The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-30 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. NORTHERN ClRCUlT.—Licerpool, March 23. (Before Mr. Baron RorsE and a Special Jury.) NOLAN V. PETTIGREW. This was an action of the case brought by the plains tiff to recover compensation in damages from the de fendant, by reason of certain slander spoken by him regarding the plaintiff. The declaration stated that the plaintiff was a minister of a certain congregation of Protestant Dissenters, meeting at a chapel called Ducie chapel, in Manchester ; and that the defendant, coetriving and intending to injure him in his good name and reputation, and to bring him into scandal and disgrace, said to one William Cox Ford the fol lowing malicious and defamatory words of and con cerning the plaintiff, in answer to a question from the said William Cox Ford: —" I charge the doctor, meaning the plaintiff, with adultery and fornication ; the doctor seducing a young woman, who was in the family way by him, and he gave her a prescription to cause abortion, and she has been in a state of intense suffering ever since, both in mind as well as body. Doctor Nolan sent his own medical man to attend her. Another female also was in the family way by him, and I pledge myself to obtain the name of the parties, and to procure an interview for you with the young woman. Watch him narrowly ; let him be got out of the chapel, and give possession to the trus tees, and you will see the chapel well filled again. ' The defendant pleaded, first, not guilty; secondly, that the plaintiff, being a married man, had seduced and committed adultery and fornication with one Elizabeth Townley ; and had also seduced and com mitted adultery and fornication with one Elizabeth Gilchrist, replicatio injura. Mr. Martin, Q.C., Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, and:Alr. Aspland, appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. Knowles, Q.C., and Mr. Overend for the defendant. Mr. MAArrtN, in opening the case to the jury, said that it required their most serious consideration, for the charge against the plaintiff was that he had se duced two young women, and had given drugs to a third to procure abortion, they being members of a congregation of which he was the minister. The plaintiff was appointed minister of Ducie Chapel, Manchester, in 1838, which was a chapel of small size, but having given extreme satisfaction, a new chapel was bu It for him, which was opened in 1840, and was vested in trustees, who are usually the most respectable members of the congregation ; but dis putes arose respecting the trustees who were ap pointed, and also regarding the doctrine preached by the plaintiff, which produced a feeling in the congre gation which was much to be lamented. The chapel was, however, opened, and the plaintiff preached. The same year, 1840, he married a Miss Bird, daughter of Alderman Bird, of Manchester, and that lady did not now believe one word of the aspersions which had been cast upon her husband. In 1848 Alderman Bird died, and also his eldest son, and in that year rumours of impropriety were spread abroad, which were invest!gated and disproved. Mrs. Bird, the mother-in-law, after the death of her husband, purposed to go to the South of England, and wishing her daughter to accompany her, the plaintiff resigned his office in the chapel, which was accepted; and a meeting was held of the whole con gregation, at which a resolution was passed, tendering the thanks of the congregation to the plaintiff for his services, temporal and spiritual, and wishing him every blessing and mercy ; and yet, within nine months of that resolution, some members of that con gregation aro here to put him on his trial for matters which took place six years before. In June of the last year the plaintiff was requested to come among them again ; and Mrs. Bird, his mother-in-law, hav ing consented to remain in Manchester, he agreed to he re-elected to the office which he had vacated. Dif ferences then arose in the congregation ; a large ma jority, however, voted for the plaintiff; but that election, not having been conducted according to the trust-deed, another election had to take place, and then all these slanders were set afloat. Notwithstand ing, the plaintiff was re-elected by a large majority, and that being the case, he could not flinch from the inquiry, for which he declares there is not the slightest founda tion ; and if they should be of opinion that they were true, of course he would not be worthy to hold the office a moment longer. But those charges having been made last year, it was considered that an inves tigation ought to he made, and accordingly eight gentlemen met for that purpose, and they informed the plaintiff that he must give a pledge that lie would take no steps to prosecute any persons who should come forward to give evidence. This the plaintiff thought hard, and asked who the witnesses were, which was not stated. He then said he was ready to give a pledge to that effect, if, in the event of any single woman coming forward unsubstantiated, he should be allowed to go into a court of justice. Upon this the eight gentlemen declined to act, and the in vestigatien was discontinued. The defendant was clerk to Mr. Loyd, the ba;olser at Manchester, and a tn ,, tuber of the congregation, and he stated that the plaintiff laid seduced a young worn in, and then caused her to take drugs to procure abortion ; and as it is necessary, in order to constitute slander, that the ch orge should be something which should constitute an indictable offence, that, therefore, would he the main question for them to tr y . [The Learned Counsel then proceeded to read the libel and the pleas which the defendant had p!aeed upon the record.] With regard to Elizabeth Gilchrist, she was a Sund iy school teacher and a member of the congregation for some years, and was constantly in the habit of receiving the sacrament from the plaintiff. In 1845 she had a serious illness, and was advised to go into the country, but, when well enough, attended the plaintiff's chapel ; and it was during this illness that the attempt to procure abortion was alleged to have taken place. In 1847, in removing from Manchester, she received a letter of dismissal, in order to be ad mitted to another congregation, where she became a teacher, and so conducted herself that, until Decem ber last year, she was considered by all to be a mo dest and virtuous young woman ; and yet now it was asserted by the defendant that she was debauched by the plaintiff six or seven years ago, and is to be drag ged into the witness-box—a young woman who has been four years married, with three children, to be produced before them to state that she had always been a most virtuous girl. Her husband would come forward to state that he believed in her fidelity, and he would support her on this charge ; and when the young woman was told of it, she said that she owed it 'to her mother, and her husband, and to her self to meet the charges. Anti yet she was dragged forward'by men who professed Christian principles. The case was one of life or death to Doctor Nolan, but they would hear the witnesses and judge for themselves. William' Cox Ford, examined by Mr. Sergeant Wseetsis, stated that he lived at 131, Oxford -street, - 111:inchester, and is manager of a large boot. and shoe establishment in Manchester. Is, and for about fifteen months past has been, a m em b er o f t h e con gregition 'of Dude Chapel. Knew the defendant Pettigrew, who is in the service of Mr. Loyd, the banker. On the 30th of last June Dr. Nolan re signed. Witness was present at a meeting at which Dr. Sidehottom presided. [Witness here had a book shown him ' in which there was a resolution inserted, accepting of Dr. Nolan's resignation, and expressing earnest good wishes in his behalf.] Witness was present at a meeting for the re-election of plaintiff, after a' requisition to him to become their minister again. On the morning of the 24th of October, the Thanksgivinie Day, met the defendant in Bridge street,• Strangeways. He spoke about plaintiff, after the salutation of the morning, saying, "Do you still support Dr. Nolan ?" I said, "Yes." He replied, " What you are doing, I've no doubt you are doing conscientiously, but you are supporting a base, bad man?' I said, " Mr. 'Pettigrew, what is it that you charge the Doctor with ?" His reply was, "Adultery end fornication ; he has seduced a vittuoneyoung woman, and has given her a prescrip tion to cause abortion ; she has been suffering most intensely, bath in body and mind —and the loss of her immortal soul. In consequence, he has sent his own doctor to attend her. Another female is i n th e family-way by him, and was sent to Ireland to be out of the way." I said, " Mr. Pettigrew, Ido not dispute your word, but I do not believe your state ment." I said I must have the names of the parties, the account from their own lips, dates, arid circum stances attending. His reply was, " I do not know the names, but I will obtain them for you, where they live (or where she lives), and their interviews." He said that " their parents did not know it," I said it was odd that their parents should know no thing about it. Has had an interview with defendant since. 