The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-08 00:00:00

Kato Enttlltgence.

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.—(Tutnn DAT.)
The inquiry into the state of mind of Mrs. Catherine
Cumming, which had previously occupied two days, was
resumed yesterday at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, before
Mr. Commissioner Barlow and • special jury. The ad-
journment from the previous Monday was granted to
enable Mrs. Cumming (who had not been professionally re-
presented on the first day), to prepare for her defence. Mr.
Robinson, solicitor, now appeared on the part of Mrs. Cum-
ming, who was also present. After some evidence of no
great importance, chiefly establishing the eery unhappy
terms on which the late Capt. Cumming and his wife lived
Martha Bowen, a former servant in the -family, deposed
that the captain's meals were irregular, sometimes at three
o'clock, and sometimes at seven o'clock. Mrs. Cumming
always cooked the captain's dinner. On one occasion
she threw a fork across the room at witness. Her conduct
towards her husband was very bad ; she used to curse him,
and he frequeney was ready to faint with hunger. The
cats were kept in an up-sta;ni room, which was not Mrs.
Cumming's bed-- oom. The witness gave a disgusting de-
scription of what occurred with the animals.
On cross-examination she added that Mr. Cumming's con-
duct was not kind to Mrs. Cummins. They led " ant and dog"
life. There were two pounds of beef boiled daily for the
cats. The captain had part of the gravy, but it was boiled
exclusively for the cats. It was boiled for two hours. Witness
feared violence from Mrs. Cumming, and that was the
reason she would not stay. After a time however witness
returned under a false name and Mrs. Cumming did not know
her.—Commissioner: Mrs.Cumming says that she told you that
she knew you.—Witness: No, she said my face was familiar
to her.—Commissioner : Why did you throw a fork at her ?
—Mrs. Cummina I never threw a fork at her. It is a gross
falsehood.—By the Commissioner: Captain Cumming did
not know me until Mrs. Cumming told him.—By the Jury :
I went under the name of Phillips the second time.
Elisabeth Greene, who went as servant in March, 1845,
and remained till June, declared that there were soups and
confectionery sent for the captain, who had his meals pretty
regularly. He was not starved he had three or four meals
a-day. The captain and Mrs. Cumming used frequently to
quarrel. They were both of violent tempers.
Julia Healey, another servant, corrobora'ed the previous
testimony as to the violence of temper, adding that Mrs.
Cumming used upon feedin7 the cats to lay a cloth for them
and give to each of them a plate, which was done every day.
The captain never had his meals regularly. I asked Mrs.
Cumming how many children she had got. The reason I
did so was because she appeared so strangely fond of the cats
that I thought she could not have had any children. She
then said she had a daughter in India, whose name was
Sarah.

Elizabeth Browne, also a nurse to Mrs. Cumming, deposed
to her exhibitions of temper, hatred to her family, and
cruelty to her husband, adding that she accused her
(witness) of impropriety with the captain.—Commissioner
(to Mrs. Cumming) : Did you ever accuse her of such a
thing ?—Mrs. Cumming (emphatically) : Oh, no, gentlemen,
look at her face : it is not likely.—The witness went on to
state that Mrs. Cumming used to hide money in her hoots.
Witness saw her take 51. and 101. notes out of her boots, and
she fre9uently slept in bet boots.—Cross-examined Captain
Cumoung's language was very bad towards her. A bottle
of wine and a bottle of brandy need to be consumed daily.
Mr. W. T. Rees, suryeyor and land-agent in Wales : I
know the property of Mrs. Cumming in Monmouthshire. It
has been greatly neglected and mismanaged, and has suffered
thereby a depreciation in value of about 15 or 20 per cent.
The income is 500/. a-year, and is worth from thirty to
thirty-five years' purchase, from which 15 to 20 per cent. is
to be deducted. _ _

It being now nearly fire o'clock, at the muest of the
jary the corarnissicn adjourned the proceedings Wl this day.

POLICE.-YESTERDAY.

