The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-09 00:00:00

N GREAT NORTH AND SOUTH WALES AND WORCESTER RAILWAY. The adjourned general meeting of this Company was held on Saturday at the London Tavern, at one o'clock ; John Francis Bacon, Esq., in the chair. The SECRETARY having read the advertisement convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN stated that they had made the necessary lodgement with the Accountant-General, and further stated that the opinion of counsel with reference to their proceed in s. would be read, if the meeting thought necessary. Mr. LAURANCE (Chairman of the Committe of inquiry) stated that in the short period of one week for a committee to go through the whole particulars of proceedings spread over the space of seven months was no small proceeding. They had however endeavoured to act in the most unbiasse d and disinterested manner—(Hear)—and hoped that the report which they had prepared, and which he should niw read to the meeting would meet their unqualified support. — (Hear.) He (Mr. Laurance) then proceeded to read the repo: t as follows : The report set out with stating that after a careful investi gation into the affairs of the Company, they had come to the conclusion that the deposits ought not to be placed in the hands of the Accountant-General, nor any further progress made in the affairs of the Company. The reasons for recom mending this course were elaborately set forth. It was stated that the original project was 112 miles long, requiringa capital of 2,057,0101., being an excess over the whole subscribed capital of 2C/. a share of 57,010/. In this project there are 24,701 yards of tunnelling, which at 35/. a yard would cost the enormous suns of 864,5351. , The'committee found that the whole capital on 64,141 shares at 201. each, fully paid up, woald only amount to 1,282,8201 ; white the estimate for a single line would be 2,057,0101, leaving an excess over the whole subscribed capital of 774.1901., without allowing a shilling for interest to shareholders. building carriage', wear and tear, plant, locomotives, 8:c. What, however, the shareholders had immediately to consider was the modified scheme between Carmart hen and Aberystwith 50 miles long. The estimated cost of this part of the project was 1,084,355/., being at the rate of 21,5001. a mile. In thin distance there was 14,481 yards, which, at 351. per yard, would cost 506,833/. Taking, therefore, the full amount of the subscribed capital at 1,282,820/., there was an excess over capital of 198,455/., without any funds remaining for 45,6881. Ids. 10d. already incurred, or for further Parliamen tary expenses, locomotive carriages, wear and tear, plant, or one farthing by way of interest to shareholders. With this ettele line only it was obvious to the; Committee' that the Company must begin without allowing for any defaulters in payments, with a debt upon the shoulders of the proprietors amounting to 230,0001. The estimate of the traffic the Com mittee made 146,448/.03. Bd., from which, deducting for work ing expenses 48,8161. Os. 20., there remained 97,632/. Os. 6(1., or 41. 17s. 70. per cent. on an outlay of two millions of money. Taking, however, the estimated traffic as correct at 97,632/. Os. 6d., and deducting interest at 3 per cent. on a deficiency of capital of 178,4551, there would remain 91,7531. 135., leaving only 46 per cent., with out any resource to look to fur paying off the debt incurred in establishing the Company. The report then went on to notice at some length the proceedings of the managing committee, which it characterised as a continued system of irregularitiee and inconsistencies. It also gave a list of the provisional committee who had failed to pay up on the number of shares reserved to them. There had been 9,000 shares reserved for the directors, and cut of these only 451 had been t tken up, thus leaving a drag of 8,594 shares on the Company, without calculating the shares reserved for the promoters and others which had not been taken up. The report next commented on the directors' report, presented last Saturday, in which it was stated, that in consequence of relinquishing the portion of the line between Ceer narvoa and Machyniletb, the directors had determined to reduce the number of shares frees 100,000 to 75,000 ; and of the latter number to reserve 6,000 to the land owners; and that they accordingly allotted 68,911 shares to the public, the deposit on which, at 1/. per share, had been paid to the extent of 64,141/. The minutes, however, showed that on September 30th, 1815, the directors resolved to issue 15,000 more shares; and further, on the 13th of Oetober, they instructed the Secretary to deliver scrip to applicants to the extent of the whole allotments, amounting to 90,000/. This was no satisfactory explanation eh-en o: this discrepancy. After detailing other irregularities of the Managing Committee, the report further stated, that in de fiance of the protest furnished to the directors in the name of the shareholders by Mr. Lawrence, the former had paid into the hands of the Accountant-General the sum of 42,915/. The report concluded by stating that the accounts presented every evidence of gross overcharge, (specially the solicitor's, evieich was 7,6-10/. 17s. 110., and recommended, from all the circumstances narrated, that this Company should go no further with the project, but immediately wind up, and that the Secretary, who had afforded the committee every facility iu their inquiries, be retained till all the affairs were settled. The CHAIRMAN stated that the traffic extended over 131 miles instead of 50, as stated in the report. Mr. Buser stated that the report seas wholly untrue. 1 , Mr. Couterexav stated that anything Mr. Bushes had to say upon the subject they would b..: glad to hear. The state ment was taken from their own minutes. Mr. LAURANCE seated that he hoped the parties present would stay and hear both sides of the question, so as to be able to come to a proper conclusion. Mr. COUItTENAY wished to set himself right with reference to a report which had been largely circulated, to the effect that he dealt to a large amount in the shares of this Company. He begged to state that he never directly or indirectly purchased a single share in the concern since Septemb(r last, when he bought 100 shares at a premium of ten shillings per share; those shares lie still held, and he held them upon principle. Were it not for that, be would, in order to have avoided great anxiety and trouble, disposed of them for 10s., and would have been glad to have got rid of them. When he last addressed thorn in that room he stated that he was not prepared to break up the Company till the affairs had been investi gated. That investigation bad been made, and he attended there to give expression to his feelings of indignation against the directors and solicitors. One of the solicitors stated that he was a respectable man, hut he trusted that upon that statement alone they would rot pay 7,000/. The question was the conduct of the directors in managing the affairs, and he stated that as a body they were net deserving of further trust.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the limitation in the allotment of the shares, as was proved by their own minute-book, it appeared that they had given tEnir agent power to issue shares to the extent of 90,000. This statement was made from their own minute-book. The conce3- glen made at the eleventh hoar with respect to the payment of deposits, did not, he was happy to say, deceive them. Look ing at their minute-book, he could see nothing but blind di rection to some master mind, but on the 19th of December they plucked up something like a spirit, and they determined to Call a meeting, but the same controlling power prevented their holding that meeting. They ought to make it into Bushe's Direct Railway, from St. Mildred's•court, through the principality of Wales, into the temple of fortane.—(A laugh.) He would eon *hide by proposing the following resolution :—"That in accordance with the recommendation contained in the re port, the Company . should be immediately dissolved, and a Committee appointed to carry out that object, and to procure for the Shareholders the return of their money with all, possible dispatch." A desultory conversation ensued as to whether the report should not be first received. Mr. BATES said lie would not recommend the dissolution of the Company if he considered the scheme practicable; he would, therefore, second the resolution for the dissolution of the Company. Mr. Devte said, as one of the committe of inquiry, that they would like to hear gentlemen on both sides. 'the CHAIRMAN rose to make explanations on several parts of the report as to the deposits. He said they were usually paid into the Bank of England. On drawing money, Mr. Hanbury was in the habit of countersigning the orders, but at the time mentioned in the re port he was absent in the country, therefore it was that the chief secretary was called on to countersign the cheque. Again, the directors actually paid their money one month betore the rest.—(Hear.) The engineer had d e ceived them ; he had gone off to Belgium, and left the directors to defend him as they could.—(Laughter.) Mr. Wright had positively said he could construct one of the prettiest of railway lines, and at an expense of 12,0001. a mile. The surveyors' report was incorrect; the length of tunnelling it was found would be much greater than reported ; and instead of a gradient (- f 1 in 103, there was often lin 50 and lin 75. He would not defend the engineer's, nor would he the solicitor's account.—(llear, hear.) He believed that when they heard a case, which would be read in the course of the meeting, they would ap prove f the directors paying in the deposit to the Ac countant-General. The Company had not lest anything by so acting; for, last week, their Exchequer bills would have been sold at 205., this week they would bring 40s.