The Sun. — London, England, 1834-12-31 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. To the ELECTORS of the UNITED KINGDOM. THE DIE IS CAST I THE PARLIAMENT IS DIS SOLVED. The Stormont-Knatchbull Administration has destroyed the first Reformed House of Commons, and appeals to you for your verdict upon itself ; and this is its first great public - act. The Parliament has been dissolved, AVOWEDLY, because the Representa tives of the People were too liberal—too eager to re medy abuses—too desirous of supporting Reforms — too anxious to work out the spirit of the Great Bill to which they were indebted for their existence, and you for your right of choice. That right, that power, you STILL retain ; but for how long, depends now upon your own exertions. The appeal is now made, and no thanks to the Peels, the Welling tons, and Knatchbulls that it is so ; but it is (thanks to the impotence of their efforts to prevent it) now made to you whilst you are still in the plentitude of your power—while y ou can still exercise the privileges conferred upon you by the Reform Bill—whilst you have still the right of selection. It may be the last time that you will ever enjoy the same advantage. If now you arc careless, if now you are neglectful, if de luded by the sophistry of the first Minister, or cajoled by the promises of his mercenaries, you should unhap pily give him and his Government a majority, your fate is sealed. Never again will the same arms be placed in your hands. A Tory majority, under its seven years' lease of power, will effectually prevent the fruits of your tardy repentance ; or if the people of this peat Empire, resisting the attempt to repeal the Reform Bill, are driven to open resistance, you will reach your pre sent situation only through years •of confusion and anarchy, of which no man can foresee the consequences, though every one must feel them. Electors, be then upon your guard I Remember that upon your conduct depends the fate of yourselves--of your children—of your country. Look to the names of those who now hold the reins of power—who have now surprised the confidence of the King. Study the list, and ask your selves whether you would entrust, for one hour, your lives, your properties, your liberties, to such as they are—the unrelenting enemies of all freedom ; and re member well that you are now called upon to say, whether you will entrust that power for seven long years .I—AN ELECTOR.—Morning Chronicle. Mr. Hobhouse has published a second address to the electors of Finsbury, in which he states in much greater detail than in his first, his views on most of the questions which now occupy the public mind. We observe that he advocates the Triennial Parliaments, the Ballot, the repeal of the rate-paying clauses in the Reform Act, the commutation of Tithes, the gradual hut early and certain repeal of the Corn Laws, the Parliamentary disposal of the surplus revenues of the Irish Church, after supplying the wants of the Pro testant population, the removal of all civil distinc tions on account of religious opinions, and more particularly the removal of the exclusion of Dis senters from the Universities, and of their liability to Church-rates in any shape, the doing away with flogging in the Army and Navy, the reform of Corporations, and the giving the people the pe • riodical election of municipal officers, the revision of the Pension List, &c., &c. We understand that Mr. Hobhouse is supported by the Reformers generally, and by the Dissenters nearly to a man, and that Mr. Duncombe and himself are certain of their return. Mr. Wakley has, we know, a considerable number of adherents ; but as far as our information goes, it is im possible that he should be returned. We hope, there fore, that that gentleman will not persist in going to the poll. Mr. Hobhouse has strong claims to the electors of Finsbury, on account of the handsome man ner in which he quitted Bath, from an unwillingness to contest it with a Reformer. If Mr. Wakley should persist in going to the poll, and the consequence be the return of Sergeant Spankie, the blame of letting in a Tory would fall on him. We assume that he has no chance of polling a sufficient number to secure his return ; and from the sources whence we are assured of this, we think we can place implicit reliance on the in formation.—Morning Chronicle. The Gazette of last night, as will be seen in an other column, contained the Proclamation for dissolv ing the Parliament, and summoning a new one. The Whig and Tory parties will, of course, assign—in deed they have over and over assigned, from the first moment that the probability of such a proceeding was suggested —very different motives for its adoption. But one consideration, and it is an important one, is perfectly plain, that the Proclamation is in its essence an appeal to the people. Those who complain of it as an injustice, as a trick of state, or as an expedient for subverting the rights of the people, pay but a bad compliment to those whom they most pretend to flatter. For, after all, what is it but an appeal to the people themselves ? There is nothing very arbitrary in this. On the contrary, there is enough to satisfy a plain and honest mind that fair play is intended, when a direct appeal to the nation is the first step of the Government, which has been represented by the Whig press as the enemy of the nation. The people are told by the or gans of the late Ministry—the fag end, be it remem bered, of the Whig party—that the Parliament was dissolved because it was too good. But arc the people of that opinion ? Did they believe in the super-excel lence of the defunct Parliament, when they petitioned in vain for the repeal of the window tax, for the repeal of the malt tax, and for the rejection of the Poor Laws Amendment Bill—or the Pauper Starvation Bill, as it has been appropriately called. This super-excellence of the defunct Parliament is a new light. Even the vision of Mr. Hume has been but lately clarified to the perception of such a discovery. How often has he taunted the House of Commons with a subserviency to Ministers, with a want of consideration for the people, with a want of, economy—in short, with every want but a want of care for themselves ; and yet he conies forward now with a plea of excellence in their behalf. He, and those who think with him, would fain persuade the people, that the fate of the nation depends on the restoration of the late Ministers, or, perhaps, if the truth were told, on the scramble for Ministerial office, which would be likely to follow from the rejection' of the present Cabinet. The leaders of the Movement in Parliament, is is true, supported the Whigs, when they were in extremity. They condescended to give them a helping hand when they were about to be ejected from office. Then "black was white." But, in the ordinary course of affairs, all was black with the Whig Ministers, according to the estimate of those very men who are at present their most vehement supporters. It is not too much to as sume, therefore, that the present step resolved upon— we mean the dissolution of Parliament—was produced by some other consideration than its own extraordinary merits and popularity. But the question is now before the public ; it will be for them to determine between two parties, the one promising