XANSION-HOUSE. A ROMANTIC MYSTERY. A
rg man of respectable exterior, and good address, named
i Smith, was brought before the Lord Mayor, charged
with having annoyed Mr. Sparks, of the London Assurance
aka, by asking for relief.—Mr. Sparks said the defendant
had called at his office, asked for assistance, and refused to
leave the place, contending, that as he had been frequently
relieved before, he had•decided claim upon the complainant.
Defendant—The circumstances in which I am placed are

rather unusual. I suppose that I am en illegitiMate child,
and, I believe, that Mr. Sparks and Mr. Wilson, • viucc-
table solicitor in Chancery-lane, know who my parents are.
The gentlemen I have named have from time to time sup-
plied me with money, and paid for my education, and it is
sdmitted that their contributions have not been made from
themselves or from motives of charity. I am now in a state
of actual starvation. I have been brought up as a surveyor
and engineer, but I have not had any thing to do profes-
sionally for the last four months, and I naturally called upon
Mr. Wilson and Mr. Sparks, who know who I am, for I
know iaat myself, to aid me in this emergency. Mr. Sparks
says be has already given me money, and I want to know
whose money it is that he has been giving me. Surely that
is not an unreasonable demand, from an individual,
situated as I am.—Alderman Gibbs : Have you applied to Mr.
Wi!son upon the snbject ?—The Defendant : I have, and
Mr. Wilson, when I urged him to tell me who I am, said
that he must see Mr. Sparks about it, sod thus I am kept in
the dark by those two gentlemen who must know all about
me. Is it my tither or mother who has paid for my support
and education, or am I indebted to any one's charity
?—Al-
derman Gibbs : Have you received mon y from Mr. Wilson
—The Defendant: Certainly I have.—Alderman Gibbs:
Well, Mr. Sparks, you hear what he says.—Mr. Sparks : I
do not know who his parents are. I know nothing about
them. Mr. Wilson asked me, as I was more conveniently
situated than he, whether I would pay Mr. Smith's school
bills ; lag,reed to do so, merely as a favour to Mr. Wilson, to
whom I have referred the defendant for information on the
subject of his parentage.—The Defendant: I was brought
up upon their authority at a school at Edmonton, and Mr.
Sparks and Mr. Wilson paid for my passage to, and fitted me
out for, Australia. Did all this arise from a mere charit-
able feeling upon their part towards me, and if such be the
ease, why withdraw all feeling now, when without misconduct
upon my part, I am reduced to a tate of absolute want ?
Mr. Sparks: I have given the defendant money out of my
own pocket to relieve him—Alderman Gibbs: Had you any
particular reason for doing so ?—Mr. Sparks: He has not
the most distant claim upon me, but I taw that he was a
youth who was desirous to make his way in the world, and
I assisted him for that raison.—Alderman Gibbs: Well,
Mr. Smith, I must call upon you to enter into your own
recognisance*, in the sum of 501., not to molest Mr. Sparks
for twelve months. My advice to you is, to apply respec!.-
fully to. Mr. Wilson, who seems to me to be likely to be in
pensesewn of the information which you require.—The
' daiadant entered into his recognisance, bowed to the alder-
man, and retired.
ssouooLuco AND SDBPECTID ROBBEIY.--Mr. Potbury,
of the office of the Solicitor of the Customs, appeared to
sertain ialbeneatioa against a nu lamed John Andreir3
irk* Ives emeassed he leaving hem MEd la
a quesa*y at lbw plate, via which tEirtl;llllad
mat bees pile plats bad bees all seized, aed the
panellise arecht amounted to SINK lie. The dehoint,
woe big oiled three thaw, did not appear, sad the cam

