The Sun. — London, England, 1839-05-06 00:00:00

EVENING EDITION. THE CHARTISTS. APPREHENSION OF SEVEN CHARTISTS FOR DRILLING. (From the Manchester Guardian of Saturday, May 4.) For the last four or five days, the constables of Manchester have had information that a number of men, prolkahly about a hundred, had begun to assemble in the evening, about half-past seven o'clock, in a some what retired lane, leading from the southerly side of 0111 am-road, just beyond the Newton Heath Toll-bar, to.vards Bagley Fold and Clayton Hall, (about three miles from Manchester), where they appeared to be exercised by several others, who seemed to be placed in authority over them as leaders, apparently giving them certain orders, in compliance with which they ex ecuted various' steps, marchings, and other evolutions, though without any weapons. The authorities, deeming it necessary to obtain some information of the movements of these men, and also such knowledge of their persons as wouli enable wit nesses to identify them, sent some of the police offi cers, recently appointed, to the spot, to observe their motions. On Thursday evening, one of these offi cers was rqicignized,, or at any rate suspected, by the ma under drill, for they pelted him with stones, and he was glad to make his escape. Another, named Higginson, was more fortunate, though he underwent considerable questioning by the Chartists. However, he remained, and their snspicions were lulled by his statements ; grid he took such notice of the persons of the men as to enable him to speak to their identity. Yester4ty the constables determined to have these Chartists seized, or as many of them as might be prac ticable ; and accordingly Mr, Beswick, the principal police beadle, with sixteen of the police officers under his direction, proceeded to the Oldham-road lock-up ; and Mr. Beswick wationed the officers in various parts of the road and within the lock-up, except three men, HigOnson and two others, who proceded to the lane, where they again found the Chartists drilling. There appeared to be two squadrons or companies, one of twenty-five men and the other of fifteen : and one man (whose name is Riley) was observing giving the word of command, and drecting the evolutions of the men. The three officers reconnoteed the Chartists, k till their drilling and exercising had terminated ; and they separated, some going in one direction some in another. Higginson kept in view one party of eight or ten, who returned towards Manchester, along Old ham-road. Mr. Beswick, who was a little beyond the lock-np in that road, saw these men coming along, and, noticing their measured step, felt satisfied that these were some of the men of whom lie was in quest. Shortly afterwards Higginsou crossed the road, and confirmed ;,,his suspicions, or rather changed them into certainty. On reaching the lock-up, just before the Chartists reached the door, Mr. Beswick called out to the officers ) stationed within, and with the other policemen outside , they instantly surrounded the men, and apprehended eight of them, who were at once conveyed to the lock up. There seven of them were identified as having taken part in the drilling ; and the eighth not being re cognized, was discharged. Two coaches were procured, in one of which four, and in the other three of the pri soners were placed, handcuffed together ; and in this way they were taken down to the police-office, '-Town. hall, King-street, where they arrived about half-past eleven o'clock. Here their names, ages, trades, and residences, were taken down ; and they were then con veyed to the New Bailey, where, we suppose, they will be b tup for examination this day. We subjoin such iarticulars of their names, ages, &C., as they gave themselves to the clerk at the police-office. Edward Riley, aged 22, of Bank Meadow, operative dyer, in the employ of Mr. Jonathan Jackson, and at present receiving 16s. a week wages. [This man is the individual who was exercising and directing the others, up to within half an hour of his capture.] Thomas Ward, 20, of Wood-street, Deansgate, carder, in the employ of Messrs. Higgins, Ordsal-lane Mill, Salford, till about six weeks ago, when (as he says) the mill stopped, and he has since been out of work. Wet= Darwen, 17, of No. 64, St. George's-road, power-loom weaver, in the employ of Messrs. Thorpe, and Hague, cotton-spinners, and manufacturers by power, Bateman's-buildings, Deansgate. John Hodges, 18, of Silver-street, Aytoun-street, also a power-loom weaver, in the employ of Messrs. Thorpe and Hague. William Stanfield, 28, of Copperas-street, Shudehill, smith, employed at Messrs. France and Boardman's, cotton-spinner's and manufacturers, Otak-street mill. John W4ght, 18, of Oswald-street, Miller-street, mechanic, also employed, at Oak-street mill. William Naylor, 18, of St. George's-road. a tailor, woMting for his father. These men having been conveyed to the New Bailey, _and lodged Ig the. lock- u p th ere , M r . B esw i c k a ppli e d to Mr. Matide, the stipendiary Magistrate, who was in the constable's office, for a warrant against another man who had been observed on the preceding (Thurs day) night, drilling one or two companies of these Chartists in the same lane. It seems that after the seven men were apprehended, but before they were con veyed to the Police Office, Mr. Beswick went with Higginson to the house of this man, and asked him if he had been drilling the men that (Friday) evening ; and on the man answering in the negative, Mr. Beswick ap peared satisfied, and withdrew. Higginson, however, 4,,clegiared that he was one of the drillers on the Thursday 'evening, when he exercised others and gave the word of command ; and Mr. Beswick therefore applied to Mr. Maude, who at once issued his warrant against this man, on an information charging him with having on the °d of Ma. in t' tr sh N 'y, ..ownship —ewton, cen pre. sent at and attending a meeting or assembly of persons, for the purpose of training and drilling. persons to the use of arms, and practising military ex ercises and evolutions, without any lawful authority drom her Majesty, or the Lieutenant of the county, or any of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace of the said County, contrary to the statute, &c. Mr. Beswick, ac companied by six officers, then proceeded to the cellar of this mail, near the Lamb public-house, Oldham-road, abq 400 yards beyond the lock-up, but on the oppo ditOlide of the street. The officers reached the cellar abquit.a wader before one o'clock this (Saturday) morn ing, and found the man in bed. He was dressed, hand cuffed, and brought away, and was conveyed to the New Bailey lock-up. His own account of himself was as follows : Widliam. Fairplay, 46, dealer in potatoes, &c., Oldham road. He has been in the army, having served as a prlvate in the 82. d Regiment of Infantry, during its cam paigns in Italy and America. When told why he was apprehended, viz., for drilling the men on Thursday night, be denied that he was at Newton at all that night-. At the late hour at which we write, and under the peculiar eircumstacces of the case, we forbear all com ment. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Manchester, Saturday Evening, The prisoners are charged under the 60th Geo. 111., with having been, on the 2d day of May, at the township of Newton, in the said county, pre sent at and attending a meeting and assembly of prTsons for the purpose of training: and drilling persons to the use of arms, and of practising mili tary exercise and evolutions, without any lawful au thority from her Majesty, or the Lieutenant, or any of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said county, contrary to the statute. By the first section of the 60th Geo. 111. cap. 1, it is enacted that " all meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of training and drilling themselves, or of being trained and drilled to the use of arms, or for the purpose of practising military exercise, movements, or evolutions without any lawful authority from bis Ma jesty, or the Lieutenant or two Justices of the Peace for any county or riding, or any stewartr, by commis sion or otherwise, for so doing shall be, and the same are hereby prohibited, as dangerous to the peace and security of his -Majesty's liege subjects and of his go %ernment ; and every person who shall be present at or attend any such meeting or assembly for the purpose of training and drilling any person or persons, to the use of arms, or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall train or drill any such person or paisoins to the use of arms or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions, or who shall aid or assist therein, being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be transported for any term not exceeding seven years, or to be punished by imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the discretion of the Court in which such conviction shall be had ; and every person who shall at tend or be present at any such meeting or assembly as aforesaid, for the purpose of being, or who shall at any such meeting or assembly be trained or drilled to the use of arms, or the prac tice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be punished by fine and imprisonment, not exceeding two years, at the discretion of the Court in which such con viction shall be had." _ At a quarter before two o'clock the prisoners were brought up before D. Maude, R. J. Johnreys, J. R. Burnes, J. Fletcher, William Smith, and William Gurnett, Esqrs. After Beswick had stated the charge against the prisoners, he called David Higginson, one of the Man chester police officers, who stated that in consequence of the directions of Mr. Beswick he went to the town ship of Newton, where he saw a number of men drilling in a lane. Tha prisoner Riley was the man who was giving