—(Hear, hear.) He sat down with thanking the meeting for their attention. Mr. COURTENAY then moved that the report of the com mittee should be received, which was seconded by Mr. SAMU at, and carried un an i mous ly. Tne resolution moved by Mr. Courtenay at a previous stage of the proceedings was then read, which was that the Company should be di solved and the money returned to the shareholders with a ll expe di t i on. Mr. BATes considered that the undertaking would not re • turn them 2 1 .; per cent. during the present generation. He referred to the fact that Mr. Wright, who bad surveyed the line, sad the solicitor, who was resident in the district, had neither of them taken the shares reserved for them, which be (Mr. Bates) considered a fact demonstrative against the project. The tunnelling and the gradients on the line were extravagant. ravagant. Mr. Wright's estimat e o f t h e tunnelling had been 35/. a yard, but was not certai n th at, front the absence of materials and masonry for the con struction ofisitru.nraltse,in that district, it would cost less than 50'. traffic to be expeetwer proceeding to speak of the b several calling out' when he was interrupted certain they would break, down be short !'' lle was c before Parliament, on the traffic returns —(Cries of Oh, oh! we don't intend to go there.") Parliament had re(exid the rate of toll, and by could e seconding e b g y luggage des, he was certain that n gettffic. The gentleman sat downtneb the re- Mr.ution. HordooD said, as one of the committee, he wished to impress on the minds of the meeting howe Inucehpptehretecloirnit; stattee wished the directors should hays el reply. lie had adopted the report as trnse-,eliut though he 'had done so lie was very anxious to hear any defence or ' exp l a nation the directors had to make. Mr. J. RussEer, one of the directors, stat e d that a i nconve nience to himself he had attended this meeting, great be challenged an y p erson p resent to im p ute to him anything ani but what was perfectly h onest and strai ghtforward in his conduct wills reference to this Company. He said that his avocations in life led him to acquire as great a knowledge of aseilway making as any member of the direction, and he con sidered that the scheme would be of a profitable nature. H e bad pressed upon the engineer to send in his plans and sec tions. When he saw them, lie was astonished at the amount of earthwork which was necessary to be removed. He then told the directors his fears, and proposed to call the shareholders together.—(Hear.) For some reasons which be did not know, his Suggestion was not carried out. Sub eequently, at a meeting of the committee held in London, a paper was put in concerning the neces.sily of . _ every member present qualifying himself as a director. lie then stated that, whether the scheme proved profitable or nor, he knew the worst of 100 shares. He said he had promised to take shares to that amount; he would do so, and those shares be would keep. He was willing to do everything that was re eluired of him as an honest and honourable man. Mr. Bustle proceeded to re :d the str,tement of the facts of the ease laid before counsel for advice, as to whether the directors should ehoovuelrdroceed under the deeds to pay the deposits should proce e d cute that applicatio .:ititihe Accountant-General, whether the a petition to Parliament, and prose %'whether if the directors did not pro ceed and prosecute upplication they would incur under tese deeds arty anadttwrlettuliarbilities, adnid..,,ll‘a_estlti"),e‘ Company.Vh t e h e era opinion that majority of the Sir John . B ay l ey gavee-toi. s as cou h l i (! the a P nd arlia to i rectors were bound preceed with and .prosecutrir.h aP sto ica ul t P \lo t t o to all _merit, and that in case the e y they would incur great liabilities, and be responsibledo ee the shareholders for all the expenses ineurred. i A majority of the shareholders at the present sta 'as g tl7, e tb it feedings could not dissolve the Company.—(Cries ( t Of tits approbation.) Mr. Bushe proceeded to remark on the report of the committee. He did not think the expenses incurred by the Company were extravagant—not even equal to those of other lines, and he desired that his own account; might be taxed to the last shilling. The CHAIRMAN of the Committee said the question before the meeting was, that under the state of things mentioned in the report, the Company should be dissolved. The committee had not complied with the request of the directors that morning to meet them to hear Sir John Bayley's opinion, because they wished to come with clean hands and render his account to the meeting.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) He would put it to the chairman and to Mr. Busbe, whether, in all the instances of railway meetings, the directors had not bowed to the majority. A legal opinion had been read to them that the directors ought not to give up the affairs of the Company. Ought the meeting to submit to that? — (No, no.) Ile begged to ask the directors whether they would abide by the legal opinion, or proceed to dissolve the Company ?—(Cheers.) The question was then put to Mr. BusnE, who rose and said that, with the opinion of such an authority in . his hand, he could not, and would not , cont r a dict h i s professional su perior. —(Cries of " Oh!" and disappr o bation.) Mr. Cour:Tr:NAY then put the question to the . directors in dividually, whether they wou ld abide b y their legal adviser, or go with the majority?—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN of the Directors said he would not answer the question individually.—(Cries of disapprobation.) Mr. CotTrair.xAv was sure Mr. Russell would give an answer. Mr. RUSSELL said he would.—(Hear, bear.) He as a di rector would gs with the majority; but he begged they would consider the position in which they were. If it was possible to suggest any mode of extricating, themselves he to an l shareholders, a r o c n i e d s v , andlindividual suggested one gges l‘ tedt yild leset(iadepti sending g of. t. cir A cu fr i Rarstioisst e req A u f e t s e t r in s g oin th e em in t t o err a t szn io t n t , o i‘ a f t r l . i s D so u li s it r i o oi. c i K suggested that the se who wished to retire should have'their money, and those who were for going on should h ave th e power. , He Legged Mr. Courtenay would add th a t a lt erat i o to his re solution. Mr. COT RTENAT thought that such a negotiation would be perfectly impracticable in such a meeting as that. He would rather press his resolution as it was. Mr. COCIITENAY sat down, but immediately after rose, and said a most important communication had been made to him, which showed him the evil of not having the deeds sub mitted to them. Mr. Pritchard was in the room, and had made a pencil extract from the deeds.—(Read, read.) Mr. PRITCHARD said that the deed, in defining the powers of the directors, maintained that they should have a power to determine how and to what extent the project should be car ried, or deferred, or abandoned.—(Cheers.) Mr. COVllTENAY—Wherefores the opinion they had had read to them ?—(Cheers and confusion.) Mr. BusitE rose and said, the expressions alluded to had teen submitted to Sir John Bayley's attention, specially under scored. The CHAIRMAN said he and the directors had no wish to go against the shareholders, but they naturally wished to cover their own responsibility. What kind of a position would they be in if the resolution were carried? He said he could not put such a resolution, and left the chair, and Mr. Laurance was called on to preside. He then read the resdution, which rAn as follows: That, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report, the Company be immediately dissolved, and a. committee appointed for the purpose of carrying out this im portant object, and to procure a return of the money to the shareholders with all possible dispatch." The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Other resolutions reflecting on the conduct of the directors of the Company, and to give effect to the one fir dissolving the Company, were agreed to, when the meeting, which was a very stormy and excited one throughout, broke up. NEW METROPOLITAN PARK AND BRIDGE. The following is an abstract of the fifth report of the Metropolitan Improvement Commissioners:— In the year 1843, in connexion with the inquiries in stituted by this Commission into the praeticabdity of an embankment of the north side of the Thames, between Battersea and Vauxhall.bridges, the attention of your Majesty's Commissioners was very earnestly directed to the expediency of purchasing and appropriating to the purposes of a public park a portion of the large and yet unoccupied space known as Battersea-fields, on the south Surrey side of the river. The principle of securing open spaces for the public is indeed so sound in itself, and so important in its bearings, that your Ma j esty's ComThissioners could not fail to acknowledge it; but, with the :mass of evidence before them showing the defective condition in other most essential particulars of many portions cf the town, your Majesty's Commissioners would have felt great difficulty in giving practical encouragement to the eui)ject of this report, except under tie peculiar cir cumstances which now appear to them to render the project deserving of the early consideration of your Majesty's Government and of Parliament. The appropriation of Battersea-fields, originally urged upon this commission by Mr. Thomas Cubitt (in his evidence delivered before the Commissioners in 1843), was subsequently pressed upon its attention by the lion. and Rev. Robert Eden, as vicar of Battersea. Your Majesty's Commissioners, however, found enough in the evidence of these gentlemen to justify them in making the project of a park at Battersea the subject of further investigation ; and they accordingly instructed their prof~ ssional officer, Mr. Pennethorne, in communi cation with the gentlemen already named, to examine carefully the locality, to inform himself of the greatest extent of ground advantageously available for the pur pose, the various tenures to which it was held subject, and the prices at which any portions of it had been re cently sold ; and to lay before them a plan and estimate, showing the result of these inquiries and the mode in which the site proposed might be most profitably and be neficially appropriated. The result of these proceedings war; to bring under the consideration of your Majesty's Commissioners, in the first instance, three plans—viz., that of Mr. Eden, embracing a site of 313 acres ; a plan of Mr. Penne thorne, comprising 179 acres ; and a plan designed to represent the principle of a terrace only, by the river side, comprising en area of not more than 96 acres. Each of these plans occupied an equal, or very nearly equal frontage, to the river. Upon a careful examination of these, with reference to the mode of appropriation which each would best ad mit of, Mr. Pennethurne was of opinion that the ulti mate cost to the public would be about 52,0001. ; and of the third, 26,0001. ; the saving in the last two of these cases being, in fact, effected by a corresponding sacrifice of those