everything, yet disposed to grant as little as possible ; the other promising not as much, but even if disposed to observe the same pro portion between their promises and their performances, influenced by as quick a perception of what is ne cessary and right to be done. The day is gone by when either party could pretend to govern the country without the support of public opinion. An appeal to that opinion is now made, and we, and all those who agree with us in the dislike of party, which has been the bane of this country, look forward to a decision formed in a different spirit, and founded upon different principles from those which mere party feeling would suggest. In whatever light the recent change of Ad ministration may be viewed by unprejudiced minds, they must concur in regarding the dissolution of Par liament (which, however designated by faction, means only an appeal to the people) as another of those bold and patriotic msasures by which the reign of the pre sent Sovereign has been distinguished. Upon the issue it would be presumptuous to offer a confident opinion. To try the present men is not an unreason able request, when it is considered that a new state of things has arisen to which any Ministry must conform, and to which the ablest Ministry will be the most will ing to conform, because it must be the most prompt to acknowledge the inefficacy of resistance.—Morning Herald. Parliament is dissolved—the Sovereign has been advised to make an appeal to his loyal people. How will that appeal be answered? Let us, with a view to the consideration of this most important question, recal to the attention of our readers a few of the most important topics connected with the existing state of affairs—a. state fraught with matter for deep and dis passionate reflection. In the first place, then, the outrageous conduct of certain metropolitan Members, who employed . language, the only antidote to whose mischief was its folly, and published on the breaking down of the Melbourne Omnibus a manifesto, the whole tone and tenour of which we severely reproba ted at the instant, is, of course, fresh in the memories of all who interest themselves in the smallest degree in public affairs. Our opinion of the conduct of these political desperadoes was re-echoed by the great majority of the intellect, wealth, and re spectability of . the nation. The tocsin of discontent had, however, been sounded—the standard raised, around which the profligate and factious of all classes might rally. Proceeding moreover, from the metropolis this precious document would mislead many who look to the capital for information on momentous and import ant topics, and who might probably be ignorant of the utter worthlessness of the quarter whence the paper in question proceeded. Here, then, was one reason, and a very strong one, proceeding from the conduct of those who now complain most bitterly of that step for direct appeal to the nation. Again, the late Parlia ment was elected under circumstances of considerable excitement. The English people, who never fail to arrive at last to a right conclusion, arc apt to be occa sionally and for a while misled by those who follow the trade of political delusion, as if it were an honest oc cupation, and who acquire, consequently, considerable experience in their profligate business. The remark is peculiarly applicable to the last election. The people had been led to believe that all who conscientiously opposed the enactment of the great measure of Parliamentary Reform were their bitter enemies, all who supported it their staunch friends. The bad and disloyal circu lated, as their interest and their nature prompted, this calumnious falsehood far and wide ; the good and loyal remained pas4ive under the imputation, convinced that time and circumstances would, ere long, expose the flagitious absurdity. Before, however, that period could arrive, the dissolution took place. Pledges were demanded with vehemence and given with alacrity. Men without the idea of the duties of legislation, and puffed up by pride and self-conceit 2 found their way into the new House of Commons. The most absurd theories were gravely propounded, the most impracti cable plans were seriously brought forward, the public business was thus mischievously impeded, and the pro gress of those useful Reforms which the institutions of the country might require, were obstructed by the very persons who called themselves advocates and friends of Reform. Men without skill, judgment, or character occupied many seats in the Senate ; men whose expec tations of retaining the confidence and support of their constituents were based upon the hope of some fortu nate chance which might at the moment of an elec tion procure for them popular favour, in the idea, moreover, that before the dreaded day of reckoning arrived, they -might snugly repose on the downy chair of some of those Commissionerships which an econo mical Ministry provided for their supporters and de pendants. Again, the late House of Commons had given great and serious disgust to the people of Eng land, by its gross inconsistency and versatility upon the most important subjects—its pitiful truckling to honest Lord Althorp on every occasion when that wise states man and eminent financier required obedience and servility—its total disregard of the real interests and wishes of the people—in a word, its numberless of fences against reason and common sense had rendered it generally and de'servedly odious, while its incapacity for business, coupled with its other bad qualities, positive and negative, made it a bye-word and jest among reasonable people of all political opinions. These then were the principal reasons which .we presume, induced the advisers of the Crown to re commend an appeal to the country. Most wisely, in our opinion, was that advice tendered and followed. If the question be now put, " What kind of a House of Commons do you expect ?" Our answer is briefly this :—A House of Commons which will be in word and spirit the representatives of the people ; a House which will give a fair trial to the Minister of the King's choice, and not condemn him before trial ; body which will apply itself carefully and anxiously to the removal of real abuses and the work of useful re form ; an assembly which will alleviate, as far as it is practicable, the distresses, and lighten the burdens of the people ; a House whose time will not be wasted in unprofitable discussions, but passed in effecting im provements—not talking of changes ; in a word, a House of Commons as dissimilar as possible from its predecessor in respect of the talent, worth, integrity, and station of the majority of its Members.—Morn ing Post. The " die is cast," as an evening contemporary bath it,—the proclamation for dissolving the Parliament has been issued, and appears in this day's paper, with the Royal stamp—the writs were forwarded last night in great numbers to different parts of the empire, and they are returnable on Thursday, the 19th of Feb ruary, 1835. Now, therefore, there is a fair field— and ground for a fair fight. Reformers, be at your posts. Never was there such occasion for your exer tions—never was there such a fair opportunity of dis playing your power and your numbers. Be active— be firm—be prudent—be united—and not a present, but a final victory is yours. Be careless—be impru dent—be deficient in zeal and in union, and you will have another battle—God grant it may not be a bloody one—to fight with your enemies. But our confidence.is strong in you. The men who carried the Reform Bill will not assuredly allow themselves to be cheated out of its fruits.