the word of command. After the drilling was over the party made an agreement to meet at the same place at four o'clock on Sunday morning. The men were in two companies, about. thirty in number, and then formed into one column. Witness marched with the party down OldlOin-road and gave the signal to Beswick, w h o ca ll e d out t h e p o lice officers who were stationed in the lock-up, and captured the prisoners with the exception of Fair le (Another man was also tak e O, b ut as out• fallen in prorni scu ta.terw ard appeared, that he had si Y withthe party, and had only a short time before left his work, he was discharged.) The Constabl e of Newton, tt i yho was formerly in the London police, corrobora w teT v respect to the committal o f the g o gl i n e s n o c o's account with Mr. MAUDE then called on the prisoners for their defence. Wright said in his defence, he was merely wateh'rg the men who were drilling, and walked behind the men until they were taken by the officers. Stanfield said Wright was his shopmate, and he bad formerly lived at Newton, and was then in search of a mouse. He saw the men drilling in the lane, an .I saw the officer (Higginson) come and look at them, and upon walking down the road he was taken into custody. Darwen stated that he was a hand•loom weaver, and went last night to see Hodges, and after supper went up Oldham Road, where they met the men marching. Darwen's father said, he could not have been at the drilling, because he had not been sufficiently long out of the house. Ward said, he saw the men marching and he ran when the constables come up. Naylor said he went to his father's garden last night, and went to see the men parading. They asked him to join them, and he walked down the road with them, when he was taken. Hodges said he was a steam-loom weaver, and went with one of the prisoners (Darwen) and he saw a number of men marching, but be denied that he was:of the party. Riley denied having been near the place. He had been to his sister's. Mr. Beswick said that the prisoner Riley refused to tell where his sister lived, or he would have inquired ; and there was another officer who would identify Riley as being the man who drilled the other men on the Thursday night. Houghton, the officer, stated that he saw Riley in the lane on the night before drilling the men in the lane. The constable of Newton said he was quite sure that the prisoners were the men who had been drilling. He had followed close behind them, to see that no one else joined them or got away. Mr. Beswick sail, that it was half-past ten o'clock when the- prisoners were taken. Mr. MAUDE said it was a melancholy thing to see six young men bringing destruction upon themselves and their families by such illegal practices. They were the dupes of mischievous persons. They would find that the law was far toostrong for them. He was sorry that the prisoners were the dupes of a number of mischievous men far more clever than themseves. As to what their ulterior intentions might be, he was not going to speculate upon that ; but that they were ex tremely illegal there could be no doubt, and their con duct showed that there was a combination amongst them for some illegal purpose. It was not at all neces sary that they should use arms to show that they were in the act of drilling. With respect to Riley, he had committed an offence for which he was liable to transportation, and the offence which the others had committed subjected them to a long term of imprison ment. They would be sent for trial to the Assizes. With respect to Riley he must find two sureties in 1001. each to answer the charge at the Assizes, and the other prisoners must find sureties in 50/. each to answer for their offence at the Assizes. Forty-eight hours notice of bail to be given in each case. The prisoner, Fairplay, was then brought up, and Higginson said that on the Thursday night he went up to the lane nearly at the same place where the other prisoners had been drilling. The prisoner was drilling the men, and the crowd broke in amongst them. The prisoner ordered them to hold up their heads, and gave other directions. He formed them in line, and marched them down the lane. I came down the line with the prisoner, and talked with him. He began to suspect me, and asked where I came from. I said I came from Flixton, and he asked how they were going on in that direction, I told him they were all going on well. He offered to let me lodge with him that night, but I refused. He said he would meet them again on the following night. The petitioner denied the charge altogether. Mr. MAUDE said the prisoner must find bail in sure ties in 1001. each, himself in 2001. to appear at the assizes, with 48 hours notice. A man came forward and said he had been in the line ; said none of the prisoners were the men who had been drilling the others. MANSION HOUSE.-THE CHARTISTS, The Lotto MAYOR having been given to understand that it was the intention of the persons calling them sel res Chartist to meet in Smithfield this even ing, as they had done on two former Mondays, to the alarm of the neighbourhood, caused the following notice to be issued, which it is hoped will prevent any assemblage ; " WILSON, Mayor. " Mansion House, May, 1830. " Whereas, a great number of persons have lately met together in Smithfield-market, in the city of Lon don, at two several times, and divers inflammatory and seditious speeches have been made by certain evil disposed persons with intent to excite those persons and others to acts of riot and breaches of the peace, to the great alarm of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, and the general disturbance of the peace of the city. " This is therefore to give notice, that the Lord Mayor will not suffer any number of persons to congregate in Smithfield-market as heretofore, or in any other place within the said city, and that any persons so assembling, and by speeches and otherwise endeavouring to create riot, disturbances, and breaches of the peace, will be apprehended and dealt with with the utmost severity of the law. By order of the Lord Mayor, " FRANCIS HOBLER." THE REV. MR. STEPHENS. (From the Observer.) On Saturday night, at 8 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Stephens, of Ashton-under-Lyne, commenced an address, in the Crown and Anchor, to " the men of London," which lasted upwards of three hours. The large room was crowded to excess. The number of persons present must have exceeded 2,000. In the course of his address Mr. Stephens made use of the following expressions :—" In the same newspaper of this morning, which contains a proposition on the part of Ministers to abolish the Constitution of Jamaica, with the view of putting an end to the slavery of the blacks, there is a proclamation by the Queen, which proposes to abolish the British Constitution, for the purpose of preventing the emancipation of the slaves in England. —(Tremendous applause.) If the people of England had one real representative in the House of Commons, the first thing he would do on Monday (this night) would be to rise up in his place and move for the impeachment of the Ministers who had a dvised the Queen to put her name to the treasonable document — (Renewed applause)—and before sitting down, such representative would move for a repeal of the Act which prevents the people from training and drilling. The police were taught to right about face,' and to quick march.' He (Mr. Stephens) believed that they would find some of those days, that they had not been taught these exercises in vain.—(Laughter and applause.) If the police be thus trained, they will perhaps find that the people can train also. The time will come when the people will form the determination either to die or to be free.—(Deafening ap plause.) The proclamation last night issued in the Queen's name, instead of being according to the English law, is treason to the English Constitution. It ought to kindle a flame of indignation in every breast, and to raise every arm, and cause the people to come to the resolution to suffer ten thousand deaths rather than siitmit to he enslaved by it.—( Loud and long con tinued applause.) He believed the time was not far distant when the dogs of war which were now barking would be let loose, ard would not be satisfied until they have pounced upon their victims. Then the latter will feel disposed to take warning, but it will be too late.— (Renewed cheers.) Much as he (Mr. Stephens) hated the idea of bloodshed, he would rather be sent that night, that hour, from that place, to unfurl the standard of war, to take his station in the battle-field, stand at the cannon's mouth, and face ten thousand deaths, than live the slave of the Poor-law Commissioners.—(Deaf ening plaudits, which lasted for some time.) If the throne and the altar protected and supported the poor, then he would support the throne and the altar ; but if they did not support and protect the poor, then he would satv—' Down with the throne—perish the altar.' " The Rev. Gentleman, in the course of his speech, made use of several other expressions of a similar kind. A few days last since Rev. Mr. Stephens appeared in the Court of Queen's Bench, pursuant to a notice served upon him by the Sheriff of Cheshire, to plead to the three seve ral bills of indictment found against him at the last As sizer held in Liverpool and Chester. The Rev. Defendant pleaded " Not guilty," and afterwards moved the Court to order that he be furnished with a copy of each indictment. His application was immediately granted. Copies were refused at the Liverpool Assizes. Mr. Stephens intends, it is aaid, to apply to have the venue changed of the Ches ter indictment to Liverpool, in order that all the three cases may be tried in one place, it being manifestly im practicable to be prepared for trial at two, separate Assizes at one and the same time, as the Chester Assizes are held contemporaneously with those of Liverpool. The principal part of the indictments is this : Lancaster to wit.