The Sun. — London, England, 1844-05-07 00:00:00

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. ?ROM THE EVENINSII PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. GLOBE.—If Ministers were checkmated by the Court of Directors, by the recal of Lord Ellenborough from his Government, the powers of which he was employ ing so as to peril the empire he was deputed to protect and preserve, the Ministerial prints have also come in for their share of mortification. A successor has been— not merely nominated, but agreed upon, without any communication having passed between the Premier, the President of the Board of Control, their secretaries , or valets, and the offices of the Herat' or the Standard Nay, to enhance the wonder, the Times—in its privacy far removed from the means of intercourse with those sources of information from which a know ledge of what is passing in such official circles is to be obtained—that unknowing and unknown journal actually announced that Sir IL Hardinge had been se lected to the vacant poet,. with the concurrence of the Ca binet and the Court of Directors ! The consternation in the bueeees of the Standard and the Herald was ex treme. The Times had come between the wind and their prerogative. The thing was deemed impossible. The Standard first denied—then doubted—and at length was compelled to admit that there was something in it ; but that the initiative in the nomination of Sir Henry Hardinge was taken by the Court of Directors; and that the announcement appeared in the Times even before the circumstances of the nomination were known at the Board of Control We believe that nothing is now more certain than that the suggestion of Sir Henry Hardinge, as a suitable successor to Lord Ellenborough, originated with the Government; and that it was officially communicated from the Board of Control to the East India Directory on Thursday. On Friday morning the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of the Hon. Company had an interview with the Earl of Ripon at his Lordship's villa at Putney, his Lordship's state of health not allowing him to come to town. On their return they had a conference with Sir Robert Peel. At this conference everything of a pre liminary nature was settled; and nothing was left to be done but the mere formalities of the appointment pre scribed by the Act of Parliament. Sir Henry Har dingo was, on Friday afternoon, informed of his nomi nation to the important post, with the cordial concur rence of the authorities whose assent to the appoint ment is essential to the validity of the act. This explanation—founded, as it is, on the facts of the ease—at once disposes of the Standard's second edition statement, that the appointment of Sir Henry Hardinge " was proposed by the Court of Directors to the Queen's Government, without any suggestion on its part"—the contrary being circum stantially shown to have been the fact. It equally de stroys the querulous mis-statement of the Herald, that the Court of Directors "caused the conclusion of the affair to be published, as they did (in the Times) before it was concluded—namely, on Saturday morning,"—the whole affair having been arranged, as we have shown, as much as it is at this moment, on Friday afternoon. The selection of Sir Henry Hardinge for the im portant post, and the general concurrence of all par ties in his suitableness, may be regarded as an earnest of' good to the various interests in the East, which have been not merely injured, but jeopardised, by the " Brum magem Napoleon," who has alternately disgusted and alarmed all thinking men who have watched his progress . from the hour of his landing in India to the fantastic tricks he played on the plains of Gwalior. There his Lordship obtained for himself—from the lips of a veteran officer, a short time before he fell in the battle—the cog nomen by which he will be, in future, as well known as by the title of his rank. STANDARD.—Sir Henry liardinge is to be the suc cessor of Lord Ellenborough, as Governor-General of India. We owe an apology to the Ti;nes for having treated its announcement of Saturday as a guess. Our Contemporary had, no doubt, its information from some of the Directors, who were toe well pleased with their happy and successful expedient for getting rid of the worst consequences of their grseat indiscretion, not to be anxious to make it public as soon as possible. The expedient was a happy one, and the country has reason to rejoice that the Government, how justly soever offended, freely accepted , a proposition eminently calculated to promote the interests oP the em pire, and to avert a serious calamity not obscurely threatened by the late act of indiscretion. When the Duke of Wellington pronounced upon the indiscretion of the act in question, and when the Premier warned the Drectors that they must submit to the responsibility of all its cenvequencee, some prompt and prudent measure of reparation became necessary to preserve to the au thorities of Leadenhall-street an authority resting upon such questionable grounds of policy and justice as that which they had lately . energised --so indiscreetly . . exercised. 'Psi revoke the reso!ution of recal would be strict justice to Lord Ellenborough, and it is, perhaps what we should have urged, had we been advisers in the case. But though that would be the proper ainende to the insulted Governor-General, it might not, perhapa be the course which a prudent policy would recommend, or of which an administration like Sir Robert Peel's could approve. As a gentleman - and a man of honour, the Governor-General, though he might forgive, could not forget the slight passed upon him, or continue even nominally in the service, and still at the mercy of those who had offered it, even could a Government be effectually administered by a joint au _ thority, in which such jealousy had manifested itself on the one part. The revocation could make no difference in Lord Ellenborough'e obedience to the original resolution of recal. The effect of this course, then, would be, to prolong very considerably the mischievous and dan gerous interregnum in the government of India, and to leave the matter open for angry debates. By going out of their way to offer an unexceptioneb!e successor to the present Governor-General, the Directors have, as far as possible, obviated this ill consequence of their indiscre tion, and, with some skill, thrown upon the Government the responsibility of any interruption in the succession of Governors. , A Government less wise and pa triotie than Sir Hebert Peel's might have yielded to the influence of resentment, but the Pre mier was alive to the vast public interests at • stake, end the Governor-General chosen spontee nceusly by the Directors (arid probably chosen in some measure for that reason) being the very man whom he himself would have selected, he postponed all other feelings and considerations to the good of the common wealth, and accepted the proposition. Of the qualifica tions of Sir Henry Hardinge for the high office to be , conferreel upon him, there is, we believe, no second opi nion in the country. Even the Opposition journals, while they give a very sulky assent to his appointment, are compelled to acknowledge in him qualities precisely the best adapted for the effectual discharge of the im portant duties about to devolve upon the Bight Hon. Secrehiry at War. THE MURDER AT BATTERSEA. ADJOURNED INQUEST. Yesterday heir' , " appointed by Mr. Carter, the Coroner tbr Surrey, for the further examination of evidence touching the death of Sarah Eleanor M'Farlane, the Swan Hotel Where the inquest was appointed was thronged long before the hour of meeting, in consequence of a report having _gone abroad, that the supposed murderer Datms, would be brought before the Coroner ; aim that he would attempt to establish au alibi. In this expectation, the wonder seekers we're disappointed, tbr no arrangement had been entered into with the magistrate at Wanirstvorth (Mr. Clive) by Mr. Carter to ensure his attendance. After the jurors' names had been read over, the Coroner proceeded to read the evidence already adduced. Frances Scott was examined—l ant a single woman, re •aidin.g at. 9, Bolton-place, Upper Church-lane, Chelsea. I am in the service of Mrs. D'Oyley ' and on the night of Monday week a girl came into - the house as servant. The• girl now present (pointing to Augusta Dalmas) is the person. Superintendent Bicknell—l most really hare some clear ance In Court for the admission of witnesses. Mr. CARrEr.,—My Court is an open one; but I am sure that the gentlemen present will give every accommodation to witnesses. Examination of witness continued—The girl arrived at Mrs. D'Ovlev's at half-past eight at night in company with a female. They proceeded crown stairs to the kitchen, re mained there . ' about ten minutes, and then bade each other good bye. I let the female who accompanied her out of the front door, and also out of the gate of the small garden. vot observe her join any one, but I saw a man walking en the opposite aide of the road, as if he were waiting for eowebody. The person seemed coming to the gate, but when it was opened by me he went away again. I could not perceive whether his coat was black or blue, as it was rather dark, and I did not see his face sufficiently well to identify hint. By a juror—l did not see who brought the girl's boxes. The first time I saw the boxes was when the females came to the door. They had the boxes then in their hands. B the CORONER--I did Ake k to the Wandsworth, but could not swear that he had seen him on the bridge. Sergeant Cummings, 3 D, said a person gave himself into his custody on the morning of Saturday. He had never seen him before to his knowledge. He is not here. Exa mined him in the station• house, and found no instrument upon him. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and, on our ad ; mission, we found Mr. Carter addressing the jurymen. He recapitulated the chief features of the case, an i dwelt con ' siderably upon those portion's of the evidence which seemed • to point to the man in custody as the person who had corn ! 'flitted the murder. After an address of considerable length, strangers were ordered to withdraw, aud, on their admission, it was an nounced that the jury had found a verdict of "Wilful Murder against Augustus Dalmas." Mr. CARTER said that the jury had, upon full deliberation, returned the above verdict ; but it would have been _much more satisfactory to have had the prisoner before them. