The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-18 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

DORCHESTER, TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1858.

HONESTE AUDAX.

THE Earl of ELLENBOROUGH bast retired from the
Cabinet in consequence of the strong opinion
which has been expressed on the subject of his
recent despatch condemning Lord CANNIEces
proclamation. In the House of Lords on Tues-
day, in announcing his resignation, his lordship
stated that he alone was responsible for having
written and transmitted the despatch, as well as
for having consented to its promulgation in
England. The Earl of DERBY said that though
the Government disapproved of the policy an-
nounced in the proclamatiou, they could not ap-
prove of the despatch written in answer by the
President of the Board of Control. They con-
sidered the publication of that document in
England and under existing circumstances as
altogether inopportune, and they had, therefore,
consented to lose a valued colleague rather than
stake the existence of the Government upon an
issue which they felt in some degree to be in-
defensible. On Friday night the Earl of
SHAFTESBURY moved a resolution (which will be
found at length in our parliamentary iutelligence)
condemning the Government for the despatch
issued by Lord ELLENBOROUGH, and disapproving
of the circumstances under which it was made
public. After a long and animated debate, the
motion was lost by a small majority, the
numbers being, 158 contents, 167 non-contents
—majority, 9.
In the House of Commons on Monday Lord J.
RUSSELL'S motion that the House should dis-
agree with the Lords' Amendments on the Oaths
Bill was carried by 263 to 150. On the motion
that a committee be appointed to draw up reasons
for disagreeing with these amendments, Mr. T.
DUNCOMBE moved that Baron ROTHSCHILD be
appointed a member of the committee. After a
desultory conversation the debate was adjourned
to Tuesday, when the motion was carried by 251
to 196. On the same day Lord R. CEolL's mo-
tion for transferring the investigation into the
merits of private Bills from the select com-
mittees of the House to a paid and permanent
tribunal, was opposed by Government and with-
drawn. Lord EBRINGTON'S resolution in favour
of the increase and improvement of barrack
accommodation for the army, and Mr. BYNG'S
1 motion for an address to the Crown, praying for
a royal commission to inquire into the number
of toll bars within six miles of Charing Cross with
a view to their abolition, was agreed to. On
Wednesday Mr. AYRTON'S motion for the second
reading of the Poor Rates (Metropolis) Bill, the
object of which was to equalise the poor rates of
the metropolis, was opposed by the President of
the Poor Law Board and withdrawn. Mr. T.
DuricomEE's motion for the second reading of
the Patent Law Amendment Bill, the object of
which was to reduce the amount of fees on
patents by ono-half, was opposed by the
Solicitor-General and negatived without a divi-
sion. On Thursday the second reading of Mr.
HEADLAM'S Joint Stock Banking Companies
Bill, the principle of which was to establish
limited liability in respect of Joint Stock Banks,
was carried without a division. The House then
went into committee on the Church-rates
Abolition Bill, when clause 1, proposing the
immediate abolition of Church-rates, was carried
after considerable discussion by 227 to 163. On
Friday Mr. CARDWELL Moved B Vote of censure
upon the Government, for issuing the despatch
condemning the conduct of the Governor
General of India, affirming that that despatch
must produce the mcet prejudicial effect by
weakening the authority of the Governor-
General in a very critical juncture of affairs, and
by encouraging the further resistance of those
who are in arms against us. The arguments ad-
duced by Mr. CARDWELL and the several
speakers on the same side by whom he was fol-
lowed were remarkably strong, and supported
with considerable point and ability. Lord John
RussiELL spoke with great effect, and must have
materially damaged the prospects of the Govern-
ment. Lord STANLEY 'made a vigorous and
ingenious defence of the Government, but he
was evidently labouring with the weak side of
the case, and upon the whole made but a feeble
reply to the honourable member for the city of
Oxford. At the dose of the speech of Lord
JOHN RUSSELL, who followed Lord STANLEY, the
debate was adjourned, on the motion of Mr.
ROEBUCK, to be resumed (as the CHANCELLOR of
the EHCHEQUER said m reply to a question by
Lord PALMERSTON) thø first thing On Monday.

