The Sun. — London, England, 1845-03-04 00:00:00

LATE MURDER AT HAMPSTEAD ADJOURNED CORONER'S INQUEST. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The prisoners had no questions to ask this witness, and the jury were, at their own request, permitted to retire for ten minutes. After the jurymen had re-assembled, the father, wno ap peared very much afflicted, was brought in. The prisoner's fortitude again forsook him, and a second time during the pro ceedings he wept unrestrainedly. Thos. Hecker, of Charles-street, Portland-town, sworn—l am a ladies' shoemaker. I never saw Delarue, but have heard his name mentioned by my son Thomas perhaps fifty times. I had a misgiving of the person who had caused the murder when my son told me that he had taken a watch out of pledge. He told me so on Saturday evening, while we were walking from our house to Marylebone-lane. I saw the watch again on Sunday, when he said he had taken it out of pledge. I was present when my son came to get a pair of boots on the morning when he was taken into custody. (The trousers and waistcoat were shown to the witness.) To tee best of my belief these are my son's. This ring I found on Friday last, and gave to the officers. I found it amongst the cuttings of the leather for burning. I was taking a hand ful to burn, when I found the ring amongst them. The cut tings were rolled together on the floor beneath one of the windows. I had never seen the ring before. I never had heard of the ring before. Thomas left his home at half past six or a quarter to seven o'clock on the Friday week. He had dined and taken tea at home, with his mother, myself, and brother. We took tea about four, and after that he was occupied in reading and a con versation with us. Ido not recollect that he took anything with him. It must have been fully half-past six when he left. .lames was working until twenty minutes after eight that night, then he changed his clothes and washed himself before he left the house. That would take him twenty minutes longer. The brothers hardly ever went together. Thomas was in the habit of using a very large stick which he said he had lost three weeks ago. He had brought it from Sheffield some two years before that time. My son had no watch or ring before last week. He had not worn a ring before I found that among the cnttingi. He, represented to me for some time back that some kind friend was going to lend him some money, and he told me that he had received a note from Mrs. Edwards, stating that she would lend him some money on Sunday night, but he said he should go on Friday night, and he hoped he should get it. I said she must be a great friend to lend a stranger ten pounds. I never knew Mrs. Edwards before this affair. Before he went out he said that if he were successful in getting the money, he would return home earlier. I saw him again on Saturday morning at ten o'clock. That was his usual hour of corning to breakfast. He seemed, as visual, eheerful, and after he came into the room he pulled money out of his pocket. I understood he had got 12 guineas, and I congratulated him, and said, " I hope you'll be careful with it." On that night, going tem Marvlebone-lane, he said he had got a watch out of pledge; I said, better keep your money in your pockets, or it will slip through your fingers. The CORONER—Who can state as to the hour James left the house ? Witness—Two persons who are here. I recollect the time Watson was there, and he told us of the murder, and dwelt on it some time. My son, Thomas, said, " Don't talk more about that. It's a gloomy subject." He showed his shirt sleeve to Watson and us, but I saw no blood. Thomas was very intimate with Delarue, but I never saw him in my life. —(The letters so often mentioned were exhibited to Witness.) I know writing ' greatly like this (then bursting into tears)—l believe it to be my son Tho mas's writing. I never saw letters addressed to " James Cooper, Esq , Hampstead-road." Mrs. Watson was at home nearly the whole of the Friday evening. I have heard my sou call Delarue Cooper, and afterwards he has told me that his name was Delarue, and not Cooper. I ex pressed my suspicion that any respectable man should deny his name, or use another; and he accounted for it by saying he was somewhat eccentric. I believe my son was acquainted with him for three years. The CORONER—You say he never visited you himself ? Witness (emphatically)—He never did. The CORONER to prisoner—ls there any question you wish me to ask your father? The prisoner—Everything my father has said is quite true. I have nothing to add. Richard Greenfield said he was a waiter, at the Swiss Cottage, and on the evening of the murder a person came in about half-past seven o'clock, and called for a glass of rum and water. I have looked at the prisoner, but he is not the person. Mary Ffrench, 31, Princes-street, Portman-market. My husband is driver of an omnibus. Ido not know Thomas Henry Hockey. 1 only know his brother James. He was in my shop (a cigar shop) about nine o'clock. He said then that he had come from his work. He said on Sunday evening when he came again that from the letters found on the murdered man, it must be De larue, but he would not tell his brother that evening, for fear it should disturb hire, " as poor Tom's feelings would be so hurt." He said further, he knew it was him, by the identical D on hie linen, and by his going by the name of Cooper. The next night, after Thomas was taken into custody, he slept at my house. He did not tell me to deny to the police that he had slept there. Abraham Austin—Lodges with last witness. I saw James locket' last Friday week, about nine o'clock, in Mrs. Ffrench's ; then he went out with her daughter, and I again saw him about ten o'clock. I saw him going along Elm bank on his way home. He was there again on Sunday from about eleven to one o'clock, and was set to read the paper. He read about the police and about the murder,_ and' when he read that the linen was marked " D," and that a letter was found addressed " Cooper," he said, " I should not wonder it' this was Delarue," and that he was a particular friend of his brother's. The conversation then broke off. I saw him again that evening, but we did not mention the name of Delarue or Cooper. Charlotte Ffrench—l saw James Hocker on Friday even-, ing at nine, and he remained till nearly eleven. I showed biro the paper on Sunday, and he said about the person mar- ' dered that he thought it was Delarue, but he would apt telt kis brother Tom. Philip Stevens, police-constable, 200 S said, that a data, 1 anent was made by James Hecker on the way to the stae , l Um- house in Salisbury-street, Portman-market. Inspector Grey was behind. James Hocker said, "My brother saute borne to No. 11, Victoria -terrace, on Friday-night (the 21st ult.) I don't know exactly what time he name home. I was in bed, and he said, James, I have been having a bit of a lark, I have been to see Sarah Cocks. I've been very successful, and obtained the money from the person that promised me the loan of some," and he mentioned Mrs. Edwards, Bath-place, New road, and he showed me ten or eleven sovereigns. He asked if I thought they would take the evidence of a father, mother, or brother. I said I dial not know whether they would take the evidence of them. He said, "I'm sorry, I don't think lie can bring any one else to show ' when he left his house." I took James Hocker into custody in Marylebone Theatre. Police-sergeant Sootney was called in, and repeated the evidence given by him on the former occasion. Daniel Delarue identified the watch and ring as his late brother's property. He was not aware why he should be called Cooper, or Curteis. The brother, James Hecker, was discharged from custody, and then examined as a witness.—The prisoner is my brother, and I sleep at 11, Victoria-terrace, but have my meals at 17, Charles-street. I took tea at home on Friday evening, and my brother then handed me a slate, on which was written, " Jem, I received a note from Mrs. Edward., this morning, stating that ten sovereigns will be at my disposal this eve ning," and he then added that he would be at home in toler able time. He left not later than seven. It was quite dark. I did not see that he took any stick with him. He came home between two and three o'clock, and the noise he made on coming into the room awoke me. He said, " Well, Jem, I've been successful ; I've got the money that Iso long expected." He then took off his coat and waistcoat, end chewed me the right sleeve of his shirt, And said, " I've been skylarking, Jem, as you see; I've had the sleeve of my shirt torn off." I said, " How comes that about ?" He said, " I've been to Sarah Cocks." a young girl he heard him speak of before. I forgot to say that he showed me some money, and said, " Hero are twelve sovereigns, that's two more than I expected." I rose in the morning and went off, and he came over to Charles .street, and began to dispose of his money by giving father some and mother some. He was in their debt, as he had been out of work. That day passed over without any allusion to Mr. Delarue. At night Mr. Watson was invited up ; we were all in high spirits at the idea of having so kind a friend, who had enabled us to liquidate a few debts. Mr. Watson's statement is per fectly correct, with this trifling difference, that I said also, "that murder was a gloomy subject, and ont of place then." I saw, when going to bed, the watch that has been identified as the property of Delarue. He said, " You see it's going." He seine time v•,-o pledged a watch for Mr. Delarue for 31. and I thought that was it. I real in the newspapers on Sunday of the murder, and then thought it was Delarue. I could not sleep that night, for I was so excited, and my brother said to me " What's the matter," but I did not tell him then. At four in the morning I told him, and he said " Who is it ?" I told him I thought it was Delarue, and he turned very pale, and said I must get up, but you must get me a pair of old boots. I went over to Charles-street, and when I returned I could see that he had been crying, as I was myself. We then went over to Charles-street, and my mother said the body has been owned by his brother. Thomas then said, there wonld be no utility in his going to sec the body, as he could give no clue to the murderers. The witness then verified the constable Scotney's evidence as to the proceedings in