The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-16 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1851.

' THE ACCIDENT ON THE BI
SHIRE RAILWAY.

NTRAL AMERICAN, OR GUATEMALA

BONDS.

Yesterday a meeting of the owners of these bonds
took place at the George and Vulture Hotel, George-yard,
Lombard-street, to consider and decide upon a proposal
made to the committee by the State of Guatemala as to a
portion of the debt.
Air. H. SOARS having been called to the chair, Mr.
HARRISON read the following report.
" The committee of Central American bondholders having
received from Mean. Finlay, Hodgson, snd Co., of this
city, a proposal for an arrangement, by way of compro-
mise, of the share of the Republic of Guatemala in the
foreign bond debt of the late Federal Republic of Central
America, have called the present meeting to consider and
decide on the terms offt red. The terms of the proposal are
in substance—that Guatemala shall issee two sets of new
bonds, at different rates of interest, for a proportion of the
capital of the ►lave bond debt, and a proportion of interest
due thereon. The aggregate of the two amounts pronosed
for such issue of ucw bonds is 90,4761. Ris. 3d; and the
terms are, that on the present bondholders receiving these
new bonds for their proportionate amounts appertaining to
their respective holtings of the existing bonds, such new
bonds bearing interest from the Ist. Feb., 18.52, at rates
after mentioned, a discharge shall be given to Guatemala
from all liability, under such existing bonds, of the late
Federal Republic of Central America. The following is a
statement of the amount of the bonds of Central America at

BICESTER, MONDAY.
The inquest was resumed this morning. The so-
licitor of the company produced the bill by which the
excursion train was advertised. It said nothing of stop-
pages between the termini. Mr. Bruit!, the Bicester
station-masher, being recalled, said that that which Mr.
Bruyeres, sepsristendcut of the London and North Western
Railway. ha In his evidence called the main down line
was milled a siding by all the officers and drivers connected
with the line, and the regulations of the line were applied
to it in that view. Mr. Dockeray, resident engineer of the
railway, said he considered that those rails formed a siding,
and were Rot a main line. Mr. M'Connell was called and
examined upon the soun : uess and efficiency of the
engine when sent out, and deposed that it was
fit for working. Doctor's statements on that point
were certainly incorrect. Carrier, the driver, re-
called, impressed his satisfaction with the engine.
Mr. Briquet, superintendent of the London and North
Western Railway, recalled—The Foreman: Have there
been any instructions to the officers at the Oxford station
respecting the return of Bicester passengers from Oxford /
—Mr. Brayeres : Nothing beyond the notice to the public
in the handbills and placards.—The Foreman: Would the
clerks at Oxford have given the passenger. free tickets to
return to Bicester ?—Mr. Bruyeres : I should imagiao they
would. It is a common thing to carry passengers beyond
the station, and our clerks have a general authority to scud
them back without charge.—The Coroner: Is it reasonable
to suppose that the Bicester passengers should go to Oxford
that, and then return to Bicester?—Mr. Bruyeres : The
bills informed them that they might return to Oxford if
they pleased.
After the examination of this witness, the coroner com-
meaced his recapitulation of the facts. At the conclusion
of the learned gentleman's address, the court was cleared,
and the jury remained in deliberation about an hour aad •
half. On the re-opening of the court, the Foreman of the
jury said:—We find that the deceased persons died from
"accidental causes;" but the jury desire to attach to that
finding tome special observations, which I will now read:
" The jury consider that in closing their investigation as
to the cause of the melancholy catastrophe which his been
attended with such fatal results, they arc called upon, as
well in regard to the distreanal feelings of the relatives of
the deceased as of those unfortunate sufferers who bars
survived the accident, and also in justice to the public at
large, to record some special elm-rations with retereuce to
the events preceding the occurrence and attendant upon
it, but further with reference to the future traffic of the
Bucks Railway.
" The jury find that the railway upon which the la-
mentable event occurred is a branch line from the London
toil North-Western Railway, diverging at Bletchley, to
Oxford, through Bicester, and that from Steeple Claydon
to Oxford is a single line only.
" The jury find that the train to which the accident oc-
curred was not only an excursion train advertised by public
notice for passengers to leave London on Saturday, and to
return on the following Monday, but it also formed a re-
turn excursion train for passengers who had left Oxford for
Loudon on the previous Monday, as well as fur those who
had left Oxford and Bicester on the previous Tuesday.
" The jury. find that the notices to the public of these
excursion trains were imperfectly and vaguely drawn, for,
whilst the company's officer. at Biccoter construed them to
mean that the Saturday excursion train from London to
Oxford was to call at Bicester the officers at Hlettliley con-
strued them to mean that they should not stop at Illetchley
but go through to Oxford; and the jury consider that
both of those constructions might be fairly adopted with-
out the imputation of any neglect of duty on their part as
ar:sing from such cause.
"The jury find that the company's servants at Bicester
were prepared for the train to stop there for the Bicester
passengers to alight ; but that the engineman in charge of
the train acted upon the belief that he was to go through
to Oxford without stopping at Bicester, and that such a
misunderstanding had a tendency to produce confusion in
the arrangements, and required more than ordinary
vigi-
lance to be paid to the points and signals ; and the jury
consider that there was a want of adequate instruction to
the guards from their superior officers as to the stoppage* of
the train to bo consistent with the public safety.
" The jury find that, although there is much discrepancy
in the evidence adduced before them as to the speed at
which the train was travelling when it reached the junction
point at Bicester, yet the engineman admits that he was
going at a greater speed than he would have done had he
known that he was to stop at Bicester. It appears, there-
fore, that, in the absence of R clear understanding amongst
the officers as to stopping at Bicester or not, the only guides
they had to direct them were the signals provided by the
company, with directions for their use. That, in the pre-
sent case, the signalman had used the necessary signal of
caution at the auxiliary signal post, and of danger and stop
at the points. That the engineman and guards had ob-
served the caution signal at the auxiliary post, and had
slackened speed accordingly, but that the driver and his
guards were misled by some optical illusion as to the white
light, or "go on" signal, at the principal signal post of the
station.
The jury find that the white light was not turned to-
wards the approaching train, yet they see no reason to doubt
that the engicensan and guards were, from some unex-
plained cause, misled by the appearanceof a real or reflected
light, which they believed to have been the white light
signal for " go on," and that being deluded by thief supposed
white light, they did not observe the danger signal at the
points until they had approached so near to them as to be
unable to stop or to reverse the engine.
" The jury find that if the points had been fairly open for
the train to pass down either the straight line or the siding,
and had been in perfect condition at the time, it is more
than probable that the train would have passed to the
station. _ _ _

