The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-21 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. THE IttGELEY POISONINGS. TRIAL OF PALMER AT THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT FROAI OUR OWN REPORTER) SIXTH DAY. LONDON, TUESDAY. he cou rt this morn i ng was aga i n densely crowded, )1 1 1:144 l arge concourse of people were waiting outside, t ot ] e ager to o b ta i n the slightest i n f orma ti on . Th e 11 4 .:3. 1Chie fJustice Campbell, Mr. Baron Alderson, and 'th e ust ieeCres swe ll, too k t h e ir sea ts upon the bench,and Prls o ner was i mme di a t e ly placed at the bar. He 4 - I) ° , , ed extremely pale, his features having a smaller far eal.a nee, and altogether bearing a most anxious and , expression. pc, Att orney -General, Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., Mr. th e el , 3l, Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Huddleston, appeared for G ra r°l7o ; Mr. Sergeant Shee, Mr. Grove, Q.C., Mr. 1 , 1 1 ; and Mr. Kenealey, appeared for the prisoner. Die evidence for the prosecution was then resumed. ether Jackson examined 'by Mr. James: lam a p ra i i , er of the College of Physicians. I have been in li av e e ue e in India, and for 7,5' years in this country. I Itud tetanus, both idiopathic and traumatic, my to India T he idiop a thi c ' is rare i n t hi s coun t r y, compared more" gi a. It is far ore frequent in India. I have seen abo nt 4 f atal , o l cases. "traumatic and idiopathic are equally in The latter class is more frequently found tal e : ll. 'f el- " , in India, both in natives and Europeans. It ro atk O L ace sh or tly after birth. In infants it is more att a ,: cl i n its symptoms of lock jaw than in adults 41 11 , 4 e 4 With the tr au m a tic class of the disease. I have ' s se en premonitory symptoms precede an attack ot the bill. Tathic tetanus 3rd Cam bell • What are they ? and Wi tt , P • °SB A. peculiar expression of the countenance, j l4, a Peculi ar stiffness of the muscles of the head and IN: . In infants it will prove fatal in from four to eight daratl*- When it attack s ad u lt s from cold, it is of longer ~, I° u , and m ay l as t many d ays —th e idi o p a thi c go ing 11 8 la all the same grades as the traumatic. i s 4 Bs-e xamined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : The patient ne .,Tub)rtabl e before the premonitory symptoms come hl complains of stiffness of the back and front of io lt -t "ii but m a y t a k e hi s f oo d un til t we l ve h our s be ‘t. I . ) e -ring the twelve hours after his attention is . 4 v r e draw, to the stiffness of his neck and mouth. I hi,tr h eard of any complaint of want of appetite for first ho urs before the attack. I have heard of the att ack coming on in bed. I have known cases of feu after miscarriage ; there is sometimes a difficulty, s wall nwi . t r s mptoms. ng, as premont o y y b etw Ree xamined by the Attorney-General : The intervals k 0r ,, e , e , 11 the promonitory symptoms in an infant are not a rid " t han six hours; a male adult, from 12 to 24 hours tt it 2 °l uctinies more. The duration of attack was from J 4 to ten days. Both symptoms and disease are alike j l e : e h cla ss of tetanus. Death may follow i n two days . atta ck nu t in court to hear the description given of the tap: L uc ) . death o f M r . C oo k. T e tanus will arise from e4,11-341'J to cold. I never k new a ea se where death halt a in so short a space of time as from ten minutes to an hour. thi.. . Berge n exam i ne d b y t h e A ttorney -G enera l : I I am .N " su perintendent of the police at Rugeley. , a as C o sent at the:inq ues t on th e body of John Parsons p al ' , after which I went, upon the 15th of December, to ' p a : le t'S hou se t o ma k e a searc h, I f oun d a quantity of lir. I had them taken into the drawingroom from s urgery, w h ere I f oun d t h e pr i nc ip a l p ar t o f th em . Dart c)°k Some out o f Palmer's bedroom. I searched every n „ the house, and put all the papers in one place in e ;: ra wingroom, after which I locked the door and put fl our into my p oc k e t. Up on th e ne xt d a y I endea -I),red to ma k e a selection from t h e papers. G eorge l ittl er was p resent. 1 0 ;' t ' l Campbell : I s th a t the prisoner's brother ? i ttless : It is. 1 1 „ he Attor ney- G enera l : A n d h e i s an a tt o rney, at lele y ho W t . Yes. I cannot say whether I gave him Da n l , " O f my intention to search the prisoner's house and 1 .‘ ..18 ' Ile was present part of the time. Inspector 1 4 1 ? and some o ther gentlemen were there. I first th e a selection of the papers, but afterwards gave up ci eor lae a ; and upon the Tuesday tied them all up. got g.e Palmer was there upon the Monday, but I can ititoßaY that he was upon Tuesday. I put all the papers Nvhblack le a th er b a g, a nd took them to Stafford, am ere I gave them to Captain Hatton. I believe it was prep the 24th that the bag was again opened in my tlyZ. ll :e. The papers were then gone through, and s ana lu ed by Mr. D ean f or the prosecution, and he copied 1)4 e I them. During the search which I made of the rti ll : rs I Saw what they all where, and I saw no cheque C ,„, ° " ti ng to bear the signature of Cook drawn upon 4 0 : "etherby. Th e w it ness f ur ther s aid, I found no l l el li ti ltlen t Purporting to bear the signature of Cook 4ft e .4 to bids of exchange. Some of the papers were wards taken to Mr. G. Palmer. The letters, private tiqi tleilts, and do cu m en ts selected by Mr. Dean were deli ve „ : ed to Inspector Crisp, and he was directed to an , them to that gentleman. The prisoner was ' st " d on the night of the 15th of December. ISl r- Sergeant Shee : The inquest was held at the toi l 1 4 Arms. There were several meetings, and before it gas tided more than a fortnight elapsed. The prisoner lalsarrested by the sheriff on a civil process two or three ho ts be fore the verdict was returned. He was at his but ju,at Rugeley the whole of the time the inquest lasted . t 4 a m : w as not present at it, nor was there any person Leeut Professionally for him. I did not know there had Pulice officer previous to the death of Cook in th,°-`eY; but I heard a person of the name of Field was the parry ' e nrY Dean attended the inquest on Ann Palmer t of an insurance company. The first time I elstnaer , s papers was on the 24th of December, in the tilq 4 , ° ' • Y of the last witness. I selected and classified At e They were in a black bag. It was unsealed in my 1 e lllee • Mr. Hatton and another person was present. 