The Sun. — London, England, 1845-11-28 00:00:00

--- ENGLISH HARBOURS of REFUGE. ROYAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. SITTING Or MONDAY, Nov. 17.--M. MATIHEU IN THE CHAIR. Baron CHARLES DUPIN read the following paper:— " It is now twenty-eight years since I laid before the Academy an account of great works undertaken by the British Government, with a view of making Plymouth the finest port of defence and refuge for the royal navy and merchant vessels. These works, carried on with re -aarkable activity, although begun thirty years after hose of Cherbourg, have long since been completed. " At the present moment England is projecting the caking of new ports of aggression, or, if you prefer it, if defence and refuge, nearer and nearer to the coast of France. Under more than one point of view these works interest the arts and science; and such is the reason which leads me to communicate them to the Academy. " In 1843 a Select Committee of the House of Com mons, appointed to inquire into the accidents to trading vessels off the coast of England, in its report recom mended to the Government the establishing of ports of refuge in the British Channel. This Committee, acting /lost judie,iouely, :lb -gained from pointing out any par ticular situations for such parts ; it, on the contrsry, gave it as its opinion that the suhject would be much better treated by scientific persons having practical knowledge and specially appointed for the purpose:. With a view of carrying out this recommendation, Sir Robot Peel, the Prime Minister, first ascertains that the persons the most capable will undertake the inquiry just mentioned. " Baying taken this first step, Sir Robert Peel ob tained from the Lords of the Treasury the appointment of a Commission, consisting of Sir Byana Martin, who was for many years Chairman of the Navy Board, and who during the war had been a member of several im portant commissions in inquiry as chairman ; Lieutenant- General Sir froward Donglas, formerly High Commis sioner at the lonian Islands, and previously Governor of the Military College at Sandhurst, author of several very valuable military works ; Rear-Admiral Deans Dundee, an officer of great experience ; Sir William Symonds, Surveyor General of the Navy, and successor to the celebrated Sir Robert Seppings ; two naval Cap tains, John Wa.hington and Fisher ; Colquhoun, a co lonel of artillery ; Alderson, a colonel of engineers ; ' Sir H. Kelly, deputy master of the Trinity-house ; and Mr. Walker, President of the Institute of Civil Engi neers of Great Britain, and worthy of such an honour from the important works of which he has had the su perintendence. "1-Lsre is the forrnal instructions given by the Lords of the Treasury to this grand Commission as to the ob jects to he forthwith more immediately considered: — "'First. To determine whether it be advisable to have a port of refuge in the British Channel, with a view to the public benefits which such a work shall hold out; and, on the other hand, what would be the cost of executing the works to be recommended. " ' Second. To determine the spot which will be best suited for a pert of this description, so as to combine, in the highest degree, the three following capacities:— " 1. That it may be entered with ease at any state of the tide by vessels in danger from bad weather. " 2. That the port be such as to be suited to a naval station, in case of war, and may at the same time serve for purposes of defence and attack. " 3. That it may ofFer ready means of defence in case of attack from an enemy.' " This is not all; should the Commissioners not find that all these requisites can be obtained by only one port of refuge in the British Channel, they are autho rised to extend their surveys in consequence, and then to report on the advantages peculiar to the different situations they shall deem advisable to recommend, pointingout such as they may consider the most eligible. "These remarkable instructions are dated the 2d of April, 1844. " These Commissioners lost no time in setting about the duties imposed on them. The English coast and ports on the British Channel were surveyed. The Com missioners had the assistance of the information pos sessed by persons of special knowledge. They examined the most experienced pilots, the officers of the Coast Guard, the most celebrated engineers—such as Mr. Brunel, Mr. Rennie, Captains Samuel Brown and Vetch; learned geologists — such as. Mr. Beebe, President of the Board of the Geological Map ; Mr. Philipps, President of the Society of Geological Economy, &c. "As early as the 7th of August,lB44, the Commission bad got through its labours, and presented its report to the Lords of the Treasury. Finally, in consequence of an address to the Crown on this subject, the First Lord of the Treasury laid on the table of the House of Com mons the Commissioners' final report. " I shall, in a succinct analysis, lay before you the chief results of their labours, looking at them with re ference to hydrography and nautical arts. " At the first view it might be thought that the south west coast of England, liberally provided by nature, and during a long period seconded by art, offers a sufficient number of ports of refuge, possessing all requisites. "Ws have already mentioned Plymouth, to which must be added Falmouth, the situation the farthest to the westward. Returning eastward we successively find Dartmouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Thames. " Not only did the Commission not find these chief ports of refuge to be sufficient, but it found that the ad dition of one great port to the preceding would not suf fice ; it recommends works and an outlay for four new stations, which I shall successively mention. " The Commisssioners made a survey of the whole line of the coast between FalmAnth and the port of Harwich to the north of the Thames and beyond the limits of the British Channel. "They took new soundings for the purpose of ascertain ing whether the depth of water at the principal naval sta tions along this whole line of coast had not varied since the publication of the most recent maritime charts. All this was effected under the skilful direction, at the ports of the eastern part, by Commander Sheringham, and at the ports in the western division under the superinten dence of Captain Brown, one of the members of the Commission. Besides this, the Commission received all the assistance which the Lords of the Admi ralty could afford it, and was further assisted by the knowledge possessed by Captain Beaufort, the chief hydrographer of the Royal Navy, and correspon dent of the Academy. It availed itself of the opinions of the two great societies of Lloyd's and of the ship owners, as to the selection of naval stations, which may be or become the best as to places of refuge. " A special Commission, appointed in 1840 (this is a period worthy of remark), gave the preference for creating new ports of refuge—first, to Dover ; secondly, to Beachy Head ; thirdly, to Foreness, near the North Foreland. "The following are the particular instructions to the Commission of 1840 : " To survey the coast from the mouth of the Thames to Selsea Bill ; to examine the ports with reference to the shelter they may be eapable of affording in case of had weather to vessels sailing in the British Channel, end as to their being places of refuge for merchant vessels chased by armed vessels in time of war, and mere specially as to their becoming stations for armed steamers, in order to protect British trade in the narrow parts of the Channel. "Forencas, nearer than Margate to the extreme poift of the southern coast of the Tisames, is a fine situation, which was recommended by the Commission of 1840, but only as a third place, fur a port of refuge ; it re commended, in preference, two other points—first, Dover ; second, Beachey Head. Most certainly, Fore ness, converted into a port, would often present a very favourable anchorage, whether for trading vessels sail ing from the Thames, and which encounter gales of wind when off Foreland ; or for vessels returning to England, and which are detained by contrary winds. " The new Commission observes, that the same advert teges may be more fully and conveniently obtained by improving the port of Harwich, on the other side the Thames, as the point of the coast where the North Sea begins. In fact, this port, which will be the natural station for a fleet of war-steamers, will afford the best refuge for merchant vessels; whilst the neighbouring anchorage afforded by the hay of Hollcsley will suitably receive ships of war. In consequence. it does not ap pear that the secondary situation of Foreness is to be selected for making a port of refuge. One is strengthened in coming to this conclusion on looking to the advance ment in a commercial point of view of Ramsgate, which is but at a very short distance from Foreness. In 1748 Ramsgate was no more than a stnall creek—an open bay without importance ; it is now a harbour of suffi cient extent to receive a considerable amountof shipping. " The following is the increase in numbers of mer chant vessels having entered Ramsgate harbour in the following years : -- Years. No. of vessels. 1780 time of war 1785 time of peace ' 1790 time of peace 1841 time of peace 1842 time of peace "Four years ago tho 31 largest vessels which entered, Ramsgate harbour measured on an average 457 tons—a greater tonnage than that of two-thirds of the British merchant vessels in foreign trade. "In 1032 as many as 434 vessels were at the same time in Ramsgate harbour if the new basin about to be formed to the westward be added, Ramsgate will then be capable of containing simultaneously 600 vessels. " Sir .John Pell y, deputy -master of the Trinity-house, had proposed, as a plat s thef o r constructing a port of refuge between Rainsgato Thames, at the anchorage ground called the Brake. In support of this proposition, he produced plans made by Sir John Rennie, the s eco nd . of w son of the celebrated engineer Rennie, l ose works London, & ~I.have given a a t Plymouth, Sheerness, description. Sir John Rennie, j un ., proposed to erect on the top of the lo n g it ud ina l s and - bank, within which is the anchorage called th e Brak e , a breakwate r , centimetres (23 w s imilar to that at Cherb o u r g , but only 60 plan ould (23 inches) above th e hi g hest water. His lead to an expense of 80.000,000 f. (3,200,0000, includ ing the necessary deepening of the projected anchorage.. ground, which would not have been less than five miles in length. "If so large an expenditure were objected to, Sir .John Rennie would reduce to I,HO yards the proposed length, in which case the cost would only be 850,0004 that is about 21,000,000 f. Finally, Sir J. Rennie, as a middle course between these two extreme plans, pro posed a third, which would have led to an expenditure of 1,200,000 L, or 30,000,000 f. " Among the reasons adduced against the adoption of any of these plans, and several others proposed by Cap tain Vetch and by Sir S. Brown, I must mention the strongest. " A naval officer employed on the hydrography of the c h oa. et,_lias found that the sand-bank called the Brake shifted nearer to the land by 700 yards, or 640 metres. So soon es the corporation of the Trinity h"se became acquainted with this fact, it altered the situation of its buoci n f i r t om the south and the middle on to the Brake sand- at the same time publishing, for the information of all seamen and the public in ge neral; an account of this very remarkable change. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 28, 1845 " The Commission of 1840 had already rejected the plan of erecting a harbour at the Brake. The Commission of 1844 comes to the same conclusion, founded on the ground, that a port in such a situa tion could only be of service to vessels having already escaped all the dangers of the narrow part of the Bri tish Channel, or to vessels leaving the Thames to begin their voyage by a course to the southward. Grounding themselves on these motives, the Commis sioners reject the very expensive proposition of a har bour at the Brake, and they are strengthened in this re solution that the Downs in their present state possess an excellent bay. This bay rsiay be said to be contiguous to Ramsgate harbour, wh:ch can already contain 400 vessels at the same time. ; a part about being rendered capable of holding 600, if not more. Continuing to ad vance from the north towards the south, the Commis sioners arrive at the most important situation—at that which they prefer. It is the situation of Dover, a point at once the nearest and the most threatening for France. "In my works on the naval and military forces of Great Britain,* I have pointed out the great importance of Dover for one and the other of these forces, and the VIV 3 t woriss, whether of the port for trade or for the for tificatiene of this town. Since the publication of my lire descriptions, Dover has become of greater import asice, as being the terminus of the railroad which comes from London to this port, embranching on sundry other lines. In two hours' time corps of troops, ships' crews, ships' stores and munition, and an entire train of artillery, may be brought down t Dover from London, Deptford, Woolwich, and Portsmouth. Dover has a dry dock suited to the repairing of merchant vessels, a great extent of large quays, and extensive warehouses. Besides its outer basin, the floating basin has an area of more than six acres superficial measure, and works are going on for doubling this extent. There is also a third basin (called the Pent) which might be put into a state for containing a great number of sloops of war and gun brigs—a basin which is now undergoing considerable improvements. "At the time the celebrated Mr. Pitt was carrying on a mortal stuggle between England and France, he Atrongly wished to form an enclosed roadstead in front of Dover, and he had plans made with that view ; the Ordnance Department found them in its archives, and communicated them to the Commission whose labours I am now noticing. "Two kinds of objection have been started against resuming the consideration of these plans. It was con tended that the bed of the roadstead has a constant tt n dency to rise, owing to the deposit of alluvions. 2. That the anchorage ground was bad. In order to test this latter objection Captain Washington superintended experi ments, which have been deemed conclusive, by anchor ing in the roadstead a steamer of 500 tons and 120 horse power. After having cast anchor in the most important parts of the roadstead, the whole force of the engines was made to set on a sufficient length of cable run out, without this powerful action havingin any way loosened the anchor from its hold. No action of the wind on a vessel without sails could equal a similar impulsion. This experiment must appear conclusive as to the ex cellence of the anchorage in Dover-roads. " In order to ascertain what is to be apprehended from the deposits by the waters in front of the present port of Dover, samples of the water have been taken at he times of the highest tides, selecting calm weather: — First Samples of Water, taken July 2, 1844. F Depth of the Foreign sub- Time and situation of the water water at the stanes being taken. point where deposited, per cubic taken. foot. Feet. I Grains. I.—At low water at the sur face of the 5ea...... .. 42 10.21 2.—At half tide— At the surface ... ... 51 13.20 • At 9 feet below ... ... 42 6.00 3.—At high water — At the surface ... ... 60 3.43 At 9 feet below ... .. 51 7.21 At 18 feet below... ... 42 11.33 4.—At half ebb tide— At the surface ... ..., 31 6.38 At 9 feet below ... ...I 42 6.92 Foreign bodieS in suspension pei of sea water in front of Devi quantity • cubic foot } average 8.11 " Mr. Philipps, the President of the Society of Geolo gical Economy, who was intrusted with making these analyses, contrasts them with the results of those found from the Thames. when there were no rain alluvions, and the waters were limpid. Quantities of Foreign Bodies in Suspension in the calm and limpid WatPr of the Thames. At Brentford At Hammersmith 1.83 At Chelsea Average quantity 2.58 Second Samples of Water outside Dover, on the 17th o July, 1844. Total depth I below the Foreign Time and situation of the water point from bodies sus being taker;. which the pended in a water was , cubic foot taken. I of water. Feet. Grains. Low water at the surface Half flood tide— At 9 feet below the surface High water— At the surface... 6O I 24.10 Low water at the surface ..... Half flood tide— At 9 feet below the surface .. High water— Atthe surface...... ..... . At 9 feet below the surface At 18 feet below the surface . At half ebb tide— At the surface.... 51 I 24.10 22.28 53.76 30.95 Examination of the Bodies in Suspension. Proportions 52 Sand Lime with a small quantity of irgile and oxyde of iron Vegetable substances 24 "_The Commission was not satisfied with these ex periments ; it asks for fresh ones, for the purpose of ascertaining the quantities of substances kept in sus pension by the running of the tide on the Dover coast, and liable to be deposited. The Commission asks that these experiments may be continued for a whole year under the directions of the Board of Admiralty. Here are the conclusions of the Commissioners in favour of Dover, adopted unanimously, excepting one dissentient vote—that of Sir W. Symonds. " Dover at four miles and a half from the Goodwin Sands, advantageously situated for affording protection to the navigation of the Straits, is the natural station for ships of war ; there can be no doubt of its im portance in a military point of view. Further, the construction of a harbour of refuge at this spot is indis pensable, in order to give to Dover that efficaciousness as a naval station necessary to the safety of that part of the coast, and to protect commerce.' " Followino. 6 the English coast from Dover to the. westward the first projecting land or cape which pre sents itself, at a distance of twenty-eig . t miles, is a remarkable situation, which attracted the attention of the Commissioners. " The cape of Dungeness is protected by a fort erected near the extremity. behind the lighthouse, and by four batteries at the sides, two to the east and two to the west. This cape presents a singular conformation of shingles spread over n space of several miles, stretching out into the British Channel, and terminated by deep water, close to both its extremities. This bank, in front of Dungeness, has considerably advanced into the sea since the lighthouse was constructed in 1792. At that period, at low water, the sea was at no more than 100 yards from the tower, whereas it now is at 190 yards, which is an increased length of 90 yards in half a cen tury. The Commissioners recommend that regular surveys he made in order to ascertain the annual pro gression of the bed in front of Dungeness light house. The two bays to the east and west of this cape afford an excellent anchorage. More than 300 sail of shipping have ridden at anchor at the same time in the eastern bay, and more than 100 in the western bay, as the winds caused the one or the other to be selected for a place of refuge. The only inconvenience attendant on such a good anchorage is not to have at hand, as at Dover, Seaford, and Portsmouth, the advan tage of an inner port. This inconvenience, added to the very short distance from Dover, is the reason which has led the Commissioners not to recommend the construc tion of any considerable works at Dungeness. When nature, rightly say the Commissioners, affords such a convenient shelter, it will always be a matter for serious consideration to be satisfied with that which is found to be well, in order to reserve the means of bestowing on other places of admitted importance as to situation the artificial assistance which may give them the capacity of a safe and sheltered anchorage. These reasons have led the Commissioners to lay aside miliklea of erecting a breakwater for protecting the anchalllre to the east of Dungeness. _ _ _ " Starting from the cape of this name, proceeding to the westward, the coast again recedes, and forms some thing of a how, at the centre of which is the celebrated situation of Hastings ; at the extremity of the bow or semicircle is Beachy Head. To the east of this cape is the Bay of Eastbourne ; to the west are in succession Seaford and Newhaven. The Bay of Eastbourne is pro tected by a series of Martello towers, constructed at the time of the preparations of England against our expedi tion from Boulogne ; they are close to the highest water line, in order to be the more effectual against a landing, very feasible in that direction, as was proved not far from thence by William the Conquerer. In front of Eastbourne the - bed of the sea is very irregular ; sound ings were taken with very particular care ; the conse quence of which has been to induce the Commissioners to abandon the idea of erecting a breakwater, which would cover too confined a space in proportion to the necessary outlay. " They turned their attention wholly to the other side of the cape, on Seaford ; here there is a magnificent anchorage, which fortunately is at an equal distance from borer and Portsmouth. Such is the intermediary , situation at which the Commissioners have not shrunk from recommending to the Government the erection of great works. It recommends in a direction from N.N.E. to S.S.E., a breakwater