was entered hate by Aldermen eibbe and- Musgrove.—t3}.
Maddox stated that on the 27th of July, es he was on duty,
his attention was called to a skiff under the stern of the
Columbine steam-vessel, lying off the Custom-house, and he
saw a bag handed out of the stern-window of that vessel to
Andrews, who was in the skiff, and who placed the bag in
what was called the state-room of the latter, and began to
row towards shore. Witness stepped into the skiff and asked
the defendant what he bad in the bag, to which question no
answer was given. Witness then asked him whether he had
anything in the bag liable to seizure, and the defendant
said, Open it, and you'll see," Witness accordingly
opened the bag, and found that it contained 276 ounces
of foreign silver plate, (filt. The Alderman examined
the plate, which it was evident, from the external figures
and devices, hsd once belonged to a Roman Catholic chapel.
There were five silver-gilt basins, three dozen of silver-gilt
spoons, of curious fabrication, four silver-gilt stands, twenty-
two saver-handled knives, and three 'dyer cork screws.
Maddox said that he inquired of the crew of the Columbine
whether they knew the defendant, and was answered in the
negaive. He then seized the property, and deposited it in
the Custom-house, and he took the defendant's address, ac-
cording to the regulations in such matters. Alderman Gibbs
asked from what place the Columbine had come ? Maddox
replied from Rotterdam. Aldermen Musgrove said that the
probability was that the plate belonged to some place of
worship; that it had been stolen as well as smuggled, and
that if the particulars of the charge appeared in the press, a
legitimate owner for it might appear. Mr. Potbury said
that such was certainly his impression. The goods were
then taken to the custom-house.
GUILDHALL—As arereta. TEIBP.—A lad, about 16
years of age, named Frederick IVinscons, was brought upon
a remand from Friday last, charged with having nineteen
sovereigns, eleven half-sovereigns, seven shillings, and three
sixpences, besides having a loaded pistol, bullet mould,
bullets, gunpowder, cape, &e., with some guide books to
various places in the metropolis, supposed to have been
stolen. On Friday last, whilst Constable Gardiner, 327, wall
on duty in Farringdon-street, he was informed that there
was a young lad purchasing a pair of boots in the neighbour-
hood, and showing a large quantity of gold. He proceeded
to the spot, and after questioning him as to how he obtained
ion of the mot sy, and receiving a reply that his father
newlall about it, coi.veyed him to the station-house. On
being brought up hit Friday, he stated that his father
res'dod at Winchester ; but that for some time past he had
lived with his brother, a watchmaker, at Bittern, near
Southampton, until about a fortnight since he had a quarrel,
sad suddenly left hint. Previous to that he found the
money (be believed about 301.) under a hedge on the road-
side, just outside Bittern, when he took it home, and hid it
in the c,slhole until he decamped. He proceeded to Ports-
mouth, where he staid for a fortnight, and purchased the
pistol and other things found on him. He bought the pistol
to protect himself from being robbed on his arrival
in London. He was then remanded until this
day, in order to communicate with his parents at Win-
chester, to ascertain whether his story was true. The father,
a most respectable-looking man, said he had just arrived,
and in answers put to him by Alderman Wood, stated that
there was unfortunately no truth in his son's statement
relative to the money. The fact was, he had robbed a person
in whose house he resided, in Broad-street, Portsmouth,
about two nights, of 291., and decamped. He had left home
about three weeks, but he wished the magistrate to give the
prisoner into his charge, ILI he had celled on the parties, and
made such an arrangement that they world not come for-
ward and prosecute. Under those circumstances, coupled
with its being the first time his son bad ever been in custody
on such a charge, he hoped the worthy alderman would
comply with his request. Alderman Wood, after making
some further inquiries, declined discharging the prisoner,
and instructed the officer to take him down to Portsmouth
before the magistrates there, the case being in their jurisdic-
tion, and it would be for them, if there was no prosecutor, to
discharge him. The prisoner, with the reatest effrontery,
still persisted in the truth of his story, and evidently was
careless as to what was done with him.
WORSHIP.STREET.—Tess RacoLr its o NUISANCE.—
Yesterday was appointed by Mr. Broughton to resume the
investigation into the circumstances attending the discovery
of a quantity of human bones and broken coffins, which
were found exposed on Saturday morning in a piece of waste
land adjoining
the Kingsland-road. But as two of the
principal witnesses did not make their appearance, the case
was a journed.
A DONKEY STORY.—William Newcombe, a cab-driver,
was charged with stealing a donkey, the property of William
Howard, a purveyor of asses' milk, in Dalston. The animal
we stolen from a field is. the above neighbourhood, where
it had been turned outrto graze on Mondry evening se'n-
night, and information having subsequently reached the
prosecuter that it was in the possession of Mr. Seale, a cab-
owner in Worship-street, he proceeded tothat person's yard,
where he was informed that the donkey had been brought
there by the prisoner, who gave such a strange and incredi-
ble account of his possession of it, that he was given into
custody.—ln answer to the charge the prisoner protested
his innocence, and stated that while on a stand in the city,
he was engaged to drive two young gentlemen of stylish ap-
pearance to the Red Cow tavern and tea-gardens at 'Balaton,
where one of them alighted and invited him to take some
brandy-and-water at the bar. Having discharged the
fare for that distance, the gentleman told him to
drive the friend whom he had left in the cab,
who was rather in delicate health end fast asleep, to his
residence some distance up the road, which he accordingly
did ; but on reaching the destination, as he received no reply
from his fare to his repeated questions, he opened the door
to inquire the number of the house, and was astonished to
find that the only occupant of the vehicle was the jackass he
was accused of stealing, and which must have been clandes-
tinely introduced into the cab by one of the gentlemen while
he was partaking of the hospitality of the other—Hayward,
the warrant-officer, said he had ascertained there had not
been the slightest ecneealment on the part of the prisoner,
and that the subject had been the common topic of conver-
sation in the neighbourhood, where it was regarded as a
capital practical joke for some time before his apprehension.
—Mr. Broughton was inclined to believe that the prisoner's
defence was a correct version of the affair, as he had made
no attempt to convert the animal to his own use, and he
should therefore order him to be set at liberty.