the time of the dissolution of its federal republic, of the
present position of such bonds, and of the amount due thereon
from the eel eral states which composed the late republic, ex-
cept the state of Costa Wee, which has been discharged from
the debt. Ist. The capital of the foreign bond debtor Central
America at the dissolution of its republic, about 1839, was
163,3001; deduct Costa Rica's share, 1-12th, that state
having beta discharged, 13,6081.65. Bd.; present amount
of capital due, 119,6311. 13s. 4d. On this amount interest
at 6 per cent, per annum is due from the lst February, 1828,
to Ist February next, being 21 years. At the dissolution of
the late republic, Mr. Chatfield, her Majesty's charge
rrafaires at Guatemala (who has acted, and still acts, on
behalf of tho bondholders), proposed and pressed on the
states of the late republic the following distribution amongst
themselves of the bond debt, viz , Guatemala, 6-12ths ;
Salvador, 2-12ths ; Honduras, 2-12tiis ; Nicaragua, 2-12ths ;
and Costa Rica, 1-12th. Although Mr. Chatfield was very
persevering in nis endeavours to procure the consent of the
status to the above distribution, and to induce each to

arrange for its quota, yet it now appears that he was not
able until June last, owing to the unsettled state of the
country and the absence of a stale government, to obtain
the decision of Guatemala, or any definite arrangement by
her, as to a share of the debt. Guatemala then proposed to
adopt only 4-12ths, and 4th of another; but for this pro-
portion she declared her inability to provide for its capital
and the arrears of interest; which inability Mr. Chatfield
has confirmed. So that it was useless to attempt a further
negotiation for the full amount of the 5-12ths.
The committee under!tand
... and believe that Sal-

