The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-03-30 00:00:00

BIBI,E SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting of the Pancras and Bloornsbney Bible s iv iety took place at the FreammioneTavern yesterday. Mr. Charles Grant. FL P. took the chair, at about half-past one. The CHAIRMAN said that the first thing he should submit to the 3freting would be the report, which he felt plasm in saying mewl be found highly eatisfacory. The report was then read. It appeared that this Society had been established for thirteen years ; that front the retrial of its com mencement it had been on the increase ; that during the last year the number of subscribers had advanced 1114, and P had distributed 1.260 Bibles, which. added to the number before disposed of, made I I , MI ; that its expenses had been for this period 6251. sw, making, from its commencement, 0.11:11. That there was now a balance in the Tressuret's hands of 10s. ; that Ladies had, with considerable MIMIC established several Branch Societies: and that all the corn. plaint the officers of the Society had to make was, the di ffi culty e eperienced in procuring a su ffi cient number of callectoes. 600E 1 NEVILLE rose to propose that the report be received, sad ordered to be printed under the direction of the Committee. He had tin doubt but that collectors would be obtained, now the inconvenient resulting from the want of them wan made known. He was N ee none would hold hack, ur.der the impression that it was an unimportant office. Those employed in the cause of Chris. tianity were upon an equal footing, notwithstanding any difference which might tent in the nature of their labours. (Hear.) It gave him pleasure to sec so large an assemblage of persons as that before him, who were not ashamed, even in these • enlightened" times, to own their allegiance to Christ. and whose professed object was the advancement of holy truth. He considered these alnual meet. dogs as highly useful; they brought the Society together; ac. gummed them with the progress they had made, end stimulated to fresh exertions. Then, too, individual , present for the first time might be induced. by 'cumin/ the importance of the objects they bad in view, to join and assist in their promotion. The Rev. Dr. PINCIIERTON !leant with great pleasure the statements contained in the report, and was particularly wail to ob. serve that the deficiency of collectors was not general. He was en. abled to state that the continental societies had made considerable advancement. In Hanover. Dresden, and Berlin, they had ob. mined die sanction of the government to make collections each year; and at the last named place particularly, they had been au. thorisol to make their futurecellectums without having to apply to the government felon time to time for a renewal of permission. (A p. please.) He had no fear of the Bible Societies falling into decay— they possessed an energy peculiar to thernselves,which must uphold them--but he was in favour of meetings like the present, because they were calculated to bring greater labour into the field. They had met with some opposition, but this had rather tended to the ad. vancement of their objects than to obstruct them. In Constan tinople an hostile decree had teen issued, and the result was, that last year 7.000 copies of the Bible had been disposed of, which was 1,000 more than during the year preceding. He concluded with seconding the resolution, which wits pat and carried unanimously. The Rev. A. linAwn•Am was glad to observe the nteeting much more numerous than it had been on any previous occasion. They should not relax in thci• efforts ; so long as guilt had existence, or they ventured to entertain a hope of eternity, their labours should be without cessation. From a communication which had been re ceived from the Rev. Armstrong, it appeared there was a great increase in the demand for Bibles at Buenos Ayres. It had given him pest pleasure to observe the progress of a subscription for the advancement of religious instruction in the East. In an advertise tisement he had seen, it was announced that 5.0001. had already been subscribed, and of this sum the late venerable, benevolent. and much lamented Bishop of Durham had contributed 1,0001. This Right R d Prelate had always been conspicuous for his beneficence. In his own diocese, and its vicinity, his name appears attached to all the societies which had for their object the moral improvement and happiness of man. In Constantinople, as in. formed by the Rev Mr. Leeds, the Bible had been much sought after by the Jews. One, a merchant, bought 50 copies of the Old and New Testament, for the purpose. as he said, of sending them into the interior, that his bre:hren might compare them. It was to be understood these Bibles were always sold at a rate so reduced, that the Society', in point of fact, lost by them , and were obliged, out of the funds, to make good the deficiency. This lie thought a sufficient answer to those who might insinuate that their object was profit—a base temporal gain. The circulation of the Bible in Con stantinople had produced such a sensation, that he was informed one of the Rabbis had undertaken a refutation of the New Testa ment : with what suc-see. however, was not ascertained. The Rev. Hentleman concluded with moving a resolution, expressive of the gratitude of the Society to the Ladies of the Branch Societies for their exertions, and of a desire for a continuance of their zealous support. 7%e Rev. 31r. SMART. from Canada, seconded it. He thought it incumbent on the Society, when they recollected the number of English, Irish. rod Scotch. constantly emigrating to America, to secure the free circulation of the Bible in thew parts. The resolution was then pot and carried. The Rev. D. Wt LSON proposed the next resolution, which had reference to the general objects of the Society. The Her. Gent. ob. served, that other Societies had a specific object, and could gene rally calculate the prettise amount of good they effected. But this was widely different: it would be difficult, in fact, to calculate the good wlikh might result from the circulation of only one Bible. If, then, they could not a►certain where the benefit would end, let them look to the reverse of this, and imagine where the evil would conclude which might result from their relaxing in their efforts. The Rev. G. PHILLIPS seconded the resolution, and related some anecdotes, showing the ignorant state of the negroes. The resolution was then put and carried. The Rev. A. EVA xsox moved a vote of thanks to the Secrets. tits who had withdrawn from the Society, and to the President and Viet-Presidents. filr. J. WEBSTER seconded the motion, which was agreed to. After which, Dr. WINTER returned thanks on the part of the Secretaries for the honour conferred on them. The Rev. Mr. RETbON then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. J. Thornton. Mr. GIANT rose to acknowledge the honour just conferred on him. He had felt himself called on to be present at this Annual Meeting by many feelings and recollections. It was most satisfac tory to observe the Society increased in strength every year. They were united not only by their feelings but by principle, by feelings of the deepest nature, and by principles of the most imperious