—Morning Advertiser. All suspense is now at an end, and the first reformed Parliament was yesterday dissolved by Royal procla mation. The new Parliament is to meet on the 19th of February, for the " despatch of business;" which, however, can hardly be proceeded with before the Ist of March. On the composition of this new Parlia ment will depend, in a great degree, the peace and well-being of the United Kingdom for many years to come, because it is obvious that an amount of mis chief may be perpetrated in its very first session which the period allotted to the whole average life of man may not suffice to remedy. Our earnest exhortation upon the fit choice of representatives has more than once within the last month been addressed to the people of England. We have warned our countrymen against Revolutionists—we have warned them against anti-Re formers; the sense and virtue of the nation spread and flourish between those noxious extremes. While the Parliament was constructed on the old oligarch prin- ciple, there was no instrument for governing the State so easy or convenient as party. The movers of the con stituency were few, and were classed and parted off with proportionate facility. The field was narrow ; the relations of individuals and their pretensions, as re garded each other, were fixed and disposed of by a word from a party chief. Each faction was a hierar chy in itself ; subordination and discipline constituted the secrets of its power. The portion of the House of Commons which lay beyond the dominion of party was comparatively siinall and feeble ; and an appeal to the country could, in ordinary times, have but a very partial operation upon the elective body. But those times are past. The Reform Bill, as Sir Francis Bur dett said of it more than once, has released both King and peopl e f rom t h e b on d age o f party . It h as enabledt' the people to choose representatives on national, in dependent of p ar ty, views. It has enabled the King to select, his Mini s t ers w ith reference to the support they are likely to meet with from the bulk of defiance of any opposition they the people, and in may be threatened with from political coteries. It makes a Minister, for the carrying of a particular mea sure which may be desired by the country, independent of the caprices or sordid machinations of those who generally_ adhere to him. In short, it qualifies the Minister of the Crown to turn to the joint benefit of King and people the services of all members of Parlia ment who are sent there by free constituencies—that is to say, of 9-10ths of the entire House of Commons, while it protects, on the other hand, all really public., interests from the assaults of factious combinati on , no matter how skilfully or powerfully managed. Why, then, it is upon this view of the natural operation of the Reform Bill that the electors of England ought to proceed in their choice of representatives. They ought to be cautious of voting for men who have no other virtue to recommend them, than their having worn all their lives the livery and trammels of some one political chief. Such persons can but awkwardly adapt themselves to the genius and influence of a sys tern of reform, which compels members of Par liament to seek a sanction and countenance to their political conduct, not from a party chief within doors, but from a body of free elec tors without. Captain Napier, who fought so bravely the battles of the Queen of Portugal, and though in a foreign service added so richly to the renown of that in which from childhood he had been trained, has addressed the electors of Portsmouth, and though he speaks without ill-nature of the opposing candidates, contrives to place his own pretensions on a footing which, according to the sentiments we have been ex , pressing, entitle the Gallant Officer to respectful con sideration from the people of that important maritime town and vicinage. Captain Napier, with a frank and somewhat jocular, though not quite disinterested, bluntness, thus compares the claims of his adversaries, a Gallant Admiral and Mr. Bonham Carter, with those which he himself brings forward. He pleads his independence of all party as on the ground on which he would rest his claims to support : " Should you choose the two Whigs, you must make up your minds to be represented by men who will oppose the present Government through thick and thin, in the same man ner they supported their party when in office. " If you choose a Lord of the Admiralty, he, of course, must support the Government through good report and bad, as your late Secretary of the Treasury was obliged to do, and as your worthy alderman was not obliged to do, but did. " I am not at all acquainted with the gallant Admiral, and therefore cannot say whether he would resign his seat at the Admiralty, should Sir Robert Peel's Administration fight shy of the Reform Bill ; I understand in his canvass he has de clared he would not remain in office one moment if such were the case. " If this is true, I should say that the interests of your town will be served by choosing a Lord of the Admiralty ; but you ought also to elect a sailor, who is totally independent of all -parties, and who is neither ashamed to support a good Government, nor afraid to oppose a bad one. " Many people expect great things from a Lord of the Ad miralty, but you must remember he is only a sixth part of the Board ; and though he may be well disposed towards you, he must do what the majority of that Board directs ; he cannot stand up in the House of Commons and protect your interests in defiance of the Government ; he cannot in the House de fend the interests of that valuable class of men the artisans of the dockyard, who have never yet had a friend to speak in their behalf. Who then, is proper to do it—a sailor who is per fectly independent, and who is intimately acquainted with your interests ; or one of two Whigs, who will sacrifice everything to party ? This country has for many years been torn to pieces by parties ; they are now much split and divided, and nothing will save us from ruin but the electors of the United Kingdom sending independent men to Parliament. " The parties of Whig and Tory hate each other so cor dially, that nothing coming from a Tory can be acceptable to a Whig, and nothing from a Whig acceptable to a Tory. I pride myself on being an independent man ; I was so when comparatively poor, I am not likely to depart from it now." It is this very quality of " independence of all party" which ought to be looked to by electors as one of the most valuable of which any candidate can henceforth boast, because it is one which assorts most thoroughly with the spirit and principle of the bill by which Par liament has been reformed. To this independence of sentiment and profession it would be well if in most cases independent fortune could be added : there have been too many paupers and adventurers in the present Parliament—men of that description who will stop the public business