09 neither occasion has defendant given him the name of either of' the parties referred to. On one of them he said that " the young woman's depo sition was taken in writing, and witnessed by two respectable persons." I asked if he could obtain me a copy of it. He said he could. I said if he would I would see that Dr. Nolan met the charge ; and if he did not, I would place it on the church doors. There was a committee formed on this subject. He said, " Your church is cut off from the union, watch him narrowly ; let the chur c h b e d e li vered up to the trustees, and you will see th a t your chapel will fill." On cross-examination by Mr. Kaowees, witness .Said that he was not a deacon of the church. The numbers attending before this occurrence were steady ; they are now fluctuating. The greater part of the trustees have let's the chapel. Witness bad known the chapel about six months before he began to attend. Had previously not regularly attended at any parti• cular place of worship, but at different chapels, and sometimes at the church. The testimonial presented to Dr. Nolan was an ornamental timepiece, with the inscription of " A testimonial of affection and respect from. his congregation." Witness did not know that that inscription was written by Dr. Nolan himself.— (He was here shown a paper from which Mr. Knowles bad midi and said the writing was that of the plain tif) Did not know whether plaintiff composed the ~t Q •,,, z4 .,.... ; THE SUN, LONDON, address presented to himself on the part of the con gregation. There was " heartburning and differ ences " after the time of plaintiff's re-election. Was not aware of any before that time ; not on ac count of plaintiff's moral character, at least. First heard the report against plaintiff's moral conduct from defendant. He was the first who pointedly mentioned it, and that was on the thanksgiving day. (Mr. Knowlea here reminded witness that that day was the 16th of November.) There was a committee of ministers appointed to investigate, but did not recollect the !precise day. Understood something about the committee declining to act, because Dr. Nolan would not bind himself not to take proceed ings against the witnesses. In consequence of the ministers giving it up, Dr. Nolan appointed a com mittee of the chapel, and that committee was to meet on the 15th of November--the day witness met the defendant. Witness himself was a member of the committee, and had then received a notice to attend it, but did not then know about what business. He bad never heard before about Dr. Nolan's moral character. Had heard persons say he was a " bad man ;" but no one had dared to tell him for what. That did not convey to witness's mind that he was an immoral man, but they did not like him as a preacher. Had heard Mrs. Redfern's name bef,re, but not in connexion with immoral acts on the part of the plaintiff. There was a meeting in September, respecting the doctor's conduct, to investi gate a complaint made by Mrs. Redfern. To the best of witness's recollection, it was not respecting indecent liberties. "If you mean taking hold of a person's hand, I don't call that taking indecent liberties." Did not recollect exactly what was the report then to be investigated. Did not recollect if anything was said about his giving her a kiss in the vestry; but would not swear that was not a part of the charge. Mr. MARTIN—Was it stated in writing ? Wit ness—The whole was in writing. All documentary evidence.—(Great laughter.) Mr. lielowee, in continuation—Some of the prin cipal ministers were on the committee of investiga tion. Dr. Halley, of Manchester, was one of them. Defendant is a gardener, and was an attendant at the chapel after plaintiff's resignation and his being re elected. He ceased to attend on plaintiff being re elected. Witness made a note, after he got home, of what defendant said to him. At that time no one else was present. What defendant said to witness was, that " plaintiff had given the young woman a prescription to obtain a powder to cause abor tion, and that he was morally guilty of murder in doing so." He had no recollection of mentioning this to any one till after Christmas. Believed he told the plaintiff himself of it first. The statement was made to him in writing. Witness sent it to him in a letter. Defendant did refer witness to a party for proof as to another circumstance against plaintiff. Witness in consequence went, and Mr. Carr, who is a member of the congregation, saw plaintiff there, but plaintiff did not go with him. Witness never said that he more than suspected that plaintiff was a guilty man. Did say that he thought he was a clever man, and would have shown ability at the bar. Plaintiff is a lively man, on occasions. Never heard him say that be was a man of fun, flirtation, and levity (witness shown a letter in plain tiff's handwriting). Never saw him, for instance, put his chin into a lady's eye.—(Great laughter.) Mr. KNowLES—What may be the most lively thing you ever saw him do ? Witness —He was very lively this morning. What doing ?—Running along the street. What, was there a lady before him ?—(Laughter.) Mary Postlethwaite, a very pretty interesting looking woman, stated that her maiden name was Mary Gilchrist, and that she was and still is a mem ber of plaintiff's congregation, and was twenty-four years of age. Has been married four years. Her husband keeps a shop at Manchester. Up to the time of her marriage was a milliner. When she did not sleep at her employer's she slept at her mother's. Was married by Dr. Nolan, in 1846, to her husband, who is a brush-manufacturer. Has two children. Did ever Dr. Nolan take any indecent liberty with you of any kind ? Witness—No. You have heard the charge against him. Is there the slightest foundation for it? Witness—No. Cross-examined by Mr. liNowees—There was a period of five years between her being out of her apprenticeship and being married. Was in six diffe rent situations during that period, as milliner. Was sometimes at home. Was a teacher, which took her a good deal to the chapel. Occasionally went to Dr. Nolan's house. There was no particular day. Was sent by her mother, who had published poems, and the doctor was one of her patrons, and had to write notes. On most occasions Mrs. Nolan was not there. Knew the servant, Charlotte, who opened the door. Stayed sometimes not more than ten minutes. had been at the vestry with the doctor frequently, when nobody else was there. Tier ob jects in going were various. Whenever her mother had any business, she always consulted the doctor. Never went about any religious exercise. This con tinued up to the time of her marriage. Sometimes had been twelve months without seeing the doctor, except in the pulpit. Had sometimes met other Sun day-school teachers there. Joseph Bottomley kept the chapel. He and his wife lived in rooms over the vestry. Don't remember in 1844 going into But tomley's sitting• room with the doctor. Recollected calling on Bottomley about a house, when she met the doctor, who took her up into Bottomley's sitting room, and be fore she had tim to tell him not, But. tomley lefr, the room. He was coming out as they entered. Stayed in the room ten minutes. Ex plained to the doctor her reasons for wishing to leave the house she was living in. That was the only time she recollected going to Bottomley's room with Dr. Nolan. Her husband keeps a brush-warehouse. Dr. Nolan did not become security for her husband. Re-examined—Mr. Metcalf, to whom witness's husband was apprenticed, resigned his business in favour of her husband. Dr. Nolan never took any liberties with her. The vestry is open to all mem bers of the congregation who wish to see Dr. Nolan. There was never any imputation upon her conduct. Catherine Garman stated that she was mother of last witness, and a member of Dr. Nolan's congrega tion for two years. There was never any imputation against her daughter, and until last week never heard that any one had dared to cast any upon her. This closed the case for the plaintiff. Mr. KNOWLES, in addressing the jury for the de fendant, besought their indulgence, and a aid that it was impossible not to feel that he had to address gen tlemen whose feelings,had been called forth by the ap pearance of the witness Mary Postlethwaite, and by the story which had been presented to them respecting a minister of the Gospel, belonging to that respectable sect to which the plaintiff belonged ; but, to his mind, it would have been more satisfactory, if the memorial whicfehad been presented to the plaintiff with the time piece, had not been written by his own hand. The slight insight which they had already obtained into the character of the plaintiff, through his own witness, Ford, showed that he was a light and frivolous man. Tne plaintiff had had an opportunity of having the case investigatod by a set of clergymen of his own persuasion, which tribunal he had rejected on the poor plea that he would not promise not to prosecute those who might come forward to give evidence • and then he brings his a c ti on aga i ns t a poor gar dener, whom he would think the most likely person not to be able to afford to meet him in court. The first question was, whether the defendant spoke the words and spoke them maliciously, or whether he spoke them under such circumstances as that they became what the law terms a privileged communication. Ford's