advantages which, in the opinion of this com mission, would give to the project its chief recommenda tion as a public measure. _ Your Majesty's Commissioners have adverted in the second of their reports to a project (promoted by a pub lic company) connected with the proposed embankment between Battersea and Vauxhall, for constructing a bridge across the Thames, in continuatio n o f th e exten sion of Sloane-street to the river-side. They requested the attendance of Mr. Bird, the engineer to the Com pany, and they examined him to an extent sufficient for all the psrposes of this inquiry. From the evidence of Mr. Bird, it appears that the promoters of this measure have no Bill before Parliament ; that the estimates are based upon the assumption that the embankment will be first completed ; and that the proceedings of the Com pany are, in fact, dependent very much upon the pro gress of that improvemt nt. In pursuance of instructions, Mr. Pennethorne pre pared and laid before this Commission a plan, com prising in the whole an area of 320 acres; and the result of a revision of his estimates upon the basis of the erection of a bridge (but exclusively of the cost of embanking the river) exhibited a probable outlay, in purchasing and laying out the ground fur the park, of 154,2501., and a probable return for this expenditure of 179,250/., making a balance in favour of the undertaking of about 25,0001. We think it right to state, however, that an embankment of the frontage to the river would appear to be an essential feature of this plan, and that the cost of such embankment would absorb the larger portion of that balance. In pursuance, also, of instructions received from this Commission, Mr. Page, who, as civil engineer, is em ployed on the embankment recommended on the Chelsea side of the river, laid before your Majesty's Commis sioners designs and estimates of three descriptions of bridge, to form the communication between the Mid dlesex and the Surr ey shores, at the point already re ferred to—one of bri ck, having seven arches, and being 42 feet in width, the cost of which he estimated at 50,000/. ; one of timber, on piers of brick, having five arches, and being of similar width, estimated to cost 35,000/. ; and a suspension-bridge of iron, not exceeding 33 feet in width (being that of the bridge at Hammer smith), the execution of which he considered to be prac ticable at from 45,000/. to 50,000/, contingencies in each case included . Your Majesty's Commissioners were of opinion that in principle, a suspension-bridge presented the most eligible mode of crossing the river, as admitting, from the thinness of its floor, of a better headway to the traffic on. the river, in conjunction with an easier incli nation of the roadway above ; and as involving the smallest practicable diminution of the navigable channel. It appear., that, allowing 24 feet 9 inches for the head way above high water, and 40 feet for the width of the road and footways between the respcctive shores, such a bridge may be constructed at an expense not exceed ing in the whole the sum of 60,0001. From the report of Mr. Clark (the civil engineer) it appears that he is not aware of any modification of the principle of suspension, as et present applied in this kingdom, the adoption of which he would deem advis able in the present instance ; and that he estimates the probable cost of a bridge upon the ordinary principle, over a water-way of 750 feet, at Battersea, in width not less than :35 feet, and in the centre 23 feet above high water (Trinity datum), at about 45,0001. Looking to this testimony, therefore, in conjunction with that of Mr. Bird (already referred to), which probably includes a sum for expences beyond the outlay upon the structure only, the sehn of 60,0001., the amount of Mr. Page's estimate, may be taken as the probable outside cost of a communication across the river amply sufficient for all the possible requirements of this locality. Any estimate of the probable return for this expendi ture your Majesty's Commissioners are aware must at the present moment be conjectural ; but, looking to the populous districts to be found on either side of the river between Battersea and Vauxhall bridges, &c., your Ma jesty's Commissioners are disposed to rely upon the cal culations A hi ,h exhibit a probable receipt from tolls of 6,000/. a-year, and a consequent return of not less than 10 per cent. upon the whole expenditure. It appears, ore that assuming a bridge t o b e t construc t e d over the river at Chelsea, in immediate con nexion with the proposed embankment of the river on its n orthern shore, a inllvith the site referred to in the evi dence laid before this commission by Mr. Pennethorne, : Itterse is one, in a financial t poin phe of roj view al one, ect of a par, t well d es erving a the attention of your Majesty's Government. Th.) whole, or at least the west(•rneopnasritderofeSdotanshlwi-kaerllyc., and the whole of Lambeth , may be Battersea-fields, r, to benefit by the formation of a p . arl on the r o t right bank of the river in the position of B a t t se u bile the erection of a bridge on the sit e proposed o n wouldth the p opulation extend the a d van t age to a large northern or Middl esex s h ore o f th e river. The comforts thus o p l alled to the vast and crowded roams of the lue• tropolis would by the great highway of the river, be made available to them in the cheapest, easiest, and quickest mode, by steam navigation, or very con veniently by land conveyance along the terraces. It is no little recommendation of this sch3me in the eyes of your Majesty's Commissioners, that the realisation of this project would put an end to the scenes of demoralisation which the existing almost lawless st,te of the locality presents daily, and chiefly on Sundays. On various grounds, therefore, the Commissioners are disposed to recommend to the early and favourable consideration of your Majesty, sul - ject to the conditions herein detailed, the plan for a park on the present site of Battersea-fields, in connexion with a bridge over the Thames in the same locality, and with the embankment of the northern shore of the river, which forms the subject of their second report. The following signatures are appended to the report: LINCOLN. LYTTELTON. COLPORNE. JOHN CHARLES HERMES. JOHN lIUMPHERY. ROBERT HARRY INGLIS, CHARLES LEMON. lIENRY THOMAS UOPE. HENRY GALLY KNIGHT. A. MILNE. CHARLES GORE. RORER SMIR KE. CHARLES' BARRY. Wh: tchall- place, July 23, 1845. IHE AMERICAN NAVY MANNED BY BRITISH SAILORS. (From the _Nautical Standard.) The American papers have entered into a somewhat lengthened controversy on the condition of the navy of the United States, and the nationality of the railors by which it is manned. It is pretty well under stood all over the world that in the American naval ser vice, a vast majority of the crews of their verse's are British subjects. Contemptible as the number of ships of that Government is, and so limited as are its resources a her, compared with Great Britain, the condition of the Americans in the event of a rupture with this cenntry must he the melt abject ; when, as Hill assuredly be the case, the gallant fellows who now serve the Ameri cans for mere money, will return to their own flag both fur good pay and loyalty's sake. The New York Express, in answer to the New York Globe, says:— " The point is this, can 76 sail of the United States navy whip 376 sail of the British navy. The Globe says ay.' We don't doubt our gallant jack tars would fight hard in single ships. We'don't doubt that our privateers would make a great havoc with British commerce, when they could catch it without convoy. But, we are quite sure our coast vitiultl be so blockaded, that half of our small navy would be kept in port, and what got out oulti, two-thirds of the time, be in the presence of a superior numerical force. Now the British East India navy is larger than the whole navy of the United States. The Globe fancies our captains and sailors could whip both, with only 76 sail ! " In the war of 1812, our gallant glorious little navy did wonders, but the whole world was down upon Great Britain during the greater part of that war. Still our navy could not defend our own coast. Our towns were burnt, our cities were pillaged, our creAis and rivers were entered with impunity ; our navy itself was con stantly driven into port by superior numerical force. Since that war a new and powerful element of naval action has come into existence—steam, in which we are nearly defenceless, while England is as yet irresistible in that great arm of attack and defence. Now, a jack tar, no matter if he is an American, cannot ' lick' a steam-engine, nor trip up a locomotive, nor with his fist knock over a Pixhan. Steam has overturned the order of warfare. Man is not vt hat he was—unless what may be called the steam devil is in him." The Express then proceeds to argue the question of the personnel of the United States navy, showing that it is with British, or Swedish and Danish personnel they have to fight Great Britain : " Our navy, if we are informed aright, is composed of foreigners to a very large extent, say two-thirds, while our merchant service, takirg New York as the standard, shows the proportion of foreigners to be seven tenths of the whole. Six shipmasters, of the highest reputation, when asked their opinion, stated that the number of American-born seamen was from one-fourth to one-fifth of the whole number, leaving New York, while the balance is made up of all the nations of Europe. What the officers of the mercantile marine say of that service is more than confirmed by the officers of the navy of all ranks. It is notorious (we quote from a pamphlet published in this city) that the ratio of Ame rican-born seamen on board the United States vessels is even less than in the merchant service; whilst many of the petty officers en board of our men of-war are also foreigners. Reports have been made to Congress, ses sion after session, by the Naval Committees of the Senate and House, complaining of the enormous disproportion of foreign sailors to American- born or naturalised sailors, both in the navy and in the merchant service. Mr. Reade (at the time Chairman of the Naval Committee) made a report to Congress, stating that after having taken great pains to get at the fact, he found that out of 109,000 seamen sailing out of the Un tel States at that time, 9,000 were Americans, or a proportion of one in twelve. And out of 38,564 seamen shipped out of the port of New York, in 1840, not over 5,000 were Ameri cans. The Ohio, ship