and bawl until Doomsday, unless they be, in some shape or through some manoeuvre, bought off. Such men cannot be "independent." It is, moreover, perfectly true that pure Whigism or pure Toryism, if such attributes have at this day any definite force, are no prima facie proofs of the "independence" which we have been requiring. Men attached to the re form principle, but not less attached to the mainte nance of those institutions upon which that principle is to operate—men who, when a grievance is re cognized, will not hesitate to remove it—men who can see in accumulated defects and disorders the incidents to all human workmanship, but not its essence,—such are the persons to whom it would be desirable that the trust of legislation should be now committed in this country. From all that has been said, let not our readers suspect that we reprobate the principle or the instrumentality of party, in so far as it means a general spirit of co-operation for carrying on affairs of State in a numerous deliberative assembly.. We believe party in that sense to be unavoidable ; but then it is a means of which the public service is the end ; whereas, the by-gone spirit of party had the public service for a pretext, and party predominance for the end. That species of party rule is now, thank Heaven, impracticable. Our correspondent, " ONE OF THE PEOPLE," will find his letter in this clay's Times. The difference between us is one, not of feeling, but opinion. He says, " we support Toryism," an assertion which we solemnly deny. We think that s. liberal system of Government may be carried on through those agents whom he denominates Tories. He thinks otherwise, and a few months probably will decide the question.—Times. PRIVY COUNCIL, WHITEHALL. IN THE MATTER OF LE COUTEUR'S BANKRUPTCY. Dr. LUSIIINGTON said that this was a petition filed on behalf of the London creditors of the above-named bank rupt, demanding an appeal against the decision of one of the lower Courts of Guernsey. All he wanted to prove was, that there were sufficient facts to engage their Lord ships to entertain the question. Le Couteur was a na tive of Jersey, established in business in Guernsey. Early in the month of May last Le Couteur purchased in Lon don goods to the value of 1,0001. On the 10th of the same month he was arrested for debt, and no bail having come forward in his behalf, he remained in prison for the space of 21 days. The custom in Guernsey in proceedings of this sort is to have the bankrupt's property immediately attached ; and in consequence of the act of bankruptcy be ing admitted by Le Couteur, he was declared a bankrupt in this country. Previously to writing to Guernsey upon what had taken place, Le Couteur was advised to have the attachment in the island of Guernsey made for the general body of creditors. Le Couteur's son was charged with this mission ; bid on his arrival in Guernsey he neglected to make the attachment for the general body of his father's creditors. The son, therefore, acted badly, as he did not perform the powers intrusted to him ; and the consequence of this was that the Guernsey creditors attached the pro perty before the attachment had been made for the London creditors. On the 19th of July a gentleman of the name of Faircloth appeared before the Royal Court, and claimed the property on behalf of the creditors and assignees in London. The petition then went on to state, that under the present Bankruptcy Act, the bankrupt's property was vested in the assignees, and that, as the Guernsey credi tors had not proved their debts, the law of attachment and sale of goods could not hold good in that island. The Guernsey creditors proceeded to a sale of the property,, and in September the matter was brought before the Guern sey Court. There were only present the bailiff and two other persons, and the Court directed a sale of the property so seized. The petitioner for the London creditors then asked for an appeal to the full Court, but his request was refused. The petitioner complained of this, and in conse quence notice was given that the sale would not take place till the 15th of September. The petitioner therefore prayed for leave to appeal to a full Court in Guernsey, and if that Court should decide in the same way that the former ono had done, then he prayed to appeal to their Lordships in Privy Council to stay the same. The learned Doctor then said that the only question to be determined was, whether this was a fit and proper case to be heard by their Lord ships. It was to be seen whether Le Couteur, the son, was not only guilty of a fraud upon his father, but upon the London creditors, in the behalf of whom he was sent to Guernsey, in giving private notice of his father's bank ruptcy to the Guernsey creditors. Their Lordships thought that evidence ought to be pro duced to show whether Le Couteur the father and Le Cou teur the son acted in conjunction, and whether collusion on the part of either was intended. In order to have this evidence produced, they consented to delay their decision, that the petition might be amended. SHERIFFS COURT.—DEc. N. WHITTAKER V. BISSAKER. This was an action to recover damages for trespass. The defendant had suffered- judgment to go by default. The case was stated by Mr. C. PHILLIPS. Edward Young, a bead-maker, on Sunday, the 13th of July last, was passing Brick-lane, when he listened to the plaintiff and defendant, who were quarrelling. Plaintiff said, " Why did you come to my house, and trample over my wife ? Why not come like a man and reject me out ? " The defendant replied, " If you do not go by this day week I will pull the house down and smother your family in the ruins." On Monday, the 21st of the same month, he saw men erecting a kind of fence round the house, and scaffold ing poles were put up, in consequence of which he went to Alderman Harmer's office, in Hatton . - C arden, to inform them of the fact. On the following day, Tuesday, be found the upper and under door; completely pulled down over the head of the plaintiff, who was lying in bed, and his tools and the furniture buried in the ruins. The Learned SHERIFF having summed up, the Jury, after some consultation, returned a verdict with 151. damages. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. Q UEEN-SQ UARE. William Piccini, a wretched looking object, was brought up in custody, charged before Mr. BURRELL, with having wil fully broken one of the parochial lamps in Tower-street, Westminster-road, under the following circumstances : A police sergeant of the L division stated that on the previous night, when on duty, he observed the prisoner in, the Waterloo-road busily employed in endeavouring to break the lamps. He told him to desist, but the prisoner said that he was determined to be taken to the station-house. When taken there he told the inspector on duty that he was in a dreadful state of starvation, and would repeat the offence immediately. Upon being discharged by the in spector he immediately carried his promise into effect, by breaking the first lamp he met with, the value of which was 2s. Gd., and he was a, second time taken to the station-house. Mr. BURRELL—What have you got to say in answer to the charge ? Prisoner—Nothing, but that the witness has spoken the truth. I have been out of work for seven months, and have