1 1 4 aettl ined the whole of the contents of the bag for the Th e ' r tlse or selecting those papers which were material, G. p a e i st s a considerable quantity, were returned to Mr. l 'i r eth: til L e r• I did not find a cheque upon the Messrs *lt t ,: t° Y , signed by Mr. Cook for £350. I heard the blit-iss Cheshire examined relative to a certain papers that It tlic l not find that paper, or any`other, which stated c lkti oil ail ner had signed a document for Cook's accommo „ tOr Ft' ' e xamined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : I knewlnspec- N fir ip had been at Rugeley at the time of the inquest. ap sen rn w ere solicitors to the Prince of Wales Life Insur- L at6, -111ce, and Field went there upon their emrloyment, kaf fr : w as at Rugeley only part of a day. He was at Axis rd f or three or four days, but he did not see the that te r while th ere . His visit had been preceded by o ne :` a nother officer named Simpson. Simpson I saw kith Y at Rageley. H e wen t from Rugeley to Stafford He *B.l -Ys elf and Field. He said he had seen Palmer. n C) t.s t retain e d i n our service on the first week in etc h e r. qn i‘lr. t . James : Field was sent down to make en tvhol" as to th e h a bit s an d life of Mr. W a lt er P a l m er, of at ase de ath the office had shortly before received notice, to enquire into the circumstances of a person At it ."' bfi ates, with re f erence to an insurance on his lif e . a bni * p s Pin, solicitor for Mr. Padwick, said : I produce Rei lt i ' Or 4 :2,000, whi c h was placed in my hands by that d o et nan to enforce payment from the prisoner's mother. 40 110,, "t k now whether it is the handwriting of the pri th4t. tile(brstrl. Strawbridge was here called, and he stated wo rds was in the ha n d wr iting of the prisoner.) The that il Sarah Palmer " was not in the handwriting of .£1, 0 ,,, 11d Y• The bill was d ue th ree mont h s a ft er d a te, but ha n d had been paid o ff, an d t h e b ill was p l ace d i n my th e e s 'n the 12th o f D ecem b er to enforce the paymen t o f 41, tit enl ainder. I had not made application for the pay-s letter of the bill i n N ovem b er myself. I received two s fro m the prisoner. the 11 ° l etters were here put in and read, and contained be c heque for £l,OOO, with a request that it might not presented till the 25th of Nov., and the other related to a sum of money, £3OO, about which there was some mis. take about the remittance, ancl in ;which Palmer stated he would shortly be in London. Witness continued : I produce a cheque for £1,0(10, inclosed in the above letter of the 12th, dated the 28th. I presented it on that day and payment was refused. I also produce a cheque for £6OO, dated Bth December, in plisoner's handwriting, payable to Mr. Padwick or bearer, which was also dishonoured. It was forwarded in consequence of the cheque of £l,OOO having been dis honoured. £l,OOO still remains due on the £2,000 bill . Execution was issued against the person. The prisoner was taken on the ca sa. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant ghee : I first saw the cheque a day or two befOre the date of the 12th. Re-examined by Mr. James : An action was brought against the mother for the recovery of the £l,OOO due on Mr. Bamford, surgeon, of Rugeley, who had been suffer ing lately from ill health, which prevented his earlier examination, having greatly recovered, was led into court by Mr. Gardner, the solicitor for the prosecution, and examined by the Attorney-General. He said—l am a surgeon and apothecary, of Rugeley. I first saw the deceased Cook on Saturday, 17th November, at the request of Mr. W. Palmer. He called on me and asked me to attend a friend of his, who was ill at the Talbot Hotel. He said he had dined with Cook the day before, and that he had taken too much champagne. I walked with Palmer to the Talbot and saw the deceased. I asked Cook if he had taken too much wine the day before. He assured me he had taken but two glasses. He was constantly vomiting, but 1 saw no bile thrown off. I pre scribed a saline effervescing draught for the deceased; a six-ounce mixture. Lord Campbell said that the witness need not be examined on this point, because it was stated in his deposition that had been read to the Court. If it was persisted in, he must have the whole of the medical wit nesses re-examined. The Attorney-General said he had no intention to go into it. Witness examined—On Monday I prescribed and pre pared some pills for deceased. The medicine I prepared on Monday I took myself to the Talbot Arms, and gave it to the servant maid. I saw her take it up stairs. On Sat urday, Sunday. and Monday, I prepared the same sort of pills for deceased. I saw Palmer on Tuesday morning on my way down to see the patient. He met me, and I asked him if he saw Cook the night before. He said he saw him between nine and ten o'clock, and was with him half an hour, and requested me not to see deceased that morning to disturb him. I did not see him then. Between eleven and one o'clock that day I was met again by Palmer, on my way to see Cook. He begged I would not go to see Cook, as he was still quiet, and he did not wish him to be disturbed. About seven o'clock that night Palmer sent a request to my house that I would see Cook again. I went and saw him for the first time on that day. After that, I left the room with Mr. Jones and Palmer, and had a conversation with him. Palmer rather wished Cook to have his pills again, and he walked with me to my house for them ; and stood by me whilst I prepared them in my surgery. I have strychnia in a private room, but I keep none in my surgery. Palmer saw me weigh the ingredients of which the pills were com posed. 1 put them in a box, and labelled them " Night pills—John Parsons Cook," at the request of Palmer. He took the pills away with him, between seven and eight o'clock. I never saw Cook again alive. I wrapped the pills and directions up in a paper, and fastened each end with sealing-wax. The directions were written on a paper folded square, placed under the box of pills, and both were afterwards wrapped in the paper that was sealed. There was nothing written on the outside paper. I saw Cook, dead, as near 20 minutes past 12 o'clock as could be. I learned from Palmer that the deceased had been dead about five minutes. I found the deceased stretched out as straight as he could be on his heels and back of his head and stiff. His arms were in a rigid state by his side and his fists clenched. I gave it then as my opinion that the deceased died of apoplexy, and gave a cer tificate accordingly. Palmer asked me to fill up the certi ficate. I had the form with me. I told Palmer it was his place to fill up the certificate as Cook was his patient, but he said he would much rather I did it, and I consented. I was present at the post morlem examination. After it was all over Palmer said to me " we ought not to have let that jar go." Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shea : My house i s about 200 yards from Palmer's house. Mr. Thomas Pratt examined by Mr. James : I am a solicitor, practising in King Street, Mayfair. lam ac quainted with the prisoner. I commenced in November, 1853, when I obtained a loan of £l,OOO for him. That was afterwards paid. In October, 1834, I was employed by him to make a claim on two policies, bath on the death of Ann Palmer. I received £5OOO from the Sun, and £3,000 from the Norwich Union. The money was applied in payment of three bills amounting to £3,500 or £4,000, and £2,000 of it was due on acceptances and loans obtained subsequently to the claims on the policies, the remaining £1,500 was not applied. In April, 1855, he applied to me for a loan of £2,000; but he did not state for what purposes he wanted it. I obtained it on an accept ance drawn by himself and accepted by his mother, On 20th November I and my clients held eight bills that I had discounted for Palmer. I held four of them myself. There were two others then overdue. The bills are as follows : June 5, 1854, for three months after date drawn by Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer for £5OO, and endorsed by him ; August 2, 1854, a similar bill for £l,OOO, payable three months after date; July 22, 1855, for £2,000, three months after date; July 24, 1855, for £2,000, three months after the 'date, endorsed by Palmer to Thos. Pratt ; September 27, 1855, for £l,OOO, for three months after date ; September 29, 1855, for £2,000, for three months after date; October 2, 1855, for £2,000, for three months, indorsed by Palmer to Thomas Pratt; and one, October 12, 1855, for £2,000, for three months after date. The whole of the bills purporting to be drawn by Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer, payable to the order of Palmer, and endorsed by him. The whole amounted to £12,500. £6,000 had been renewed, and would become due in January ; two bills were only overdue on the 20th of November for £2,000. One bill for £l,OOO, and another for £5OO, was held over from month to month, as was the interest. The interest charged for discounting the bills was about sixty per cent. In August, 1855, Walter Palmer died, and I made an application to the Prince of 'Wales' office for £13,000, the amount of the policy. Sarah Palmer, as the acceptor of these bills, had frequently been written to at Rugeley, but no replies were received. Some letters from Pratt to Palmer were here produced, which were found by the superintendent of the Stafford police amongst the prisoner's papers after his arrest, and during the investigation before the coroner respecting Cook's death. They related to the overdue bills, and also to the policy effected on the life of Walter Palmer; also letters from Palmer to Pratt, in reply to one of which he stated he had been requested by his mother to reply to the commu nication. Examination continued : Palmer called upon me, and paid me £270 upon the account of the bills then due. He said he would send another sum of ,E 250 before the follow ing Wednesday, and that he was to pay the principal by instalments as soon as possible. Lord Campbell said he was glad to see that the jury were taking a close note of this part of the evidence, as it would save him much trouble during the summing up. A letter of the 28th October was then put in and read. It runs thus : " Dear Sir,—l will send you £250. Do not think of the writs; I will get you the money if I pay £l,OOO for it. Give me a chance of paying. Do not send to the proctor." The letter, after referring to some other matters, was signed " Wm. Palmer." Upon the 31st of October Pratt wrote to Palmer, to tell him that in consequence of the promises in that letter, that with the exception of the writs against the brother of prisoner, no steps should be taken. The letter pressed for further payments, and also alluded to the necessity of further steps being taken about the policy of Walter Palmer's life. Upon the 6th November I issued writs for £4,000 upon prisoner and his mother, and sent them to Mr. Crabb. a solicitor at Rugeley, upon the 6th. Upon the 10th Palmer called upon me. having written that be would come. He paid me £3OO upon the 10th. That sum, with the £5OO, made £BOO. £2OO was de ducted for interest, and he was credited £6OO off the account. I think that I mentioned at that time to him that the writs had been sent down to Rugeley. A letter of the 13th was put in and read. It was from Pratt to Palmer about the prospects of obtaining the policy, and pressing for the payments. Upon the 16th November I had another letter promising £2OO, and upon the next day some one called arid paid me a • cheque for £2OO. I had another letter, and up m the following Monday, being the settling day after the Shrewsbury Itaces, prisoner called and paid me a sum of £5OO, making in the whole a sum of £1,300 paid up to that day upon account of the £2,000 bill. Upon the 21st I had another letter from the prisoner. The letter was put in and read. It stated that Cook had died, and that prisoner was very much fatigued, and added, " I must have Polestar again. If any one asks you about what money Cook has had of you, do not say anything about it until I see you." Prisoner promised to send more money upon this. Pratt wrote another letter upon the 22d, which was put in and read. After alluding to Cook's death, the writer told Palmer that, as Cook was dead, he mist see and look about him for the £5OO bill ; and it also stated that Pratt had sent down the bill of sale to Crabb. This letter having been read, the court adjourned for half an hour. On resuming, the reading of the letters was continued One was from witness to Palmer, stating that Messrs. Weatherby had not honoured Cook's cheque. Examination continued : On the 24th November I saw Palmer at my office, when he paid me £lOO, of which x'7s was to go for the renewal of the £5OO bills. On the 26th of November Palmer again wrote me not to say anything to anyone about Cook's affairs. I did not know the deceased John Parsons Cook. I had a bill of sale upon two horses of his, called Polestar and Sirius. I never saw Cook on the subject of that loan; the prisoner negociated. [Bill of sale produced and read.] The money advanced amounted to £5OO. I have a letter from Palmer on the subject of that loan. It is dated the 26th of August. [Letter read.] It stated that Palmer wanted £l,OOO by the following Saturday, but it must be at a less rate of interest than he had been in the habit of paying. He Was ready to assign the policy upon Walter's life as:security. Another letter of the 30th of August from Palmer to witness was read; it stated that Palmer was coming up to London, and if witness could not advance money on the policy it must be returned. In this letter an acceptance of Cook's was enclosed, which Palmer wished to have negotiated. It was for £500.] I advanced £375, and a wine warrant on the bill, and sent the money and warrant to Palmer, at Doncaster. The letter con tained £3OO in notes, and a cheque for £375, payable to Mr. Cook "or order." [This letter was read. It asked the prisoner, " when shall I see you about the three £2,000 bills coming due ? " The cheque and wine war rant enclosed produced and identified by witness.] The cheque and the wine warrant sent to Palmer for Cook were the consideration for the bill of sale. The other £3OO, which I enclosed in the same letter had nothing to do with Cook. Mr. Stevens, father-in-law of the deceased, was here recalled. Mr. E. James : Mr. Stevens, look at the endorsement, on the bill for £375. Is it in the handwriting of Cook ? Mr. Stevens (looking at the bill) : No. Mr. E. James : The signature is "J. Parsons