or jetty, of one nautical mile in length, and having a rectilinear return at each ex tremity, be constructed. This jetty to be constructed towards the middle in 41 feet water, and something less at the extremities. Behind this long jetty there would be more than sufficient water for first class vessels ; and nearer land there would be an extensive space for mer chant vessels of all Tonnage. This formidabl e s it ua ti on would threaten, at the same time, all the French ports comprised between Havre and Boulogne. " Military St rengt h , " • Travels in Great Britain , Part 1. , 2 vols. 4to. Part IL, " Naval Strength," 2 vols. 4t0., with all atlas to each part. "Distance of the Harbour of Refuge and Aggression at Seaford. Miles. To Boulogne To the mouths of the Somme 6O To Dieppe 6O To Fecamp To the cape in Front of Havre 72 " This harbour will, no doubt, experience some incon venience from not being sufficiently sheltered by Cape Barrow on the N.W., which wind prevails especially in the bad season ; but this objection is not of predomi nating influence with the Commissioners. They take into consideration the proximity to the inland port of Newhaven, and do not hesitate to recommend for so important a situation an outlay of 1,200,0001. Let us add, that as the crow flies, the distance from Seaford to London is only about seventy-four miles, and that by means of the railroad from London to Brighton, from which a branch may easily be constructed, there will be no difficulty ir. getting from the capital to Seaford in less than two hours. " Newhaven. of which I have just spoken, is a good port, into which the tide flows. It may, however, be, improved; it may hereafter be sheltered by a breal:e water running from Cape Barrow to the point where there are 15 to 1(1 fret water at the equinox neap tides. The jetties which form the mouth of the inland port may be at the same time extended; this mouth may be widened and deepened. But as this entrance cannot be rendered eecessible to shippieg at ail times of the tide, Newhaven is. therefore, not comprised in the naval sta tions respecting which the Commission can make any recommendation. "The British navy- will have nothing to wish for from Seaford to Portsmouth ; it is necessary to proceed 60 miles to the westward to arrive at the magnificent situation of Portland. Portland island shelters on the west and south the extensive roads of that name, which are open to the east. These roads are contignous to those of Weymouth, which look to the south. The Commission proposes the erection of a jetty which would cover the south-east Portland-roads. This jetty is proposed to be of 2,315 metres, with a passage pretty near land, at a spot where the depth is not less than 42 feet. The cyst is esti mated at half a rnilion. It may surprise us that with such a depth of water a jetty of this length may be con structed for so small a rum, hut at Portland all tends to make the conetruction of a jetty both cheap and easy. It is to be observed, that Portland contains inexhaustible stone eptarries, of which a considerable number belong to the State, and will, therefore, be at hand to supply the stone and brae for the jetty. The island abounds in fresh water springs, which will suffice for supplying the vessels in the roads. Finally, this situation affords the advantages of en inland port, which is formed by the month of the Wey, as the name of this town indicates. Such are the combined works which the Commission recommends to be executed at this spot. A. naval sta tion at Portland will protect, in conjunction with that at Dartmouth, all the intermediary points. These two stations, along with Plymouth, will complete the chain of communication, co operation, and protection from Dover to Falmouth, a distance of • 300 nautical miles. "Exclusive of this vast line, and in order to extend it northward, and beyond the s!raits in the Channel, new improvements are recommended for Harwich-roads. Two rivers, the Stour and the Orwell, fall into each other immediately above the town of Harwich ; the con tinuation of their course forms a crescent round the town before emptying themselves into the sea. For the pur pose of narrowing this mouth, and to convert it into an inclosed roadstead, it is proposed to carry out from the land on the side of Harwich a jetty of half a mile in length. Thus one of the finest roadsteads en the coast of Great Britain would be protected—a roadstead having an excellent bed and sufficient depth of water for all class of ships, and capable of containing a vast number of merchant vessels. A fleet intended for the protection of the North Sea, or the Thames, would be most admi- rahly placed at the Harwich station. Let U 3 add, that these are the only safe roads on the eastern coast of England. They are in the direct line of the trade of the Thames with the northern ports of Great Britain and the north of Europe. Harwich already has building yards which belong to the State ; the Ordnance Depart ment also has lend, and has establishments at this place. I pass over the particulars of the damage done to the anchorage at Harwich in the last 25 years by injudicious excavations at the cape which sheltered the entrance from the west—a damage which the proposed works would remedy. The channel leading to the anchorage would be excavated to a depth of 18 feet below the lowest water mark. " I now give a summary of recommendations, of which I have faithfully stated the grounds. First of all, it is recommended to construct at Dover a harbour of refuge entirely enclosed by jetties, w'th two entrances, one to the east 150 ft., the other to the south 700 ft. wide. This harbour to measure 520 acres, of which 370 are to have a depth of 12 feet at the least. " Deeply convinced,' says the Commissioners, that it is indispensable to obtain without delay a sheltered anchorage in the bay of Dover, we venture earnestly to call the attention of the Lords of the Treasury to an immediate commencement of the works, by first con structing the jetty running out from the west of the en trance to the port of Dover. This first jetty, which shelters the hay on the west, will insure smooth water in the bay when the wind blows from that quarter; it will stop the allnv'ons which progress from the east; it will facilitate the execution of the other works, what ever may be the final plan. Whilst this jetty is in course of construction to the west, the experiments recommended as to the bodies in suspension in the waters of the bay. and the shifting of the elluvions, will be completed. These experiments will allow of adopt ing definitively the beat plan for the exterior harbour, and the most suitable dimensions of the entrances. "The breakwater or jetty recommended for Seaford is to shelter an anehoregkt of 300 acres. The breakwater at Portland is to shelter an anchorage of 480 acres. " As to the succession : it is not pcssible to undertake at the same time the construction of three breakwaters ; the Commission proposes—first, Dover ; second, Port land ; and last, Seaford. " As to the expense, the Commission does not hesitate to' recommend the following outlay : For Dover £2,500,000 Seaford 1,250,000 Portland Total £4,250,000 " So far from being surprised at the amount of this expenditure, it will probably be found to be below the reality when the following simple fact is considered. If it be supposed that the above-mentioned breakwaters or jetties be placed continuously one after the other, the total length will be equal to three times that of our long jetty at Cherbourg 7 . " As to the means of constructing, the Commissioners, availing themselves of the experience acquired by the French for the jetties at Cherbourg and Algiers, state that they will give the preference to stone masonry over pitched in stone. " As to the protection of the ports of refuge by land deihnsive works, Dover and Seaford are already provided with the requis'te ones. . " Portland-r)ada are commanded, in the most advan taEryous manne-, by the island of Portland, on which it will be easy to erect such fortifications and batteries as may be requir-d for defence. "After having made a report of their labours, and given the reasons for the conclusions they had come to, the Commissioners wind up definitively in the following manner : " The Commission cannot close its report without ex pressing. in the strongest terms, its unanimous opinion, and its thorough conviction, that it is indispensable to adopt such measures as may off ,rd the south-east coast of the kingdom a powerful naval protection. Without any exception the ports into which the tide flows, situ ated on the coast between Portsmouth and the Thames, are incapable of receiving large steam-ships. Conse quently, now that steam produces such great alterations in the situation of naval matters, there is an imperative necessity for supplying by artificial means the want of suitable ports in the narrow parts of the British Channel. An hydrographical chart will show the situations where, according to our recommendations, ports, enclosed anchorages, well sheltered, will afford a refuge to our • merchant shipping. By these means, added to the use of steam at sea, with railroads and telegraphic communications on land, the naval and military force of Great Britain may in a few hours be rendered most efficient on all points of the coast. The recommenda tions which we have deemed it our duty to submit to your Lordships to be carried out, require a heavy out lay of public money ; but when the lives, the property of citizens, and national security are at stake, we do not believe that considerations of money are to be an' impediment in the way of realising results of such vast importance.' ‘The ieneral chart referred t , ) by the Commissioners in their recommendations, shows a series of distances which must strike every attentive observer. I now give them in their order, prcceeding from west to east : Miles. " From Falmouth to Plymouth, first centre of pro 7— tection and aggression " From Plymouth to Guernsey, at the entrance of the Gulf of St. Male . " From Plymouth to Dartmouth 3O " From Dartmouth to Portland (second important centre of protection and aggression) 45 " From Portland to the Anglo-Norman Island of G uernsey . . " From Portland to Alderney, second Anglo-Nor man island (Alderney is 20 miles from Cher bourg) " From Portland to Portsmouth, passing off the Isle of Wight " From Portsmouth, third centre of protection and aggression, to Alderney B7 " From Portsmouth to Seaford, fourth centre of pro -tection and aggression " From Seaford, doubling Beachy Head, as far as Dover, fifth centre of protection and aggression " From Dover into the Thames, as far as the Nore, opposite the naval arsenal at Sheerness, sixth centre of protection and aggression 5O "From Dover to llarwich beyond the Thames, seventh centre of protection and aggression 55 "It will certainly be observed that ihe centres of pro tection and aggression increase, and I shall say are almost one on the other, as the coast of England becomes gradually nearer to France. From Portsmouth to Har wich, within an extent of only 164 miles, it is recom mended to construct in the sea-works, which, by estima tion of first projects, are to cost 3,850,0001. sterling. There are to be five grand centres of protection, capable of receiving five fleets, and serving as starting points of five expeditions, consisting of large war steamers—ex peditions, the furthest off of which may, in seven hours, reach the coast of France, and the nearest in one hour and a half. This combination of works will have its in fluence, not to say control, over 150 leagues of our coast, from Dunkirk to the Bay of St. Maio." WORTHY OF IMITATION.