BY the latest intelligesce from India we gather
that affairs are by no aeons settling down into a
state of tranquillity with that degree of certainty
and readiness which the capture of Luoknow
seemed to give reason to expeot. The Sopoys
are spreading themselves over the country in all
directions, opposing a bold front to detachments
of the British army where the situation offers
any chance of success; and, where these in-
stances do not present themselves, they assume

the character of predatory and dangerous bands.
Certainly, the news by the last mail is by no
means such as to encourage anything like a false
lenity or a morbid sentimentalism on behalf of
the insurgents in this terrible rebellion; and the
aspect of affairs at this moment undoubtedly
forbids any tampering with the stern authority
of local grernment—any discouragement to the
boldness and vigour of our operations, whether
in the fiel 1 or in the council-room, so indispen-
sably necessary for the restoration of peace and
order, and a permanent submission to British
rule. It seems clear that we have a hot weather
campaign upon our hands. The Sepoys, some
3,009 excepted, have escaped, and are swarming
into Rohilcund and the provinces east of
Benares. Bareilly overflows with them and
with the armed ruffians who, beaten everywhere,
still congregate wherever there is a chance of
plunder or of anarchy. Bahadoor Khan is
rapidly building up a regular administration,
collecting revenue, founding families, striking
coin in his own name. All the discontented
seek his protection, and leader after leader, the
Nana being the first, submit to a man risen from
the ranks. He has a strong body of cavalry,
in which he reposes great confidence, some
25,000 Sepoys, and an armed rabble which may
be estimated at any number you please to fix.
A week of victory would bring it up to a hun-
dred thousand, and a days' reverses reduce it to a
few desperate fanatics. There is a strong desire
in some quarters not to attack him till the cold
weather. To remain inactive during the hot
weather is, however, peculiarly dangerous. The
natives usually select the hot weather for active
operations because they know it paralyzes the
Europeans. They did so in the last great war in
the Punjab. They did so last year, and there
, are apprehensions, vague, but not groundless,
I that they may do so this. The Commander-in
I Chief has evidently distributed his army with
this view. Eight thousand men-8,500 of them
I Europeans—remain in Lucknow under Sir H.
GRANT. Goruckpore, Cawnpore, Benares,
Allahabad, and Dinapore have been weakly
garrisoned, and the remaining 8,000 Europeans
and 2,500 natives proceed to the north-west—
that is, to Rohilcund. The head-quarters are
transferred to Cawnpore, and Sir Comm CAMP.
BELL is expected to command the great attack
in person. His plans, however, have been some-
what disarranged by an unfortunate incident.
Colonel Murstar, with 350 of Her Majesty's
37th, 200 Madras Infantry, and 400 Madras
Cavalry was ordered from Allaiiabad to reinforce
Azimghur. He di verged towards the Oude
frontier to attack Atrowba, and encounter KOBE
Snacui, who, with 8,000 followers, 1,200 of them
Sepoys, was rushing from Oude homewards to
Behar. Colonel MILMAN thought it impossible
to resist such a force, abandoned his camp, made
a forced march of 40 miles, and flung himself
into Azimghur. KOER SINGH, delighted, fol-
lowed at speed, and Colonel MILMAN deceived,
some say, by reports as to the fidelity of his
Madras cavalry, instead of defending the city,
abandoned it, and retired into a little mud fort
on the opposite side of the plain. KORA SINGH
followed and besieged him. The garrison had
no supplies, and a sortie was suggested by the
younger officers. It was made and mismanaged,
and the garrison found themselves back in the
fort with Azimghur boat, Captain BEDFORD and
11 Europeans killed, and the enemy all round.
The Governor-General immediately ordered
General FRANKS, with some 300 Europeans col-
lected at Benares, to raise the siege. This
might have been done, but the Commander-in-
Chief, unaware of this plan, telegraphed an order
prohibiting all offensive operations, and ordering
the garrison to await the arrival of a column
from Oude. Accordingly, General FRANKS pro-
ceeded on his way to England—he is very ill—
and Sir E. LIIGARD, with a column of 4,000
men, has left Lucknow. As yet very little of
Oude, Lucknow excepted, is under our autho-
rity. JUNG BAHADOOR proceeds, it is said, with
his army to Fyzabad, a stronghold almost as
great as Lucknow, and held by some 30,000
men. It is watched rather than menaced by
Colonel BOWCROFT, With Captain SOTHEBY'S
Naval Brigade and some 900 Ghoorkas.