Cook." Mr. Stevens : I never saw him write his name other. wise than " J. Parsons Cook." Mr. Strawbridge was then called, and the Attorney- General directed him to look at the acceptances, and see if they were in the handwriting of Sarah Palmer, and he declared that none of the acceptances were in her hand_ writing. Mr. W. Cheshire : In the month of September last I was clerk in the National and Provincial Bank, at Rugeley. Mr. Palmer had an account there, and the cheque in question was paid into his credit by his groom, Cockaign. The cross-examination of Mr. Pratt was then proceeded with by Mr. Sergeant Shee : Previous to May, 1851, I had no knowledge of the prisoner. I knew nothing about Mr. Cook, but I had a sum of money due to Mr. Palmer, and he wished me to add .Wl9O to it. Mr. Cook never complained to me by letter, that he did not receive the mortgage money of the race horses. I had not the plightest knowledge how Cook and the prisoner stood as to the winning on the Shrewsbury races. Mr. John Armshaw : I am an attorney practising at Rugeley. On 12th Nov. last, I was applied to to enforce the payment of a debt of £6O by some gentleman in Rugeley on the 19th of the month. I sent to London for a writ, and the next morning I went to the prisoner at his house and he paid me two fifty pound notes. One was a Bank of England, and the other was a local note. I took the money to my client, and told him to take a receipt and settle about the costs. By Mr. Sergeant Shee : It was about nine o'clock in the morning. Mr. John Wallbank : I am a butcher residing. at Rugeley. I remember the Monday in Shrewsbury race week. I was fetched to Palmer's house. 1 saw him, and he said, " Wallbank, I want you to lend me £25." I said, " doctor, I am very short of money, but I will try and get it." He said, " do, that's a good fellow, and I'll give it you on Saturday morning." He said he should receive some money that day. I met him on the Saturday- morn_ ing, and he paid me the money. I think it was by a bill. By Mr. Sergeant Shee : Palmer had lent me money on occasions when I required it. Palmer's mother lived in a large house near the church. I have often seen him visit there. Mr. John Spilsbury, farmer, residing at Rickerscott : I have had dealings with Mr. Palmer. On 'Thursday, the 22nd Nov. I called upon him and received payment for a debt. It was by a x5O Bank of England note. I called casually that day. I did not have an appointment. By Mr. Sergeant Shee : That was the only transaction I had with him. Mr. Strawbridge, the manager of the bank at Rugeley, said on the 19th of Nov. his account showed a balance of .e 0 6s. in his favour. Nothing had been paid in since. The last payment he had made to his credit was on the 10th Oct. It was £5O. Mr. Herbert Wright, a solicitor of Birmingham, said I have known the prisoner since July, 1851. In November he was indebted to my brother £10,400. We had a bill of sale on his property ;it was dated May 6, 1855. It was for £6,500, and comprised bills of Exchange drawn by Palmer, and purporting to be accepted by Sarah Palmer. The sum of £2,300 was further advanced, for which all his personal property, race horses, and also a policy for £5,000 on his life was taken as a further security. The bill of sale was subject to redemption. The whole sum advanced amounted to £10,400. During the early part of November I was pressing Palmer for payment. The money was considered to be due on the first or second week in November, but before the 22nd of the month we were urging for payment The bill of sale was put in force after the verdict had been returned. I neither took nor found any of his papers. Cross•emamined by Mr. Sergeant Shea : A good deal of property was taken. I don't think if the interest bad been forthcoming I should have objected to put off the seizure. By the Attorney-General : The bills were discounted at 60 per cent. per annum—(sensation)—and the bills would not have been renewed under that amount. Mr. Strawbridge proved that the acceptance to the whole of these bills were not in the handwriting of Sarah Palmer. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : I have none of the handwriting of Mrs. Palmer with me. The imitations were very faint ones, and I should not pay such if they were presented at the bank. A conversation here arose about a witness whose name was upon the back of the bill of indictment, whom the Attorney-General said Mr. Sergeant Shee could examine if he wished. Mr. Weatherby was called but did rot answer. The Attorney-General said that perhaps their lordships would allow him to put a question or two to Mr. Weatherby in the morning. Their lordships assented. Lord Campbell inquired whether Mr. Sergeant Shee would wish to go on with his case that evening. Mr. Sergeant Shee said be would prefer commencing to morrow. He wished to be allowed to ask Mr Devonshire whether he was pushed, as described by one of the wit- nesses, when the post mortem examination on Cook's body was made The learned Judges said they attached no importance to the circumstance, The Attorney-General said this was the case for the pro. s-cution, with the exception of the questions he wished to put to Mr. Weatherby, and which would not occupy a couple of mibuted. The court then, at half-past three, adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow (this day). Mr. Henry Mayhew has addressed a letter to the papers contradicting a statement made by Dr. Taylor, in his evidence in Palmer's case on Monday, to the effect that Mr. Mayhew obtained from him a statement con cerning the Rugeley poisonings in a surreptitious manner• Mr. Mayhew states that he had Dr. Taylor's verbal and written perm'.ssion to publish what he communicated, and that Dr. Taylor himself corrected the proof of the article of the publication of which he now complains. Mr. Mayhew likewise publishes a letter from Mr. S. Edward's , who was present when the interview between Dr. Taylor and himself took place, and who wrote the article which appeared. Mr. Edwards bears out Mr. Mayhew's state ment, as to the legitimate use made of Dr. Taylor's infor mation. THE CITY OF LONDON EDMUND LYONS AND SIR On Monday, a general Court of Common Council of the City of London, was held at the Guildhall, for the pur pose of presenting the freedom of the City to Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart., G.C.B. Sir Edmund Lyons was introduced by Mr. Deputy Dakin and Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Kennedy, and was received with hearty cheers. Sir John Key (the Chamberlain), in making the pre sentation, referred to the many and various claims which the gallant admiral had upon the regards of his country men, observing, further, that in presenting that mark of respect the court stood forth not as a mere assemblage of citizens, but as the exponents of public feel in g and the accredited trustees of a great national distinction. Sir Edmund Lyons addressed the crowded auditory in nearly the following words :—My Lord Mayor, Mr. Chamberlain, and gentleinen,—lt would be vain for me to attempt