MARLBOROIIGH-STREET.—APPRIMENSION OP SVR-
PECTED RECEIVERS OP STOLEN GOODS.— William Wil-
liamson, John Franklin, Mary Taney, and John Walker,
were yesterday placed at the tsar, before Mr. Maltby, charged
by the police with having a large quantity of valuable pro-
perty in their possession, supposed to be the produce of
various robberies.—Police-constable Mount, C 1118, said he

was on duty with other constables watching .the hiouse No.
3 Chapel-street, Soho, that morning. He raw the prisoners
Franklin and Williamson go into the house No. 3, Chapel.
street, and in about an hour afterwards Walker entered the
same house. Franklin and Will:amen soon afterwards
came out, and then witness and other constables took them
into custody. Williamson made very great resistance and
attempted to get a life-preserver out of his pocket, but he
was prevented and finally overpowered. Police-con-
stable Gray, C 10, corroborated the statement of last witness.
While they were watching the house, they saw the woman
look out at the door twice, evidently to see if any one was on
the look-out. Witness, after taking the prisoners Franklin
and Williamson into custody, proceeded to the house, Ne. 3,
Chapel-street, and, on gaining admission, he went up stairs,
and found Walker in the act of erasing marks from mercer's
blocks. In the room was a large quantity of silk, serge, and
cloth, all of which had the appearance as if it bad been
stolen. When taken into custody, Walker said it was a
" bad job." Franklin, at the station-house, told the police
they had been " very cunning, but not cunning enough."—
Pohee-serjeant Whop. C 16, confirmed the statement of the
other constables, and added that Tilney at first said she was
Walker's wife. The place was searched, and about 150 J.
worth of property, consisting of cloth and woollendraper's
was found.—Police-constable Mount said, when he
goods
Franklin go into the houae Franklin had a bag
with something in it with him.—Mr. Maltby asked the police
if they suspected the property to be stolen property.—Police-
serjeant Whall said he had no owners at present; but he
was satisfied all the property was stolen, and, he had no doubt
he should be able to bring proof of this, if the prisoners were
remanded.—A clerk and porter in the employ of Messrs.
Macken and Co., tailors, Conduit-street, said he stopped the
prisoner Williamson about ten weeks ago with a piece of
cloth, stolen from his employers' warehouses, in his posses-
sion. Tke prisoner, however, contrived to escape. The
prisoners all declined to make any defence. Mr. Maltby re-
manded all the prisoners until Tuesday week.
MARYLEBONE.—A PRETENDED NAP. —Yesterday,
George Goddison, a young man well known to the police,
was placed at the bar. It appears robberies have lately been
committed in the neighbourhood of Bryanstone-square and
that yesterday morning, about three o'clock, Serjeant Ben-
nett, 18 D, hearing a cry of " police," rep And to a house fa
Edward's place, in the locality alluded to, and there disco-
vend the prisoner lying on the second floor landing, pee.
tending to be asleep ; there was a " life-preserver" close to
him upon the stairs, and on his being taken into custody and
searched, a number of lucifer matches were found upon Mn.
It was proved that he was a constant associate of thieves, and
that he had before been convicted, and as he was unable to
amount satisfactorily to the magistrate with regard to his
being on the premises, he was scut to the House of Correc-
tion for three months.
SOUTHWARK.—ROBBING Poerxxx.—Two stout
young fellows, named Boons and Stanley, were charged
with assaulting and attempting to rob two letter-carriers of
the General Post-office, named Pitts and Francis.—The
complainants, while passing along High-street, Borough,
between two and three o'clock in the morning, were attacked
by the prisoners and two other men at the corry.,T of Falcon-
court. They were knocked down, kicked, and beaten, while
on the ground, and the watch of one of them (Pitts)
from his fob, and would have been taken, had it not
held by a strong guard-chain. On the alarm being given
that the " crushers " (policemen) were coming, the priso-
ners ran away, but were subsequently taken into custody.—
The prisoners were committed, the magistrate remarking
that of late several very daring street r‘, bevies had taken
place on the south aide of the metropolis, sad that he should
send cane of this description before a jury.
DESTROYING REGISTRY OP VOTERE.—ElizabetA Brown,
a young girl. was charged with tearing down the registry
of voters for the county of S , Mixed to the door of St.
Georges ' Church, Southwark. Beadle of St. George's
parish stated that between two sad throe o'clock that day
the defendant, who was assengewded by another young
women, ran up the steps of St. Glesentes Church, and;
approaching the list of votive he the county affixed to the
door, tore out two leaves, the Ind esettalning the names of
the overseen. When she was ranmesleeted with for such a
wilful set she became very violists end it was a difficult
matter to take her to the staties-heass. The beadle pro-
, dated the torn register.—Hr. gsisshad her the rot-
son she acted In the moaner deserlbaltrees NOW, that
she did it oat of a " lark."--.llr. Cattientuun You have
omitted an offence for which pea an liable to pay a
penalty of 4th., for trr7fltllj taring the nester of voters of 1