of the line, the last time she went out on a three years' cruisq had but 182 American seamen out of a crew of I,ooom , n; and the Delawarr went to sea with a less number in proportion. The Constitu tion was detained a long time at this port for the want of fifty able seamen ; and so have other men-of-war frequently been; and we know that the Fairfield, Vincennes, and Constitution went to sea from here with less than one•third American seamen in them." A more recent instance, is the case of the Columbus, that went to sea with only 200 American- born officers and all. One crack sloop of-war has been found with only 42 Americans out of her whole company." " These are facts," says the Express ; and the reliance which the Globe puts in the patriotism of suAl crews is misplaced. The Express recommends t`le American Government to change the crews from foreign to American, by the establishment of :naval schools, instead of flattering themselves with the idea that they are able to beat an enemy of five times their strength. To show the utter hopelessness of success, even in the buccaneering attempt at picking up our mer chant men without convoy, is which a section of the people of the United States may indulge, we have only to show the immense amcunt of steam power at present belonging to our royal navy only, a powerful squadron of which could be on the cost of America in a fort night. We have actually afloat about 26,000 horse power in 121 steam-vessels, of which these are in com mission nine frigates of 4,770 horse power, and 21 sloops of 5,620 horse power. In addition to which, we have in commission 17 smaller armed vessels of above 1,800 horse power, besides transports, mail packets, tenders, &c., the collective horse power of which is about 3,500. But our most splendid and most powerful force is in re serve on the stocks, or in course of conversion, to the amount of between 13,000 and 14,000 horse power, in 33 steamers. Sush a power, acting with our sailing navy, must keep the peace, or, if broken, will visit heavy retribution on the offenders. CHARITABLE BEQUESTS. The late Mr. Isaac Cohen has bequeathed to the Great Synagogue, Duke's-place (the dividends or interest to be paid during the months of Nirsan and Ellul) March and September, to 30 poor men and women o! the Jewish persuasion, 2,0001. ; for genoral purposes, 1,0001. ; to be distributed immediately among the needy members, 100/. ; to the institution for the relief of indigent and decayed members, 2001. ; to the Jews' Free School, Bell lane, Spitaltields, 3,000/. ; to the New Synagogue, St. Helen's-place, 2001. ; to the Portuguese Synagogue, Bevis Marks, 200/ ; to the Portuguese Jews' Hospital, 2001. ;to the German Jews' Institution, 200/. ; to the Society for the Relief of Foreigners in Distress, 1001. ; to the society called "Meshevas Nefish," 3001; to the Jews' Hospital, Mile-end, 3001.; to the Jews' Orphan Asylum, 200/.; to the Jews' Blind Institution, 200/.; to the Jewish Needy Society, 2001; to the Ladies' Benevolent Institution, of which his sister, Mrs. Do Rothschild, was the founder, 2001.; to the Five Shilling per Week Charity, 2004; to the Fund for tho Decayed Members of the Stock Exchange, 200/ ; to the London Hospital, Mile end, 2501; to the London University Hospital, 1001.; to the London Truss Society, 1001.; to the School far Indigent Blind, 1501.; to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Kent-road, ILO/.; to the Children's Friend Society, 1001 ; to the Royal Union Pension Fund, at Lancaster-place, Strand, 100/. ; :to th© Orphan Asy lum, at Clapton, 150/. ; ditto at Dalston, 1001. He directs all legacies to be paid to the respective trea surers, free of legacy duty, within three months. Also he bequeaths a legacy of 30/. to each of the five fol lowing persons, viz., the secretary of the Great Synagogue, the reader there, the master and mistress of the Jews' Free-school, and the Hebrew master of the Talmud Torah School. The legacies to his family and friends are also very numerous, to most of whom he has left a distinct additional sum to purchase a ring or other suit able memento He leaves to his wife 50,0001. funded pro perty, and all the furniture and plate, carriages, hors e s, &c., absolutely, and 5001. for immediate use, and 3001. a year for the maintenance and education of each child under age, and appointed her guardian to the minors. In addition to any sums which he has invested for his chil dren, he leaves the residue of his personal estate in trust equally amongst them; to his brother, Solomon Cohen, 1,0001.; to his brother, Benjamin Cohen, his freehold on the Marine-parade, Brighton, and all his gold, silver, and other snuff-boxes; and to his nieces, his brother's daughters, Justina and Hannah, 1,000/ ; and 1,0001. between the children of his late sister, Mrs. Frances Cohen; to each of his sisters and sisters-in-law, to purchase bracel e t s , 10 0 1 ; to each of his brothers , sis 05001./ nephews f each;o r to d ring, nieces; Aaron a datecio Symons, h is sister, t l he a similar wife's remembrances to C. Stokes and S. 11. Pulley, Esqs., 1001. each; and many other bequests, all fr ee of legacy duty. M r . C o h en particularly directs all his accounts, cash matters, and bargains, whether in the British or foreif-n funds, or whether . for money or f or t i me, to be immediately settled by his executorr,. and that hi s i nvestments in foreign funds may remain . The ex ecutoro are —Mrs Cohen his relict; Benjamin C o h en, his brother; Lionel.Natha De Rothschild, his neph ew; David Salumons and Louis n Cohen, Esqs. The personal estate in England, as va lued for probate duty, was sworn under 300,0001. The will was executed in November, 1839, and in the month of May, 1843, the testator having perused his will, added a few words at the foot thereof, and concluded thus:—" Thank God that I have lived long enough (as I sincerely believe) to offer a small remembrance to ail my friends." A deputation of British brandy distillers had an in terview on Saturday, with Sir Robert reel, TILE, SUN, LONDON, MONDA. V EVENI FEBRUARY 9, 184& LAW INTELLIGENCE. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT, Feb. 7. THE MAYOR AND BURGESSES OF LOUTH r. THE WARDENS OF THE FREE GRAMMAR-SCHOOL OF LOUTH. (Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.) His Honour the Vice-Chancellor of England sat to-day in his Court at Lincoln's Inn for the purpose of hearing the further arguments in the part•heard case o, the Corporation, which has already occupied the Court se veral days. In the course of the morning several appli cations were made in railway matters. THE MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM CON TINUATION AND WELSH JUNCTION RAIL- WAY. On the motion of Mr. ABRAHAMS, a sum of 37,8471, paid into Court in this matter, was ordered to be laid out. EAST AND WEST OF ENGLAND RAILWAY. Mr. ABRATIAMSmovt d that a sum of 31,7001. paid into Court in this matter should be laid :mt.—Ordered. OXFORD, SOUTHAMPTON, GOSPORT AND PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY. Mr. ABRAHAMS moved in this matter that a sum of 51,0604 paid into Court should be laid out.—Ordered. NORTHAMPTON, BANBURY, AND CHELTEN HAM RAILWAY. On the motion of Mr. - MoNTAcu, U, sum of 43,6001., pa'd into Court i❑ this matter, was ordered to be Ivi.d out. NORTHAMPTON AND BANBURY RAILWAY. Mr. MONTAGU moved in this ewe that a sum of 31,6001., pa'd into Court in this matter, should Le laid out.—Ordered. VAIIN - 1)S011, SLOUGH, AND STAINES ATMO- SPII ERIC A similar order wal made in this m acr with respect the sum of THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND BURGESSES OF LOUTH, v THE WARDENS, AND AS SISTANTS OF THE FREE GRAMNI AR SCHOOL OF LOUTH. The arguments in this important case were than re sumed. The suit is instituted by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Louth, in Lincolnshire, against the wardens and six assistants of the free grammar school of the town who formed the &d corporation before the passing of the Municipal Bill, praying a declaration of the Court that they are entitled for the benefit of the town of Louth to the several markets and the tolls and profits arising therefrom held therein, as follows, viz.:—the ancient market for beasts, held at the time of fairs and before the charter of Edward VI.; the Wednesday mar ket for oxen, sheep, and swine, created by the charter of Edward VI.; the piece cf ground called " the Quarry;" the market extended to the sale of horses by charter of James 1., with the tolls imposed ; and the Friday market, established in 1802, for the sale of sheep, cattle, and pigs, in spring and autumn. The de fendant, in whom they were vested before the Munici pal Corporation Bill, insist that the whole of the tolls and revenues of such as still remain vested in them at law, by virtue of a saving clause in the Mun'c'pal Act, are irrevocably devoted to the charitable purposes of maintaining the free grammes- school and twelve alms people of the tern of Louth, and that the surplus can not be applied to the general purposes of the borough. The case represented on behalf of the plaintiffs was, that in the year 1547, at the time of passing the statute of the Ist Edward VI., for dissolving all chanteries, college's, and free chapels, guilds and fraternities, there was in the town of Louth an endowed chantry called " John of Louth's chantry," and three several endowed guilds—viz., the guild of the Holy Trinity, the guild of St. Mary, and the guild of the blessed Mary of Grain thorpe. The lands of the first guild were subject to a charge for providing a chaplain sufficiently qualified in 'grammar for the instruction of the boys of Louth and the neighbouring country in morals and polite literature, and to the payment annually of 61. Bd. to six poor men or women of the town, towards their fuel and board, with a house called " the Trinity a de-House" for their habitation, and an annual stipend of 51. 