It is understood that Sir JOHN LAWRENCE has
left for Lahore, having submitted full proposals
to Government for the military and political
defence of the territory. Arrangements for the
management of the confiscated estates, Jhujhur,
Dadree, and Bahadoorgurh—they are as big as
most English counties—have been completed.
The prize property has been delivered over, and
exceeds already 40 lace of rupees (E 400,000.

THE debate in the House of Commons last night,
on Lord ELLENsoliouGN's despatch, will in all
probability have ended fatally for the DERBY
Administration. Whether or no such a result
will be the immediate consequence of the hasty
and untimely censure of the GOVERNOR GENERAL
of India, under all the circumstances of his Lord-
ship's position, there can be little doubt, upon a
review of the whole case against the Government,
that public confidence in the Ministry is neces-
sarily shaken, and that the conduct of the
Government has been such as at least to hasten
their overthrow, if not to precipitate it at once.
The proclamation of Lord CANNING (printed in
another column), decreed the confiscation, under
certain conditions and with certain exceptions,
of land and property in Oude as a measure
of retributive justice enforced against rebels
and their confederates. The Government were
of opinion that these pains and penalties were
too sweeping iu extent, and too severe in
their individual application, and forthwith
rebuked Lord CANNING, in language which,
as a man of honour, must have impelled
him to the immediate and indignant resignation
of his high office. But this proclamation is
known to be incomplete ; that is to say, it is
wholly without any explanation of its terms, and
of the reasoning upon which its injunctions rest.
Then, the despatch of Lord ELLENBOROUGH
being found to be indefensible, his Lordship
forthwith takes upon himself, and himself alone,
the entire blame of the document, and forthwith
tenders his resignation, which is accepted. The
heroic sacrifice is made in the delusive hope of
saving his colleagues; and this is a very sin-
gular and by no means pleasing part of the
drama. Lord ELLENBOROUGH stood up and
declared that the obnoxious despatch was his
sole and exclusive act—he had framed, trans-
scribed, transmitted, and published the cause of
his own downfall without any communication or
concert with the Cabinet. Now, is this declaration
true or false? In either case, unfortunately, the
political terpitude involved in this business is
much the same. But no one believes that Lord
ELLENBOROUGH could alone have sent out a
despatch of such vast importance, affecting so
powerfully the head of a Government of
180,000,000 of people. If he really did so, if
his colleagues really troubled themselves so little
with so vital a matter as this—and if his Lord-
ship, on the other hand, thought so little of the
advice, and was so careless of his colleagues—
what can be thought of a Government which
deals thus with the tremendous responsibility
devolving upon them? What sort of Ministry
must it be when one of its members in the
recesses of his office coolly pens a document of
such a character without condescending to con-
sult even the head of the Government. Yet,
when it is found that his proceedings will not
bear the light, his Lordship retires from the
Administration, and hopes by that act of volun-
tary immolation to draw off the whole weight of
censure from his colleagues—by generously
labouring to carry off the entire load upon his
own devoted shoulders I What, it may be asked,
is the use of those meetings called Cabinet
Councils, if a paper of such solemn import did
not occupy its attention Yet we are gravely
told that the Cabinet had never seen or known
of it! Now, with regard to the proceedings in