—The Jurors for our Sovereign Lady the Queen, upon their oath, present that Joseph Rayner Stephens, late of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the county pala tine of Lancaster, Dissenting teacher, unlawfully, se ditiously, and maliciously intending to disturb the public peace, and to raise and excite tumults, insurrections, and disobedience to the laws, and to incite and persuade great numbers of her Majesty's subjects to arm themselves with weapons of offence, and to raise and make riots, routs, tumults, and unlawful assemblies, and to attack and injure the persons and properties of divers of her Majesty's peaceable subjects, and to forcibly despoil divers of her Majesty's subjects of their property, and to obstruct the execution of the laws of the land heretofore, to wit, on the 26th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1838, with force and arms, at Ashton-under-Lyne afore said, in a certain meeting-house, there did address a certain discourse to divers, to wit, 500 persons, who were then and there present and assembled, in the said meet ing -house, amongst other things of and concerning the laws of the land and the Legislature, and of and concern ing James Jowett, Esq., then and there being a justice of the peace for the said county palatine of Lancaster, concerning a certain illegal assembly, called the National Convention, and of and concerning his, the said Joseph Rayner Stephens, going as a delegate to the said assembly, and of and concerning the said persons so assembled at the said meeting-house procuring arms and weapons of offence to disturb the pub!ic peace and obstruct the execution of the laws, and in different parts of the said discourse did then and there unlawfully and seditiously speak, publish, and address to the said persons SO present and assembled in the said meeting-house, and in their hearing, amongst o'her words and matter, the false, sedi tious, libellous, and inflammatory words and matter follow ing, of and concerning the laws of the land, and of and concerning the Legislature, and of and concerning the said James Jowett, Esq., and of and concerning the said illegal assembly, called the National Convention, and of and con cerning his, the said Joseph Ray ner Stephens, going as a delegate to the said assembly, and of and concerning the said persons so assembled at the said meeting-house procuring arms and weapons of offence to disturb the public peace, and obstruct the execution of the laws ; that is to say, " We have a set of men who call them selves law makers, who make laws by the operation of which people cannot get a long wage for a short day's work. There are only two plans—either to trample those laws under foot, or break the skulls of those who made them ; and if those laws are in existence, and you cannot obtain sufficient for yourselves and families, you would be justified in going to Mr. Jowett's house, and helping yourselves to what it afforded, or to any shop in Stam ford-street, and help yourselves to flour, meal, butter, cheese, or to any of the clothiers' shops, and help yourselves to such clothing as you may need. lam armed, and am g, ing to London as the delegate for this neighbourhood" (meaning the neighbourhood of Ashton-under-Lyne afore.. sa d), " to attend the National Convention" (meaning the said assembly, called a National Convention) ; " and when I go I wish to go as the armed delegate of an armed people, so that when we come into contact with the Queen or her Government, in the shape of a petition or remonstrance, we may say—' We, your Majesty's loyal subjects, consist ing of 200,000 armed men, beseech your Majesty to redress our grievances arid grant us our rights ; and if not—'" whereupon the said Joseph Rayner Stephens made a pause in his said discourse, and used a gesture by which he meant, and which was then and there understood by the said persons so assembled at the said meeting.house to mean, that, in case of a refusal to re dress the said supposed grievances, and grant the said sup posed rights, the said Joseph Rayner Stephens, and the said other armed persons, would resort to acts of violence. And in a certain other part of the said discourse the said Joseph Rayner Stephens, further contriving and intending as aforesaid, then and there unlawfully and seditiously spoke and published to the said persons so assembled at the said meeting-house as aforesaid, and in their hearing, the further false, seditious, malicious, and inflammatory words and matter following : that is to say—" We must look upon every one who speaks against arms, or who do not provide themselves with such, as traitors, and let them share a traitor's fate," against the peace of our Lady the Queen, her crown, and dignity. ( Several passages follow, varying the form of the indict ment, but they all run on the part of Mr. Stephen's speech quoted.) And the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do further present, that the said Joseph Rayner Stephens, further unlawfully, seditiously, and maliciously intending to disturb the public peace, and to raise and excite tumults, insurrections, and disobedience to the laws, and to incite and persuade great numbers of her Majesty's subjects to arm themselves with weapons of offence, and to raise and make riots, routs, tumults, and unlawful assemblies, and to attack and injure the persons, and to burn, injure, and destroy the property of divers of her Majesty's peaceable subjects, and to obstruct the execution of the laws of the land, arid to seduce the soldiers of our said Lady the Queen from their duty and allegiance, heretofore, to wit, on the 9th day of De cember, in the year of our Lord 1838 aforesaid, with force and arms, at Ashton-under- Lyne aforesaid, in a certain meeting-house there, did address a certain discourse to divers, to wit 500, persons, who were then and there present and assembled in the said meeting-house, of and concerning the laws of the land, and of and concerning the Legislature, and of and concerning a certain illegal assembly called the National Convention, and of and concerning his, the said Joseph Rayner Stephens, going as a delegate to the said assembly, and of and concern ing the said persons so assembled at the said meeting house having, keeping, and procuring arms and weapons of offence to disturb the public peace and obstruct the execu tion of the laws, and of and concerning certain Justices of the Peace of our said Lady the Queen, and of and con cerning the Poor Law Commissioners of England and Wales, who then and there had their office at Somerset House, and of and concerning James Jowett, Esq., and Abel Buckley, Esq., two of the justices of the peace of our said lady the Queen for the said county pala tine, and of and concerning the said soldiers of our said Lady the Queen ; and in different parts of the said discourse did then and there unlawfully and seditiously speak, publish, and address to the said persons so present and assembled in the said meeting-house, and in their hearing, amongst other words and matters, the false, seditious, libellous, and inflammatory words and matter following, of and concerning the laws of the land, and of and concern ing the Legislature, and of and concerning the said illegal assembly called the NationalConvention,and of and concern ing his,tbe said Joseph Rayner Stephens, going as a delegate to the said assembly, and of and concerning the said persons so assembled at the said meeting-house having, keeping, and procuring arms and weapons of offence to disturb the public peace and obstruct the execution of the laws, and of and concerning certain of her Majesty's justices of the peace, and of and concerning the Poor Law Commissioners of Eng land and Wales, and of and concerning the said James Jewett, Esq., and Abel Duckley, Esq., and of and con cerning the said soldiers, that is to say, .. All things are subject to change, but by perseverance and union, and coming cheerfully forward with subscriptions in support of the members you have chosen for the National Convention" (meaning the said illegal assembly), " the present system will be changed : the end of these things is come, and upon the ruins I and my colleagues will build a republic, which will give us a fair remuneration for a fair day's work ; the National Convention" (meaning the said illegal assembly) " will meet in open day, and sweep from the face of the earth those who have so long made the homes of the people the abodes of famine. I here solemnly warn the magistracy and the cotton tyrants, that if they will not change their system of tyranny and oppression, and wholesale blood and bone murder, by putting up this little finger, instead of one fire, Dukenfield, Ashton, and Stayleybridge, will be one wide sheet of flame. I have heard it whispered that Ashton is to be garrisoned. I should like to see Lucifer Jowett and Saint Buckley dare to insult the over-worked, tyrannised, trampled on, honest, operatives of Ashton, by introducing a military body there; but if they do come, you must change your tactics : give the redcoats three cheers, offer your houses to them, let them share with you, deny yousselves indul gences, grant the few comforts you have to establish a good understanding with them, p iwn your clothes, do any thing to treat them with meat and drink. If this flame and steel be sauce for the Canadian geese, why it shall be sauce for the Ashton ganders, and thus, according to the immutable and unchangeable law of God, give them burning for burning. Now we must have no more torch-light meetings ; keep your guns and pistols and daggers bright and clean, bide your time, be ready as one man to act when called upon. I shall not have many more opportunities of