§ LORD PANMUREsaid, that before the House adjourned, he wished to correct an impression which appeared to have gone abroad, either from what fell from him in that House, or from the statements of his noble Friend (Lord Palmerston) in the House of Commons, with reference to the recall of Sir John Burgoyne. The impression to which he referred was to the effect, that Sir John Burgoyne bad been recalled in consequence of some fault which had been found with him by the Government. His wish was to make it clear that the recall of Sir John Burgoyne from service in the Crimea arose from the fact of a younger officer—General Jones—having been sent out to take the command of the engineers there, and to assist Lord Raglan with scientific advice. The Government had, therefore, thought it advisable to recall Sir John Burgoyne, a man who was now far advanced in years, from the severities of a Crimean winter, and to request him to resume in this country the discharge of those duties which he devolved into other hands when he went out to the army in the East—namely, the Inspector Generalship of Fortifications not only at home but abroad. Therefore, if any impression existed that Sir John Burgoyne had been recalled under any stigma whatever, he trusted that that impression would now be entirely removed from the minds of the public.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEwas extremely glad that his noble Friend had had an opportunity of making so desirable an explanation; because nothing could be more unfortunate than that any impression should go forth that there had been on the part of the Government, or he would say on the part of any one person connected 1738 with it, an opinion formed unfavourable to the character or services of Sir John Burgoyne. He had occasion to know that Sir John Burgoyne had, at the earnest request of the noble Duke lately at the head of the War Department, quitted without hesitation a situation suited to his time of life and past services. It was highly to his credit, looking to his time of life, and to his past services, that he did not hesitate on an emergency to sacrifice and comfort and every other consideration to go out to the Crimea for the purpose of performing temporary but very important duties there. In doing so, Sir John Burgoyne only did that which he had done throughout his whole life—sacrificed his private convenience to the public service. He had done that in a variety of services. He did it in Ireland in a service of a different nature from that to which he had been accustomed; and he acquitted himself there in a way which was worthy of the highest commendation, and which showed that he had the greatest capacity for such an office. Upon every occasion, indeed, he had performed the duties which the country bad a right to expect from him in a manner which. entitled him to the thanks of the public. He was returning home solely for the purpose of resuming a very important function in this country, and there could be no doubt that he would continue to perform his public duties with the same ability, the same zeal, and the same energy which he had hitherto displayed.