testimony with regard to the exact words could not be relied on. In order to support slander malice must be shown, and if words are spoken the plaintiff must show that they are spoken maliciously, or that malice is intended by them. The defendant had left the plaintiff's chapel, whereas Ford had continued a member of his congregation ; and if the defendant believed bona fide the truth of what he spoke, and that he spoke the words for the purpose of having the charge investigated and the scandal cleared up, he (the defendant) would be entitled to their verdict. What motive had the defendant ? He had no quarrel. Did he invent them ? Certainly not. What he had beard he repeated to a person, whose duty it was to inquire into it; and they would not visit damages on a men for merely talking of that which had been already th e common talk of Manchester. The next charge was, that the plaintiff had been guilty of adultery and fornication ; and a considerable amount of evidence would be offered before them in mitiga tion of damages, to show gross familiarities which the plaintiff had taken with divers members of his con gregation, not amountin g to adultery or fornication, but which was grossly improper in a person in the plaintiff's position as a clergy men . His LORDSHIP considered that, in his opinion, such evidence was not receivable. Mr. KNOWLES continued—The plaintiff cam e t o the chapel in 1838, and was appointed to Ducie Chapel a year or two after, when he became acquainted with Elizabeth Townley, and on one occasion he slipped 2s. 6d. into her glove, and shortly after sent her 2/. ; and on several occasions they would find her in the vestry of the chapel, the plaintiff gradually breaking down the barrier of her virtue, and finally completing the act which the doctor's interviews in the vestry (which he SO desecrated) usually led to. They would hear how he quoted David and Uriah, and justified his own last by an appeal to Scriptural names. He would tell them that, with the exception of the plain tiff, she had no intercourse with any other. They would be asked to disbelieve her, but they would see her now, bowed down by illness and want, through the conduct of the plaintiff; and was it more likely that the plaintiff should gratify the common passion, or that she should come and perjure herself before them ? The plaintiff was likewise accused of adul tery with the woman Postlethwaite, who had been called before them, who had the strongest motives that a woman could have to deny the charge which she had been called to disprove ; but the admits that she was often at his house, and he would bring witnesses before them who would prove that they saw the adultery committed. Bottomley, who kept the chapel, would state to them that he saw it committed, and that he mentioned it to his wife at the time ; but, in addition to that, the plaintiff Nolan had the last week gone to Mrs. Bottomley, and bad appealed to her not to give her evidence, and not to allow her husband to state all the facts, but to confine himself to the fact that he had seen him and Mrs. Postlethwaite, but that he had not seen the act of adultery committed, and that that would be sufficient for him. These were the facts of the case on the part of the defendant. The following witnesses were called for the de fendant : Elizabeth Townley, examined by Mr. OYEREND, stated that she lived in Thornhill-street, Stratford New. road, Manchester, with her parents, and that she was now unmarried and a silk winder. Some ten years ago there was a chapel in Cable-street, Manchester, and there she first became acquainted with the plain tiff, who preached there then, and afterwards went to Ducie Chapel. She was a member of his chapel. Knew a person named Ann Buckley, who was a scholar at Ducie Chapel. In 1841 Ann Buckley made a statement to witness, and she (witness) mentioned it to a sister of one of the deacons. After that Dr. Nolan came to witness's house, and wanted her to go to Ann Buckley. Went to her and, as she was de sired, brought her to the vestry. When she came there, the plaintiff was standing on the top of the stairs which lead up to the vestry. At the top of these stairs there are two doors, one into the vestry and the other into the chapel. The school-room is under neath the chapel. Went up to the plaintiff, who se parated witness from Ann Buckley, placing witness in the chapel, and taking Ann into the vestry. When he came out he gave half-a-crown to witness, who first refused it ; but he said it was for her loss of time in going for Ann. A man of the name of Douglas, then the chapel keeper, about two months after, brought witness a letter from Dr. Nolan and 21. The letter was afterwards burned by her father when they lived in the country. There was afterwards a tea-party in the school-room, when the plaintiff spoke to her. As she was going away he beckoned to her and a young fe male friend of hers, and she then went into the vestry, when she asked him how they were to pay the 21. back again. He said she must never mind it ; if sh 3 was in want of 101. he would give it to her. Ile then took hold of her hand, and said she was a faithful little friend of his. Witness is now 35 years of age. He said she had a nice soft hand. Went to his house afterwards several times. He used to invite young women of the school and of the chapel to go, some times two and two, and sometimes alone. His wife was sometimes at home, and sometimes not, when they went to his house. He once asked her to go into the vestry, the same evening as the tea party, telling her he wanted to speak to her. There was no light there. She objected, there being no light. He said he would call, and did call ; but no one came. He got hold of her hand, and pulled her into the vestry, then took hold of both her hands, and put them round him. This conduct was repeated almost every time that she went into the vestry. He on one occasion told her that he was not the only man that was tempted, and that she should recollect David and Uriah's wife, and how, when the woman was taken in adultery, Christ had commended her. He ulti• mately succeeded in overcoming her virtue on one occasion only; that was on one Thursday night in the vestry, about six years since. He al ways said, when she trembled, that he would not do her any harm. He said he could prevent any harmful results to her. This he said both becore and after ; she be came ill afterwards ; had a severe cold and uneasiness of mind. He never had intercourse with her after, but took liberties with her, and said it was only play ing for fun. When she was ill she went to her own doctor, Mr. Radford, but plaintiff came and asked if he should send his own doctor, Mr. Potter, and he did send him. Has been in ill-health ever since. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant W ILKINS —She was about thirty years old when the plaintiff first took familiarities with her. has always attended Dissenting places of worship, and has been in the habit of reading the Holy Scriptures. They undergo an examination before becoming a member of ;their church, as to the doctrines of the church. As soon a 4 admitted to the church, they have access to the Lord's table ; and they are told that, before approaching that table, they should subject themselves to a strict exa mination of soul and mind. She was in the habit all the while of receiving the sacrament there, from the deacons and from Dr. Nolan. There were four fe male teachers at the chapel school. Had never been to Dr. Nolan to ask any advice in mental difficulty. Miss Louisa Fry was one of the teachers, and witness was very intimate with her. There are no " close meetings " in their church. When the doctor beckoned her out she left the other teachers in the -chool room. Did not think she was absent'above five minutes, and then returned. She did think that all this conduct of Dr. Nolan was very wicked. Had been in the chapel singing and praying before the act of adultery was committed in the vestry. It was ;against her consent. Resisted with all her might. Did not call out, because he said he would not harm her. Knew it was an offence in the sight of God. They were in the vestry about half an hour. Told of this matter about a fortnight before last Christ mas to a Mrs. Ward. Was very ill, and expected death. Spoke to William Douglas at that time. Did not tell him that the doctor was an excellent man, and that he preached the true Gospel. Is not aware that Mr. Ward is the plaintiff's greatest oppo nent. Plaintiff repeated his indecent behavour to her perhaps about twenty times. She continued to go with him into the vestry because others told her they did the same. She did not cease, because she was afraid ; because ho told her he could destroy her character, And she would be exposed. Ann Chapel, wife of, Horatio Chapel—Her maiden name was Ann Buckley. She had been a member of plaintiff's congregation when single, and remembered last witness being a teacher. Made a statement to last witness some years since, and after that she came and fetched witness to Dr. Nolan, at the vestry. Went into the vestry when brought to the chapel, and Elizabeth Townley was put in the chapel. Crows-examined.