13s. 4d. to the chaplain for life ; and the lands of the guild of St. Mary were subject to a similar payment for six poor men or women of Louth, with a house called " the Lady's Bede-houte." There had also been immemo rially in the town of Louth two markets for wares and goods held twice a week, and three annual fairs, the tolls of which then belcnged to the see of Lincoln, and also a vacant piece of ground called " the Quarry,' which was used by the inhabitants of the town as a beast market, but was part of the possessions of the bishopric of Lincoln. By the statute of the Ist of Ed ward VI., these were all severally vested in the Crown, and a charter of incorporation was shortly afterwards granted, establishing a free grammar-school in the town of Louth with a master and usher and it was ordain( (1 that a warden and six assistants should form the body politic, with perpetual succession, capable of purchas'ng and holding lands, who should be annually chosen by the inhabitants of Louth, and that certain of the lands therein set forth, with the rights, revenues, and posses sions of the several guilds, and the plot of ground called " the Quarry," in the occupation of the inhabit ants of the town of Louth for the time being for the beast market, should be vested in the warden and assistants. And, " for the better continuance and maintenance of the town and free school," his Majesty, of his "abun dant grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion," also granted the two weekly markets and three annual fairs, and all mauler of tolls, customs, picages, staliages use ages, and other profits, commodities, and emoluments whatsoever in any vise howsoever coming, arising, or growing from the said several markets and' fairs, or any of them, in anywise belonging or appertaining, with full , and entire power to continue, prorogue, and keep the fairs, and also a court of pie-poudre during their con tinuance, "to have and hold the messages, lands, tene ments, fairs, markets, tolls, rents, revision, meadows, feedings, and pastures, and all and s'ngular other the premises, with the appurtenances, to the warden and six assistants of the town of Loath and free school of *Xing Edward VI. and their successors for ever, to hold of us, our heirs and successors, in fee soccage, by feslty only, and not in chief." The annual hicorne arising from these differ eat sources was stated in the charter to be 40/., and out of that sum the King willed that one John Goodall, who was to be the first modern master or pedagogue of the free school, and there to serve for the time of his life, should receive 201. yearly, and that, Roger Bonus should to the sub-pedagogue or usher, and receive a sum of 101. annually for his life ; and it was further ordained, that the wardens and assistants and their successors should for ever sustain, feed, and maintain, in and by all things out of the issues and revenues of the lands and tene ments, and other the premises, twelve poor persons, to continue for ever in like manner and form as they were heretofore sustained, fed, and maintained by the dis solved guilds of St. Mary and the Holy Trinity, and after the death of any such poor person, that another should from time to time be put in his place within a month after his death, so that there should be twelve in number. By another charter granted by Queen Eliza beth in 1564, the charter of Edward was confirmed, and certain other lands, fOso part of the possession of the late guilds, of the annual value of 52/ Os. 11-,fd. and 26/. 13s. 5(1., were granted "to the proper use and be hoof of the warden and assistants and their successors for ever iu fee farm," r. ndering, therefore, yearly to her Majesty 844 A third charter was granted by James 1., which greatly extended the municipal powers and privileges of the warden and assistants. It was ordained that the warden and one assistant should be justices of the peace for the town, and have power and authority to make any reason able statutes, constituth ns, and ordinances, for the good rule and governance of the town and school, and of all the ministers, officers, artificers, and inhabitants of the town, with power to inflict and impose such pains and penalties by imprisonment of the bodies or amerciaments upon all transgressors and delinquents against such laws as to them should seem meet and necessary, and also from time to time reasonably to tax and assess all persons who should be residents and dwellers in the town. The an cient beast-market was also extended to the sale of horses, on which the warden and assistants wera to receive cer tain prescribed tolls," together with all liberties and free customs, and all other profits, commodities, and emolu ments whatever to such market pertaining or falling out." From that period the tolls and revenues of the Corpora tion appear to have greatly increased, and some of the surplus was applied in the augmentation of the salaries of the master and usher of the school, but these appro priations having become very irregular, an information was filed by the Attorney-General in 1728, for the due administration of the charity, alleging that the reve nues ef the Corporation devoted to the purposes of the school and almshouse were improved to the annual value of 1001., and in a few years would be advanced to 150/., " or some other great sum," and praying that the warden and assistants might discover the true rental of the lands, and the amount of the tolls. The annual value being admitted by the warden and assistants to be 1074 38. 9d., Lord Chancellor King decreed that such sum sh ou ld be divided into fourths, two of which should be paid to the master, and one to the usher, and the other one-fourth to the twelve ahnspeople, and that the improved rents should for the future go in the same proportion. The plaintiff in the present suit alleged, that from the date of this decree the salary of the master was increased to the extent of nearly one-half of the income received by the warden and assistants from the charity revenues, and the salary of the usher to the ex tent of one quarter, but that the allowance to the alms people, though considerably increased, was not in creased in a Elsa proportion. The municipal powers of the warden and assistants were again extended by a statute passed in the reign of George IV., under which they were appointed, with other persons, commissioners for paving and lighting the town, and authorised to make bye-laws for the control and supervision of the markets and fairs, and the persons frequenting them. This was the state of the old corporation of warden and assistants when the Municipal Corporation Act was passed, whereby it was enacted, "that nothing in the Act should alter the effect of the letters patent granted by King Edward VI., founding a free g r a mmar school at Louth, and creat i ng a body corporate for the manage ment and regulation thereof, and for the benefit of twelve poor persons mentioned in the letters patent by the name of the Warden and six assistants of the to:.vn of Louth and Free Grammar-school of King Edward VI., Louth ;' but that the warden and assistants should con tinue and be a body corporate, with perpetual succession, under the provisions of the letters patent for the manage ment and regulation of the school, and the purposes aforesaid annually, and shou'd remain and be seised of and be entitled to all lands, tolls, tenements, and here f ditaments, th en vested in them f or the purposes therein muici mentioned, in th e same manner to all intents and pur poses as if th e Act had not b een passe d." Under th e general p rov i sions of this Act, an d an or d er i n counc il , a mayor,or thealdermen borough 9f n and Lcolmeialloo(riste plaintiffs,,hha had been enduly elected who now represented that - p ou al , h b , ody, claimed to be en titled to all the estates, heriditaments, rights, and pro perty belonging to the borough and the burgesses and inhabitants thereof, including such as had been pre viously vested in the warden and assistants, alleging I that the warden and assistants remained at law seised only of the laud 9 1 markets, fairs, tolls, tenements, and 1 hereditaments vested in them by the chirter of Edward VI. ; but, nevertheless, that the warden and assistants I held the ancient beast market, and the Wednesday's 1 market for oxen, sheep, and swine (extended by the charter of James to the sale of horses), and the land called " the Quarry," and the Friday's cattle market, and the tolls and profits arising from them, upon trust fur the plaintiffs for the purposes of the borough of 1 Louth. The plaintiffs, therefore, asked.a declaration of the Court to that effect, and prayed that the warden and assistants might render an account accordingly. Mr. Stuart, Mr. Wilcock, Mr. Belt, and Mr. Adams, 1 appeared as counsel for the plaintiffs, contending that 1 the true construction of the Municipal Corporation Act I was to create a new municipal body, in whom all the ! municipal property, rights, and revenues were to vest for the benefit of the borough, and that the saving clause in the Act was not intended to continue vested in the warden and assistant any right or property which was net included in the statute of Edward VI. With regard to the municipal property not included in the statute of Edward, the defendants lied no claim whatever, and such as still remained vested in them at lain by virtue of the saving clause in tie Municipal Corporation Act, they could only hdd in trust fi- the new corporation after the exigencies of the charity were satisfied. The principle which regulated the Court in such cases, origi nally laid down in the Thetford case, and adopted in the cases of the Bristol Charity, a• d " The Attorney-Gene ral v. the Skinners' Company," was that where on the en dowment of a school or chapel lends became veste,l, t ither by grant or charts r, in any corp iration or body of parsons, with a direction out of the rents to make a definite provision for the sustentation of the school or chapel, if the amount of that provision did not exhaust the rents and profits of the land vested in ' the corporation or other body, the surplus being, by the terms of the original grant, undisposed of, and dedicated to any other purpose, became the property of the persons in whom they were vested without any trust whatever. That rule strongly applied to the present case,—as it was alleged by the Bill that the inhabitants of the town were entitled, by prescription, before the charter of Edward VI., to the right of holding the beast-market in "the Quarry" at the time of fairs, and that it was part of the waste belonging to the King as lord of the manor, and that the land, the market held there, and the tolls arising therefrom, and also the Wednesday market for oxen, sheep, and swine, were by the charter of Kiward VI. confirmed and granted to the warden and assistants for the use of the inhabitants for the better maintenance of the town. Upon the right construction of the charters an 1 the Municipal Corporation Act, the Court must, consistently with its known principles, pronounce a decree for the plaintiff's. Mr. Bethel and Mr. J. Parker, for the defendants, the warden and assistants of the Free Grammar School of Louth, submitted that