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS. (YESTERDAY.) (Before Mr. Sergeant ADAMS and a full Bench of Magistrates.) ST. JAMES, CLERKENIVELL, AGAINST GEORGE wttirmr. This was an application for an order of affiliation under the New Poor-law Act. Mr. Bodkin appeared for the parochial authorities, and Mr. Prendergast for Mr. Whtmle. Mr. BonKIN said lie applied on behalf of the authorities of St. James, Clerkeuwell, against Mr. George Whipple, for the support of an illegitimate child, and compensation for the expenses the parish had been put to. The party sought to be charged had tilled the office of churchwarden or overseer of the parish, and had, by virtue of that office, become ac quainted, three or four years back, with a young woman named Jane Webb, then only about 16 years of age, and, whilst visiting the family to relieve them with bread, took an opportunity of seducing the young woman in question. Jane Webb, an interesting young woman, with an infant in her arms, deposed that she was 20 years oiage. The child was barn on the 15th of September, 1843. Mr. Whipple was the father. She first became acquainted with him three years and a half ago, whilst living with her mother, at 13, Bowling green-lane, elerkenwell. Mr. Whipple was a member of the Philanthropic Institution and in that capacity visited the family to relieve them with bread. After relieving them two or three times, daring the absence of her mother he invited witness to take a walk, saying he would take her out to tea. Whipple then took her to a house of ill-fame in a court lead ing out of the Old Bailey, where she remained with him about an hour. Witness's mother had procured a situation, and Whipple called on her, and directed her to take a lodg ing in another name. Witness took a lodging in Greenhill's rents, Smithfield, under the name of Smith. She remained there five or six weeks, during which time Mr. Whipple visited her every evening, except Sunday, from about eight until eleven. Whipple then told her he was married, and asked her to come and live in the house as servant, - which she consented to, and lived there altogether nearly three years, during which time the intimacy continued. Witness left on two occasiens for short periods, and Whipple paid the rent of her lodgings. Witness finally quitted his service the early part of January, 1843. The reason of leaving was a quarrel about a Miss Digby, witness accusing Whipple of coming out of her bed-room. Witness, on leaving, told Mrs. Whipple in her husband's presence what had taken place between them. Witness applied in March to Mr. Yearns, a gentleman residing in Vincent-terrace, City-road, for a situation, and referred him to Mr. and Mrs. Whipple for a character ; but on the character given he refused to take her. The following day witness saw Mr. Whipple, who directed her to send Mr. Yearns at. a particular hour, when he would give her a good character. Witness obtained the situation, and remained there about three months, when her situation becoming apparent she was compelled to leave. The witness, who had been under examination some hours, went into hysterics, and was removed from the witness-box, and subsequently to the workhouse. Richard Webb, brother of the last witness, stated that he had frequently seen Whipple kiss his sister whilst in his service. _ _ _ Mrs. Burrell remembered Jane Webb livin in Greenhill's rents, where she went by the name of Mrs. Smith. Witness used to open the door for Mr. Whipple, who went into Jane Webb's room, and used to lock the door. Mrs. Rosannah Webb deposed that she was mother of Jane Webb. In 1840 they were living in Bowling-green-lane in great distress. She applied to Mr. Whipple, who was a mem ber of the Philanthropic Institution, when ho visited them and relieved them with bread and a little money. Shortly afterwards she got a situation as nurse in Great Distaff-lane, and left her daughter with her little furniture, directing her to sell it and buy clothes, and then go to her sister at Mort lake. Witness's daughter visited her in eight or nine weeks,. and told her she had got a situation, but she knew nothing of her living in Greenhill's-rents. Mr. John Austin Neam, residing at 11, Vincent-terrace, City-road, deposed that Jane Webb applied for a situation iu his family. He called at Mr. Whipple's house, and saw a young lady, who refused to give her a character. At the re quest of Jane Webb he called again, and saw Mr. Whipple, who said she was a most excellent servant both for honesty and integrity, and that he had known her family for some time, who were very respectable. Witness then took her into his service. _ _ _ Mr. PRENDERGAST, in defence, addressed the Court at some lenth, contending that the corroborative evidence required %y the Poor-law Amendment Act bad not been given. The Learned Gentleman then called the following witneNes:— Mr. Burrell deposed that he had resided with Mr. Whipple some years, and never saw any liberties taken or any inti macy between Mr. Whipple and his servant Jane Webb. Cross-examined—Mr. Whipple is a practical chemist - , in the firm of Messrs. Barron and Co., the extensive wholesale druggists in the City. Miss Charlotte Digby deposed that she resided with Mr. Whipple from the Ist of December, 1842. Witness remem bered Jane Webb leaving; before doing so, she told Mrs. Whipple she was enciente by Mr. 'Whipple, and that Mr. Whipple came out of witness's bed-room, which was false. The CHAIRMAN, with considerable warmth, said the wit nesses for the defence gave the strongest evidence in the case. After such evidence, and the accusations of Mrs. Whipple by Jane Webb, Whipple gives her an excellent character, gets her a situation, and passes her oft' on a highly respectable family. If that was not enough to father a dozen of children upon him he did not know what was. He would not trouble Mr. Bodkin to reply. The COURT were unanimous in their opinion. The COURT then ordered 4s. per week for the support of the child, the expenses the parish had been put to, and 201. for the costs of the present application. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) CLERKEiVTV.ELL. Yesterday William Burton Newell/rani, Esq., was brought up for final examination, charged with the ab duction of Frances Louisa Wortham, a ward of Chancery. Mr. Southee attended for the prosecution, and Mr. Humphries for the defence. The prisoner was neatly attired, and did not seem so dejected, nor look so delicate as on the last occasion. The Court was, as usual, crowded with spectators. Neither Miss Wortham nor her mother were present. Inspector Penny stated that the witnesses who had been summoned to prove the title deed were in attend ance. The deed was then handed in; and Henry Frederick Clane, after inspecting the instru ment, deposed that that was his name, which was signed to it by himself as an attesting witness. The deed was executed on the 15th of January, 1828, at Royston, in Essex, by Mrs. Mary Wortham. Saw Anne Cannon, Mrs. Wortham's servant, likewise affix her name to the deed as an attesting witness. Is a surgeon, and knew Mrs. Wortham very well. Cross•examined by Mr. Humphries--At the time the deed was executed witness was assistant to Mr. Crisping, a surgeon, living at Royston. Had been attending Mrs. Wortham professionally for a considerable time. Wit ness had been residing in Finsbury-place since then. Mr. Southee objected to the question as irrelevant. Mr. Humphries said he wished to show, that by pro per inquiry, the attendance of this witness could have been easily obtained. Now, as well as on previous oc casions, he must complain of the delay which had taken place, as unnecessary and unfair towards his client. Mr. Seuthee—Ne unneccessary delay has taken place. Your object is to create an impression out of doors. The officer mt first despaired of being able to find the witness. Mr. Humphries—Yon had a copy of the deed in your possession when the prisoner was arrested, and knew where to find the witnesses. Mr. Southee—That is false, and you know it must be so. I had not even the copy until recently. Mr. COMBE interposed, and said that the present dis cussion had nothing whatever to do with the matt,r.iin inediately before him. He certainly did think this evi dence could have been furnished before, and he took the matter into his own hands. Mr. Southee, however, said he could not help it. But the witnesses Were now there. Anne Cannon, a lively old woman 86 years of age was next sworn. The deed having been placed in her hand, she was asked if that was her name and hand-writing. She said she had certainly signed a deed for Mrs. Wor tham, but her sight was so defective that she could now only recognise black and white colours on the )er. _ y . —...,:stsit--1 die, make a remar__ ty . ign. paper. female that her husband was waiting outside, but the girl Mr. Counu—What are you? Witness (in a merry tone) said, " No, he is my father." —A sp i nster, Si r. —(L aug h ter .) Remembered having The last witness was recalled, and in answer to the Coroner, been an attesting witness to a deed of Mrs. Worthamin thought that the time when sh e l e t th e f ema l e ou t was ab ou t January, 1828. b Mrs. Wortham signed the deed in the a quarter to nine. .. presence of witness at Royston. Sergeant Lvnes, 5 V—Ab ou t t wen ty m i nu t es t o nine Inspector Penny of the G division of police, deposed o'clock on lasi Monday evening I saw a man walking up ' • tltt at half-past 9 o'clock on Thurday evening, the 28th and down in Bolton-place, and he was looking very anxiously -'` towards No. 9in that row of houses. I looked very hard at of March, he arrested the prisoner in a house in Carlisle. him in Passing, and went round the corner of Black-place, street, Soho-square; explained to him the nature of th e .annd stood th ere to watc h hi m. At the time when the three- charge. t. l o a . rers past eight. was striking I sairy a woman leaving Mr. COMBE—What did you say? Inspector Penny 9, and this mini then went over the road an d met her. I told him I apprehended him on the warrant of Boyce u They took aTs.and went towards the Queen's Elms, Fill- Combo, Esq., one of the magistrates of the Clerkenwell ,baniroad. ..•watch him any hen I found what he was waiting for I didn't Police Court, for abduction. Air. longer. I noticed that he was dressed in black. r. st—Do you see the ,: tug round bitto-.4 ,t o : man here? Witness (look- „ Show I told him I was an in -11.. COMBE—What did he say ? Witness—He said, your authority." e , bjm out of tiftr. don't see him, Sir; but I should know ' .