The National Register. — London, England, 1822-05-12 00:00:00

42.47 - Satianat it taiti _.. ~, Our ating, eontititution, anti lain 6. No. 1,369.—V0L. XV.] RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSES IN IRELAND. A highly respectable ineelin2 took place at the City of h oo doo Tavern, on Tuesday last, to consider of a general subscription lin the immediate relief of the temporary d sire's prevailing in Ireland. The chair was taken at one o'clock, by T. WILSON, E.q. one of the representatives of the City of London, who stated, its feeling terms, the objects for which the uteeting had been called, and pointed out the claims which I reland, as a part of the British nation, had upon our benevolence. He remarked that some surprise might be felt at private individuals turning their avention to this interesting subject, when government, in the course of the proceedings in the House of Commons, had pledged themselves to afford considerable aid towards the diminution of the miseries which preva,led. He had 10 irate, however, that a communication had taken place with his Majesty's ministers on the subject, 31111 that so far from their obj , :cting to this course, it had their svarinvst approbation. Air. Itowc orr begged to correct an error into which the worthy chairman had fallen. No such con • cation had taken place, and that had transpired with those gentlemen on this subject, was the receipt of let ters at a late hour last night, from the Earl of Liverpool, Mr. Peel, the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, and Mr. Vainittart, enclosing their individual snbscriptions of Vonl. each. Several gentlemen read letters from Ireland, describ ing the sufferings of the peasantry in terms the most appalling. One letter from the County of Clare said, it was lint distress, but starvation, the people in that part of the country suffered upwards of 2(10.000 were with out Jtt y means of support, and double that number had but one meal iii the 24 hours!l.--'1 he typhus fever was appeartug, and unless assistance be immediately scut, pot deuce most be the inevitable consequence. A 1110t1011 . was made, and carried by acclamation, that a subscription he immediately entered into for the relief of the present distress in Ireland. It was next moved, and carried in the same manner, that a committee be formed to attend to the collection, and applicatiod of the subscription, and the following were elected members of the committee : Thomas Wilson, esq. M.P. Thomas HAMM idge, esq. Thomas Reid, esq. John limes. esq. M.P. M. AIR% uoil, esti. M.P. E.iward Ellice, esq. M.P. J. Thompson, esq. M.P. add. C. H. Turner, rsq. Lord Bishop of Norwich Hi. lion. Charles Giant Hi. Grace the Archbishop of Canterhory Rt. lion. the Lora Mayor Mr. Alderman Brown Mr. Alike man Gan alt It. H. Marten, esq. Sir Charles Flower, bart. Earl of Blessingion Rt. Hon. H. Goulhoorn Sir E‘lward O'Brien Itnitert Steven, esq. 3. H. Tritiois, esq. Simnel Busaliquel,esq. N. M. esq. Spring Rice. esg. M.P. ilia Cir. the D. of Devonshire Lord Mountelixries Laid Bishop of Oxford Kir Thomas Richardson, esq. Steven E. Rice, esti. David liarela%, rig. J. Consist's, esq. 11101114 b Roue' oft, esti. Laid Fitzgerald hi. lion. J. C. Villiers Sir R. %V tgram, bat t. triaries A. Talk, esq. Benjamin nava..., esq. filargni.sConyughana J. Petty Muspratt, esq. Mr. ItowcauFr said, that a lady, who would not aliow her name to he mentioned, had char.ered a vessel, and was sending forty tons of llotaloe3 a nd twelve twos or oatmeal to Ireland. (Great applause ) He had that morning received a letter from Bristol, saying that the example of London was so be ininsedintely followed there by entering into a subscription (or the relict of ire. 1.. n.l ; and lie had received letters from Liverpool and G.asgow, which said they were only waiting the example Luirinit to begin. Indeed he was convinced all parts of cus I,lJutl would unite in it —(Great applause.) Mr. NIAHON Sititl, he could not, as all Irishman, sup lirk.st the ex pre,sioti of his licattielt gratitude for the solelllll4l Kelle htgore hint. 11 ben it sttould be knows; Ireland how deeply the people of Eitgland felt fur her i.istress, it would c xchte all her gratitude, and attach her to this country in bonds of tile dearest affection for ever. Toe Earl of Iltessitro Cos ;aid, although he haul Ito authority to state hi, yet tie knew the fact, that the Marquis nt'llertlord bad sent 3001. to Nlessrs. Coons fur the relief of Ireland. (Great