The Sun. — London, England, 1848-03-23 00:00:00

-. Vt trb 12bition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. ELECTION COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) HORSHAM. The Horsham Election Committee reassembled this morning; Lord Courtnay in the chair. Mr. M. D. HILL said in accordance with the intima tion the eommittee threw out yesterday, he was prepared to call witnesses to prove the allegations of treating. Charles Henley, waiter of the Anchor Inn, Horsham proved that • in May last, Mr. Jarvis, with several of his friends, was at that house, where they were well supplied with drink. Subsequently similar meetings were held at the same place, and one of them he remem bered lasted all night. The " free and independents" of Horsham were during these meetings entertained with I the performances of a local brass band and liberally fur -1 ished with refreshments and cigars. The orders were g iven by Captain Thomas. The agency of Captain Thomas was admitted on half of the sitting Member. William Sopfr, another waiter at the Anchor, con tin ned Henley's testimony. Ir. HILL said he did cot propose to call any other with esses, whereupon the Committee ordered the room to be cleared. After a lengthened deliberation strangers were r, s-admitted, when Th e CHAIRMAN said, I am instructed by the Com mittee to announce that we have come to the following resolution :—That John J erv i s , Esq., i s no t d u ly elected a burgess, to serve in the present Parliament for the borough of . Horsham. That the East election for the said borough was a void election. That the said John Jervis, Esq., was, by his agents, guilty of treatierg at the last election; and, lastly, That with reference to the allegation contained in the petition of the prevalence of extensive bribery for the :Borough of Hursham, counsel for the petitioners be re quested, i n act •.ordance with the preliminary :tesolution tof the committt le to produce a list of the names of th e electors alleged. to have been bribed, and of the p ar ti es charged to have given the bribes. Mr. M. D. urged that it was not q u it e regu l ar to put the petitio.ners to such expense, seeing that the object they had in view in presenting the petition had been obtained, and ,that they did not wish to proceed further in the matter. The CHAIRMAN said the Committee were anxious to ascertain whether the petitio;:ers had been bona fide pre pared to suLstantiate their allegation of bribery? Mr. M. D. HILL remarked that the production of the list required could prove nothing, but he could assure the Committee, as counsel for the petitioners, that they were prepared with the necessary evidence to substan tiate the allegation. The Committee then ordered the room to bo again cleared, and after a short consultation, the parties were called in, when The CHAIRMAN stated that the Committee had come to :he following t esolutiee:— The sth and 6th Victoria, chap. 102, having been read, resolved that the agents of the several parties be called in, and examined with reference to any circumstances that may have lead to the forbearance of the charge of bribery. The agents were accordingly called in and examined by the Chairman ; and, from their evidence, it appeared that a proposal had been made to Mr. Padwick, the local agent of the petitioners, by parties whose names the Committee did not press for, that the treating should be admitted, and the election declared void, if the peti tioners would consent to abandon the other allegation of bribery, &c. The proposition, however, suggested by Mr. Sergeant Wrangham in the Committee, was made unconditionally, without any reference or relation what ever to the previous overtures, but from a conviction on the part of the agents of Mr. Jervis that the evidence the petitioners had at their command was such that it was quite impossible that he could retain his seat. The room was then cleared for the third time, and after a few minutes consultation, strangers were read glitter), when The CHAIRMAN said he bad to inform the parties that the Committee had come to the following resolu tion:— _ _ That the circumstances attending the forbearance of prosecuting the charge of bribery contained in the peti tion do not appear to the Committee to call for any F pecial report. The Committee then broke up. TATTERSALL'S—THIS EVENING Six O'CLOCK. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 5 to 1 agst Ballinafad 10 to 1 agst Joc o' Sot 15 to 1 agst Lady Wildair 15 to 1 agst Thistledown 20 to 1 agst Sagacity METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 8 to 1 agst Rat-trap 9 to 1 agst Jericho 12 to 1 agst Marquis of Conynghan CHESTER cur. 30:to 1 agat War Eagle 30 to 1 agst The Swallow 30 to 1 agst Hetman Platoff colt 35 to 1 agst Enchanter 1000 to 15 agst Rufus DERBY. .79 to 1 agst Surplicej 10 to 1 agst Springy Jack 12 to 1 agst Glendower 20 to 1 agst Loadatone 20 to 1 agat Fern . 25 to 1 agst Nil Desre:andum 40 to 1 agst Whitstone IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING) HOUSE OF LORDS. The Loan CUANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock. ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS (CHAN• CERY) BILL. On the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR. this Bill passed through Committee. PETITIONS. The Earl of BARROWBY presented several petitions in favour of the Health of Towns Bill. The Archbishop of YORK presented a petition from some place in the county of Cheshire, against Jewish emancipation. CRIMINAL LAW. Lord CAMPBELL laid upon the table a Bill for the amendment of the criinival law. One of the ob jects of the Bill was to enable the coroner to admit parties charged with manslaughter to bail in cases in which he may deem it proper to do so. Many cases had arisen in which persons committed by the coroner had suffered a longer period of imprisonment previous to trial than the imprisonment to which they would have been condemned by a judge, had they been tried and convicted immediately after the com mission of the offence. The Duke of RICHMOND highly approved of the Bill, as he considered that imprisonment previous to trial was in many cases most demoralising to the persons imprisoned. LEGACY DUTY ON CHARITIES. The Bishop of LONDON presented several peti tions praying for a repeal of the legacy duties on monies left to charities. The Bishop of OXFORD presented several peti tions with a similar prayer. The Marluis of LANSDOWNE considered the petitions were well worthy the attention of the House, but it was impossible for him to say what his col leagues might say on the subject. Any measure of the sort must originate in another House, and the present time was exceedingly unfavourable for bring ing forward such a proposition. The temper of the other House of Parliament seemed to point rather to the extension of the legacy duty to property at pre sent exempt than to the exemption of property at present liable to it. ODD FELLOWS. Lord BEAUMONT asked if the Government in tended to introduce any measure to legalise the societies of Odd Fellows ? The Marquis of LAN SDOWNE believed that these societies were in general composed of persons exceedingly respectable and well disposed, but still there were circumstances connected with their con stitution which took them out of the the category of friendly societies; and he believed that it would be better to give them relief, by extending the Friendly Societies' Act, rather than by the intro duction of any special enactment legalising these societies, and a Bill for that purpose had been introduced into the other House, if not by her Majesty's Government, certainly without their disapproval, and it would be more convenient to in troduce a clause into that bill legalising these socie ties. The Government would give their best atten tion to the framing of some measure for the removal of this grievance, if it could be removed consistently with justice to the parties themselves. Lord BEAUMONT believed that the Bill alluded to was Mr. Feargus O'Connor's Bill legalising his land scheme. lie was sorry to see so respectable a body as the Odd Fellows confounded with the Chartists, and he thought there would be difficulties thrown in the way of the other Bill which would not be thrown in the way of a Bill simply legalising the society of Odd Fellows. He was how ever gratified with the course the Government had pursued, and he trusted that if the other Bill should be rejected some measure would be introd uce d by the Government legalising the society of Odd Fellows. The Duke of RICHMOND would have preferred seeing those petitions referred to a Select Committee. in order to inquire into the manner in which these societies are constituted. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from a lodge of Odd Fellows, praying to have their society legalised. TOLL-HOUSES (SCOTLAND). The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition against the licensing toll-houses in Scotland for the sale of spirituous liquors. PENINSULAR MEDALS The Duke of RICHMOND gave notice that he THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDA V should, on a future occasion, ask when the Peninsular medals would be distributed. NEW BISHOPS. Lord STANLEY, in reference to the Bill which had passed last session, authorizing the formation of new bishoprics, and that he believed the understand ing between the Government and the heads of the Church was that four new bishops should be ap pointed, and it was so stated in the preamble of the Bill, as it was originally introduced into their Lordships House, although those words had boen struck out in the House of Com mons, the Prime Minister having at the same time pledged himself to appoint three new Bishops in addition to the Bishop of Manchester, so soon as they should have funds for the endowment of those new sees. By the recent decease of the Archbishops of York and Canterbury, a great addition had been made to the fund, and he asked, therefore, if the Government adhered to that agreement, and if they intended to proceed to the ap pointment of the new Bishops without delay. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the Government still adhered to the agreement alluded to by the Noble Lord, and whenever the means appeared to be sufficient for the purpose, it would be for her MajeEty to determine what new Bishop should be appointed. The Noble Lord well knew that there were several Bishops whose in comes were lower than the sums fixed by the Ecclesiastical Commission, and certainly they had a claim to have their incomes raised to the ave rage before any new Bishops should be appointed. The Bishop of SALISBURY was sure it would be higl - ly gratifying to the Members of the Church to know that her Majesty's Government still adhered to tie &gement which they had entered into with the heads o' the Church for the appointment of new bishops, and thought it desirable that as little delay as possible should take place in their appointment. The Earl of DEVON rose and was (LEFT SPEAKING.) heard, recapitulated the reasons raised by him against the motion on the last occasion it was moved. He thought the House adopted a wise course when it declared its intention to wait until the evidence taken before the Committee was printed, and Hon. Members had had an opportunity of perusing it. After read ing the evidence, he (Mr. B.) did not think that there was sufficient ground to punish the electors very severely. If the House thought proper on a former occasion to vindicate the conduct of the electors, he should not think it his duty to propose the disfran chisement of the borough. No doubt the elec tors who took the bribes did their best ; to cause Mr. Attwood to open his purse-strings, and although it was said that but a small number were bribed, in his opinion fifty or sixty, the number proved to have so conducted themselves, was a very large proportion of the elections. The Hon. Member then read the evidence of one of the wit nesses, who stated that a number of the electors went to the Duke's Head, to draw Mr. Attwood out." A paper was there signed. He was asked if they soid that that was their intention ? to which they replied, they did, and that they meant was to make Mr. Attwood open his purse-string 3. What was the state of the borough ? The Hon. Gentleman the Member for the borough (Mr. Bag sha w) said the electors had increased from 180, in 1831, so 280 at the last election. It seemed that the place had been specially favoured by the Government. It was understood to be Earl Grey's intention, in introducing the Reform Bill that places possessing a population of 4,000 should return two Members. Harwich had only a population of 2,371, but the Government, in order to make up the requisite number, took in the adjoining parish of Dourcourt (as we understood); but the population had of late years been reduced, as its number was now 3,829, showing a falling off of 10 per cent. In the neighbourhood there were parishes possessing a population of 27,000 or 28,000: he did not wish to include them, but looking at the tendency of the electors to take bribes, he did think he was justified in moving a 3 an amend ment that leave be given to introduce a Bill to extend the lin its of the borough, with a view to increasing the number of electors.—(Hear, hear.) The amendment having been seconded, Mr. HUME said when the House considered that the Members for Cie following places had been un seated for bribery, that it was incumbent upon the House to consider whether some means ought not to be taken to vindicate the character of the House — (Hear, hear)—namely, Great Yarmouth, Kin• sale, Carlisle, Lancaster, Dundalk, Harwich, Bewd ley, Aylesbury, Derby, and Horsham.—(Hear ) As soon as one proof of bribery was established the ease was not prccteded with any further, and thus the House never became informed of the real amount of bribery and corruption carried on in these places. A Bill was recently prepared for the purpose of authorising inquiries into these matters, notwith standing any decision having been come to upon the subject by the Committees, for the purpose of aster taining to what extent this evil had been carried on. He thought that it would have been better to have suspended the issue of all the writs for those places in which the Members had been unseated until the whole of the Election Committees had concluded their labours, and that then a general Committee shculd be appointed to inquire into the whole subject, and suggest some modifications of the existing law on the subject. He had understood that some of the Committees had come to decisions which if generally acted upon would lead to the unseating of nearly every Member in the House—(Hear, hear) —and that the most pure and honourable acts on the part of candidates might be construed into illegal acts, and be considered sufficient to cause them to lose their seats.—(Hear, hear.) He would suggest, therefore, that the Hon. Member should withdraw his motion, and allow the issue of this writ to stand over until the close of the labours of the Election Com mittees. Mr. MACKENZIE thought that the proposition of the Hon. Member for Montrose was a most mon strous piece of injustice, as it would up the issuing of the writ for this and all other places for an in definite period. lie could not agree in the remarks which had been made with respect to the constituency of Harwich, that it was getting worse than formerly, on the contrary, he thought that there were visible many signs of improvement. He should, therefore, most certainly press his motion. Sir B. HALL could not concur in the opinion that any great improvement had taken place in the borough, with respect to the conduct of the elec tors, or with reference to the parties who went down as candidates for that borough. There was a change in the • system, but there was no improvement. It appeared that a new system of corruption had sprung up latterly at Harwich. It was found impossible in consequence of the exposure which Mr. Roebuck's Committee bad made of that system, to obtain money in a direct manner for the purposes of bribery, and hence this new plan had been resorted to. If the House would turn to page 91 of the evidence laid before the House, they would see from the evidence of Mr. Cottingham, the agent for the management of the property of Mr. Attwood, what kind of cor ruption was now adopted. Mr. Cottingham was asked, in the Committee, what conditions he was in the habit of imposing upon tenants taking the heuses of Mr. Attwood ? his answer was, that all those persons who rented the houses of Mr. Attwood were given to understand that their votes would be required to be given in favour of.lllr. Attwood ; and he afterwards stated that one or more parsons had been, in consequence of their not voting for Mr. Attwood, turned out of their houses ; and it was very easy for this to be carried into effect, as the tenants were most, if not all of them, he believed, yearly tenants. That had been the practice pursued at Harwich, be cause it had been found impossible to go on with the direct system of bribery, and he therefore thought it was the duty of the House to cause an inquiry to be instituted into the matter. Many of these boroughs were becoming notorious for their corruption, and if some steps were not taken to put a stop to the evil, not only would the House fall into disrepute, but demands would be made upon them from out of doors for a new Reform Act and new schedules. He found that there were three boroughs in the country where the number of constituents were severally 107, 145, and 182, while there were 25 boroughs where the electors (lid not number in each case more than those of Harwich. Surely it was time that something should be done to remedy this state of things.—(Hear. hear.) Mr. B. COCI-IRANE said he had looked into some of the reports of the Committees, and he cer tainly agreed with the Hon. Member for Montrose, that in one or two instances the decisions were monstrously inconsistent and unjust. He therefore hoped this suggestion of the Hon. Member for the appointment of a Committee woull be adopted. Mr. HENLEY said they were wandering from the question before the House. That question was that a new writ be issued for the Borough of Har wich, and he confessed he had heard nothing to in duce him to think that there was any reason why the writ should not be issued.