taking the prisoner into custody. (The letters were shown to the witness, and he said that it might be the handwriting of his brother, but it was not his usual style of writing.) I have heard him speak of "Caroline,"' and say the poor devil, meaning Delarue, was embarrassed. I know of no one going with him on Friday night to Mrs. Edwards's. Ido not know the Cocks, or where they live. My brother often met Delarue at the corner of Henry-street, 1 Portland-town, usually of a morning. About seven month t' ago lie gave my brother 5/. I heard from my brother that Delarue had been robbed of a gold watch-chain and am sovereigns .. The prisoner had nothing to ask of witness. James Hocker'3 examination continued—My brother and Delarue's usual place of meeting was on the side of Primrose - Hill, just opposite to Henry-street. He first became ac quainted with time deceased by meeting him there. George Leveridge, in the service of Mr. Windglose, news vendor, High-street, Portland-town—On Friday night, at or about half-past seven, he was at the bar of the Swiss Cottage, and saw the prisoner come in, seemingly much agitated, and ask for the parlour. He (Leveridge) then left the house. The CORONER then addressed the jury. He said— Gentlemen of the jury, there are no more witnesses to be examined, and, I think, indeed, that no more wit nesses are necessary. You have heard the depositions taken in the first stages of this invest read over, and the evidence given to day must be so fresh in your memories, that I need not detain you, after 'having al- ' ready devoted so many hours to this inquiry. The body 1 of are man has been identified. 'rho period when the cries of murder were heard is depo,ed to by the witness Hilton as at a quarter after seven. The body was found 1 at twenty minut es t o e i ght, and found exactly in the 1 place where the cries were discovered proceeding from, in the west-corner of the Haverstock-field, and near Bel zize-lanc. The surgeon's evidence is also t coil clus 've Mr. Perry says that the injurie s on t h e h ead are sufficient to. to account fur his death. Y ou, yourselves, saw what frightful wounds were upon the seelp, reaching cl own the bone, and you may imagine the violence done to the ' brain by the blows that were given. With reference, there fore, to the cause of death there could be no doubt what ever. Then with reference to the suspicions attaching to a party or parties, you heard inn detail the reasons which induced me to take James Hocker into custody. gueldnr i however, the evidence has been of a very strong .iik; isitstsietarltibOards Thomas Hocker, but il I v c e l o h n e ci a t t. pi me "---. }ego through i. You_ ,‘ - f '..-", -trri ratilfirth. gand to the clothes, ,the a drawers, t the ( I ):%' ''' ''',7 --a- tYrii44l,::iut"" ...;, 4 . p shirt. You have been told of the ; I ' '---;4eitiing_atleep t wristband, but it must he con,felseed ' '... ,; 41.0ii'1a . asl p ieeilijattempt at secrecy. Nut one oi these , 0 .*rttlecwerel kept secret, with the very apparent exLep 1 "nine era Iry r. nr. "Or I" / - 1, TTN f a "16.1* 111 TT MI C TII A "lir IJA NT I A DrITI A 11L1AIP tion of the weapon by which the injuries had been in flicted. What that weapon is, Heaven only knows. There the evidence of Miss Philps, and her ev dente is very peculiar, shows that the prisoner, Thorns,: Hockey, was at No. 17, Portland-place, that same nig'.t, at 10 minutes after 9 ; that he then produced the , N atch and ring, although he was never before seen wit either of them, and that he brought in his cloak upo i his arm. The evidence of that young girl is particularly striking, because it is ascertained that previously he had not a watch or ring in his possession on that night. True, he said that Delarue gave him his watch to pledge on the Friday morning at 10 o'clock, but to the evidence of the witnesses the prisoner had not demurred once ; he had not asked a single question all the time the witnesses were being examined, and had but once challenged the truth of the witnesses' statements. You have seen the coat produced and that two buttons are wanting. It has been proved that one of those buttons was found in the room, and the other was found within two yards of the spot where the body was discovered. Any person who has examined them may see, and must believe, that they ace from the same garment, as they match in every particular. However, they may not be conclusive of themselves, and only important facts as taken in connexion with other circumstances; yet you have the marks of blood upon the drawers, corresponding with the trousers taken off the prisoner by Inspector Haynes, in the Clerkenwell House of Correction. The father has given his evidence in the most honest wa, cosidering what are the circumstances under which he n appears here., and great credit is due to him ; for no man could have given his evidence more fairly—more truly. He states that, at half-past six o'clock, his son Thomas Hocker left home. His brother states that he left at half after six o'clock, or a quarter to seven, certainly not later than seven o'clock ; and they were informed that the distance from the fa ther's house to the place where the body was found was only a ten minute's walk. The cries of murder were first heard at a quarter after seven, and no attempt had been Imade to set up an alibi, and the circumstances admit of Thos. Hocker s having been on that spot when the cries lof murder were heard. In consequence of an expression which Jas. Hocker used when Scottney, the police ser geant, entered the room, suspicion might very properly have attached to him, more especially when we consider that the deceased's watch was found under the pillow, and part of the prisoner's, Thos. Rocker's shirt, with a bloody sleeve, was found also in the room. But let us trace the situation of James locker from the time of his brother's being taken into custody. Thomas Hecker was taken into custody at half-past one on Wednesday morning. James offered to accompany his brother to the Hempstead station-house, and you are informed that after accompanying the officers and him for a con siderable distance, it was only owing to the words of In spector Partridge that he returned and left them. James Hocker had a full knowledge of the charge for which his brother had been taken into custody, and he had ample opportunity of making away with everything or any- thing which could by possibility have proved his bro ther guilty. He could have got rid of the clothes, he could have got rid of the shirt, of the macintosh, and of the stockings—in fact, of anything or of every thing which was in the slightest degree calculated to prove his brother guilty of this crime; but so far from making away with anything, everything was left open— nothing was concealed—tbe shirt was not concealed, the macintosh was not concealed, the stockings were not concealed. Everything was laid open to the view of the officers when they entered; and certainly these circum stances seem to prove, in the most satisfactory manner, that neither the father, or the mother, or the brother, entertained the most distant suspicion f Thos. Hocker's guilt. That, I think, fully warrants me in discharging James locker from custody, to place him, however, as a witness against his brother ; and in looking back upon all the evidence, I see nothing whatever which ap pears to implicate either the father, the mother, or James Hocker in this transaction. At the first blush of the case it did seem extraordinary that he should think the person murdered to have been Delarue, but he after wards satisfactorily explained that ; and therefore no suspicion can now attach to the parents or this young man. He has given his evidence as fairly, and as clearly, and as creditably to himself as his parent did. They are both placed in an awful position with regard to their relative; but both have given their evidence as clearly and as faithfully as they could, considering the circum stances in which they are placed. The case, as it now stands, refers to Thomas Henry Mocker alone, and the circumstances adduced are of a very pointed and striking character. At every step they tend to confirm and strengthen the evidence against him. He does not attempt to prove that he was either in one or another place that night. He writes on a slate to his brother, that he is going to Mrs. Edward's to get some money ; she has been in Court, and she states that she has never lent him any, and that she never promised him any. The next time he is seen is in Portland-place, and then he has the watch and the ring which have been proved to have belonged to Delarue ; then we see nothing of him till two o'clock on the sue ceedin morning, when he returns to his lodgings in Victoria-place. He accounts to his brother for the torn sleeve, by stating that he bad been romping with Sarah Cox. Then he produces the twelve sovereigns, but he says nothing about the watch, nothing about the rim bat he shows him the sleeve of his :shirt, which was torn and bloody. The clothes are found and identified, and they are spotted with blood in various parts. These circumstances tell fearfully against Thomas Henry Hocker. Subsequently, on Monday night, he is with Miss Philps, and on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning he is taken into custody. We are told by Sergeant Scottney that on that morning the pri soner took the watch from under his pillow, saying, "Delarue gave it to him to sell for him;" but we have no proof that it was seen ix his possession until we have Miss Philps's evidence that he had it on Friday night. You can come but to one conclusion—namely, that the prisoner, Thomas Henry Hocker, must be placed upon his trial for the wilful murder of James Delarue. If you can come to any other conclusion, you are at liberty to do so. He is not tried here, but he has had every chance of bringing forward wit nesses, and ho has not availed himself of the opportunity. James, his brother, has availed himself of that advantage, and has distinctly proved that he did not leave home till nine o ' clock. The body of the mur dered man was found at eight, thus rendering it impossi ble that he could be present at the transaction. The other matters of which I spoke in the beginning of the inquest it is improper to speak of now. You have only one duty to discharge. If you believe that James Hocker is im plicated, notwithstanding my having discharged him from custody, you will include him in your verdict, and with this remark I will be done. It is not necessary for me to say more, or to detain you longer in this very painful investigation. The jury without retiring returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder against Thomas Henry Hocker." The witnesses were bound over to appear at the Old Bailey, and the inquest-room was then cleared. The prisoner was then conveyed in an omnibus to the New prison. (Copy of the letter so frequently referred to, and signed " Caroline") : My dearest James—l have so often resigned myself to your will and embrace, that 1 find myself in a situation which makes it necessary for me to leave home shortly. I would rather die than doubt either your word or your honour; yet do not, oh do not, be ashamed to own me. If you cannot at present give me the title of wife, conceal me from the cruel finger of scorn. Heaven has been my witness that I have loved you but too dearly. Let me be happy in the conviction that you will one day restore me to your arms for ever. Ease my suspense by meeting me to• morrow at the place where, alas. you have always made me happy ; yet not so, if it will put one smile of hope and comfort on my countenance You can render me for ever light-hearted and happy, or for ever heart• broken and conscience-stricken. Oh, that a bonded knee might procure me the former lot. " Ever yours, " By Miss F. " CAROLINE." " James Cooper, Hampstead•road." PLACIDITY OF THE Pursue;Ett.