The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-11 00:00:00

Volitual ad Otani.

THE QUEEN V. BERESFORD AND OTHERS.-11r.
Coppock has published a long letter in the Derby
Reporter of the 3rd inst., detailing the reasons why
this prosecution was abandoned. According to his
statement, there were great legal difficulties in the
way, which would probably have prevented him from
o )nvicting any of the defendants, and he consequently
agreed, on the part of the prosecutors, to accept from
Mr. William Thomas Cox, and others who were in-
cluded in the indictment, the sum of 1,3001. (for costs),
in consideration of the charge against them being
abandoned. He goes on to state, not only that Mr.
Beresford and his friends wore no parties to the com-
promise, but that the charges of conspiracy and
bribery against Mr. Beresford were entirely unfounded.
The letter states:—" It had always been thought that
when Major Beresford gave Mr. George Henry
Richardson Cox the W. B.' letter, he had supplied
the money found upon Morgan. I was assured, and
proof offered, that Major Beresford had not, directly
or indirectly, supplied any money for Derby; the money
found upon Morgan had been supplied in Derby. I
had been previously told by one who had good infor-
mation that Major Beresford's complicity began and
ended with the writing of the letter to Mr. Frail. On
being convinced that this was the fact, I felt bound,
in common fairness, to put an end to the indictment
as to Major Beresford, for, although the letter might
have been held by the jury, from its terms, satisfac-
tory evidence of guilty knowledge and of conspiracy
for a common object with Mr. Cox, that object to be
carried out by Mr. Frail, as it was ultimately by
Morgan, still, if Major Beresford had not actually done
more than write one of the most indiscreet letters
ever written at the dictation of an indiscreet man, his
own self-reproaches had punished him enough. Notice
was accordingly given to Major Beresford's solicitors
and to the associate of the oourt that the indictment
woull not be prosecuted."
THE CLERGY OF LICHFIELD have petitioned the
Archbishop of Canterbury to impress upon the Legis-
-1 iture Vie importance of setting apart an early day for
fasting and prayer that the threatened strife and blood-
shed may be averted from Europe, and that to this
nation in particular the blessings of peace may be
continued. His grace has expressed his intention of
acting upon the suggestion, m which he heartily
concurs.

THE ERECTION OF A BISHOPRIC OF JERSEY iS requested
in some memorials which are now in course of
signature in the island, praying that tithes which were
alienated before the Reformation, and since then have
formed part of the governor's salary, may, now that
this appointment is vacant and is not to be filled up,
revert to the parishes for the sacred and charitable
purposes to which they were originally dedicated, or
to the foundation of a bishopric, the island being almost
entirely cut off from the advantages of the episcopacy
• in consequence of its connection with the see of Win-
chester. The new bishopric—if the consent of her
Majesty's Government can be obtained for its forma-
tion—will include Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and
Sark. It is contended by the memorialists that it is
impossible for a bishop, however active he may be,
adequately to discharge the duties of a diocese which
extends from the Channel Islands to Lambeth.
THE PRESTON OPERATIVES ON STRIKE held a great
camp meeting on Sunday last, to hear addresses from
the delegates of distant towns, who came to that place
on Sundays with money. Although the place of
meeting was about four miles from the town, the
number present was computed at thirty thousand.
The field (lent by a farmer for the occasion) formed a
kind of natural amphitheatre, all being enabled to see, if
not to hear, the speakers, who occupied a waggon on an
elevated slip of land, with the multitude of people below
and in front of them. Mr. Kinder Smith, of Oldham, was
)ted to the chair. After a few verses had been sung,
the burden of which was that "God never made a
slave," numerous speeches were delivered in support
of the cause. The conduct of the borough magistrate
was loudly condemned. Nearly all the delegates
strongly impressed on the people of Preston the ne-
cessity of keeping the peace, and many announced in-
creased subscriptions. Mr. Cowell called for a show of
hands from those who were resolved to be firm to the
last. The response is stated to have been most im-
posing. The operatives are about to send a deputation
the
to London to wait upon Lord Palmerston, for
purpose of communicating to his lordship the pro-
ceedings of the local authorities in reading the Riot
Act, prohibiting public meetings in the borough, km