-011 Friday last, the la bourers in the employ of Sir R. B Bulkeley, Bart., M.P., were informed that their wages iguld be increased ls. 6d. A pfeeksmiCarnarvon LA W INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Aov. 27. (Sittings at Nisi Prins, Westminster Hall, before Mr. Justice WicatTmArt.) FOOTIT V. VICKERS. It appeared by the evidence in this case, that it was an ac tion brought by the plaintiff, who was a cab . proprietor, against the defendantz., who are distillers, for an injury plain tiff sustained 'through the alleged negligent driving of one of defendants' cartmen. The injury was inflicted by the two conveyances coming into collision ' and plaintiff laid his damages at 6!. 65., the amount he had to pay for repairing the cab. The case occupied a great deal of time, during which much contradictory evidence was elicited. . _ The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, 61. Gs. COURT OF EXCHLQUF,R, Nov. 27. (Sittings after Term before the Loitn CIIIEF BARON and a Common Jury.) DINMACK V. LINTON. This was an action of assumpsit, brought by the plaintiff, to rccover damages from the defendant for a breach of con tract. ' Mr. Martin appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Pollock for the defendant. The planitiff wag a commis ion merchant, carrying on business in the. City, and the dcfcinlant an iron merchant. On the 21k1 of of August last, the defendant contracted with the plaintiff to deliver bins a quantity of iron on or before the 22d Sedtember following. The defendant, however, failed to deliver the iron, and the plaintiff brought the pre sent action to recover the loss he had sustained by the breach. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, with 1,1301. males, and 40s. costs. CANNAM. AND ANOTHER V. LYONS. This was an action of asatropsit brought to recover 501. OD a promissory note, payable seven.days after sight, to which the defendant bad pleaded that he did not make the note, that the plaintiff induced him to borrow the 501. by means of fraud, coven, and misrepresentation, and that he was so drunk and intoxicated at the time he signed the note that he was entirely deprived of his understand ing, and he did not know that be was making any contract at all. _ _ . Mr. Oiter appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Pearson for le defendant. _ Mr.Ozmn stated the case for the plaint iffs. They were respect able tradesmen of the city of Westminster, and were members of the Metropolitan Loan Society, in Craven-street, Strand, which he understood bad done an enormousamount of business. during the last three years. The defendant, in the middle of March last, applied to the society for the loan of Cl., and on the 18th of the succeeding April he re ceived the money and signed the note in ques tion. The hanci_writing to the note was admitted by a judge's order, and he had only to put that order in to prove his case. ,• The order and note having been put in accordingly, Mr. PEARsos addressed the jury for the defendant. His Learned Friend had represented the plaintiff's to be respect ble tradesmeH, but he would ask the jury whether it was the practice of respectable tradesmen to connect themselves with loan societies, which bad become the pest of the metro• polis. Same years ago an Act of Parliament was passed fur the encouragement of friendly societies, and the majority of these loan societies were established under that Act. But the members of the Metropolitan Loan Society had not complied with its provisions, for their rules were not enrolled, and, therefore, their proceedings were fraudulent. It was true the defendant had borrowed the 50!., but it was upon the understanding that he was to give security for its repayment by weekly instalments of a pound a week. The plaintiffs, however, got him while in a state of intoxica tion, to sign a note for the amount at seven days' sight, and he Contended that this entitled him to say the note had been fraudulently obtained. Evidence having been adduced in support of this state• ment, The Learned LORD CHIEF BARON summed up, and the jury minediately afterwards returned a verdict for the plaintiffs for the full amount claimed. KENNEY r. WILSON. This was an action for an assault, to which the defendant :ad pleaded that he was not guilty. Mr. Martin and Mr. Prance appeared for the plaintiff, and 11r. M. Chambers for the defendant. The plaintif was a pianoforte maker, in the employ of a person of the same name, who carries on the business of a pian , )forte maker in the Hackney-road, and the defendant was a publican in the same neighbourhood. On the 31st of July 17. st, between the hours of twelve and one in the morning, the plaintiff happened to be at the Green-gate public•house, in the Hackney-road, when a knock came to the door, and Mr. Gander, the landlord, asked the plaintiff to goand see who was there. He did so, but had no sooner opened the door than the defendant rushed in, knocked him down, and beat him most violently. The result was, that he was laid up, and unable to attend to his business for a week; and he brought the present action to recover compensation for the injury he had received. . Evidence having been given in support of this statement, Mr. M. CimmnEns urged that it would have been much better had the matter been made the subject of a complaint before a magistrate, rather than the cause of a civil action. He affirmed that the assault was occasioned by the miscon duct of the plaintiff, who slammed Mr. Gander's door in the face of the defendant, and it was this act which gave rise to the assault. Evidence having been adduced to prove that the plaintiff gave the first provocation, by rudely pushing the door in the defendant's face after he had been invited to enter the house by the landlord, The Learned LORD CHIEF BARON summed up, and the jury afterwards returned a verdict for the plaintiff— Damages 151. COURT 01' COMMON PLEAS, Nor. 27. :Sittings at Nisi Prius, before Mr. Justice EItLE, and a Mid , dlesex Common Jury.) WHEELER V. WHITE. This was an action on a bill of exchange, which occupied the Court the greater part of the day. SHERIFFS' COURT, Nov. 27. (Before Mr. Under• Sheriff BURCHELL.) DIGHT V. SCOTT. This was an action to recover the sum of 181. Bs. 7d. for money lent, &c. The plaintiff and defendant are both attor • neys, and were formerly on friendly terms, but having dis agreed, a settlement of accounts was insisted on by both parties. The defendant had given an I 0 U for 101. 10s. Gd., and the difference was for a share of costs in some business done where the defendant had introduced the client. The defendant contended that he was entitled to one-half the profits. The bill amounted to 221., and the profitp 161. Wit nesses :were called to show that one-third would be a fair allowance. The UNDER-EIIERIFF said that it would be much better for two gentlemen of the profession not to quarrel about the division of the spoil, but to have it arranged by a mutual friend. The jury said they thought the best was to leave the par. ties to themselves.—(Laughter.) A verdict was taken for 71. lls. 4d. uourmsox v. crurrs. This was an inquiry to assess damages for illegally ferry ing over the Thames. The damages were laid at 1,0001. The plaintiff is the lessee of the tolls of Kew bridge, and under the 22 Geo. 111. ail waterinen were prohibited from conveying passengers from the steps on the east side of the bridge to the west, or within the hamlet of Kew. A steam boat company had been started for the ferrying of passen gers at the same price as the bridge toll, and on that com pany giving up the scheme the watermen began plying with their wherries. AR the others, however, had desisted on being warned, but the defendant had chosen to represent them, in order to try the question. His profits at ld. per head was stated to average 3/. a week. The jury gave 10/. damages. • COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Nov. 27. (Before Mr. Commissioner GOULBURN. IN EE HENRY PARKER.--IMPORTANT CASE. AR application was made by the solicitor i'n the insolvent, whose petition stood adjourned sine die for leave to come up for re-hearing, on the groin& that the insol vent had since petitioned the Insolvent Court, and Mr. Commissioner Law had most distinctly said that he consi dered the insolvent entitled, on the facts, to his discharge, but could not make any order whilst the petition was pend ing in this Court; the dismissal of the petition, therefore, would even be preferable. The COMMISSIONER asked the grounds on which the case had been adjourned? The Solicitor said that the insolvent had assigned his pro perty to a pressing creditor. The Learned COMMISSIONER 'said that was a good ground to reject the petition. The ob:ect of the Legisisture was to protect those pet sons who were unfortunate enough to be come insolvent without any fraud. The Solicitor said the case had been gone into much more fully before Mr. Commissioner Law than before Mr. Com missioner Fane, and, unfortunately, unless the Commissioners of the Court interfered, there was no remedy by habeas or otherwise ; and the Vice-Chancellor Bruce had decided that the Court of Chancery could not interfere to compel a re hearing or revision of judgment under this Act (5 and 6 Vic.) The Learned COMMISSIONER said he could not take upon himself to rehear a case already decided by another Comtnis sioner • but if the applicant would obtain an affidavit of the fact that the case had been before Mr. Commissioner Law, who was willing to let the insolvent pass, he (the Learned Commissioner) would give an order for the lefendant to come up again, but it must be before Mr. Commissioner Fane. . . . . The Solicitor said that there was one very special circum stance in the c Ise, and that was that Mr. Turquand, the official assignee, Mr. Cooke, the barrister engaged in the case, and he (the applicant), all understood that the petition was dismissed, but on the record of the Court it appeared that the case was adjourned. Mr.: Turquand, the official assignee, who was present, said his impression `SAS that the petition was dismissed. The Learned COMMISSIONF.R said that he could not inter fere in the case further than on the affidavit being sworn, making an order for the insolvent to be again brought up. NOVEMBEP. 