obli gation. He most heartily concurred with the united tribute of gra. titudc expressed to those whose labours had supplied the means of proceeding in the important objects they had in view. Their vier none became now doubly needful, That revolution of mind, the progreu in information of the people of the kingdom, the efforts made foe the diffusion of the blessings of science amongst the lowest, that hitherto most regtected class, showed that society was now but in its infancy. While intelligence was thus on its march, none could remain neutral. The foundation of civil society would undergo an entire change--prejudice and blinded ignorance might foe a while dread the innovation ; but their fears would 1 , eventually be dissipated, and the true lover of his country, and the really loyal, would rejoice in the possession of a more sub stantial security than any it could at present boast. lle hailed with gladness the diffusion of knowledge which marked the pre sent day. An appeal was now made to the reason, to the intel lect of man; snit all he desired was that they shou ld not awaken its powers without supplying what was necessary to maintain it in Its proiressive splendour. He would fortify their minds with sense ; he would strengthen them, and place within their grasp the arms of reason ; but while lie thus ctrthed them in intellectual armour, he would temner it with that spirit which is derived from Heaven. (Cheers.) Yes, he would have truth not only shed its lustre upon the mountain or the palace, but in the valley also, upon the cottage Of the humble. He would " Have Hesv'n above its portals wide display, " And break upon them in a Mood of day." (Cheers.) He had said he approved of the advance of knowledge ; but there was a knowledge—he meant an acquaintance with justice and mercy —of a higher and nobler nature than that acquired in the schools of the mechanic or the metaphysician. This to which he allud d was taught by sufferings, the despondency resulting from which it was calculated to relieve. They might talk of the capacity of man, hot let them not forget his capacity to suffer ; they might boast of his faculties, but let them remember his faculty of remorse. Of what advantage was science or mechanical im. P.mytment to him, conscious of guilt ?—to ',him, kneeling be side his grave? —to him, trembling at the approach of the still step of death ?—not on the last bed of sickness only, when his faculties were paralysed, but when dissolution bad marked his victim, and anticipation slowly prepared the way to the dark, cold, and narrow house? These were the sufferings which but one species of knowledge could alleviate. Its importance all must feel ; let them seek it and cherish it, The lion. Chairman concluded amidst cheers. The meeting separated about five o'clock. There was a numerous and depot assemblage of lathes. • Tux Racer Annecrtow.—One of the parties said to be implicated in the abduction of Miss Turner is in custody. It is Mr. Wakefield, brother to the principal. Information, it seems, had been formally lodged upon oath before the Magistrates of Lancaster, against all the parties accused, and they in conse quence issued their warrants for their apprehension. On Monday last these warrants arrived in London. and were indorsed by Sir 11. Bernie, who is in the commission of the peace for Kent, and trans mitted to Dover, where Taunton, the officer, was waiting to re ceive and execute them, if opportunity should serve. Taunton had left Paris some days before, having conceived a notion that if he left France the parties would be likely to return to England. A hint had been given that pressing business rendered the presence of one or two of them here necessary. On Tuesday Mr. Wakefield, jun. landed at Dover, and was taken into custody by Taunton, on a warrant in which he stood charged with aiding and abetting in the abduction of Mies Turner. the servant, who also assisted, was hourly expected, and Taunton was awaiting his arrival with his Prisoner. safe. DFETI:CTIVE FS/E. — Early yesterday morning a fire broke out in the haute No. 17, IVardstnn-crescent, which com pletely destroyed the whole of that tenement, anti the greater part or No. Ili, adjoining. From the distance from town, a consider'. lie time eloped before an alarm could be given, and the engines cfinveyed to the spot. The water of Leith running close by the back ( *the Crescent, an abundant supply o f water was afforde d; but the Hung had attained such strength before the firemen arrived, that they were not subdued until the two lodgings above mentioned were burnt down. Very little of the furniture or plate was, we under stand, saved. One of the firemen, we hear, was seriously hurt by eh engine being hurled over his body, and another slightly, by *W C falling mettrials.—Cdedunian Illcreury, .lla)ch 27. LIVERPOOL CORN-RXCIIANOE, MARCH 28. Having had a prevalence of contra' are very smell of all emir. The ma *lmplied ; and although bovines! ha It har been at at advance of N. a 3d. Beam, Malt, and Malting Harley. I Wheat *ere offered by auction to.dm per 711 !b., not more than 3v. M. bele GIL winds during the week, the arrivals rket to-day hue been therefore barely stern done to a very limited extent. . on Wheat, Id. on Oats, and la. on 12,000 bu.hele Dentate and RoKtock ty in bond, but were withdrawn at 4.. tia offered. :AIN. Plow per 290th. P. d. s. el. Pnglish 49 0 a 52 0 Irkh 45 0 51 0 Dantsior ltl 0 20 0 American per bd..... 22 0 24 0 Canada, duty paid 0 32 0 Oatmeal per 2101 b. Entlish 3O 0 31 0 Irian 24 0 30 0 Perm per Imp. Qr. F.nglish, White 46 0 62 0 Gray 28 0 AS 0 Foreign 47 0 63 0 Brans. English 0 4+3 0 Irish 32 0 46 0 Rapeseed per Last. Irish 201.0 211. 0 Indian Corn ,Amerl._ can) per Imp. 4.1r..40 0 42 0 TON 2IST TO TIM 27T111 or 111411 CM thIVN. Buns. Quarters Coastwise Oatmeal, Loads. Jreland 123 Coastwise 4 Total Flour, flacks. ___ Iretand ..... Coastways Wheat per 701%. s. d. d. English and Scotch $ 9a I 0 3 Canada, free 6 9 8 9 Foreign, free Foreign. In bond Oats, per 451 h. English and Scotch Irish ...... 3 2 3 ti Foreign to bond... Barley Malting, per Imp. Qr. 36 0 3R 0 I:dealing, per WM 4 U 5 Foreign, duty free, per 60th 0 0 0 0 Rye per Imp. Qr. English awl Foreign.. .10 0 44 0 Mgt per - Imp. Qr. Enwlish ...... U 0 0 131.11 IMPORTIO INTO LI MMMMM OL /WON INCLIJ *beak Quintets. Ireland Coutarlire Oats, Quszters. __ ._ Ireland .... Cuablwlee .. Total 45.38 ilariey, (tastier.. Coastwise .... .......... 912 Foreign 590 Total 1602 Total ..... 287 ...x~ .... IX POITID. roar (barrels) ...... THE ARMY. . 156 .4W The Ist and 24 Divisions of the 9th Regiment of Light Dragoons Lancers) have arrived at Portpatrick, from Donagbadee, on route to Glasgow. The Ist Division of the Kth (the King's) Regiment of Foot dimmbarked on the 20th lost., from on board the Diadem transport, at Greenock, from Plymouth, on route to Glasgow. 