—(Hear, hear.) Sir DE LACY EVANS certainly agreed with the Hon. Member for Montrose, that some of the Committees in coming to their decisions had been actuated by exceedingly delicate motives, and the consequence was that several Honourable Members had been severely dealt with. He thought that as no special report had been made by the Committee, it would be unfair to the borough to refuse to issue the writ. Dr. BOWRING considered that a sufficient case had been made out for enquiry. He thought the House had quite enough before it to suspend the issuing of the writ, and to put the matter in a train of inquiry. He trusted, therefore, the House would reject the issuing of the writ. Mr. ELLIOTT supported the issuing of the writ. The Committee had found one case of bribery, and one case only, and that not having been brought home to Mr. Attwood, he thought he could not wi▪ th hold his vote for the issuing of the writ. Mr. ELLICE said they must look somewhat to the character of the electors. The fact elicited in the course of their inquiry that Mr. Attwood had purchased a great deal of property in the borough since the previous election, when he was unseated on precisely the same grounds as on the recent occa sion, invested the matter with a great deal of suspicion ; and if the House consented to the issui▪ ng of the writ without enquiry, people out: of doors would think the House was returning to the prac tices that prevailed before the passing of the Reform Bill.—(Hear.) Mr. Attwood admitted that he spent 10,0001. at the previous election. The notorious fact was still before the public, that the property purchased by Mr. Attwood was for the purpose of creating votes. He remembered some time ago being blamed by . an Honourable Member, because he cited the notoriety the borough of Stafford had obtained with respect to bribery (he hoped it had much improved since) as a ground for suspending the issuing of the writ, but a Committee of the House of Lords subsequently reported that it had been proved to their satisfaction that the most notorious and profligate bribery had not only existed at the last, but at the previous elections. Never thelessa th e wr it was i ssue d. Wh en a case o f thi s kind occurred, the House was bound to insti tute an inquiry before the writ was issued. .He confessed he entertained considerable doubt as to the most advisable course to adopt. He thought it would be well for the Government to take the matter to their consideration—(Hear)—as it was not merely this borough that was iconcerned, but the general system that prevailed.—(Hear.) Sir S. WORTLEY thought it would not be re• spectful to the House as be filled the office of the Chairman of the Committee, to say HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour. LEEDS, DEWSBURY, AND MANCHESTER (OSSETT BRANCII) RAILWAY BILL. _.. On the motion of Mr. BECKETT, this Bill was withdrawn. Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from Dundee, praying the House to reduce the amount of legacy duty plyable on charitable bequests. Mr. W. J. FOX presented two petitions from members of the Odd Fellows' Society, praying that the laws relating to the government of friendly societies might be extended to them. Alderman COPELAND presented a petition pray ing for an alteration in the Small Debts Act. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY pre sented several petitions in favour of the Roman Ca tholic Relief Bill. Mr. 11ASTIE presented a petition from Paisley praying for an amendment in the Scotch poor-law. Col,nel MUIR presented a petition in favour of the repeal of the duty upon legacies for charitable purposes, on the ground that the enforcement of such duties was contrary to the beneficent intentions of the donors. Mr. EIVART presented a petition against any in crea►e in the naval or military establishments of the country; also, a petition from the town and corpora tion of the city of Limerick, praying the House to abolish the puni•hment of death. An Hori. MEmnEa presented a petition, signed by a number of the out pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, complaining that five per cent. of their pensions had been withheld from them for several years, and that it was only during the present year that they had been paid in full ; they prayed the House to appoint an early (lay for the payment of the arrears due to them. The Hon. Member moved that the petition be referred to the Select Committee on the army and navy estimates.—Motion agreed to. Mr. COLVILE presented a petitition from Derby against the Bill for establishing diplomatic relations between this country and the Court of Rome. Mr. H. BAILLIE presented a petition from Roman Catholics resident in Inverness in favour of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill. Mr. P. SCROPE presented a petition from Bal lyna, praying the Government to afford some employ ment for the poor of their union on the waste lands in the neighbourhood, in order to relive the inhabitants from the great burden of their support. Mr. C. BRUCE presented a petition from various distillers of Elgin, in Scotland, praying for an altera tion in the Excise laws, with respect to the transmis sion of spirituous liquors from Scotland into this country. Mr. HUME presented a petition from Ledbury, in the county of Hereford, against any increase in the army and navy; also petitions in favour of an equali zation of the Itgacy duties and income-tax. Mr. C. BRUCE rose for the purpose of requesting that the petition he had just presented from Elgin on the subject of the Excise laws might receive the fullest attention of the Committee on Public Peti tions, and he trusted that they would consider it of sufficient importance to have it printed in extenso with the other petitions. Mr. THORNELY said that no doubt the petition would receive due consideration from the Committee. RECLAMATION OF `YASTE•LANDS (IRELAND) Mr. F. FRENCH gave notice that he would, upon an early day, move for leave to bring in a Bill pro viding for the reclamation of the west lands of Ire land. BRIBERY AT HARWICH. Mr. HUME gave notice that on Thursday next he would move that the Attorney-General be directed to prosecute Mr. Attwood (the late Member for Harwich), for bribery at that korought and various other places. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. HUME also gave notice of his intention to move that the system of " black letter" engrossing be dispensed with, and that the records might be kept in such a mannerjas that Hon. Members could read them. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that, on the motion for going into Committee of Supply, he should move that an humble addrftis be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty to be pleased to direct that an indictment might be preferred against those parties who were guilty of demolishing the houses of the poor at Galway. CEIARTIST CONVICTS. Mr. P. O'CONNOR gave notice that, on the 16th of April, he should move that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty to be Fraciously pleased to extend her royal pardon to John rost, and the others, concerned in the Monmouth outbreak. PETITIONS. Dr. BOIVRINGr presented a petition from the pensioners of Bolton, complaining that 5 per cent. had for several years been stopped from their allow ance, and praying for an inquiry ; also a petition from the Unitarian Dissenters of the same place, praying the House to revise the present system of taxation. • Mr. R. PALMER :presented s petition against the Diplomatic Relations with the Court of Rome Bill. Mr. G. TIIOMPSON presented a petition from the rate-payers of Shoreditch against the income-tax, and praying the House not to make any increase in the army or navy ; also a petition from the United Order of Druids, praying the House to establish a comprehensive and efficent system of sanitary reform. Mr. EWART presented a petition from Leighton Buzzard, praying a revision in the present system of taxation. HORSHAM ELECTION. Lord COURTENAY brought up the report of the Horsham Election Committee, unseating Mr. John Jervis. CLERKS OF UNION WORKHOUSES. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from the Clerks of the union workhouses in London, praying for the continuance of the superanuation allowance that had hitherto existed. Mr. Alderman SIDNEY postponed for a fortnight the motion of which he had given notice for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the allegations contained in a petition presented to the House on the 9th inst., from a public meeting held in the city of London, and to report their opinion thereon. ELECTION RECOGNIZANCES BILL. Mr. J. S. WORTLEY stated that he understood, in consequence of what had taken place, it was not the intention of his lion. and Learned Friend the Member for Midhurst to move the second reading of the Election Recoguizances Bill on Monday next. After what he had heard, he begged to give notice that if his Honourable Friend did not move the second reading on Monday he should, having a strong opinion that unless some legislation took place the greatest inconvenience would be experienced. Sir B. HALL wished to know whether it was the intention of the Honourable Member to ' move at the same time the postponement of the consideration of petitions that had been presented from different places. He understood that the Com mittee of Selection had appointed Monday to select Members to serve on the Committee to which these petitions referred. Mr. J. STUART WORTLEY said that that was a question for the Committee of Selection. Sir GEORGE CLERK said that the Committee of Selection would proceed with the nomination of Members on Monday. HARWICH. Mr. MACKENZIE proposed the following mo tion :—" That Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a burgess to serve in this present Par liament for the borough of llarwich, in the room of John Attwood, Esq., whose election has been deter mined to be void." The motion having been seconded, Mr. BLACKSTONE, who was very indistinctly EVEN f G, MA RC EI 23, 1845. a few words with respect to the evidence adduced before it. Some Hon. Member seemed to be of opinion that the House wished to screen Members so acting, and that they were not alive to the enormity of their conduct. Now, after what had taken place this session, he thought this an unhappy moment to make such an objection, as there never was a time when the House had shown more jealousy in regard to these matters. than the present, and a desire expressed to proceed against persons guilty of bribery under the Act which originated with the Noble Lord at the head of the Government.—(Hear.) Why, Committees this session had acted rigidly in the spirit of that Act, and some Members entertained the opinion that they acted with too much rigour. —(Loud cheers.) It might not, perhaps, become him to speak of the Committee over which he presided; he might simply say it did its duty and no more. He did not think that acting upon the princples which had guided the decision of the Committee, there would not be found ten members who had been returned at contested elections who would be able to keep their seats.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the Harwich election, it had been said that several of the electors had signed a" round robin" for the purpose of " drawing the purse strings" of Mr. Attvvood : but that fact was de posed to only by one witness, with respect to whom—and he believed he was express. ing the general opinion of the Committee_ had:this statement rested solely upon the evidence of that witness, he certainly should rot have acted upon it. He cert a i n ly th oug ht th a t with respect to Harwich a marked improvement had I 'taken place, and every precaution ap peared to have been taken to prevent brib. , ry at the late election. Some persons had thought that the Committee had not availed themselves suf. ficiently of the powers given to them by Lord Rus sell's Act, but it was because there was nothing before the Committee to excite anything like suspicion of the existence of general corruption, that they did not think proper to carry out the full powers of the Act. He did not think that such a case had been made out, as to induce the House to suspend the issuing of the writ, The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY said that it appeared to him, that there had been in this case, either gross harshness, or the most corrupt bribery, he did not know which. He thought that a Committee ought to be appointed to inquire into the circumstences of the ewe. But, in the mean time, he did not think that there existed any sufficiently constitutional reasons for withholaing the issue of the writ. Lord CASTLEREAGH said it was too bad, after a Committee, who had had great responsibilities thrown upon its shoulders, had reported acclrding to the evidence brought before them,they should be subjected to attaks in that House If the Com mittee had decided summarily, itwas the duty of the House in defence of its own honour to alter and amend the law, and not throw obloquy upon the Committees themselves. Sir W. MOLESIVORTII, as a member of the Harwich Committee, must declare that he did not think that there was that amount of bribery proved before the Committee to justify the disranchisement of the borough, and he should, therefore, vote for the issuing of the writ. After a few words from Captain HARRIS, Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared— For the issuing of the writ 195 For the amendment .. 64 Majority against the amendment —l3l On our admission to the gallery we found Mr. IJUME, on his legs, objecting to the issuing of the writ. Mr. WAKLEY rose also to object to the issuing of the writ, and was (LEFT SPEAKING.) PRUSSIA. The Cologne Gazette of the 20th publishes the following decree of the King of Prussia, dated Ber lin, the 18th, convoking the States of April 2 : " We, Frederick William, by the Grace of God— When on the 14th of this month we convoked our faith ful States for the 27th of April next, in order to adopt with them the measures for the regeneration of Germany, which we desired to propose to our faithful allies of the Germanic Confederation, and which are also necessary for Prussia, we could not have supposed that at the same time great events occurring at Vienna would essentially facilitate, on the one hand, the execution of our projects, and 013 the other hand, would render their prompt execution indispensable. After these important events we believe it right to declare before all, not only before Prussia, but before Germany (if such be the will of God), and before our assembled people, what are the propositions which we have resolved to make to our German Confederates. Before all, wo demand that Germany be transformed from a confederation of states into a federal state. We admit that that supposes a reorganisation of the Federal Constitu tion, which can only be put into execution by the union of the princes with the people, and that in consequence a previous federal representation must be formed of all the states of Germany, and be convoked im mediately. We admit that such a federal representation renders constitutional institutions of the German states necessary, in order that the members of that representa tion may sit side by side with equal rights. We demand a military system of general defence fer Germany, imi tate° in its essential parts from that under which our Prussian armies have conquered innumerable laurels in the wars of liberty. We demand that the German army be united under one single federal banner, and we hope to see a federal General-in-Chief at its head. We demand a German flag, and we hope that in a short time a German fleet will cause the German name to be respected on near and distant seas. We demand a German Federal tribunal, to settle all political differences between the Princes and states, as also between the different German Go vernments. We demand a common right to all natives of Germany, and a complete liberty to establish in the German countries. We demand, that, for the future, there shall be no barrier raised against commerce and industry in Germany. We demand a general Zollverein, in which the same measures, the same weights, the same commercial rights, shall draw still closer the material union of the country. We propose the liberty of the press, with the same guarantres against abuses for every part of Germany. Such are our propositions and our wishes, the realisation of which we shall use our utmost efforts to obtain. We rely with the fullest confidence on the co-operation of our German confederates, and all the German people; we shall fortify, by their incorporation into our states, pro vinces which do not lorm part of them, when, as we suppose, the representutives of those provinces will partake of those wishes, and that the Confederation will be disposed to agree to them. We hope that the realisation of our intentions will put an end to the anxiety which, to our great regret, at this moment agitates Germany, paralyses commerce and industry, divides the country, and threatens to deliver it over to anarchy. We hope that these measures will strengthen Germany in itself, and make her respected abroad, in order that in her united strength Europe will find the firmest guarantee for a durable and prosperous peace. But in order that the accomplishment of our intentions may experience no delay, and that we may develope tha propositions which we judge necessary for the internal Constitution, we have resolved to hasten the convocation of the. United Diet, and we charge the Minister of State to make the convocation for Sunday, the 2d April.- LAW INTELLIGENCE. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, March 22. (Before the Chief COMMISSIONER.) IN RE GEORGE ROM . This insolvent, whose case was reported in this jour nal a few days back, again appeared. In his proceed ings in the court he described himself as " managing clerk," but in certain printed prospectuses he was termed " manager of the Heir at Law Society." Mr. Nicholas appeared for Mr. Wilson, to claim notice—Mr. Dowse, as on the preceding oocasion, for the complainants Emerson and Beanland—Mr. Sargood was for a Mr. Gough—and Mr. Duncan was counsel for the insolvent. The insolvent was examined by Mr. Dowse at some length. Of the money received for Emerson. 