i vac or, on urns, at, icaranoun, have at mate
their iiability to 2-12ths each of the debt, though Nicaragua, '
about two years since, in a negotiation which the committee
had with its representative, then in London, attempted to
reduce such liability to a lower proportion, which the com-
' mittce distinctly and positively refused. Various proposals
have been made to the committeo on the parts of Salvador,
Honduras, and Nicaragua, far arrangements of their respec •
tire proportions, but such proposals have not in any instance
been brought to such a result as that the committer, could
submit them to the bondholders. Mr. Chatfield is conti-

nuino' his endeavour to procure from these three states
ranee definite oilers, and it is hoped that the prospect of a
greatly improved condition of their affairs from the effects
on them of the success of the scheme for a communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Nicaragua,
iu developing the great resources of these states and increas-
ing their population, will, at no distant day, give success to
Mr. Chatheld's endeavour.. Costa Rica has arranged for
1-12th. The shares of Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua
are for 2-12ths each (representing one-half of the original
debt), so that in considering the present offer of Guatemala,
it must be taken as representing. the remaining 3-12th..
'filo amount duo on the a-12ths is, for capital,
68,0411. 13s. 4d. ; for interest from Ist Feb. 18:D3, to Ist
Feb. next (24 g•ears), at 6 per coot., 97,9781. ltis. • making
together 166,0201. 9s. 42. The proposal of Guatemala is to
give new bonds of its Republic for 4.l2ths and 1-4th of
capital, viz., 37,8331. Bs. 32., bearing 5 per cent. interest,
and 50 per cent. of arrears of I interest to Feb. 1,
1832, 41,6111. 10s. bearing 3 per cent. interest ;
these two sums Making together 99,4761. 18s. 3d.
the difference between the full amount claimed and that
offered being about 66,0001., while the sacrifice sought from
the bondholders on the arrears of interest (as admitted by
Guatemala) is 41,6111. 10s., besides a reduction of 1 per
cent. per annum on the rate of interest fixed in the original
bonds on the proportion of capital and of 3 per;cent. per an-
num on the proportion fur arrears of interest.
The following is a copy of the proposal of Messrs. Fin-
lay, llialpon, and Co., which is in the shape of a letter
from Mr. Chatfield to that firm, and another copy of which
the committee have since received from Viscount Palmer-
ston contained in a despatch from Mr. Chatfield to the
Foreign-office :
to Messrs. Finlay, Hodgson, and Co. London.—Bri-
tish Mission, Guatemala, June 20, 1831.—Dear Sirs,—The
Mowing proposal has been made to me by the severa-
-1 ment of this republic for the payment of its debt to the
British bondholders. The government of Guatemala re-
cognises as a debt of the republic 41-twelfths of the foreign
debt contracted in London by the government of the Fede-
ration of Central America in the year 1821, and it will issue
bonds payable to bearer for 57,8351. Bs. 3d., which shall
bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum from the
Ist day of February, 1832. The government of Guatemala
also recognises as a debt of the republic one-half of the in-
tros at 6 per cent. per annum overdue and unpaid from
dr Ist February, 1828, to the let February, 1832, amount-
ing to 41,6111.105. ; and the government will issue bonds
payable to bearer for this amount, to bear en annual inter-
est of 3 per cent., such interest to begin to run from the Ist
of February, 1852. The interest on the new bonds for the
original capital, as also the interest on the bonds to be is-
I flied for the capital treated by ono half of the interest in
arrears, shall be paid in London every six months
' free of all expense. The first payment shall take place on
the Ist August, 1852, and henceforth on the lit of } ebrnary
and Ist of August of every succeeding year. The govern-
ment of Guatemala will faithfully pay the dividends on these
two capitals, and create a fund for the amortisation of the
debt in the following manner. One tenth part of the pro-
duce of the maritime alcabala from the lit January, 1852,
shall be assigned to this payment, and it shall be paid at the
