The Express.
London, England, 1848-10-13 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 13, 1843.

in its smaistipatiou from this, the greatest of human
(riUM
Tbis is) great and happy,as it is a naheralialmess
in Brazilian pablie opinion. The party this Mid
may be as yet small In number ; bet it h been nth
beginnings, covered and fortified. with treihauff.all
peat moral and political triumphs proceed. lbw
obstacles it will have to contend against are unsleati.l
edly very formidable. But the greatest is, pesiage,i
the mistakes which itelfishnii always makes as to
true interests. And th;s obstacle has already, it is net
difficult to pensive, been shaken in Brazil. For the
importatioes ci slaves, consequent on our admission(
Brazilian sugar, have been so excessive as to have I
seriously defamed the value of property; and as
credit, and what oar American friends call ,
plantersduce" are unisinal amongst Brazilian
(thou of the provisos of Pernambuco, it would &p-
-i pear, =opted), this depreciation produced by
.the
slave trade has of course raised doubts in the minds
of the richer proprietors as to the prudence of eon-
timing it, more especially as they see that its con-
tinuum only calculated to raise up rivals to them.
At each a time, and under such circumstances, the
sew party strikes home. And if its appeal to the
peettostity of Pernambuco be based on truth; if it
I seek be the fact that since 1830 no slaves have
bees imported into that province; and yet that
sines that year it has gone on more tepidly
' advancing in weslth, in happiness, and in morality,
the case presented to the other provinces of the em-
pire is very strong, more especially to that of Bahia.
For in Bahia the dangers of slavery are very great
indeed. Elsewhere the slaves are of various, differ
ing, and unfriendly races ; speaking languages unin-
telligible to each other ; having no common bond of
union; and, in many instance', preserving in Brazil
those feuds which in iginated in Africa. Insurrections
against the whites in the other provinces are not,
therefore, subjects of serious apprehension, for in them
the whites " divide and govern." But the negro po-
pulation of Bahia is of common origin ; of fierce pas-
sions; of great physical strength ; and of indomitable
courage. Hence outbreaks in this province are most
formidable; and hitherto, when they have eves par-
tially occurred, it has required the force of the
to repress them. To Bahia, therefore, the c xamlraf
Pernambuco appeals with great, let us hope with
I irresistible, force.
The formation and the future growth of this party
in Brazil, whilst it is a proof of the sagacity of the
free-trade loaders, ought not to be thrown away upon
us. The aim of this party is that which our govern-
ment has so constantly, but hitherto so unsucoesdally,
pursued. It has failed, very much because its mode
of action was deemed inconsistent with the national
honour and independence of the Brazilian empire.
We are confident, then, that instead of counteracting the
efforts of this rising (limeade party by any it terfereoce,
our government will, on the contrary, aid it by profess
ing to leave free scope for Brazilian efforts in rescuing
Brazil, if not from slavery, at least from slave importa-
tion. if its own citizens cannot persuade Brazil that it
is for the interest of the state and of the great bulk of
the people that the slave trade should cease, all foreign
interference to suppress that trade by force and
violence will continue to fail. And to be active in
the use of force and violence at a time when the most
intelligent Brazilians have united to show, by
reasoning, that the abolition of the slave-trade is the
true interest of the empire, is to deprive them of that
opportunity. and of those means which are indispen-
sable to their success.
We would, too, refer the movement of which we
have given evidence to the notice of Lord Dzsiuts,
as some small proof that the great object for which
he has so long, so nobly—if not always very usefully—
struggled, may perchance be achieved by other
agencies than trea'ies, rights of search, and ships of
war. And we may also venture to assure that
learned and respected judge that he is mistaken in
supposing that there is any change of opinion as to
the criminality of the slave trade, or as to our duty
to suppress it. The only difference of opinion that
we know of is, as to the means by which an end de-
sired by all may be most speedily attained.

Tug desultory and protracted labours of the past
session have been signalised by a more than ordinary
amount of alterations in the administration of the
criminal law ; none of which (excepting the question-
able and too-eelebrated Treason Felony Act) are in them-
selves, perhaps, of any very striking importance : but
the tendency of the whole will doubtless be beneficial.
