The Press.
London, England, 1854-04-01 00:00:00

Xab3 nn Volict.

Two CHINESE MEN, named Assam and Kinchee,
were charged on Wednesday, at the Mansion.house,
with begging. Their case, as stated by Thorns, of
Warwick. square, seemed one of great hardship :

_ .
There were, he said, a great many Chinese in London in severe
distress, occasioned by the practice adopted by too many English
and American captains, who turned them adrift on their arrival
in England without paying them any wages. He had ascer-
tained that as much as thirty dollars were due to the prisoners
from their last captain, who had since left Loudon. After de-
tailing many similar cases, he produced a letter, received from
one of the defrauded sea,nen,writteu in the Chinese character, of

which the following is a translation:—
" TO THE MAGISTRATES OF THE HONOURABLE ENGLISH NATION.
" On your honourable nation's ship arriving iu China for com-
merce, and your sailors (who ran away) getting on shore, having
an insufficient number of men to work the ship, your honourable
nation's captain solicited the assistance of Chinese to enable hint
to return with his ship to his native country. The wages to be
received are clearly specified when the men go on board. But
as soon as the ship arrives in London, and has anchored, the
captain under various pretences endeavours to lessen the amount
of wages due until we have nothing to receive. We beseech von,
the honourable nation's magistrates, that you will examine Into
the matter, and decide : for we are three Chinese, who have
come across the ocean, who day after day are destitute, without
money, and without rice to eat. We look towards the east and
towards the west, but perceive no road by which to escape from
our distressed condition. For no person pities us poor China-
men. You, venet able fathers, can discover a road by which we
can return to Australia, and from thence reach our native land.
We earnestly beseech you, venerable fathers, to compassionate
us, and examine this our statement."
Mr. Thome added that, in another case, he had communicated
the circumstances to Lord Palmerston, and had received a reply,
stating that, if these persons became chargeable to the parish,
the owner and master of the vessel bringing them were liable to
repay the amount. lie suggested that the prisoners should be
sent to the union, and that the guardians should make their
claim for expenses upon the owners, through the American Con-
sul.
Sir R. W. CARPEN said he was aware of the apparent distress
among the Chinese in London, as he had disposed of several
cases of this kind, but thought it singular that these complaint's
should be made to the magistrates after the departure of their
ships. All the Chinese that had been before him professed per-
fect ignorance of English, but lie had found that seven days' im-
prisonment made them speak English with wonderful fluency.
It was his opinion that they were an indolent people, and pre-
ferred begging in this country to being sent back to their own,
for he knew some of them had refused to go back.
The prisoners were remanded.
THOMAS WILKINSON, a coal-merchant, applied for
his certificate at the Court of Bankruptcy on Tues-
day. His debts were about 6,0001., and there was a
deficiency on the balance-sheet of 3,0801. Up to
the commencement of the present year it appeared
that he had been butler to the Duke of Devon-
shire:—
His Ho•oun said it appeared that be was in a deficiency of
3,0001. two years ago, and since that time had had no resource
but borrowing. The balance-sheet disclosed what could not be
called other than a reckless system of trading. He was minus
upwards of 3,0001. in 1852, and he now owed between 5,0001. and
6,0001. On that ground, though there was no opposition, the
court was bound to suspend the certificate. Looking at the
situation which the bankrupt had held, it would have been better
had he kept to that alone, instead of entering into a trade which
he could not properly attend to. The circumstance of hie having
been discharged from his situation was one which the court
could not take into consideration one way or the other. Judging
the case simply from the balance-sheet, the certificate must be
suspended for six months from the present date; had he been
opposed, probably the suspension would have been much
longer. V. hen granted, it would be of the third class ; for there
was not the slightest particle of misfortune in the case, as far as
the trading went. As the assignees did not oppose it, protection
would be granted.
AN application was made on behalf of the Preston
delegates at the Liverpool Assizes on Monday, asking
to have their cases postponed till the next sessions.
The principal ground for making the application was
on account of the defendants, who were charged with
conspiracy, being unable since their committal to ob-
tain evidence which would strengthen their defence.
After a abort discussion, the presiding judge, Mr.
Justice Cresawell, acceded to the request.