to express how deeply sensible I am of the distin guished honour conferred upon millby goo, whom t am indeed proud to address ss fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) The freedom of the city of London, in acknowledgment of ser vices rendered to the Sovereign and the country, has ever been considered a laudable object of ambition by naval officers. The hopes of arriving at this honour were awakened in my breast at a very early age by reading, when a boy, that it had been conferred upon Nelson. These hopes I have cherished ever since, and now that they are happily realised, I find that instead of the reality falling short of the anticipation, as is too often the case, my feelings of pride and satisfaction are, on the contrary, unbounded ; for it is indeed a proud thing to receive such a proof of confidence and good will from the most enlightened and important commercial body that ever existed—a body whose influence is beneficially felt not only at home, but all over the civilised world. (Loud cheers.) The Chamberlain has done me the honour to speak in very complimentary terms of my public life. In zeal for the good of the public service, I yield to no man, and during the 42 years I have served abroad, in diplomacy and in the navy, I certainly have coasciel tiously performed my duty to the best of my humble abilities, and I must say that on all occasions I have been so ably supported by those serving under me as to render my task comparatively easy, and particularly during the last three winters in the Black Sea, and on no occasion more than when the Agamemnon, seconded by the Sanspareil and London, attacked Fort Constan tine. I believe that most of us were at Spithead last month when the Queen reviewed a fleet, which for combined grandeur, power, and originality, was never equalled. (Loud applause.) It was impos sible not to be struck with admiration at the exter nal appearance of that imposing armament as it presented 1 self to our view—a proof of the marvellous resources of this country ; and forming, as it did, but a portion of her Majesty's naval forces, for we have a large fleet in the Mediterranean, and ships of war in all parts of the world ; but the admiration so excited is much increased, when we reflect upon the order, discipline, cheerfulness, and patriotism that reigned within, and still further increased by a fact which I have mentioned on more than one ocea siel, and which is worthy of being mentioned again and again, for it will figure in a bright page of our history, when contrasted with the state of things that existed in former wars—l allude to the fact of the whole of her Majesty's fleet being manned by volunteers—(cheers) — men who came forward of their own free will to serve their Queen and country. (Cheers.) I fear I have very inade quately expressed my feelings of pride in becoming your fellow citizen, and my gratitude to you for the kind and handsome manner in which you have received me. This beautiful box will be handed down as an heir-loom and preserved by my children and children's children as a memorial of one of the proudest events of my life. The whole court rose and cheered the gallant admiral at the close of his address, arid the Lord Mayor immediately intimated that the proceedings of the day were at an end. His Lordship then invited the whole company to lunch at V the Mansion-house, and entertained them in the Egyptian llall. THE OLD BOROUGH GA.OL JOB TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES, Sir,—As one of the burgesses of Liverpool, feeling a deep interest in the good and efficient management of our corporate estate, allow me to thank you for having, almost alone, taken up the general interest of the tax payers on the present occasion. Too many of our Press men are time-serving, and waiters on Providence, prefer ring to " toady " the great, rather than protect those, whom the chairman of the meeting on Tuesday, at the Clarendon rooms, rightly pronounced to he disunited and weak. _ If the burgesses will but do their duty, we then shall find the council chamber not the place for jobbers, and certain nameless persons, who have fattened upon the general interests, would he far less powerful for mischief. Talk about throwing dirt, indeed ! Some men escape by sheer impudence, and lead the scent into a wrong channel by trying to damage those, whose every act, if carefully examined, would be a censure upon their own. Mr. Editor, really honest men must be properly sus tained by the burgesses, or else how are they to accom plish the good for us their mind's wish ? Mr. Robertson Gladstone is always our friend, and it would be a thorough disgrace to ourselves if we per mited, by our indifference or apathy, such men to be driven into inaction, by the attacks which have been made upon him, for defending our cause in the debate on the proposed sale of land. What right had Mr. Hornby to ask any gentleman to do what no one would ex p e ct from him? And Mr. Holt, too, only voted for s imply expecting that no action would result from Th e burgesses must sustain Mr. Robertson Gladstone, Are these our friends ? delay, simply as his work with the finance committee is only begin ning. We must remember a most important question which no one, save Mr. Gladstone, has had the courage to call upon them to account for. They have been twitted in the House of Commons for not being able to give any satisfactory explanation of the corporate property, and as they rely upon the ability and character of their officials, let them prove it, by showing to all of us the nature and extent of our corporate estate. If that estate was efficiently managed, I believe our local rates might, and would, be much reduced. Let the finance committee show their interested fellow burgesses that they deserve the post they fill, and then all will readily accord them their thanks ; but let us know that they do all they profess, before standing so very high in their own good opinion. It is very easy to assume the indignant, but in this age, when so many, and some high in office, have failed to maintain that strict integrity, which, previous to the facts becoming patent to the world, few or none doubted, we are fully justified in seeking, even from the financial committee, proofs of their good management. I trust, sir, that you, if none of the other liberal newspapers do, will not cease from following up the question. What is our corporate estate ? and what ought it to be ? I fear I have been prolix, but my excuse is, my earnestness in the matter.—l am, yours, &c. JAMES HOBBs. Liverpool, May 16, 1856. The Times, in a leading article, says, it has been determined that Earl Granville, the president of the council, shall proceed upon an extraordinary mission to St. Petersburg, on the occasion of the Emperor of Russia's coronation. Prince Oscar, of Sweden, arrived at Paris on Monday evening, at five o'clock. Yesterday (Tuesday) a grand review was to be held, at which the Emperor of the French, the Austrian Archduke Maximillian, and Prince Oscar were to be present. ESHIPMENTS OF HRANDY.