applied to my own parish (Bermondsey), but have been passed over from one parish to another with out receiving a shilling to relieve me. No parish will take notice of me, and having been two days without breaking my fast, I was compelled to do what I did to get relief of some sort. Mr. BURRELL—You must be committed for five days. Prisoner—Thank you, Sir. The prisoner left the bar apparently very grateful. A vast number of prisoners have lately been charged at this Office with coining and uttering base coin, and have been remanded from time to time for witnesses to attend. This morning was fixed for hearing several of them, and Messrs. Powell and Field, of the Mint, were in attendance to conduct the prosecution. John Beck, a lad, was first placed at the bar. Police Constable Ford, of the B division stated, that on Saturday afternoon he met the prisoner, with two others, in the Westminster-road, and suspecting them to be smashers, he went up to them. Two of them ran away, but he se cured the prisoner, on whom he found three counterfeit shillings. Police Constable Underhill corroborated this testimony. The prisoner was fully committed for trial. J. Ashford was next Charged with a similar offence. Police Constable Ford met the prisoner in Tothill-street, on Wednesday evening last, in company with two others. He had something in his hand which he was showing to his companions. He took him into custody, and found five shillings upon him, all counterfeit. The other two escaped. The prisoner was full) committed for trial. Chas. Parr was brought up on re-examination, charged with having passed a gilt sixpence as a half sovereign at the shop of Mr. Robinson, a baker, in Blackfriars-road.-- Remanded. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1834. MARLBORO UGH-STREET. Laurence Whalin, a young man respectably dressed, was brought before Mr. Conant yesterday, charged with having forced himself into the residence of his Grace the Duke of Wellington, on Monday evening. From the evidence it appeared, that about six o'clock the defendant was observed by the policeman on duty walking backwards and forwards past Apsley-house. The defendant at length rang the bell, and was answered by the porter, who sent him away. Shortly after this the same po liceman perceived the defendant get into the premises, and attempt to secret himself behind a pillar. Having given information of this circumstance to some of his Grace's do mestics, the defendant was laid hold of and given into cus tody. When brought before the Magistrate at the even ing sitting, the defendant conducted himself with apparent incoherency, and was ordered to be detained until the fol lowing morning. Yesterday he was again brought up for examination, but no person attended from Apsley-house to prefer any charge against him. Mr. CONANT asked the defendant what had induced him to conduct himself in the singular manner attributed to him ? The defendant replied that he had formerly made a coat for the Marquis of Wellesley, when Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and he wished to see the Duke of Wellington on matters concerning his noble relative. • Mr. CONANT—Did you think the Marquis of Wel lesley resided at the residence of the Duke of Wellington ? Defendant—l thought I should be likely to meet with him there. Mr. CONANT, after having received a promise from the defendant that he would not repeat his strange conduct, directed that he should be discharged. When first taken into custody, the defendant stated that he had just come from Rome, and - made other statements, which afforded grounds for believing he was not altogether collected in his conduct. A VlRAGO.—Caroline Major, a stout-built young woman, well known . at this office, was charged with having given Mr. Claik; landlord of the Three Tuns, Oxford-street, a severe black eye, broken his glasses and windows, and knocked down a policeman. Mr. Clark said the defendant came into his house about six o'clock that morning in a state of intoxication, and asked for liquor. He refused to serve her, upon which she seized a liquor-glass and flung it through a pane of glass in the bar. A second glass shared the same fate, upon which he went round with the view of putting her out of the house. He had no sooner come within distance, than she threw herself into a scientific attitude, and let fly at him. He received the first visitation of her fist on his eye, the force and effect of which bore a much greater resem blance to a blow from a masculine fist than from the fist of one of the fair sex. Mr. Clark succeeded in putting her out of the house, upon which the defendant, seeing a police man standing near her, walked up to him and knocked him down with a blew from her fist. For this unlady-like con duct she was conveyed to the station-house, Mr. CONANT ordered her to pay the amount of the damage, or suffer one month's imprisonment. UNION-HALL. Yesterday Frederick Wilhelm, a modeller, was brought up in custody for wilfully destroying the busts of several of the most eminent ancient and modern characters of note, amongst which were those of Alexander the Great, Cicero, Roscius, the Duke of Wellington, Napoleon Buonaparte, and Sir Walter Scott. The defendant's father was a modeller, to which busi ness he had also brought up his son, who was now out of his time, and competent to set up in business for himself. Instead, however, of following the trade, the defendant had formed improper connections, and he neglected every thing except his own pleasures, and seemed bent on going head long to destruction. The complainant proceeded to say that his son in one of his paroxysm of rage rushed into the apartment where the models were kept, and with a poker in his hands made an indiscriminate attack on the plaster of Paris busts, and with the weapon demolished the heads of some of the most eminent warriors, statesmen, and poets that ever lived. He was not satisfied, however, in display ing that kind of resentment ; but when he had finished pulverizing the busts, as a climax to his misdeeds he turned a number of swine into the studio, and converted it into a pigsty. The complainant added that when he interfered to prevent this the defendant actually drew a claspknife and threatened to murder him. The MAGISTRATE had heard quite enough to call upon him the defendant, to put in bail. When the Magistrate decided that the defendant should procure bail, he swore tha he should rot in gaol before he would try even to get persons to become bound for him. 11e was consequently locked up, INCENDIARISM AT ROTHERHITHE. FINAL EXAMINATION OF PALMER, THE POLICEMAN. —Yesterday, Wm. Palmer, the policeman, who has been in custody for a month on suspicion of being the incendiary who set fire to various houses and buildings on his beat in the parish of St. Mary, Rotherhithe, and who was last week committed for trial on the capital charge of setting fire to the premises of Messrs. Pittman and Co., barge builders, where he was placed on duty, was agaiu brought before Mr. BALLANTINE for the purpose of other ch ar ges being investigated, and additional evidence. MrLCurling appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Cham bers for the defence. The investigation of four charges of incendiarism was proceeded with, namely, the attempts to set fire to the