—Yesterday, after the con cluson of the evidence taken by the Coroner, Thomas Henry Hocker withdrew to a private room, with Willoughby and Jackson, the warders of the prison, and Sergeant Gray, G 12. He appeared there totally unconcerned about the crime: with which he stands charged. His father and brother, James Hocker, were allowed to see him. In the course of the in terview, his father (who was deeply affected) remarked to him that the evidence was very strong against him, and trusted that he would be able to prove his innocence; but urged him to prepare for the worst. He replied that he was fully prepared for the result, whatever it might be. His father then alluded to the disgrace that had been brought upon the family. He remarked, that he was sorry on his father's account, and that he was indifferent what became of himself. His father shed tears, and every person present was affected Ind the prisoner. Hocker subsequently stated that if twenty policemen had seen him commit the act of which he was alleged to be guilty, he would not move a muscle of his countenance; and said that he should conduct his own defence, for that he had not money to pay counsel, and none was allowed by Government. In the course of this conversation, Hocker familiarly handed about his snuff-box, and partook of some halCand-half. At the tsrminatiou of the inquiry, Hocker was conveyed privately in the custody of Willoughby aml Jackson, with Sergeant Gray and two policemen of the G division into an omnibus, which was expressly hired for the occasion, by which he was taken to the New Prison. Upon hearing that he was not to be led through the immense crowd which was in front of tie Yorkshire Grey, he expressed his thanks to the sergeant of police. On his way to town he entered into conversation about the different localities in the neighbourhood of Hamp stead, and in reference to his absence from chapel at the New Prison that day, remarked that he supposed the chap lain would be able to do without him. The omnibus reached the New Prison about a quarter before six o'clock last night, when Hocker was immediately delivered into the custody of Mr. KiLsby, the governor. He was taken to the room where prisoners are usually placed on admission, when he warmed his hands by the fire and smiled. He then took some snuff, and offered his snutf•box to a person present, after which he was conveyed to the infirmary, where he will remain till this day under the surveillance of one of the warders. After the prisoner left the admission-room, the head clerk observed to ergeant Redmayne, of the G division, " God bless me, Red- Wayne, I do not know what murders will come to new ; here is a man brought in on a verdict of wilful murder, and he has come in smiling." ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. HOME CIRCUIT-March 3. .The judges have arranged that the busir!es? for Essex is to commence on Wednesday (the commission day) at One o'clock, in both courts. Hertford, March 3. CROWN COURT,—(BAre Mr. Baron ALDERSON.) William Sheffield, 22, :farmer, was indicted for felo niously setting fire to a barn and other farm buildings, in his own occupation, with intent to defraud Jane ShetTield and others. Mr. Hawkins conducte I the prosecution, and Mr. Clarkson appeared for the prisoner. From the statement of the Learned Counsel it ap peared that the circumstances under which the charge was brought against the prisoner, were of rather a sin gul.u.character. The charge was support e d b y t h e de dirations made by him at the time of the fire, and it was THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1845. suggested that he was induced to commit the act out of revenge at his father, to whom the farm he occupied be longed, not having left it to him at his death, which, it appeared, the prisoner anticipated he would have done. From the evidence of the witnesses who were examined, appeared that the fire took place on the night of the 31:t October, and when it was discovered the prisoner appeared to be in a very excited state from drink, and, on his being questioned, he said he knew who had done it ; and, in reference to the prosecutrix, who is his mother, and another brother, he said, " --their hearts, they shall never have it." He likewise said that the farm-buildings were gone, and the - house should go next. In cross-examination by Mr. CLARKSON, the witnesses admitted that the prisoner was a man of most intempe rate habits, and that he was continually intoxicated, and after he was in custody he was attacked with delirium tremens. His conduct during the period the fire VI as burning, seemed to be more like that of a madman than a rational being, as he got some bread and toasted it, and then did the same with a herring, at the burning ruins, and then sent for beer, which he drank with the food. It also appeared that it was all his own property on the farm, and uninsured, the whole of which was consumed. One of the witnesses caused a good deal of amusement in the Court by his definition of drunkenness. He said, in answer to a question put to him by Mr. Clarkson, that he had often seen the prisoner tipsy, but had not often seen him drunk. Mr. Baron ALDERSON asked him what difference he considered there was between being tipsy and drunk ? He replied that he only considered a man to be drunk when he could not walk. Mr. Baron ALDERSON—Then, so long as a man can roll about, or walk at all, you think he is only tipsy ? The witness said that was what he meant. The Learned JUDGE, amid much laughter, remarked that he thought it was drawing rather a fine distinction. The inspector of police, in whose custody the prisoner was placed, proved that he was in such a state of excite ment, that he appeared like a madman ; and he was in consequence induced to send for a surgeon to attend . . upon him. Mr. HAWKINS, having intimated that he could not carry the case any farther, Mr. Baron ALDERSON said it appeared to him there was nothing to support the charge, except the conversa tions and hallucinations of a man drunk and almost in sane, and he put it to the jury whether they would think it safe to convict under such circumstances ? Mr. CLARKSON observed that everything that was de stroyed appeared to be the property of the unfortunate man himself, none of which was insured, while the build ing. which belo,iged to others, was insured. The jury expressed themselves satisfied, and at once returned a verdict of Not guilty. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 3. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat OR the Wool sack at Five o'clock. LAW IMPROVEMENT. Lord CAMPBELL moved the second reading of three Bills for the improvement of the common law process in the Courts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It was not necessary that he should now occupy the House by going into the details of these three Bills. For two of them, the Courts of Common Law Process Bills for England and Ireland, passed their Lordships unanimously last session. But they were objected to in the House of Commons, on the ground that there was a want of reciprocity, as the Bills did not apply to Scotland.—(A laugh.) That objection was now removed, as his Right Honourable Friend the Lord Advocate had prepared a Bill, called the Court of Sessions Process Bill (Scotland) on precisely the same principles. The object of the Bill Was to enable actions to be carried on without the per sonal service of process upon the person sued, that per son being in a foreign country at the time. A cor respondent of the Noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs had expressed apprehension that these Bills would be regarded by foreign Courts as a usurpa tion of their jurisdiction. But that could not be the case, as the Bill related only to process in actions between British subjects, and for debts contracted in the United Kingdom. Lord BROUGHAM said, that his Noble and Learned Friend, having made a reference to what fell from him last session, he would beg to observe that his objection had not been to the principle, but to the details of the Bill. Of the principle he highly approved, for he thought that it was calculated to remedy a great evil. There were, it was true, some objections to the Bill which he entertained, and if they were not removed he should feel it his duty to press those objections. But, with regard to the principle of the present measure, he appealed both to his Noble and Learned Friend who moved the second reading of this Bill, and also to his Noble and Learned Friend on the Woolsack, whether it was not a right and equitable principle which the Bill affirmed? There was one thing especially to be observed in the Bill—that the object of the plaintiff was to con ceal his proceedings from the defendant, and he consequently might, and probably would, get some foreigner of indifferent character to swear that process was duly served. Now such a foreigner might be