If the mme amount of moderate but judicious im-
provements could be effected every session, law
reform would, in tt.e course of a few years,
have made a remarkable progress; many of the
worst vices of our present system would be neutralised
or abolished ; and the confidence of all elass.:s in the
vigour and impartiality of the law proportionally in-
closed. At the opening of the September session of
the Central Criminal Court. the Recorder of London,
in his address to the grand jury, took occasion to ad-
vert to thew reforms, and we cannot furnish the
public with a mom brief and judicious summary of
them than the few sentences in which he explained
their effect The antireforming tendencies of that
groat 'municipal functionary are sufficiently known;
and we may accept his favourable account of the
alteratioms in question as a testimony that they were
not made until they were greatly needed:
AMOK the acts (said the learned judge) which had re.
easily beams law was ens white gave addlaleaal powers to
Judea el poses oat of esseica, sad enabled them, in cases of
aggravaal ssictiestessors, to essistit the amused party for
triad, without bell. These were eons other alterations with
regard to the pewees of laden ; ha* he was informed that
none of the radium koalas the grand Jary were in the
coeusimien et the peers, he did act think it Leonean,
to call their Mama= to the subject at any greater
=By seethes statute a very Important alteration was
Lia reisseme to the marring' of points of law arising
la (chains! eaves. No legal provision formerly existed on
this abject ; and when the preaddleg judge, arm a erinensl
*ally, flit that any legal point whisk was raised during
the trial weadeeervhael farther coeliac/Mks, it had been the
mama for him to Wm apes himself to respite the judgment,
sad to submit the point to a sort of domestic porn' of the
judges, by whoa he was advised as to the muse that should
in pursued ; but no regular judicial inquiry took place. By
the resent statute, however, a special power insiotven to
In
the judge, any Maisel inquiry, to MOM t that
'night arise, in order that it should be earga a formal
manner ; and this he onsidered a very sa alters.
Om for all who were .crossed la the administration of the

criminal law.
The opiion of reserving any point of law that may
be raised still rests with the udlee, and we doubt it
the effect of the present bill will be so mach to aug-
ment the number of cases so reserved, or alter the ge-
ne& tendercy of the decidoes, as to effect their
sessmidmation with greater certainty, publicity, and
desseune, and to do away with the unseemly subter-
VmsArewoil4l judges end home secretaries have been
White recourse, to screen frompunieh
meat those who were found to have been uniastly or
ills y condemned. In place of the absurd plan of
a verdict subject to the opinion of the judges,
and .if they in private parley decide that the
mead ought not to have been pronounced, affectiag
seem a and insulting en innocent man by inning him
rirdon—a regular court of appeal (five of the
including at least one chid to be a quorum)
trieFahlished, in which after hearing coning, the
judgments will be delivered in open court,
ea they are in Westminster Hall, and the
verdict of the court below will, if neces-
eery, be altered and amended, so that the in-
anent man, unjustly sentenced by an oversight in
the law, will no longer be insulted with the mockery
et a ?tidos, nor dismissed with the stigma of a con-
demnation attaching to him for the rest of his life.
The ss prerogative of the crown will no longer
be sod se a-erutch to prop up the halting atonements
el Pallid fallibility, nor will the title of " her Ms-
=Orel gracious pardon " be desecrated by its being
epplied to the most superfluous and ungracious act,
midi& a minister could advise the sovereign to com-
mit, via., the pardoning of an innocent man. We
are sorry that we have not space at present
to quote some of the very forcible sentences in which
the highest living authorities in the law have stigum-
timed this and the other absurdities of a system veld&
forbade public justice to retrace her steps in minimal
cases, even as regarded the. application and
tation of the rules and leneples by which t
lions professed to be gni
This bill, as sent down from the Lords, provided
only for the reservation of points of law raised
before the Judges of mdse. Bat 1 was um&
featly leaving unredressed the heath lades a
the evils complained of The jar llbefea of the
Courts of Quarter Simians is so exteesive, and they
are so much more likely to fall into errors la the in-
terpretation of the law, that the public Mitred and
dissmiefaction would have been rather incensed than
diminished, if persons tried in these coasts bad been
debarred the benefit of the new Court of Appeal.
After the powerful testimony as W the evils of the old

seates.,Wllish thiediss out Cl the fifteen judges con-
curred k tembeley. we could not but marvel
at the 11)1 being
_seat down from the Lords in
that sty" It had been at find imposed that
the appeal on points of law raised at Quarter
Semions =mild be made to the Courts of Anise;
bat to this there were many insuperable objections;
and because the evil could not be relressed that way,
their lordships agreed to do nothing. This glaring
defect was, however, promptly remedied in the Com-
mon.; and the new court of appeal possesses, as it
ought to have, jurisdiction over the entire sphere of
the judicial errors, for the correction of which the law
had hitherto provided no direct and formal remedy._
Strange to say, one of the highest dignitaries', the i
law, as well as one of those who most r ead•
demned the old system. Lord DENMAN,
bitterly of this extension of the juriedotleh 1 Id II
Court of Appeal, and attempted to prevail es Ile
Lords to reject this amendment of the Commons. It
would be preposterous in us to pit our humble unpin-
&silent opinion against so high and so profound
an authority as his lordship. We trust, however,
that the chairman of the Quarter Sessions will not be
quite so impressible or so easily browbeaten by pert
or crotchetty counsel, as Lord DENMAN seems to
apprehend. It is satisfactory, at all events, to reflect
' that it is not the justice of the mean e which his
lordship impugns. It is merely the ioconveuience of
it,—the great increase of appealsonlawpoints,andthe
amount of additional labour which the court of
appeal would impose on him and his colleagues, that
caused him to off. r such vehement opposition to the
Commons' amendments. Time only can decide
whether his lordship's fears are justified; but if so,
it is clear that some mode of redress must be sought
for the evil which he dreads, instead of the whole-
sale refusal of redress to all criminal cases tried at
Quarter Sessions. Far be it from us to propose any
further increase in the number of the udges. But
possibly some means might be discovered of so repar-
titioning the duties of the judicial quindecemvirate,
as to avoid crushing them with the additional reopen-
sihilities which this and other law reforms may
threaten to impose.