the House of Commons—where the popular
feeling in regard to these matters is of course
expressed with more force and effect than in the
Upper House—it is the object of Mr. CARD-
WELL'S motion to elicit the opinion of the House
upon the production of the proclamation and the
transmission of the despatch, irrespective of the
merits or demerits of the proclamation itself.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL and Lord STANLEY
demanded that the whole shall be taken together
—the merits of the proclamation and the course
of the Government. So that, as Lord JOHN
RUSSELL forcibly observed amidst repeated
cheers, "The House is reduced to this alterna-
tive—either to censure the Government for the
course they have pursued, or to declare, on
the other hand, that Lord CANNING is deserving
of the most severe reprobation. That is the
issue. You cannot agree to my right hon.
friend's resolution without passing a censure upon
the Government. You cannot acquit the
Government without declaring Lord CANNING
to be totally unfit even for the meanest official
, situation." Tholt was the state of the ease, and
,it was not and could not be denied. But the
whole line of defence adopted by the Govern-
ment is thought to be not only useless as such, but
absolutely dangerous in its character. In the
House of Lords, as the Times properly says,
"Lord ELLENBOROUGH went to a length which
simply compromises the whole British policy in
India, and places us in the flattering position of
robbers and murderers." And Lord JOHN
RUSSELL, addressing himself to this point on
Friday night, observes :—" If you are to say, as
this despatch says, or rather insinuates, which is
a great deal worse, that the annexation of Oude
was unrighteous and unprincipled, and done in
defiance of treaties, and that, therefore, the
hostilities going on in Oude were legitimate war-
fare, and that not HER MAJESTY'S troops, but
the rebels and mutineers were the real defenders
of the right, do not think that your empire can
last." Then, it was contended that the censure
against Lord CANNING was unjust in itself—his
Lordship deserving on every account praise,
admiration, and support ; and, further, that it
was dangerous to proclaim to India that the acts
of the head of the Gevernment there were not
trusted and would be disavowed. These several
points were dwelt upon in so lucid and able a
manner by the Opposition, and enforced by argu-
ments so powerful, that we cannot resist the
impression that, when this number of the
Express comes into the hands of our readers, the
Ministry will have either virtually ceased to
exist, or will have been marked for destruc-
tion.

WE are happy to observe that a movement of a
very important character has commenced, whereby
it is sought to afford the ratepayers of the
several parishes throughout the county a voice in
the levying and disbursement of the county rate.
The very large and progressively increasing
amount of local taxation under this head, has
long been viewed with dissatisfaction ; and
numerous expensive projects and useless outlays
of money have been felt as an oppressive griev-
ance with which the ratepayers have been
allowed to have nothing to do but to submit to
it. We have ourselves ventured to invite special
attention to this subject on more occasions than
one; and if the good old constitutional principle
of taxation and representation going together is
one which of itself would powerfully support the
institution of a County Board, the demand for a
better representation of the views and interests
of the ratepayers is further strengthened by
what it is not too much to call the recklessness
and extravagance of the magistrates in Quarter
Sessions assembled. To the Board of Guardians
of the Wimborne Union the honour is due of
taking the lead in a practical movement every
way just in itself, and rendered peculiarly and
imperatively necessary by all the circumstances
of the case—which are undoubtedly such as
ought to rouse into action the whole body of
ratepayers throughout the county. We trust
that the example of Winaborne will be speedily
followed by the Board of Guardians of every
Union in Dorset; and we may then indulge the
hope that something will be done. The follow-
ing Petition to the House of Commons was on
Friday last proposed, at a meeting of the guar-
dians, by Mr. EDWARD LEWER, seconded by Mr.
SHITTLER, and carried unanimously; and it was
resolved to call upon H. K. SEYMER, Esq.,
M.P., to present it to the House, and to request
the other members of the county to support the
prayer thereof :

To the Honorable the Commons of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament as-
sembled.

The humble Petition of the Guardians of the Poor of
the Union of Wimborne and Cranborne, in the counties
of Dorset and Hants, under their Common Seal,

Shewetli,

,
That your Petitioners are the Guar.
dians of the Poor of the twenty-four parishes constituting
and comprising the Union of Wimborne and Cranborne
aforesaid.

_
That your Petitioners are desirous that the Ratepayers
of the several parishes may have a voice in the levy-
ing and expending of the County and Police Rates, and
that your Petitioners are of opinion that greater economy
would be thereby effected.
That your Petitioners are of opinion that in the levy-
ing of these rates the form of collection should be kept
distinct, so that the ratepayers of each parish might be
able readily to distinguish the amounts levied for the
County Rats and Police Rate from the Poor Rate.
Your Petitioners therefore pray that your Honorable
House will be pleased to pass an Act of Parliament for
the purpose of carrying out the views and wishes of
your Petitioners.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray, dm

DORCHESTER PITCHED CORN MARKET.—SatOT-
day.—With but a moderate supply of wheat, the
trade ruled dull, and last week's prices were barely
supported. Barley and oats nominal.
QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF DORSET YEO.
MANRY CAVALRY. —The orders are now issued for
the assembling of this regiment at Sherborne on
Saturday, the 29th instant, or eight days' perms.
nent duty. . . .