'llw Sth (the Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Regiment of Dragoon Guards has received orders to march from Glasgow, to Carlisle ; one Squadron of which Corp. will subsequently be ordered to Newcastle, and two Squadrons and Head-Quarters to York. One Squadron of tha fith Regiment of Dragoon Guards (Carahlneers) has received orders to march from Edinburgh to Berwick, and to proceed from :Gene, to Canterbury. The Ist Division of the 6.34 (West Suffolk) Regiment of Infantry (which Is destined for Sew South Wale•; .ailed on the 21st Inst., on board the Hope transport, from ('ork, for Chatham. THE AMERICAN FUR AND SANDAL (FOOD TRADE. The Report of the Select Committee in Congress, on the cub. ject of establishing a military post on the Columbia river, is a very interesting document. Their tiro inquiries are directed to the nature of the climate; and they tind, trom the observations of d , fferent navigators and travellers, that it is temperate, pleasant, healthy, though at certain seasons subject to frequent rain along the sea coast. Between the mountainous ridge near the ocean, and the chain of mountains which crosses the Oregon, lies the rich valley of Columbia, which is represented as a feriae and delightful country. shaded by thick groves of tall timber. The soil is rich, and capable of any species of culture. _ . With respect to the advantages to be derived from establishing a post on the waters of the Columbia, the Committee consider the fur trade an an object of great consequence, both to the mercantile community and to the Government, as a source of revenue. This region is known to abound with animals whose furs are very valu. able, and particularly suitable for the China market. It is obvious, say the Committee, that, at no very distant period, all the valu able fur-producing animals east of the Rocky Mountains will either be driven west or exterminated. Even now, the beaver is almost extinct. It is well worth consideration, whether prompt measures ought not to be adopted to prevent foreigners from enjoy. ing an almost exclusive monopoly of this almost invaluable trade within our own limits ; and a total monopoly it must become when ever these animals shall find their only shelter in the vast forests near the Pacific Ocean, unless the ptotecting arm of Government be extended to that region. In connexion with the fur trade, say the Committee, the trade in the sandal wood of the Sandwich Islands, always in demand at Canton, must be taken into consideration : this with ginseng, which grows in profusion on the coast, opium, copper, and specie, are the only articles with which trade can be transacte d in that city. " In 1801, sixteen ships were engaged in the traffic, fifteen of which were owned in the United States, and one in Great Britain. Eighteen thousand sea otter skins, besides other furs, were collected for the China market. in that yea!, by the American vessels alone." " In 1822, there were fourteen vessels from the United States engaged in this trade. combined with that to the Sandwich Islands for sandal wood. These vessels were from 200 to 400 tons each: crews from 25 to 30 each, and the duration of the voyage usually three years." The usual course of this trade is a voyage to the North-west Coast, where a part of the cargo is exchanged for furs; then to the Sand. with Islands, where the lading is completed with sandal wood ; then to Canton, where this cargo is exchanged for tea, &c. The value at Canton of furs, sandal wood, and other articles carried thither in 1821, by American vessels, from this coast, is es timated by the writer at 500,000 dollars in that market ; and this was an under estimate. The capital employed comparatively nothing. Since that time it is presumed that the trade has not been less. The Committee entertain no doubt that, on the lowest estimate, founded on an accurate statement, the amount of annual sales at Canton of articles from the north-west coast and Sandwich Islands are equal to half a million of dollars, after deducting the original outfit of each vessel ; kir it is well known, that the cargoes which are taken from America to this coast are generally the refuse of the hardware shops, and, comparatively speaking, of very little value. The proceeds of the sales are generally invested in teas, the du. ties on which, we learn from the best authority, are, on an average, equal to the original cost of the article in the Chinese market ; giving to the revenue the annual sum of five hundred thousand , dollars; and an advance to the owners in the American market. "Phis trade is to be considered in another point of view : much of the tea is reshipped to Ilolland, to the Mediterranean, to the West Indies, South America, and elsewhere, giving activity to other important branches of trade, employment to sailors, freight to ship. owners. returning to our market other articles, productive both of profit and of revenue. The history of this trade, when understood, will furnish a partial solution of a problem in political economy. Notwithstanding the apparent advance of' the nation in wealth and prosperity, a national bank. ruptcy was apprehended, because the books of the Custom. houses exhibited an alarming excess of imports over exports. It was apprehended, and apparently with wine show of reason, that the excess of importations would eventually produce a ruinous balance against the United States. Yet, upon examination, it will be easily discovered that the return of 1,000.000 in the productions of China, as an offset against a trifling export, instead of indicating an extravagant and ruinous excess of importations, demonstrates the immense profits of trade and navigation on this coast. It will easily be seen, that the continuance of this trade for thirty yews, (and it has been pursued for a longer period,) has added 15,000,000 dollars to the actual capital of the country, besides paying to the , revenue 15.000,000 more. _ ..._._. The report then goes on to describe and enumerate the unde ye loped capacities of this region on the North-west Coast for trade, and the anticipated advantages of it are depicted in very glowing colours. These advantages, say the Committee, great as they now are, will be trifling, in comparison to what they will be, whenever a water communication between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through the Isthmus, dividing North and South America, shall have been effected. Of the practicability of this communication there is no doubt. If Humboldt is to he believed, the expense at one place would not exceed that of the Delaware and Chesapeake canal. Should it be accomplished, a revolution in commerce will be ef. fected, greater than any since the discovery of America ; by which both the power and the objects of its actions will be more than doubled. The Indian commerce of Europe will pass through America, and more commercial wealth will be borne upon the ample bosom of the Pacific, than ever was wafted over the waves of the Atlantic, in the proudest days of the commercial greatness of Spain. Portugal, France, Holland, and England. If it were given to a civilized, commercial, and manuf a ct ur i ng people " where to choose their place of rest," the world affords no position equal to this, and it requires no prophetic spirit to foresee the wealth and grandeur of that fortunate race, whose happy des tiny shall have placed their ancestors in this beautiful region. Ave, MARCH 21.