with artillery, drew up near the railway station.
On the other hand, the academic legion, en maser,
and numbers of national guards came to the aid of
the grenadiere, now in a state of open revolt. About
half-past ten a small number of working men got 1
poessenon of four guns, with, it is asserted, the con-
nivance of the artillery, and drew them up in front of
the troops in the vicinity of the railway. Firing
then commenced on both aides, and continued for
some time, until General Bredy, who commanded the
Imperial troops, was shot from his horse. His men
then tied, and the victors, after having killed 20 a(
their antagonists, and lost five of their own, en-
tered the city, and took possession of all the gates,
with Gee exception. A popular council of war and •
central committee were hastily formed, and meaeures
were taken for preventing the arrival of fresh
troops. Two of the captured guns (the other
two had been rendered useless during the
foregoing contest) were planted in the square
of the University, and the bastion defended by
the artillery of Bar
ds onal guard. Shortly after
noon national guarrrived from Wiednitz and
other adjacent places, and were cordially welcomed
by the people, after they had withstood and silenced
a murderous fire from a number of other national '
guards, stationed on the Stephansplatz, and in the '1
adjacent church. • 1
It has been stated before that all the gates of the
city, save one, were held by the people. That gate
was the Bergthor. Shortly after three, p.m., three
companies of pioneers, with four gnus, entered the
capital through that gate, which was held by the
soldiery. Another contest immediately ensued, and
the pioneers were driven back, after a number oethem
bad been taken prisoners and conveyed to the Uni-
versity. Before this time barricades had been erected
in the leading thoroughfares. Daring the forenoon
the combat bad been principally going on in the
Leopoldstadt, but later in the day it was all but en-
tirely confined to the city itself.
Towards half-past five the soldiers who were de-
fending the office of the Minister of War were either
killed or driven away. The infuriated assailants
rushed into the house, and having discovered Count
Latour (the Minister of War) in his hiding place,
they immediately fell upon him and despatched him.
Subsequently they suspended his body front a lamp-
post in the garden, where it was exposed to all kinds
of indignities. By the capture of the above building
several pieces of cannon and all the papers of the
count fell into the possession of the populace. The
papers were conveyed to the university, the head-
quarters of the insurgents. It appears that a depute- I
tion from the Diet, with the vice-president Smolkni
at their bead, were at the time in the residence of the
Minister of War, but that all their endeavours, se-
conded by members of the academic legion, were
unavailing to avert his fate.
Since three o'clock the democratical portion of the I
constituent assembly bad been assembled, and in I
about an hour afterwards malty other members ar-
rived. Several of the leading members, however, of
the ministerial side had already taken their depar-
ture for Prague. Smolka was called to the chair lel
the absence of Strohbach (the president), and the'
Diet then declared itself en permanence and formed a
committee of safety with executive power, their de-
cree to be signed by the minister of state, Horn-
bostL
By this time the military had been driven away
from all points except from the royal arsenal, which
was held by a strong force. Towards half-past six
the attack on that edifice was commenced by the na-
tional guards and the armed workmen with the aid of
thee rilllary on the bastions. The contest raged without))
intermission during the entire night. At seven this
morning the arsenal was surrendered in due form to
the people, the troops being allowed free egress.)
The insurgents then entered the building, and helped
themselves to all kinds of weapons, of which there ,
was a plentiful supply.
During the evening and night the diet issued four
proclamations, of which the following are as literal
translations as possible:
1. The Diet, informed of the momentous events which
have occurred in this city, has usenitled, and it new turns,
full of confidence, to the people of Vienna, in order that
they may aid it in the seromplishrnent of in difficult mis-
sion. Whilst the Diet enrolees its deepest regret at a fright-
ful act of self-aid (seiesthelff), by which the Minister of War
came to a violent end, it gives utterance to the firm hope
and resolute decision that from this moment the laws and
the esteem fur them will and shall alone prevail. The Diet
has declared itself permanent; it will take those measures
which order and the security and freedom of the
citizens require, and will see that its decisions
be unconditionally carried out. It will apply to
the monarch, and represent to him the urgency
removing those ministers from his councils who
de net enjoy the cutifidcnee of the country, and of replacing
the hitherto existing cabinet by a popular one. The Diet
*as the safety of the city of Vienna, the inviolability of the
Diet and of the throne, sad therewith the welfare of the
monarchy, under the protection of the Vienna National
Guarl.—Signed in the name of the Diet, the first Vies
President. F autos Snotx•--Vienna, Oct. 6, 1848.