—Witness is now near 25. Joseph Bottomley examined by Mr. KNOWLES— Stated that he was a shopkeeper at Manchester, and was chapel-keeper at Ducie Chapel from about six years ago until the Bth of January last. Dr. Nolan was minister there during the whole time. Witness had rooms in the chapel, over the vestry. Knew Mary Gilchrist, now Mrs. Postlethwaite. They used to call her " Miss Gilchrist." She attended the chapel when he first came there, and was in the habit of coming to the chapel both week days and Sundays. She usually saw the plaintiff in the vestry. Plaintiff came to his rooms along with Miss Gilchrist once, about six months after witness came to the chapel. Dr. Nolan asked if he could have the room for a few minutes, as the vestry was engaged. Wit ness and his wife went out, therefore, leaving the Doctor and Miss Gilchrist alone in the room, where they remained about twenty minutes or half an hour. Saw her again at the chapel some time afterwards several times. Upon a particular occasion, about twelve months after, one Sunday morning after ser• vice, after witness had locked up the chapel, on going out at the chapel steps leading to the school, be found the school-room door bolted on the school side. Re turned then through the chapel, and down a back way to the school. The door there was locked, and the key on the inside. There is a third door, leading into the girls' yard, and that one witness bolted him self. There is a fourth door, and that was bolted. Witness then got over a wall, and looked in at the window, and saw the plaintiff and Miss Gilchrist. She was standing with her back against the wall. [The witness here described appearances, which could leave no doubt of the criminal conduct of the plain tiff.] The plaintiff and Miss Gilchrist came out in about five minutes. Witness told his wife about the matter before they came out. Cross-examined by Mr. MAUTIN—On being shown some letters, witness stated they were in his wife's handwriting. In June last the plaintiff was absent from Manchester, with his wife at Leamington, and remained there about three weeks. Witness's wife wrote letters to plaintiff during the time, and witness knew of her writing them. After witness saw what convinced him of the criminal conduct of plaintiff, he received the sacrament and went to plaintiff's church for five years. Always suspected that when plaintiff and Gilchrist were in the vestry together that some thing wrong was going on. It happened in the middle of the day on Sunday, after divine service. Was present at Miss Gilchrist's marriage with Pos tlethwaite. Never said that he should resign his situation as chapelkeeper, fearing that he should be turned off. First told what he had seen in January last to Mr. West, the attorney. He was taken to Mr. West, who took it down in writing. Recollects the day of thanksgiving. On that day Ford and Dick came to witness and stated :that they came in conse • quence of something which Pettigrew, the defendant, had said. Went down into the vestry to them. Ford asked witness if h' had ever seen Dr. Nolan commit adultry in the chapel gallery, to which witness answered " No." Ford then asked if he had seen him (Dr. Nolan) commit adultery anywhere else ? and witness replied that he had never seen him in the ga mey. Dr. Nolan said to witness, " Joseph, will you save me ?" Previous to Mr. Dick and Mr. Ford coming the doctor entreated witness very earnestly. Answered them with an intention to de ceive them, and kept them in a state of deceit in tentionally. Mrs. Bottomley, the wife of the chapel-keeper, was next examined—She said that the plaintiff asked her on Tuesday last, as she was cumin , to Liverpool, what she was going to prove ? She said it would depend on the questions asked. He said, if Joseph swore adultery against him with Mrs. Postlethwaite she would bring an action against him as soon as the trial was over, but if they vould swear anything SATURDAY EVBNING, short of adultery, they would not be interfered with. She answered, her husband would swear what he saw. He then asked her, if he said he saw Miss Gilchrist's clothes up, and she told him that he did say so. She then corroborated her husband, as far as the facts stated by him, were within her knowledge. Mr. MARTIN then put in sonic letters of the last witness for the defendant, in which she spoke of the plaintiff in flattering terns. They were addressed to the plaintiff himself. The ATTORNET•GENERAL then put in a letter of the plaintiff to her, in which he said he hoped her husband would not say anything against him, and if he did not he should attribute the forbearance to her kindness, and he should never forget it. Mrs. Elizabeth Batty, wife of a builder, and a member of plaintiff's congregation nine years, and one year of the church. She had known E. 'Townley five years. She was in the habit of coming to her house. She has heard her speak in the highest terms of plaintiff. Cross-examined—She considered Townley a good character and pious woman. William Douglas, chapel-keeper before Bittomley —ln October, 1844, when Townley was ill, he visited her. She told him Mr. Lees had been to see her, and had spoken unfavourably of plaintiff, at which she expressed indignation, and spoke highly of him herself. Cross-examined—He was an insolvent, and his creditors got nothing. M. Tomlinson, one of plaintiff's congregation— Townley used to come to his mother's. He had heard her speak in high terms of him up to 1846. He saw Bottomley on the 24th of December. Mr. Chidlow was there. He said he left his place because he knew he should be kicked out. Cross-examined—Witness was at the meeting of the deacons when he sent in his resignation. (Book put into his hand in which resolutions were entered.) It was resolved that Joseph Bottomley should have his character when the term of his servitude had expired. lie had asked his mother to sign a paper as to what Mrs. Tetlow had said. (The witness was on the point of fainting, and was let go.) W. C. Ford recalled—He and Mr. Dick, a deacon, went to Bottomley. He was in the vestry. Witness asked—had he ever seen plaintiff commit adultery in the vestry, or school-room, or anywhere about the chapel ? He said positively he had not. He told him Mr. Pettigrew said he (Bottomley) had said so. He replied it was utterly false. He said he never saw the doctor take any indecent liberties with any female, or act in any way that he should not like him to do towards his own wife. Cross-examined—Nothing was put down on paper. To the best of his recollection he did not mention " gallery " in connexion with "adultery.' Mr. Thomas Dick, one of the deacons of the chapel, corroborated the last witness. Cross-examined —The doctor and witness had dined together at Carr's that day. Carr had said Joseph (Bottomley) had been making some state ments about the doctor, and so they sent for Ford to go with him to Bottomley. He told Nolan that Bot tomley had said something about him, and that Ford and he (witness) were going to ascertain the truth or falsehood of it. Re-examined—They told Pettigrew that Bottomley had denied having told the story. Mrs. Postlethwaite recalled—Before her marriage she did not go with Dr. Nolan to Bottomley's house when Bottomley, his father, mother, and wife left the room. (The witness here went into hysterics, and was taken out of court.) John Chidlow, schoolmaster—Joseph Bottomley, when he was going away, said he did so because he expected he would he kicked out. The ATTORNIT •GaNEEAL replied on this new evi dence. He said es perjury must be on one side or the other, he would make no observation on the new evidence of the witness Postlethwaite, only to say that that evidence was contradicted by that of the wit nesses Bottomley and his wife. As to the other wit nesses, he could not for a moment suppose they had in the slightest degree shaken the confidence of the jury in the evidence of Miss Townley, a woman who had maintained an irreproachable character, and de served it in every respect except in her connexion with the plaintiff. Tne evidence of Ford and the others confirmed the evidence of Bottomley. At the time the inquiries were made of him he was no doubt anxious to shield the doctor, and so was induced to answer the questions in such a manner as to evade them. No doubt the plaintiff hearing that Ford and Dick were going to make inquiries, he had gone to Bottomley to ask him to shield him. Then as to the letters of Mrs. Bot tomley, in which she spoke well of him, no doubt she wrote them in the hope, as he still continued a minister of the Gospel, that he had repented. lie could not help thinking it very odd that Dr. Nolan should be holding a correspondence of so familiar a kind with a woman in so humble a situation of life. But the letters in no degree affected the credibility of her evidence. Mr. MARTIN made his general reply. Tie hoped his friend would have given up that part of his case which regarded Mrs. Postlethwaite, for he could not for a moment think there was a person in court who thought her evidence was not the truth. He would demonstrate that the plaintiff was entitled to a verdict. The address presented to him in June, 1849, when he had resigned, showed that no suspicion rested upon the mind of any in the meeting, or they were greater hypocrites than he would name. He believed that all the animosity against him had arisen out of the election of him a second time to the office of minister. He then