• . Mr. CARTEIi t - (t o the jurvin - ) placed in. Here is a witrie yet the " 11, —You see the position lam - spector of police, and that he must come with me of to the station-house. He said, in the ,, presence of the prisoner, and ?kir. Superintendent 13icknell7uTd win , can speak to the identity Wortham, " She is my lawful wife ; and Miss Wortham I is not here. (To said she was his lawful wife. He was then conveyed to tody, is he not? Superintende—nt man Dalmas is in (us- the station-house. Mr. CARTMt-1 have no wish Bicknell—Hetoara.de any! s n'i S a i n r , but I Cross-examined—Trite, Boyson, and Duke—the think it iz; highly necessary that the rviesoner should have former two police-constables, the latter, the usher of this been brought here. It would then h P a Court—were present. note that, the roan Dahlias hail been identiafiPePdeba'Ye(tihiOsnwinit3.-' Ws as the person waiting in Bolt4n place. Mr. Humphries—Answer me this question. Was it 1 any one connected with this prosecution made you go to - - Ito arrest him ? Inspector Penny—l went alone ; and in Bore, of the Stag, Palham-road.—On Mond a y n i ght, April 1 consequence of information I received. 29, I was attending behind the bar, about Imlf-past nine, Mr. Humphries—Was it any one connected with the arisen two persons came in, a male and female The female prosecution directed you to apprehend the prisoner ? had on a Hit gown and straw bonnet. lhe man— Witness—A m I obliged to answer that question ? M:. CAIITER, to the Superintendent—lt is absolutely that the prisoner should Mr - . CoMBE, after some discussion, decided that he was. t_ C:ssary, for the guidance of the jr_i_r.)e-, have a public duty to Witness —It was from a person connected with the be brought here to be identified. W 'perform, and it is necessary that it should be done ro- Mr. Humphriesp—Who ? Inspector Penny—From The prisoner on hearing • Southee. perly. I think I shall be under the necessity .of adjourning p the Court until the man supposed to be guilty is brought this reply suddenly turned efore us. I do not suppose that the Magistrate would round in the dock, so as to confront the solicitor for the trito an ex, parte statement, and I cannot see that this Court prosecution, and, darting a fierce look at him, exclaimed in a suppressed one of voice, haul , ' do so. but bitterl Mr. Superintendent Bicknell could say "you traitorous tubject. nothing on the Humphries—Who gave you the instructions? scound ! ' "You villain!" Ml. Parkins, whose evidence has been already given In '111... be Sun, was then called.—He added to his former statement : Witness—Mr. Southec. ghat in his exclaiming "Good God, the woman will bleed to : Mr. frumphries—Was any one pr esent when he told !Meath,'" the deceased seemed t o reply, "Oh dear'" He did i y o u? Witness—No, Sir. trot at any tim e h ear h er say who hail inflicted the injury. Mr. Southee—Did you receive information from me By a juror.-115 was standing up at the time Mr. Gosling . 1 to ..o to the House in Carlisle-street. Witness —N o find the policeman asked who had committed the injury. 1 b , 'hey were stooping and could hear her reply, but he did not. Id me you wanted the prisoner, and that you ran Lord Mayor and could get no assist gt('", 36 V, Was next examined, and evidence read I had been with the . me to watch the man. Did not tver.—He was positive the woman 1 Mate when she mentioned that " Dal lie had • " dying 1 into the prisoners house by .. ~ ' Mr. Southee's directions. was in a once, and you then told go Kr. Messenger was called.—Re had seen the prisoner at , Cow ER A this matter was w h o lly i rre l eva nt, Nl. Mr. Southee said a very serious imputation had been cast upon his character, which he wished to remove. Inspector Penny, in answer to further questions, said that Mr. Southee had nothing to do, directly or indi rectly with the prisoner's apprehension on the day of his arrest. Mr. Southee—Did I not say, when I saw you at the house, and knew your purpose, that it was a most scan dalous and infamous transaction ? Witness—You did. Prisoner (to Mr. Southec)—You did say so ; and you endeavoured to put him out of the hall. Mr. COMBE —Who arrested him ? Prisoner—Penny, there, arrested me, and he broke open the folding doors into the parlour where myself and my wife were sitting. Mr. CONDE said the inspector was justified in doing so, knowing the prisoner to be there, and holding a war rant. Mr. Southee—l close the case for the prosecution. Mr. COMBE (to Mr. Humphries)—Have you any reason to urge why the prisoner should not be committed for trial ? Mr. Humphries—Except insufficiency of evi dence to sustain the charge, I have none. Do you com mit for the felony or the misdemeanour? Mr. COMBE—I commit him fo trial to the Old Bailey on the charge of felony. I must new say that I was very anxious to have the case completed before to-day, and regret for many reasons that I have not been able to accomplish that object. This is a case very peculiar in its nature, from circumstances connected with it, and a case which has excited great public attention, public interest, and I might add public anxiety. Ire • grt:4 that the case has not been sent before the present sessions of the Old Bailey commenced, because it is one of those which I think the Recorder, in his charge to the grand jury, would feel it his duty to allude to. There are two descriptions of the offence charged, ab duction, in the 9th of George the Fourth : one of them makes it a felony when the young person is taken against her will, and where she is entitled to any property, so that the motive appears to be lucre, and where she is abducted with intent to marry or defile her. For such an offence the criminal is liable to be transported for life, or for seven years, or for any term of imprisonment not exceeding four years. The second case provided for by the statute is, where the female is abducted against the will of her parent or guardian, that is a misdemeanour. When the case first came before me I considered it a misde meanour, but facts which subsequently transpired led me to think I should not be doing my duty if I did not commit the prisoner for trial on the highest charge— and I now commit him accordingly. The prisoner was then fully committed to Newgate, and all the witnesses bound over to prosecute.—The prisoner then left the dock and walked briskly back to the cells. _ _ TWO YOUNG LADIES DROWNED. On Thursday evening, about seven o'clock, Miss Gace, a young lady of considerable accomplishments and beauty, aged twenty-two, and governess in the family of Captain M'Hardy, chief constable of the Chelmsford county police, was walking in the fields leading from that town to Springfield with the two Miss M'llardys, Mary, the eldest, being eleven years of age, and her sister Malvina, nine years of age. They quitted the path, and the young ladies were playing near the edge of the river Chelmer, at a part where the force of the current had considerably undermined the bank ; the eldest Miss Hardy is supposed to have ventured too near the edge, when the overhang ing part gave way, and she was precipitated into the water, at that part from ten to fifteen feet deep. Miss Gace, in her anxiety to save her charge, immediately jumped in, and both perished. The younger Miss M‘Hardy, with great presence of mind, sent some girls who were near for assistance to her home, a short distance from the spot, and gave the alarm to other parties. The bodies could not be seen, and 25 minutes elapsed before they were got out by the aid o. creepers, when life was found extinct, and the exertions of the medical men to restore animation proved of no avail. Miss Gace had a sister residing in the neighbour hood, also governess in a family. An inquest was held on the bodies the following day at Chelmsford station-house. Miss Malvina M'Hardy said she was standing by the waterside, throwing sticks in, when her sister fell forward, and she called out to Miss Gace, " Oh, don't go in, you'll drown yourself." Miss Gace said, " Oh, what shall I do ?" and screamed and jumped in ; she then sent three girls to run home immediately to her father for assistance. After they were in the water they rose several times, but Miss Gace only once, after which they disappeared. Mary King, aged twelve, living at Springfield, said she saw them on the path near the gravel pit, the former of which was about thirty yards from the river, and fancied they were fishing. She saw Miss Mary fall in, and Miss Gace almost immediately afterwards :went in to rescue her. Job Terry, labourer, said he heard some dreadful shrieks, and afterwards saw a woman running who exclaimed, " Oh, sir, there are two children just fell into the water!" Nothing could be seen in the current of the Chelmer, and several railway labourers afterwards came up, but the water was so deep that they could not be persuaded to go in. The child had no doubt set its foot on some rushes edging the bank, which gave way under her. The Coroner summed up ; -- and the jury re turned a verdict of " Accidental death." SINGULAR ACCIDENT. On Wednesday week one of the most frightful ac cidents occurred in the village - of Duffield, Derby shire, it has ever been our painful duty to record. A highly-respected man, Andrew Dawn, servant to Mr. Barton, quarry-master, of Duffield, was returning with a horse in long gears, having assisted with a load of stone up Burley-hill ; he was sitting on the quarters of the horse sideways, when opposite the re sidence of Col. Colville he met some youths carrying a tin kettle, the noise of which unexpectedly produced an abrupt motion of the animal, dislodging Dawn from his seat, giving a circular momentum to the gears, which fell at the same moment, swinging round one leg, and, singular as it may be, the hook caught the chain, very effectually securing the poor man to the terrible fate then awaiting him. He per- I ceived his situation, and being a very strong and powerful man, he did his best to release himself. In a moment the horse began kicking, when poor Dawn was thrown backward. Ninety-nine men out of a hundred would have given themselves up in de spair to inevitable destruction, but at this moment, awful to all appearance, he felt an inexpressible im pression that if dragged to his master's stable-door his life would not