1041 was charged as commission, and the balance of 1251 3s. 9d. was to be set against proceedings in law and equity. He said the trustees of the society would account for the money, but it was not in the hands of bankers. Mr. Beanland was another applicant to the society. He had advanced 151. and a fee to a barrister of 21. 4s. 6d. The acity (the insolvent said) had agreed to give a Mr. Barker 500/. as " standing counsel." The money of Beanland had been swallowed in expenses. Mr. Means claimed notice for Mr. Wilson, who had entered into an agreement to act as attorney at a salary. The insolvent said he did not consider that ho owed him anything. It was, after some discussion, agreed that Wilson should be inserted a disputed creditor. A point was raised whether the description of " ma naging clerk" was correct, when the insolvent had, in other documents, been described as " manager." After hearing Counsel, The Learned CHIEF COMMISSIONER decided that the description was bad. The insolvent had held him self out to the world as a "manager," and in his des cription termed himself as " managing clerk." The petition could not be sustained. The Court dismissed the petition. (Before Mr. Commissioner HARRIS.) IN RE WILLIAM BROWN. The insolvent, a baker in the Waterloo-road, had been twice before an applicant. He had contracted a debt of 50/., with a flour-factor named Boulter, by re presenting that ho was possessed of property, that he had lenses of houses which realised a handsome income. He had a family of eleven children to support, and the Learned Counsel who appeared in his behalf (Mr. Sargood) appealed to the merciful consideration of the Court. Mr. Commissioner llAitnts told the insolvent that parties, by their ow•n misconduct, often brought misery on their families. Judgment, four months. (Before Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS.) IN RE GEORGE CROUCH. The insolvent, a parcels booking-office keeper, whose case was reported on Monday, appeared for adjudi caion. The Learned COMMISSIONER, in ordering his dis. charge, reminded him, as a caution for ;his future con. duct, that he had had " a very narrow escape." ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. 110.14 E CIRCUIT.—Lewes, March 22. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE and a Special Jury.) NEWTON V. THE LONDON AND SOUTH-COAST RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by the plaintiff, wh., being under age, sued, by his father, as next friend, to recover compensation from the Brighton Railway Company for having falsely imprisoned him. Sergeant Shee and Mr. Wines were for the plaintiff. Mr. IL Gurney, with Mr. Bramwell, appeared for the defendants. Sergeant SHEE, in opening the case, said the plaintiff was a young gentleman, 19 years of age, the son of Mr. Newton, a member of the bar, and of very respect able connexions, and whose name was upon the list of the Commander-in-Chief to receive a commission in the army, and he brought the present action to recover damages for most unjustifiable and, as he should sub mit, illegal treatment which he had received from the defendants, through one of the persons in their service. The circumstances under which the action was brought were these:—ln October last, Mr. Newton, the father of the plaintiff, was staying at the Steyue Hotel, Worthing, and on Sunday, the 17th of that month, the plaintiff having been invited by his father to go and see him at Worthing, took a second-class return ticket at London, which would entitle him to go back on the second day. Accordingly, after having passed the Sunday at Worthing together, Mr. Newton and his son arranged to proceed together to town by the twenty minutes to eight train on Monday morning, and they proceeded to the staticn at Worthing with that intention. It appeared that they were rather late, and when they arrived the train was about to start. Mr. Newton, the father, however, succeeded in getting in to one of the carriages, and the plaintiff also endeavoured to get into one, and he admitted that at this time the train was in motion. While in the act of so doing, one of the persons employed at the station, named Joseph Wood cock, called the plaintiff towards him, and, as he sup posed his intention was to put him into another carriage, he went up to him, when Woodcock seised him, and held him until the train went away, and be then in sisted upon his accompanying him into the station, where he demanded his name and address, and on th.-- plaintiff giving him his card he was allowed to depart. The Learned Sergeant said that if the matter had ended there, probably no further notice would have been taken of th• matter; but after all this had happened, and while Mr. Newton was on his way back to the hotel, where he intended to breakfast, preparatory to starting by the next train, Woodcock again - met him, and in sisted that he should accompany him to the Town Hall. The plaintiff demanded his authority for Filch a pro ceeding, when he was informed that if he did not go quietly, he would be taken by force, upon which he accompanied Woodcock to the Town Hall, where he was kept in charge of a policeman for nearly two hours, and was then marched through the town, accompanied by two policeman, and conveyed to the magistrates' office, where he was charged with vio lating the by-laws of the company, by attempting to force his way into one of the carriages while the train was in motion, and the magistrates, after hearing the evidence and looking at the by-laws, and referring to the Act of Parliament, dismissed the charge. The plaintiff upon this made a communication to the com pany upon the subject of the indignity he had suffered, and after several letters had passed between them, the defendants, through their secretary, justified the act of their servant, at the same time informed tke plaintiff that there was no doubt of his having committed an of fence under their Act of Parliament, and expressed an opinion that he had been dealt with very leniently by the magistrates. He concluded by stating that he did not deny that the defendants were, perhaps, justified in stopping the plaintiff from getting into the traia under the cir cumstances, and of that act he did not complain; but he did say, that when the plaintiff had been allowed to depart, and was walking quietly along to his hotel, that the conduct of Woodcock in again interfering, and his subsequent proceedings, were quite unjustifiable, and gave the plaintiff a right to demand damages from the company for this illegal act on the part of their servant. Mr. Bennett, landlord of the &eyrie Hotel, proved that be remembered the plaintiff's father being at his hotel in October last, and also the circumstance of his son corning to meet him on the 17fh. He had occazion to be on the platform of the railway station the next morning, as the twenty minutes to eight train had started, and he ssw young Mr. Newton on the platform, apparently in conversation with Woodcock, the station master, and they both walked into the station together, and he saw no more at that time, but he shortly after wards 'saw Mr. Newton going away from the station. As witness was walking towards his home, Woodcock came up, and asked him if he had seen Mr. Newton, and he told him he had just gone round the corner, and in a short time he saw the plaintiff and Woodcock walking together up the steps of the Town-hall, and Woodcock told Mr. Newton to go in, but he did so in a courteous manner. By Mr. R. GURNEY—Witness was waiting in the Town-hall, on the morning in question, purposely to see Mr. Newton before he left the hotel, as he had not paid his bill.—(A laugh.) Mr. Newton did not leave the hotel in that way, but " escaped" through a window, and he followed them down to the railway station, to try and get his money. They were a little too quick for him, and he was obliged to go to London, to sea Mr. Newton about his bill. Re-examined—Mr. Newton came down to Worthing a day or two afterwards and paid his amount. Jenkins, the superintendent of the Worthing police, deposed that Woodcock came to the station, accompanied by the plaintiff, and he gave him into custody for oh structing an officer of the railway in the execution of his duty, and attempting to force his way into a first-class carriage while the train was in motion, and the plaintiff was left in his charge. Woodcock at the same time handed him the plaintiff's card with his address upon it, and told him that it was some time before he could get it from him, and that at first he had given another name. The plaintiff remained at the station-house for nearly an hour, when he was taken by a policeman in uniform to the magistrates' office, which was about two hundred yards off. Woodcock then gave his evidence, and produced the by-laws painted upon a board, and the Magistrate, after hearing the case, dismissed the plaintiff. By Mr. GURNEY—At the time the charge was given witness had been informed that Mr. Newton had left the hotel without paying the bill, and also that one of . t he parties had jumped through the window of the station, and also that they had not paid the cabman who drove them; and he, therefore, thought that he would take care of the plaintiff.