—A most distressing accident occurred this morning at the coal-pit lately opened by Mr. Taylor, at the Bell Rock quarry, opposite Prestwick toll, by . chick three men lost their lives, and five have been materially Injured. This pit has only been wrought about three weeks. The men who first came to go down this morning were doubtful as to their safety, and sent for William Pride, an experienced collier, in order that his opinion might be taken. Pride arrived along with Mr. Gordon, a nephew of 31r. Taylor's, and who acted as a master or inspector of the works, and it was resolved to go down. John Dunlop and W. Smellie went first down, Pride and 31r. Gordon next, and after them Joseph Ewing and John Bice. Two boys were standing et the pit head waiting the rtuen of the creel to go down, when a dreadful explosion took place, which burst the building at the pit head and drove the two boys to the ground at the distance of eight or ten yards from where they stood. ln about 10 or 13 minutes a cry was heard from below, and upon going down, Gordon, Smellie. and Rice. were found in a senseless state. William Pride was able to speak, Ewing and Dunlop were dead, and Pride ex. Aired a few minutes after he wan brought up, These unfortunate men have all left wives and children to bewail their loss. We are happy to state that no fears are entertained for the recovery of the Others. ASSIZE IN7'ELLIGEIVCE. NORTHERN CIRCUIT.-YOl Z, MARCH 28. WRIT OF RIGHT. ANGEL V. ANGEL. This morning, as early as seven o'clock, attempts were made to obtain admittance at the Castle gates. Orders, however, having been issued that none were to be admitted to the Magistrates' seats, without an introductory note from the Under Sheriff, but few persons obtained seats, and these gentlemen of some rank and im portance in the au n ty, with •• Store of ladies, whose bright eyes Reign influence." Those who had not the good fortune to obtain a ticket, waited with great anxiety until the trumpeters announcedbis Lordship's arrival, when the doors were thrown open. No sooner had his Lordship taken his seal upon the Rencn. than it was understood the cause of their great anxiety was put off or, to use the technical phrase of the law—the record was withdrawn. Curiosity was then on the tip.toe to learn the reason, when it was buzzed about that, in consesuence of the illness of a material wit ness (on the part, we understand, of the demandant), his Ma jesty's Attorney-General advised the postponement of the cause until the next Assizes. Sir John soon afterwards proceeded to London. The retainer and brief fees, we have heard, were 600 guineas. The property in question is worth about 6.000/. per annum. We observed one of the Knights (Capt. Price) in Court, dressed in a blue coat and buff waistcoat and trowsers, and sword attached. It has been a great disappointment to many, and particularly to the fair sex, ever on the look out for something novel. THE BRITISH PRESS. WAKEFIELD SOKE. Sir Edward Dods;oith,llart., Godfrey Wentworth, Esq., Sir Wm. Pilkington, Hart., and Joze Luis Fernandez, plaintiffs; v. Ingham. defendant. Second issue against George Haigh, David Luilly, Joseph Rhodes. and Henry Lund, defendants. For the plaintiffs, Messrs. SCAR LETT, MAUDE. TINDAL, and HERWOOD ; for the defendants, Aleuts. BROUGHAM, PARKE, HinsERT, and ALExaxnen. . . . This tri;llhas occupied the Court two entire days, without the defendant calling any witnesses; and it is considered a question of great local importance to this county, although to the public at large of no general interest. It was an action upon assigned issue, directed out of the Dachy Court of Lancaster, to try whether the plaintiffs had or hadnot, by virtue of the privileges annexed to certain ancient mills, in their possession, an exclusive right to have ground at their mills all corn that should be used within the township of Wakefield, and the question to try was, whether corn might be legally ground within the township of Wakefield, at any other mill than the old Soke mill. The plaintiffs, it seems, derive their title from the Saville fa mily, to whom the Crown had granted those coke mills in the reign of James 1. which grant was confirmed by Oliver Cromwell. The Crown in those ancient times had considerable estates in the neigh bourhood of Wakefield, and when it granted those mills to the Sa , rifle family, it granted all the privileges enjoyed by coke mills. These were originally granted for the reciprocal advantage of the Lord of the Manor and of his tenants; the Lord being bound to keep the mills in repair, for the benefit of the tenants ; and the tenants to grind their corn exclusively at the mills, when they were in con dition to grind it. The general known privileges of ancient mills, hstl been declared by two solemn decisions of the Duchy Court of Lancaster, before whom this question has been several times agi tated. The last of these decrees was in 1761, when other mills were erected within the township of Wakefield. The first piece of documentary evidence produced was the charter of King James to certain trustees, on behalf of Sir George Saville. The second, a writ of the Duchy of Lancaster, in the year 1610, to do suit and service to the ancient Soke Mills. After which the decree of 1761 was read, ordaining, that no inhabitant of Wakefield should spend, sell, or utter, in their ,dwelling-houses, any grain not ground at the ancient Soke Mills. After a great number of witnesses had been examined. 3lr. Iliwt:c lIA sr rose to reply, and, in a speech which lasted upwards of two hours, said, he should call no witnesses, but re minded them, that already six hundred pounds had been expended in a tavern bill on one side only of the question, and (iod only knew where the expenses would end. As regarded King James, he thought the least said of him the best. Mr. Brougham con tended that nothing short of proof absolute should satisfy them that those mills had been erected for the purpose of grinding corn, to be consumed only within the Township of Wakefield, and act for the purpose of its being sent to places out of the manor. His LORDSHIP said, that the main question for the considera tion of the Jury was, whether all the inhabitants were bound to do suit at the one set of mills or the other, and after expounding the law at great length, left it to the Jury to tsar what they believed to be the ancient custom, and to return a verdict accordingly. The Jury, at six o'clock. retired to consider their verdict; and which, at half-past two o'clock, when the mail left for London, they had not returned. GUILDHALL, FOR THE CITY_. Before the Bon. Mr. Baron Ilum.ocK, the Loan MaYon, and • Bench of Magistrates. Michael Bell, a young man of extrema" gentlemanly deport. meet, was put to the bar, charged on the Coroner's Inquest with manslaughter. The following is • brief maim of the code : The prisoner and the deceased, it appeared, were acquainted with each other. On a particular evening the prisoner and the deceased, (with some other persons in company) were passing up some of the streets of York, when the deceased hallooed out to the prisoner, " You black —, where are you going ?" which offending the prisoner, a quarrel ensued, and the prisoner (who had a stick in his hand) struek the deceased on the head, and inflicted a wound, of which wound he died some time afterwards. The prisoner ab sconded, but delivered himself up soon atter to justice, and was this day put upon his trial. The highest character for humanity was given him. Ilia Lordship sentenced him to 14 day's imprisonment. SI.IGO Assizes, MARCH 20.