on either of the following grounds the bull could not be maintained:—first, upon the true construction and effect of the 136th section of the Municipal Corporation Act; secondly, upon the in terpeetation of the charter of Edward VI., taken per se; thirdly, because the effect given to the charter, and the enjoyment under it, as manifested by contemporaneous usage, conferred a tiCe to the school and the property in contest which the Court could not disturb; fourthly ; b came the right of the warden and assistants to all the property was established by the decrees of the Court in 1702 and 1729; and fifthly, because, independently of every other consideration, the usage which had pre vailed and the enjoyment had of the property, not having been proved to have originated in any breach of trust, had been of such duration and consistency that the Court would not suffer the right of the defendants to be questioned—that it was repugnant to the true con •truction of the I 36th section of the Municipal Corporation Act to declare that the warden and assistants of the grammar school could hold the property in dis ; ute upon tru!t for the purposes the borough, or any other trust than the benefit of the schco% The true intent of the Act was to continue in the wardens and assistants everything that a as vested in then, by the charters, and it left it in them beneficially for all purposes of management, dispos!tion, and enjoy merit without any trust, either expressed, implied, ()- resulting, and capable of being declared in favour of any ether body or individual, and that all the property, with the righta, privileges, and advent -ges which had been granted to the wardens and assistants at various times, had been granted solely for the benefit and purposes cf the school, and not for any other municipal object what ever. Mr. Dr. QUEEN was heard to day, following Mr. Bethel! and Mr. James Parker in behdf of the deffaidants, Mr. WRAY appeared for the Crown, and at the con elusion of the Learned Counsel's arguments the further consideration of the case was postponed to Saturday next, when Mr. Stuart will reply upon the w hot:, case. His lioxon does not sir a;ain till Wednesday, which is the first seal after Hilary Term. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Feb. 7. This Court- was.occupiecl for a considerable portion of the day in - investigating a case 'u hick arose out of a book account transaction, between a vender of gitiger-beer and one of his eustormrs ; the amount sought to be recovered was about 71.; and the action might have been disposed of in half an hour. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Feb. 7. (Sitting at Nisi Prins, after Hilary Term, before the LORD Crn 13.ittori and a Special Jury.) TLIE ATTORNEY-GENERAL L. ALLAN This was information, filed by the Attorney-General, for the recovery of penalties alleged to have been incurred by de fendant, for a violation of the Excise laws in the article of soap. The Attorney-General, the Solicitor General, Mr. Jervis, and Mr. -Wilde, appeared on behalf of the Cro:, - n, but as a number of the jury were not in attendancz!, the Solictor - General refused to pray a tales, and the Court was conse quently adjourned till Tuesday next. The other Learned Judges, who were sitting in Banco in the Bail Court, then removed to the Court of Exchequer and took the new trial paper, which engaged their attention for the remainder of the day. COURT OF ILINKRUPTCY, Feb. 7. THE FORTH MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. (Before Mr. Commissioner FoNBLANQuE ) This matter was again before the Court the whole day, and was now conciudei. It was the first application against a joint stock company, under the Act 7 and 8 Vic., c. 3, "An Act f r facilitating the winding up of the affairs of Joint Stock Companies, unable to meet their pecuniary engagements," und,T which the Court was called upon to make a report to the Board of Trade respecting the formation and management of the Company, with a view to ulterior proceedings on the part of the Government. The Act has applica tion to all joint bank companies. It enables creditors to obtain facts against companies (instead of going into the Court of Chancery) in the same manner as against individuals, and before the passing of the last examina tion a commissioner is required to make an examination, and afterwards to present his report. The evidence taken was voluminous. The points urged against the Company on the part of certain shareholders were these : &daring a delusive dividend, making unfair re ports, and giving preferential discharges to shareholders. Mr. Laurence (solicitor) appeared for a number of shareholdors, Mr. Ashurst for the estate, and Mr. Cooke (the barrister) on the part of the bankrupts. On the conclusion of the evidence Mr. LAURENCE ad dressed the Court, contending that he had made out the charges. Individually he had no complaint against the Company, but as a body he urged that they had born guilty of misconduct. Mr. COOKE repudiated the notion of individually ac quitting the parties, and condemning them as a body. He claimed a free discharge from the imputations cast on their character. Mr. Commissioner FONBIANQUE gave his opinion that there was no imputation of dishonesty against the Company. There might have been imprudence, but, in his judgment there was no dishonesty of purpose, and he should make his report to the I3oard of Trade to that efE ct. The official assignee (Mr. Pennell) then read the re port. The debts and liabilities were 50,0001. The Com pany commenced business in London and Leith in May, 1839, and the fiat was dated in July last. The assets were about 7,0001., with an expectati m of further sums. The defi,dency was calculated at 30,8731.; the actual losses were 108,6701., and the total losses from under writing were somewhat above that sum. In 1841-2 they sustained severe losses from underwriting; in that period many shipwrecks had occurred aid their losses in one year had been to an immense extent. The COURT declared the bankrupts to have passed their last examination. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD. COURT. (Before Mr. Baron Irol.rm and Mr. Justice CuEsswELL.) Tun KNlFE.—Edward Jackson, aged 28, a cabman, was indicted IT cutting and wounding Thomas Carter, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Mr. Mellor conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Bal lantyne the defence. It appeared that the prisoner and prosecutor had been drinking and sparring together in a public-house,, and eventually quarrelled. They struggled, and some one called out to prosecutor, "mind the knife." lie stepped back ; and on putting his hand to his side, discovered that he had been stabbed. He did not feel the blow at the time it was delivered. They had never quarrelled before, although they Lad been acquainted for some time. The prisoner was found Guilty. Mr. Justice CRESSWELL commented on the nature of the offence. He said the act of dra,ming a knife in a quarrel, instead of fighting with the weapons provided by nature was a very un-English as well as a very cowardly method of proceeding. The jury had convicted the prisoner very justly, and he was determined to make an example to show his abhorrence of such conduct. If there had not been a few extenuating circumstances, he should certainly have transported the prisoner ; as it was, he sentenced him to be imps ironed and kept to hard labour for twelve calendar months. PRESENTATION OF THE GRAND JURY.-011 Saturday the gentlemen of the grand inquest, after having been diimined, entered the Central Criminal Court, and de livered in a paper, which wai read by the clerk of the court, and its publication requested. The following is a cipy " February 6, 1846. " The gentlemen of the grand jury beg leave most re spectfully to express their opinion to their Lordships, the judges, that a great number of the cases of crime presented to them have originated, or been materially encouraged by the facility afforded to persons of evil character to dispose of articles dishonestly obtained. No pains whatever have been taken by the pawnbrokers to inquire for the actual name and address of the persons pledging, but they are perfectly satisfied with any fictitious name and address they receive, although the ar ticles, as well as the circumstances, appear extremely suspicious ; spoons pledged with initials, articles with names at full length, new clotb, fruit knives, ivory han dled and silver headed, were received from a charwoman whom the pawnbroker knew ; and, in other cases, pawn brokers receiving pledges after the knowledge of a party for sight or Dine years—meaning they never . suspected them, when the actual pawnbroker gave the party in charge two or three years . previously on a charge of Nony, which afterwards was compromised. The num berless instances in which pawnbrokers have appeared to us to deserve mere punishment than the prisoners, calls for your Lordship' deepest consideration.--Signed on behalf of the grand jury, _ " JOHN GURNEY FRY, Foreman." The RECORDER told the grand jury that in cases wh:-re pawnbrokers had manifexted fligrant want of caution, the Court was in the uniform habit of refusing to allow their expenses, and frequently to admonish them thAt they might congratulate themselves !hat. they were not indicted as guilty receivers. The Court thanked the gentlemen for their expression of sentiment upon the subject, the effect of which he (the It-corder) hoped wou!d not bo lost, as most likely they would go forth to the public. The gentlemen then bowed to the bench, and withdrew. John Sumner, and . Robe t Watson, two sailors, were in'lic:ed, the former, fur utteting an order far the pay trent of money, well knowing the same to be forged, and the latter with having incited, aided, and abetted him in uttering the said order, he also well knowing, See. It appeared that the order in question was what is term- d an advancz. , -note—a document Oat i 3 frequently issued by the captains of merchant vessels, for the em , unt of the first month of a seaman's wages after he has signed the ship's erticles, &c., to enable him to obtain the necessary outfit ; that the order in ques tion purported to be given in favour of William Martin, who was therein rep-esented to have joined the ship Albion, about to proceed to Jamaica, cad was for the stun of 21.