26. Before Mr. Commissioner GOULBURN IN P.N. REAY AND RE'.Y, BANKRUPTS. The bankrurti in this case had carried on business most extensively as wine merchants in Mark - la ne, City: Their debts and liabilities together amounted to 219,0004 and their assets to between 38,0001. and 39,000/. The estate is ex pected to pay a dividend of between three and four shillings in the pound. The case has been some limo before the Court, and lengthened examinations have taken place, which have been duty reported as they occurred. The bankrupts came up to-day for their certificates. The firm consisted of John Hear, sen., and John Robert Reay, his nephew. In the case of the fatter no opposition was offered, and consequently his certificate was granted at once. The certificate of John Reay, the principal in the concern, was opposed by Mr. Bovill, for the assignees; the bankrupt was defended by Mr. Edwin James. Mr. BOVILL stated that the assignees opposed the granting or the certificate, on the grounds of an improper syftem of balancing the books, which had been pursued by the bank rupt, a reckless system cf giving credit, and extensive dealing in accommodation bills. It appeared from the books that between January, 1839, and February 1845. upwards of 148,000/. in bad debts had accumulated, while the bankrupt set down his profits during that period at 5,000/. a year. Another complaint against the bankrupt was, that he had practised a system of pledging the property of his credi tors by raising money on dock warrants to the amount of 70,000 t, thus placing such property beyond the reach of the assignees. His stock of wines in dock had been sold under the fiat for 8,0001., out of which the claims of the dock com pany amounted to 7,8001. He (Mr. Bovill) was surprised that the dock company should trust a man who had so traded to such an amount. The bankrupt had even at the last mo ment, in February, 1845, purchased wines to the amount of 30,000/., a fact of which the foreign creditors heavily com plained, and they were anxiously awaiting the judgment of the Court. With respect to the bad debts, it appeared that the bankrupt had credited a person named Wright, formerly dealing in Mark-lane, but latterly the proprietor of the Turk's Head Hotel, in the Strand. at one time to the enor mous amount of 34,000/. In 1839 Wright owed the bank rupt 7,800/. ;in 1841, 8,3001. • and in 1842, 31,000/. This amount was subsequently reduced to 11,000/. by Reay's taking a mortgage on the Turk's Head for 21,0001. This mortgage, however, had turned out value• less, the property having been previonslY encumbered; and although the mortgage was effected in a registered county, the bankrupt had neglected to make any previous inquiries of the registrar of Middlesex. The next case of reckless credit occurred in the case of a person named Blumenthal, formerly trading in Birmingham, and who had been bankrupt there. - Reay had trusted this man to the amount of 47,0001. for wines, for which the only security he had received was the acceptances of the Baron de 21xle to the amount of 37,000/. The Court would judge whether such acceptances could be looked upon as good and sufficient security.—(A laugh.) The next man whom the bankrupt had taken largely into his confidence was Jarvis, whose case had been so recently before that Court. This man had originally been clerk to Messrs. Allnutt and Arbouin, and in less than eleven months the bankrupt had trusted him to the amount of 19,0001. It might be as well here to mention that there was not a chance of a shilling in the pound for the cre ditors to Jarvis's estate. These were the three principal cases which the assignees wished to bring under the no tice of the Court, to mark how reckless had been the bankrupt's conduct as a trader. It appeared that in 1841 the bankrupt halt married a lady of large fortune, and, although it did not appear clear that he was solvent at the time, had made a settlement on her to the amount of 17,000/. He was now living in luxury, on the produce of that settle ment, at Wanstead. It appeared, further, that for a series of years the bankrupt hail drawn accommodation bills on the parties with whom he had dealings, and as long as he could get them discounted his trade went on tiourishingly, but the moment bankers and brokers became cautious, the bubble burst, and he was obliged to come to that Court. He (Mr. Bovill) was in acondition toshow that in the thirteen months previous to his bankruptcy Reay had paid no less than 12,0001. for discounts alone. Mr. E. Jamas—Only 9,000/. Mr. BoYILL—WeII, admitting that, he had still greatly overdrawn his customers. The bankrupt bad in cne exami nation denied that he had ever overdrawn a customer, but in another he was obliged to admit overdraughts 'to the amount of 13,000/., and on the issuing of the fiat 8,000/. worth of bills wain found in his drawer. The assignees also ob jected to the mode in which the bankrupt had kept his boeke, never having regularly balanced them. Ile had made what he called a trial balance every year, but they had never been regularlybalanced. lie had at a late period taken his nephew ostensibly into partnership for the purpose of giving, a better appearance to the firm, but in reality retained him as a clerk at a salary of 1,5007. a year. The fact was that from 1839 to 1845 no proper balance had been struck, and since the fiat it had taken tho assignees seven months to balance the books. COMMISSIONER—Is their any means of ascertaining what was the state of the bankrupt's affairs in 1841, when he made the settlement on his wife? Mr. GREEN (official assignee)—As far as I can ascertain, he was then solvent. He was, I believe, worth 11,000!. Mr. BovlLL—That only proved that in four or five years he had lost 180,0001. by his mode of trading, against which there was now not more than 39,000/. ; this, too ; without any unforeseen or peculiar misfortune, but merely by a reckless system of giving credit without judgment or without pre vious inquiries, and there was less excuse for the bankrupt than other men, behaving been previously bankrupt in 1815, and should, therefore,, have known by experience what was the proper and safe mode of carrying on an extensive trade. On all these grounds, then, an improper system of balancing his books, a reckless system of giving credit, and an exten sive dealing in 'accommodation bills, he (Mr. Bovill) called upon the Court either to refuse the certificate altogether, or at least to suspend it fur a number of years. The assignees were actuated by no angry feeling against Mr. Bray, but merely by a sense of what was due to public justice ; and of his conduot since the bankruptcy they had no complaint whatever to make. Mr. E. JAMES, for the bankrupt, complained that the bankruptcy of 1815 should have been brought against his client, seeing that he then paid 6s. 3d. in the pound, and got his certificate with the unanimous consent of his creditors. Since then his conduct must have been honest and industrious, seeing that in 1841 he was admitted to have been worth 11,0001. It also should have been mentioned that his first bankruptcy had. arisen from his having become security to the Govern ment of this country in the amount of 50,000/. for a person in the Azores. It was true that in 1841 he had made a set tlement on his wife, but he was proved to have been then solvent; in fact, he considered himself then to be worth 92,0007., exclusive of his funded property: 68,000/. of that had since turned out loss, but the bankrupt could not have been aware of that in 1841. Since then he had not taken 2007. out of the trade; on the contrary, he had appropriated to it large sums out of his wife's jointure. That jointure amounted to 1,2001. a year, while his personal expenses had never exceeded 1,0007. He had been accused of recklessly crediting persons to large amounts, but his whole transac actions must be taken into consideratien, and they had aver aged not less than 300,000!. a year. The bankrupt had paid in duties alone from 80,0007. to 100,0007. a year. When it was considered that his transactions during the five years previous to his kankruptcy had amounted to a million and a half, the amount to which he had given credit would not appear so enormous. Take, for instance, the case of Jarvis, for giving credit to whom the bankrupt was so much blamed. Jarvis was at the time in great and general credit. His late employers had trusted him to the amount of 4,0001., Mr. Hart, 8,024/, Mr.' Black, 19,0004 and others to large amounts. Mr. Boa-inn—All those gentlemen held large securities; the complaint against Mr. Reay is, that he gave credit with out security. Mr. JAMES had only mentioned those cases to show that Jarvis was in good and general credit. He came next to Blumenthal's case. He admitted that his client had acted imprudently in trusting that person on no better security than the Baron de Bode's bills. But were those bills to be looked on as wholly valueless? The Baron had recently got a verdict, and his bills were now held by Messrs. Hoare, the bankers, and Mr. Sanderson, the broker, as securities. Surely then there was at least two sides to Blumenthal's case. Then as to Wright., the debt was certainly large, and had involved Mr. Reay in ruin ; but then Wright had dealt with him for upwards of 20 years, and had paid him large sums of money. He had gradually become embarrassed, but, as was a common case in trade, Mr. Reay was afraid to stop giving credit, hoping every day for retrieval. Wright had constantly deluded him as to the state of his affairs; and as to the carelessness in taking the mortgage, that was the fault of Mr. Resy's attorney, not his own. He (Mr. James) was not quite clear that an action would not lie' against that attorney for negligence. With respect to the accommoda tion bills, the paper which Mr. Reay had put into circulation did not come under that denomination at all. He had duly followed the general custom of the wine trade in cases where customers were not able to return their bills, by taking it new bill some days previous to the maturity of the old one, and thus enabling himself to return the latter when due. Tho COMMISSIONER—It appeared from the bankrupt's exa mination that he bad