The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-17 00:00:00

defendant eould not at all justify the giving in charge.—The
Judge : There are various ways of cent:retina debts you
know Mr. Salomon'. Persons may contract debts inno-
cently, and o.hers contract debts dishosesdy. The only .
potation, however, on your character so that of drunkenness,
and I really think few gentlemen in your proferion would
drink so much gm in the morning. With regard to the con-
, suroption of the articles without paying, I think there was
something like excusable grounds on the part of the de-
fendant for making the charge, which he did not prem. You
its not make out any case that would warrant me in award-
ing damages. The case is dismissed with costs.—Mr. Salo.
mono I think I shall try the case again before a jury, if you
will allow me, r t consider the evidence of the poltoeman
to be false.—The Judge made no reply, and the parties left
the court. _ _

WHITECH,
PEE
COUNTY COURT.
'Serve Mr. warrant Mussing.
DeRTORA TIMATan AS 111085 Ix Till HOURS
or CoItRIRCTION.—Mr. Charles Polled, a clerk, of IV,
Wa,neraguare, Commereial-road East, who was summoned
in this court a few weeks since for • debt under 21., and
against whom, in consequence of being unable to pay it, an
est cution was issued, under which he was committed tor tiro
days' imprisonmeut in the Roam of Correetion, applied to his
honour for a copy of his committal to prison. Mr. Pollett
stated that he had been treated by the governor of the
Haase of Correction in a most extraordinary manner. He
was taken into custody on the oth inst. by two officers,
under tne impression frem the statement of the officers that
he would nut be put to any inconvenience by confine-
ment. On reaching the prison he was removed to a lock-op
place, and starched by the officers in • most rigid
manner. About two hours afterwards the governor
came round and asked what he was committed
for. Applicant said, for not being able to pay a
debt. 'I he governor said. " Nonsense, man ; you are
here for contempt of court. Yoe are sent here fur cor-
rection, and c.irrectien you shall have." Applicant was
about to speak, when the governor said, " Silence, you are
not allowed to speak here; read that board," pointing to
the rules and regulations or the prison. Mr. Pollett said it
did not apply to his case, only to convicted prisoners. Ile
was then locked up, and soon after twelve o'clock the pri-
soners were brought into the same place, and were all
The otliatr brought each person a pint of gruel
and some bred 1, and said, " That is your dinner." Appli
cant partook of some ef the gruel with the others, and about
six o'clock half a pint of gruel and bread Sea again served
out to each. They were all searched, and the officer opened
a small door leading to several cells, and said, "New, pri-
soners, you are going to bed." Applicant entered the first
cell, which contained a low iron bedstead, bed of
straw, three blankets, and a rug. Ile was locked
io, and about sic o'clock the following morning
he was released, stiff with cold, and ordered to take
up the bed clothes under his arm, and he was ',eroded with
the oilier prisoners for about halt an hour round the yard.
He was then taken to another pert of the prison to a bath,
and r-rsived a suit of prison clothes, when he was compelled
to give his own up. lie was then removed to another part
of the prison, nd a number was sewn upon '.he right arm,
and a correspousing one on the back of his person. Ile was
then ordered thrsugh a long passage to•pl rein whicii about
7110 men and boys, all.numbered,vrereeitung on forma picksur
oakum, a bonnie of which w.n given to him, and an order to
follow the example et o--hers. He then had his hair and
whiskers cut close, and h.a chin shaved. He endeavoured
to resist, and he was threatened with bread and
water and a dark cell. Ile was unable to eat
the grin I, and asked for tame water, which was
refused him. He underwent this treatment for three
days, when he became completely exhausted. While pick-
ing the oakum on the third day he was taken very ill, and
told the efficer be email work no longer. Ile asked to see
the surgeon, and about an hour alt. rwards he was sent to
hint. Applicant said he we, suffering from a ni rental
do-
end the surgroa said he did not r: quire, medicine--he
had been fretting. Applicant told Lim he bad felt
severely the treatment he hnd received. He also told him
what he was imprisone I tor, and he said it was very wrong
to treat • man in that manner. He asked to he released
from pickii.g oakum, which was permitted hint. On the
filth morning he was taken before the governor and dis-
charged. Ile asked the governor for • copy of his committal,
which was refused him. In conclusion, Mr. Pollett said he had
been degraded, and was • most injured man. He was
most respectably connected, and had a wife and three chil-
dren to support. He had lost his character, and should have
some difficulty to obtain another situation. if he had been
in debt to the amount of several thousand pounds he would
have been sent to Whiteerossetreet prison, and been allowed
to see his friends. The applicant appeared deeply affected
during the recital of the above statement, and said he was
'Lid suffering from the effects of his late coi.fieement.—The
learned Judge consulted with Mr. Riley, the chief clerk,
who raid if Mr. Follett tosk any further steps in the matter,
he could summon the officer of this court to produce the copy
of the committal. The judge could not intertere in the cam.
—Mr. Pollett then thanked his honour and retired.