applause.) Mr. SPittliG Hick said, a few days since he haul 'T een ed au anonymous letter enclosin 6 2001. for the reltcl of Irelauu. (llear, hear.) He was rrsuaded this great is irk of benevolence would attach and cement the hearts of the people of Ireland and England fur ever. As i‘e had been appointed a member of the committee, he %Mild give the best assistance in his power, although he could almost wish that the whole management of the fund should be left to the generous English. S.r EDWARD O'BRIEN it might possibly be sop. Powti by %time that he had exasgerated the distress of Ireland to the statement he had made in the House of Commons, but lie was convinced lie had not gone to the txtent of it. 'floe hunt. lit • read extracts fr some Liters lie had recently received front theCouuty of Clare. (inc of them, dated April 28. said, " Since you left the country, wain and misery hate made rapid progress—in many instances the seed has been taken out of tile ground tool eaten ; and instead of getting any rent (min to) tenants, l sun obliged to distribute lily Oati ammiast to try and keep theta from starving I Our sub• SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1822. scription here timoutsts to 3,. ~ and our derendruce now is on Gm-eminent." A. . • letter said, " The distress here is beyond all desert, a—starvation is seen every where—all the property .: resident gentry hare would be but a drop in the sea n h the relief of sot mi. sery as ours. I wish I could tae my family from wit. 'teasing the wretched scene." The hon. ban. said, he would be happy to leave the whole management of the fund to the benevolent Englishmen who had come fur. ward for the relief of Ireland. but Irishmen could give local information, which made it expedient that some of them should attend the committee. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Itowcaorr read the list of subscriptions, which was received with great applause. The Earl of BLEsstsoroia put a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was passed by acclamation. The committee then retired to make their arrange. moms. „6641., MO her . leec*ion—sta real a .tdtr 1 • . 1 :1 !tie.” :The the wt - • IMMOLATION IN CHINA, •••1=1•••.• It is well known that the Chinese pursue the principle of' an " eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" to the very letter, and though the English have nobly withstood on all occasions the demands made fur the delivering up the persons of those who have unintentionally caused the death of a Chinese, knowing that the unfortunate victim would be murdered by them, yet the Americans appear to have had less firmness as will be seen from the sub- sequent relation. A short time ago a rumour was current that some disturbance had taken place be tween the Americans and the Chinese, of the same nature es has two or three times taken place between the Engish and the Chinese, on the allegations of murder, or some other charge. The charges against the English sailors have usually been of the most vague and frivolous nature, and intended more as a means of exacting money, than on any belief that that the crimes had been committed. The firmness of the Company's officers has on every occasion re sisted those attempts to impose, and the best results have followed ; but the conduct of the Americans on the late occasion, is likely, in the opinion of those best acquainted with the character of the Chinese, to threaten very serious evils to the English and other Europeans at a future time. We believe the following to be the most correct account of the affair : The circumstances of the alleged murder of the Chinese wo. man, and the trial and subsequent execution of the unfortunate American seaman, were so different!, ieported birth by the Chinese and the Americans, that it was difficult to ascertain the truth ; but it was generally believed that the following was the most correct account :--k seaman, a native of Italy, then acting second officer on board the American vend, observing a woman hand some sums() (spirits) into one of the ports of the ship, threw a small stone jar at net, which struck her on one of the temples. The women, either stunned by the blow, fell overboard and im mediately sunk, or fell overboard in consequence of the pin, on which the oar was fastened, breaking on her pulling away from the ships; both accounts are given. bile ems fourul mat morn ing at some distance fmu the ship, with a small wound, as the Chines:. asserted, on one of