r
the wasaty.—The defradant Mid sbe wee .2iLaufil
or she would net hare dime welt a th
cads *et bee endue ia running up the church
steps and dedbelag may paper whatatiever, was extremely im-
proper, and chewed that abs was a woman of reekler beha-
viour.—The theandant hoped the full penalty would not be
inflicted, and she would never act In a similar manner.—The
magistrate inflicted a mitigated fine, and, in default of pay-
ment, committed the defendant for five days to jail.
BOW-STREET.---- .RBBERY AT THE ROYAL Maws.—
Henry Lewis, aged twelve years, was charged with having
stolen a silver watch and guard, value 71., the property of
T. Jackson, a groom in the service of the Queen Dowager,
and Jane Elliston, an elderly woman, was charged with
having received the same knowing it to have been stolen.
Constable 167 A, said, that when he took the male prisoner
to the station, he centered having taken the watch from a
drawer in the mews, and sold it to the female prisoner in
Bedfordbury for sweet stuffs. Witness went there, and after
finding the watch, he questioned her how she got it, and
she told him she had given 3s. 6d. upon it to a boy who was
in the habit of buying cakes from her.—Mr. Henry ordered
both prisoners to be remanded, and inquiries to be made into
the prisoner's character.
WESTMINSTER.—" LIEUT. Muasttem."—Yesterday
William Brunel, a Frenchman, who has been passing him-
self off as Lieutenant Murrell, and obtained charitable con-
tributions in that name, was finally examined, charged with
the following impudent robbery :—A pour German, named
Solomon, went into the George and Bull, Orchard-street,
when the prisoner, who pretended that he was about to
make a purchase of him, induced him to ask the landlady
for change of a half sovereign. Solomons had no sooner
placer! a half sovereign on the counter than the prisoner
adroitly substituted a coin of about the same size, and at the
same instant was seen by the landlady to put the half
sovereign in his mouth. His teeth were forced open with a
key and a knife, and the coin dropped from his mouth. A
solicitor's clerk attended for the prisoner, but was of no ser-
vice to him, and he was accordingly committed to the
Middlesex Serious for the larceny. The pri oner is well
known to the Mendicity Society as a notorious impostor.
Several cards, with the name " Lieutenant Murrell" written
on them, were found upon him, as also a letter from Baron
Hoffman, regretting he could not grant the " lieutenant" an
iuterview, but ecicloeinga bank-note. There were also other
matters found on him which made up the stock in trade of
an imonstor.
LA's( BET EL —Fees AT THE MINOR COURTS.—Yester-
day Air. Richey, a summoning officer belonging to the
Southwark Court, which is regulated by an net in the last
sessien of parliament, appeared before Mr. Eiliott, to show
cause why he detained a mangle and some articles of furni-
ture, belonging to a poor old woman, named Mary-Ann
Smith. The case was important to the public, inasmuch as
its hearing disclosed a system of charging fees which is
not sanctioned by the act under which the court is consti-
tuted. The defendant, before the evidence was entered on,
handed in the Small Debts Act, and referred to a section in
it by which he said the court to which he belonged bad the
power to dispose of such cases through its judge, and urged
that the magistrate was deprived by the act of jurisdiction in
the affair. Mr. Elliott remarked that he was perfectly
aware that the court had the power to dispose of such cases,
if he, the defendant, had done his duty ; but the fact was, he
had neglected to do so. The act of parliament before him
clearly pointed out the course to be pursued where parties
other than the defendants set up a claim to goods seized.
This course was, to summon all the parties before the judge,
who, on hearing the ease, had the power of adjudicating in '
the matter. Instead of doing this, which was his own duty
to do, as well as the means of protecting him from
an action of trorer, the defendant chose to tell the poor
woman that in the first instance she must pay two
shillings for a summons and two shillings more for
the hearing. The act not being complied with by the
defendant summoning witnesses to determine the owner-
ship, the case was not taken out of his (Mr. Elliott's) juris-
diction, and he had a perfect right to deal with it as an
illegal detention of property.—The complainant was then
sworn, and deposed that in January last the defendant
brought an execution to her residence, to levy upon the
goods of William Taylor, her son-in-law, but, upon her
assurance that the goods in the place were hers, he went
away. On Wednesday last, however, he again called at her
residence, and although again assured that the things were
hers, he carried away her mangle, which was her sole means
of support, and every other article in the place. In reply to
the questions of the magistrate, the applicant stated that
after seeing his worship she went to the defendant, who told
her, upon her saying she had been to a magistrate, that he,
the magistrate, had nothing whatever to do with it, and that
If she wished to make any claim to the goods, she must in
the first plice pay 2s. for a summons, besides 21. for hearing
the case.—Mr. Elliott, to the defendant: Did you tell this
poor woman that she must pay 2s. for a summons, besides
2s. for hearing?—Defendant (after some hesitation): Yes.
I gave her the form of summons, and told her she
must pay for it, as it was usual to pay for the
summons by parties claiming goods.—Mr. Elliott: I liars
read the table of fees authorised by the act, and can
find nothing to justify such a charge as that of a summons or
hearing to a party, as in this case, seeking to obtain posses-
lion of her own property.—Defendant : The fee does not go
into my pocket. It is the perquisite of the clerks in the
office who fill up the summons.—Mr. Elliott : Then it is
highly improper and illegal to exact such fees. The proceed-
ing, where the ownership of property is disputed, is one
chiefly for the protection of the officer in the execution of
his duty, and should be put in motion by him without ex-
pense to any party. In fact, nothing could be more repre-
hensible or illegal than imposing such fees upon poor