be sacrificed. The horse started off at full speed, and Dawn being a strong man, swung himself on his face, and with a tremendous effort, by doubling his arms under him, kept his head from receiving the dreadful concussions his situation rendered him liable to. Several attempts were made to stop the horse; but these added to Dawn's dis comfiture, as they only induced sudden jerks on his limbs and body. He says he never lost his confidence, and that during the whole distance (400 yards), knowing where there were large stones for building purposes, he made inconceivable effort to avoid their contact, and with his a ,„o•reat strength succeeded in ac complishing it. The collectedness of his mind was most exemplified in the horse's turning into his master's yard, one half of the gate of which it is usual only to have set open ; this was the case, and when the ani mal rushed through in order to follow his track, he put forth his last energies, and, rolling himself twice over, escaped the dreadful shock, which having re ceived most probably would have killed him. A fus tian jacket assisted to protect his arms, which, as may be easily conceived, were dreadfully bruised and la• cerated ; his hands were as though he had burning coals in them • indeed, it is impossible to give a de scription of this frightful accident. It is stated also that the horse constantly kicked during its intempe rate course. When released the poor fellow's jaws were fixed, and brandy was administered by force. On rallying he was twice bled, and we are most happy in being able to state, that, under the unremit ting attention of Mr. Thornbury, he is going on as well as can be expected. General sympathy is ma nifested towards the sufferer, who is much esteemed. —Nottingham Journal. EXPORT OF VEGETABLES. - The prevalence of fine, warm, sunny weather has brought forward the spring in East Yorkshire and North Lancashire, full fourteen days earlier than usual. This, coupled with some advantages of soil and the skill of our neighbour ing nurserymen, has at length enabled us to reverse the tables, for whereas one of the earliest advantages of steam, first between London and this port, and after wards to and from the Continent, was the importation of fruit and vegetables from the Kentish gardens, and subsequently from Hamburgh, Rotterdam, and Ant werp, we have at length found men amongst the market-gardeners and nurserymen, within a circuit of eight miles round Hull, who have not only beaten Kent and the Continent in their arrival in our market with their earliest productions, but who have ac tually, on the 30th of April and the Ist of May, exhibited a rather large variety of their products in the very highest perfection in which they have hitherto been seen in the height of the season; these include especially cauliflower, brocoli, asparagus, kidney-beans, cucumbers, and strawberries. The last-named were of large size, and perfect in colour; asparagus and French beans have rarely,. if ever, been seen superior; but the brocoli were so very remarkable, that one lot of two dozen was purchased by Captain Frost, of the Helen M`Gregor steamer, as a present for a friend in Ham burgh, who has at command the productions of the luxuriant gardens which surround that city. Another lot was quickly dispatched by rail to Halifax, in the West Riding; but that which deserves, perhaps, the chief mention, was the exportation of four dozen of these " flowers" by the Princess Victoria steamer for Ant werp, where it was not doubted they would meet with a ready sale, as several of them measured about fourteen inches in diameter, and weighed 71b. each.—Eastern Counties Herald. ANOTHER OP THE HEROES OF WATERLOO.—In our obituary to-day, will be found the death of Captain Anderson, of Broadiie, one of the heroes of the Penin sula and Waterloo. In his campaigns he had been thrice wounded, once with a spent ball, which entered his ear, ran round between the skin and the flesh, and came out at the back of hie neck; on another occasion, through the elbow ; and latterly on the field of Water loo, when he got his left leg shot, and lay with it on the field for four hours before he was taken up. While lying he got his watch, sword, and everything that he had of valne about him, stolen by a soldier's wife. An English officer, in pity for his sufferings, tried to trample him to death with his horse ; but the sagacious animal leaped over him and unhorsed its rider. His leg required to be amputated at three different times and places. He was a kind-hearted benevolent man, and much respected in his native parish (Neilston), where he resided after re tiring from the army , .-Gkivow Post of sitturday. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, May 6. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. The Bishop of LONDON presented petitions against the Dissenters' Chapels Bill from Belfast. The Earl of YAREOROUGFI presented a number of petitions from places in Lincolnshire against any altera tion in the . corn-laws. The Earl of STRADBROKE presented similar petitions. The Earl of WINCRILSEA presented 120 petitions to the same effect from Suffolk and Kent. IMPORT DUTIES. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice that, on Thursday next, he should move that a Select Committee be ap pointed to inquire into the effect of protecting duties on the commerce of the country. Lord CAMPBELL presented a number of petitions, praying their Lordships to legalise Presbyterian mar riages in Ireland. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from a per son named Dennis, and M.A., complaining of his having been committed to prison in Winchester, as a vagrant, for having sold tracts in the street.—(Laughter.) The NOBLE and LEARNED LORD also laid on the table a Bill for regulating the law of debtor and creditor, which was read a first time. Lord BEAUMONT laid on the table a Bill to place Roman Catholics on thb same footing as Dissenters, with respect to the law relating to charitable bequests. The English Debtors on the Continent Bill passed through Committee, and was ordered to be read a third time on Monday next. Lord CAMPBELL then moved the second reading of the Irish Debtors' Bill. The Earl of WICKLOW inquired why one Bill would not do for the two countries ? Lord CAMPBELL said the form of proceeding in Ireland was different to what it was in England, and therefore two Bills were necessary. After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Bill was read a second time. The Marquis of NORMANBY presented several peti tions in favour of the Dissenters' Chapels Bill. The Noble Marquis wished to know when the Committee which was appointed last session to inquire into the sub ject of Presbyterian Marriages in Ireland, would meet again. The LORD CHANCELLOR said he could not at present answer the question. The Marquis of NORTHAMPTON presented a peti dohfrom the Art-Union of London, praying the House to pass a Bill to legalise the Art-Unions of England. Lord WHARNCLIFFE laid on the table of the House the report of the Committee which had been ap pointed to watch the progress of the building of the Houses of Parliament. He stated, that upon the Com mittee going over the Houses of Parliament, they dis covered that Mr. Barry, the architect, had departed very much from the regulations which were originally laid down by the Committee. The Noble Lord gave notice that ho should call the atten tion of the House to the subject on Thursday. THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. O'BRIEN. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE then rose to call the attention of the House to the appointment of Mr. O'Brien as a stipendiary magistrate in Ireland. Al though this gentleman had very recently expressed very strong opinions in favour of the repeal of the Legislative union between England and Ireland, although this appointment might be considered as a trilling matter, yet he could assure the House that in Ireland such ap • pointments were matters of the utmost importance. The first consideration of a Government in making such appointments ought to be as to the character and stand ing of the person to be appointed ; for the peaceable state of certain parts of Ireland depended, in a very large degree, upon the person who filled the office of stipendiary magistrate. The case to which he was then calling the attention of the House was one which he did not think could for a moment be defended by the Govern ment. Mr. O'Brien was 28 years of age, and was originally intended by his parents for the profession of the law. He did not, however, remain very long at his legal studies, but for two or three years he gave himself up to the charms of private life. This private life, however, began to cloy up'in him, and he then suddenly conceived a passion for public life, and became a violent Repealer, at a time, in justice to him it should be stated, when repeal was not so fashionable as it had since become. During this time, at various pe riods and places, Mr. O'Brien applied the most offensive epithets to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; he became so strong in his language that, at one meeting at the Corn Exchange, in Dublin, Mr. O'Connell would not allow him to proceed in his speech, and Mr. O'Bricn left the hall in high displeasure. Soon after this a change came over the spirit of Mr. O'Brien's dream. This was at the time that Mr. O'Con nell was the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and it so happened that Mr. O'Brien was summoned before that Learned Gentleman for payment of his ser vants' wages. And what did their Lordships think was the defence set up by this gentleman? Why that his servant's services were performed out of the ju risdiction of the Lord Mayor. Mr. O'Connell would not admit this plea, and decided against Mr. O'Brien, and from that time Mr. O'Brien became one of the bitterest enemies of Mr. O'Connell. In one of his letters he de scribed that Learned Gentleman as a beggar, exposing his sores, a monster, ,and a being only fit for a gibbet, or to feritlise a foreign soil.