out of the jurisdiction of any court, and beyond reach of all punishment for perjury. What he wished was, that the service, or that the affidavit of service, at any rate, should be a British service. Lord CAMPBELL said that the opinion of his Noble and Learned Friend was worthy of attention, but the objection might he considered in Committee. The Bill was then read a second time. FORCES IN IRELAND. The Duke of WELLINGTON, seeing the Noble Marquis (the Marquis of Normanby) in his place, begged to suggest that the motion, of which he had given notice, should be brought on on the same day with his previous motion ; for he had not had time to look over the returns of the forces sent to Ireland, and if the Noble Marquis would postpone his motion, it would give him time to look over these returns. The Marquis of NORMANBY said that his motion was not for the amount of the force sent to Ireland, but the number of troops in that country on the Ist of January in each year for the last ten years. He should be happy to comply with the Noble Duke's request, to bring on both the motions on the same day. He had been anxious to bring the matter before the House, because his Noble Friend (Earl Fortescue), who had stayed in town on purpose, was unable to remain longer than to-morrow. Understanding that his Noble Friend the Sgeretary for the Colonies would remain in town the whole of to-morrow, so as to be present at the discussion, he could not say that he would postpone his motion without he had the consent of his Noble Friend. The Duke of WELLINGTON—My Noble Friend the Secretary for the Colonies will certainly not be able to be in the House to-morrow. THE AMERICAN TARIFF. The Earl of CLARENDON wished to ask a ques tion of the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, as to whether measures had been taken to procure the abolition of a certain portion of the American tariff. The portion to which he alluded pressed exceedingly on the merchants of this country, and he thought th e d ut i es imposed on them were in direct violation of an existing treaty between this country and the United States of America. The American tariff imposed a heavier duty on goods imported into the United States from the East than from the West ; and goods coming from China were admitted at a lower rate of duty than goods coming from England. Indeed, he believed in some instances the amount of duty varied from 90 to 120 per cent., whilst the goods from the West, were subject to a much lower rate of duty. Now, there could be no doubt that this pressed heavily on the English merchant, and was Friend had ad brought rightly s under in direct violation of a treaty existing b e t ween th e t wo countries, China shawls at a much lower rat e o f d u ty than those sent from this country. The merc h an t s , there fore, had a right to think that that was no t on ly an inju dicious, but an unjust distinction on the part o f A mer i ca It must be remembered, too, that while th e y were p ra i s i ng this tariff they were claiming a ret u r n o f th e d u ti es which had been paid on their ri ce i m p or t e d i n t o t hi s coun try, in consequence of us having lowered th e d u ti es on th e same article imported from the E as t an d W es t I n di es . The whole value of the rice received during the ti me of the low duty was not 3001.—(Hear, hear.) He thought that the United States suffered no hard ship ; and the whole case was v e ry diff eren t from their conduct toward s u s ; as th ey l a id on heavy duties on English goods, an d re d uce d t h em upon other goods. All he wi s h e d now t o as k hi s N o bl e F r i en d was, whether he recogni se d th e c l a i ms o f B r i t i s h sub jects, and what effect his r e p resen t a ti ons h a d h a d upon the American Government?—(H ear .) The Earl of ABERDEEN sa id t h at hi s No b le some hadoi le m stated ent ieommnt notice engaged might d e cuo a otf snehvt convince nhece w ei hrai attention thoughtt himhe L n ttt, that oh h da ne e t. experience Lord ships. the s Go ve rnment . T he hoef his subject t for c Noble t Friend it was possible to have a very good case without being able at once to succeed. The gentleman who now re presented her Majesty's Government (Mr. Pakenham) had represented the ma t ter to the American Govern ment, but it had not yet received the attention which it deserved.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Pakenham's last dis patch upon the subject was Gated the 3rd of Oc tober, and at that time he proposed to put himself in communication with persons in New York, who were principally interested in the case, and he hoped to receive from them information which would strengthen his means of applying to the United States' Government. But he (Lord Aber deen) would deceive his Noble Friend if he did not say that the subject of our clai ms h a d b een b roug h t f orwar d very prominently in Congress. CONSTABLES BILL (SCOTLAND). On the motion of Lord DALHOUSIE , t h e C onsta b les and other officers in Public Works Bill (Scotland) was read a second time. THE BISHOPRICS OF ST. ASAPII AND BANGOR. The Earl of POWIS presented a number of petitions from places in Wales, against the union of the Welsh bishoprics. THE NORTH WALES RAILWAY. The same NOBLE LORD presented also a number of petitions in favour of th e N ort h W a l es Ra il way B ill . Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 3. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. The Bridgewater Navigation and Railways Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The Chester and Holyhead Railway Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The Thames Navigation Debt Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, the Man chester South Junction and Altrincham Railway Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. On the motion of Mr. H. JOHNSTONE, the Cale donian Railway Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Lord EBRINGTON presented a petition in favour of the Plymouth and Stonehouse Gas Bill. On the motion of the Noble Lord the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. the Bill had been got up with a commendable degree of care.—(Hear, hear.) The Bill was then read a secoad time. GREAT GRIMSBY AND SHEFFIELD JUNC TION RAILWAY. On the motion of Sir J. C. .110BHOUSE, this Bill was read a second time. SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY EXTENSION. Mr. HAWES presented a petition from the borough of Lambeth, in favour of the South-Western Extension Railway. On the motion of Sir J. Y. BULLER, the Devonport Gas Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. On the motion of Mr. CHRISTOPHER, the Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. 11. HINDE brought in the Newcastle and Dar lington Branch Railway Bill, which was read a first and ordered to be read a second time. LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY. Mr. ASTELL moved the second reading of the Lon don and York Railway Bill. Mr. M. MILNES would not, as it was understood that the second reading should take place pro forma, and the discussion be taken in the Commit tee, offer any opposition at the present moment. He might as well, however, take that opportunity of mentioning that there were rumours abroad of an agree ment having been made between this and a competing lino, calculated to injure the interests of private pro perty. The arrangement, as he understood, con sisted of these terms :—" You shall give up a certain number of objections which you have made to our line, and we will give up a similar number of ob jections which we have made to yours." Now there could be no doubtluch an arrangement as this was in jurious to private property, particularly as these under takings have the advantage of possessing great influence and immense capital. It behoved Par liament, tin retire, to see that these abuses were not tolerated, and it would be as well that some step should be taken to give parties whose rights would be injured by such an agreement, notice that they had full power to bring all their claims before the Committee on Standing Orders. If such a course as this were adopted it would effectually prevent the rights of private property being injured in other instances by similar undertakings. Sir J. YARDE BULLER knew nothing of the merits of the Bill, but as chairman of the Committee on Standing Orders, to which the petition on the Bill was referred, he could state that the standing orders had been strictly complied with.—(Hear.) Whether such an arrange. ment as that mentioned by the Hon. Member had been come to out of doors was not for him to say—all that he could state was, that no petition whatever alleging any non-compliance of the standing orders was brought before the Committee.—(Hear, hear.) Wi t h any such arrangement, of course, they had nothing to do; but as far as ordinary care was concerned, he could state, that the Committee used their exertions to arrive at a proper conclusion. The • line passed through from 200 to 300 parishes, and the general impression left upon the minds of the Committee was, that the case for TEMPERANCE. Mr. BROTHERTON presented a petition from se veral places, against the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath. Sir JOHN OWEN STANLEY presented petitions from several places, in favour of Temperance Societies. LAND-TAX. Sir WILLIAM HEATTICOTE presented a petition from Basingstoke and several other places in the county of Southampton, praying for relief from the taxes on land and agricultural produce, and stating that when the value of their produce was reduced by taxation or adverse circumstances, they were obliged to keep their labourers and support them, while the nun.