persons, who were unacquainted with the law, and unable to
protect themselves.—Mr. Elliott was about to adjudicate
upon the case, when the defendant requested it might be
postponed to the following (this) day, when he said he would
be able to produce some witnesses on his behalf : and the
magistrate complied. with his request.
Never. CHARGE.--Morris Murphy, a decently-dressed and
good-humoured look,ng Irishman, was placed at the bar.—
Constable P 78 stated that the prisoner voluntarily came to
the station-house yesterday morning, about ten o'clock,
and demanded to be locked up, as he was not capable of
taking care of himself. The constable, seeing that the man
was fit to be entrusted with his own keeping, refused to
entertain the charge, and told him to go home; but he
refused, saying he had no home to go to. Ile was put out,
but be persisted in being locked up, and threatened to
break open the doors if not taken charge of. Finding
he was so determined upon taking up his quarters at the
Button-house, he was at length gratified, and, in addition to
his original request, he was kept all night, and now brought
before the magistrate. The prisoner said he had been escorting
a brother of his on his way back to Ireland that morning, and
having sat up with him all the preceding night drinking, he
felt overcome with sleep and fatigue when crossing Camber-
well-green, and, therefore, begged as a favour to be locked
up for a couple of hours, until he recovered himself; but the
police had unfairly kept him in all night, and he now hoped
his honour would discharge him. as he did not find the police
station as comfortable quarters to step in all night, as his own
home. (Loud laughter). Mr. Elliott having ascertained
that the prisoner had not used any violence, ordered his
discharge.
THAMES.—A VERY SMALL CHARGE.— Win. Cusack, a
messenger at the Record-office in the Tower, was charged
with steeling two sheets of brown paper' the property of
the Queen, and valued in the charge-sheet at 3d., though in
reality not worth half that sum. - -Robert Lugsden, who
stated himself to be a foreman in the Record-office' stated
that about six o'clock on Saturday evening, he saw the prie
Boner take two new sheets of brown paper, and fold up his
clothes in them. Witness told him he had no right to use
that paper, but should have taken old paper for the pur-
pose, and cautioned him that if he attempted to take it out,
he should be stopped at the gate. The prisoner said that if
any attempt was made by the witness to stop him, lie (the
prisoner) would knock him down, or pitch into him. Wit
ness stopped the prisoner as he was going out with the paper,
on which the latter struck him. He was then given into
custody. Witness had lately been charged specially to
watch the species of property which the prisoner was taking
away.--M'Mahoa, 32 11, took the prisoner into custody, and
found the paper in his possession. He also saw the prisoner
strike the prosecutor—The prisoner, in his defence, said he
was warranted by his superior, Mr. Harding, who was at
present out of town, in taking the paper, and that the prose-
cutor was influeneed by mere private malice. Re ad-
mitted he struck the prosecutor when the latter seized
him by the collar, and charged him with felony.—Mr.Charles
Roberts, one of the assistant-keepers of the records at the
Tower, under Lord Langdale, who is the keeper-general,
here came forward, and spoke most highly as to the character
of the prisoner; and, at the same time, described the prose-
cutor as a person of drunken and disorderly habits, who had
been known to threaten the prisoner from some private
motive. Mr. Roberts added, that not the slightest felonious
motive could attach to the prisoner, who was a man of most
untainted reputation; and be was warranted in applying
the paper to the purpose for which he had used it.—Mr.
Broderip said the case was one involving some difficulty. On
the one hand, an assistant-keeper of the records at the Tower
came forward to defend and justify the conduct of the pri-
soner, and bear testimony to his character; whilst, on the
other hand, a person, who said he was specially directed to
look after the paper, charged the man with felony. Under
such circumstances, the only course which be (Mr. Broderip)
could pursue was to hold the prisoner to bail, himself in 801.,
and two sureties of 401. each, to answer any charge which
might be preferred against him at the ensuing session of the
Central, Criminal Court. Mr. Roberts, who seemed very
indignant that such a charge should be brought fon; and,
expressed himself determined immediately to suspend the
prosecutor.
11 MMERSMITH. &nu !rim AFFAIR. Yesterday,
John Freeman, ginger-beer maker, of Cottage-place, Little
Chelsea,' and John Shears, bricklayer, of Chelsea-grove,
were charged with having assaulted Mr. Langley Bracken-
bury, a retired military officer.—Mr. Brackenbury stated
that on the evening of Friday, the 28th of August, about
half-past nine o'clock, he was at Little Chelsea, when he
heard the cries of a girl at a short distance from him. He
immediately went to the spot and found a young girl, the
daughter of witness's laundress, in the hands of a fellow of the
name of Barnes, one of the overseers of Kensington, against
whom he should bring an action, who was dragging her along
the ground, u was stated, to a slaughter-house to kill her.
There was a crowd about, who called the girl a —,
and there was a great deal of bad language used about her.
Witness interfered to prevent her being ill-used, when he
was much beaten and ill-wed by the crowd. Witness called
" Murder," and " Police," but on a policeman coming up,
witness was given into custody and taken to the station-
house in Milman's-row, Chelsea, where he was detained for
half-an-hour, and then liberated and told he might go home.
—lnspector Morgan here informed the magistrate that he
knew something about the case, which was one in which
the parochial offlmn of Kensington had much interested
themselves, bat the particulars of which had never been set
right before the public.—By Mr. Paynter : The girl came to
witness's house about half-put 7 o'clock that night, and he
had seen her part of the way home. She was the daughter of