addressing you. On Christmas-day the members of the Convention, those from the North, and the Lancashire, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire districts, will hold a solemn meeting in Manchester to arrange their plans, which shall shake this great empire to her centre. I yesterday was presented in Manchester by a party of gen tlemen with a handsome danger silver-hilted, and scab bard, in token of their confidence and esteem. The men of Bury have their eyes on you, men of Ashton ; all England has its eyes upon you; you are their guide and beacon. The noble stand you have made against the accursed Poor-law places you on a proud pre-eminence, and I tell the three Somerset-house devils, I tell the magistrates, I tell Lord John Russell, before we will be separated from our wives and children to be fed on skilly, not one, but from Dukenfield. hill to Ashton, and the blood and bone-houses between here and Stayleybridge (mark, I don't mean cottage-houses), ay, and all Stayleybridge, shall be one wide sheet of flame," against the peace of our said Lady the Queen, her crown, and dignity. ( Another passage follows, varying the count.) (Witnesses) WILLIAM BOARDMAN. JOSEPH MARPLES. ROBERT RIPLEY. (Sworn in Court, A true bill.) THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 6, 1839 THE SECOND INDICTMENT. Lancashire t o ;it.:—ijiUersfoicinrsovereign Lady the Queen, upon their oath, present that Joseph Rayner Stephens, late of Pennington, in the county of Lan caster, Dissenting teacher, and divers, to wit, 3,000, other persons, to the jurors unknown, unlawfully, seditiously, and maliciously, intending to disturb the public peace, and to endanger the persons and property of, and terrify and alarm a great number of her Majesty's quiet and peaceable subjects heretofore, to wit, on the 13th of November, in the }car of our Lord 1838, with force and arms, to wit, at Pennington, in the county aforesaid, did seditiously, unlawfully, and tumultuously assemble and meet together, and with firearms, staves, and i other weapons of offence, and in a tumultuous and disorderly manner, and did then and there remain and continue so as_ sembled and met together for the space of six hours follow ing, and during that time did, by the discharge of firearms and the display of weapons of offence, and by other unlaw ful means, then and there greatly disturb the public peace, and terrify and alarm and disturb her Majesty's quiet and peaceful subjects then and there passing, repassing, and dwelling, and being in the neighbourhood of the said persons so assembled and met together as aforesaid, and during that time the said Joseph Rayner Stephens did then and there, by divers seditious, inflammatory, and unlawful sp eec h e s and discourses, and otherwise seditiously and unlawfully endeavour to inflame and excite the said other persons so assembled and met to gether as aforesaid, to obstruct the due execution of the laws and government of this realm, and to insurrections, riots, tumults, and insubordination, and then and there advised the said persons to procure arms, and to arm themselves therewith, and to attack and injure the persons of divers of her Majesty's subjects, and to burn, damage, and destroy the mills, houses, and property of divers of her Majesty's subjects, and to disturb the public peace and tranquillity of this realm, in violation of the laws, good order, and Government of the realm., and against the peace of our said Lady the Queen, her crown and dignity. (The indictment has also several counts, one of which describes the meeting as held by torch.light. (Witnesses) WILLIAM COWARD. JAMES JOHNSTON. JAMES DEAN. (Sworn in court. A true bill.) THIRD INDICTMENT. Cheshire to wit.—The jurors of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, upon their oath, present that Joseph Rayner Stephens, late of Hyde, in the county of Chester, Dissenting teacher, and divers, to wit, 3,000 other persons, to the jurors unknown, unlawfully and mall • ciously intending to disturb the public peace, and to en danger the persons and property of, and terrify and alarm a great number of her Majesty's quiet and peace able subjects, and to raise and excite discontent in the minds of her Majesty's subjects with the laws of this realm, and to excite them to tumult and disobedience of the laws, heretofore, to wit, on the 14th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1838, with force and arms, at Hyde, in the county of Chester aforesaid, did seditiously, un lawfully, and tumultuously assemble and meet together after sunset and before sunrise, by torchlight, and in a tumultuous and disorderly manner, and did then and there remain and continue so assembled and met together for a long space of time, to wit, for the space of six hours, and during that time did, by the dis charge of firearms, and the display of weapons of offence, and by other unlawful means, then and there greatly disturb the public peace, and terrify, and alarm, and disturb her Majesty's quiet and peaceable subjects then and there passing and repassing, and dwelling and being i❑ the neighbourhood of the said persons so assembled and met together as aforesaid, and during that time the said Joseph Rayner Stephens did then and there, by divers seditions, inflammatory, and un lawful speeches and discourses, and otherwise seditiously and unlawfully endeavour to inflame and excite the said other persons so assembled and met together as aforesaid to obstruct the due execution of the laws and government of this realm, and to make insurrections, riots, tumults, and breaches of the peace, and did then and there advise, exhort, and persuade the said persons so assembled as aforesaid to procure weapons of offence, and to arm them selves, and to disturb the public peace and tranquillity of this realm, in violation of the laws, good order, and govern ment of the realm, and against the peace of our said Lady the Queen, her crown and dignity. (Counts also varied.) (Witnesses) WILLIAM MANLEY. JOSEPH HIBBERT. CHARLES HOWARD. JOSHUA PICKFORD. EDWARD HIBBERT. JOSEPH ASHTON. (Sworn in Court. True bill.) CHARTISTS AT LLANIDLOES. The Shrewsbury Chronicle of Friday, after noticing the arrival of the London and local officers at Llanidloes, thus continues:—Between eight and nine o'clock they appre hended two of the parties against whom warrants were out, and who demanded the cause of their arrest. They were conveyed to the Trewythen Arms Inn ' - but no sooner had they been secured in the house than the tocsin of gene ral alarm was given, and the hotel was in a few moments sur rounded by hundreds uttering the most awful threats. The release of the men was imperatively demanded, the doors broken, and a general volley of stones and other missiles hurled at the windows. The mob, finning themseltes masters of the house, proceeded to hunt out the police men; Blink horn was found, dragged from under a bed, his pistols and staff wrested from him, and presented at his bead. His life was spared, but he was savagely abused, and threatened with ultimate destruction unless he left the country. They then proceeded to the cellars, carried the wine into the streets, and stosre in the ends of the ale bar rels. The destruction of property at the Trewythen Arms is great ; and the infuriated populace, not satisfied with obtaining thefr men, tore the bed hangings and window curtains into shreds, cut the bedsteads, and injured the staircase with their pikes. This hotel was formerly the residence of John Hunter, Esq., and the finishing of the house is superior to that of any hotel in this country. The family of Mrs. Bvans, the landlady, escaped without personal injury, although most rudely treated by some of these ruffians. The Welchpool police man was very badly hurt, and reached Newtown about two o'clock, with one of the London police, who was also in jured;: and they proceeded to Welchpool in the evening. Two of the London police, and an assistant from New town, were secreted, and escaped without material in. jury. The men from London, employed on this occasion, are those who secured the Todmorden rioters and the Rev. Mr. Stephens; but they declare that the ferocity of these ill-advised men at Llanidloes exceeded any thing they ever saw. REDUCTION OF POSTAGE. APPLICATION TO THE LORD MAYOR. The London Mercantile Committee having ap poioted a deputation to wait upon the Lord Mayor to solicit the use of the Egyptian Hall, for the purpose of holding a public meeting of the Merchants, Bankers, and Traders of London, to petition Parliament in favour of an Universal Penny Postage, the Deputation was on Saturday received by his Lordship in his private parlour. Mr. ASHURST banded to his Lordship the names of the Deputation, as follows :—William Crawford, Esq., -- Prescott, Esq., Lestock P. Wilson, Esq., John Travers, Esq., Wm. Miller Christy, Esq., R. L. Jones, Esq., J o h n Dillon, Esq., George Moffatt, Esq. Mr. MOFFATT stated to his Lordship the reasons which prevented Mr. Bates and Mr. Pattison, M.P. who had been a p po i n t e d t o wait upon his Lordship' from arriving in time. Mr. TRAVERS stated that the Deputation waited upon his Lordship, that the commercial interests of the City might have an opportunity of expressing at a general meeting upon the subject of the uniform system of Penny Postage, recommended to Government by Mr. Rowland Hill ; that the opinion in its favour through out the City was, as far as he had been able to form a judgment, almost universal, and that the Committee watching the question had been pressed to obtain the use of the Hall, that the extent and strength of their opinion might be the better understood. He trusted that his Lordship would feel no difficulty in granting the application. It was a question, undoubtedly, of importance to this community, and it was one deeply affecting the trade and commerce of