—(Laughter.) This then was the style of writing which the Government had determined to uphold—this was the style of writing which had obtained Mr. O'Brien his appointment. Lord Eliot had stated that Mr. O'Brien was of an old family, and was an inde pendent gentleman. This latter fact he (the Marquis of Clanricarde) was ready to disprove. It was true that Mr. O'Brien had two estates, one in Galway, and one in Roscommon, but both these estates were overwhelmed with judgment debts recorded in Court, and a list of which he (the Marquis of Clanricarde) held in his hand. This, then, was the gentleman who had found favour with the Government, and who had been appointed to a situation in which he would have to communicate officially and confidentially with them. He (the Marquis of Clanricarde) th oug ht, th ere f ore, that he had shown to their Lordships that this appoint ment of Mr. O'Brien was a most unfortunate one; espe cially when they came to consider that Mr. Blake was been a magistrate for set aside for the appointment of Mr. O'B r i en , M r . ten years, be it ha r vi em ng em n b e e v r e e r b d,h ee a n ving known to utter one ob jectionable sentence, and who had always be en res p ec t e d by all who knew hiss. Having said so muc h , h e wou ld not trouble their Lordships further, except just to ad vert to an argument—tu quoque argument—which was used by the Noble and Learned Lord near him (Lord Brougham) with respect to this subject. His Noble and Learned Friend said that the late Government of fered the Mastership of the R o ll s t o M r. O'Con nell, and gave .the Vice-Pr es id ency o f the Board of Trade to Mr. Shell, and the Noble and Learned Lord said that these were parallel cases to that of Mr. O'Brien. This parallel he (the Marquis of Clanricarde) could not discover. Mr. Shed never made v i o l en t s p eec h es i n favour of repea l , nor did he ever write inflammatory and violent letters on the subject. 'With respect to the case of Mr. O'Connell, he thought there was not the slightest similitude to be found to that of the case of Mr. O'Brien. The Noble Marquis concluded by moving that the ap pointment to the office of a stipendiary magistrate in Ireland of a person who had published intemperate and extreme opinions upon political ques ti ons w hi c h h a d agitated the public mind, was not calculated to maintain confidence in the impartial ad m i n i strat i on o f j ust i ce which such an appointment was intended to establish. Lord WHARNCLIFFE apprehended that this mo tion was neither more nor less than an attempt to cen sure the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and the Govern ment at home. Now he (Lord Wharncliffe) would meet this attempt boldly. The Noble Marquis had stated that certain gentlemen had been p asse d over . Wh y, w h o was the person to judge as to wh o s h ou ld b a passe d over and who should not, if it was not the Lord-Lieutenant? 'When the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland appointed Mr. O'Brien he knew nothing of the letter to which so much reference had been made as having been written by Mr. O'Brien—a letter, be it remembered, silly and foolish in itself. So far, then, the implied charge against Lord De Grey fell entirely to the ground. With respect to the change of Mr. O'Brien's opinion upon the subject of repeal, he (Lord Wharncliffe) would eall to the recol lection of their Lordships the time at which that change took place. It occurred at the time when the Repeal Association was dabbling with the French, and with the Americans, and soliciting sympathy from those countries. Mr. O'Brien saw this, and he (Lord Wharncliffe) could very well understand that such a gentleman as Mr. O'Brien would feel disgust at the attempt which Mr. O'Connell was making, and endeavour to free himself entirely from any connexion with, or participation in it. Before Lord De Grey appointed Mr. O'Brien lie had a personal interview with that gentleman, and in that way satisfied himself that Mr. O'Brien was fitted for the appointment which was about to be given to him. He (Lord Wharncliffe) would ask whether there was anything in the letters to which reference had been made which could show that Mr. O'Brien was not qualified for the situation to which he had been ap pointed? He apprehended that it would be difficult to show this. He did not think that the Noble Marquis was justified in going into the private affairs of Mr. O'Brien, or in going into an inquiry as to what was the amount of his debts. Why, if the Government were re quired to look into these private matters whenever they made an appointment similar to that of Mr. O'Brien, they would have onough to do.—(Hear, hear.) With chile) would just remark that their Lordships aught respect to the affair about the servant, he (Lord Wharn not to form any opinion upon such a matter without first being in full possession of the facts of the case. Was not Mr. O'Brien entitled to make the objection he did? He might have considered that Mr. O'Connell would be prejudiced against him, and, if he did think so, he was .justified in making the objection which h e had offered. He (Lord Wharncliffe) could not but feel surprise that whenever there was a word said publicly against Mr. O'Connell there was immediately a clamour amongst a certain number of Noble Lords in that House. These Noble Lords cherished that Learned Gentleman's as sistance, but when he got to the verge of difficulty they left him. Mr. O'Connell had certainly been offered the office of Chief Baron. The Marquis of NORMANBY said Mr. O'Connell had never been offered the Chief Baronship, but he wag offered the Mastership of the Rolls. Lord WHARNCLIFFE—Then Mr. O'Connell had stated that which was not true.—(Hear, hear.) But passing by this subject, he (Lord Wharneliffe) did not think that the Noble Marquis opposite had made out a case against the appointment of Mr. O'Brien, and there he should leave it. The Marquis of NORMANBY said the Noble Lord who had just sat down commenced by stating that he would meet this case boldly.' Although that Noble Lord had met it boldly, ho had done so but weakly. The Noble Marquis then entered into a defence of the course pursued by the late Government with respect to the offer made to Mr. O'Connell. With respect to the ease before the House, the Noble Lord had stated that the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland was the person to judge of the appointment of stipendiary magistrates in Ireland. It was so, but was that an answer to the Noble Mar quis (Clanricarde) behind him? Was it to be said that Parliament was not to have the power to interfere? Such a proposition was absurd. This was a subject which Parliament ought:to inquire into ; and, entertaining that opinion, he should certainly support his Noble Friend behind him. Lord BROUGHAM did not think, with the Noble Marquis behind him (the Marquis of Clanricarde), that they ought to enter into the comparative merits of two candidates for the office of stipendiary magistrates. His Noble Friend was there to show, not that Mr. Blake was more fitted for the office than Mr. O'Brien, but that Mr. O'Brien was unfit for the office to which he had been appointed; and unless he had done this, of course their Lordships would not go along with him in his vote of censure, for censure it was upon Her Majesty's Govern ment. After all, what was the charge against Mr. O'Brien? It was that he first raised an idol, and after wards changed his opinion, and became an Iconoclast.— (Laughter.) When they came to consider of the letters of which complaint had been made, they must also consider what was the early life of Mr. O'Brien? He had rolled at the feet of an idol, and at the feet of that idol he had gathered the flowers of his rhetoric—(Laughter)—and when he became an Iconoclast he preserved a portion of the idol, and that was its vocabulary.—(Great laughter.) Under these circumstances, he (Lord Brougham) did not think there was so much blame to be attached to Mr. O'Brien on account of these letters, silly, and un becoming as he believed them to be. He did not think this was an improper appointment, and, therefore, he could not vote with his Noble Friend behind him. After a few words from the Earl of HADDINGTON, The Marquis of CLANRICARDE replied. The motion was then put and negatived without a division. Their Lordships then adjourned at a Quarter to Nine o'Clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 6. The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour. On the motion of Sir T. FREMANTLE, a new writ was ordered for the borough of Abingdon, in the room of Thomas Duffield, Esq., who since his election had accepted the office of steward of her Majesty's Chiltern Hundreds. Mr. MACKINNON presented a petition in favour of protection to agriculture. Mr. F. MA.IILE and Mr. Ross presented petitions praying the House to legalise Presbyterian marriages. The Liverpool Fire Prevention Bill was , reported. Mr. TRELAWNY presented a petition from Corn wall, praying for a reduction of the duty on foreign sugar. LANCASTER AND CARLISLE RAILWAY. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET moved that the amendments made by the Lords to the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway Bill be referred to the following Mem bers, for their consideration and report, viz. :—Mr Est court, Mr. Miles, Mr. Strutt, Sir William Ileathcote, Mr. Aglionby, Sir John Yarde Buller, Mr. Wilson Patten, Mr. Pendarves, Mr. Ord, Sir Robert Ferguson, and Mr. Cumming Bruce ; with, power to send for persons, pa pers, and records.