premises of Mr. Grice, anchorsmith, and Mr. Davis, lighterman, in Rotherhithe-street, early in the morning of the 24th ult. ; the warehouse of Mr. Christall, ship breaker, on the following morning (in all these cases the fires were got out without any damage to the buildings,) and the actual fire w hich occurre d on th e morn i ng o f t h e a cement shed on the Tunnel-wharf, when i ning the were dwelling-house of Mr. Brooks consumed.ad- Many c i rcums t a n c es of su s pi c i on ' have in evidence against the prisoner, 4t h o alreadyf November shedbe and ebeen gi ve n . th e and some additional testimony was now addiced confirma tory of that already published. wstead a , policeman, 36 R, was called for the deposed that on the night the fire oc curred on Mr. Chr rstall's p rem i ses t h e p r i soner reques t e d the loan of his lantern , and he accordingly lent him the one W firs ill t ia ; m an N d e be he (witness) was using. This was about half-past eleven o'clock. The pri soner said nothing about the fire being ex pected to take place in Mr. Christall's premises, but said he wanted to examine the back of Mr. Stoke's premises. The evidence on the former ex aminatiops, proving that the prisoner had been making inquiries as to the best means Of access to Mr. Chnstalrs preuuses i that be foretold the fire which afterwards-took place, and that be was subse quently found at the back of some premises 'in Dodd's buildings, near a wooden shed, where he could have no bu siness, and to gain access to which he must have climbed over a high gate and a fence, was then read. _ The testimony of a great number of witnesses examined on former occasions, detailing circumstances of a suspicious nature against the prisoner, was also read over, and two new witnesses examined, but no new facts elicited. Mr. Curling said he was anxious to call a witness, who, as we understood, could explain some facts relating to one of the fires, but Mr. BALLANTINE said he did not think it necessary. Mr. Curling said it was desirable to .find out everything which would tend to elucidate the mystery in which these transactions were enveloped. Mr.' BALLANTINE said the solicitor must pardon him, but his present duty, on the part of the Crown and the public, was to ascertain whether the facts against the prisoner were sufficient to warrant him in committing him for trial. ' Stephens, the Inspector of R division, who, as well as his brother inspector Rawlings, has been censured by the Magistrates for misleading them, put in several official re ports written on the mornings of the several fires, which had been sent in to the Superintendant, and by him to the Commissioners. Stephens said that it having been charged against him, that he on one day corrected some evidence given on a former, " that he had made up his recollection for the oc casion," he would endeavour to convince the Magistrate that his amended evidence corresponded with those reports, in which the hour and all circumstances attending the dis covery of each fire were denoted. Mr. BALLANTINE and Mr. COMBE carefully examined the reports, and requested they might be preserved, as it was probable they would be wanting on the trial. Mr. BALLANTINE, on looking over one of the reports re lating to the fire on Mr. Pitman's premises, observed that the hour was fixed at 24., which he supposed meant half-past two. The figures 21 corresponded with those observed chalked on the palings of Messrs. Speck and Redman on the morning of the fire, and which gave rise to so much vi gilance on the part of the inhabitants. Stephens said he knew nothing of that, and, in answer to a question from Mr. COMBE, said the reports were written by a man of the Force at his (the Inspector's) dictation ; but they were all signed by him. The Bench would ob serve the figures 3/, meaning three-quarters past three, on another report. Mr. BALLANTINE said he had noticed that, but he could not help observing that the coincidence of the figures on the paling, and in the report, was something extraordinary. The reports were then returned to Mr. Stephens. Mr. Curling inquired whether it was the Magistrates' intention to bind over the parish to prosecute, and from what fund the expenses were to be defrayed. Mr. BALLANTINE said this was a public inquiry, and ought to be paid for out of the public funds. The pa rishioners had sustained great injury by the numerous fires which had occurred in Rotherhithe, and he should think they would feel no objection to bearing the expense of the prosecution. Mr. Curling said there was no fund in the parish out of which the expenses could be defrayed, and if the church wardens were bound over to prosecute, the only mode in which it could be done would be by subscription. . Mr. BALLANTINE said be had no doubt the expenses of the prosecution would be borne principally by the county. Mr. Curling intimated that the parties whose premises had been burnt should be bound over to prosecute, and in that case the fire offices would reimburse them their expenses. . . Mr. BALLANTINE thought the most dignified course would be to bind over the churchwardens, and that must be done. In the course of further discussion the worthy Magistrate said he could not but think that the person who set fire to one place set fire to the rest, and that it was one diabolical course of incendiarism. He could not but feel glad that during the last month there had been no incen diary fires in Rotherhithe ; whether it was from the ex treme vigilance of the respectable inhabitants, who had en rolled themselves into a nightly association, and still kept watch, or from another cause, be would leave the public to form their own judgment. Mr. Curling—lf you think, Sir, it is necessary to bind over the parish to prosecute, I will undertake they shall do it. The prisoner was then fully committed to Horsamonger lane Gaol on five several charges, and all the witnesses, having been called over, were bound in the usual sum to give evidence against him. Mr. Morgan, the churchwar den, and Mr. Nottingham, the vestry-clerk of Rotherhithe, were bound in the sum of 401. each to prosecute. Thus has ended one of the most protracted investigations which ever took place in a police office, and which has oc cupied nearly the whole time of Mr. Ballantine the Magis trate, for five weeks. APPREHENSION OF MR. VOLLANS. ' We stated last week that active measures had been taken for the apprehension of Mr. Joshua Vollans, who had ab sconded to France, it was supposed, with a considerable sum of money belonging to his creditors ; and we likewise men tioned that the French Government, at the instance of the Duke of Wellington and the British Ambassador to that Court, had sent a telegraphic order to the authorities at Lyons, to apprehend the pseudo " Alexander Beaumont " on his approach to that city. Our readers will be glad to learn that advices have been received from France, stating that the fugitive was captured at the gates of Lyons on the evening of the 17th inst. According to the custom in that country, he was forthwith interrogated by a Commissaire de Police. In the first instance his name was demanded, and he gave his assumed one. He did not deny that be was an Englishman, yet said he had not come from Leeds, but from a place called Holmfirth, in Yorkshire. Subsequently