the City. To meet under the Lo"d Mayor's sanction and roof would give a tone and character to their proceedings apart from all political feeling, admitting of no misinterpretation of their objects. Indeed, men who differed widely other wise, seemed to have united upon this subject, as might be observed in the character of the Deputation now waiting upon his Lordship ; and all that they wanted was his approbation of their views as their Chief Ma gistrate, with the accommodation fitting, as they thought fit to express the opinions of the Merchants and Traders of London in a grave and respectful manner. The LORD MAYOR said he was very peculiarly cir cumstanced with respect to the Egyptian Hall, in con sequence of injury which had been done to the Hall by public meetings, and the Corporation having recently expended a considerable sum upon it, he was anxious to keep it in a state of preservation. He had not granted it to the Bishop of London upon a recent ap plication, and he had declined to grant it to other per sons of influence who had applied for its use. At the same time, said his Lordship, I feel that this subject is one of great importance, and of universal interest, yet I cannot but see, that not having granted the Hall to the Bishop of London, I may be thought wanting in re spect to that Learned Prelate if I now granted it to you. He had declined to grant the Hall to those who were desirous to petition against opening the Post-office on Sunday, though he had earnestly aided them in their object. Perhaps the Deputation would feel that the use of the Guildhall would answer their purpose. Mr. CRAWFORD-There is no gentleman present. my Lord, who will not feel that having declined to grant the Hall to the Bishop of London, your Lordship is placed in a peculiar position, as a ll must feel the respect which is due to the Reverend Prelate's rank and station. At the same time, I am sure it will be felt by your Lord ship, that the merchants and traders of London have always been considered to have, in a certain degree, a claim upon the Presidency of their Chief Magistrate for objects of sufficient public moment to justify an intrusion upon his time and kindness ; and I venture to submit that it would not be felt by th e Rev. Prelate himself, that if your Lordship has been constrained, from pe culiar circumstances, to decline the use of the Hall on a particular occasion, that a good purpose subsequently arising should not for that reason be realized. If there is, however, no mode which occurs to your Lordship, or to any of the Gentlemen who accompany me, by which our object may be gained without implying a want of respectful deference to his Lordship, we cannot, of course press upon your Lordship any course which should involve such a consequence. - - --- • -- - The Loan MAYOR—I cannot do anything that would imply a want of respect to his Lordship ; at the same time, I do not feel myself entirely at liberty to put an absolute veto against the use of the Hall to so influen tial a body of commercial men ; and if the Corporation of London thought fit to grant it—that would be an other matter. I should be most happy to grant the Guildhall. Mr. DILLON, several other members concurring, said that their reason fur wishing for the Egyptian-hall was, that the present was not a party or political mat ter, but one in which all parties were seeking what all felt would be an universal good. It seriously affected the commerce of the country, and therefore they were th ere ; but it involved also still more important con siderations. The religion, morals, and social habits of the people were involved in it, and the scientific and educational objects which the benevolent and the good were now so active in diffusing, would be assisted to an extent which could hardly be too highly estimated. Several of the members thanked his Lordship for the active part he took in oppposing the Sunday delivery. Mr. PRESCOTT said that the Guildhall was used for political meetings, for Parliame ntar y and corporate electi ons , and it would be a great object to meet upon a subject like the preseßt on neutral ground. The Egyptian-hall created the feeling connected with an official residence, vet tempered the subject under con siderationh b y t h e reco ll ect i o n, at the same time , that e parties were assembled in a gentleman's private re sidence. Mr. R. L. JONES felt the difficulty the Lord Mayor was in, and suggested the propriety of applyingby pe tition to th e C ourt o f C om mon Council , who would prob a bl y consent on a quest i o n so generally important , and so hisespecially important in a commercial p oint of v Lordship would not discountenance the ap plication. _ The LORD MAYOR—On the contrary, I am an ardent friend to the object you seek, and the most anxious to see it realized to the country. Mr. CRAWFORD said that, under the circumstances, they did not apprehend that a commercial and popu lar body like the Common Council would refuse their application, and they trusted that his Lordship would preside over the meeting. The LORD MAYOR—If the Court grant the Hall, I shall of course have great pleasure in complying with the wish of the Deputation. SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. The annual meeting of the above Society took place on Thursday at 10 o'clock at Exeter Hall. Lord Viscount MAnoN in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in taking the Chair, stated that the meeting must agree with him in lamenting the absence of the Earl of Carnarvon, their President, who was at pre sent on the Continent. He congratulated the Society on :s present flourishing condition ; 150 new subscribers hnd )fined the Society in the course of the last year, and all 'he difficulties which had stood in the way of the Society iiad been surmounted. Lord Ashley would have been present bad he not been prevented by previous engagements, the same reason prevented the attendance of the Bishops of Norwich and Salisbury, the latter of whom had sent a sub scription, as had the Marquis of Bristol. Mr. Gibson of Edinburgh had given a prize to the hest Essay on cruelty to animals which would be published in a few days. He was certain that if barbarity to animals were reprobated by public opinion, it would soon disappear. He believed the cause of compassion to animals was making rapid progress The command of mercy given by our Saviour was not con fined to man alone ; but was intended to extend to animals also. The cause of humanity generally had been making rapid progress for the last few centuries. He would allude to the cruelties of the Spaniards on the discovery of America, and the existence of the slave trade, as proof of the truth of this assertion. In the criminal law also, execu tions had been less, and the torture had disappeared. The inference, therefore, must be that the cause of hu manity was progressing. Among the benefits to be derived from this Society, he thought it would react ea the human kind, and that the man who was merciful to animals would be merciful to his fellow-creatures. There was a striking illustration of this in the character of Zeleuco. He believed the able and accomplished author of that work pourtrayed what daily passes before our eyes, in showing that cruelty to animals necessarily leads to cruelty to the human kind. But he thought animals were to be considered on their own account and regard had to their sufferings ; he could not adopt the opinion of M. Say, who had described a sheep as a machine for producing mutton and wool. While we received from animals all the benefit we could, we should expose them to no needless suffer ing. Animals should be slaughtered in the most merciful manner possible—and that noble animal the horse, while we derived all the benefits possible from his services should be used with all the humanity possible. No less than six teen Essays, many of considerable merit had been written to compete for the prize proposed by a munificent Lady, for the best Essay on this subject, and from the Prize Es say, he would read a passage descriptive of the Horse, and of the sad change produced in him in consequence of the cruelty to which he was exposed. (The Noble Lord here read the passage.) It was perhaps not difficult to enlist sympathy on behalf of the horse, but of all animals he believed the donkey was the most ill-used, because some such taunts as the often-quoted and misapplied line of Pope, " A fellow-feeling makes us wondrous kind," prevented persons from interfering to prevent this cruelty, from the fear of ridicule. No such feeling should prevent him from interfering to prevent it. He trusted that that gentler sex, so many of whom had honoured them with their presence, would use their influ ence to prevent cruelty to animals, and he thought that his fellow countrymen would feel their censure more acutely than any punishment that could be afflicted. He did not protest against the use but the abuse of animals. He was no enemy to fishing and shooting, and agreed in opinion with Paley on this subject. The Society does not con template abridging the legitimate power of man over the beasts of the field, but they did protest against con sidering animals as mere machines without feeling. He trusted public feeling would put a stop to this, for legitimate protection was nothing unless conferred by public feeling. To that feeling he would appeal. He believed that many persons were cruel from thoughtless ness alone, and if they could be taught to look on these animals with sympathy, cruelty would be put an end to. These were the principles of the Society, and he believed the time was now come when an account must be rendered to society at large for every pang that was needlessly in flicted. He considered the attendance that day as a proof of the progress of the cause, and concluded by moving that the Report be read.