Custom house of the republic to the agent of the bond-
holders, who is to remit the amount to London, in order
that with the intervention of the representative of the
Guatemalan government in England, the dividends may be
paid. The surplus shall be paid over to the said Guate-
mala
representative to create a sinking fund, and the re-
demption of bonds may be arranged according to the terms
of the original contract of 1824 at the current price of the
day of the bonds in circulation. From the let Jewellery,
1848, instead of one tenth part of the maritime aleabala, one
sixth of the same shall be assigned to the use of the debt in
the way expressed in the preceding paragraph, so that a
larger amount of the debt may be annually redeemed. If on
the parts of the governments of Honduras, Salvador, and Ni-
caragua, the conversion of the bonds of 1824 be not effected at
tho same time as thoseof Guatemala, there shall be endorsed
on the said bends the delivery of the new bonds issued
in virtue of this arrangement, in such a way that the re-
public of Guatemala shall be discharged from all engage.
'meta and responsibility as to the Central American Bonds
referred to. This arrangement is subject to the approval
of the committee of bondholders. In submitting this pro-
posal to you, I have to request that you will bring it before
the committee of bondholders for their consideration and
approval. With regard to the terms, I have to observe
that the Guatemalan government is indisposed to a
greater responsibility than 41-12ths of the original
l that is to say, 1-3rd or 4-12ths of the original debt, with
one quarter of the 1-12th added to it, which Costa Rica
objected to acknowledge at the time of paying off its share
of this engagement. The question of &megatons tho pro-
=rate of 5 per mut. per annum interest on the deferred
t capitalised, sad also the reduction of 50 per tent.
oft the arrears of interest, are fur the decision of the INF
abbe of brodheidess ; but I may observe that I do amt
Wok mg bony advance on this prciposal would be
reto hers, or if agreed to, that it could be
used. The assign' mont of I.loth of the matt-
time a/cabala, or custom duties, may, I think, be 1
I relied on, and as long as I remain in the country I will
Itake care that no disappointment occurs. The government
'of Guatemala is desirous that you should act as its agents
for the payment of the dividends. Mr. Edward Waller-
,stein, the Guatemalan Consul-General in London, is to re-
edy* the sea annually set apart for the sinking fund, and
be is watharied M alia the mg bends M be limed in ex-
LlZhe the aid bands, and tbs new bends to exchange
dividend warrants. I webs to iyhmaat Palmerston
by this mail, informing his lordship at the proposed arrange-
, meat. Requesting to knew the zesslutkos of the bond-
holders as moos as practical!, I am.
(signed) Pam. Ca/erotism'
" The counahno, after mei esaalderation, came to the
following resaleisas :—That aillosesh much disappointed
in the aassemt of the ease allievollassit amotmehoo especially
*her m a blab *id* pear
st to elope he-
** thoul ot gar paynest, mad *ea painsaa4l:l
of Wenn en are - in **an Se die
°plaices of XL es J• as
peseeetei evaleuele. a* la mmiiiwatim et
111=
aniliared aline to peewee en anesponat of the
heifer dear mils *baps that a discharge bolsi ob-
Woe toy Oftemia, in addition* Costa Rios, willing:ream
Irdidaslos d the nearaief *ISO OAS to be relieved bra
dorm ot the den, the amaittee are iodised to think
it lemftit else. the proposal eeldese to the follow-
litWi=er the sou of 99,4781. 18s. U. Ohs atip=e
teresame Mani ia the proper') be hinanal
mai k ilea two mu of bawls at alliesstit
eee on dime *a melt ICO,OOOI. (or the aimed
peonage eldelo *atom will yield is penaie
oda* a haselea et a pea* as the said
of the enseme beads, via, 141,111§L), es melds
ea the Wale et d par ems. par mama be Wool
lip Ihreelmrk, soda hrtetertll4=llois 14.6.1 m,
oil all sirmikbl *re itted
las aravuor
lie y gni let ea August to eafirres**eer r the hest
eciarik helfieerly lappet to be made OS lst
" the aseseney foods be
rutrtre.fibsialuesilomemileasitagaiwithiabat."."l"attrdilln 13. 4tegg=7Plilasel•Sillgookasthaleagaisbeesthelit4be .I=4:predecoghinot
not bo ammemo
my put** hmasalfroneom ad apart he media, it,