he changed his story, and said that he had come from other places, and eventually he said that his name was " Alexander Beaumont Vollans." This admission of his identity with the man who was " wanted" led the police to search his person, and they found on him five notes of one hundred pounds each, and about sixty pounds in other notes, all of the Bank of England. He was then further interrogated. At first he seemed much alarmed, and he ended by confessing that his name was Joshua Vollans ; that he had run away from his creditors, and said that if they would deal leniently with him, he would tell them all. As an earnest of his sincerity, he mentioned a bill for 7001, upon a firm of Scott and Bull, which he said might be ren dered available for the creditors, but which, unknown to him, had been discounted in Leeds by the house. He made some allusion to a letter he had written, which he said must not be seen by the creditors upon an) consideration what ever. At length Mr. Watson dropped some obiervations which led Vollans to infer that the letter had fallen into other hands than those for whom it was intended, and there fore the delinquent wept. He appeared to be greatly con cerned, and said he would do anything if they would pre vent exposure. It is believed that th letter about which he expressed so much concern is the one dated from Paris, December 8, which we published last week. An estafette was despatched to Paris with news of the capture, before the officers at Lyons had had time to search his trunks, and therefore it is not known whether he had any money but that found upon his person ; it is, however, the ()Dimon of the active creditors in Leeds that he had no more, as the amount found upon him, coupled with the sum found at Sanderson's by Mr. Robinson, agret , s pretty nearly with the amount which he is known to have received in London shortly before his disgraceful flight. On the arrival of Ruthven, the Bow-street officer, Vollans would be sur rendered to him, and would be conveyed back to Paris, and from thence to London. His arrival in England -may be shortly expected.—Levis Inteltigencer. IRELAND. (From a Morning Contemporary.) MELANCHOLY AFFAIR AT RATHCORMAC. We have reason to know that the following is an exact statement of the facts connected with the late lamentable affray at Rathcormac. It should be remembered that this occurrence took place before the new Government bad issued any directions with respect to Ireland. The blame, if blame be imputable, certainly does net attach to the pre sent Ministers : " On the 4th of November the lay improprietor of tithes in the parish of Castle Lyons represented to the Irish Government the ill-treatment experienced by the persons whom he had employed in serving notices on the landholders of the parish, for the payment of the sums due to him. _ _ " These sums consisted partly of the tithe due to the im propriator for the year 18334, and partly of the one-fifth of the previous arrear of tithe, on account of which an ad vance had been made by the Government under the 3d and 4th William IV., which latter was, under the provisions of that Act, to be paid over to the Government. " He also asked for an order for troops to accompany the civil power in protecting the persons employed by him. This request was repeated on the 11 th of November by the Ma gistrates assembled at the Petty Sessions of Rathcormac, and they were informed by Mr. Secretary Littleton, in re ply, that the officer in command of the troops in that neigh bourhood would be requested to order the attendance of such a body of troops as might be necessary on the requisi tion of any one or more mag i strates . O n t h e 17th o f No vember, in consequence of a more serious outrage upon a person employed by the impropriator, the Magistrates re peated their request to the Government, and on the 25th of November , it aPpearing to the Government that the case was one in which assistance should be given, the Magistrates were informed that troops were ordered to attend. 0 14 consequence of tlleso orders, a party of troops was furnished, on the requisition of the magistrates, on the :.sth and 18th of Dec. . . On the former day every disposition to resist was shown by the country people ; but although it was necessary to read the Riot Act, the persons employed in the collection of the tithe succeeded in levying part of the sums due with out any serious injury being sustained by any of the pea santry. " On the 18th, however, a large number of persons as sembled, and attempted to obstruct the progress of the ma gistrates, and of the civil and military force which accompa" nied them. " The end of a lane which led to a farm-house Was blocked up by a car, and a body of about six hundred men resisted its removal, and the further progress of the party. " Orders were given by the magistrates to clear the pas sage ; the violence of the people became greater. The Riot Act was then read. The troops were assailed by v ol- Les of stones, many men and the officers commanding the troops were knocked down, and after every att em pt by ex postulation on the part of the officers to persuade the people to disperse had failed, the Magistrates tblt it necessary, for the protection of the troops, to order them to act—with what fatal effect is already known. " It is not undeserving of remark, that the persons who composed the crowd were not inhabitants of the parish, or of the immediate neighbourhood, but were collected from other parishes, some at a considerable distance and that the person for whose protection this resistance was professed to be made, did not either permit a seizure to be made of his property, or deny the propriety of the demand, but paid at once, and without difficulty, the amount to which he wag Extract from Mr. Sheil's Speech at the Lowth Election " Gracious Heaven ! (exclaimed Mr. Shell) how long are the men, to whom the destinies of this country have been com mitted, to remain insensible to the frightful evils, which, in stead of diminishing, are daily swelling into more alarming magnitude, and which have recently produced scenes at which the feelings of men the most destitute of sensibility must be appalled? I hear men speak of " the blessings of pure reli gion" in vindicating the support of the Establishment. The blessings of pure religion I For the last four years what tor rents of blood have been shed—how many human victims have been offered up at the altars of legal orthodoxy? 1 10 blessings of pure religion I Where are they to be found?