The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-13 00:00:00

of a house in Hock-row with a pikel in his hand. Neagh-
tot struck him, and he subsequently assisu d to take the
prisoner up to the police otllc..
The learned counsel for the prosecution here intimated
that there were six or wren more witnesses, but he felt that
it would he trespsssing on the time of the curt toren them,
us their evidence would be similar to that already given.
Mr. Weishy proceeded to reply. Ile perfectly agreed
with his learned friend, Mr. Huddlestons, in many of his
1 remarks. He equally deprecated the violeneo of bo h
parties, end regretted that the worshippers of the same God,
the believers in the same Saviour, and tho subjects of the
same Queen, should rise up in sth.li a manner against
one another. He referred to the very small police force in
Stockport, considering, as his lordship reminded the learned
counsel, that one of the witnesses had said, that for the last
six months no one could live in Stockport with safety. He
thought the greatest blame rested upon the magistrates of
the borough. He then proceeded to comment upon the
evidence, laying some weight upon the discrepancies in the
statements as to the number of the weapons in the hands of
the Irishmen.
The learned Judge summed up very ettheisely, ins the
jury retired. After about half an hour's deliberation, the
jury returned a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners
for riotously assembling and creating a riot; Thomas
Murphy alone Guilty of maliciously wounding the witness
Piokm; Naughton, Ussilty of an assault; and kt.llermott,
' Ant Guilty.

On a second Indictment, charging Murphy with felo-
niously wounding, no tvidcuee was offered, and a verdict of
Not Guilty was taken.
The sentence was deferred.

The trial listed eight ~,,,,, and was, as the learned
counsel for the prosecution exure‘sed it, only the first scene
in the dreadful dutrits, the second being the charge against
the English for demolishing the Roman catholic chapels.

THE POLICE COURTS.
_ MANSiON•HOUSE.

The City Solicitor applied for a summons against the
mutat of the steamer the Queen, for having on b .ard 660
passengers upon an excursion t' the Nor., on the 26th of
July, when am wee certificated to carry only 300. The
application was dads under the 14 & 16 Vic. e. 79, called
an act to sousolidate tad amend the laws 'ego:lifting steam
boats.

The Lord Mayor asked whether the information ought
not to be laid by an of of the Board of Trade.
The City Solicitor replied that, under the directions of
the Court of Aldermen, he had obtained appointments from
the board of two inspectors nominated by the Committee of
Aldermen, to whom the complaints of the overcrowding of
steamers hail been referred, end the information was laid by
them. The complainta of the citizens had been numerous,
and of the most pressing character. Upon inquiry,
it had been ascertained that no inspectors bad
been appointed by the government for the pur
pose of giving effect to the salutary provisions
of the statute. Parliament had provided no funds to
secure the efficient execution of the duties devolved upon
the board appointed under its provisions. It was very easy
fee the legislature to pass laws vesting in the government
extensive c ntralising powers, but unless at the same time
they gave them funds, these powers, however necessary
they might be for the public safety, would remain worse
than useless, for they would give to the public the semblance
of security without its reality. The public looked to the
Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen for protection, and,
feeling the weight of that responsibility, the City autho-
rities had appointed the inspectors at the expense of the
corporation, and had directed him to enter the necessary
proceedings to enforce the beneficial provisions of the
statute. From letters which the alderman had re-
ceived, it was evident there could be no doubt that
scarcely a day passed in which a number of lives were not
pithead in extreme peril in consequence of the overcrowd-
ing of steam vessels ; and in the event of a serious accident
it would aflbrd but a pear apology that between the common
law duty of the conservators of the river to take precau-
tions to protect human life, and the duties impo.ed upon a
government board by modern legislation, the important
responsibility of affording protection to the public had been
abandoned by both. He was happy to say the feeling
entertained by the Court of Aldermen bad been warmly
met by the government authorities, and he made no doubt
that both bodies would act harmoniously together In exe-
cuting the powers of the act.
The Lord Mayor rrdered the summons to be immediately
granted. He was anxious to avoid by any expression of
opinion prejudging the question in this particular case, but
from the written and verbal communications which he had
received from a number of his fellow citizens, he was quite
satisfied that the proceedings had not been taken before it
was needed, and it was a matter of sincere gratulation that
the subject had been taken up previously to the occurrence
of any serious and ofilicting accident.
Thu summons was accordingly issued.

GUILTiIiALL.
Jean Baptists Lemaitre, of Long-leas, Smithfield, and
Paid CuituA, a workman in his employ, ware charged with
an indecent ontroge upon a respectable young female in
the service of the tormer.
Mary Pike, the complainant, said that on Saturday last
het mistress being (mm home, she brought the dinner in
as usual. She sat down with the defendants, and when
dinner was over she cleared away the things and returned
for the purpose of rubbing the table when Cadaah seized
hold of her and detained her until her muter came to his
assistance Mr. Lemaitre then throw her on the table,
and insulted her in an indescribable manner. When set at
liberty witness immediately quitted the house. She stated
that both of the defendants had frequently offered her the
crassest affronts, and she believed her resistance on such m-
inions was tho cause of provocation in this instance.
The defendants, who were both Frenchmen, denied the
charge in toto.
Alderman Cabin said it was all very clear to him that the
defendants were guilty of the ahameird conduct Imputed to
them, and he would therefore tine Lemaitre 405., and Ca-
dash 205., with cute, or in default of payment, one month's
imprisonment each.
The defendants were then delivered over to the gaoler of
the court, expressing their determination to serve the
month, and then go before the grand jry for trial, but the
inside of one of the cells soon brought them to a sense of
discretion, and they paid the flue, amounting with costs to
3/. 45., of which was awarded to the young woman, as some
alight compensation for the injury she had received.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Joseph Smith was charged with having stolen I,Boofr. in
French ►aok-notes, the property of Maximilian Lamiot.
The prosecutor said he was a baker, living at No. 48,
Frith street, Soho. Had become acquaint°, with the pri-
soner at an hotel a short time ego, sad agreed to take a
lodging with him. On Saturday week the prisoner said he
was going to see his friends, and be went out, making an
appointment to meet him at eleven o'clock that night. He
mat the prisoner, and aster taking a walk he 'returned to
his lodgings and found the prisoner's box ofese, but no vie.
hence had been used, and his own boa alto open and the
contents strewed about. He missed the sum of I,Boolr. in
French bank-notes. The prisoner appeared to be concerned
hut did not say much. He suspected the prisoner because
no as. but the prisoner know he had the money. The notes
had not been found.
On crow examination, prosecutor said the prisoner as-
serted he had been robbed of 11 sovereigns. Several French-
men lived in the room adjoining his apartment.
Police Constable Pratt, C 311, said he examined the pri-
soner's box, from which, socadlog to the prisoner's story,
11 sovereigns had been stolen. The box was open at the
time, sod appeared to have been opened with a key.
Bridget Keegan, servant et No. 48, Frith•strect, said the
prisoner came in on the night of the robbery about 10
o'clock, and remained about 10 minutes in the room before
he went out again. The 'door of the room was not lucked,
and any person could enter it.
The prisoner denied the charge, and was fully cons
milted.