—( Cheers.) The Repert was then read, and stated that his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge had become a subscriber to the Society, and mentioned several legacies that had been left to the Society. That a a petition to Parliament was in course of signature at Edinburgh, praying an extension of the laws preventing cruelty to animals to Scotland. The progress of the Society in Ireland was alluded to, and one great step in the cause of the Society had been made in France, in the prohibition of the " Combats des ani maux ;" that 295 convictions had taken place in London in the course of this year, and that great good had been effected by the Hackney Carriage Act. The Committee were grateful to the public press for the assistance afforded. The Report then proceeded to state the circumstances under .which the Society had been enabled to prevent the Stamford bull-running and the annual bull-baiting at Stone, in Staffordshire. Constables, under direction of the Society, had been employed at Ramsgate, Southend, Blackheath, and various other places, with great benefit. They had regularly attended Smithfield market, and Greenwich and Camberwell fairs with great benefit. Several miserable horses had been purchased and killed, and the keepers of a dog-pit in Southampton-mews had been convicted and fined. A prize had been awarded to the Rev. Dr. Styles for his essay on cruelty to animals— an offer had been made of the manuscript for three years by Messrs. Wards of Paternoster-roar, and the Queen had graciously been pleased to consent to permit the Essay to be dedicated to her Majesty. The Committee paid a high compliment to the Charter-House scholars who bad com peted for the annual prizes. The first prize had been awarded to Mr. Powell and the second to Mr. Curtis. The Committee hope some clause will be introduced into a measure now before Parliament for the purpose of regu lating the manner in which dogs are to be used as beasts of hurthen. The Report concluded by calling on the So ciety for their support, in order to carry out the views, and if possible put an end to acts of cruelty. Lord DUDLEY STUART believed it required no eloquence to enforce the motion he was about to make. Having seen from the Report that the Society had effected much, that its funds had been properly expended, and that its officers had been active, he thought they would have no difficulty in acceding to his motion. It was gratifying to see the existence of such a Society as this ; he thought that heart must be depraved which could not take a pleasure in seeing animals happy, and that practices which tended to inflict cruelty on them must be regarded as degrading to man and offensive to his Creator : and therefore this So ciety must have a tendency to raise our national character, and to promote religion among us. He concluded by moving that the Report be received, adopted and printed.— ( Cheers. Mr. J. A. WARRE seconded the resolution of his Noble Friend; he would not intrude longer on the meeting,because he believed the subject had been minutely examined by the Noble Chairman, and he would not weaken the force of his remarks. The report was the thirteenth, and never had any report been presented under more flattering cir cumstances. The beginnings of the Society had been small, but he now saw a large meeting around him. He considered their success in Paris as matter for great con gratulation, as showing the progress the Society was making in public opinion. He was convinced the thinking part of the public was with them. The Society had out lived, worked down, and extinguished all the attempts made to overwhelm them with ridicule. The question was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. MACKINNON, M.P., proposed a resolution ex pressive of the gratification of the meeting at the Royal patronage, and the great support the cause had received, and injoining the necessity for further exertion. He could bear personal evidence to the great moral effect produced by the law for preventing cruelty to animals, which he bad the honour of introducing to Parliament.—( Cheers.) That law had been received by the Government of the day with contempt, but when he was supported by the Noble Chirman and the Earl of Car narvon, be persevered; that Bill had been unsuccessful until 1836, but so convinced were the community of the good of this law, notwithstanding it had not been regarded by the Government with complacency, that in 1837 appli cation was made to extend the provisions of the law to Ireland, and after an interview with Lord Morpeth, the Government took up the measure and extended it to Ire land, and now an application had been made for the ex tension of this law to Scotland. The Hon. Gentleman then related the circumstances attending the putting down the Stamford bull-running, andexpressed his thanks to Lord J. Russell for his conduct on that occasion. He had hoped to have been able to check the cruel practice of harness ing dogs to carts, but he feared that would not be the case this Session, because the Police Bill into which it was in tended to introduce this clause was so tyrannical that he thought it must be lost. The measure he should propose would be to have the trucks into which dogs were harnessed numbered, so as to enable the officers of the Society to re cognise any persons who might be guilty of acts of cruelty. If the Almighty Creator looked down on us miserable worms with mercy and tenderness, ought not we to show mercy to animals, his creatures? He would now conclude by proposing the resolution. Mr. J. G. MEYMOTT had- great pleasure in seconding the resolution, and took this opportunity of congratulating. the Society on this their thirteenth annual meeting. The Society had been in existence fifteen years, and to the late Richard Martin, Esq.—(Cheers)—were they indebted for the origin of this Society, which, like a grain of mustard seed sown in good soil, was now flourishing as a goodly plant, and would hold its head high. They had their be loved and youthful Sovereign at their head ; and, in addi tion, consentedhis Highness enrolled among its of p a t C r o a n m s . b Cambridge d ge (Loudha d R to oy a b l e cheering.) He trusted that this success would not in duce apathy. They had scotched the snake, but not killed it ; nor should they while sin, the parent of cruelty, remained in the world. He then proceeded to mention the legacies left to the Society, and to urge those who left bequests to be exceedingly cautious how they trust the execution of functions for which as Ministers of the Crown they were responsible to the country." The Standard observes, in the course of a leading article on the case of Thorogood :—" In the House of Commons, Mr. Baines brought forward the case of a man named Thorogood, imprisoned at Chelmsford, for non-payment of Church -rates, and entertained the House with a long speech, the first part of which was a moving thesis upon thehardships of imprisonment—the latter a heavy reading upon various canons of the Church, which Mr. Baines asserts to be neglected ; and which have just as much to do with the case of Thorogood, as with that of any conviction under the excise laws. As to the inconvenience of imprisonment, no one, we suppose, will dispute it; but Mr. Baines did not attempt to show that the condition of Thorogood is one jot worse, or indeed anything like so bad, as that of hundreds of thousands of prisoners under the New Poor-law, to say nothing of other prisoners ; and with respect to the canons, he did not show that any one of them was allowed to sleep, without good reason arising from the altered state of society." AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR APRIL. Since we last appeared before our readers we received the " Glcneral Report for England" of the " British Farmers' Magazine. It is important, as presenting a condensed view of the results of the late winter, and we prefer to quote it, as introductory of our own subse quent observations. The writer says :—" Although the winter months have bee❑ remarkably changeable, neither frost nor rain have been of such continuance as to materially check the seasonable business of the field. In all the drier districts of the country beans have been dibbled or drilled in a very kindly state of the soil. Peas have been also extensively sown, and here and there both barley and oats have been committed to the ground. The young wheat looks promising every where, stocky, but by ❑o means winter proud ; always a good sign at this season, when the plants are just putting forth their principal fibrous roots, which mature the grain. The breadth sown this season appears, from all our reports, to be much more considerable than has been sown of late years; and, if a favourable summer succeed, there is every prospect that there will be no necessity for open in.