his laundress. He went to see her safe home heelless
she had been much annoyed, on going home from his house,
by persons for her going there. He left her at the corner of
Park-plaoe, Little Chelsea, which was about forty yards
from her home. Did not know why he did not go all the
way with her. Knew no rearm why the mob should attack
her. Thought the defendant Shears was there, sad bis wit-
ness would swear to Freeman. Mr. Paynter esLI hispplared
to him en extraordinary affair, but he 'opposed hip abould
soon get to some explanation of it. Martha Hellman deposed
that she lived at No. 4, Cottage-place, Little Chelsea, and
washed for Mr. Brackenbury. On the evening in question
she sent her daughter to the complainant's house. Saw her
daughter about twenty minutes before ten o'clock the same
night, trying to get away horn Martin, the Kensington
beadle,
beadle, who had hold of her, and threw her down. The
complainant interfered, and she saw the defendant Freeman
strike complainant en the chest. Did not see Shears there.
The complainant and her daughter were pelted
with brickbats and stones by the mob. Complain-
ant went is the station-house. By Mr. Paynter :
Her daughter went to complainant's house at half-
past nine o'clock that evening. If any one bad
stated it was half-psat seven o'clock, it was wrong. Witness
could walk there and back in ten minutes, and supposed her
daughter could. The houses were half a mile distant. Her
daughter was fourteen years of age. She was brought home
by Martin, the beadle.—Both defendants positively denied
having touched the complainant, and Freeman called a wit-
ness, named Evans, who swore most positively that Freeman
did not go out of his doorway.—Mr. Pavnter said the man-
ner in which the evidence was given in support of the sum-
monses showed there was something left in the back ground.
The ev.dence of the mother of the girl was also so contra-
dictory, that be could place no reliance on it ; and as Free-
man's witness swore positively that her son did not strike a
blow, he should dismiss the summonses.—Freeman said he
wished to ask if Mr. Brackenbury had a right to carry a
great bottle-axe with him about the street.—Mr Paynter
said he might do so, but he must not use it, or intimidate
persons with it —The parties then left the court.