in several caSes 'overdrawn his cus tomers: If that is the general custom of the vine trade, all I can say is, that it is a custom " more honoured in the breach than in the observance." Mr. E. JAMES—The mode in which Mr. Reay had drawn on his customers was quite usual its the wine trade. He had also been accused of pledging dock warrants, but that was a custom so general, that a special Act of Parliament had been passed to regulate the practice. The last point which had been urged against Mr. Reay was taking his nephew into part nership. He had taken that young man into partnership without a shilling, as was generally known, but his reason WAS obvious. He was advanced in years, nearly seventy, and his trade being so extensive, it was absolutely necessary to have a young hand, in whom he had confidence; to assist Lim in the management. Mr. Bovinn—The fact is, that the bankrupt has been losing at the rate of 40,0007. a- year—how, my Learned Friend has not explained ;• neither has he given any explanation as to the balancing of the books. Mr. E. Jnains--That was merely a recapitulation of the cases of Wright and Blumenthal and Jarvis, merely a second count in the same indictment. The bankrupt had certainly not balanced his accounts as they had been balanced since the bankruptcy - , but he bad struck a balance every year, and in 1843 had commenced writing off the bad debts. On the whole, it must be admitted that the conduct of the bankrupt had not been free from censure, but his transactions had been immense, and during a long series of years his conduc' had been most honourable and straightforward, and the question for his honour then to decide was, not whether the bankrupt was to be sent into retirement. to live in luxury, but whether, at the end of a long life, lie was to be sent in degradation to his grave, under the stigma of a hostile deci sion from that Court. His licaotnt said that, as the case was one of great im portance to the mercantile community, and as there were several documents lie wished to look over, he should postpone giving a judgment till to-morrow (this day). CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT OLD COURT. (Before the Lorin CinF; JUSTICE and Mr. Baron PARKE.) Edward Powell, son of the clerk to the Solicitor for the . Mint, and who had been employed in a confidential character by that officer for a considerable period, was charged with having uttered a sovereign, knowing it to be counterfeit. There were other counts in the indictment, charging him with having in his possession a number of counterfeit coins, and tendering the same. The prisoner this day surrendered to take his trial. Mr. Bodkin, with Mr. Clerk, were for the prosecution, which was instituted by the Government; and Mr. Clarkson, with Mr. Deane, attended for the defence. Mr. BODKIN stated the case to the jury at length, but the circumstances involved in the transaction will be fully seen in the evidence adduced before the Court. Amelia Johnstone was the first witness called—She said that she lodged at 40, Little Portland-street. She was, on the 12th of the present month, in Regent-street, about nine o'clock in the .evening, when she met the defendant. She was in company with him on the night before, and on this occasion he accompanied her home. He remained with her about half an hour, when they left together. He accom ' panted her for some distance (about twenty minutes' walk). He did not remunente her in the house, but in the strew he gave her a sovereign. She gave it him back because is was not a good one. She told him it was not good, and he t p i no u put clailktaergbiale. h celrt choicei h e i s pocket.accompanied from. SheH etotlhdehm then offered w he e r re t a h i r l e b e a o d t , l a te n r ( s i he said he had no more money. He aft e rwa r d s re t urne d them into his pocket. She called a policeman and gave him the prisoner and policeman to the station-house. On the way there he offered her five shillings, which he had got from a policeman. He offered her three shillings first, which she refused, and he then added the other two. She did not then wish to press the charge, but was afterwards obliged to do so. Cross-examined by Mr. CiAnitsox—She did not particu larly observe the prisoner's dress on that evening. It was immediately under a gas lamp that lie gave her the sove reign. The light was very strong, but she did not notice that he was agitated Police-constable John Edwards was called by last witness to take the prisoner into custody. He was given in charge for offering a counterfeit sovereign and having three more in his pocket. As they were going along they met another policeman, named John Sergeant, and thedefendant borrowed five shillings from him. Ile did not see the defendant offer the last witness the five shillings. Mr. Rowley, an inspector, was on duty at the station-house, and he knew Mr. Powell. When they offered to search him he:said it was unnecessary, as he would give up what he had on him. He then surren dered four sovereigns, two half-crowns, four shillings, and two sixpences. He took them from different pockets. Cross-examined by Mr. DoANE—He did not know Mr. Powell, when he took him into custody.. He did hear him say at the station-house that the mistake had arisen in changing his trousers. By Lord DENMAN—He did not say so before he arrived at the station. Hawley, inspector of police, said he was on duty at the station-house on the 12th of this month. When defendant was brought in he walked up to witness, and said this woman has given me in charge for passing a counterfeit sovereign. Witness called in the policeman, and he informed him what the charge was. The woman said that she did not now wish to press the charge, as she was satisfied. He explained that the money was received in process of his duties before the magistrates, and he had it on him in consequence of a mistake in changing his clothing. He was allowed to go home on that evening in consequence of the woman declining to press the charge. He came back in the morning, and inquired if a report was made of the circumstance to the Commissioners of Police. Witness declined to answer him. He did make a communication to the Commissioners, and they directed that he should be taken into custody, which was done on the same day. John Field, Inspector 9f her Majesty's Mint, Se Itiow ho the defendant, defendant, who had been assisting in the solicitor's office, the occasion should be at once consulted. t " where his father and grandfather were employed. The de - time, he had great relian c e u p on the power an o endant had been engaged there for about three years. tion of the press. Cross-examined by Mr. DOANE.—The young nun had hi therto borne a high character for honesty and honourable conduct. R CLEREN . Sadlersict tat il O s g T er h s ea w tr a e s , a ch n a d r K as ges s i aul WELL ytiinthg Dawes, d m is o ° n r c e l ) , i t F:er t at the theatre. The prisoner entered the theatre drunk tied i being admitted into the house. Dawes and other psrt i " a terfered to prevent his entrance when he resisted and go Dawes a black eye. The prisoner was fined 30e. or 10 days' imprisonment. THAMES. Or 41era c , DREADFUL CRUELTY TO A SAILOR Gordon, the master, and John Cummings, the chief isitl.-e nsieted ion! the ship Diathesis, from Brazil, now lying in Dock, were . brought before Mreßroderip, charged whisla7, the Le.' ''7 . , saulting William Scott, an apprentice helmet:lag vessel; on the high seas, within the jurisr ic o rally of England. • • r du of th° A Mr. Pelham defended the prisoners. William Scott, • a youth aged sixteen the outward voyage, the day after crossing the line, camebe rather late in turning out of his berth, and the down with the end of the fore bowline Mate od to the diai. flogged him with it as hard as he was able. He WAS th en ,„:,.t tO on deck, and sent up aloft with nothing on but his '' and take the rigging down. The mate followed him a : e pe• while he was upon the foreyard again beat him with thfortbe y(aenrtsb,icsktatreodptch)sariticroons After he had received three or four lashes he r"" sad upon the yardarm to save himself from the . bloeil,oo. was followed by the mate, who continued strikng S t p t to He then jumped off the yardarm, and made an atteslP catch the baciesta which he missed, and fell inte tills:, The ship was going at the rate of seven knots an.b e ost and she was put about, and he was picke d u p. in an -th be. insensible state. He had scarcely recovered his brell ore pe. fore the mate recommenced flogging him with the she clap, The captain then dragged him to the after par t of t be , -:(0, and exhibited a heavy cat, and said that was made for ;N o t and gave him a lash with it. The mate sent hin d uP ; e t, with the tar-bucket again, directly he had put on arY eel and he accidentally dropped some of the tar on the tstyll.s lant sail, in consequence of the rolling of the ship. ,f , l ou t to called by a boy to go to the wheel, and as he was a ea izee do so the mate seized him, and made him fast w tbe ied his rigging, and after he had let down his clothes, and ltae leso shirt over his head, the captain gave him two dozen ii, a nd -with the cat on his bare back. After he was fel, ase er dere a while his back was bleeding profusely, the capfsl a -- eirbefl him to go on his betided knees and implore his mere} eegieg he had done so the mate seized him up to the nl iz r; bee; a second time, and said he should give him allo t ''' . re p ° The captain, however, would not allow him to do 5 ieze e called one of the boys, who was ordered t o g ive him ~°l-7, lashes, and they were inflicted in the presence of the a ;f i r o but and mate. He was not ill-used any more tbat nigh to on the following night the master said be intenev-08 h put some vitriol on his back, and cal l e d u p on as ofra e l to pour it over him, saving that he 'v as 11 0 of burning his fingers. 'the mate said he to also afraid of burning his fingers, and ordered hilt, ies down on his hands and knees. When lie had done se "". o f A stripped, and the mate poured a quantity of vitriol OU:suog phial over his back. The pain was excruciating, an d , /1 ,. L . es 4 , out for merc. That night it was his watch on ae;ali the mate compelled . him to walk about on the pooP.