On Tuesday morning the mounted body of the
11th Hussars left our barracks for head quartern at
Hounslow, by way of Blaudford and Wareham • and
on Wednesday the dismounted portion proceeded to
the same destination by railway.
- -•

A reward of 20s. has been offered for the discovery
of a party who stole thirteen turkey's eggs, which
were removed from a nest near the cottages facing
Stinsford Farm, the property of Mr. Stephen
Harding.
An elegant marble tablet to the memory of the
late Thomas Gordon, Esq., has been erected in the
south aisle of Charmouth Church during the past
week. It is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and
reflects great credit on Mr. Poole, of Westminster, by
whom it was erected.

The Enrolled Pensioners of this district assembled
yesterday for six days' drill. The exercise takes
place at the barracks.
SPECIAL SERVICES POR Tug WORKING CLASSES.
—On Wednesday evening the second of the special
weekday services for the benefit of the working
classes in this town was held at Christ Church, West
Fordington. The attendance was very large, many
working men being present in their every day attire,
Prayers were read by the Rev. A. Handley, and the
Rev. H. Monte read the lessons after which the
Rev. H. Cookeeley, of Wimborne Minster, preached
an admirable sermon from the words of Amos,
"Prepare to meet thy God." Another of these in.
teresting services will take place to.morrow (Wed.
'lmlay) evening, when the Roy. S. R. Capra, rector
of Wareham, is to preach on " Faith."

The will of the Right Hon. Henry Stephen Fox
Strangwaya, Earl of lichester, Baron Strangways,
and Baron Redlynch, P.C. D.(I,L. was proved in
London, by the Right Hon. Win. Thos. Horner Fox
Strangways, Earl of Ilehester, and the Hon. John
George Charles Fox Strangways, the half-brothers,
and executors the personalty sworn under .C 70,000.
The will, dated 10th of Nov. 1857, bequeaths
to his two daughters, Lady Digby and Lady Kerrison
each a legacy of ilO,OOO, and also to each an annuity
of 1E2,000 a year. The real estates in Dorsetshire
and elsewhere (except those in Wail) are devised to
the Earl of Ilehester. Bequeaths to the Dorset
County Hospital, £500; and to the Weymouth
Rye InflrmerT, £lOO and the residue, after pay-
ment of Net= annuities and legacies to servants
and others, to Lord Ilchester.

DINNER TO MR. FARQUHA.RSON'S KEEPERS.-011
Thursday a number of persons assembled at the Fox
and Hounds, Cattistock, to receive their annual remu-
neration, for stopping earths and preserving foxes
during the past year; and afterwards about 120 sat
down to a good dinner under the presidency of the
huntsman, Treadwell. The health of the worthy
Squire and his estimable lady was drunk amid rap-
turous applause, and a jovial evening was passed;
some regret, however, was felt at this being the last
meeting of the sort.