—(A laugh.) Sergeant SUES then put in the letters to which he had referred, and said that this was the case for the plaintiff. Mr. GURNEY submitted that there was no case at all to go to the jury. He referred to the pleadings, and said that the defendants were charged with a trespass aNd false imprisonment of the plaintiff, to which they had pleaded a justification, the plaintiff having committ e d a n offence under the Act of P a rli ament, for which they were justified in detaining him, and the defendant, by his replication, admit te d t h e j ust i f i cation, but pleaded' that a fresh trespass had been committed by his subse quent arrest. He submitted, however, that this was all part and parcel of the original transaction, and that the evidence only made out the original plea, which admitted the defendant's justification. Sergeant Smaas said he contended that the defendants had condoned the original offence by suffering the plain tiff to depart, and that his subsequent arrest was alto gether illegal. Mr. WILLEa, on the same side, urged that the statute clearly intended, by the nee of the words " then and there," that a person offending in the manner describe:l should be at once taken into custody, and be sail that if the definition given to the statute on behalf of the de fendants was the correct one, it would give an indefinite power of arrest, and a person might be apprehended in London a week after for such an offence. Mr. GURNEY was about to reply in support of his ob jection, when ho was stopped by Mr. Justice COLERIDGE, who said it was unnecessary, as it appeared to him to be quite clear that upon the pleadings the plaintiff was bound to prove a distinct trespass independent of the one which it was admitted the defendants were justified in committing, whereas he had only niade out the original one. It appeared clear that the company had made a rule for the management of their railway, which the plaintiff had attempted to break, and their servant was therefore justified in de taming him until he could be taken before the nearest magistrate, and this was all that was proved to have been done. Sergeant SHEE reminded the Learned Judge that Mr. Newton had left the railway station, and was alone when he was met on the second occasion by Woodcock. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE—Yes, but there is no doubt that Woodcock was aftcr him, fur the first thing he does when he meets Mr. Bennett, is to ask if he had seen Mr. Newton? The plaintiff was then nonsuited. MIDLAND ClRCUlT.—Leicester, March 21. (Before Mr. Justice ATAULE and a Special Jury.) SAILEY AND ANuTILER V. BIACAULEY. Mr. Whitehurst, Q.C., Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Mellor for the pkintiff ; Mr. Huinfrey, Q.C., Mr. Waddington, and Mr. Macauley for the defendant. The plaintiffs are stationers and advertising agents in London. The defendant is a surgeon practising in Leicester. The action was to recover 9721. ss. 6d. and interest. In the year 1845 the Midland Union Railway Company was projected. The defendant was one of the provisional committeemen on the 17th of October in that year, and so continued till it became defunct. He was also one of ten who formed a committee of management. When the panic came the Midland Union Railway scheme was abandoned, and its liabilities hav ing been ascel tsined, it was found that if each of the pruvisienal committeemen now paid 1601, all charges could be defrayed. Some did pay, and others (lid not. A sub-committee was then formed, of which the defendant was one, Mr. Griffiths. of Birmingham, being its legal adviser; the principal object being to compel payment from some of the reluctant committeemen, and in compliance with its request, the present plaintiffs allowed themselves to be put forward as the suing par ties. Under threat of such proceedings, some paid, others determined to go to trial, and as the proceedings against some who stood out were ultimately abandoned, the Messrs. Bailey paid 221. Bs., the amount of their costs. The sum of 9721. ss. 6d. was therefore composed of three items, namely, stationery, advertising, and coats paid in suits abandoned. As mare committeeman, the law (slid the Learned Judge) was now clear that a man was not liable ; but as a sub-committeeman ho might have pledged his credit jointly, or severally, to the Messrs. Bailey, to indemnify them from loss in bringing actions against the refractory committeemen. The jury found for the defendant. The Ju iges proceed to Oakharu on Thursday, where there is an unusually large calendar for the small o.a.tnty of Rutland. In the list there is one for murder, one for stabbing, and charge of riot and assault, &c. WE STE/UV CHIC Ul T.—Exeter, March 21 .. CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr, Baron PLATT.) Jane Jenkins, who was found guilty yesterday on an lictment charging her with having forged a marriage certificate, and who was not sentenced, in order to enable the Learned Judge to consult Mr. Justice Wightman on a point taken by her counsel, Mr. Slade, in arrest of judgment, was placed at the bar. Mr. Baron PLATT said that he had considered the objection taken by Mr. Slade, that the indictment was bad, for not averring that the forgery was done with in tent to defraud any one. He had examined the Act of Parliament, and availed himself of the wisdom of Mr. Justice Wightman, and neither of them had the least doubt but that it was unnecessary to allege any intent to defraud. The offences predicated in the former part of the clause under which the prisoner was indicted are those effected by forging documents in order to sustain a claim to wages, and, when used, no ono can say that forging with such an intent is an innocent act; it is within the meaning and intent of the Act of Parliament, and therefore the indictment is abun dantly sufficient to support any judgment that may be awarded on it. The Learned Judge then said, that he had considered that portion of the Act which awarded the punishment, and found that he bad power to miti gate the punishment of transportation to imprisonment; and, taking all the circumstances into consideration, as the prisoner had been seven monthe in gaol, he thought that justice would be satisfied by passing a sentence of imprisonment for one month, without hard labour. NORFOLK ClRCUlT.—Cambridgc, March 22. (Before the CHIEF BARON.) George Jarvis, aged 21, was convicted of having felo. niously stolen a pair of cloth boots, the property o William Clements. The prosecutor begged to reconsmend the prisoner to mercy on account of his previous good character and of this having been his first offence. The CHIEF BARON—Why did you prosecute ? Had you refrained from prosecution, you might yourself have shown him the mercy which you now ask for him from me. The prosecutor replied that it had been his wish to let the prisoner go, but ho had informed the constable of his loss, and the constable had insisted that the matter should be brought before a magistrate, who had thought it right to commit the prisoner. The CHIRP BARON—I feel very strongly on this point, and taking every fitting opportunity for making my views on it known. I think that it becomes a prosecutor in the case of an offender of tender years, or just entering into life, to consider whether he will not best discharge his duty to society by overlooking a first offence. Public justice does nut require that every man shall be punished for every offence which he may commit, and a magis trate may, nay ought, to ask a prosecutor, before a charge has been pressed so far as to leave the magis trate no choice, whether he will persist in pressing his accusation. I commended on a recent occasion at Bed ford a constable . who had had the good sense and hu manity to seek out the prosecutor of a trifling charge against an offender, not theretofore known as such, and ask him whether he intended to persevere on it, instead of doing his utmost, for the sake of the small reward, to bring the case to the assizes. In that case the prose cutor had been subjected to losses, and was compelled to proceed; but it continually happens that prosecutors are urged on by the constables to prosecute when they would rather yield to the suggestions of humanity, and extend indulgence to a first offence. This is done for the sake of the few 'Atm' pence which are allowed for the attendance of constables. I have now no choice, and must do my duty. The prisoner having made no answer to the demand of the officer, whether he had anything to say why judg ment should not be passed— The CHIEF BARON said—l think that no man does credit to his own views of his duty to society who, for a petty loss, cuts off from him by whose act he is a loser— if that act is a first deviation from the paths of honesty —all chance of returning to society without the stigma of a conviction fur felony impressed on him for ever. That this has been done in many cases, as in this, through the meddling officiousness of constables, greedy for the small gain of the addition made to their ordinary payment when they go to assizes, is clear; and I invite the attention of magistrates to the fact. The verdict of the jury cannot be disregarded; and I trust that when the prisoner comes out of prison, he will justify by his conduct the kind recommendation of his master. The sentence of the Court is, that he be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for six weeks. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. A great deal of interest was caused by the accusation of a person of very respectable appearance and address, named John Dobbin, charged with having been concerned in forging a will. Mr. Wontner appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Humphreys for the prisoner. Mr. Wontner said he appeared at the instance of Mr. Richards, Deputy-Lieutenant of the county of Pem broke, against the prisoner, who was concerned with Captain Peregrine Bowen, half-brother to the testator, in forging a will, purporting to be the will of W. Mus grave Bowen. Captain Bowen had been some time ago exainined before the Lord Mayor on the charge, but he put an end to the case, as far as he was concerned, by hanging himself in the Giltspur-street Compter. lled ington, the officer, subsequently apprehended the pri soner, who was suspected of having forged the signature " John Bell," as attesting witness to the will, which purported to bequeath considerable property to the late Captain Bowen, to the prejudice of Mr. Richards, the sole legatee under a will lodged in Doctors' Commons. The following was the principal evidence adduced : A clerk in the Prerogative office produced the authen tic will of W. Musgrave Bowen, dated 2d September, 1845. Tho probate was granted to W. Richards, Esq., sole legatee, and the property was subject to an annuity. Ile also produced the will all ege d to b e forged, purporting to bear date March, 1846, and bearing the attesting signatures "J o h n B e ll and John Wood.' , Mr. G. Sterling, clerk to Messrs. Walker and Grant, of King's-road, stated that ho was attesting witness to the first w ill, w hi ch was signed by the testator in his pr esence, and in that of William Walker. Mr. W. Richards :4 am a deputy lieutenant of the county of Pembroke, and executor of W. Mus grave Bowen, deceased. He left England in Sep tember, 1845, and sent me this will of that date, in a letter, wishing me health and happiness. I was acquainted with him from my earliest youth. Ile was the son of a Aentleman of some property, who had children much older by a former wife. My father brought him up, and he was very much attached to me and my sister. Ile had a predilection for the sea, and went to China in 1845. lam perfectly acquainted with his handwriting, and this will is all, with the ex ception of the attestation, in his. The will of March, 1816, is not in his handwriting, neither is the signature. It appears to bo written in a feigned hand. I believe it to be all in the handwriting of Peregrine Bowen, except the name of " John Bell." By it the whole of the pro perty purports to be bequeathed to Peregrine Bowen; and the postscript, which says he considered himself obliged to Mr. Richards as his representative, but ho had no idea of cutting off his brother Peregrine, seems to be an imitation of his handwriting. lam familiar with the phraseology of the postscript. Miss Harriet Richards, sister to the last witness, con firmed his statement in all the essential points. Mr. W. Holland, agent to the London and North- Western Railway at the Edge-hill station, said—The prisoner is a clerk at that station, and I am iu the daily habit of seeing his handwriting. I believe the signature pro• - MIR .00 " John Bell," to the will of March, 1346, to 1 j e in his handwriting. William Brown, a mariner, said—l was e7.:amined at Doctors' Commons in the case of Bow en ag ainst Richards. I was acquainted with Peree,tina Bowen, and issued notices at inz4 desire to discover, two persons named "John Bell" and " John Wood." -After I issued the notices I received a letter signed ".John Bell" by post, and I produced it at Doctors' Commons, where it was deposited. Joseph Iledington said—l went to the Edge-hill station, and saw the prisoner collectit ig cheques. I fol lowed him after he finished his business, told him Iwo an officer from London, and that. he was charged with having forged the name of "John Bell" to a fictitious will. He said it was a very hard thing fur a man who was quite innocent and knew nothing at all about it to be taken into custody. I went with him to his house, and I found amongst hie papers two letters addressed by Lieutenant Bowen lo John Bell. I was outside the office at Doctors' Cont. mons when Peregrine Bowen went there on the 2d eof last month, and I accompanied him to Liverpool in tb same carriage. When he arrived at Edge-hill statioi°. Peregrine Bowen gave a letter to the cheque-taker for the prisoner, and when I apprehended the prisoner I asked him for that letter, and he said he did not know what became of it. Patrick Coulon, of the r 'avenue police at Kilbeggito, stated that he was under the prisoner for more than lei% years, and knew his handwri► ing. He considered "Joist Bell " in a letter produced, and •" John Bell" in the will. to he his. Jaincs Ryan, also of the revenA te• police, gave similar evidence. _ . Mr. J. Jones, superintendent of the London and Nr Arth Western Railroad, said—l have known the pris over eighteen month or two years. I have seen Lieutenant Bowen frequently with the prisoner, and I heard the prisoner often speak very highly of Lieutenant Bowen. I once heard the prisoner say he had seen seetuity for Bowen to a loan society, and had dclie more for him than for his own brother. Mr. Humphreys very closely cross-e:Kamiaed all the witnesses, but admitted that the case was, one for a jury. The LORD MAYOR said he should ceinainly send the prisoner for trial, and directed that the deTositioas should be mate out. PRIZE MONEY. Tuesday night's Gazette gives notice to Captainllamilton, and the officers and crew of her Majesty's ship Frolic, who were actually on board and entitled to share in the proceeds arising from the salvage of the British brig Canning, assisted by the Chilian vessel of war Magellan, on the 22d day of March, 1847, that their respective shares thereof will be paid on the 1911 day of April next, at No 1, James-street, Adelphi ; and where the list will be recalled every Wednesday and Friday for three months. Commander, 2171. 175. 9d.; 3d class, 29/. is. Old ; 4th class, 14/. 10s. 64d , ; sth class, 131. Is. sid. ; 6th class, 81. 14 s . 31d . ; 7 t h c l ass, 71. s s . 3d. ; Bth class, 5/. 16s. 2id.; 9th class, 41. 7s. lid.; 10th class, 2/. 18s. lid,; 11th class, 21. 3s. 7d.; 12th class, 11 9s. Ofd. Notice is gi ven to the officers and company of Star, R. J. W. Dunlop, Esq., deceased, commander, that the proportions arising from the proceeds and bounty money on the tonnage of the Rio packet Brazilian slave vessel, captured en the 17th of February, 1840, in company with H.M.S. Wasp, will be paid to those who were actually on board at the time of the said capture, or t) their represantatives duly authorised to receive the same, on the 29th of March, at No. 3, Clifford's Inn; and the shares not then olaireed will he recalled every Wednesday and Thursday for three months to come. Proportions due to each cl ass: - Commander, 10/. Os. Id.; Ist class, 31. 9s. 7,1.; 2d class, 21. is, 91.; 3d class, 11. Os. 100.; 4Ai class, 135. 11d.; sth class, 6s. 1 lid. ; 6th class, 4s. 71d.; 7th class, 2s. 3 4d.-Notice is also given to the offi cers and company of her Majesty's sloop Mutine, R. B. Crawford, E sq., comman d er, t h at t h ey w i ll be paid, on the 12th of April next, at No. 22, Arundel street, Strand, their respective proportions of bounty money fur seizures, as stated below ; said that the lists will be recalled, at the same place, on Wednes days and Thursdays only, for the three following months. Tonnage bounties for two dhows or vessels, names un known, seized Oct. 15, 1845:-Flag, 621 . 15 s , s d . ; Commander, 117/ 145.; Ist class, 41/. 12s. Id ; 2d class, 24/. 19s. 3d. ; 3d class, 12/. 9s. 7id. ; 4th class, 8/. 6'. sd. ; sth class, 4/. 3s. 2id. ; 6th class, 21. 15s. 5i. 1 . ; 7th class, 1/. 7s. 84d. Tonnage bounties far and proceeds of the hull o f t h e D i ana, se i ze d Nov. 10, 1845 :- Flag, 924 NI- 51.; Commander, 174/.05. 10d ; Ist class, 62/. Is. Ole. ; 2d class, 37/, 4s. 7fd. ; 3d class, 181. 12s. 31d. ; 4th class, 12/. Bs. 2fd. ; fifth class, 61. 4s. Ihd. ; sixth class, 4/. 2s. Bfd. ; 7th class, 21. Is. 41(1.-Tonnage bounties for and produce of hull and stores of the Amelia, seized 6th Feb., 1846:-Flag, 142/. 3s. Id.; commander, 9 661. 10a. Oil.; Ist class, 100/. 2s. 6.1.; 2tl class, 601. Is. 6d.; 3 , 1 class, 30/. O. 91.; 4:h class, 20/. Os. 6d.; sth class, 101. Os. 3d.; 6th class, 6/, 13s. Gd; 7th class, 31. 