—The labours of the Sligo Assizes continue to be severe. The business, both civil and criminal, are very weighty, but the latter is most un usually heavy. In the Record Court, Judge Burton has generally sat for nine hours at least, being usually in Court before ten o'clock in the morning. In the Crown Court, Baron Smith sat for eleven hours and a half on Thursday, thirteen hours on Friday, and for nearly twelve hours on Saturday, taking the bench punctually at eleven each morning. Numerous , cases of importance have come be fore him, and among them several convictions, capital and fur transportation, have taken place. There are charges of murder, burglary, robbery, rape, ribbonism, whiteboyisin, administering unlawful oaths, &c. One case of a very un common kind occurred, the indictment for manslaughter of a Physician, on account of the death of a woman whom he had attended in her confinement. Some very extraordi nary and unpleasant facts caine out. The Learned Judge seemed to share in the impression of the Jury, who showed much displeasure at the transaction. He advised them against convicting of manslaughter. They returned a verdict of Excusable Homicide.—Waterprd Mail, 25th inst. At the Assizes at Cork, after the usual address by the Baron to the Grand Jury, and they the Grand Jury had retired, his Lordship proceeded to receive burning peti tions.—Southern Reporter, March es. The utmost alarm has lately prevailed at Stratford-upon- Avon, owing to the many houses that have been set on fire in that neighbourhood by incendiaries. Many of the in habitants who haul neglected to insure, have applied to get insurances effected; but the different offices have refused all applications from that quarter, in consequence of the heavy losses that several of them have already sustained, and the claims that are daily coining in. A man has within these few days been apprehended, of whose participation in this dreadful conspiracy very conclusive proof has been ob tained, and it is hoped that through his means a clue may be got to the discovery of the other offenders. A letter from Wick states, that a fellow has been appre hended in that place, while in the act of receiving from on board a vessel which had just arrived, a large box of base coin, of Birmingham manufacture, to the nominal value of about SOL They were principally half crown pieces ; and were invoiced by the dozen, at 3s. 9d.! ! He is now in gaol. Ps: av it.--Monday se'nnight, the spirit distillery of Messrs. Ramsay and Co. at Craigie, in the vicinity of this place, took fire; and, before the flames could be subdued, the malt kiln and roofs of the adjoining granaries were consumed, and about 100 bolls of malt and rough grain were destroyed and damaged. The loss is estimated at about 3001. The property, we understand, was insured. About four o'clock, on IVednesday afternoon, Donald Cameron, travelling merchant from Fort IVilliam, was accosted by three men on a sequestered part of the road between Erskine Ferry and Paisley, who, each presenting pistols, demanded his money, on which he tendered them a guinea note. " No, no (said they), that won't do, you have more ;" on which they searched his pockets, and finding nothing, they searched the lining ofhis clothes, and discovering something bulky in the waistband of his trousers, they cut it up, and found eighty pounds in bank notes, consisting of three twenty pound bank notes, and twenty one.pound notes, of the Bank of Scotland, which which they made oft: The poor man stood rooted to the spot, when he saw one of the party returning, with the intention, as he supposed, of blowing out his brains, but on a signal from his companions, he suddenly ran off.—Cakdonlan Mercury. Mr. James S. a gentleman of distinguished wit, is an attorney, and lives in Austimfriars. As ill luck would have it, another Alt. James 8., also an attorney, came to live in the same house. The consequences. of course, were very inconvenient to both. After Innumerable mistakes, the 111 r. S. who had come late.. to the house, called on his namesake with an open letter. " You see, Sir (said he), 1 have opened a private letter of yours—lt is very unpleasant that I should do au : against me last week, and as the christian and surname art both at the same, I do not know how these disa greeable things are to be avoided, unless one of us leaves the house." Of course (said the punster) it muu be you, for as yon have come here last, being James the Second, you should abdicate." A DILI, FOR IMPROVING TUE ADMINISTRATION OF CRI MINAL .ICSTICE IN ENGLAND. (As amended by the Committee.) Whereat it is expedient to define under what circumstances per. I sons may be admitted to bail in caeca of felony, and to make better , provision for taking examinations, informntionn, bailments, and re- i cognizances„ and returning the same to the proper tribunals : And whereas the technical strictness of criminal proceedings , might in many instances be relaxed, so as to insure the punish- ment of the guilty, without depriving the accused of any means of defence ; and the administration of justice in that part of the United Kingdom called England might in other respects be ren dered more efficient ; be it therefore enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Eords Spiriitsal and Temporal. and Catninumx, in this present Par. I asseutbled,liament and by the authority of the same, that where , any person shall be t a k e n on a c h arge o f f e l on y, or su spi c i on o f felony, before any justice of the peace, and the charge shall he sap ported by positive evidence of the fact, or by such evidence as. if not explained or contradicted, shall, in the opinion of the Ju•tiert. raise a strong presumption of the guilt of the person charged. such person shall not be admitted to bail by any Justice or Justices of the Peace, either in or out of sessions, but shall he committed to prison by the Justice before whom he or she shall be so charged, in the manner hereinafter mentioned ; and where any person shall be charged with felony or suspi c i o n o f felony, and the evidence given in support of the charge shall, in the opinion of two Justice' of the Peace, not be such as to raise a strong presumption of the guilt of the permit charged, or such evidence shall be adduced on behalf of the person charged as shall in their opinion weaken the presump tion of his or her guilt, but there shall notwithstanding appear to them to be sufficient ground for judicial inquiry into his or her guilt, in such case the person charged shall and may be admitted to bail by such two Justices, in the manner hereinafter mentioned. And whereas it is expedent to amend and extend the provisions of two Acts—the first passed in the first and second yearn of the, reign of King Philip and Queen Mary, intituled, " An Act appointing an order to Justices of the Peace for the bailment of Prisoners ;" and the second passed in the second and third year"' of the same intituled, " An Act to take Examination of Prisoners Sus pect ed of Manslaughter or Felony ;" be it therefore enacted, that before any two Justices of the Peace shall admit to bail, or any one justice Shall commit to prison, any person arrested for felony or suspicion of felony , such Justices and Jusiice respectively shall take the examination of such