MONEY MARKET.
MONDAY Evamita.
We have a heavy and declining stock market to-day in
both houses. The decline in home stocks was attributed to
the considerable rise in the prices of corn in Mark-lane this
morning. Opinion points to a state of higher prices still, in
view of the advices from various parts of the continent of the
shortness of stocks, and the partial failure of the wheat and
other grain, as well as of the potato crops. Consols were at
96 to 6 for money, and 961 to 11 for time, nearly all day, and
so closed. Reduced Threes, 96i to 4. Three-and-a-quarter
per Cents., 986 to 1. The Bank broker was served with
6,0001., Three-and-a-quarter per Cents., at 981, for the
savings' banks, and 8,0001. more at the same price for account
of unclaimed dividends. Exchequer Bills fell to 15s. to 17s.
premium. Bank Stock, 209 to 10. India Stock. 24 to 260.
Long Annuities, 10 5.16 to I.
The undermentioned stocks will shut, preparatory to the
payment of dividends, and open again at the dates sped-
Sled :-
110 k Su* ...... that, 11th inst.; open, 11th (Seedier.

,
........-a-quarter per Cents , shut, Ilth inst.; open, 20th October.
Threes Reduced shut, 10th inst.; open, 20th October.
Long Annuities
Annuities for terms of years

The foreign market was thrown into some confusion this
morning by the unexpected intelligence from Portugal, im-
porting that the government was about to impose a tax of
20 per cent. upon incomederived from the foreign debt ; that
is, that 20 per cent. would he deducted from the funds, to be
remitted for the payment of dividends on the loans contracted '
abroad. This appears to be a bold stroke of financial policy,
or of desperation, as the case may be. It is only some four
years since a former Portuguese ministry opened a com-
pulsory conversion for reducing the interest of a consider-
able portion of the foreign debt, without leave asked, or
meeting called, of the creditors concerned, at all. The ope-
ration was assisted by some of the financiering notabilities
here, who, having purchased bonds at the depreciated rates
consequent on the cessation of dividends, and the then de
eland insolvency of Portugal, were understood to have
realized very large profits by the conversion scheme, which
rallied prices to a high figure, by the promise of a certain
dividend of 4 per cent, in exchange for the 5 per cent.
contract dishonoured. It was, perhaps, in return for
such services that, additionally, the Portuguese government
has been so liberal of baronial, knightly, and other honours
and decorations to the money-making capitalists of this
market.

It remains to be shown how the Portuguese government
can stand justified in imposing a tax upon the property of
parties non-resident, not subject to its jurisdiction, and not
even registered in the state books as owners of state property.
The enormity of the impost is a monstrous aggravation
The bondholder, moreover, is placed under two fires
by it. For whilst already taxed three per cent. on the
income from his bonds, on receipt of dividends at home, he
is henceforth to be mulcted in twenty per cent. more by the
stoppage of remittances to the account from Portugal. It
becomes a case, therefore, for government to determine
whether the right of taxing British subjects and property lies
abroad or at home, since it will scarcely be contended that
it can be rightfully taxed in the ono case as well as in the
other. The assumption on the part of Portugal amounts to
nothing less than a confiscation.
Some few days ago, Count Tojal, Minister of Finance in
the late Cabral Ministry, and now here, addressed a letter to
the Morning Herald, dwelling lar.!ely upon the excellent
security of Portuguese debt, and the unassailable position in
which the due payment of dividends was placed, by certain
financial arrangements adopted, according to which the pay-
ments would tame from the treasury direct, invested with
ample facilities for the end, and not be, as heretofore,
dependent on complicated and circuitous banking operations.
Upon the strength of this letter, and the authority of the
writer, the bonds advanced some 2 or 3 per cent , or more.
What will the Count say now, after this financial demonstra-
tion of his government). What, also, to the charge of the
Lisbon correspondent of a morning paper, that the govern-
ment, of which he himself was a member, had resolved, be-
fore their expulsion from office, upon suspending the pay-
ment of dividends upon the foreign debt altogether for three
years—perhaps indefinitely ?
On Saturday, Portuguese Fours converted were done at
48 ; to-day they are at 41 to 3, and not movable. Spanish
were in decline also, the prices being now quoted 36i to 711_;
the Threes, 381 to 1; Deferred, 17 to 1; Pas.ive, 6 to 1; Dutch
Two-and-a-half per Cents, 591 to 60; the Fours, 941 to 5;
Belgian, 98 to 100; Danish, 88 to 9; Austrian, 109 to 10;
Russian, 1101 to 111; Mexican was tolerably steady at 26 to
1 till the regular close of business, but immediately after
declined to 261 to 61 ; Brazilian, 98 to 100 ; Chilian, 101 to
3 ; Buenos Ayres, 42 to 4 ; Peruvian, 37 to 9 ; Venezuela,
42 to 3. The foreign market generally was heavy and
depressed.
ENGLISH ltreD6.— Fr.

India ►fork, 200
Oaemole for Acct., NI
Ex. BM.. fl.OOO. lad" 13 13 17
Ditto C3OO, 13 17 pan.
' Dino, Small, 19 13 17
FUNI'H