„-t Os handspike over each shoulder, and also made him ees . eete number of tails of the cat, and how ma n y knots there IP there. The cat had eight tails and w as very hea vy Ili eof back was sere and inflamed for some t ime, and be e° be n On c ar aythi ross- n examination g to touch it. ,tbj by Mr. Pelhsm , the W. e lse/7' captain ordered him to return thanks to God for boota dr" from a watery grave when he was upon his knees- i''' it . rectly afterwards flogged him.t he s e ' Joseph Morris, a seaman, who was discharged from in South America, confirmed the evidence of Scott l° : ,, a ete. particular, and said there were three over-hand knef i s ' er ete s ' tail of the cat. The lad's back was dreadfully', . s b e l ,t tb o ° He rubbed the vitriol off his back with a flannee ~d irl„ lad could not bear it to be touched, and shrieked e'°,ieeyW pain. The boy was very badly used all the outwar. " A e• by the master and mate. O le -c Two lads belonging to the ltlathesie were als° d and corroborated the whole of Scott's evidence. s o w h ei The prisoners, by the advice of their eeo licitor , 5 pa id " - should reserve their defence; but Captain Gordo° a rt_ A should be obli4ed if the Magistrate would prey e e ' te PDF"' the apprentices who had bcen examined froni going " vi . ship again.e 95d Mr. BRODERIP said he could give no such or der, a the captain his reasons for making such a request' e ls l' il i a Mr. Pelham said that Capt. Gordon chargedth b e o - a - f d, Ow theft, and was really afraid, if they w ent on t ' w ould Mr Buo commit further depredations the ship lin d. ie . nErar asked how long bet os pef r port? John Judge, inspector of Thamo s police," A heeded the prisoners, replied a week. e of t ij Mr. BRODERIP--Has the captain made any charg . against either of the boys? Judge--None whatec. er 'ebe ° pi Mr. BRODERIF said the fact should be recorded 1 oa t i e positions, and then ordered the prisoners to find btu , foi, his own recognisanCe of 200/., and two good aed.St Att ie sureties of 100/. each; to appear and take their Aba present session of the Central Criminal Court. e' e of The prisoners were then removed in the CRStOW gaoler. ..... By Mr. CLARKSON—The counterfeit coins had all been evidently in circulation. . . • - This closed the case, and Mr. C.LARKSON then rose to ad dreae the jury. He did so under feelings of the deepest anxiety, arising from the nature of the charge, as connected with the situation which the defendant had held in the este bliehment of the Mint, but, he felt alao that a jury of twelve intelligent•men, taking the facts of the case as they had been elicited, into consideration, and weighing these facts in con nexion with the knowledge that it was no unusual thing:for the defendant to haveesneh coins in his possession, he (Mr. Clarkson) was confident that, all these circumstances con sidered, he might confidently expect from their good sense a verdict of acquittal for the young man before them. And, now, he would calmly inquire into the evidence adduced by the woman whom they had before them. , The defendant, it was seen, was in lawful possession of 9hese counterfeit coins, with a view to the prosecution of the duties with which he had been entrusted. He drew from his pocket a sovereign (under a gas lamp be it remembered)—he drew from his pocket a bad aovcreiga—so bad that it could not possibly deceive even the most ignorant. He did this even although be was known to the unfortunate creature herself, and he (Mr. Clarkson) would at once put it to the jury if any sane person wishing to palm a base coin on another would have neted in _this truly ridiculous manner? Could they really think that a young man holding his situation would have Wilfully committed himself in this manner, knowing, as he well ought to do, that a discovery would throw him into the very hands of those he would naturally be most anxious to avoid He explained how the error oc curred, from the circumstance that he had changed his trousers in the couree of that evening, and was not that ex planation perfectly satisfactory? He (Mr. Clarkson) would sot insult the judgment of the jury by supposing that it could be otherwise. The Learned Counsel proceeded at great length to argue that the whole circumstances were of that character that time charge itself should never have been brought before that Court at all. Joseph Blunt, Esq., solicitor to the Mint, and Richard Griffithe, Esq., solicitor, of Gray's Inn, were called to speak to character. Lord DENMAN summed up at great length, and said that the only matter fcr the consideration of the jury was whether the young man before them had tendered the counterfeit sovereign - knowing it to be a bad one. He mentioned this in ord,r that they might throw every other idea aside, and look to this, and to this only. It was difficult to imagine, looking to all the evidence before there, and considering the position that the defendant held, that be could have acted in this manner if he were aware that the sovereign be bad ten dered was a bad one ; but if the jury thought otherwise they must, hoWever, disagreeable the duty might be, bring in a verdict of guilty. The jury, after consultin g re for about half an hour, found defendant Not Guilty, and he was at once discharged. Charles Carter, whose case was briefly referred to in our Wednesday's paper, was brought up this day to receive the judgment of the Court, Tlie Loan CHIEF JUSTICE ordered that sentence of death should be recorded against him, which will be commuted to transportation for life. Charles Gibbs, 19, and Charles Phillips, 31, were indicted for housebreaking, and stealing two coats, two waistcoats, and other articles, the property of Mr. George South. Mr. Parry conducted the prosecution ; and Mr. Baldwin defended the prisoners. The prosecutor in this case is the landlord of the Duchess of Kent public-house on the Dover-road, and the robbery in question was committed on the evening of the Ist of No vember. The case was clearly made out as far as regarded the prisoner Gibbs, and the only question was, whether the evidence was sufficient to • justify the conviction of the other prisoner, the principal testimony against him being that of. a little girl, who swore positively that about the time the rob bery must have been committed she saw him leave the house, carrying a bundle. Mr. Bannwlet addressed the jury, and called several wit nesses, who gave the prisoner Phillips a good character, and some evidence was also adduced with a view to establish an alibi, but it was not of a satisfactory description. • The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE having summed up, and left the case to the jury, they proceeded to deliberate upon their verdict. The prisoner Gibbs requested leave to address the Court, and he then asserted that his fellow-prisoner knew nothing whatever of the robbery, and was perfectly innocent of any participation in it. He insinuated that the little girl had been tampered with. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Guilty against both prisoners. The prosecutor got into the witness-box, and begged to be allowed to state .that he had not had any communication with the girl until after she had been examined by the ma gistrate and had given her evidence. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said that there was not the slightest imputation upon the character or conduct of the prosecutor. The prosecutor said, that as he believed the prisoner Phillips had formerly borne a good character, he begged to recommend him to the merciful consideration of the Court. A previous Conviction for felony was then proved against the prisoner Gibbs. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE sentenced Gibbs to be trans ported for twelve years, and the other prisoner was ordered xi be kept to hard labour for twelve months. A MARKET NEWS.—(YEsT 111 EAT A 0103 14 ij SOUTHALL, Nov. 26.—We had a very stead,' - e t , i s pd today, and prices were well supported.—Beef 11 %. Bcll to 4s 4d; Mutton, 3s 10d to 5s ; Veal, 3s 104 to t' Pork, 4s to 5s per 81bs. to sink the offal. ;„ deelArfro o , ROMFORD, Nov. 26.—Prime stock was I,3ee higher rates; otherwise the trade ruled inactive- sd ; 2s 8d to 4a 4d; Mutton, 3 s 8 d to s s; Ve al, 4s to ' BO to . 1 ;11 Pork, 4s to 4s 10d per 81 bs. Suckling Calves, 60, i ` Quarter-old Store Pigs, 16s to 20s; and Ml° , 5 14 thel-lir small Calf 16/ to 19/ each. • essl t - ro o Au s itAm,Nov , .26.There was rather m ore basi n F at t 04 r here to-day, and prices had an upward t e ndeneY• "to 3s to 4s 4d; Mutton, 4s to 58 2 d; and Pork, ~ltt"1- 0 gd per 81bs. Af t ARUNDEL, Nov. 25 —Beef, from 2s 10d to 41 4 ' to -- 3s 10d to 5s 2d ; Veal, 4s to 4s 10d; and Pa." de s per 81bs. A fair average supply, and a steady ti l 4t . ics CruonEsmt, Nov. 26.—For each kind of s t ,, ° ' to 'it a fair inquiry, at extreme figures.—Beef, from , °, l rorl e r Mutton, 3s 10d to 5s 2d ; Veal, 4s to 4s 8d ;t l . (11 1 , j 6t 1C 0 to 4s 10d per 81bs; Suckling Calves, 18s to I° ` old Store Pigs, 16s to 20s; and Milch Cows , " each. $O 4 ite rt . .WEVTGATZ AND LEADlages viVALIF We had a steady general trade here , a ndP B 5 supported.—Beef, from 2s 8d to 3s 10d; 111114°1-6cl 4s 8d : Veal, 3s 10d to 4s 10d; and Pork, 3s per 81bs. by the carcase. NEW COURT. (Before the RECORDER.) James Lowe, 18, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with stealing from the person. The RECORDER said that there was proof that he had been convicted on the 12th of May, in the present year, of stealing lead, and sentenced to four months' imprisonment, that would bring him out in September, and yet he was again taken on the 19th of November in the act of picking a gentleman's pocket. There was no hope that he could do any good in this country, and the sentence therefore was, that he be transported beyond the seas for the term of 10 years. Daniel Harvey, aged 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing some trifling articles of property of the value of 55., the property of his employer, Mr. Ditchburne. Toe RECORDER asked the prosecutor if he knew anything of the prisoner. The prosecutor said, that the prisoner was employed as a labourer, at 2s. 6d. per day, but for three weeks previous to the commission of the robbery he had been receiving not more than from 7s. to Bs. per week. Inquiries had been made, and it was found that not only he himself was in distress, but his mother was in lvant also, and he gave every penny of his wages to support her. He wished to recommend the prisoner to the favourable consideration of the Court. Still he wished some little imprisonment to be inflicted as a warning to him. The RECORDER said that the case was one which showed mitigating circumstances. The prisoner, although he was in distress, increased his own wants by giving all he earned to his mother. Such a circumstance by no means removed all blame from the prisoner; but still it was impossible not to regard it as a mitigating circumstance. Nevertheless, when persons robbed their employers, it was necessary to in flict some punishment, as, in case of any misplaced lenity on the part of the Court, others would be encouraged to commit similar offences. The sentence was that he be im prisoned and kept to hard labour for one mouth. Charles Barron), aged 26, was indicted for embezzling, .iecreting, and stealing the sum of Si. 25., the property of Robert Downs, his master. -1 1 .1 r. O'BRIEN stated the case for the prosecution briefly. The prisoner was undefended. Robert Dorn, stated that lie was a bedstead maker, resid ing in Ahitechapel. The prisoner was in in his employ. On the 17th of Sept. he sent him to a Mr. Carter's, in the lli eories, with a bill for 8/. 