person, and the information upon oath of those who .hall know the facts and circumstances of the Mt, and shall put the same, or as much thereof as shall be ma terial, into writing ; and such Justices shall certify such bailment in writing, and subscribe the same : and every such Justice shall have authority to bind by recognizance all such persons as know or declare anything material touching any such felony or suspicion of felony, to appear at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer. Gaol Delivery, or superior CrintinalCourt of aCounty Pulatice, or Great Sessions, or Sessions of the Peace, at which the trial thereof is in tended to be, then anti there to prosecute or give evidence against the party accused ; and pitch Justices and Justice respectively Khali deliver, or cause to he delivered, all such examinations. inform'. tions, bailments, and recognizances, to the Court in which the trial is to he, at the opening of the court on its first sitting. And be it further enacted, that every Justice of the Pence, before whom any person shad be taken on a charge of misdemeanor or sus picion thereof, shall take the examination of the person charged, and the information upon oath of those who shall know the facts and circumstance% of the case, and shall pia the same, or as much thereof as shall be material, into writing, before lie shall admit to bail, or commit to prison, the person so charged, and in every case of bailment shall certify the bailment in writing, and subscribe the same ; and shall have authority to bind all perms by recog nizance to appear to prosecute or give evidence against the party accused, in like manner as in cases of felony ; and shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, all examinations, informations, bail ments, and recognizances to the Court in which the trial is to be, at the opening of the Court on its first sitting, in like manner as in cases of felony. And be it further enacted, that every Coroner, upon any inqui sition before him found, whereby any person shall be indicted for manslaughter or murder, or as an accessory to murder before the fact, shall put in writing she evidence given to the Jury before him, or as much thereof as shall be material ; and shall have au thority to bind by recognizance all such persons as know or de clare any thing material touching the said manslaughter or murder, or the said offence of being accessory to murder, to appear at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer, Gaol Delivery, or superior Cri minal Court of a County Palatine, or Great Sessions, at which the trial is to be, then and there to prosecute or give evidence against the party so indicted ; and every such Coroner shall certity and subscribe the same evidence, and all such recognizances, and also the inquisition before him taken and found, and shall deliver the same to the Court in which the trial is to be, at the opening of the Court on its first sitting. And be it further enacted, that if any Justice or Coroner shall off end in anything contrary to the true intent and meaning of these provisions, every Court of Oyer and Terminer, Gaol Delivery, su perior Criminal Court of a County Palatine, Court of Great Set ' Mona, or Sessions of the Peace, to which any such examination, information, evidence, bailment, recognizance, or inquisition ought to have been delivered, shall, upon examination and proof of the offence, in a summary manner, set such fine upon every such Jus. tice or Coroner as the Court shall think meet. And be it further enacted, that all these provisions relating to Justices and Coroners, shall apply as well to the Justices and Co roners of small jurisdictions as of counties at large. And whereas divers statutes, taking away the benefit of clergy, or creating felonies without benefit of clergy, have omitted to take away the benefit of clergy under certain circumstances conse quent upon the indictment of the offender: and whereas a par. nal remedy for such defects was supplied by an Act passed in the third year of the reign of King William and Queen Mary, intituled, 'an Act to take away clergy from sonic offenders, and to bring others to punishment ; whereby it was enacted, that if any person should be indicted of any offence for which, by virtue of any former statute, such person was excluded front the benefit of clergy, if convicted by verdict or confession, such person should not be ad mitted to the benefit of clergy under ally of the circumstances therein enumerated ; and whereas it is expedient to extend the like remedy to all offences which now are or hereafter shall be excluded from the benefit of clergy ; be it therefore enacted, that if any per son shall be indicted of any offence for which, by virtue of this or of any other statute or statutes now in force, or hereafter to be in farce, the offender, upon conviction, is or shall be excluded from the benefit of clergy, such person shall be equally excluded from the benefit of clergy, whether he ur she shall be convicted by verdict or by confession, or shall upon arraignment stand mute of malice, or will not answer directly to the charge, or shall challenge peremptorily above the number of twenty persons returned to be of the Jury,er shall be outlawed upon such indictment, although the statute or statutes taking away the benefit of clergy in any such case may not expressly provide that the offender shall be excluded from the benefit of clergy in case such offender shall confess, or stand mute, or not answer directly, or challenge peremptorily above the number of twenty persons returned to be of the Jury, or be out lawed ; and everything herein contained shall extend as well to all accessories as to principals. And with regard to any clergyable felonies, be it enacted, that if any person shall be indicted of any felony for which the offender is or shall be entitled to the benefit of clergy, and such person shall on arraignment confess the felony, or stand mute of malice, or will not answer directly to the charge, or shall challenge peremptorily above the number of twenty persons returned to be of the Jury, or shall be outlawed upon such indictment, in every such case such person shall be deemed and taken to be convicted of the felony, and "the Court shall award such judgment as if such person had been convicted by verdict; and every thing herein contained shall ex_ tend as well to all accessories as to principals. And for the more effectual prosecution and punishment of acces sories to felonies, be it enacted, that if any person shall become an accessory, either before or after the fact, to any felony, whether the same be a felony at common law, or by virtue of any statute or statutes now in force or hereafter to be in force, the offence of such person may be inquired of, tried, determir ed, and punished by any court which shall have jurisdiction to try the principal felon. In the same manner as if the act, by reason whereof such person shall have become an accessory, had been committed at the same place as the principal felony, although such act may have been committed either mate high seas or at any other place on land, whether within his Majesty's dominions or without ; and that in case the principal felony shall have been committed within the body of any county, and the act by