- nufaeturers were enabled to discharge them. On this ground they conceived themselves entitled to relief. MALT-TAX. Lord RENDLES El ANI presented a petition from se• veral places in the county of Suffolk, praying for a re , rat of the malt-tax. NORWICH AND BRANDON RAILWAY (DISS DEVIATION) On the motion that this Bill be read a second time, Mr. M. GIBSON moved that this Bill should be mak a second time that day fortnight. This Bill had been reported against by the Board of Trade, and he thought it ought not to be read a second time until the report of the Board of Trade was before the House. Lord JOCELYN seconded the motion. Lord HO WICK thought the object of the Honourable Member for Manchester would be met by the resolutions of the Railway Committee, which would be presented to- morrow. Mr. BROTIIERTON said, whether these resolutions were passed or not, it could make little or no difference, and therefore he would have no objection to support the amendment. Mr. BARING--The course suggested by the Hon. Member opposite was one that had not been adopted in reference to any other Bill, and therefore he (Mr. Baring) could not see why it should be adopted in re ference to this Bill. He conceived that all the purposes would be answered by the resolutions of to-morrow. Sir R. INGLIS was of opinion that the consideration of the Bill should not be postponed for so long a time. Mr. HAWES conceived that, as no other Bill would be affected by the motion, no objection could be made to it. Mr. LABOUCHERE said he would bring forward the Bill for a second reading in th© usual course, for he could not see why this Bill should not be placed in the same position as others. Mr. WODEHO USE would beg leave to say he con ceived that, under all the circumstances, the postpone ment would be the most equitable course. Mr. R. W. B. COLLETT—As the London and York Bill had passed sub silentio, he could not see why this little Bill should not be permitted to pass in the same way. Mr. GIBSON, after a few words, withdrew his amend ment. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. WALLACE gave notice that ho would postpone his motion with regard to sugar, which stood on the paper for to-day. OPENING of LETTERS IN THE POST• OFFICE. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that, immediately after Easter, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill to secure the inviolability of letters passing through the Post-office.—(Hear.) Mr. SHIEL gave notice that he would on Tuesday, the 11th of March, move a resolution expressing the regret of the House that letters addressed to foreigners residing in this country had been opened in the Post office without their knowledge or sanction, and that cer tain information with regard to the disturbances in the Papal states should have been communicated to a foreign power.---(Hear, hear.) PROPERTY AND INCOME-TAX. Mr. SPOONER gave notice that he would, in Com mittee on the Bill for the continuance of the property and income-tax, move three clauses—one to enable all per sons to deduct from the profits of trade all sums of money paid to their own families for the purpose of carrying on the trade, which otherwise would have been paid to other persons ; also a clause to enable persons to deduct the amount of their poor-rates and other rates from their income and a third clause, deducting the amount of insurance upon life, and also the amount of expendi ture on articles necessary for carrying on the trade, though such articles might occasionally be used for other purposes. TOBACCO DUTIES. Mr. HAWES wished to direct the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a recommendation which had been made, and to an expectation which was generally entertained, that some alteration would be made in the tobacco duties, and to ask if it was the in tention of the Government to make any such alterations? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was aware that great anxiety existed on the subject, and was, therefore, much obliged to the Honour able Gentleman for having put to him the question. He was aware that it had been re commended that a differential duty should be imposed, so as to make a distinction between leaf tobacco and the other sorts of tobacco ; but he had to state that it was not the intention of the Government to make any alteration at present in the duties nn tobacco. TALLOW DUTIES. Mr. POULETT SCROPE, seeing the Right Hon. Baronet in his place, would put the question of which he had given notice on Friday, on the subject of the tallow duties. The present import duty on foreign tallow was 3s. 4d. the cwt., but there was also an export duty in Russia on leaviHg that country. There was a rumour that the Russian Government was willing to take off the export fluty on tallow if the import duty were taken off in this country. The duties united amounted to 15 or 20 per cent on the value of the tallow imported. In looking over the list of the 250 articles from which it was proposed to remove the import duty, he found tallow was omitted. There were, however, a great many articles which were either infe .. rior sorts of tallow, or were used as substi tutes for that article from which the duty was to be re moved, such as, for instance, grease, which was an inferior sort of tallow ; hogs'-lard, which was swine tallow ; whale oils, animal oils, various sorts of vegetable oils—all these were used as substitutes for tallow in the manfacture of soap, and some of them in the manufacture of candles ; and if the duty were not removed from tallow, it would operate as a serious burden upon the consumers of this article. It was material, therefore, to ascertain if the Right lion. Gentleman purposed taking off the duty on tallow when some arrangement should be come to with the Russian Government on the subject, or if he had fully re nounced the idea of taking off the duty on tallow. He wished, therefore, to ask if any negotiations were going on with the Russian Government on the subject of the removal of the export duty on tallow? Sir R. PEEL said he hoped the Hon. Gentleman would excuse him from giving any answer respecting the intentions of the Government. He always objected to answer any questions respecting the future exemption from duty of articles of trade, as those answers tended to produce great derangements of trade. With respect to the question with which the Right Hon. Gentleman concluded, he had to state, that no negotiations were pending with Russia respecting the removal of the export duty on tallow in that country, on condition of the re moval of the import duty here. G A ME-LA WS. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY wished to ask the Hon Member for Salford, who had, he believed, in the absence of the lion. Member for Durham, the management of the question of the game-laws, when it was his intention to nominate the Committee ? Mr. BROTHERTON said it had been his intention to move the appointment of the Committee that night, but understanding that there would be some opposition to that course, he should postpone it for a few days. WAYS AND MEANS. _ _ _ On the order of the day for going into a Committee of Ways and Means, Mr. ROEBUCK said he wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir R. Peel) a question, of which he had given notice. The subject to which he would call his attention was the negotiation now going on between this country and the United States on the subject of the Oregon territory. He wished to know whether the Right Hon. Gentleman had any objection, on the part of her Majesty's Government, to lay the negotiation, as far as it had proceeded, before the House. The reason which'induced him to ask that question was to be found in the present state of circumstances in the United States with regard to this very question. He did not desire to cast any slur on the conduct of a great nation like the United Statos, or to use any language which might excite angry feelings; but it could not be unknown to the Right Hon. Gentleman—for it was known to all the world— that a Bill had already passed the House of Representatives with regard to the Oregon territory. He always considered that the Oregon territory which had been already the subject of so much dispute was yet to be considered as a matter on which no settlement had been made, in fact, an open question He understcod that it was likely a Bill would pass through the House of Representatives for the purpose of making the Oregon what was commonly called " territory." The course pursued by the House of Representatives seemed a most extraordinary one. The English were not a people accustomed to bluster or express themselves in a bullying manner, whilst negotiations were yet pending ; but it must be apparent to everybo'ly that this was a most extraordinary proceeding. Foreign nations should know whether these proceedings arose from the weakness of the Government, or from other causes. He thought it became us to watch attentively the progress of events in America, and whilst we trusted to their probity, not to divest ourselves of the means of protecting our own interests. If he were to express an opinion, it would be that the Unitcd btates had no right at all to any territory west of the Rocky Mountains. At present he would not carry the matter further than to express a strong feeling against the mode of proceeding, and to ask the Government if they were determined to leave us in the dark regarding the pro ceedings in the United States? Sir ROBERT PEEL said the Hon. and Learned Gen- tleman had correctly stated the proceedings which had taken place in the United States in reference to the Oregon territory. A convention bad taken place between this co , intry and America, in 1818, gua ranteeing that neither party were to occupy the territory for ten years. The term expired in 1828, and a fresh agreement was entered into of the same nature, which expired in 1838, without any definite arrangement having been made; With respect to the question as to the negotiation with the United States, he was sure the Hon. and Learned Gentleman would agree with him, that it was not proper to disclose the progress of the nego tiation. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman must feel that our relations were not with the House of Representatives. While he quite agreed with the Hon. and Learned Gen tleman as to the impropriety of using such language, he trusted the Hon. and Learned Gentleman and the House would not infer that her Majesty's Government were not deeply sensible of the importance of the question. Mr. DIVETT asked the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) if, in connexion with this subject he had seen a remarkable expression contained in the work of M. de Moprat, now publishing in Paris, on California, in which he states that he had examined the Oregon question, and states his conviction of the perfect justice of the English claim. The French writer said: —" Il faut avouer que cette fois la raison et le droit, soot de leur cote." Sir R. PEEL was understood to say that he had not seen the work alluded to, and that the Hon. Member should have given him notice of his question. BLEWITT saiu it was rather singular the in-: formation should have come from the United States, in stead of through their own Government. Sir R. PEEL thought her Majesty's Government were quite justified in withholding the correspondence. WAYS AND MEANS. On the motion for reading the order of the day for going into Committee of Ways and Means, Sir W. CLAY having presented a petition from a number of sugar refiners, relating to the change in the sugar duties, said, the amen‘lment, of which he had given notice, would be most appropriately moved on the third resolution, and he trtuted the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not press them through so rapidly as not to afford proper time for the discussion of his amend ment. The order of the day was then read, the Speaker left the Chair, and the House resolved itself into a Com mittee of Ways and Means. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that in addition to the notice he had on the paper with respect to the sugar duties, there was another to which he wished shortly to call the attention of the House; it was with respect to the Consolidated Fund Bill. In consequence of Easter falling at so early a period of the year there would not be the necessary funds, and as the resolution was an ordinary vote, and one to which there was no objection, he hoped, as that resolution was the foundation of a Bill, the House would allow it to pass without any opposition. WIND ")W-TAX. On the question that the resolution that 8,000,0001. be granted to her Majesty, Mr. HUME rose. He wished to know whether the Right Hon. Baronet, upon the Committee moved fir by the Hon. and Learned Member for Batt' being appointed to inquire into the window duties, he Would hitve . a . ny ob jection to allow that Committee to take into its consi deration the propriety of substituting a house-tax for it? He had looked lately seriously into the question, and he felt no doubt that the most serious consequences arose from the window-tax. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that the question was one. of great importance, and one that he could not satisfactorily discuss in answer to a question. It must be remembered that there were in existence at the same time a house and a window duty. The House had at that time the option of taking off the window or the house duty ; it preferred taking off the house duty. He did not think it would be wise to discuss the question further now. __ _ _ _ Mr. HUMS said it should be recollected that when half the window-tax was taken off; it was promised the other half should be taken off also at a future period. He, therefore, thought that was no ground for the Right Hon. Gentleman declining to answer the question. Captain PECHELL wished to know if the Hon. Gen tleman had any objection to lay before the House the number of appeals which had been made against the window duty ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said such a return would be attended with so much difficulty and trouble, that it would be almost impossible to make it. Mr. HUME expressed his surprise that no return was kept at the tax- office of the number of appeals. Were there no records kept of these matters ? If not, there was something wrong in the management. He would respectfully submit that if those documents to which he alluded could not be had, there was something seriously wrong in that department. He conceived that a correct record ought to be kept, for he was aware that a great deal of vexation and trouble attended this mode of taxation, and therefore, on that ground, he was the more surprised that no record of the discipline he men tioned had been kept. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it appeared to him that the Honourable Member was not aware of the state of the law in this respect. Until a very late period the parochial authorities were not obliged by law to keep any such records ; and, there fore, not having kept them, it would be impossible to supply them now satisfactorily. Mr. BERNAL said, as the House was on the sub ject, he would beg t,) call the attention of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government to the subject of the general mode of collecting the taxes. —(Hear, hear.) There was a crying evil in the shape of what were called "surcharges." This was a great cause of complaint • but those who were the victims of it were often compelled to bear with it, and submit to the sacrifice, as their business would not permit their attendance and loss of time required by an appeal. Then, with regard to the collectors of the assessed taxes, he knew several of them who, though they paid but sixty or seventy pounds a-year as a per tentage, paid as much to a deputy, which the collector explained by saying he undertook the office with a view to procuring a few addi tional customers. This was his reason for asking, why should any man undertake the responsible duty of a tax-collector unless there was some inducement to him much stronger than the remuneration he received? and hence the abuses of the present system, which he conceived ought to be inquired into. He thought the whole system was bad, and ought to be revised. Mr. ROEBUCK thought the present system of collec tion was bad. In one case which respected himself, when he asked where he should pay in the tax, he was told that the collector attended in his office only once a week, and when he inquired why that was so, he was told by the collector that he was only paid by a small per centage, and could not afford to devote any more time. Mr. HUME thought that no collector ought to be al lowed to appoint a deputy. He knew in his own parish that when the collector sent in the amount of the tax, he wrote on the other side that he had tea, or salt, or candles, or something else to sell, and in this way he thought he could get customers. He thought this ought not to be allowed. He thought that the appointment should be made by the Government, and that there should be no intermediate appointment by the Commissioners. "tie hoped that some Hon. Member would make a motion on the subject. Mr. W. WILLIAMS was surprised to hear his Hon. Friend complain that these taxes were collected too cheaply. If the Government could get proper security for the safety of the money, he thought they were per fectly right in getting the collection made as cheaply as possible. He did not see how the Chancellor of the Exchequer could prevent persons from endeavouring to promote their own business while engaged in the col lection of the taxes, and he was moreover of opinion that he had no right to do so. Mr. HUME had not objected to the cheapness but to the mode of the collection. What he complained of was that those persons who did not deal with the tax gatherer were liable to be surcharged. SUGAR DUTIES. The resolution having been put from the Chair, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it would not be necessary for him to occupy the time of the House at any great length, inasmuch as, on previous discussions, they had decided on the propositions which he should have to submit to them. They had decided that a differential duty should be imposed in favour of colonial sugar; and with regard to foreign sugar, they had decided on the imposition of a duty of 10s. 6d. in favour of sugar, the produce of free labour, over that which was slave grown. Only one other, point had arisen, which had been discussed on the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Beverley, the other evening. It appeared, with regard to that point, that it was the opinion of the House that further time should be given for the consideration of the question, and that it would be better that the consideration of the subject should be deferred until the Committee on the Bill. Until that period, therefore, he would not enter into details on the subject. With respect to the intro duction of the words " sugar of equal quality to clayed," he did not see that there was any objection. But, with respect to the further words suggested, he was still of the opinion he had expressed the other evening, that the insertion of those words would create greater difficulties than their omission. As these words were understood at present, he believed there would be little objection to them; but, at the same time, having made inquiries on the subject, both with respect to the practice of London and other parts of the country, he should be prepared in Committee to state both the decision to which the Government had come, and the grounds of that decision. He had al ready stated that the 14th of the present month was the period at which he proposed that the resolutions should take effect, thus allowing one month for those who had had sugar on hand to dispose of their stock. (The Right Hon. Gentleman then proposed the amended scale of duties to come into operation on the 14th of March.) Mr. WILLIAMS had hoped that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would consent to extend the time be yond the 14th of March. If he did not, he could assure him a great and ruinous loss would be sustained by thousands of persons who dealt in sugar. He still trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman would consent to extend the time to the Ist of April, or, at least, to the 25th of March. Mr. HAWES was quite sure the House, when a few simple facts were laid before them, would see the pro priety of modifying and altering the plan proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whi h was full of hardship. The Hon. Member then read a letter from an eminent met , . cantile house in the City, in which the writer sought for him self, and on behalf of his trade, permission to clear off duty-paid stock before the Right Hon. Gentleman's plan came into operation. This writer declared that in the event of the Bill being carried, his house would ose to the amount of 2,0001. The house was the most respectable in the city of London. With regard to what had fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he understood that he would pass his resolutions through the Committee, reserving to himself the opportuity of stating his precise intention with regard to the duties. If he was still going to maintain the principle of a distinctive duty according ; to the quality, he was bound to say so to the House. If, on the other hand, he would admit there was a practical difficulty in the way of arriving at a satisfactory arrangement, as to ascertaining the quality of the sugar, then ho was bound to state the fact, that they might know what they were to do. He did not know ' what course the Hon. Member for Beverley (Mr. Hogg) CIVIL SIDE. (Before Lord Chief Justice DENMAN and a Special Jury, DYSON V. GRISSELL. This action was brought by the plaintiff, the well known horse-dealer of Waltham-cross, to recover from the defendant the sum of 701. upon the warranty of a horse. Mr. E. James and Mr. Bramwell were for the plaintiff; and Mr. Sergeant Channeil and Mr. Peacock for the defendant. It appeared that the defendant, who is a gentleman re siding at Clapham, had had several dealings for horses with the plaintiff, and among others he purchased the bay horse in question and used him for some time in his carriage. He subsequently took a fancy for another horse which the plaintiff valued at 1301., and an arrange. ment was eventually made that 70/. should be allowed for the bay horse, upon the condition that he was in as sound a state as when the plaintiff originally sold him, and the remainder was paid by a check. The exchange accordingly took place, but the plaintiff discovered almost immediately that he was lame from a sprain. The jury found for the plaintiff—Damages 704 WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Winchester, March 1. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE.) Only two cases were left for trial this day, the one a special and the other a common jury cause. On the sitting of the court the special jury cause was called on, but as only one special juryman appeared, the counsel engaged in the case consented to try it by a common jury. The case was opened, by which it appeared that the action was to try the right to a small piece of land, forming part (as it was alleged by the plaintiff) of Fremantle-park, near Southampton. At this stage the parties agreed on a compromise, and so the case ended. The other case, an action of ejectment, was then tried, which presented no feature of public interest. The nisi prius business being thus:disposed of,:the Learned Judge proceeded to try prisoners. No case of importance, however, occurred. CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice ERLE ) John Holden was indicted for the manslaughter of Benjamin Shaw. Mr. Missing and Mr. Padden prosecuted; the prisoner was undefended. It appeared that the prisoner and the deceased were con victs on board one of the hulks at Portsmouth ; the pri soner having been sentenced at one of the Wiltshire quarter sessions to be transported for ten years for stealing a watch. On the lOth of December a convict, who was called as a witness, stated it was his duty to man the ladders for breakfast, which the convicts did by turns. Having done this he went into his ward, followed by the deceased. The prisoner was there, and was accosted by the deceased, who said, " What I you here again ; why you -, you are always skulking your work." To this the prisoner made some angry reply, and the deceased then went up to him, took him by the collar of his coat with both hands, and shook him. The prisoner offered some resistance to this, when the deceased put his hand to the back of his head, and pressed his head down. The prisoner then made a violent push at the deceased at the lower part of his person. Deceased lot go his hold, staggered back to his locker, and exclaimed he was stabbed. A surgeon was sent for, and found that the man had been stabbed in the groin, and an artery was severed. The mate of the hulk deposed that he was called to the spot, and took the prisoner into custody; and from his manner, and what he saw and heard at the time, he had no doubt it was an accident, and that the prisoner, when he made the push, had no intention of stabbing the man as he had done. Mr. Justice ERLE summed up, laying it down as the 'law of the case, that if by the negligence of thh prisoner the de ceased had met with his death, he was guilty of the crime charged against him. The circumstances might mitigate the offence with regard to the punishment, but could not with regard to the nature of the offence. The jury found the (prisoner Guilty, but strongly recom. mended him to mercy. Sentence was deferred. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. ThomGs Howell, aged 27, cabinet-maker ; Frederick S,niE, 31, printer ; and Robe; Franklin, 23, tailor, were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of George Warrener, in the parish of St. Edmund the King and Martyr, with intent to steal, and stealing therein two rings value 4L, the pro perty of Felix Gatays. Mr. Robinson conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Payne defended Howell. The other prisoners had no counsel. The particulars of this case have already appeared in the police reports. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoners had taken acab from the stand at St. Paul's. They directed the driver to stop in Lombard -street, near the George yard. He did so, and two of them got out, leaving Franklin in the cab. It was then about a quarter before ten o'clock in the night of the 10th of January. At ten minutes before ten, the chambermaid at the George and Vulture hotel, which is in the George-yard, Cornhill, found the prisoners Howell and Smith in the room of a French gentleman named Gatays. She de manded what brought them there, and they first named Mr. Gatays, and then tried to pass her and get away. She tried to lock them in the room and cried for help, but they broke out and rushed down stairs. At the bottom, thoy were encountered by Mr. Warrener, the landlord, who, after a violent struggle, secured them. The other prisoner came in after the capture bad been effected, and after a little while he also was taken into custody ; at the station-house he was fully identified by the cab-driver as the man who remained in the cab. A number of keys were found on the person of Howell, one of which opened the door of the room occupied by M. Gatays, anti some similar articles were found on Smith. A curious difficulty arose upon the framing of the in dictment, which was handled by Mr. Payne with his usual ingenuity for the benefit of his client. The George and Vulture, it appears, is built across the boundary line between the parishes of St. Edmund the King and Martyr and St. Michael, Cornhill. The house can be entered by doors from either parish, but it was clear enough that the prisoners must have entered from the one situate in St. Edmund the King and Martyr. How ever, the boundary line passed through the very room in which the robbery was committed ; the door, the bed, and the chest of drawers, being in the parish of St. Ed mund the King and Martyr, whilst the dressing-table, from the drawer of which the rings were taken, was in the parish of St. Michael, Cornhill. Under these cir cums-ances. the Recorder suggested to Mr. Robinson that it would be well for him to rely only upon the count for burglary with inttnt to steal, and to abandon the charge of the actual stealing, the latter act not being clearly committed (if at all) in a different parish from that laid in the indictment. His LORDSHIP, in summing up, recommended the jury to confine their attention to this view, and he took a special note of Mr. Payne's technical objection, to be re served for future proceedings, if necessary. The jury, after a short consultation, expressed a wish to retire. They remained out for nearly an hour, and at a quarter to six o'clock returned a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners. The COMMISSIONERS of SEWERS of the CITY of LONDON. Oa Saturday last a deputation from the Commis sioners of Sewers for the City of London waited upon the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion-house, and presented his Lordship, on his retirement from the chair of that Commission, a handsome silver ink:tand, with the fol lowing inscription:— " At a public meeting of the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London, and liberties thereof, in the Guildhall of the said City, on Thursday, Feb. 25, 1845, Walter Anderson Peacock, Esq., Deputy, in the Chair, Resolved unanimously, that the thanks of this Court are due, and are hereby presented, to the Right Hon. Michael Gibbs, Lord Mayor, for the great and valuable services rendered to the public and this Commission, as their chairman for the last eight years, for the extra ordinary business habits, regularity and dispatch with with which he has conducted the many important mat ters subject to the control of this Court, whereby he has materially assisted in carrying out works unprece dented in extent, and calculated to insure to his fellow citiz-ns, as well as to the inhabitants of the surrounding districts, advantages hitherto unknown, and for which this Court present to his Lordship this mark of their respect, with a hope that whether in public or in private life he may realise every comfort he can enjoy." The freight of coals from the Tyne to London has suffered an extraordinary fall during the past week, to 6s. 6d. to 7s. per ton. The freight from the port of Sunderland has ranged from Bs. to Bs. 6d.