commented upon the evidence of the several witnesses. He contended that the plaintiff was perfectly justified in refusing the condition which the committee of ministers made a sine qua non, and bringing the action. The plea was no answer to the action, that amounting only to the imputations of adultery, which was not actionable and passed over entirely that of administering, drugs to procure abortion, which was the imputation which alone made the words actionable. having put the name of Mrs. Postlethwaite on this record was the basest and most atrocious act he had ever known in his professional life. The plea was good for no thing, but the plaintiff could not demur to it, for if he had it would have been said he dare not subject himself to inquiry. There could be no doubt the plaintiff was entitled to the verdict, for there could now be no doubt that the word: had been spoken, and the whole circumstances of the case confirmed it. Did the doctor debauch E. Townley ? The defendant had to make out the truth of the plea. She said she resisted with all her might. His friend saw that was absurd, and he got her to explain that all she did was to push him away. Hers was as incredible a story as ever was told, on which the life of a cat ought not to be sacrificed. The adultery with Mary Gilchrist stood on the evidence of Bottomley alone, forall his wife could say was, that her hu s band t o ld h e r of it the same night. No wonder, after she had heard the evidence against her, that she was in the state they had witnessed. He beseeched them to cast all rumours aside, and confine their consideration to the evidence. Mr. Baron RoLrs summed up, and, addressing the jury, said no case so painful as this had ever come before him since be had been on the bench. He then stated the slanderous words Dr. Nolan complains of as a scandalous imputation on his character. The de fendant denied—first, that he had used the words; arid next, as to the adultery and fornication, that it was true ; and he was of opinion one act of adultery would establish that plea, and it was not necessary to prove both that were alleged. They would first have to consider whether the words had been uttered by the defendant, and that would depend on the credit you give to the witness Ford. He proved the words substantially as alleged in the declaration. His Lordship then pointed out to the jury what it was that constituted a privileged communication. After a brief deliberation, the jury returned a ver dict that the statements made by the defendant came under that head.—Verdict for the defendant accord ingly. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTh OF FRIDAY. FOREIGN-OFFICE, Miatort 28, 1850. The Queen has been pleased to approve of M. Pierre Massabini as Consul at Liverpool fur the Sublime Ot toman Porte. ADMIRALTY, MARCEL 27. The following promotions hare this day taken place consequent on the death of Vice-Admiral the Honour able Donald Hugh Mackay:— Rear-Admiral of the Red, Sir George Francis Seymour, C. 8., G.C.11., to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Rear-Admiral of the White, Sir Thomas Henry Dil lon, to be Rear-Admiral of the Red. Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Barrington Reynolds, C. 8., to be Rear-Admiral of the White. Captain Sir John Marshall, C. 8., K.C.H., to be Rear- Admiral of the Blue. Retired Captain Henry Jenkinson has also been pro moted to be a Retired Rear-Admiral, on the terms pro posed in the London Gazette of the Ist September, 1846, bat withoui increase of pay. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Yorkshire Hussar Regiment of West Riding Yeo manry Cavalry—Cornet Thomas Henry Preston to be Captain, yiec! L , 4 , , resigned ; Cornet William Henry Harrison to be Lieutenant, vice Bland, resigned; John Greenwood to be Cornet, vice Harrison, promoted, March 23. BANKRUPTS. Cornelius Harness and Edward Bisley, warehouse men' Aldermanbury, to surr en der April 11, at twelve, and May 10, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Carman, official assignee, Birchin-lane; Van Saudau and Cumming, King-street, Cheapside; Sale, Worth ington, and Shipman, Manchester. William Benjamin Blaber, painter, Little Britain, April 6 and May 10, at half.past eleven, at the Court of ic, , nkruptcy. Cannan, official assignee, Birchin-lane; Manion and Prichard, Newgate-street. Wth:iam Ellison, builder, Stainsbproad, Poplar, Aril g,, at half-past twelve, and Alay 7, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official Assignee ; Walker, Grant, and Co., Ring's-road, Gray's Inn. Joseph Robinson, bookseller, High Holborn, April 9, and May 7, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stank feld, official assignee; Willoughby and Cox, Clifford's Inn. Robert Godsmark, jun.. grocer, Crosby-row, Wal worth-road, Surrey, April 9 and May 7, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, offioial assignee; Espin, Bedford-row. Thomas Bagley Consent, shipbuilder, Wisbeach Saint Peter's, Cambridgeshire, April 23, at two, and May 14, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Child and Kelly, Old Jewry; W. Gay, Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire. John Solle and William Hodgson, vinegarwakers, Christian-street, St. George in the East, April 12, at twelve, and May 14, at &even, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Groom. official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lom bard-street; Robinsons, Quen-street-place, Southwark bridge. John Bynner, grocer, Oswestry, Shropshire, April 15, and May 13, at half.past tot, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court. Chrisie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Young, jun, Mirk lane; Ludlow, Birmingham. John Croonie, engineer, Bristol, April 10 and May 8, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official assignee, Bristol; Bryan, Bristol. Jah-z Bowyer, miller, Boreham, Wiltshire, April 10 and May S, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official assignee, Bristol; Bevans, Bristol. Mary Levi, Julia Levi, and Ether Levi, stationers, Liverpool, April 12. and May 12, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Bird, official assignee, Liver pool; Cross, Liverpool. Samuel Wroth Anthony, shipowner. Liverpool, April 15 and May 6, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgue, official assignee, Liverpool; Wootton, Tokenhouse-yard; Dodge, Liverpool. William Chadwick, paper manufacturer, Manchester, April 10, and May 1. at eleven, at the Manchester Dis trict Court. Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Atkin son, Saunders, and Atkinson. Manchester. DIVIDENDS, At the Court, Basinghall-street. J. Stead. Melcombe ' Dorsetehire , grocer, April 22, at half-past eleven—W. Brown, Wood-street, City, and East-street, Cambridge-heath, Bethnal-green, elastic hat-band manufacturer, April 22, at half-past one—C. W. Davies, Brownlow-street, Holborn, licensed victu aller, April 24, at twelve. In the Country. T. Morris, Newcastle-in-Emlyn, otherwise Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, linen and woollen draper and grocer. April 22, at eleven, at the Court, Bristol—J. Brohdbent, New Barn, Delt, Yorkshire, woollen manu facturer, April 22, at twelve, at the Court, Leeds—S. Worth, Sheffield, Yorkshire, architect and surveyor, April 20, at ten, at the Council-hall, Sheffield—G. Bar ton and J. Barton, Manehester, copper roller manufac turers, April 8, at twelve, at the Court, Manchester. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. E. Yates, Leeds, Yorkshire, veterinary surgeon, Is. 11d., en Tuesday, March 26, or any subsequent 'Tuesday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Hope, Leeds. J. Atkinson, Bradford, Yorkshire, joiner, 55., on Tuesday, March 26, or any subsequent Tuesday, be tween eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Hope. Leeds. J. J. Sullivan, Winsford, Cheshire, salt merchant and shipowner. Is. 5i., on Thursday, March 28, or any sub sequent Thursday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. D. Evans, Liverpool, coach builder, 2s. 4t1., on Thurs day, March 28, or any subsequent Thursday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. D. Jones, Liverpool, haberdasher, 10d., on Thursday, March 28, or any subsequent Thursday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. T. Martin, Liverpool, merchant, 25., on Thursday, March 28, or any subsequent Thursday. between eleven and two, st the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. T. Cragg, Blackpool, Lancashire, grocer, 9c1., on Thursday, March 28, or any subsequent Thursday, be tween eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool, W. Wison, Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, malster, 55., on new proofs, on Saturday, March 13, or any sub sequent Saturday, between ten and three, at the office of Mr Baker, Newcastle-upon Tyne. G. Burnett and H. A. Thompson, Newcastle-upon- Tyne, and Jarrow, Durham, soda and alkali manufac turers, 3id , on Saturday, March 30, or any subsequent Saturday, between ten and three, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon- Ty ne. H. Taprenden, jun., Ashford, corn dealer, 4s. 63., on Saturday next, and the three subsequent Saturdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Groom, Ab- church-lane, City. G. Barnard, High Wycombe, grocer, 4d., on Saturday next, and the three subsequent Saturdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Groom, Abchurch-lane, City. R. Tate, Regent-street, silversmith and jeweller, lid., on Thursday, 28th inst., and the three following Thurs days, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Stens feld, Basirghall-street. R. Gritnby, Banbury, Oxfordshire, wine and spirit merchant, 6s. Bd., on Thursday,2Bth inst., and the three following Thursdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Stansfeld, Basinghall-street. Sikes, Sikes, and Wilkinson, Mansion-house, City, bankers. 