"The jury find that there was nothing observed by the
nointsmau at the time the train reached him to indicate any
defect whatever in the, points. But they find also that
after the train bad passed the pointsman, and before any
other train had gone over the points, it was discovered that
the tie-rod, which is shown to have been partially broken
before, and which connects the two point rails, had been
broken asunder near to the screw joint, and that the heel
chair was also broken and the point rail attached to it bent.
" The jury. find that these injuries to the tic-rod, the
chair, and point rail, were occasioned at the momentary
transit of the engine or tender over the points, by coming
in contact with the toe of the point rail, but whether they
were so occasioned by sand, gravel, or any other material
having prevented the points falling into their proper
position, or whether by any indecision on the part of the
pointsman as to which line of rails he was to send the train
down by, or whether by any slip of the handle of the
points-lever, or by any other cause ; yet the jury find that
from some such cause the engine went over the points on to
the straight line, whilst the rest of the train took the siding,
and resulted in that awful loss of life, serious injury to
persons and great destruction of property which is now so
*slit deplored.
" whilst the jury find that there was not that mea-
nies of Nipability in the conduct of any of the company's
seretanla es to warrant the finding of an adverse verdict
against say of them, yet they feel that it is due to the
public safety that some greater means of protection to life
and property than now exists should be resorted to by the
company, and that in the monopoly which railways
have achieved in travelling, the lives of passengers
should not be jeopardised at the shrine of interest and divi-
dends.
" The jury find that a single line of railway necesaarily
involves more danger to passengers than a double one, by
reason of the trains having to pass over junction points in
the one case which would not be required in the ether.
They also find that trains are occasionally delayed at the
stations to prevent collision with other trans sad Imam
that the engmemen on duty are superinduced to travel at
a greater speed than is consistent with safety en a
line of railway, in order to observe the times appoints=
their arrival at stations. Than and other matters at mere
minute detail impose upon the company's servants a damn
of watchfulness and care on a single line of railway alined
superhuman; and that the pointaman in the discharge of
his duties is liable, from a mere accidental slip or fall, or
from a want of nerve or that presence of mind which is so
essential in eases of difficulty and danger, to be the inno-
cent or accidental cause of daWaction to life and property.
"The jury therefore earnestly urge upon the directors
of the company, as they value human life and deplore the
sacrifice of it, that they will cause a second line of rails to
be laid down without delay, as a mean' of preventing the
recurrence of such a dire calamity as that which has now
formed the subject of their very anxious inquiry and most
painful deliberation."
At the suggestion of the coroner a recommendation was
added that all then trains should stop at Bicester station.

THE " MITRDEIn AT

r. Milburn,

- -
ern., maim to know what bed well bermarr of his son,
at hie sages* P. O. cie , went W
Liveried le mho.
am inisiala
wNt a
tre..4 on
=dirreseewrenyag tea; tine, ea S
geredeeed, dread Isowleige of his. A
wee As made, wed Milburn mu found in a pada
bona is the seighbaulsood of the docks, readings;
`ham fee preseedisg to Australia by the
(sheet te sail). Mbyte told Drummond that H
earl be bad been contriving their Sight far a saw
siderelis tine; that Haag was to p to Howard*.
gel • brae " sad gig, sad sem his at anew the
lase et the murder" (whisk he did), provided wilt
deem ; that they thee drew to NewcastlL,(hr way
a_.
of Nape" demeaglea ie.) ; that at
bridge they 1111•11 WO the river a bottle of bleed,
daybed predisd (bei de their hurry bed heist le use it)
to spH igen the plies whore the bat, &a., were left; that
spent the alai the Old Ottew inn, Hew-
es* Ad 1* bit by the *ie train to
, presseft three by le Whi erbsvm and so
on by ran is laveigesi. Me maid he wail write to his
father, and deheraliallMe reuses he leaviegthereantey.
We are inlbsesit that ear wise of this elide, ha week
bad Mr. Imes Pala sm era% Nowerle,
Mr. sad Me. Wills we booked lbw Awentelia)
emmembele wee.* the esperietaadrat el pike,
Mara, oldie hire t the cereal by whish they had
zZrperegesled earned bra Livsrpool.—Oehebsed

Dmsn TO TEI Loan PRovoier or Bppnix/

eitaetca, t
ty he Lord wasProweetebilidaanilabas" tood
--ICitairelifelteeTdiaae7 _
the digni of beiabibeal. Tbe Deka of
Xr. Correa, Y.P., nebeeer Dertalibea, Sir
3am Purist, Sir James ANIMUS. sad weal cla-
Vwssidlwg keg papaw, was mast as the wawdow.