- the ports to admit foreign corn." It is observed that the sharp frosts of early March, with snow showers, rather served to ameliorate the cloddy surface of some of the fields, than to leave them in a too wet condition for the action of either the ploughs or harrows. This is the latest general notice that has been pub- lished, although it extends only to the 13th of March, having been issued the Ist day of April instant. It confirms all that we have before stated, or ventured an opinion upon ; and, though the month now at its close has witnessed much cold weather, we perceive no abatement of promise. One Norfolk report, while attempting to write fa vourably, does not scruple to sound the alarm on the condition of the wheats. We cite from memory, but the burden of the lachrymose ditty appeared to be this _ - —that March, having brought real Winter in its train, had produced a serious deterioration of the wheat which had lost plant, and still continues to lose it, and therefore that the fields assume a less promising aspect than that which they exhibited in winter. We freely admit that the second week of March was the winter of the year, but we saw no loss—no thinning of the ground covering—no change of colour. The lion prevailed throughout, it is true, and deluging cold rains succeeded to and followed his steps. The temperature of April, generally considered, has also been below that of average calculation ; still, however, the progress is, and has been, assured, and now at the close of the month, the corn districts of England exhibit a prospect of plen ty which is cheering in the extreme. To come to particulars—within the last two or three days, to say nothing of the accounts received from agricultural friends and neighbours, we have had occasion to pass through an extensive range of country, and to inquire, rather minutely, into the state of the crops and pasturage. We have seen the most unambiguous improvements in breadths of wheat, which, owing to improvident eco nomy of seed, had long continued poor and patchy. A carpet of verdure is spread abroad. The wheats must vary according to the staple and management, but as a whole they are as superior to those of the last two sea sons as the vegetables of a highly-manured and well cleaned garden are pre-eminent above the meagre crops of the poor and neglected patch of the indolent cottar. In fact, at the present period of 1838, in many extended breadths the herbage could with difficulty be discovered. Now, there is one compact, dense covering of verdant stocky plants, which have tillered to the ut most desirable extent. Barley sowing was expected to be bad, in consequence of the alternations of heavy showers and sunshine ; and we know that our neighbours have been perplexed and tantalised during the course of prefatory operations. At length, however, the seed appears to have been well sown, for the plant has started quickly, and now exhibits a beautiful promise. The barleys of 1838 were superb, and could not be surpassed ; perhaps those of the pre sent season may not rank quite so high, but still they will bear any other comparison, and the plant on the ground, with that of the oat, is really very fine. The broad clovers varies a little ; as a whole it is late, but good. The season is late, and in its character may be viewed as one of alternations. In alluding to the equinox, we expressed our belief that that the spring, and perhaps the summer would prove showery. To the present date it has been seen that the west and southerly winds have invariably brought rain, which have as certainly been followed by easterly winds, with a depression of the mercury of at least 10 degrees. The season then, is one not of great mutability, but of recurrent transitions. Hence, being wet and cold, the progress of vegetation must be tardy, and such we perceive is the fact. But though the night air be frequently chilling, and of a frosty character, there is a comparative amelioration, and the promise of everything is fine. Scarlet clover is eclipsed, its honour is departed ; and we now perceive only broad clover and vetches or tares. The Swedes are yet in use, the crop having been magnificent. At Missenden we last week inspected the bulbs and compared them with those of Berkshire. They both were large, sound, and hard as a cricket-ball. Kohlcrabi has not main tained its standing, as respects quality of food ; but it must rate high in being inaccessible to the grub, and capable of cultivation upon a bad turnip soil. Potato planting approaches. We confidently recommend sets with two eyes, taken off full medium-sized tubers, planted very near to each other, in rows that are widely apart ; the covering soil to be light (not pressed) and finely pulverised. Let the roots have free space to ramify extensively, and near the surface on each side, and thus the cleaning tool can act freely, and the genial influences of air, moisture, and sun light will produce their utmost effect, Stock of every description appears to be prime and thriving ; an abundance of food is promised ; and if the season prove fine, a striking change will be brought about, which will prove that, in despite of all the puny efforts of speculators, be they importers or producers, the supply will regulate the price, and productiveness secure a remunerative profit. FLANDERS AND DUTCH MAILS BRUSSELS, MAY 3. —His Majesty set out the day before yesterday fur his scat at Ardenne, where he will remain for a week. In the sitting of the Chamber of Representatives yester day, a communication from the Government was made by tha Minister of Foreign Affairs, relative to the signing of the Twenty-four Articles, but the details were totally de void of interest. He then presented several projects of law. The first to give the department of Foreign Affairs a supplementary note of credit for 300,000 francs, to defray the expense, which will be required for the conclusion of the treaty. 2. For an adddition of 12,865 francs to meet the deficit in the year 1838, under the head of travelling expenses, and mission of agents of the Department of the Interior. 3. For the inorganization of the provisional councils of Limburg and Luxemburg. 4. For the internal direction of Limburg. 5. The changes in the electoral bounds in consequence of the diminution of the territory. Other projects of law necessary in consequence of the treaties were presented by the Minister of Public Works, and the Minister of Finance. _ _ _ The Minister of Finauce proposed the following projec of law:— Ist, For a vote of credit of 4,985,000 francs, for the pay ment of the first half year of the portion of the debt which falls on Belgium. 2d, RI- the repayment of the Scheldt toll to Belgian vessels, and those of all other nations except those of Holland. 3d, For a note of credit of 300,000 francs to meet th expences of this repayment. 4th, (Presented by the Minister of War) relative to al the French Officers, who have entered the service of Bel gium during the war. FROM THE DANUBE, APRIL 25.-1 hear from a quarter that may be depended upon, that England has declared itielf ready to preserve peace with Persia on the following conditions :-1. That the Shah shall make no fresh at tack on Herat, and shall resign his pretensions to the sovereignty of Affghanistan. 2. That he shall give suffi cient securities (in what they consist cannot be stated) fur the sincerity of his pacific sentiments. 3. That he shall withdraw his troops, part of which are in the environs of Herat. AN EXPENSIVE JOKE.---In the beginning of last month Baron de Klanersberg, a student at the Uni versity of Prague, being on his way to Vienna, arrived at the little town of Aetstadt, in Bohemia, and stopped for the night at the Black Eagle Inn. Being required to insert his name, &c., in the travellers' register, the youth put down a correct account of himself, but on coming to the column headed " Object or motive of the journey," ventured the joke, "To blow his brains out." The inn keeper, in compliance with the police regulations, trans mitted the register to the burgomaster at eight o'clock in the evening. At ten, when the Baron was in bed, a police soldier entered his room, drew his sword, and sat down by his couch. " What is your business?" inquired the astonished Baron. " I'm come to watch you," re plied the warrior. " I shall be on duty two hours ; at midnight a comrade will relieve me, and he will be suc ceeded by others until ten to-morrow morning, when you you will be transferred to Jung-Bunzlaw, the chief place of' this district." " Why am I dealt with as an of fender ?" " Because you have expressed the intention of killing yourself; a proceeding which the burgomaster will not suffer on any pretence whatever." M. de Klanersberg begged hard to be taken forthwith to the Magistrate, but the soldier declared that his orders were to keep watch over him in his room. Next morning, at ten, a non co n missioned officer and eight hussars made their appearance, and the Baron was conveyed in a carriage to the police director. There he was subjected to the examination of two doctors, when, on their reporting that they could de tect in him no symptoms of lunacy, and no bump of self.. destruction, he expected his immediate restoration to liberty. Not so, however; the facetious traveller was handed to the gaoler of the municipal prison, and next in troduced to;the parochial tribunal (pfarrgericht), for having trifled with the veneration due to magistrates, by writing an immoral thing in a public register. Unanimously found guilty, he was sentenced to a month of durance, a fine cf about 201., to the payment of all the expenses of watching him at Aetstadt and conveying him to Jung- Bunzlau, end lastly, to all costs. The Baron left the, au, of tnir resolved never to kill himself even pour rite. EVEN I NG- EDITION. IRISH RAILWAYS A meeting of the Irish Members of Parliament, and other Gentlemen, who had been appointed a D,putation from the meeting held on the ?oth ult., to wait upon Lord Morpeth on the subject of the proposed grant of two millions and a half for the formation of Railways in Ireland, took place on Friday at the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's. W. ECUs, Esq., M.P. for Newry, in the chair. Mr. E. MACDONNELL proposed a resolution con demnatory of certain statements and representations that had been made as emanating from the meeting of tha 20th ult., in which it was asserted that a particular terminus had been selected, and that the province of Connaught was to be excluded from the benefit of Rail ways. At the suggestion of Mr. FITZSTEPIIEN FRENCH and other Members, Mr. Macdonnell consented to withdraw his motion. Sir WM. SOMERVILLE said it should be understood that the present Deputation, as the representatives of the meeting held on the 20th, did not pledge itself to any particular plan, but merely advocated the appro priation of the Government loan to three trunk lines of railway, leading North, South, and West.