reason whereof any person shall have become acces sory, shall have been committed within the body of any other county, the offence of such accessory shall and may be inquired of, tried, determined, and punished in either of such counties: provided always, that no person who shall be once duly tried for any offence of being an accessory shall be liable to be again indicted or tried for the same offence. _ And in order that accessories may be convicted and punished in cases where the principal felon is not attainted, or hath the benefit of clergy, be it enacte that if any principal offender shall be in anywise convicted of any felony, it shall be lawful to proceed against any accessory either before or after the Elm, in the same manner as if such principal felon had been attainted thereof, notwithstanding such principal felon shall be admitted to the benefit of clergy, or pardoned, or otherwise delivered before attainder; and every such accessory shall suffer the same punishment, if he or she be in any. wise convicted, as he or she should have Buffeted If the principal bad been attainted. And whereas it is expedient that principals in the second degree, and accessories before the fact, should in alt cases be subjected to the same punishment as the principal felons in the first degree; be it therefore enacted, that every person who shall be a principal in the second degree, or an accessory before the fact, to any otience which shall be a felony at common law, or by virtue of any statute or statutes now in force, or hereafter to be in force, shall be punish. able, with or without benefit of clergy, in the same manner as the principal felon In the first degree, although neither the statute or statutes relating to the principal felon in the first degree, nor any other statute, door shall expressly name the offence of the principal in the second degree. or of the accessory before the fact, or do or shall expressly provide any punishment for the same, and although any statute now In force may expressly provide a different punish. ment for the same: provided always, that nothing herein con. tainted shall affect or alter any Act which bath provided or may provide that accessories before the fact to burglary, robbery, and larceny, may be prosecuted before the conviction of the principal offenders. And in order to obviate the difficulty of proof as to all offences committed near the boundaries of counties, be it enacted, that in any indictment for any felony or misdemeanor committed on the boundary or boundaries of two or more counties, or within the distance of NO yards of any such boundary or boundaries, it shall he sufficient to allege that such felony or misdemeanor was We mitted in any of the said counties; and every such telooy or mis demeanor shall, and may be inquired of, tried. determined, aid punished, In the county within which the mote shall be so allegad to have been committed, in the rams manner .ra if it bad bete ac tually committed therein. And in order to obviate the difficulty of prow, as to offences committed during jnurnies from place to place, be is enacted, that in any indictment for any felony or misdemeanor committed es any person or on any property, In or upon any stage Ilesch. star waggon, stage cart, or other such carriage whatever, empteyett SP any journey, it shall be sufficient to allege that inch felony tie demeanor was committed within any county or place through any part whereof such coach, waggon, cart, or carriage *hall haw passed in the course of the journey during which such felony er misdemeanor shall have been committed ; and in elf cases where the side, centre, or other part of any highway shall manstitute the bows+ dary of any two counties,it shall he sirfficielt tosalege that the felotty or rniadernernor was committed in either of the said meatian titrough or adjoining to or by the boundary. of any part whereat such coach, waggon, cart, or carriage shall have passed, hi the course of the journey during which such felooy or nffitdetaranor shaft hare been committed; and in any indictment for any lekiny misdemeanor committed on any person, OT on any property ota board any vessel whatever, employed on .any voyage or journey upon any navigable river, canal, or inland navigation, It shalt MI sufficient to allege that such felony or misdemeanor wart commtned within any county or place through any part whereof such resod shalt have passed in the course of the voyage or journey divine which such felony or misdemeanor shall have beau committed ; mad in all cases where the ride or bank of any navigable river, c.nal, or inland navigation, or the centre or other pert thereof, shall can. stitute the boundary of any two counties, it shall he strificient W allege that such felony or misdemeanor was committed in either of the said counties, through or adjoining to. or by the boundary of any part whereof such vessel .shall have passed in the course of the voyage or journey, during stitch such felanj or misdemeanor shall have been corrnnitted ; and every such felony or range= meanor, committed in any of the cases aforesaid, shall and may be inquired of, tried, determined, and punisheri, in the muesli or place within which the same shall be yo alleged to have bow committed, in the same manner as if it had been actually lOW flitted therein. (To be continued). THE NEW FdlIT AND LIGHT-HallE LIVERPOOL. Our readers are already awerelrit a liatteyy ia now erecting id Liverpool, at the Mile-house Rocks, on the north Awe, for the defence of the port. Another, of larger dimensions, in about to be commenced on the opposite shore of the Mersey, on the Reelo Perch. It will be built of a beautiful white stone, from a quarry' contiguous to the spot, and will mount fifteen pieces of °ulna:re, 42-pounders. The works are under the tuperintendance of Captain Kitson, of the Royal Engineers, bj whom they were projected. The foundation-stone of the Ruck Perch Battery is to be laid to morrow morning by Peter Bourne, Esq. the Chief Magistrate. It is not generally known that Liverpool is wholly defenceless a even during the last war there were only four paltry forts for its de. fence, two of which were situated on the piers of the Queen's sod George's Docks, a third on the spot now occupied by the north) end of the Prince's Dock, and the fourth on the 4te of the bat. tery now erecting on the north shore. The formidable sittd-binska, however, which stretch far nut to sea from the mouth of the Mee-. sey, render approach to it extremely perilous, unless the vessels and guided by skilful and experienced pilots. Still it is not right that the second sea-port in the kingdom should depend for its defame ' wholly on the obstructions which nature has placed at the entrance to its harbour. These natural obstructions, formidable as they un questionably are. are not so formidable as to deter seamen, Whcr have frequented the port for many years, from running their ships into it without the assistance of a pilot; and what one seamen had done, another, and a foreign one too, may imitate. But the erection of a fort for the defence of the port is not the only object which the projector had in view when the battery at the Rock Perch was planned. An object of higher importance than mere defence in a period of war was at the same time contem