—A disgraceful imposition, in connexion with shipments of brandy to the Colonies and elsewhere, is stated to be largely practised. The system is to buy up empty brandy casks, bearing the brands of the most noted Cognac houses, and send them from Hamburg, Antwerp, and other places, to this country, in transit, wher.ce they are transhipped on board vessels and hound to Australia, the Cape of Goad Hope, &c., where the brands of these Cognac houses are in good estimation. The Daily News contains a leading article enumerating some of the advantages which may arise from the pro jected marriage of the heir-presumptive to the crown of Prussia and the Princess Royal of England. The Court of Prussia is at present popular in England, and there are many good reasons why the connection between the two countries should be cordial and friendly. The grudge in England is against the King, who has allowed the Russian party too much sway. Prince Frederick Wil liam is thoroughly advised to that party. The power of Prussia is also the only great Protestant power on the Continent, and in giving the Princess to the Prussian Court we shall be doing our best to place it in a position to become an efficient and safe state. COUNTY COURT .-YESTERDAY (BEFORE JOSEPH POLLOCK, ESO, JUDGE.) Yesterday was the opening day of the second May court. A RRAN GEMENT OF 13USiNESS.—The following arrange ment of the business of the court was made :—Tuesday (yesterday), fraud summonses, insolvencies, &c. ; Wednesday (this day), one adjourned case, Slater v. Power, at ten o'clock, and forty cases at twelve ; Thurs day, 159 cases Friday, 148 cases ; Tuesday , 27th inst., 120 cases; Wednesday, 123 cases • Friday, 64 cases; making in all, '644 cases to be tried in thit court. FRAUD SUMMONSES.—A considerable number of fraud summonses was heard and disposed of. None of the cases possessed the slightest public interest. INSOLVENTS. Robert Scott, grocer. of Richmond-street and Dale street, was supported by Mr. Daggers, and opposed by Mr. Rittson, solicitor, and several creditors in person. His Honour adjourned the petition sine die without pro tection, on the ground that the insolvent had received goods on credit only a few days before he filed his petition, which he afterwards sold for less than their Richard Latham Lupton was opposed by Mr. Hus band, on behalf of a loan society. The final order w•as fixed for the first of August court, ani protection withheld as regarded the opposing creditors for two months. Thomas Willem& was supported by . Mr. H usband, and unopposed: The insolvent was a shoemaker. The final order was flied for the first court in :July: John Brown was supported by Mr. Henly, and opposed by Mr. Cross. The petition was adjourned for a week. _ Sohn Turner, butcher, was opposed by Mr. Husband. An objection was raised by Mr. Husband that the petition was founded on an affidavit sworn before an incompetent party. Mr. Gray supported the petition. Hid Honour said his present opinion was with Mr. Husband, but that he would look over the statute, and state his decision in the course of the ensuing week. Some interpleader eases, of no - public importance, were also disposed of. JubGMENT.—AMAN AND ANOTHER V. HOUGHTON AND ANOTHER.—His Honour gave judgment in this case. which was for £7O, reduced to .£5O to bring it within the jurisdiction of the court. The action was for a defficient quantity of Bilboa chesnuts, sold by the de fendant to the plaintiffs. His Honour found the plain tiffs entitled to damages to the extent of seven tons at 14s per cwt, instead of seventeen tons, the number &night. SLIGO ELECTION PETITION The Select Committee appointed to try the merits of the petition presented by Mr. J. P. Sneers, against the return of Mr. J. Wynne, the sitting member for the borough of Sligo, on the ground of treating, bribery, and intimidation, met or the first time yesterday. - The members of the committee were —Mr. G Butt, in the chair. Sir J. Hanmer, Mr. Gower, Mr. Moody, and Mr. Clive. Mr. James, Q.C., Mr. Morgan, J. O'Connell, and Mr. Lewis, were retained for the petition, and Mr. Slade and Mr. Huddlestou for the sitting member. Mr. O'Connell having made an ineffectual attempt to postpone the enquiry, on the ground of the absence of Mr. James, Q.C., who was engaged in prosecuting Palmer, of Rugeley, opened the case so for as treating was con cerned. Tho poll took place on the 7th of March last, and the allegation was, that on that morning and the evening before voters were treated at the houses of Dr. Ferguson, Mr. Michael Gethin, and Mr. Robert Hen derson. It was also charged that one voter had been treated by the sitting member himself, and by Mr. Lyons, his land lord. Mr. 14‘Niffa was the first witness. He deposed that he had canvassed for Mr. Wynne, but that he had not power to make any arrangements for that gentleman. He never saw Mr. Mostyn at Dr. Ferguson's house. The wit ness proved nothing, and he was not cross-examined. Mr. Abraham Powell, solicitor and farmer, deposed that he was one of Mr. Somers' agents at the late election. This witness was so excited that it was impossible to examine him, and he proved nothing. Mr. Thomas Mostyn, solicit r, of Dublin and Sligo, deposed that he was Mr. Wynne's sole acting agent at the late election. There was no bribery treating on the part of Mr. Wynne, or any of his agents. Mr. Wynne expressly directed his agents not to canvass or interfere iu the election. On cross-examination, the witness said he was aware that Mr. Wynne declined to come forward as a candidate, when he had a requisition signed by a majority of Roman Catholic and Protestant electors. The sum total of Mr. Wynne's election expenses was under £144, of which the Mayor, as returning officer. received £53. There was no bribery or treating by Mr. Wynne, or any of his agents. Robert Mahony, cabinet maker, and an elector of Sligo, was next called ; but, as he provednothing, the peti tioners, at this stage of the proceedings, withdrew that part of their petition which related to treating. Edward Kil leran, baker, of Sligo, was then called to prove bribery in his own case. He said : I saw Mr. Wynne during the election. I told him that I was exceedingly poor, and that if he would give me some money I would vote for him. He gave me a pound note. I said that it he were elected he would make a man of me. In cross.examination;the witness said that he had been two months in London; that he came up in the same carriage with Mr. Somers : and had been living in London Zvi h Mr. Somers, and taking his meals with him. James Ward, baker and butter buyer, of Sligo, corrobo rated, in some measure, IC►llorart's evidence. He also had been living in London for the last two months, at Mr. Somer's house. Mrs. Catherine Killoran swore that at the time of the election, her husband gave her a one pound note, and told her that he should make more out of the election. This was the case for the petitioners. For the defence the Hon. John Wynne, M.P. was galled: He said I have heard the evidence of Edward Killoran, there