—( Hear.) Their business would be confined to laying before Lord Morpeth the resolutions to that effect, agreed to at the meeting, and supporting them by any arguments that might be necessary. The meeting then broke up, for the purpose of waiting upon Lord Morpeth. The Deputation, consisting of Mr. Ellis, M.P , Dr. Lefroy, M.P., H. Grattan, M.P., Sir Wil liam Somerville, M.P., Mr. Vigors, M.P., Mr. Ashton Yates, M.P., Mr. Lucas, M.P., Mr. French , M.P., Mr. Bermingham, Mr. Stephens, and other Gen tlemen, waited upon Lord Morpeth, on Friday, at half past three. They presented the three resolutions to his Lordship, with suitable accompanying remarks. Lord Morpeth, after speaking strongly in favour of his ori ginal proposition, observed that if it would conciliate all parties in Ireland, and tend more, in the estimation of Irish Members, to the relief of the country, both vot h regard to the employment of labour in diffe rent parts, and the promotion of trade, he should be willing to adopt the principle set forth in these resolu tions ; at the same time he could not pledge himself to any decided part without further information from Ire land. He received the Deputation very kindly. There is now no doubt that if the Irish people come forward from the different provinces, they will all ob tain the benefit of the Government loan, instead Of i ts ben confined to one particular province. We have reason to believe that the Irish Tory 'dein bers are taking the subject into consideration at the Carlton Club, and there is little doubt, if it can be shown that the plan proposed will give a triumph to neither political party, the grand object of helping land by unanimous consent with the loan of two and a half millions or more, for her public works, will be ef fected. MARKET INTELLIGENCE• (From the London New Price Current of May 33 SUGAR.—In the British Plantation Sugar Merket t here has been rather more activity this week : low and middling descriptions have brought former rates ; good and fine sort have also maintained their previous currency ; Barba doe fine yellow fetched 66s Gd to 68s, and good 65s to 66° ' fine and good Antigua at 66s to 675. This afternoon for the lower qualities a slight advance was obtained. At auction 101 hhds Barbadoes went 6d above former rates, good to fine yellow brought 65s 6d to 68s Gd per evi t i ; REFINED.—Former rates have been supported for al descriptions of goods, 78s 6d for standard lumps; Crustier made from Foreign Sugar is not to be purchased and % 35s 9d or 36s ; and 101 b Hamburg loaves at 465. P lea have sold freely, particularly those above 60s. NIAURITIUS,—Former rates have not been supported bef 6d per cwt for Sugars at and above 65s ; low ruid cli t brown at 57s to 58s 6d ; good middling to g ood 6° 3 loa 61s 6d; fine or low yellow 625; low to middling 62s 6d to 635; good middling 63s 6d to 645; g oo d fine 65s to 665. - EAST INDIA.—For Bengal importers have obtained pr e; vious vious rates for all qualities : Siam low to good white at friy to 31s ; yellow 26s to 27s ; washed 26s to 28s ; good was bought at 30s to 31s. - A 2 06 5 This afternoon Bengal was in steady request, an - d bags at auction sold at previous r a t es ; middling t ° b:s white at 64s 6d to 665; washed and damps 62s 6d to per cwt. lily FOREION,—This afternoon Brazil of strong white was in good request, and 40 cases 200 brls and 200 bifiteg; Pernambuco at public sale were nearly all sold at an d : d t a, the sale at stiff prices, low to good white went at 299 "fort 365, fine brown to good yellow 24s to 26s 6d, ordin ar y to good fair white was taken in at 26s to 33s 6d. extent by t MOLASSES.—West India have sold to a fair private contract, at rather higher rates. Antigua_„, 33s 6d, fine 34s 6d, superior 355; St. Lucia, Corn 31s per cwt. COFFEE.—The ord and unclean descriptions of Plantation have met with a dull sale, and prices have a _ mid unclean 2; downward tendency. Berbice low mid and 105 s a 112 ; Demerara good to fine ord 801 a ; a, 6d to casks coloury bold clean mid Berbice fetched 110 Batavi 114 s 6d. East India common qualities 2s lower. d good ord mixed went at 635 6d a 645, country dam, a f g e i 58s a 595. Samarang good ord bright 58s'a bas 60, to good pale yellow 61s 6d a 65s 6d, mid brown couaL A r, damaged Sumatra 46s ad a 475. Mocha fair and g'* . ord clean garbled brought 98a a 103 s. Britisha va This afternoon the auctions consisted o f 873 bags Ja n from the Cape at the 9d duty, 3,201 bags Ceylon at t he duty, 317 bags Sumatra, and 70 casks British Plantation : Java, good pale at 755, Ceylon good ordinary went at 9 t 71 to 100 s, coloury 101 s to 105 s, country damaged 95 , 5 it t : 96s 6d, sea damaged 95s to 99s 6d, the price of the u ° was 98s for good ordinary sound. Sumatra a t 107 s, at 45s 6d a 465. Unclean Demerara mid clean Berbice unclean low mid 1945. d INDIGO.—The market for East India has assume sebr A quiet appearance, at rather low prices for cash. low to middling at 5s 10d to 6s 2d, Cortes low to g w " 4s 3d to 5s 6d, very inferior 2s I id to 4s per lb. w as TALLOW..—In the early part of the week there s , ‘ fair ordinary. much life in the Tallow market. Petersburg Y el ; 01 . Candle of first quality, 50s to 503 3d for first sort: °vio delivery in the last th ree mon th s 46 s 3d t o 46s 6d* if Tallow in steady request. , es' RUM, BRANDY, AND HOLLANDS.—There has bee.., -1 1,00 tensive demand for R um s i nce our l as t, an d Leewaras:as brought Id advance ; Jam a i ca i s ra th er d e arer, the "- et actions in the former have been 350 puns proof to 3 P B d, cent. over proof at 3s 4d to 3s sd, 4 to 9 over 3s 6d to 36 d to 10 to 12 over 3s 9d to 3s 10d, 13 to 15 over 35 Ind 48 to 4s, 16 to 20 over 4s ld to 4s 3d, 21 t o 25 over c to 4s 6d, 26 to 28 over 4s 8d to 4s 10d, 30 t o 35 over •,-100 5s 2d, 36 to 38 over 5s 3d to 5s 4d, of the latter 3 30 o r have been sold, 24 to 30 over Sc t o 5 s 2d, 31 to 33d at at 5s 3d to 5s 4d, 34 to 37 over 5s 5d t o 5 s 6d. Br an previous rates. In Geneva, no variation. 0 10 SPICES.—This afternoon at auction 210 bags I : i i .Tbse sold id aid cheaper, ord mixed at 3id a 34d , lu ' er aeg° sifted Malabar Pepper taken in at 4,1 d; 75 packs Pi ti " - i n mostly taken in ; 800 bags Malabar Ginger take n " 19s per cwt. MARRIED.‘,,okr On the 12th of January, a t C a l cutta, G eorg e ' Esq., C. S., to Elizabeth Katherine, eldest daughter oi Graham, Esq., M.D. 110 16 On the 30th ult., He nr y T remen h eere , E s q., of th e n - her e ' Temple, barrister-at-law, second son of Colonel Trelon:eraral lateK .H D . , is t t o r c E t z u a dg C e a i t l h i n e e , Pr o e n s l i y d e n d c a y ug o h i t i e 3 r e n o g f a F i .r s c n On the 30th ult., at St. Andrew's, son, Esq., jun., 62(1 Reoiment, eldest son of Hobert titer of Upper Tooting, Surrey, E'l •oungest (bog" to _ en, the late Edward John Collins, Esq., Ilichmood , Plymouth, Ilobe,tiOsellYt DIED. 8010% c EA'' On the 14 t h u l t., at M a l ta, Ri c h ar d Wellesley . , _, sir Hon East I n di a Company's Bengal Civil Service , son 0' George Ilil aro B ar l ow , Bart., G. C. 8., aged 2.. Ae, On the 29 1 1 u l t ., James Ilatsell, Esq. , of t he Inner Teo', aged 24. Wife of pr. George Gregory Itiist„ in Weymouth-street , Frances, _ o t London: Printed and Published by MUIIDO YOu'; . 10 183 No. 112, Strand, at The Sun Office. No. 112, Su l°. the county of Middlesex.—Monday, May 6, 9. SHIPPING IN TELLIGENC' (LLOYD'S.) ; d t" LIVERPOOL, M AY M AY 3.—Wi n d N . N . W.—Arr•v e IVY Plumstead, Simons, from Ancona; Hebe, Partridg e 'oar chelle ; Mayflower, Cummings, Lisbon ; Helen oe t r „ s ie, Blundell, ditto • Gipsey, Bordeaux ; Marius I 'l o e Ncustadt. Sailed the Jam es H o l mes , J o hns, for Svood, pore ; Superb, Newland ; Mermaid, Veekins, an d I f idel . stock, Austin, Jamaica ; Anetis, Gary, Vera Cruz! gunde, Lapperbury, and V erac it y , A n d erso n, 9 2 „ 5 t,01 1 ; mas's ; Walter, Phil a d e lphia ; Tib er i us , S c arrs, Britannia, Hutcheson, Quebec ; Helene, Custrereaadit stantinople ; Julia, Barcelona ; Acorn, Robertson , g e oo' Hearts of Oak, Cook, Newfoundland; Zuleika, Smyrna. to dg VESSELS SPOKEN WITII —The Harriet, ghteltolll° Malta, 22d, lat. 47, long. 8; Volunteer, Liverpool Janeiro, March 11, lat. 41 S, long. 24 W., by th,e o lest kins, Whiteside, arrived at Li ver p oo l ; Sybilla, M b) , t he Mauritius to London, 21st ult., lat. 47, long. 11 % 01 1 t o Eliza, Ray, arrived at B r i s t o l ; P rom is e , Liv er roet am t Quebec, 18th ult., lat.' 46, l ong . 28, by the , t Brown, arrived at Live r p oo l ; W es t I n dia, Sur 11 ly des' Amsterdam, 20th ult., l a t. 47, l on g. 27, by then De' dale, Campb e ll, arr i ve d i n th e Cl y d e; St. Ann, don, 20th ult., lat. 47, PLATED CORNER DISO ifiatej with Strong Silver Edges and Handles .—A Set of Fo ur figli t for s y c,, Corner Dishes and Covers are offered, complete Guineas . or a set with richly ornamented Edges, fia llai , es ;he 5e for Ten Guineas. The Handles take off the Cov ers ' thus forms Eight Dishes when requii ed. . CX SAVRY, Working Goldsmith, T Silve O rsmith, and Watchmaker , 4 e 7 ;t) c . or hill, London (Seven Do ors f rom Gracechurch-stet selected N.B. A variety of S econ d-h an d W a t c h e s may b tom. price Two Guineas each, Warranted._______ IRTHS. On the 25th ult., in Pem B ok bre-square, Kensington, the /8 4 of Arnold Langley, Esq., of a son. Dr& did, On the Ist inst., a t Islington, the wife of Henry g o Esq 0 ., of a daughter. n the 2d inst., in Ely-place, Mrs. T. Hepworth , B °f . a Vict °r On the 26,h sit., at Killuntin, Cork, the lady ° t Rcclie, Esq., of a son. f Bolle r On the 28th ult., at Walthamsto w , th e lady °` Helme, Esq., of a son. the ger. On the 2d inst., at Latimer Rectory, the lady O f R. Mountfurd Wood, of a son.