3.16 d., on Thursday, 28th inst., and the three following Thursdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Stansfeld, Basinghall-street. E. Smallwood, Cryglestone, Yorkshire, schoolmaster, 65., on Thursday, 2;:th inst., and the three following Thursdays, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Stansfeld, Basinghall-street. NOTICES' OF CERTIFICATES. At the Court, Baainghall•street. J. Matthews and J. Martin, Chichester•place, King's.. cross, draper, April 27, at twelve—J. W. Jackson, Col. cheater, coal merchant, April 111, at half past eleren—J Patching, Ilenflold, Sussex, brewer, April 19. at one— J. Bonnin, jun., Brompton, builder, April 22, at ha : past one. In the Country. S. Wilson, Westbromwicb, Staffordshire, draper, April 22, it half past one, at the Court, Birmingham— D. Lees, Wednesbury, S taffordshire, coach iron-work manufacturer, April 20, at eleven, at the Court, Bir mingham. CERTIFICATES GRANTED. G. Morton, New-road, Whitechapel-road, draper—J. Grey, South Preston, Northumberland, market gardener and banker, certificate of the first class—R. Yenning, Totnee, Devonshire, cider merchant, certificate of the second class—R. Kidd, Tynan:tooth, Northumberland, common brewer and spirit merchant, March 25, certifi cate of the third class, after 21 days—W. Wilson, Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, mister, grocer, and draper, March 25, certificate of the third class, after 21 days—F. Clementson. Shellon, Staffordshire, earthen ware manufacturer, March 27, certificate of the second class, after 12 months—Y. Cooke, Worcester, cabinet maker and furniture dealer, certificate of the first class— B. Jefferies, Worcester, boat builder, certificate of the first class—W. Storey, Leeds, wool dealer, certificate of the third class, after three years from Nov. 29, 1849. MARCH , 30, 1850. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. W. Butlin and T. Howard, Northampton, engineers— W. Rymer, J. Todd, and T. Blakemore, Manchester, fus tian manufacturers—J. Barraclough, W. Vickers, Jn. Vickers, Jas. Vickers, and H. Taylor, Manchester, iron founders (so far as regards, H. Taylor)—Maria Norton, F. N. Norton, and Amelia Nettleton, Sloane-street, Chel sea—R. Willoughby and W. Willoughby, Warts ick-lane and West Smithfield. publishers and and printers—J. Dickinson and A. France, Spotland, Lancashire, tat - brick makers—E. Stimpson and F. Stimpson, Northamp ton, boot and shoe manufacturers—T. Cahill and J. 1). Hewett, Michael's-place, Bromptor, surgeons—Maria Howarth and Eleanor Taylor, Woolwich, milliners— Edwin Pcae and C. Pane, Birmingham, engravers and letter cutters—G. F. Jobbins and E. Jobrins, Old Bond street, bakers—M. Bowe, J. Walms ley, and R. Bowe, Manchester. cotton and worsted manufacturers—F. Gibson and W. Ullathorne, Nottingham, sodawater manufacturers—J. Woods, J. Squire, and W. Cash. Barge-yard, Bucklersbuey, engineers—J. Greenwood and Martha Greenwood, Kendal, Westmorland, hardware and general deal►-rs—J. Towle, Fanny Towle, J. Briggs, and E. Towle, Borrowash and Draycott, Derbyshire cotton doublers and lace manufacturers—J. Stagg asd W. Glossop, Gainsborongh, Lincolnshire, corn mer chants—Janet Hervey and Frances Lascelles, Neston, Cheshire schoolmistresses—T. Smith and R. T. Broome, Blackheath, Kent, ironmongers—W. C. Tidy and M. M. Bull, Cambridge heath, Hackney, surgeons—J. Griffiths and R. Richards, Gloucester-place, Walworth common, brewers—E. Hatfield and R. Hatfield, South well, Nottinghamshire, linen and woollendrapers—Caro line Mary Hall and H. J. Hall, Church-street. Kensing ton, toy dealers—J. Hart and W. F. Hart, Plynistock, Devonshire, limestone merchants—W. Whitehurst, W. C. Baynham, and W. Dalamore Oxford street, coachbuilders and harnessmakers—M. Pla tow and E. Humphreys, High Holborn. manufac turers of gas and steam fittings—J. Addison and J. Robinson, York, plumbers and glaziers—C. S. J. Semon, J. L. Siltzer, and J. Susmann, Huddersfield, wool merchants (so far as regards J. Susmann)—T. Lloyd and J. Hare, Aldersgate-street, grocers and tea dealers—J. Wilson, W. Wilson, and H. Wilson, Canter bury, builders (so far as regards J. Wilson)—J. John son and R. Johnson, Reading, grocers—W. R. Hodges, Great Bookham, Surrey, and G. Selby, Stnethwick Grove, near Birmingham, patent iron tube manufac turers—J. W. Hughes and J. Hill, Gloucester, woollen drapers—R. Titcomb and F. J. Clement, Highgate butchers. INSOLVENT PETITIONERS. John Meathrel, Paignton, Devonshire, coachmaker. John Nash. Portland, Dorsetebire. labourer. Ebenezer Kirkpatrick, Finehsm, Norfolk, tea dealer. John Atkinson, Liverpool, blacksmith: Joshua Evans, Liverpool, cart owner. . - John Cooper, Liverpool, joiner. Jasper Fowler, Newland, Gloucester, licensed victualler, Thomas Furley. Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucester, ceased victualler. Henry Bradbury, ilishopswearmouth, commercial tra yeller. Thomas Coates, Beckside, East Riding, Yorkshire, river sloopman and dealer in coals. Mary John, Lanharan, Glamorganshire, publican. John Games, Hay, Brecknockshire, hairdresser. John Costes, Wolsingham, Durham, draper and tailor. Francis Winson, Codnor-park, Derbyshire, licensed victualler. William Henry Thomas, PAignton, Devonshire, coach maker. Richard Griffiths, Wem, Shropshire, licensed victualler. Robert Franklin, Wem, Shropshire, painter. Thomas Hale, Bristol, nailmaker. Elizabeth Ireland, Skeeby, Yorkshire. John Adams, Reading, Berkshire, furniture brAer. William Clark, North Kelsey. Lincolnshire, tailor. SCOTCH SEQUES MATIONS. T. fiteyenson, Glasgow, COMMiniOn agent, to meet April 3 and 24, at twelve, within the Crow Hotel, Glaggow. J. Wilson, Kirk:own, Dyee, farmer, to•meet April 5 and May 3, at twelve, within the _Lemon Tree Tavern, Aberdeen. J. R, Robertson and Co., Om . oa. Lanarkshire,. four ders, to meet April 3 and 24, at two, within the Crew Hotel, Gia , :g - ,w. J. Mitchell and C. B. Macintosh, Perth, drapers as,d hosiers, to meet April 1 and 22, at on , ), within the St:a. Hotel, Perth. J. Wallace, Glasgow, writer and insurance ager t, to meet April 1 and 22, at twelve, within the Buck's Head Hotel, Glasgow. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, com puted from returns made in the week ending March 26, 1850. exclusive of Cust , .rn Duties pa d or payable thereon on the importation thereof into Great Britain:— From the British possessions :in America 245. 3d. per cwt. From the Mauri - ius 21s. From the East Indies 265. 7:11 Alwage price of the film, foregoing de scriptimis of sugar, jointly, computed as above, and exclwive of duty ... 21s. loa. fly authority of Parl anent, ITExuv Bickra au., Clerk of the Grocers' Company. Grocers'-hall, March 29. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PLYMOUTH, MARCH 28. Her Majesty's brig Cyg net, Commander David Robertson, from the coast of Africa, last from Portsmouth, arrived yesterday morn ing, and anchored in‘ide the Breakwater. In the afternoon the steam-frigate Vulture made a trial trip round the Eddystone, to test her machinery, and on returning took the brig in tow, and conveyed her up Haninaze, preparatory to her being paid otf. To-day 390 oz. of gold was landed from the Cygnet, under charge of Messrs. Collier and Sons, agents for Lloyd's, and forwarded, per South Devon and Great Western Railways to London, for Messrs. Foster and Smith, merchants. The Sans Pareil, 84, building on No. 5 slip, will be launched about the middle of August. The Exmouth, 90, will be ready by the end of the year; extra hands have been placed on her. The Vanguard, 80, was taken out of the basin dock to-day, and taken to the north-dock to have her wales put on, the basin-dock not being wide enough for the purpose. Two fatal accidents have occurred recently at the Keyham works. On Saturday, the 23d, James Med ian, a navigator, fell ever the shute between the sea wall and the dam, a height of 45 feet, and was killed on the spot. On Monday, the 25th, Joseph Darby fell a height of 35 feet from a stage, the spawl of which while descending hung to the rivets of the new caisson, surged, and three of the five men on it fell off. Darby was conveyed to the Devon and Cornwall Hos pital, where he died shortly afterwards. Wind southerly, light breeze. CHATHAM, MARCH 29.—The Hon. R. Dundas, Storekeeper-General, arrived at this dockyard on Wednesday morning, the 27th inst., from London, and was engaged the whole of that day and Thursday examining the stores and store accounts of the yard. The Rochester naval lighter, Sedgwicks master, has arrived with stores from Pembroke, and is along side the dockyard unloading. On the 27th inst. arrived the barque Honour, of St. Ives, Daniels master, with a superior cargo of oak timber for the dockyard. Sailed, on the 28th, the Aid naval lighter, Smallman master, with stores for Portsmouth. The Nankin, 50 guns, in dock.