— Agreed to. Mr. DENNISTOUN presented a petition from the master cotton-spinners and power-loom cloth manufac turers of Glasgow, against any further interference with the hours of labour in factories; and a petition from the operative coopers of Glasgow, for the repeal of the duty on foreign staves. Mr. P. HOWARD presented a petition from the operatives of Carlisle against any interference with the hours of labour in factories. Sir G. STRICKLAND presented petitions from Yorkshire against the Masters and Servants' Bill. Mr. HUME presented petitions from Montrose against the Inclosure Bill. Colonel RUSHBROOKE presented ten petitions against any alteration in the corn-laws. PRIVILE(E. Mr. B. COCHRANE rose to complain of a petition that bad been presented by the Hon. Member for RoA dele (Mr. Sharman Crawford) some time since. He had been told by several persons that one half the signatures were forgeries, and he had been requested by several of his principal supporters to inquire by whom that petition was forwarded for presentation ? Mr. S. CRAWFORD said the Hon. Member had been kind enough to intimate to him that he intended to put the question, and he had searched all his papers to en deavour to find anything that would indicate the source from whence the petition came. That search had been wholly unsuccessful, and his memory did not serve him to say from whom the petition came. If the Honourable Member for Bridport had sooner mentioned the case, he might have been able to give him some information on the subject which he was at pre. sent utterly unable to do. At the same time, if the Hon Member could point out any mode of discovering the parties, he should be happy to assist him in doing so. Mr. 13. COCHRANE made some observations in re. ply, but was called to order. Sir R. H. INGLIS said the case presented prima facie evidence of a breach of privilege. The SPEAKER reminded the Hon. Gentleman that there was no question before the House. Sir R. H. INGLIS said it was for the purpose of rail ing a question that he addressed the House. The Honourable Member had been assured by some of his constituents that there were forged signatures attached to the petition. This was calculated to deprive petitions presented to that House of all their value. He did not know whether either of the Hon. Members in tended to make a motion, but the case was not unde serving the attention of the House. Mr. CRIPI'S stated that ten petitions, which were presented on the Ten Hours' Bill, had the appearance of being all written and signed by the same person. Mr. HUME said that he believed there was a resolu tion that each petition should be examined by the clerk at the table, to see if it was right. The SPEAKER said that the resolution required that a Member of the House should sign his name to the petition, but that was not done. Mr. HUME thought the House ought to come to a resolution that no petition should be received till it, was signed by the Member who presented it, who would therefore be responsible for it. He thought her Ma- jesty's Government should take the matter up ; but if they did not, he should have no objection to move a re solution of the kind.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. DARBY thought it would occasion a great loss of time if the clerk was obliged to examine every pe tition. Dr. BOWRING thought it would be sufficient if the Member was to give a character to the petition he pre sented by signing his name. After a few words from Mr. CRIPPS, the subjec dropped. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. Sir D. NORREYS gave notice of a motion, for Thurs day next, on the subject of the poor-laws (Ireland). Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition from the Com missioners of Rye Harbour, praying that their rights might not be interfered with by any Inclosure Bill. Mr. ESCOTT gave notice that, in Committee on the Ecclesiastical Courts Bill, he would move the insertion of a clause to preserve the Court of the Archdeacon of Canterbury for the purpose of the probate of wills. In answer to a question from Mr. HAWES respecting the Medical Relief Committee (as we understood), Lord ASHLEY said, that the delay of the report of the Committee was owing to the Committee having to go over so much ground, in which considerable time was occupied. The Committee was now actively engaged in pursuing the requisite inquiries, and he trusted they would be quickly enabled to produce a highly valuable report. Dr. BOWRING said, seeing the Right Hon. Gentle man, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place, he begged to call his attention to a statement which he had made a few nights ago on the subject of marine insur ances. He stated that English underwriters were ex posed to severe competition In Consequence of the vessels of foreign ports not having to pay brokerage. The Right Hon. Gentleman, however, told him that he had been misinformed. Now he had since ascertained that what he had stated was, in fact, correct. The Senate of Hambargh took ss. in the shape of brokerage. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Hon. Gentleman had misrepresented what he said. What he had said was, that there was a charge on marine insurances, and this statement he had made on good authority, namely, that of Lloyd's. The Hon. Gentleman said that it was not levied for the State, but in the shape of brokerage ; its being paid in the shape of brokerage, he conceived, made no difference. MEDICAL REFORM BILL. In reply to a question from Mr. F. MAULE Sir J. GRAHAM said that the Medical Reform Bill was in a state of preparation. MR. B. GREGORY'S IMPRISONMENT. Mr. ROEBUCK presented a petition from Mr. B. Gregory complaining of the hardships to which he was subjected in his imprisonment in Newgate upon a con viction for libel. He was confined in a solitary cell. having no bed but a mattrass on an iron frame, with in sufficient covering, and the only drink allowed to him was water-gruel. The Hon. and Learned Member would take that opportunity of askino. the Right Hon. Gentle man the Secretary of State, whether the gaol of Newgate was under his control ? and whether, if so, the hardships of which the petitioner complained were suffered under regulations imposed by the governor, or by some local authority ? The petition was ordered to lie on the table. Sir J. GRAHAM said, that having had notice of the Hon. and Learned Gentleman's intention to present this petition, and put his question, he had inquired as to the particular facts of Mr. Gregory's case. He found that Mr. Gregory had been convicted of a misdemeanour, and that the offence was (under a statute passed in 1840) di vided into two classes, the first being subject to a less punishment than the other. Immediately after the sentence was passed, Gregory moved the Court that he should be placed in the first class of offenders, but the Court positively refused the motion, and the petitioner was placed in the second class, and subjected to the severer punishment. However, in consequence of repre sentations that his health was suffering, an alteration was made in his treatment. He was not kept in solitary confinement—he was placed in a room .of a better kind—was allowed a fire, and many other in dulgences, which would not be allowed to prisoners of the same class, except upon the representation that their health was impaired by their confinement. His diet was under the direction of the medical officer. Special directions had been given to the medical prac titioner who attended the prison to visit Mr. Gregory once every fortnight, and to report to the Home-office, and so far from the health of Mr. Gregory having been impaired by his protracted confinement, he was better now than when he was first confined.—(Laughter.) In carrying the law into execution, it had not been thought fit to extend any indulgence to Mr. Gregory beyond that which was extended in ordinary cases, and unless it should be represented W him that the pro tracted confinement of Mr. Gregory, under these circum stances, would be dangerous to his life, he should not be prepared to shorten it. CONDUCT OF POLICE MAGISTRATES. Mr. HORSMAN wished to ask the Right Honourable Ba%net if he had received any information on the subject of the conduct of a police magistrate in adjudi cating upon a case which had been brought before him. The case was this:—it appeared that a private in the Grenadier Guards had accosted a female in the street, who had just left her house ,• that, being fright ened, she returned towards her home ; that she was pursued by the soldier, who entered her house with her, threatened her, and assaulted her ; that she screamed " Murder," struggled, and fainted. On the investigation of these charges before the magistrate, the facts were not denied, but the man pleaded that he was intoxicated, and the magistrate, in adjudicating on the case, said that, taking into con s id era ti on th e c i rcums t ance that the man was drunk, he should only impose a fine of 10s. He wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman if his attention had been drawn to the case ? Sir J. GRAHAM said that his attention had been called to the case, and he had referred to the magistrate, and asked for his explanation. It was true as had been stated, that the soldier was intoxicated; that some signals had passed between him and the woman ; that she had returned home and locked the door ; that he had broken down the door and offered violence to her ; that she had screamed, on which her neighbours entered and rescued her ; the soldier had been given into custody, and the charge had been brought before a police magistrate. The charge entered on the sheet was that of Mary Brown, 4, street, Westminster, for breaking in her door, value one shilling. The magistrate on hearing the case was satisfied that the man was intoxicated, and that he had misunderstood the woman entirely in con sequence of what had passed between them in the street. The door was an extremely slender one, and the lock was so worn as t) offer no resistance. The magistrate was not satisfied as to the extent of the violence com mitted, and therefore did not feel justified in dealing with the prisoner as for a graver offence. He might certainly have committed the prisoner for an aggravated assault, but under all the circumstances of the case—especially re ferring to what iad previously taken place in the street, and that the actual damage was valued only at a shilling —the magistrate considered the justice of the case would be met by the penalty imposed. With respect to the charge that the matstrate had made drunkenness a plea in extenuation of the offence, the Hon. Member for Cockermouth (Mr. llorsman), taking his information from the newspapers, had been greatly misled. A statement he held in his hand from Mr. Jar dine distinctly denied this, and asserted on the contrary that he (Mr. Jardine) could not allow such a plea to weigh for one moment with him in the adj udica tion of punishment.