plated, namely, the erection of a Light-house on one angle of the building. %% hilst the fort will protect the harbour from the attack of an enemy's flotilla, the light-house will serve to guide the marl. nor into his desired haven in safety. At present it is a rare occur. rence for a vessel to enter the river in the night-time. It is never attempted but during moonlight, and when the wind and tide are both favourable. The reason is obvious. The usual sea-marks are invisible in the darkness, and it would be madness to attempt to run in without seeing them. But, erect a light-house on the Rock Perch, and a strong and brilliant light would, in clan: weather, be rococo reflected down the Rock Channel, by the aid of which vessels might be piloted into the port in the night time, even when the moon was not shining. The value of such a build ing must be obvious even to the unprofessional reader. At present vessels are frequently exported to the risk of shipwreck, when, ay. riving off the kloating-light too late in the tide, they are compelled to anchor among the banks until the next day. Others, again, which could run in, were the passage safe, are compelled to 11.40, and to await the return of day-light before they approach the bank. The fort and light-house will, when they shall have been erected, be favourite places of resort. The land in the neighbourhood will be increased in value; and, to crown the 'hole, an elegant hotel will, it is expected, be erected in the immediate vicinity adds pleasing station. TO THE EDITOR OF TILE BRITISH PRESS. Ste,--Elaving observed in your paper of the 18th inst. a para. graph, by an anonymous writer, making some animadversions an my speech at the Anniversary 'Meeting of the Friends and Swp. porters of the Asylum for Scrofula, ikc. at the City of London Tavern, I should have deemed it scarcely worth while to notice anything of the kind, had not the paragraph contained the assertion of my having used language which I neither said nor intended. I made no charge whatever against the medical officers of the 31arylebone workhouse. I expressed my gratitude to those me dical gentlemen in this country, as well as in America, who had extended their friendship to me. At the same time I stated a feet that the guardians and directors of the poor of the parish of 3lary lebone had placed a number of children, suffering under scrofulous affection under my care; that whatever might be their motive I could not say, but I found myself ensnared by the conduct of the nurse; for, when some of the wounds were healed, and the wounds of other patients nearly healed, I discovered that corrosive subli. mate and red precipitate had been applied to the wounds, greatly to the injury of those children. The medicines I had a dministered were powerful absorbents ' and thereby occasioned a coaskierabls quantity of these mercurial preparations to be taken into the systen. The consequence was, as I have affirmed, that the patients were not far from losing their lives. farther stated that I had written to the Board of Directors, and that they took no notice of my application for an inquiry into the use ; that the Committee had afterwards applied to the Directors in a more formal manner for an investigation into the matter, which they deemed of the greatest importance to the public, and also to the patients themselves. To this application the Directors returned an answer declining such investigation. It therefore is not fact, as the writer of the paragraph in question asserts, " that the Direetots will be ready to give any (urtiter information ;" nor can I believe that paragraph has been presented to you by any of the gentlemen of the direction. I can clearly show that the patients were making rapid progress towards a perfect cure; and to them it may be a great misfortune through life that they were not allowed to proceed. An investigation might have discovered the authors of such mis. chievous directions. I make no charge beyond the fact of the wawa having used ingredients which 1 consider to be injurious, and the responsibility of course rests with her superiors. What I stated as matter of complaint against some gentlemen of the faculty. applied to the circumstances in which I was placed on my arrival in the United States. It appeared that the medical journals of this city had reached the city of New York, con= illiberal abuse, and stating that Dr. Thornton's name was from the list of the Royal College of Physicians, for aiding the Whitlaw imposition on public credulity. Inaugural addresses were delivered by Dr. Hoseack, President of the aledical Society of Sc. York. and Dr. Coventry, President of the College of the Western District. These addresses were printed and industriously circulated to such an extent, that a great proportion of the Faculty were prejudiced against me; and it was only by the success of my experiments on the vapour bath, joined to the efficacy of my medicines, that the effects of prejudice were surmounted to such a degree, that I became supported by some of the first characters in the United States, and in different parts of that country. These vapour baths are in full operation, under the direction and immediate superintendence of 28 Physicians. The Committee having noticed the favourable progress of the patients under my care in the workhouse of St. Marylebone, held a special meeting or. the 17th November, 1824—the Hon. and Rev. Anchitel Grey in the chair—when they passed several tesolutiooe, inviting the Governors and Guardians of the Pour of the parish to cooperate with the Committee in the most minute investigation of the case respecting those patients who had been wider Mr. Whit. law's care. To this request the Secretary received an answer, dated the 29th November, 1824, that they were of opinion " that it was not necessary for them further to consider the subject." The resolutions of the Committee and the answer received were published in the Report of the Committee of last year, and haring stood uncontradicted, it is somewhat too late to assert that the VG rectors are ready to give information, &c. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. IVIIITLAW. IMPORTANT TO MERCHANTS AND SHIP-OWNERS.--. The Bill introduced into the House of Commons last week, by Mr. C. Grant. to " regule:e the importation of silk goods," contains the following important clause—" That it shall not be lawful to import ioto the United Kingdom any wrought silks, or silks mixed with any other materiel. except into the port of London, and in ships of the burden of seventy tons or upwards." From this cinuse it appears that the importation of silk goods is intended to be con fined exclusively to the port of London. We trust, however, that the merchants of this town will be able to convince Ministers of the necessity of a modification of the dame, and that immediste mea sures will be adopted for carrying their intention into effect. Lord Liverpool stated in the House of Lords, a few days ago, that the trade of this port contributed one-fourth of the Custeens' revenue of the whole kingdom. After this admission, we think Ministers could not refuse to listen to such an application, it being, in our opinion, perfectly,connistent with the principles of f►ee trade, which they USW 60 powerfully support—Liverpool Aitvrtiser.