- 55., payable at the house of Messrs. N9wman, and Hunt, ship agents; that on the day named in thA indictment, Vie prisoner Sumnerwent to the shop of an outfitter residing in Itatcliffe Highway, ani I axing made some purchases to the amount of IL 12s , tendered in payment the advance-note in question, and received the d fference, promising to call for the artic'es on the follow ing day. When the shopkeeper presented tho note for payment he was informed that it was a turnery; and on übsequeut inquiry it was ascertained that no ship called the Albion had or was about to pro ceed to Jamaica, and no sailor named Wiliam Mirtin was to be found in the docks named in the said note. Information of the forgery and fraud was given to the police, who succeeded in tracing the prisoners to the Sailor's Home, the place of their temporary residence, and th-re took them into custody. When informed of the charge against them, Sumner said that Watson had given him the no . e ; and Wagon admiqed that he had bought the note fur a penny, that he filled it up, and then gave it to Sumner, but he had no idea that he was going to ut'er it. The jury found both the prisoners Guilty ; and the Court sentenced each of them t i be imprisoned two years in the House of Correction, and there kept to her l labour. Henry Frederick Williams, a young fellow dressed as a Sai:Or, Was convicted of stealing a variety of articles of wearing al pixel from a house in which he had taken up a temporary residence. Hz, , stool further indicted for stealing two five-pound notes and three sovereigns, the moneys of David Craig. The prosecutor stated that 112 bad served as a marine on b ►ard the Ueda, one of the Government steamers. She was paid off at Woolwich, on the 20th of last month. On that day he came to London by one of the Woolwich steam boats, and when tie started had the above money in his possession. He met with the pri- • soner on board, who scraped a'quaintance with him, by telling him that he also belonged to the service. On their arrival in town the pri soner induced him to accompany him to a tfublic-house, whither they accordingly went, and drank a glass or two of grog together. They afterwards went to another house and took up their quarters for the night, the pri soner and he sleeping in the same room together. The prisoner woke him in the morning, and said there had been thieves in the house, and advised him to look and s. - e that his m muy was all safe. He did so, and finding all right, was about to replace it in his trousers' pocket, when the prisoner took it from him, anti hurrying him down stairs, said .ho would give him his money as soon as they got into the street. They left the house toge ther and proceeded a short distance, when witness de manded his money of the prisoner, and finding that it was not forthcoming, and being convinced from the pri soner's manner that he intended to rob him of it, he called for a policeman and gave him into custody. Policeman R. C. Smith stated that he took charge of the prisoner, and conveyed him to the station-house. While there, and previous to his thing searched, he saw ' the prisoner throw a roll of paper away, and on picking it up lie found it contained the two M. notes belonging to the prosecutor. On the way to the station-house, the prisoner told the prosecutor to mind what he was about, for he would bring an action against him for false imprisonment if he dared to proceed any further in the matter. The jury found the prisoner Guilty. Mr. Baron ROLFE, in passing sentence, said the pri soner was evidently a desperate character, who went about robbing every one who came in his way, 'The sentence of the Court, therefore, upon him was, that for the first offence, of which he had been convicted, he be imprisoned three months in the House of Correction ; and that for the second offence he be, after the expira tion of su, h imprisonment, transported for the term of seven years. IV Eiv COURT. George Ma tin, IS, was convicted of stealing twenty yards of woollen cloth, value 141., the property of Joseph Haynes, his master. The prisoner asked the ju 'go if he would transport him, but the Common Ser ge.znt declined, and sentenced him to be imprisoned for twelve calendar months. Henry Clarion, 16, was indicted for stealing two pairs of .can&esticks and a teapot, value 10s., the p..0-perty perty of Richard Elsam; and Mary Gibson Freeyrove was indicted for receiving the SatllP, well knowing them to have been stolen. The jury found them both Guilty, and sentenced Claxton to six months' impriserttnent, and Freegrove to eighteen months, with hard labour. • George Samuel Abraham', 58, a broker, was indicted or feloniously stealing a piece of silver, one ring, one brooch, and various other articles, value 71., the property of William Collins. _ The Jury found the prisoner Guilty. It was afterwards ascertained that the prisoner had collected the sum of 9GI. from the various brewers and licensed victuallers in the metropolis, stating the object as on behalf of the prosecutor, not a farthing of which he handed over, but appropriated it to his own use. The COMMON SERGEANT sentenced the prisoner to be transported beyond the seas for seven years. IVilliam Ward, a pot boy, 19, and Thomas Bennett, 28, were indicted for burglari, , naly breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Mr. T. ('ole, residing at Green wich, and stealing therein a coat and other apparel, a quantity of silver and other coins, his property. It was proved by several witnesses that the, pri soners were seen together on the night of the 4th instant, when Ward was in possession of a coat, which he hinted was not come honestly by. Other property was traced to 11?nnett. The Cosl3luN SERGEANT told the jury to dismiss from their minds the charge of burglary; of the larceny there was no doubt.—Guilty. A former conviction having been proved against Bennett, he was sentenced to be transported for ten years, and Ward to be imprisoned in .Maidsthe Gaol fora period of twelve calendar months. William Smaley, 35, a returned transport, was con victel of stealing an iron grating, value 405., th e pro perty of Robert Goodman and another, and was again sentenced to be transported for the term of ten years. Matthew Gibson, 23, and Richard Fozall, were found Guilty of stealing four live tame fowls, the property of James Gardner. The prisoners belonged to a noto rious gang of thieves who infest the neighbourhood of Camberwell and Brixton, and who hive for the last twelve months male sad havoc: among the poultry yards of the above place?. _ _ _ Mary Rather, 37, was indicted for stealing fifteen sovereigns, the goods and moneys of Ann Rowarth, in her dwelling-house. The jury acquitted the prisoner. SHOCKING DEPRAVITY.—Elizabeth Buckley, 15, Ann Bennett, 14, Mary Ann Maley, 14, Catherine Ginivan, 13, Catherine Smith, 14, were indicted for committing a burglary in the dwelling-house of John Andrews, and stealing eleven pairs of boots and twenty-four pairs of shoes, value 125., his property ; and Mary Ann Ryan, for receiving the same, well knowing the same to have been stolen. The particulars of this case was of that. nature that left no doubt of the guilt of the prisoners. The principal witness being the prisoner Smith, who was admitted evidence against the others. It seems that thefive first named prisoners were connected with a gang of juvenile thieves and prostitutes, who were to be seen loiter ing about the avenues of Covent-garden Market during the night, and having committed the robbery, they repaired with the fruits of their enterprise to the house of the prisoner Ryan, who became a t eady purcharT at the price of 9d. for every dozen pairs, and which they afterwards divided amongst them. The prisoner Smith, upon being taken into custody by Pocock, the policeman, made a full disclosure of the whop matter, which led to the apprehension of the prisoners. They all pleaded guilty, Ryan. excepted, and the jury found her Guilty. The LEARNED JUDGE then sentenced the juvenile prisoners each to three months' imprisonment, and Ryan to twelve months' imprisonment. THIRD COURT. Elizabeth Haggett, 21, and Mary Haggett, 48, were in dicted, the former for stealing a silver spoon and a da mask cloth, value 2L 103 , the property of George Par kinson, her master, and the latter with receiving the same, knowing it to have been stoler. The evidence was very conclusive, and the jury found them both Guilty. Sentence, four months imprisonment each. John Hawkins, 18, and Alfred Herring, 19, wet e in• dicted for stealing two coats, value 40a., the property of James England, a set of harness, value 51., the property of William Woodthorpe Williams, and a coat, value 125., the property of Richard Scriven. The jury found them both guilty, and, being well known characters, the Learned Judge remarked that it would not be safe to allow such characters to remain in this country, and transported them both for the term of seven years. Discharge by Proclamation.—The following prisoners were discharged, the bills against them being ignored:— Ann Boyle., George Smith, R. W. llvyward, Thomas Chamberlain, R. 0. Herbert. Thos. Wright, Thos. Har wood, Thomas Allen, Dan. M'Carthy, George Holleman, George Sanders, Thos. Laws, Ann Wright, ,and Thomas • Baylis. Attempts have been made to introduce the vine into Oceania. Some of the finest plants of Burgundy have been put into the ground, and spread their branches and put forth leaves with extraordinary vigour, but bore neither fruit nor blossom. At the end of last summer, however, a few plants care fully cultivated in the island of Tonga produced grapes, much larger anul liner than those in France, but the flavour WAS rather ditftrent. The result has occasioned great joy in 04 little colony.--French paper. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. On Saturday, Catherine Park, an elderly female, stated to be of independent property, was brought before Mr. Hardwicke, charged with having stolen a silver pencil ease from a stand in the Pantheon Bazaar, belonging to Mr. Plumb, silversmith, 194, Oxford-street. The evidence was to this effect:— Mrs. Plumb said the prisoner came to her stand on Thursday afternoon and examined some of the articles, - in particular a tray, in which was a number of pencil cases. She heard something drop on the floor, as if one of the pencil-cases had fallen or been thrown down, and immediately afterwards she saw the prisoner stoop down and pick up something with which site walked awnY Witness looked at the tray and missed a silver paten t pencil-case, worth about ss. ed. Witness immediately went after the prisoner end stopped her jest as she was about to leave the Pantheon, and accused her of having robbed her stand. The prisoner dean d that she had taken anything, hut in her hand was 'mind the meising pencil ease. The prisoner was given int o custody c and locked up in the station house. Tee prisoner, in defence, said she ltd not steal the pencil-ruse. She saw it on the ground, and she pl aced • it up. She was fully committed. The sister of the prisoner came into Court, and , ad dressing Mr. Hardwick, said she had just heard, to her greet sorrow, of the situation of her sister, whose she - sence from home the previous night had caused the utmost alarm. It was hardly to be believed that her sister could have intended to commit the offence for which she had been sent to prison. Her sister was 13( 1 of sound mind, and that could be proved by undoubted evidence. The trustees of their property would pr° v ; that her, ister had been confined in a lunatic asylum ; an she could also bring forward witnesses to prove that her :ister was not fit to be trusted alone, for on the very day when the alleged robbery took place sha had cond ucted herself in a way which showed that she was not in 1 1 ° P session of her proper senses. he Mr. HARDWICKE said, under these circumstanc es, would accept bail for the accused. lie should recome mend the friends of the accused at the trial to be Pte . e pared with evidence of 11,r insanity. WESTMINSTER. On Saturday, William Forster, a poor, halfsste eve _ e '' miserable-looking boy, about sixteen years of age, we": charged with wilfully breaking a pane of glass at ow Margaret's workhouse. nth e ' Squib, a pauper, maintained in the workhouse, ele,, designated by the appellasien of " superintendent of re nightly lodgers," said that the boy applied for adasiss ee , le ; o re the pvams evening, when ha was refused. Ar remaining upwards of two hours at the door, the boy threw a stone at the glass of the lamp, and broke e l 0 observing directly he had done so, "new you'll Is' me in." Mr. CLIVE—Why did not you take him in? s. s b r e . pauper—l took those in that I thought wanted it 0° I was so full. t° Mr. CLIVE, to the defendant—What have you g° ro , say? Buy—l waited there for more than two luta and he wouldn't admit me. I asked him very often, he said I might lie down and die for what he cared. er ; _ Mr. CLIVE, addressing the superintendent paup Did you turn away many who applied ? Superint ende° pauper—Yes, eight or ten. Jet' Mr. CLivE —ls this often the case with you ? en' intendent pauper?—Yes, every night. t he Mr. CLIVE—Is there any other place provided 11 0 , parish to receive them ? Superintendent P auPer" t he I tell them to 6 o away if I'm full, aryl they go wher e like. c uh In answer to further inquiries as to how many of 5 ati casual nightly lodgers there was accommodation Were the workhouse, the witness said, " that if they I' stewed away pretty tight, about twenty." fo e f Mr. CLIVE—Did you give the accused any j e ; Witness—No, we only give food to those we take there's no food for the others. the Mr. CLIVE—Are there any authorities NO te r , workhouse in attendance ? Mr. Elliott, the Vi e s; stood forward and said that there was so much j os about that they were efraid to press the people to° clog together (intending to imply, we presume, t hat nightly lodgers are admitted than heretofore). . 0 Mr. CLIVE—HOW is it that further accommodatiois, not provided ? Mr. Elliott—The Poor-law C° l:s sioners are going to erect asylums. be° •Mr. CLIVE—The supposition is that everybody vr destitute is relieved. The test of the necessity O t • 1 11 r ia sort of the applicant is found in admitting and reT, ° pot him to do a certain portion of work; but if you d imes admit him you ccnnot tell. Steps ought to 1 10 , 0 fl oc immediately to correct s uc h a n abuse as this. I "ies% mean to say that the boy is a t a ll justified in 131 1 S -' the windows, but I shall give hi m a very slight 111) 0 went. He is committed for three days. lie ' consequently liberated on Monday morning. t he The poor boy, when locked up, complained had not tasted food of any description pence Tht°,oB l He was immediately, by order of Mr.W. Taylor , t he clerk, provided with some. LAMBETH. • ion 0 On Saturday Inspector Collier, of the P div ls efe l police, addressing Mr. Norton said that, seel 0 0 3 Games, who was engaged professionally on behs'yied person named Munton, charged with cutting h is e cir throat, present, he felt it to be his duty to m enti on a oil, cumstance of a distressing character, which occorr e ee tsa the evening before, and e hich was intimately eon ° , t est , with that extraordinary case. The inspector s t e etsee riec i: on Munton's examination beforo Mr. Henry, the P eto pal witness against him was Mrs. Susan Vee e Y B ' 0 mother-in-law, who lived in his house. Mrs. ye s h e ar her examination before Mr. Henry, stated that, or i re etel ing a loud noise, she rushed down from her owl' feel and, on reaching the bottom of the stairs, she„;tte", her son in-law, Munton, standing naked, and ' e rle°' over with blood from head to foot. In the front: P o eel she found her daughter lying on the floor, with', fel wound in her throat A razor, deeply stained wi t. " ,yere, by her side, and her person, as well as the floor , C' doe with blood. She instantly exclaimed, " Who br a, it it ?" and her daughter, pointing at her bush"' c on plied, "He has." The old woman and her sue) o e' tinned to live at the house of Munton, and nothing ! P a sP e cular happened until the day before (Friday), "' li f e o°' complained of illness, and, accompanied by 11,e eq went to the shop of a surgeon named young , ter nington-lane, and that gentleman having achnin'el sb" something to her which she said gave her relie7o,o, returned home. Her son left her at one o'clock s t se apparently much better, but on returning hom e be t * e o'clock he found her quite dead and cold, On t ee li' e is cumstance being made known to him, Inspector se i 0 he at once felt it to be his duty to acquaint th e P o t t c f officers, and also to forward word to the Corone t : o ba district, that an inquest might be holden upo n t " ( leo of the deceased, and the circumstances of her properly investigated. eectli ri Mr. NORTON thought the inspector had a cted P C° e o i e r right. Quite enough had been stated by Mr• satisfy him that it was a proper case for $ vestigation. 10 13 i Do Mr. Games, on the part of his client, Mre e , j , e • el said he was most anxious lest any prejudice P' e iVe attached to his unfortunate case by the death 4 / 1 00 lady, and that the whole of the circumstances a!eugi°' upon her death should undergo the most sever' c e vestigation. Mr. Collier said that this should be done, Iteb(la(4oe,fr. that, by the direction of his superintendent, h° ee d e y, Howett, a surgeon, to see the body of the dW e r that morning, and it was most remarkable that lip 1° though life had been but a short time extinct, rapid state of decomposition. 0 5 Mr. NORTON observed that this fact forme tional reason why a strict investigation into tid e 0 , of death should take place. e° Mr. Games complained of the conduct of a Peeed stable, Steadman, 151 P in dogging about a P'" whose behalf he had made the application. n , It appeared that on the day before, Stead raa uee cr - rectiou of his superintendent, as he states, c°„ he eeeo following about to every place, a well known e y' a flo c named William Smith, but who is better kn°” CO el 0 4 cognomen of " Billy-go.firster," and the latter ite itt or el get rid of him until he met a well-known phe eee ter a pe gig, and having related to the latter the ch rhitt , " 0 0 11 , object of his tormentor, the playman i n viteo c ,, tei el 00 0 seat in his vehicle. Yesterday morning. P os te l ee sought out his man, and again commenced htsroille • be, Mr. Games, cons id er i ng suc h a s y s tem of s u e ° not only illegal, but unconstitutional, requested ,50 ship's order to suppress it. of es lo is° t Inspector Collier admitted that, at the " se superintendent, be certainly had directed Ste a l e r f th e ( 13 constable, to keep the party alluded to tir o col let watch but at the same time to avoid coming 1 o ece' with him. t eori t). Mr. NORTON observed that he had no nu' c ooP. her the prerogative of the police, but when 11 vis' r ee was made against any member of the fore: o $ o ti c ter duty to hear it. The present, he thought , ee ch° r e er e complaint, for, whatever might have been tle v e t°, the of the party, he did not think the means reeoloce oi to ee legal, as they were likely to lead to a P oe ac t peace, and he should, therefore, reconnect . ` d discontinued. fle e wit'",eter . The parties withdrew from the court, sa l. ' t ,iO l9 declaration of his worship's opinion, but in a sh ° s r ee eed; e se they returned into court, when Mr. Garn e i; o op o il: i g , :ea t cl o , complained that, notwithstanding the st r r pressed by his worship so short a time coda(' man in a disguise still continued the s at CO' wards his client. J est th e eer Mr. NORTON thought with Mr. Gain"! th ° missioners would not be justified in issu i ti n i g ine r th ci s eon' have a person dogged about in the i n: t hey 1 , 4,„ id Pe t . complainant was, and he did not thnee, aue e e n ee rs ° so. He again suggested that the save"' ei i e sioe ee sti °s discontinued until the opinion of the C °l:s r OP a eo t Police was taken. pe Mr. Games observed that unless the Pr ° osb Gat .o•cs" of his worship was followed, he (gr• seeeees be accountable for the consequences - _ tro t l' tire s , The constable Steadman seemed to ne , e vere_ oo oo.: .. tion of the lelagistrate very light l P. o f the said he was acting under the direct that P er e Robinson, sionev, and that even at one bias to r Robinson, his superintendent, directed in following his man. e sdair .‘e_ye.i.nisirnGn. Holbrook,lwa s A w t, Y a a s il b r o — -------':ußtt,ulisrEenviti returning NEARfrom e k i3 B , E c a:s e PPi r lit f r " : o :l 3 o, , )9 1:11 ° . ,1t , - Irrl'il : l l : t j d' i gi°: l h w e li w ie as rstey at - t l a a c n k e e , dbubty.athsrleieortinaenis,tawnicl: tbrtrubcrxelitqkdoottlle;er: hammer and kicked h►m about the bead and,_. li o f aof oc wise severely wounding him, and robbed P c l . o l ,„ s lett l e il d hotel Tshhorcekeinmgenst,atievitlliiiaatmhley:teacsm,sem•celY e i/- half sovereign, and - Is. Gd. in silver. ablii to-gYr°o7d6ls:(l:t Jackson, were apprehended on SSaatnuTder,ll4l.°3-12'es-3-t'nroatuti,:el)(ir ilitict: an examination on Monday, before Jerediar,,rd3 t ~nd f , Belper, but although no do.ibt e xists 1! , ,y e ' o titi , ,Zdet v " Mr. Byard was unable to swear toteiru.stAy. have therefore been discharged a c Advertiser. ~.... -4 4 . 4 htties ~~ Y' L ~q `~e~ '~~o 4r t 4 1 %tr, tt