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS, Townhall, Monday, May
17.—(Before W. Manfield, Esq., Mayor, and J. F.
Hodges, Esq.)—William Medway, a lame person, was
summoned for assaulting Charles Force. Complainant
said, that on Tuesday, when passing Mr. Hall's black- I
smith's shop window defendant was near the window I
and said "Can you catch heat Mr. Medway, or heat
catch you ? " Medway replied, "Do you want to buy
ally ducks ? " Complainant answered "That depends
on price," and offered 3s. Bd. a couple; but defendant
wanted a shilling more. Defendant said he would rather
eat them himself, instructing complainant " Mind when
you come to my house, come when I'm in there and
don't come robbing there." After a short altercation,
in which complainant requested to have a message sent
telling when defendant was at home, defendant lifted up
a crutch to coniplainant's nose and said "I'll let 'e
smell that," saying in addition "that he (defendant)
would make him feel it too," struck complainant vio-
lently on the head with the crutch. Complainant said
he could not tell whether there was a mark on his head,
and lifting swig disclosed a bald head, which bore no
mark. Defendant said that complainant had a much
larger stick than the crutch, which he rung in defendant's
face, and complainant never offered any money for the
ducks, but stood " blackguarding" defendant. G. Upshall
a blacksmith, stated that after a conversation between
the parties relative to ducks complainant came from
the road and called defendant a thief, a rogue, and
a skulk, and held a stick in defendant's face. Defend-
ant held up his crutch in self defense, but witness saw
neither strike a blow. The summons was dismissed.
—Amelia Cart i. 5, a young woman of Marnhull, was
brought up in custody charged with stealing two pairs of
trousers, a waistcoat, and a shirt, the property of Wil-
liam Simmons, labourer. The prisoner had been
cohabiting with prosecutor as his wife at Forclington.
Between 4 and 5 on Monday morning the 10th, prose-
cutor got up leaving the prisoner in bed. On the bed
were some of prosecutor's Sunday clothes—those missed,
and a second pair of trousers at the foot of the bed.
Prosecutor saw the woman on the Monday afternoon at
the barracks, and he subsequently, on returning home,
missed the articles above enumerated. The prisoner
was apprehended the same night, but discharged the next
morning in consequence of the habiliments being undis-
covered. Prosecutor identified the articles produced by
P.C. Hunt, of Poole, and they were worth about 7s.
P.C. Hunt deposed that about one o'clock on Friday
morning he saw prisoner enter Poole by the Lytnington
road. She said she had walked from Lymington and
produced a bundle containing the articles now identified.
The officer locked her up, and had brought her from
Poole this morning charged on suspicion. Prisoner told
the bench she had been to Lymington. She was com-
mitted for trial at the ensuing sessions. She said she
could not offer bail.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, Shirehall, Saturday, May
I.s.—(Before H. Williams, H. N. Middleton, and W.
L. Henning, Esqe.)--John Strang, of Maiden Newton,
was summoned for drunkenness. Sergeant Tee stated
that on the Bth instant he found defendant very drunk
in the main street at Maiden Newton ; the defendant
was so drunk that it took several persons to lift him
into his cart. The officer had to send a person to drive
defendant home. Fined ss. and 7s. 6d. costs.--
Charles Paine, of Piddletown, was summoned for a
similar offence. P.C. Softly said, that at a quarter
after 10 on the night of the Bth, defendant was very
drunk at Piddletown. Fined 53.—John Sammy., was
charged with being drunk and resisting the police. Ser-
geant Tee said, that when holding Strong's horse on the
Bth, defendant came up to him very drunk, pushed him
(the sergeant) aside, put his fists in his face, and was very
abusive. Defendant owned he had had a drop to drink.
Fined Is. and costs.—Richard Slade and John Ford,
two labourers, of Abbotsbury, were summoned for an
offence against the Game Act. William Hunt, game-
keeper to the Earl of Dchester, said, that on Sunday
afternoon, the 9th, he saw the defendants with three
dogs on some preserved land, and one of the defendants
killed either a hare or a rabbit. Slade said he had a
right to " chase" hares from the place, and was a shep-
herd. Ford likewise said he had a right to drive hares
away, but dogs were prohibited them. Fined 40s. in-
cluding costs, or two months' hard labour. Slade paid
the fine, but Ford could not pay and went to prison.—
Henry Robins, groom, in the employ of Thomas Cox,
farmer, of Maiden Newton, was charged with stealing
a dozen hen eggs, the property of Ins master. The
prisoner having been suspected to steal eggs, several
were placed in the nest 'narked. Prosecutor found 11
edge, 9 of which were marked, hidden in a hay loft,
and subsequently Mrs. Cox found 19, all of which were
marked save two. Prosecutor's wife sent prisoner with
four dozen eggs to sell to Sarah Child and he brought
back the money. Sarah Child said that prisoner brought
her 5 dozen eggs for which she paid him 7d. a dozen.
Sergt. Tee on the 12th saw the eggs at Mrs. Child's, four
of which were marked. The four marked ones were pro-
duced. The prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sentenced,
under the Summary Act, to 2 months' hard labour.