is not one word of truth in anything he has stated, I bad not a pound note in my possession throughout the whole of the election. After a few minutes consultation the committee unani mously declared that the Right Hon. John Wynne had been duly elected a member to serve for the borough of Sligo, and also that the petition was frivolous and vexatious. The committee also resolved that in giving their evidence Edward Killoran and James Ward had been guilty of wil ful and col rupt perjury. LIVERPOOL AND ITS HOLIDAY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—A. correspondent in your Friday's paper, under the signature of a " Liverpool Merchant," has the boldness to denounce the very principle of a holiday as " childish in the extreme ;" and he asks " Whether you, or any other mercantile man of locus standi, ever heard or knew of so much waste of time as a holiday." " Merchants in Liver pool," he adds, "want no holidays, Sundays excepted, nor do the banks. It is highly ridiculous to make merchants schoolboys !" _ In the name of the schoolboys thus sneeringly noticed, if not in the name of the merchants, and still more in the name of the people, clerks, artisans, and working men in and about Liverpool (400,000 in number), all of whom your correspondent ignores, I hereby proclaim him to be an ignoramus, and a living proof of the truth of the maxim that " all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." For who but one who has been robbed of the recreations which his intellect required, and whose heart has been hardened by too much confinement in the counting house, could be the author of such ungenerous and contracted sentiments —and who but the dullest of men could be guilty of bad Latin and bad English in the same sentence. We speak of a man with or having a " locus standi," but who ever heard of a man of "locus standi." Again, " such a waste of time as a holiday," might pass for English ; but it is nonsense to ask the merchants of Liverpool whether they ever heard or knew of "so much waste of time as a holiday." - Let us, in charity, hope that "A Liverpool Merchant" will betake himself now and then to the green fi4ds and refresh his intellect with a holiday ; and, instead of con deming the " Council worthies" for the lavish expenditure of £7,000 or £B,OOO upon the recreation of the people on such an occasion, let him calculate at how small a sacrifice a day's enjoyment for 400,000 persons is.to be purchased. —Yours, &c., YOUNG ENGLAND. Liverpool, May 17, 1856. THE 29Ta OF MAY AND THE MILITIA TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMIIS Sir,—The Mayor stated at the last meeting of the council, that a review of the militia artillery and military pensioners would probably take place on the 29th. In this morning's Albion, I see a paragraph stating that the Artillery are to be disbanded on the 27th. If this latter be true, no time should be lost in asking the military authorities in London to continue the embodiment of both the Artillery and 2nd Lancashire Militia, for at least three days longer. so as to allow both regiments with the pen sioners, to appear in a review on the 29th. I dare say if the Mayor and the two members for the town were to represent the matter to Lords Pantnure and Hardinge they would comply with the request—three days could not make much difference in the time of dis bandment.—Yours, &c., M. Why is the Museum to be closed on the 29th ? I see placards stating it will be closed until the 2nd of June. Would not any room but the Museum do for arranging the plans for the new Museum ? NAPLES, May 18. The secret-police are very active in trying to ascertain what are the opinions and feelings of the people, with a view to check and punish, and no regret would be felt at any disturbance which might have the effect of compromising the liberals giving the semblance of necessity to any harsh measures" Thus, in Campo Basso, it was spread abroad, by insinua tion of the government, that a constitution would shortly be given, and an amnesty granted. The rejoicings of the unwary betrayed their sentiments to the police. The good news was contradicted on the following day, and a petition against the restoration of the constitution was carried about amongst the merchants for signature. MOIIMPOI,.MWmmigIMtkWiIig. POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY (BEFoRE MIL SANDS.) ROBBERY PF SHAM—James Conway and Michael M'Manon, two ill looking young fellows, were brought up on a charge of having broken into the house of Mrs. Pe• kins, a washerwoman residing in Union-street, and stealing eighteen shirts on the night of the 14th instant. The shirts were discovered when offered for sale i❑ the neighbourhood, for Is 6d each. The prisoners were remanded. A YArrx.ve CAPTAIN " DONE BROWN."—A young fellow, dressed in the most extravagant style of a sailor, wearing rings, &c , whose name was given as Matthew Plunkett, was charged with . having swindled an American named Sheppard Blanchard, the captain of the ship Mountain Zephyr. Mr. Snowball appeared for the prisoner. The complainant, who did not look particu larly " verdant," stated that on Monday he Met the prisoner, who represented himself as just having arrived from China, and asked him to purchase some The complainant declined the cigars, ant then 60 prisoner said he had a beautiful East India Shawl worth 67 dollars ; he wanted money, and he would willingly dispose of it at a sacrifice (of courFe !) as he preferred an ss if, rather than would not give one __ American captain to I pledge it at a pawnbrokers, wh tenth of the value for it. He wanted to go on lioard the ship with the witness, but the latter refused, an the prisoner took witness into the house ofJ. Greer el at lasi street, and in a very mysterious manner drew part of a shawl from his pocket, and in a whisper said," This is is the finest deicription of camel's 'hair, ai rare specimen of manufacture; that the ship had brotight two of the same sort—c • s a very Chib for the wife of his ow amount money; it go to a pawnbrok, would take for it ? a him, as he was an American, h for it. Witness said he would not g;ve said the prisoner, " What will you gi don't mind, I calculate, on givi pounds for it," replied witness. said the prisoner, but the witness refused the bargain was struck, an i witness be of this very valuable camel's hair shawl discovered that it was worth E so the next time he s tw the " gen:Leman him up." Mr. Snowball contended that there was no offence committed. A man saying a shawl was India d, composed of camel's hair, w ►uld not make it so ; every one knew that the handkerchiefs sold in the first shops as silk were not so. The complainant said he waS not acquainted with ladies' wearables. Mr. Wybergh : Bdt your own prudence and good sense ought to tell you that it was not worth anything. Complainant : Why, my wife -- Mr. Sands: Discharge the prisoner. He was discharged, and "brother Jonathan" looked rather blank as he retired. THE GLOUCESTER-STREET ROBBERY.