dragoons, the 47th regiment, a company of the 71st, and a corps of 700 marines and seamen, were encamped under Brigadier-General Lumley, to protect the rear. Orders were issued for the attack an hour before day-break the ensuing morning, and a To this message, summons was sent to the governor in the evening to surrender the town. however, no answer was received.-3d. At two in the morning, the Brigadier-General pointed to the breach, distant about 1600 yards, and in solemn silence the troops advanced to the assault. They approached near to the breach, but they were discovered, when a destructive fire from every gun that could bear upon it, and from the musketry of the garrison, opened upon them. Heavy as it was, the loss of the assailants would have been comparatively trifling, if the breach had remained open; but during the night, and under fire of the British, the besieged had barricaded it with hides, so as to render it nearly impracticable. The night was extremely dark; the head of the column missed the breach; and when it was approached, it was so shut up as to be mistaken for the entrenched wall. In this situation the troops remained under an entrenched fire for a quarter of an hour, when the breach was discovered by Captain Renny $, 40th light infantry. The troops immediately rushed to it,-no difficulties could restrain their impetuosity, and they quickly forced their way into the town. Cannon were placed at the head of the principal streets, and with the musketry discharged from the windows and tops of houses, made great havoc among the assailants. Lieut.-Colonels Brownrigg and Vassall fell mortally wounded. Undismayed by this slaughter,

The consequences of this success enabled Brigadier-Gen. Auchmuty to sit quietly down before the town, the strength of which was found to be such as to require a regular assault, if not a siege.

+ See subsequent note. (Lieut.-Colonel Vassall.)

He had expressed great anxiety to obtain this distinguished post of honour.
He pointed it out, and gloriously fell as he mounted it.

In the preparations for the attack on Monte Video, this gallant officer yielded to no one in zeal and activity; and the duties which fell to the share of the 38th were most important, as the prin cipal batteries were erected by them. When, on the evening of the 2d February, the Commander-inChief, as stated above, assembled the principal officers, and informed them of the desperate nature of the attack which he meditated for the following morning:-"I cannot ensure you success,"

K 2