— Is it in that bloody field—that Aceldama in which a trophy had recently been raised to the victorious ascendancy of the establishment. You who call yourselves Protestants, and under the pretence of Protestantism, which you degrade, violate the precepts of Christianity in all its forms, turn from that Bible whose texts are for ever on your lips, and after you have rota the divine precepts of your Redeemer, go and see how well they are fulfilled in the achievements at which even the sternest amongst you must find it hard not to shudder. Four teen men had been laid dead by repeated vollies of ine ,- ketry. The ground covered with the bodies of wretchei persons, who fell before that force, which churchmen invite as their auxiliaries—the groans of the dying, mingled with the moans of the wretches who strove to fly, and dropped in their effort to escape across the ditches that separated then , from the soldiery—the shrieks of the unfortunate women, who saw their husbands, their sons, their brothers, fall before them—and when the slaughter had ceased, and the troops, with their reverend companion, had retired, the scene of ghastliness almost as terrible which succeeded—the tolling of the chapel bell, the gathering of the dead before the a ltar, the prayers of the devout, the imprecations of the revengeful , the cries and sobbing of the miserable widows and orphans, left without sustenance or hope ; and it is in the name of reli gion—it is in order that the blessings of the gospel may be diffused—it is in order that the precepts of a God of mercy may be more profoundly inculcated, that all this has been done -(Loud cheers.) Insulting mockery, abominable blasphemy , impious and execrable outrage upon Heaven I—( Loud cheers:) Of the alleged necessity which produced this event I say no thing. I know not what degree of provocation the soldiery may have sustained—l do not inculpate the reverend gentle man—from whose hands I should not, I am certain, desire to receive the sacramental chalice, lest my imagination should tinge the wine with an ensanguining hue.—( Hear, hear.) HI may, for aught I know, have been justified i n p o i n t of law. only regret, as far as he is concerned, that he did not wait for his November tithes a little longer. (Oh I how m uch blood would have been spared 0" COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, DEc. 29. JOSHUA VOLLANS, JUN.'S, BANKRUPTCY. The bankrupt in this case was a partner in a firm carrying, on business in Leeds, and in consequence of th e di scov ery 0' some extraordinary transactions, which have created a consi derable sensation in Yorkshire, a fiat was issued against i Vollans, jun., who decamped, taking with him as was sup' posed considerable property belonging to his creditors. Th ° liabilities of the bankrupt are estimated to amount to ah O L 4 17,000/. The bankrupt having left England, application was made to the Duke of Wellington, who immediately forwarde d iustructions to the British Ambassador at Paris, when ce Vollans had proceeded, in order that he might be detained. The bankrupt, however, had proceeded to Lyons, having as sumed the name of Alexander Beaumont. At th e i n stance, e , the British Ambassador a telegraphic d e sp a t c h was forwt"; to Lyons, directing the arrest of th e p arty re f erre d to on D. reaching that place. At thi s pl ace t h e b an k rupt was a rrested , there having been found on his person about 560/. Th e bankrupt will shortly be brought to this country. In the meantime active measures were adopted to secure property which it was understood had been removed from the bank' rupt's possession, and the result of these efforts has been 0 , discover bank-notes to the value of 5,5501. It i s ex p ec t e d tha t further assets will be discovered. A considerable reward w 3 -4 offered for the apprehension of the bankrupt. The first meeting of the creditors was appointed to be held this day, for the proof of debts and the choice of assignees. The COMMISSIONER having been informed that the bank rupt had been captured, expressed his gratification at the prompt manner in which the authorities in France had acted' and hoped that there would be a dividend of fourteen or fifteeo shillings in the pound for the creditors, the assets secured being very considerable. The choice of assignees was postponed, in consequence 0r i:s being intended to work the fiat against the firm, in eCP junction with that issued against the bankrupt. BROWN, DAMSON, AND CO'S BANKRUPTCY. The bankrupts in this case were extensive merchants. r r be f first meeting of the creditors w a s h e ld t o -d ay , f or t h e proof o f debts and the choice of assignees. The Debts were proved to the amount of about 20,0001. total amount of the liabilities of the firm are estimated at about 130,000/., and the assets ab ou t 50,0001. or 60,00 01 ; Mr. Charles Walton and Mr. John Greenwood were appointe d assignees. BENTLEY, DEAR, AND CO.'S BANKRUPTCY. A private meeting of the creditors of this firm was held ta; day, to consider m a tt ers o f i m p ortance to t h e cre di tors . The proceedings being of a p r i va t e nature, and as the pu blicati o, of such meetings is h e ld as b e i ng contrary to t h e orders Cie Court, and in fact in mos t instances might tend to in.l"7 the interest of the cre dit ors , i t i s impossible to furnish ac , particulars of the business of the day. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. TS ABSTRACT of the RESULT of COMMITMEA , AT • to the FIRST or NOVEMBER SESSIONS. Convicted. — A.cclniiited• London Prisoners Middlesex 136 Essex ... 5 Kent Surrey 16 78 Of the above cases, Lord Denman tried 6 Mr. Justice Parke 7 Mr. Baron Bolland Sir John Cross 3 The Recorder 44 The Common Sergeant 69 Sergeant Arabin 6B Of the Essex, Kent, and Surrey prisoners— The King's Judges tried The Corporation Judges BIRTHS. of S On the 25th inst., the wife of the Rev. Edward PerrY' daughter. On the 29th inst., in Montegu-square, the wife of St. Ge or g e Caulfield, Esq., of a son. On the 25th inst., in the Regent's-park, the lady of Philip Ripley, Esq., of a son. On the 29th inst., in Bloomsbury-square, the lady o f the R eg ' Joseph Edwards, of a son. sotAhn, On the 30th inst., in King William-street, Mrs. James of twins. On the 29th inst., i n H ert f or d -street, M ayfa i r, t h e l a dy 0- f Wm. Bertram Evans, Esq., of a daughter. 1 On the 29th inst., at Bardon-park, Leicestershire, the lady Robert Jacomb Hood, Esq., of a daughter. On the 23th inst., Mrs. Leonard Currie, jun., of a son. „ L ., ' On the 28th inst., in Caroline-place, Mecklenburgh-squat e p Henry Parker, of a daughter, still-born. MARRIED. On the 25th inst., at St. James's Church, Mr. Deen Mahonied' to Mary Ann, daughter of Mr. J. Maltus, of Southwold, Suffolk. On the 30th inst., at St. Mary's, Lambeth, William Clowee , jun., Esq., of Parliament-street, to Emma, daughter of the late Thomas Lett, Esq., of Lambeth, and St. Peter's, Kent. On the 30th inst , at Finchley Church, Barnes Peacock, c.,ol'' of the Inner Temple, to Elizabeth, Mary, eldest daughter of Win' Fanning, Esq., of Finchley. DIED. On the 12th inst., at Daliceith, after a few hours' illness, Katherine Elliott, relict of the late Dr. Andrew Graham, cian there. At Kensington, in her 73d year, Sarah, widow of Thos. Had' wick, Esq. On the 28th inst., at Horton, Frances Mary, youngest daughter of William Wilson Yeates, Esq., aged 13 months. On the 27th ult., at Florence, James Nash M‘Grath, Lieutenant 16th Foot. On the 30th inst., Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. William Thorue' of the Grove, Highgat aged 56. On the 9th ult., at e ,orfu, William Cumine, Esq., Lieutenan t 10th Regiment of Foot. On the 26th inst., in Alfred-street, aged 86, Caroline, vdaci vi the late William Jackson, Esq., Commissioner of Excise . On the 27th inst., at 13rompton, Frederick Seth, youngest son 1 2 f the Rev. Percival Frye, aged four months. On the 29th inst., aged 44, Mary, daughter of John ThompiPouP Esq., of Tottenham-green, Middlesex. London : Printed And Published by MURDO YOUN G, at Thy Stine Mee, No. 118, Stmuld•