§ MR. LINDSAYsaid, that he had been requested by the friends of some of the persons on board the transport ship Abeona to ask for an explanation of the circumstances under which that vessel was now at Kingstown.
CAPTAIN VIVIANsaid, he would take that opportunity of asking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the course intended to be pursued with regard to the Army Estimates?
§ MR. P. O'BRIENsaid, he also hoped that the Minister fur War would he able to tell the House what took the Abeona to Kingstown, where she was out of her course.
GENERAL PEELsaid, that the Abeona sailed from Gravesend on the 31st of March, with 750 men on board, for Calcutta. After her departure smallpox broke out on board. In consequence of this occurrence the vessel put back when ninety-six men were landed, and the remainder being free from the disease the vessel was ordered to put to sea again. In order to prevent the possibility of the recurrence of the malady, the vessel was ordered to Kingstown to be inspected by the medical officer there and the Commander in Chief, Lord Seaton. During the voyage to Kingstown two more cases broke out, but it might allay any alarm among the friends of those on board to state that since he had been in the House he had received a telegraphic measure from Dublin Castle, containing the certificate of the Medical Inspector General, who stated that he had inspected the transport ship Abeona, and had examined all on board. He found them all in good health, and free from any appearance of epidemic disease. He added that the vessel was now ready to proceed to sea. In answer to the question of the hon. and gallant Captain, he had to state that, the House having voted the number of men for the army, he did not intend to make any general statement as to the Army Estimates that night, but should merely move a Vote for pay and allowances as a foundation for the proceedings of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in bringing forward the Budget.
§ Motion agreed to; House at rising to adjourn till Monday next.