—Neweastle Paper. intenchd te - awe ; he seemed very 6 1 , 411 t d r ,,1 and satisfied. But the Government tempted to make the duty dependent .e.sFece before, and it had entirely failed. th e going to depart from this principle? if ef tl, he would give the Chancellor of the Excheclurpa time that he might require before he info House. Mr. THORNELY said if it were possible t4.,,1110, all the quantity of sugar fo r the supply e f tbe c ea from the p or t o f L on d on , t h en it would be Pr 6 o 4 arrive at a classification of the quall ties t dil But as they imported sugar into the P e , r ct ic t o Liverpool, Greenock, Dublin, Cork, 1 4' 1 %0 Belfast, he was persuaded that it was 3 ,10 All experience we n t aga i ns t it. The Ho n. .Beverley instanced a case where M r ' attempted to classify the suzar duiLe: failed. Latterly it had been attempted Iry tea, since the opening of the China trade try. There was also the case of cotton-wool sometime at an ad valorem duty, but that o s s a lt, to answer. There was so much detention of g d those duties that the merchants came to Lcir oir, when he was Chancellor of the Excheanerswqeaeg of him to fix the duty, which he did. Il e c gether to the differential duties. Mr. HOGG was aware of the inilira e-IL tras making a satisfactory standard, but he d would wait and see what the standa r i o tt was intended to be brought forward' then le -zatisractory, all well aril good; if it was not' to rs oajeeted to; for his own part he was willing 030( he heard what the proposal of the Geve r : ) tb Under these circumstances he (Mr. that it was well worthy of the eonsiaersolor Government. He was not of opinion Chet coo should thus be given up ; but, 011 ,„Air. ill a i he would assure the Hon. Member opposn'aat, that he felt it his duty to continue the fig discontinue the battle, but divide the H° serf' again, not once, hut a dozen times if nece a ils , The CHANCELLOR of the EXCS ;i c e he was acting, as he conceived, under th e , of to ot' House, and more especially under the advle' jle Gentlemen on the other side of the El" Se. o eedt stood that it was wished, before the Bill Pr 0 ; Committee that he should make a reference pai,er: of experience, in order to ascertain thei r i o si l :,.. spatting the plan that was to be pursued. d to' servations that he had just made, he was l e aos, that he had been in error in his !VP-, ••dsi , sir Hon. Gentleman's intention, but since rr l been eng,ged in making the necessa r f e ste ed d o brokers of eminence. From what he bad tbs t A those gentlemen, he was induced to belie /e vitir o i of March would be too early a day fu r TO .Pe cit duties which they proposed into effec t • but early a day for the merchants in general, 00c? for those whose stocks yet remained in t b eg icle ll ic ,V warehouses. On such stocks the day wta b e t , i l early, and from the statements which bel' stet was not certain, but that on these.o, 0 duties might be suffered to re°26loot vhf were, for another year. This oat to , c , when any alteration was propose(' d o' t d, duties, and on the occasion of t he ba mooted last session of Parliament, eetsoco„s that he conceived, under certain cirenne for instance, as the present—that might__"; dat ir o, 0/ ) to pursue. It was not merely the inig''datts a were to be renewed for twelve months . .scPa t lo, chin 07 the effect of the enactment, but it was da ties. c o, a that the time for considering the sugar i d eSI 3I „ at the period when the property-tax ive.°Aerati'aite that tax would be brought under consi"nta'oei4o He had thought that by giving a co ur se would not be interfering with the due ee' reo o ii i c a4 Mr. WALLACE said that no such hil ted so which the Right Hon. Gentleman had 5 1 o vat e ro o in the public mind. The public were 11° 14a fth e rae sugar dutieswere contingent on the renew _ a s ot' o at tax. On the contrary, the public had belie 0 ,) Hon. Baronet would keep his pledge, al i o/0 1 0 1 0 tax at all. He (Mr. Wallace) though t b l et aer 4c ieol convenient to press a division as to v i 50,1 0 14 was sufficient notice or not. It might t b d e be a s ail'a'4 London, but he hardly thought it Wo,na t -be more distant parts of the kingdom. .P ° 4sie s ' e j to protest in the most solemn m anna! _ ba rs c b said that it was understood that those e:i o o 4 ol d sugar trade had any idea that the P r° 1/ . s r t io would take place before the sth of APiojesloy practice for the last two years of he r t bst ters not to bring up the Budget before a ft , he (Mr. Wallace) was led to underste n , 1$ course would be followed this year. , vO le , Lord SANDON said he agreed with tho' e ., je fr the Chancellor of the Exchequer, thaw d sugar who paid the duty upon it, e ll ' o ore.& Queen's warehouse, were not entitled t ° 0 11 d li e * • tion than thoie who paid the duty 611 „ 1 10 3 ,01; 1 'j to their own premises ; but at the salt or e fro ) ", opinion that all who had paid that dot es some consideration, provided there ^ ll - e re",yei . ,' l tO tended. He was also of opinion that the t`),,e'epto" in the article shoUld be allowed a fai r , - O e 'piliel e their stocks on hand. If they were ne7, e l ; os ee f .ei er retail dealer who would lay in a new S t io Pe, e lf posed alterations in the duties should tsirots,slo,l•>ao,l ever, he did think that, under the i c ior ol l plained by the Right Hon. the Chane e .,'o ot° ,o) ° ,',o, quer, the wholesale grocer had no r- c allr e s AlPi that he had not had notice that this M e f the 5 have been brought on in the early Per a t ; ° ,eti°,6o o 4 Sir WM. CLAY thought that all eilya eon disc, removed by extending the time. Se " - ale t e 1 , 0 1 0 9,, any Custom- house officer would be ! e st th e re 'ma the different kinds of sugar, and ear r ? aa t o l ' oe h': 0 11"` classification. He meant to show '" at fb` classification had been attempted, it :sette r' alt ' ; , dead letter, and he thought it would hieditiVe it altogether.ms Sir R. PEEL was still engaged i ° l ° on the subject, which he admitted ws9ooe,';ooo but at the same time a most difficu lt at o rortiv, which be was not at present p repayese o a. o opinion. He hoped, as the matter t he portance, that the House would pa,s s i , t o w he y , Bill before Easter. He did not "l' i n " tei/ oc , by surprise, by reserving his opini °- gi,, c at l rt ay Committee on the Bill, and he WI, se j ittiO h sl r Iti P notice of his intention of bringing a e e te a . He hoped the House would not dreW aeti ters , , tween the wholesale and the retail u fsi d i. 13 5 0 60 to any remission ot duty. It was.: O f 0 1 , 6 0 4 4 4 , 6 0 1 'd dealers would be enabled to get o' , t o P o r e e it i fore the 14th of March. Now, n° soedroi li t i; ye t were abstaining from the purchase ° jjel os l 6 , o o possible, and using substitutes for i f t' har df ) ; c oO et ; there might be individual cases-°` a bbe it s g,le impossible to accomplish any great a , the infliction of hardship. id heottoti.oi ht Mr. LABOUCHERE said he hi 3 ,ight bec ogf o re It satisfaction the declaration of th e d e r t man, that he was disposed to eo °6l .osti ° %e sti Voil completely the question of classol_. t he Li o el: .e d I asked the House , to pledge itself or ' l lae t, e ' re slairj; was a subject that was most i,,,n ) P ha d firprO sc lol ) , ,t o much difficulty as importance. Il e iass ifield . bon with. discussion. with the belief that the e i.at coo ale' by d was, on the whole, the best course t' af ,, ll",„ 5 8 0 et and that was the opinion of the late 4 f .tie o isV c ia l c a he did not contemplate the distinu_. s of . 09 1 9 . 4 0 . Right Honourable Baronet betweieeLla t hat a free labaur sugar. He apprehn?n ta kialb o ol ho d ( c l t he he inducement which Mr. Hume lid l ., te b e otN, was to meet the case of the fine rec ce e di b ai t , vannah. As the discussion bad I ) ,, t eele s atY if the e ' eqa bo come strongly impressed with ta n 50 10 this question. Ile believed tha onl y sod 1 10, d ,t e FI sugars of British produce was the n ot e he Ole he hoped the Government wrnii i;ri be a u s ° A I militate against it. He was gin cife A; Gentleman say he would give t " e le agecl s e sf e consideration before the House ,1 ) f orted fe d j 0 subject, but he did think, after the theeffect op o ~af! 5 5 the East India Company as to pale t c o 'n P cation on the sugars of the Ens'oen plv Ai 01 those of the West Indies, the Gore t ad ao t. 011 whether , P give a clear answer, adhere to their declaration, be en jv y tbes a d s the other question that "% re ed ch e f course of this conversation, be b o y 0 1 '',o s ,1 Hon. Gentleman as to the experhe . be re J . , 0,1 ce wh e " fa/ °l 'al i lu al 1 0 back, or making an allowan , _ et an in duties which was supposed to,': ne, he e t' e 0 yer i ii isting interests. At the setae t` d yet b o f 11/ r ee l Y l with him that the sugar trade ha el tim e be p oti od peculiar situation, from the un t ale idea l e ileq which the alteration had been m iec o i, 0 1 stance. He should be glad if l a ve th, e o g 11. 1 ;0 suffering from the change, coulee, by givia„ a til in the slightest degree o bviat binlc i t en o gj time, though he should not t vont , the m greatly to extend it. v erY 6 t of t,V Mr. M. GIBSON thought a one raen ire' been made out for the e t a P r, beer T ee t he tion Qf the sugar duties.--(ll,_eatietnerle„talat,,, place, it was clear Hon. ~ ‘,- , 11 the 5: 0 001 3 4 classification of sugars; and n o f the e t "„ c al‘e ti ,So l) ,, r‘ O chants wished to get rid to -- ; 1 , G P Right Hon. Gentleman ought b i e f o re it da an nn o t f ic c e la o ss f ifi t c h a e. u . =ion. Ge .. „(alev 4 loa g on o , use, s o n t t l eia tie so .? o , ; it t n u t u h d e e q r tu t , b st e i come law at once. The Right , VlCtlna--e• that classification was not p. p ro e pt; / hear) —but said he woul vcieral oi reed% could not say that classilcuattuoin ~atri;(cSootiatee, had received letters from se , as ev er P.,pro 0,, F , ost visionary . o ut ad ted classification was tne . to ee ril te d O l e n $ presenting that, of all the pia" a nd 0 06 ofi r comP lic :eld ° P,ro i ;o9 duty on such an . han atteroPt o'o, o 0 4 they said it wouledxbteeni stpl.oesasnibdle sification, and that such _ustom.boi,nut 0,110 virtueßom u oa u mn ti : r o hi o °un ; " u 3 r G al e l _ nt i l n ern te : e s e f s siv si ; fraud, and hinted that if t) they couldo thr o ve , i l O Ol me asure vi n °ll had sP r ° s ble, te all i o' more than temptations w ay. T he Rightwhi e h this he thooa c d in the `r, pru opinions pused o u f l a C s s u i s fi t men who would be nat ; 7 0 ,d inn' _ st ' l O O )l e J receivet e f , t l, emoluments, should be . _ f the a se , ci ,ye ir 4 ployment for themselves, vith g re see r 00 3, ir, might talk glibly ely.i•igncl°ayed, bro w c*0 ) 1,0',01 dill rents between whiteas anot her , 0 g o! ino t, eo , officers astibt the fiett!,,,q covado sugar, but The hope of P e i d i s ero e r ore,, l ct i effectual practice. ot the fisn r e sf . :‘ Mr. GLADSTONF, no afeni o b e t favourable opinions of th d e is ir ag y r k' coi as giber for ttepaile iota postponement with theh a c ourse ,ae but ee tai r ya 105 are itiii tfe ot and thought that such the uld st ° Je l l i cs sumer. It was said o.ar r e finers s orer sa g n ay a serious loss not operation at Once the su,. ywo uld d th e gas „ ent p°stP tt esn ° a a r b ea )! in if the Government the grout 10 , jorect deal, but he thought tne en' 0 c , - onlythatot bthe reiore in that time of year wn s tate . a of , a lea s o ose n ainiee be' 0 0 brought forward. Sun., the beg , a ce h t mould enlo t' . " would be the result —w ma raero on the sugar duties until 6oe h og to the interim in th