2s.,telling him to be quick back with the money, as the men were waiting to be paid. He went with the bill, but did not come back again. lie was taken in the Walworth-road on the 10th of November, when be denied a 1 knowledge of the transaction. Robert Carter stated that his father resides in the Mino- CORN AVERAGES* t 4 ili , .., c o -. o r a IS 4 ` ol'o'v GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRIT ~, 0 1 '4 For the Week ended Nov. 22, 1845, made up from l'l ti od A' Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in Bog per Imperial Quarter. 1 4h 7d 0 ,0°• 4 0' (. 5 WHEAT. 1 34s BARLEY. 125 sI 25s OATS. 1 3 RTE. I i l, q, 4 1 5 PRICE •• 57s 1 d ld 5d 78 Id 'Od DUTY... 1 141 Od Is Od 39 Cd 7 s 6d • . intey Lord Primate Beresford has declared 105,4 of bestowing 1,000/. on each of the three provinleotl°a. towards the foundation of divinity schools fa studs Et•tabliShed Church.—lrish paper. 00 1 : c r f r os tig c d KENT •ROAD BRITISH Sclloor,s.---- - A respectable meeting of the inhabitants of the I ': in !nee, its vicinity, was held at these school-ron lm 'f the" LI, Kent-road, on Tue,sday evening, on the occasion ° outr4 opened ; Benjamin Hawec, E.sq , M.P., in 111° 6-1 4 the platform, besides the chairman, were E,q., M.P.; 11. Elphinstone, Esq., M.P.; A" f e ; ; W. Wyse, Esq., M.P. ; Rv. a f t er °, t ice Richards . , and T. Smith. &e. The Chairinotl'ity fo i r a preliminary observations, said that the Ilec, e9 oph ° ,Jlir:i institutions as that which they had met 1 ° 1" - ott,' shown clearly by the circumstance, that : t ;ea .z pi i er j , seven hundred thousand children were rcei v :„ l' ille rijio i „ under the national system; while, according ',",. e 0 or, tion, the number should at least have Wen three tin'ttt There was one important point in connexion o : l `o 3 eir t s o to" ject, to which he deemed it his duty to dire e ttoac e b e rme lion, and was not in the least inferior in in 3 l 3° " r cl. th s , circumstance of the numbers to be educated, 'ilytllitipAiv the amount that would be required, to affor d s t - i ptritbe ci :f an adequate education to the people of this c 0 10 6 4 ,' he had no hesitation in asserting would. at ' ,is dv i ste, million per annum. Nor could it be said that tr in the number of those educated unde r the e,r they. was in any degree compensated by th e charaevsi oth struction conveyed under the system. Se ver r atek,o 9 A l dresses were delivered. The meeting then 0' tPv , n ose FATAL CONFLICT WITH FOACHRII6.- oh - • night a desperate affray took place between s o ,7' eti f e 0 and the keepers on the Bankfold estate, neslykeeperJe property of Mr. Hasler, during which the bo de spot' yer, shot one of the men, named Remnant, A Sr, acter, who is since dead. grt No S II ) t [A DV ERTISEMENT.] —CASES OF P---14' 0101,14-11. SICK-HEADACHES, ES, WITH LOSS Or 1: 11 0 :10P4 ENERGY, CURED BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS."'" erg, $l2 of/ above eases the hands and feet swell. the face igi bou t e ,, times a sense of fulness will be noticed to exist a 005,0 r, attended generally with much nervousness 00006 spirit'. These symptoms, if neglected, frequen tl Y ova • sub so paralysis, or apoplexy. To regain full he 00 0 the 13 ; giV.l#ll eat no vegetables, get plenty o f exercise in take Holloway's Pills, according to the direct ° , 0 11 ,501 ill " e tre them, when any of the complaints named Pry eradicated from the system, even when everYloor P" had failed.—Sold by all druggists, aad at Pro e- Establishment, 244, Strand, London. The prosecutor is in the habit of doing work for him. )a the 27th of September the prisoner came with a bedstead ind a bill for 8/. 2s. Witness paid it to him, and he left the place. The prisoner denied the offence, and called a witness to prove his previous good character. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty. The RECORDER sentenced him to nine months' imprison ment and hard labour. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HO USE. _ On Thursday Sir Peter Laurie came to the justice-room for the purpose of stating to the Lord Mayor that the notorious Joseph Ady had resumed all his former acti vity, and had lately written a host of letters offering hi, " advantageous intelligence" upon the receipt of twenty shillings, and in the must audacious manner not only claiming personal acquaintance with each of the Alder men, but actually referring to him (Sir Peter Laurie) in the following manner—" Voluntary referee, the Right lion. Sir Peter Laurie, Deputy Lord Mayor, at the Man ;ion house, every day before eleven o'clock, who will iee justice done you free of expense, except postages, which you must pay both ways." The LORD MAYOR said he had scarcely been seated in the chair of the clief magistrate, when he received letters from gentlemen inclosing Ady's offers of intelligence which they had inclosed in the belief that the writer was imposing in a very extensive manner upon the public. Ind that, of course, it was necessary to give him a check similar to that which he had received some years ago from the Court of Aldermen. The check alluded to by the Lord Mayor was the fol lowing advertisement, which was published in all the morning and evening newspapers fur a considerable, period:—" Caution—Whereas, it hath been represented t o this Court that a person calling himself Joseph Ady bath for some time past been in the practice of sending ettd rs to various persons in all parts of the kingdom, stating himself to be in possession of information fcr their pecuniary advantage, and offering to afford the same on payment to him of twenty shillings, and, in some instances, of five shillings; and referring falsely in such letters for his character, integrity, and respeetabi !ity to Sir William Heygate, Bart., William Taylor ileneland, Ewe., and other members of the Court of Aldermen ; and to Mr. T. Hobler, the chief clerk ot the Mansion-house, without having any authority foe such references ; and also falsely adding to some of the said letters that the said William Taylor Copeland, Esq., vould be security for him to the amount of 1,000/. ; this Court do hereby caution the public against paying any. attention to such references, either to the character, in tegrity, or respectability of the said Joseph Ady. (Signed) WOODTHORPE." His LORDSHIP said he was ready to adopt. any means, in addition to the re-publication of the advertisement with the necessary alterations, which Sir Teter Laurie would suggest. Sir I'. .LAURIE said he felt anxious that an adequate exposure should take place, as the new attempt might induce unwary persons to part with their money, which the knowledge that his name was fraudulently used would probably prevent. He knew nothing of Ady but what arose from the frequent appearance of that person before him as a magistrate, to answer complaints made by people who were defrauded, and his appearance once at the Old Bailey, in 1835, when he was tried and con victed fur obtaining 20s. under false pretences. He begged to add, that if any person had paid Ady under the belief that Ady was authorised to refer to Sir Peter Laurie as a voluntary referee, it was only necessary to prefer an indictment at the next Old Bailey Session for obtaining money under false pretences, and full justice would be done ; and any one might recover back the money paid without trouble or expense, by applying to the Whitechapel Court of Requests. Sir Peter Laurie then produced about fifty letters from different parts of the Continent, Ireland, England, and Scotland. The LORD MAYOR had no doubt that the law could MA Air, My, and the parties beat able to &Oise upon BIRTHAT. I. l ' ll 1$ On the 10th inst., at Wirkworth, the vrife Of e Nfol , bersty, M.., f a daughter. , On the 2 A 2d in st. , the lady of Thomas Peregrine, rE 4 ' . ,de o Grosvenor-square, et a daughter. A O F On the 22d inst., in Ficcadilly , the lady of r' —°ll ter" child, of a son 11-sclO4fe' dap On the 22d inst., in Montague-place, Bus se jit— c ir Scargill, of a daughter. re ° C I On the 25th inst., Mrs. C. RiTingtOn, QtleCTI-5.1:010 "S d y On the '2sth inst., at titysex Ilouse, Forbts Winslow, of a son. r oot] , On the 2.';th inst., the lady of Mr. Jam' s Dyer's-buildings, Holborn, of a daughter. namnicv.4lo:l“ y 6 01 t o lite )01::./ MARRIED. .„ On the 22d inst., Charles Beauce, Esq., or 0 , ~,,°° % rn - ' daughter of Mr. C. Lyne, of Clarendon -place, Aciiiol46l4.,' On the 25th Inst., at Nottingham, Sir Charles ijo t„ P square, London, to Eliza, only daughter of F. A. tingliam. d6giir Sr i .% • DIED. . r v• 1 s .4 ' of 410' On the 235 inst., at Battersea-rise, Charleg t• If ' 1:,.q , On the 23d inst., at Dalston, J. L. Woodhouse' .ie• re e ' jesty's Customs, London. tri, vitas 6 .00 114 a te On the 12th inst. at Fern House, Wilts, ,--- - Cht- - , On the 15th inst., at Detmold, in GernuuPropep• AYE , x . Baront ss von Dollop, widow of G. W. Baron conoiniSt On the 18th inst., at Wirksworth , Margaret Rev. Nathan Hubbersty, M.A. ew ortu- P t cl“ ex st, D i On the 21st inst., at Grand Junction-tera acet Hester 11:Innah Reynolds, aged 83. L" tt a s S t l: 4l ,l,o illa J On the 225 inst., in Oxford-terrace, Hyde-Pal;ibite,„ , ~-, On the 235 fact., John Burnell, jun., Est, 131. 0 , 0" ef ele °' On the 235 inst., at Westwowl Hall, near Le e fl ~,,0 , 10 dr Benjamin Gaskell, Esq., aged 63. a gr. , v On the 235 inst., Adeliza, eldest daughter ilt King-street, St. Jamet's-square. oil' • i+ A . , On the 2 lth inst., in Upper Kevnington-lanet „t01C,984 the late JOaathan Young, Esq. Pr 1 ,. ... i On the 24th inst., W. Windle, Esq., of UPPerriitloollV tits i On the 24th inst., at Hastings, Hen r y , the l ig ton, qi , r On the 24th inst., at Newington-place, Nie nn 4, )1 ing, Esq., aged 68. On the 21th inst., in Surrey-plac s, - 0 1 e ' 5 0t -r°3 Bestow, widow of T. Bastow, Esq. „oil , w e, On the 25th inst., C. A. Sturgeon , ESd. .ci, On t 1 " On the 25th inst., at Turnham•green, Fredert_..v, Ar he2sth inst., at Turnham-green. Mr. T. 2 69. At North Brixton, Henry Brandon, Esq., '. 0 01 To London : Printed ana Published by 3117 01) „V r titr (i 'Aii i° Strand, Printer, at The Bun Ofllce, N " rim" ' of the Savoy, in the Cotuxti of laddl ew 36, , IkrP. „ I'4 B i v ( 'rD4ti (=%,