—The workmen are busily employed in bringing this ship forward for sea ; she is about half-way coppered, and it is ex pected that next week the riggers will commence rigging her. The Adder steam-vessel towed away this morning the Rienard lighter to Greenhithe, laden with stores, to be put on board the Hercilles store-ship, which is to sail for Malta in the course of a few days. The 17th Regiment (Royal Tigers).—Orders for the route of this corps arrived this day at this garri son. The first division marches on the 3d of April, the secon4 on the 4th, and the head-quarters on the sth, for Weedon, to relieve the 12th, which regiment will arrive to do garrison duty. Woomvictr, MAacu 29.—The Megmra steam-ves sel returned to Woolwich yesterday afternoon from her experimental trial, and the result was very satis factory, having made a speed on the average of nearly 10+ knots per hour. Her engines are 350- horse power, made by Messrs. George and Sir John Rennie, under the superintendence of Mr. Humphreys, now chief engineer at Woolwich dockyard. They are auxiliary engines, the vessel being about 1,600 tons, and drawing 13 feet of water forward and 15 feet aft. The ballast on board will be taken out of her, and she is expected to proceed to Sheerness on Wednesday next, to be made ready at that port for sea. Mr. George Rennie and Mr. Humphreys were on board during the trial, and Mr. Trickett, assistant to the chief engineer, went down in the Dasher steam vessel, to try her engines, and returned to Woolwich in the Megsera. THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.--The whole of the ship wrights working on the Pioneer and Intrepid screw steam- vessels, fitting for the Arctic expedition, were at work in the dockyard until ten o'clock A.M., and the workmen in the factory department for the same vessels were at work all day, and still take their turns by relays night and day to expedite the works requi site for the Pioneer and Intrepid. The workmen on the Agamemnon, 80-gun vessel, to be fitted with a screw propeller, have been ordered to work from six o'clock A.m. to six r.m., or as long as they can see, and their breakfasts are to be taken into the yard to them at eight A.M. MR. GORHAM AND THE BISHOP OF EXETER. The following letter has been forwarded to us for publication : TO HIS GRACE THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. My Lord Archbishop,—l feel it my duty to an nounce publicly to your Grace an error of my inform ant, who stated to me (see my published 1 etter, p. 41) that there was no edition of Bullinger's Decades sub sequent to that of 1577, in the 16th century. I have had an opportunity this day of in,pecting a copy of an edition in,1587, and I see, in Watts's B i bl i otheca Britannica, that there had been an edition in 1584. Whatever deduction ought to be made on this ac count from my argument against the probability of the "order," &c., of 1586 having issued, I hereby request your Grace and my readers to make. But, in order that your and their judgment may be formed satisfactorily, I think it right to state that neither in the title-page nor in the preface, nor in any part cf the book, so far as I can discover, is there the slightest notice of any such "order." The preface, which is a reprint of that of 1577, merely recom mends the book on the general groun d c . f its own merit. The book is stated to have been (as was, I believe, very tpual at that time) cum gratia et privi legzo Regia Afajestatis, which was not in the edition of 1577. There is another matter on which I ay.til myself of this opportunity to correct a great misapprehension. I understand it has been said that one of my coun - sel, in addressing the Judicial Committee, stated that " the Bishop told Mr. Gorham that if he would state he had no intention to publish the questions, answers; and correspondence, then the examination might cease at the point where they had arrived. If Mr. Gorham had said that he would plainly answer the questions and let the matter rest there, then thir Lordships would probably never have heard of the present con troversy, and Mr. G- n.harn would at that moment have been rector of Brantford Spehe." On the very day on which the learned counsel was reported to have said this, or something to the same effect, I remonstrated with him as having said it with out my instructions or authority, and contrary to my wish, as well as to what had really been intended by me. He assured me that What he had said had been greatly misapprehended, and very incorrectly reported to me. What was really said to me by Mr. Gorham on this matter will be found in the following passages of Mr. Gurham's published account of the examination. At p. 114, immediately before question 61, is what follows : " The Bishop—l have no hesitation in saying that my reason for asking whether Mr. Gorham intends to pub lish what has passed in this examination, and for my stating that if there be such intention, or if the inten tion be not disclaimed, I must continue the examination, is this—that the matter is not sufficiently investigated to enable me, in that case, to take the course which I may be now prepared otherwise to take, without my seeming to have forborne to plane before Mr. Gorham several considerations, which ought in my judgment to be weighed and answered by him." At p. 145, is the following passage, in a letter of mine to Mr. Gorham : " To what you say of my avowed reason for continu ing the examination on the fourth and subsequent days, namely, that I had the impression of your intention to publish what had passed, or might pass, I answer, that I hoped to bring the examination to a close in a manner favourable to you, on your making (as I expected that you would make) some general qualification of your statements; but that I felt it to bo impossible to take this course on your declining to disclaim the purpose of publication." I now solemnly aver to your Grace that I had no intention whatever of instituting Mr. Gorham, unless on a fully satisfactory qualification of his statements. I am, my Lord Ar c hbi s h op, w i t h g re a t respect, your Grace's most dutiful and faithful servant, H. EXETER. Bishopstowe, March 28. EXTRAORDINAR Y DISPATCIL—The New York packet -ship Fidelia. Captain F. W. Abeel, 969 tons, was discharged in the Waterloo-dock, Liverpool, in twenty-eight hours! Her cargo, which was all passed by the landing waiter and delivered, consisted of 19,C00 bushels corn, 2,000 packages lard and tallow, 620 bales cotton, 700 packages provisions, 500 barrels flour, and 10,000 staves. Within the twenty-eight hours she had also 100 tons of her outward curio put on board. CALIFORNIA. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER DATED JAN. 1, 1850. And now to the business part of my letter, which has been truly unfortunate. Immediately upon our arrival a custom-house officer was put on beard, who when he found that our vessel was an English ono, informed us that all spirits on board would be confiscated, and not even admitted by paying a duty of 100 par cent. This was a terrible blow to some cf us, myself amongst the test, as I had 1.500 bottles of spirits on board. In thst one item I estimate my loss at 1,400 dollars, that being the market price here. On 171. worth of blailets I have been obliged to pay, one way and another, 40 per cent,., which is a difficult thing to do without a farthing in ore's pocket. But I will tell you how I managed by and by. For my medicines I had to pay the same ex cessive duties. On every fire-arm or weapon of defence that a stranger takes in, he is obliged to submit to an extortion of five dollars, or about one guinea English. My cutlery also will never see San Francisco, besides it is quite a drug in the market. The speculation in watches also is about the worst that could have been male, at there are thousands of beautiful French gold watches selling here for leis than cost price; every lean you meet has several about him for sale. The only things that do pay an Englishman here are woollen slops, or warm clothing, and wine and spirits sent in quantities, packed according to the American law, and, above all, they must be carried in an American bottom. You will see by this, that our venture in merchandise has turned out a pre feet failure; it was a source of great pain and anxiety to us at first. but it cannot be helped. My mis fortunes do not, however, terminate here, for our vessel does not intend returning to England, owing to the length of time we have been coming out; and, what is still worse, no English vessel is allowed to sail up the liver Eacramento—therefore the vessel, which was to have been our hone while at the mines, is useless. I will now give you seme idea of the town. It is situated in an elevated position, and where six months ago there were only a few huts, there are now some 5,000 fine wooden houses and as many tents; in fact there is an entire little town, composed of tents, and named " The Happy Valley." At present the rainy season bas commenced, , and will continue about four months, and the remainder of the year will be fine and unvisited by a single shower. The town at this season is a sea of mud, never leis - than knee deep, occasionally up to the neck. Folks walk about, with their trousers tucked up as high as possible. Merchants are glad to give 201. for a pair of fisherman's high boots. There is calculated to be about 100,000 people in California. in San Francisco, Bohemia, Montray, and Sacramento town, there are about 70,000. In San Francisco there are 35,000 men, and only 126 women! I have been here 14 days and not seen onel I will give you now some little idea of rents, &c. For a moderate sised house run up of wood the usual price is at the rate of 1,8001. per annum; for a small room, about 10 feet square, lam asked 501. per month unfurnished. Car penters, or, in fact, all mechanics, are earning with ease 3/. 