--([fear, hear.) Mr. HORSMAN considered the explanation of the Right Hon. Gentleman was perfectly satisfactory, and that from the latter portion of it especially great public good would accrue. Messengers from the Lords brought down several Bills. GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA. Upon Sir ROBERT PEEL moving the Order of the Day for the House resolving itself a Committee on the Bank Charter, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that there was a matter of great importance for the consideration of the House, and he wished some period to be fixed for bringing it forward. He alluded to the extraordinary proceedings that had taken place with respect to the Governor-General of India. He did not wish to raise any impediment with respect to the discussion which stood for to-night, but after what had taken place it was impossible that the matter could pass over with out some explanation as to the course pursued by the Government, and as to the manner in which, for the future, India was to be governed. He perceived that his Hon. Friend, the Member for Montrose, had a motion for to-morrow evening on the subject, but it stood low in the list. He admitted that it would" be unfair on Government nights to interfere with the orders of the day ; but still on a subject of such great impedance as the government of the Indian possessions of this country, he trusted that Hon. Members who had notices for to-morrow night would allow the Hon. Mem ber for Montrose precedence, in order that he might bring the subject forward. It was his firm opinion that some certain time should be fixed when the motion might be brought on. Mr. HUME said that his name , stood first in the notice paper for to-morrow with respect to the printing of a petition, complaining of the magistrates of Shrews bury, and his name stood last in the paper with respect to the motion as to the recal of the Governor-General of India. Now, he had no objection, if it met with the approval of the House, to take the last motion first, and the first last.—(Great laughter.) Sir R. PEEL stated, that he would not take any ob jection to the course proposed to be pursued by the Hoe Member. It was for Hon. Members who had pre cedence to say whether they would give way or not. Mr. COBDEN stated that he had a motion which stood second in the paper for to-morrow. He had no desire to put it off; but if it was the wish of the House, he would not stand in the way of the Hon. Member for Montrose. Sir R. PEEL could not undertake to say how long the Hon. Member for Montrose would be, but he could assure the House that what he (Sir R. Peel) would have to say would be very short indeed. The subject then dropped, it being understood that Mr. Hume would have pret!edence to-morrow evening. THE BANK CHARTER. The order of the day for going into Committee on the Bank Charter Act was then read, and the Speaker having left the Chair, the House went into Committee, Mr. Greene in the Chair. Sir B. PEEL then rose for the purpose of moving resolutions. He said—There must occasionally be some questions of such vast and manifest importance, and which prefer such a claim, or I should rather say, such a demand, on the attention of a Legislature, that all rhetorical proofs, all dilation on the value of the subject, or injunctions of the duty of giving it an attentive consideration, become superfluous and needless. I shall, therefore, proceed at once to call the attention of the Committe:t to a matter which enters into every transaction of which money forms the basis ; there is no contract public or private, no engagement national or individual, the enterprise of commerce, pri vate trade, the arrangements to be made in all the -do mestic relations of society, the wages of labour, the transactions of the highest amount as well as those of the lowest, the payment of the National Debt, the pro vision for the national expenditure on the one hand, and the command which the coin, of the smallest denomina tion, has over the necessaries of life—all these are affected by the decision to which we may come on the great question which I am about to sub mit to the consideration of the Committee. The circumstances out of which the duty imposed on me arises, are shortly these. In the year 1833 an Act of Parliament was passed which continued to the Bank of England certain privileges until the year 1855, and after the year 1855 until Parliament should determine to give one year's notice to the Bank of its intention to revise the charter. Before, however, the expiration of the full period of 21 years—before the arrival of that term of 1855, there was reserved to Parliament the power, after the lapse of ten years, by giving notice to the Bank, of revising and reconsidering the charter. That period will arrive in August, and it will be then competent to the House, by notice to the Speaker, to signify that within six months then following the House will consider the charter of the Bank of England ; but if this opportunity is permitted to go by, the charter of the Bank, and all the privileges it confers, will necessarily endure till 1855. In the present state of this country—in the present state of the currency— after the inquiries instituted—after public attention has been called to the subject—her Majesty's Government feel it to be their duty to avail themselves of the oppor tunity thus given to them by law, and to submit their views to Parliament on the subject. They are of opi nion that inquiry has been exhausted—(Hear, hear) — that all the information essential to a satisfactory judg ment has bees acquired, and they think they would be abandoning their duty if they did not undertake maturely to consider the subject, and to take upon themselves the responsibility of submitting to Parliament at once, without waiting for protracted inquiry, the measures which in their opinion it is desirable to adopt.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, I am perfectly satisfied the Members of this House, rising superior to all party considerati.ons and all private interests, will consider it their duty to apply their deliberate and impartial con sideration to this great subject. I have that confidence in the House of Commons, from past experience of their superiority to mere party views or personal interests, when matters of deep importance are under considera tion, and I feel convinced that will be the course they will pursue on the present occasion. I ask them to night for no decision.—(Hear, hear.) In fact, I would deprecate the delivery of any positive opinions now. I ask them to listen to the proposal I am about to make, to hear the evidence and arguments I adduce, and to read and consider the resolu tions which I shall move in Committee pro forma, and, having maturely deliberated on them, to come then to a discussion, and pronounce their final judgment.—(Hear.) I am not shaken in the confidence I have in the House, in consequence of having seen publications inviting the atten dance of Members on the subject. I hold in my hand the resolutions of a meeting of private country bankers, held on the 17th of April last I find they have re solved that the refusal of the Government to give in formation on the subject of their measure concerning banks of issue naturally leads to the conclusion of their intention to prepare some measure affecting country banks generally, and that this meeting considers it' most probable it related to the local circulation of country banks. Under these circumstances, it is stated to be most desirable that all banks of issue, whether private or joint-stock banks, should unite to prevent any altera tion in the local circulation of those banks, or in the condition in which it is now placed by law. They say that joint-stock banks and private bankers should unite in opposing any such alteration. Sir, I complain not of these resolutions—l complain not of the inviting Members of Parliament to attend here to consider the subject. But Ido hope that Members of Parliament will resist the substance of those resolutions, and will not come down here determined to oppose any alteration before they consider the subject. I ask you to consider the great pt inciples which an alteration in the currency involves. I ask you, are you so satisfied with the existing state of things—are you so convinced that it is utterly impossible to suggest any alteration in the exist ing law, that you will come down here, before hearing any discussion on this subject, prepared to offer an in superable obstacle, by previous concert and understand ing, to any alteration in the existing law ? I k now th a t to be impossible. I hold in my hand the evidence which should make it impossible that any such previous com pact and understanding, if entered into, should he acted uvo.t. Sir, my immediate proposition ap pears to relate to bank concerns, and in particular to the issue of promissory notes. But, considering that ten years have now elapsed since this subject was brough under consid ration . , I hope I shall be excuse d if Lta not limit myself to a consideration of those P rine ' r ai which, in a superficial view, appear to determine issue of rromissory notes, I hope I shall be 21100.9; go deeper into the principle-(Hear, hear) --4 1ho governs this grea t ma tt er . I cannot discuss here principles on which we should establish an ent i s e ,, meat to pay a certain definite value unless are agreed upon the principle as to what constitutc.7l measure of value in this country.-(Hear, hear.) _l i tr e is the foundation of the whole subject. It is iraPe s .' rer to raise any superstructure, merely regarding the_..,, el o r, latien of paper credit and paper curl'i o si unless we first consider the principle which detert ° ll . the value of that of which paper is the mere represei,., tive, and it is impossible that we can come to a con; agreement as to the issue of paper unless t he agreed as to certain great principles relating t`,', To p, measure of value and the medium of exchange.. o p Sir, I very much fear that there is not that con ° agreement as to this other and greater principeueg which I allude. I am aTraid there is not an u niv .a agreement as to what is in this country the stancis'd and what merely constitutes the measu re ' a nd value. 1 invite discussion on that firstoble. preliminary question, the foundation of all I want to ask what is, by the law and practice 0 f , dr country, its measure of value ; what is that w hie . 0 1l termines all contrasts ? I strip this qu estion (?. merely technical phrases, I want to consider it la is • popular point of view. The denomination of 'S i n •Of ) pound; I will not talk of measures of value, I sPea k OD .