6s. 91. Each person who shared in the bounty money for the dhow seized on th e s t h M ay, 1 845, having burn over paid in consequence of the omission of the flag proporli n in that distribution, the officers and company so over paid will be subject to a proportionate abatement, to make good the omitted share. GUILDHALL. George Thornton,;watel;Materby trade, was charged with attempting to destroy himself, by leaping from Blstekfriars-bridge into the river. Neary, one of the men employed at the Black friars pie:, staled that about; a quarter past eleven o'cl9ck that morning he suddenly heard a splash in the water and a cry from several persons on the bridge'tbst a man had leaped from it. He got into a boat kept for such emergencies and succeeded in saving the pritioner's life. Alderman JOHNSON asked the prisoner what he had to say for himself ? lie replied that he was a native of Bristol, and had only arrived in .London about nine days back, in the hopes of getting into a situation, but the gentleman on whom he depended had gone to Liverpool• He in consequence was driven to such a state oie destitu tion that he certainly made up his mind to des troy hini self. For some years he had been unable toiwork at his business, through his eyesight failing him, and had been getting his living as assistant-warehousemen in a corn factor s at Bristol. Alderman JOHNSON said that destitution was no excuse for such a crime as self-destruction, and he should there fore remind the prisoner until Saturday, to make some inquiries, when, if his story was found to be incorrect, be should certainly send him for trial, as a great many of these attempts were only made for the purpose of excit ing compassion.—The prisoner was then remanded. SIXTEEN PERSONS DROWNED. We are this week called upon to narrate the occur rences of two most melancholy events, by which not fewer than sixteen individuals have met their grave under the billowy deep. The first of these events oc curred at Latheronwheel, on Friday last, on which day several boats from the different stations had bees prosecuting the fishing as usual. They returned about eight o'clock, but upon nearing their re qective shores, found that a. heavy swell had arisen since their departure, so as to render landing extremely dan gerous. Two Latheronwheel boats, after consultation between the crews, resolved to attempt their own shore; and the one having the strongest crew--eight men—took the lead, telling their compindons to follow, provided no alarm was heard from the shore by the time they reached it—meaning that if an; accident befel them, the cries from the people on the shore would warn them of their danger. The little barque and her despairing crew drove forward with its broadside on the beach, when the crew were speedily rescued, to the joy of all present. By the glimmering light of the moon, just disappearinz, the other boat was seen at a little distance, overtopping the huge swell. Every preparation was made to receive her, though under the most distressing foreboding!, for the swell had now become heavier; tvhen, in a mi nute or two, she got into the middle of the broken sea, one man standing in the stern with a rope in his hand, ready to cast it on shore, and in a moment a tremen dous wave broke over her, sweeping the whole crew, seven in number, into the foaming surge. Soon thereafter the body of one of the men was got hold of, but life was quite extinct. Then appeared the mast of the boat, with a man g rasping it so firmly as with difficulty to be severed from it. This was David M'Grigor, who was seen in the boat with a rope in his hand, of which he held fast until catching hold of the mast, along with which he reached the shore. At first he was insensible, but gradually recovered. The names otthe sufferers are—William Finlayson,married; Robert Grant, ditto; Alexander M'Kay, ditto; George Ross, ditto; William Sutherland, unmarried; and Angus Suther land, ditto. The first three have left widows and young families, consisting of fifteen children in all, and in very indigent circumstances. The fourth has left a widow, only one month married ; and the two last had widowed mothers, also in great poverty. Another boat was upset at the same hour, when entering a fishing creek west of Dunbeath, and three of the crew taken from under her when thrown upon the beach. Letters have been received, with the information that, last week, while a boat's crew, on the west coast of Sutherlandahire, consisting of seven men and three women, were engaged in gathering ware, the boat was upset, and all on board her perished.—Abridged from John s'Groat Journal. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, Mauch 22. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The following were the sales to-day: —Edinburgh and Glasgow, 86 1 4—Great Northern, 8 chs. —Lancashire and Yorkshire, 32/. Shares, 7% Fifths (West Riding Union), 336 dis.—London and North- Western, 123 c.—Ditto, Quarters, 1% p.—Ditto, 40/.. Shares (L. and M.), 4 3 / 3 p.—Ditto, Quarters (A and B), 1% p.— Midland, 98—Ditto, Halves, 6% c. dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, 2334—Ditto, New, No. 2, 10% c. dis.—Ditto, No. 4, 3 1 ,4 . dis. MANCHESTER, MARcu 22. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca shire, and Cheshire Junction, 6% dis.—Lancashi re an d Yorkshire, Fifths, 1 1 % dis.—Ditto (West Riding Union), 3 7-16 dis.—Ditto (Preston and Wyre), Halves (A), 2 1 p. —London and Noah-Western (Manchester and Birming ham), Quarters (C), 2 1-16 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Eighths, 4 3 % dis.—Ditto, Preference, 1 4 dia.-- North British, Thirds, 1 11.16 dis.—North Staffordshire. 1% c. dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, 23—Ditto, No 4, dis.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (N. and B. Ex teasi,n3), No. 2, IA p. BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 22. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The business transacted to-day is as follows :—London and North-Western, 127—North British, Extension, dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, Thirds, No. 4, 665. 3d. dis.—York, Newcastle, ar:d Berwick (Original N. and B.), 274—Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stoar Valley, 3 1 ,( .dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, 22% dis.—Ditto, New, 19% dis.—North Staffordshire, 318.3 d. dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 86s. 3d. dis.—Ditto (B), 34 dis. —South Staffordshire, 3 dis. YORK, MANCH 21. STOCK EXCHANOE.—The following were the quotations this day : —Great Northern, 41. Bs.—North British, Thirds, ss. 9d. n.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, No. 2 (late New Berwicks), 104, GLASGOW, AfAacir 21. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The miles are—Caledonian, New, 19& —Glasgos, Barrhead, and Neilston Direct, New, SW.— Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 82t.—Ditto, Halves, No. 1, 4 3 4—Ditto, ditto, No. 2,9!. 14s—Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, 33. 6d.—Great Northern, 935. 6d.—Manchester and Southampton, 4s. 6d.—North British, Thirds, 245. 9d. Young Phumby's boy was chasing some chickens away from his door. " Look here," said a ncipbour's child, " don't do that ; you'll break 'em—they re made of eggs."—American Paper. rADVERTISEMENT.]—THE EARL OF ALDBOROUGH AND HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—An astounding care by this miraoulonn medicine, after every other means had failed. See extract from his Lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 11, 1845. Professor Holloway—Sir : I beg to acquaint you that your pills have effected a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach all the most eminent of the faculty, at home and all over the conbinent, had not been able to effect; Ray, not ever thd waters of Carlsbad or Ma rienbad. (Signed) " Ammoaoron." These wonderfal pills will cure any disease of the liver or stomach.—Sold (also Holloway's Oiutnimait) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand. and ‘ll medicine venders throughout the civilised world. BIRTLI.4. On the 17th inst., at Fairfield, Hambledon, Hants, the lady of William J. J. Higgins, Esq., ofa son. On the 18th inst., at Wimpole-street, the lady of John Bright, Esq., M.P., of a son. On the 18th inst., in Argyll-place, St. James's, the wife of Joseph Toynbee, Esq., F.R.S., of a daughter. On the 13th inst., at Gloucester-road, Hyde-park-gardens, the lady of J. R. Robertson, Etq., of a son. On the 18th inst., at Langford-place, St. John's-wood, the wile of John Taylor, of a daughter. On the 19th inst., at Park-terrace, Brixton, Mrs. John Jones, of a daughter. On the 19th inst., at Bayswater, the wife of G. E. Hicks, Esq., of a daughter. On the 19th inst., the wife of G. A. Fripp, Esq., of a son. On the 19th inst., at Westmeon, the wife of the Rev. N. J. Ridley, of a daughter. MARRIED. On th. 21st inst., at Trinity Church, Islington, Thomas Figgis, Esq., of Islington, to Georgina, second daughter of John Vanderpant, Esq. DIED. On the- l 4th inst., Captain William Wilkinson, late of the 3d Royal Veteran Battalion, aged 75. On the 16th inst., at the Rectory, Fawkharn, Kent, the wife of the Rev. W. Crasswell. On the•l9th inst , at Brighton, Patrick Dingwall, Esq. On the 20th inst., at Braybury-end, Harts, John Green, Esq., aged 79. dr; the Slst inst., at Grove-place, Hackney, Mn.s Nelme, widow of the late S. Nelnie, Esq. On the 21st inst., George Knox, Est, aged 53. London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG — . at No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun (Mee, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Thursday, March 23, 1848. 1 r Thtrrsdi Resol be !.real don of Le thlitFl by rota * the I their r Dllee c %trim I av the kli been lace( Get from Tb Each loet Will 'Par trate Zug] fain . Prim Tit Loy