10s. a day. Doctors are as common as fleas, yet if they can only get a house and a patient they do well. Meat sells at 2s. per lb., bread Is. 6d. far a small loaf about enough for one meal, onions 6s. per lb., cabbages from 7s. to 12s. each, potatoes 3s. per lb., board sad lodging of the meanest description 6/. per week, and at any comfortable place double that some. Gambling is carried on to an extent hardly to be believed; every other house is a hell, and the sums of pure gold I have seen played for you would not credit me even if I told you —consequently murders and suicides are very com mon; the murders average seven or eight per week, and the suicides double that number. Now that I have given you some few general remarks about the town, I will say a little concerning the mines, or diggings as they are called: they are situated from' 300 to 600 miles from this place, and it takes a fortune to get there. The charge is 81. to go up to the Sutter's Fort, which is only 100 miles up the country. The muleteers charge one dollar per lb. for luggage,lnd pro visions are three times the price that they are here. Now I will tell you how some of us ere gaining suf ficient money to pay our duties, ?cc.:--Captain --. a young Irishman, who was presented at Court just before he started, has been earning five or six dollars a day by retailing eggs at 30s a dozen; another has been going from door to door with ready-made clothing; he his made enough to pay his dillies. I have tried wood-zit ting and shooting for a livelihood, both of which are very pretty amusemen t s; b ut h ere , i n ra i n y weat h er , it is very laborious. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. WAKEFIELD, MARCH 28.—Our arrivals of grain this week are short. Wheat meets a limited demand, which is partly to be accounted for by our market being held off the usual day, but last week's rates are maintained. Barley sells slowly at declining rates. Beans steady. In oats and shilling we have no change to note. New. OW. a. WIIEAT, per qr. 601bs per bushel:— Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, red ... 37 to 40 Ditto, white 42 -- 44 Norfolk and Hunts., red ... —37 —..., to -- 4...• ••••• •••••• Ditto, white... ... 40 42 Lincolnshire and Cambridge, red ... 34 37 . . •••••• 01•••• .111 Ditto, white ... ... 38 42 Yorkshire, red ... ... 34 36 Ditto, white ... ... 38 —4O Dantzic and Konigsburg, white .. 40 _44 Lower Baltic and Hamburgh, red... 36 38 Mediterranean, red ... ... 30 St BARLEY, per quarter of 8 bushels:— Norfolk and Suffolk... ... .. 23 25 Lincolnshire and Yorkshire .. 21 25 Scotch Grinding per 80 stone ... ... 18 —23 Foreign ... ... 20 22 BEANS, per quarter of 8 bushels 631b:— Small, fine ... 21— 26 Ticks Foreign ... ... 23 25 OATS, per stone : healing . 7id to 8d 01 to Feeding 7d to 8d ad to Foreign ... 7d to 8d 81 to SHELLING, per load of 2611 b ... 19 —2O MALT, per load of 6 imperial bushels 33 35 PEAS, per Imperial Quarter: — Blue and white boilers Grey and Feed Em• - 0.. __O.. ... ONO OM. sum .. 00 . .... -- OM. ....... ... imiNi .... ..... ....• ow. ow. •••• .•.- "^-, --- ••••• rINIMio •••• ... 25 - 27 ... - 24 .-- -- -• I • veie. ABM Qrs. Wheat ... ... ... 3,652 Rapeseed ... Barley ... ... ... 2,021 Qrs. 57 Oat* ... ... ••• ... 343 Beans... ... ... ... 315 Shelling ... ... 100 Linseed .. ... ..' Peas ... ••• ... Tares ... ... ... ... Bildt ._ •_ • • ... .• Flour ... ... ••• 7".° BRISTOL, MARCH 28. —The supply of English wheat con.; tinues moderate, for which, as well as for foreign, there was increased demand. English wheat, 3Gs to 00s per imperial quarter ; foreign white, 40s to 45s per 4801bs ; foreign red, fine, 38s to 42s ; ditto, ordinary, 36s to 37s per 4801bs ; ditto, hard, 33s to 363 per imperial quarter. Barley—Malting was the turn in favour of the buyer. Grinding qualities were dull. English malting sold at '23s to 28s per imperial quarter; En glish and foreign grinding, 18s to 21s per 4001bs. The oat trade was steady. Devon and Welsh sold at 13s 6d to 14. 6d per imperial quarter ; Irish white ditto, 15s to 165 6d pet 3201bs ; Irish black, 1-1 s to 141 6d per imperial gut rter. In beans but little doing. English sold at 24s to 28s per imperial quarter; foreign ditto, 21s to 265. Flour—English seconds► 27s to 293 per sack ; American, sweet, 21s 6d to 22s 6d per barrel. BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, MARCH 28.—Scarcely any buziness has been transacted here this week for want of st supply The refined market is rather dull, -and prices must be quoted a shade easier. Rum and molasses are .still gaits neglected. —Bristol Mercury. NEWBURY, MARCH 28.—The supply of wheat to-day in offer is moderate, and we have to note a better feeling in the trade, selected descriptions realising is per quarter advance, and other descriptions in much better request, at fully the rates of last week. Barley, a less quantity in offer than for some time past, and sales more reaoily effected at rather to hanced rates. Beans, peas, and oats, moderate supply, and 'OO variation to note in the prices from last week. ' Ettrotr, MARCH 28.—White wheat 4s 6d to 5s Od, red ditto 4s 3d to 4s 9d; beans 3s 3d to 4s per bushel ; barley 245 to 265; oats 14s to 21s per qr. KNARESBOROUGH, MARCH 27.—Wheat 4s6d to 51 9d; beans 3a 6d to 4s Od per bushel; barley 24s to 26s ; oats 1650 d to 21s cd per qr. WETHRRBY, MARCH 28.—White wheat 1516 d to 175 ed, red ditto 13e tid to 15s Od per load ; barley 223 to 24s per gr. ; beans 10s ed to 12s Od per load ; oats ad to 9d per stone. INVERNESS, MARCH 26.--Wheat, per quarter, weighing 621 b per bushel, 36s 6d to 38s 6d; new ditto, ditto, Os to Os ; old barley, per quarter, weighing 541 b per bushel, 195 to Ors ; new ditto, ditto, o,is to 008 ; oats, 421 b per bushel, 16s to 17s Od. Oatmeal, per imperial boll, 14s Od, second, 13. ; barleymeal, lls Od ; peasemeal, 141 to 00s; bran, per stone, 6d ; first flour, per 280Ib, 34$ to 365; second, 26s to 28s ; oatmeal, best, per stone of 14Ib imperial, Is 4d to Os Od ; second, Is 2d ; barleymeal, Is 2d ; peasemeal, Is 4d; first lour. 2s 4d cash, 2s ea credit; second, 2s cash, 2s 3d credit. Pota toes, per stone, 6d to Od; beef, per pound, 4d to 6d; veal, 4d to sd; mutton, 4d to 6d; pork, 3d to 4d; fowls, each, rid to 14d; chickens, per pair, 16d to 18d ; ducks, each, Od to 00d ; eggs, pr dozen, 4kd to 5d ; batter, fresh, per lb, 7d to 8d; salt, 9d to Od; croudie (curds) Od to Od; fonr.pound loaf, cash, 5d to 6d, credit, skd to 60; hay, per stone, 811 to 9d. coals, per cwt, 9d; BIRTHS. On the 221 inst., at Fairfield, Riggleawade, the wife of Captain J. S. Knox, 42d Bengal Light Infantry, of a ton• Oa the 25th inst., at Os fringe, Kent, the wife of the Rev. W. Keating, of a daughter. On the 2ith inst., at Baythorn-grove, near Halstead, Essex, the wife of Ellys Layton, Esq., of a son. On the 26th inst., the wife of H. E. Goon*ll, Esq., of Upper Norwood, Surrey, of a daughter. On the 26th inst., in Eaton-square, the wife of H. Nor man, Esq., of a daughter. On the 27th inst., at Lee, Kent, Mrs. Alfred M. Raymond, of a son. On the 27th inst., Mrs. W. C. Merriman, Leckeridge, near Marlborough, of a daughter_ On the 27th inst., at Brompton-crescent, Mrs. Charles Haden, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 27th inst., at St. Mary Stratford-le-Bow Chirchs Mr. William Howard, of Berners-street, Oxford street, to Louisa Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Loder, of Aldgate. On the 27th inst., at Trinity Church, Malty-square, Lon ion, Charles Willi am , e ld es t so n of Mr. Josiah Caster , of College- green , Gl ouces t er , to Diary Elizabeth, only daughter of the late J. Ad o lph us , E s q.. M. 1)., of Jamaica. DIED. On the 24th inst , at Hanover -terrace-villas, Notting-hill ' J. Lord, Etq., aged 81. On the 25th inst., aged 46, Annette, the wife of B. Gold shede, Esq.. of Hans. place. On the 25th inst., at Reading, Jane. the youngest daugh ter of 11. Lainson, Esq., of Heath-house, Reigate. On the 2 ith inst., at Fleetwood, aged 30, Agnes Elizabeth , wife of E. Atkinson, Esq. On the 2!qh inst., at County-terrace, Camberwell.new road, Emma, the wife of H. J. Jones, Esq. On the 22d inst., at Ludwell, Wilts, aged 22, Sophia Hol loway, th e wi f e o f the Rev. Edward Hill, curate of Charl• ton-in-Donhead St. Mary. On the .. , 2d inst., at Bath, Major William Bird Blamire. On t h e 17 t h lost, A. C. Donaldson, M.A. Li , ndon E Printed and Published by 111IIRDO TO • UN4 4• cf ~_ No. 112, strand, Printer, at 21w INN Office, 21 . 1- A _' titrntid, in tht Precin :he Snvny, the COUDI,I Satarday..Bliroh 30, 113110. I , i.,1 • ! • . ,