the temples, but stated by die Ame ricans to have been made by the Chinese alter she was found drowned, but without any injury of the skull. The family to which the %%omen belonged threatened, next morning, to represent the alleged murder to the Ciiinese authorities, and to demand the murderer to be given up for trial, but at the same time gave them to understand, that all would be flushed over if the Atue. ricans would give them Unee or four hundred dollars. This was refused, and, on sonic of the inferior Manderilis getting notice of it, the demand was increased to as many thousand dollars. The Americans still refusing to pay this douceur of bribe, (as the unfortunate man had nu money,) although they were aware that the at was taking a serious tore, the Mandarins at Canton were informed of it. who immediately demanded the man for trial. All trade with the American "chips in t h e Canton river was immediately stopped. The Americans at hest steadily refused to give the man up, and the Chinese came to the molution of trying the 11134 on board his own ship, to which the Ameticans consented. During t! e mock trial, not one witness was examined for the defendant, and the Chinese also refined aulmittance to Dr. Nlonison, who volun• teered his services as interpreter at the trial. The lIMII was of course found guilty by such a tribunal, and it was now mare iesisted on that he should be given up. It war likewise demanded that lie should be confined in irons, which was complied with.— About a week afterwards the Americans began to waver, and et last it was agreed on that he should he given up Mr a scan trial at Canton, which was said would be public and fairly con. ducted, with examination of witnesses tor and against the pr.- soner. The tnan was accordingly taken out of the ship by a won.; party of Catneac soldiers, and conveyed to Can:Yi, where. a tew days afterwards, the trial took place. Daring the mock trial, not an Ametican or any person on the man's law was present. A body of Captains and officers of the lion. Comp:..l)'s ships went to th Chinchwo or Court-house, and dent:ma-I aMtittance, in ordcr to see justice done to the unfortunate man. but they w. r.: refused it, on the plea that as the plisoner was an Ant.ri,:an it was no ntEtir of theirs an Englishmen. It is understood from same of rho Chinese who were present, that after a tew questions put to the poor nuoiland the Minutia tine of two witnesses, they produced a pope gwhich they advised hhn to sign by imprinting the mark of his open hand upon t., with red ink. They tepreAcated to Nat that it was merely a statement of the trial, which-m.4v, be sent to Pekin fur inspec tion, before they coula j prtreeed further, ant: that it wAs . linety, on its bring sent. and '31% answer tetartual, lie would be laltUe• thAtely actiutttel. _ S , . . . •; Pluck- Old. The unfortunate man, surrounded with strangers, without any other advice. and put off' his guard by the fair promises of a security merchant of high rank, and two China street merchants who acted as interpreters, and who pretended to be his friends, imprinted his hand upon the paper. All further proceedings were. immediately stopped. It was a confession of his guilt. which was immediately forwarded to Pekin, and completely aoreapi• the Vicerov and 'Mandarins, in the event of any disturbance with the American Government. The poor man, still ignorant of his fate, was taken back to prison; and according to the Chinese custom, his irons were taken off, and he had plenty to eat and drink. From the flattering assurances nf•the Chinese. and this kindness, he hoped to be liberated in a few days. On the 4th or fifth day after the trial, about four o'clock in the morning, the security and China Street merchants, who attenshat him on his trial. visited him and told him that they bad heard from Pekin. anti that it was necessary he should go into the city, in order to hear the contents of the destistchtes, not alluding in the most distant way to their purport. The unfortunate man, in high hopes of being won liberated, cheerfully obeyed. He was taken into the heart frif the city in a sedan chair, attended by the merchants ' and put into a room, where he was told he must re main a short time. Soon after, some Chinese soldiers entered and took him out at another door ; and the first intimation he had of his cruel fate, was the executioner and implements of death before him, and the heads of decapitated Chinese hung round a kind of square crowded with