—Freddritit Bennion, who had been remanded on a charge of steal- ing a cash box, and about £4O, from Mr. Wells, Griffid Ho'el, Gloucester•street; was brought up by Inspector Murphy, for final examination. The details of this daring robbery were published in our paper a few days ago. The evidence was perfected, and the prisoner was fully committed for trial. you a SOC)3 at most, he tucked (BEFORE MR. BERN.) A FlGHT.—Amongst a batch of persons brought up by the police, were two, named Mary Langan, and Thomas O'Brien, who were charged with being con cerned in a riot that took place in Oriel -street, the pre vious night, and also with haying assaulted several police constables. It appeared that there was a great row in the street, and the prisoners being ting-leadersi were arrested, when they commenced a furious attack on the constables. They were sent to jail for fwd months'. Other persons concerned in the affray, were remanded. STABBING.—George Saunderson, a sailor, lately on board the ship Devon, was charged with having stabbed George Buskin, on board the ship, whilst on the high seas on the 16th December last. The prisoner was re manded to this day, for the purpose of producing witnesses, MONDAY (BEFORE MR. BAND 3.) PLUCKING ! A respectable-looking young man, named Thomas Morris, charged a fellow named John Mollay. who keeps an improper house in Spitalfields P ,with having stolen all his clothes, and pledged them for £1 Bs. The complainant went into the locality of Spitallields, and whilst in a state of intoxication he fell asleep, he was stripped of all his clothes, and the prisoner was identified as the person who pledged them for El Bs. The prisoner was ordered to pay the amount. and also a fine of 205., or in default to be sent to gaol for one month. MORE or IT !—A smari:looking young man, named Thomas Evans, whose local habitation for business did not transpire, charged Ellen Griffith, Catherine Murphy, and Sarah Clare, with having stolen his gold watch, a five pound note, and four sovereigns, in a Albion-street. The complainant went into the house. and, almost as a matter of course, lost the watch and money. He was at the time, as a learned friend ob.. serves, " the victim of hospitality," which, being tran slated into the vernacular, means " screeching drunk,'' and being in that happy state, he could not tell anything about how he lost his property, and the prisoners were therefore discharged. **RECEPTION OF A CHESTER MAN !—William Whittaker. , ectable looking person, who said he camr house in a respe Chester, charged tWo young . girls, named Mary Burn and Margaret Coonly, with having stolen his coat. He said he came from Chester on Sunday evening, and met a sailor crossing from Birkenhead, who advised him to lodge at a " most respectable house in Banister street" (the worst of all the bad streets in town.) He went there accordingly, and when he got up in the morning, he found his coat had been pledged for 12s. He spoke to the mistress of the house about it, and she gave him the ticket, telling him he ought to be very thankful for having one coat left him. D Were you drunk when you went there ? I was doing ; I was not perfectly sober Wybergh ne - w what Nor perfectly drunk? The girls said the complainant sent out the coat to pledge, and that he had a glass of brandy, a quart of ale, and a shilling out of the amount, and that he said he would come back from the railway where he had plenty of money, and pay. The complain ant denied this story; but the prisoners said they could bring witnesses to prove it, and they were remanded to this day for that purpose. (BEFORE MESSRS. S. HOME AND DENN.) A BLACKGRIARD.-A well-dressed person, named Sin clair Coates, was charged by constable 297, who said he was on duty in Great George's-street on Sunday, where he observed the prisoner, who was drunk. It was the hour when the people were going to church, and he saw the prisoner catch hold of several ladies and put his hand round their necks; several were much alarmed, and one began to cry; he then arrested him. Alderman Holme said it was a pity some of the ladies did not come for ward to prosecute ; had they done so, he would have inflicted a heavy penalty on the prisoner for his out• rageous conduct. He fined him 5s and costs. Aloes STABBING.—AIfred Stafford, a resident of Denison street, charged a sailor, named Charles Thomas, with having stabbed him. The complainant said he was passing along Denison -street, when he observed the prisoner and seven or eight others on the flagway, which they blocked up so that he could not pass ; he stepped off the flagway to pass and avoid them, and in doing so, he stumbled against one of them, whereon the prisoner struck him behind the ear with a knife and cut him severely. This was fully proved by a woman who saw the transaction. The policeman who had charge of the case, said he took the injured man to the hospital, where he had the wound dressed. The doctor said he had some doubt that the wound was inflicted by a knife, although the wound was a clean one; it was not con sidered dangerous, although it was severe. The prisoner admitted having strnck the complainant, but denied having used a knife. He was fined £3, or in default of payment, two months' . imprisonmen t.THE ATTEMPT AT SUlClDE.—El izabeth Eaton, who had been remanded on a charge of having attempted to cut her throat, was brought up. A report of this case has already appeared. The doctor o f t h e pr i soner sent in a certificate, stating that he did not think she was insane. She was given up to her parents, who were ordered to take care of her. SATURDAY. (BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.) A BAD HUSBAND. —ATTEMPT AT SUIOIDE.--Mary Evans, a person apparently about thirty years of age, was charged with having attempted to drown herself. Police constable 475, stated that he saw the prisoner on the previous night, running, in a most excited manner, towards Saint Domingo Pit, and from her manner, and the state of excitement in which sbe appeared to be, he suspected all was not right, and he followed her. Just as she was about to plunge into the pit, he caught her, and with some difficulty prevented her from flinging herself into the water. In reply to Mr. .Mansfield, the poor woman told the following story :—She said she was a native of Ctimberland, but had lived as servant in Slater-street, about ten years ago, when she married a bricklayer. Sometime since her husband sold up their household goods, and they went into lodgings. He then began to keep company with another woman, with whom he finally ran away on Saturday last, and, as she heard, they were gone to Australia. When she heard this, she became quite senseless, and did not know what she was doing. It was arranged by the court, that a warrant. should be issued to arrest the husband, if found in Liverpool, and an officer was sent •with the poor woman to the parish officer for that purpose. She said if her husband could not be found, she would go to. service again, as she had no children. She promised not to make any attempt on her life again, and she was then discharged.