- w hat that with which your are in th e e v e ryday . oceU r- w bst of life perfectly familiar, and my first question is , un d? is a pound, and what is the engagement to pays 1:) ,. ° 01 to and unless you are agreed upon that, it Is n 'd is attempt to legislate upon this subject.. If a P o°- ex ist mere visionary fiction, a fiction which does n°' ot her either in theory or value, in that case an 4 1 class of measures relating to paper currency ..0 1 be necessary. But if the word "pound," a co t ei o • denomination of value, signifies something Iner e „ t isid mere visionary fiction ;• if a pound mean a (111.,,fi a" e sst the precious metals, of certain weight and certain n u n i t oy if that be not the definition of a pound, another chtss," the sures relating to paper currency will be requisite. ° whole foundation of my measures rests upon the aas u T r r dieg t i op that according to practice, according to law, ac e " the to the ancient monetary policy of this countrY' c er• meaning. of a pound is neither more nor less tha n a it to taro definite quantity of gold, with a mark uPtmeot define its weight and fineness, and that the enPnbioi to pay a pound means nothi ng , an d can mean 1 3 ,° 00 0 else than the promise to pay to the holder on ale) a definite quantity of the precious metal.-(Hea r, „a, Therefore, I ask, sshat is the meaning of a P o t s arf cording to the ancient monetary policy of this e ° 7o; The origin of the term was this :-In the reign of Liam the Conqueror a pound of silver was the 1 3 9 b t account. The pound represented both the we'd metal 'and the denomination of money. By stle ee 'so debasements of the currency a great alteratiell f . t he made, not in the main, but in the intrinsic value ° f the pound sterling ; and it was not until a l a te period o f to reign of Queen Elizabeth that silver, then bei u light standard of value, received that determinate ° il; which it retained, without variation,w i th c on stant refuted COD t o to alter it, until the year 1716, when gold was sult„ t the for silver as the exclusive standard of value. thtd standard of value observed up to the year 1716 ww.a o st fixed in 1567. In the year 1717 the value of the V i ol was determined to be 215., and for a certain V a lue both gold and silver constituted the standard o f bo ld But in the year 1774, it was enacted that no debt s a n d be discharged in silver fur mo re than 25 1 '' decd then, in some measure, gold became the nislt of value, and continued so until the yea r stet' when that fatal measure, the Bank Restrictioned was passed-{Cheers)--and parties were permit t issue paper at their discretion, not convertible in t ., ° . eo iii That led not only to a new course of prar n , 0 monetary affairs, but to new theories and n °t ` i , °- e sel to the standard of value.---(Cries of " Hear, - t i .6o' From the year 1797 to 1810 the public mind was' s- vest' with these theories ; and it was no t un t i l the lette r s , be d that men of sagacity, observin g th a t th e exchang e o ur been for a considerable period unfavourable to this try-more so than could be accounted for by . 05 f called the balance of trade-invited the atte n tion ° abd Government and the Parliament to the sabie e i ti v estr i a Committee was appointed by thi s H o use to ,„'" n eo te° gate the matter. Vario us o pi n i ons w ere augutoir by the persons examined • but it was generally „LK tamed that the pound sterling meant a definite clu n - ire' of the precious metals, and that those persons w ".,. - 100 mised, in their issues of paper, to pay a pound sti t i were bound to pay that definite quantity of gloch silver.-(Hear, hear.) That opinion was very 04 1 ; contested, and the House of Common s was not very rin d ling to acquiesce in it. From 1797 up to tat. (1810) the prevailing opinion of the P ublic o otl that the opinion was a mere visionary speculati cu4 r the that something other than a particular weight f og' precious metals must be understood by a pound sickbed Mr. Horner, and those who agreed with him, P u '',;"o t°, their opinions ; but, Sir, I must do them the ju s ",, o so°, say, that they did state what they meant by ; sterling. They gave their definition; I ' lJ t ie:se; must also say has not b een th e case w ith gem,, e tsn, who have published pamphl e t s u p o n the Inu' o bo question of late years. They never tell 1111 be ef) they mean by a pound sterling.-(Hear, 00 One of them said, a pound may be defined to W oo d sense of value in reference to currency as C0I1? ost with commodity."- (A laugh.) Now as that d i ' tite r' appear to be a very intelligible definition, another,‘ v e d of who fancied that some better defi n iti on w as ner, e scs a pound, than that it was " a s en s e o f va l ue in roe' 00 to currency as compared with commodity," gav e A the definition. " The standard (said he) is a unit, at SCI' numerical value of that unit is the interest of 3 31 ' u. ( 1./ at three per cent.-(Laughter)-that being and that which being paid in a bank-note m ay be st) w i t li money of account." I will only trouble the Houke s hall one more quotation : thelast definition with which I 0 0 trouble the House, of the standard of value as gl o at that period is this : " the st a nd ar d i s neither ge l 00 silver, hut something set up by the ilnag` r Ld i s to be regulated by public opini on "-(Laughter) - Th o d& i was supposed at that time that the d oc trines prop r ies , by the Bullion Committee were visionary t he° o oe' which had never been act e d on i n th e former r° es' tary history of the country. This, howev er ' 1 0° not the case, as any one will perceive„r 031 will refer to the works of writers on the e l . ; PI who . flourished before the year 1797. Mr. Lo e r , - ,., so" William Petty, all those who wrote before 1 7 "" spo t who had never been familiar with an unconvertible Pe currency, advocated the same principles that wer, ea so cated by the Bullion Committee. Mr. Harris,, op° officer of the Mint, , _who - wrote abo u t hundred years since, said-" All_ countries o fa established a certain static if.weight and fine n „ e a tsi,r; their several species of c(!ans es An t England a - i jard quantity of fine silver is appointed to be the stall 00 --he was writing at the time when sliv er i;sos a the standard in England--" and all payments 1 :10 are regulated by the c ourse o f exc hange, '„, ; i t o' founded on the intrinsic val ue o f th e me t a l. and "slf the name." Thus this gentleman, who wrote ne s .„et' hundred years ago, laid d own th e t rue p r i n ciple re'r o s' ing the measure of value, as if in anticipation of t i r t ,iter: troversies of the present day. He said, " We Ins) br e , * if we please, our denomination of value ; we r e°. 0 01° public faith if we like, but foreigners yell 0,05' ample allowances for whatever we may do in tha t thel and however we may rob and cheat one anothe r 'd will secure themselves, and make an advantage 01 111 9 ' distress by causing the exchanges to fift y 0,1 us." That was written one hundred and a c s ote t " ago, and in my opinion the passage I have ' il cha" contains the whole true doctrine of the st u t be ss Of value.-(Hear, hear.) I wish I could s a y But elementary principles were generally accepted' end I has been my duty to read different publication s t ire so am perfectly convinced that whil s t th er e is an u° even t discussion of this question, th ere i s no ag e le as- to what constitutes the standard of valu e : c sriti d surely give proofs of th e i r k now l e d ge a nd s',", so d when they publish octa vo vo l umes .-(ge?" laughter.) Here is a book published 3u rJeol mingham-(Loud laughter)-and dated the 25th ° to Al 1 8 4 4.-(Continued laughter.) I wish to do just ice bo liol parties, and therefore I say, that really cl,°, f ° , t " that in any other town than Birming°Tre; might in vain look for such a publication...". 0'; laughter.) And further I will say, that book was published I did not believe it vva s r 00° . power of any one man to write such a quantitllotio a , sense.-(Cheers, and great laughter.) The prod Oft is genuine.-(Laughter.) It is because such isirni. sense as this is published, that I a gi e d '- anxious the different principles contend writer: should be thoroughly tested end understood. The Os of such books as this laugh at the n etio° o bi o d i we are to have the standard of value now whi ch i eer° three hundred years ago. They say the con 3 and mercantile transactions have so increased ij s aoli d a what they were in the time of Elizabeth, that v ' e „ - c sard," - e great want of knowledge in maintaining the sta." st ips° it is. Whyaltere vvould be just as much sense in.ipyon that, with our increased population, our variousr' att end and the many new circumstances which e S ir ) our position, that we now ought to i's v ebe er o. t teen inches to a foot.-(Laughter an d of t bl4 o There is no more reason why you s hould not tdo e t the pound should be th e s t an d ar d of value l 0 0 should say that a foot sho u ld b e a foot and a b e lle a s ( Sh is then it is said that it i s a grea t i n justice to , what, Bank to issue gold at 31. 17 s . lOid. an ounce. D ore the meaning of their doing so ? Why, it is th a t less than this, that it was the relation i'L le elatla bore to gold with respect to value. If a `Ti a tlt be made it will be f oun d th a t the relation thee, Sae bears to silver is 15 and 2-13ths to I. )3°t ' t the 11 is said, why should not the Batik issue gold a„ . ,, eQ uico . ; of 5/. the ounce-that is to say that 5/. should lie lent to 3L175.100., but when you come to tell te e _„„ iie r t that an ounce of gold represents 5/., the soir:„. say he will not be bound by such a medium• ove"'l t . ee a° the raise the value of the sovereign to two or thr lo i n 0 shillings, but there will be no corresponding ° '; o r diff er d parts. The present market value of gold to S__ re i g n very little now to what was established in tr ee rtain ro g George the Third. Silver is 59. Per °une s iiver t liff sv e ho not ss. 2d., but the relative value of gold to Those a d very little from what it has been. _ ontee d,.a to contend for a relaxation of the currency! c nree io . rightly, that an abundance of .tu e r goll metals, though it would not alter the value would act in favour of the debtor. But I „ a dd fr°, w e ldelp'ernocure inoe"wisee o o rf• t o ot . gold, yet it would have an influence on yr v ie e e r s ,, doubt looking at the increased supplyif they took .; a a e elass"% f pressure Russia and ot current) altogether,her places, they would contracts by adopting silver for our it is most u ° for gold. The third objection is this_that to serve of articl e to take so considerable an article as gold it • also the purposes of coin, because is w e ts to se-e. that o ne commerce. And wise men write pamp _ . ero a s _ g we have taken gold as our COin, and b a t' s ' 6ll t utiala mom of Talue, while and THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDA EVENING,' MAY 7, 1844.