spectators. He uttered a yell of despair, raised his hands to heaven, and was understood to protest his innocence and to implore the sight of an European or American--(perhaps the priest, as he was a Roman Catholic. and had previously, when on board ship, seen the Chaplain of the Imperial frigate, then lying in Whampoa reach.) The executioner paid no attention to his cries, but immediately proceeded to strangle him according to the usual horrid way directed by the Chinese law. Hopes were first tied round his ancles and wrists, and then gradually round the more vital and sensible pans ; and finalist round the neck, until he expired by a languishing and cruel death. His body was next dny given up to the American!, who buried hint on Dane's Island. The something worse than indifferent conduct of the Ameri can Consul and Captains of the 30 ships then in the river, was considered highly blameable throng:lout the whole proecalings, in leaving the man to his fate in that manner, and the afi:ar was concluded with an act of glaring inconsistency on their pert. It was ordered that the remains of the unfortunate man whom they had neglected to see justice done tn. should the buried with all the honours of an officer. and the funeral was accordingly very numerously attended. This amounted to a confession that lie had suffered innocently; for they could never think of showing such attention to the funeral of a murderer. ft was at one time understood at Canton. that the man was found innocent by a trial that took place among the American captair.s, and at that time they were firmly resolved to resist the Chinese in their de mands ; but their conduct proved different, and it was generally believed they acted from pusillanimity an I interested motives.— The security merchant for the ship owed the American a very considerable sum of money, and it' the man had not beep given up. lie would have been an severely tnulcted, as to endanger his credit, and probably so as to strip him of every part of leis p-n -perty. There was likewise no other prospect of the trade being speedily opened, and that the Americans very likely began to feel individually so much, as to overcome their national feelings, as well as their feelings of humanity. Their conduct and the termination of the affair may lead to very serious consequences the event of any future affair of the kind happening, as has before happened. with seamen of Engli-h or any other country. The insolence of the Chinese towards It umpeans of every country was much increased by the manner they had treated the poor man ; and the English supercargoes were seriously afraid some fray would happen betwixt them and the English sailors. whose hatred towards them, after the execution of the American, rose in proportion to their insolence. The Prince and Princess of Denmark are to have apartments assigned to them in the King's cottage, it: Windsor Park, or in Cumberland Lodge, which is contiguous to it, during the Ascot Heath races ; and in case the young Princess should accompany her brother to England, Mr. Nash will resign that part of the lodge, occupied by him at present, for the accommodation of the Royal visitors. The Ladies of the parish of Camberwell have landably opened a subscription amom , ticmvelv%.s, their children, and their servants (which in no instance is to exceed 2s. 61. but admits the smallest donations), in aid of the larger one at Lloyd's Coffee-hoas?, for the relief of the distresses in Ire land, and they have already collected a considerable sum. It is nothing but right that their generous ' example should b.! made as public as possible, and we hope that it will stimulate the ladies of Great Britain in general to exert themse.ves in a similar • manrer in their own families and neighbourhoods. DEATH or lIIS GRACE THE ARCHBISItor Or d, on Monday evening last, the Gth inst., in Rutland-square, Dublin, at a quarter pass eight o'clock, Ilk Grace the Right Hon. and Hun. Charles Brodrick, D.l). Lord Archbishop of Cashel, Primate of Munster, URI Lard Bishop of E m ly.— His Gr c' was translated to the Archprelacy in 1801. FL was consecrated Bishop of Clonfert in 1793, and Bishop of Kilmore in the succeeding year. His Grace was brother to Lord Viecount Midleton, was a Commissioner of the Mani of Education, a Treasurer to the Board of First Fruits, and a Vice President of the Society f:r discountenancing Vice. The freeedom of the Corporation of Nottingham has Wen voted to Joseph Hume, Etq. M. P. • • i ttr•