2. The Diet hereby publ cly announces that it is at pre-
sent discussing the measures neousary for effecting the re-
moval of the military from the city, and for obtaining a
general amnesty for all the events of the day, u well for
civilians as for the military.—(Signed as above.)
3. The Diet has resolved to suggest to his Majesty that
the formation of a popular ministry, one enjoying the con-
fidence of the people. and one in which the former mini -
tem Doblhoff and Hombostel, should take part, is indis-
pensible fee the restoration of order. The Diet has, at the
sane time, laid before the throne its wish that the tumuli
manifesto of the 3rd inst. relating to the appointment of the
Baron Jellachich, as royal commissioner for Hungary, be
withdrawn, and that a general amnesty be proclaimed for all
the occurrences of this day. Thereupon has his Majesty, an-
nounced to the Diet that he will form a new popular minis-
try, of which Doblhoffand Hombositel shall be members, and
he has added the assurance that he will immediately consult
with the new ministry respecting the nuaimaty measures to
be taken for the welfare of the satin monarchy, and =-
Matthe hope that the population of Vienna will power-
o-operate in the restoration of a regular and legal
seder of things.
4. The Diet resolves to Issue an order to the directors of
, tha North Railway to take steps for preventing the arrival
la this capital of any military by that line. Due Metro°.
dose ere to be forwarded to 011nibta and Bastin.
In addition to those proclamations, the Minister of
the Interior issued one, announcing that he had ap-
pointed Herr Seherzer as provieional commander-
in-chief of the National Guard of Vienna and the
vicinity; and the "council of ministers" another
one, regretting that national guards and citi-
zens had been engaged in a contest one with
another, and requesting all those national guards who
would support the ministry to wear white armlete.
The last proclamation is looked upon by many as a
mystification. The equivocal way in which the Em-
peror answered that part of the demand of the Diet
which related to the withdrawal of the manifesto of
the 3rd inst., and the proclaiming of a general am-
nesty, increased the discontent.
This morning (the 7th) it was officially announced
that the Emperor and all the imperial family had left
Sehilabrun for Linz, accompanied by all the troops in
garrison in the former place, and by other regiments.
All the military have left the city, and it is now en-
tirely in the hands of the people. It is believed here
that a republic will be proclaimed, and an alliance
offensive and defensive entered into with Hungary.
Before leaving Vienna the unfortunate Emperor
forwarded a sealed document to Herr Kraus (the
Mi-
nister of Finance), to the effect that he had done all
that a sovereign could do; ho had renounced the unli-
mited power which he had received from his fore-
fathers ; he had been obliged in May last to leave
the castle of his late father ; that he had come back,
without any guarantee, and in fall confidence, to his
people; a small but audacious paity had gone to
extremes in Vienna ; murder and rapine had prevailed
in that city, and the Minister of War had been mos-
slanted. He (the Emperor) trusted in God and his
own good right other words, Dieu et mon drat),
and he now left the vicinity of his capital in order to
find means to bring aid to his oppressed people
(ern Mittel zu linden, dens unterjochten Volke Hige
zu bringen).
Herr Kraus announced that he would not counter-
sign the document. A committee was appointed to
take cognisance of it.
A vote of supplies in favour of the three ministers
who remained was unanimously come to by the
Diet.
No further news of any Importance from Pesth.
Since the foregoing was in type we have a letter
from Vienna, which states the number of killed at
about 150, and of wounded at between 500 and NO
person
PRs.
A ICKFORT.—The Frankfort papers of the 10th
inst. inform us that on the 9th the Assembly adopted
the project of law for the protection of the German
parliament. Some modifications were made in the
project. M. Louis de Mahlenfels has been namedl
commissioner of the empire for the grand duchy of
Saxe-Weimar, the duchies of Saxony, and the princi-
palities of Rem.

NAPLES, Om 4.
Naples still continues in an agitated state, and fean
entertained (or the maintsuance of public order and petit-71
security. The danger arises, however, I believe leas boa
political feeling than from social misery. Unfortunately &la
dangerous class" is very large here, and, though not isteseas
in the slightest degree for pelintal principle or undentaat
ing the difference between monarchy or republicanism,
easily made subservient to the views of any body of d •
hoe men who would undertake to supply them with blood.
I do not fear, however, anything like an outbreak on a lave
scale; want and discontent will rather mainest they.
selves in nocturnal aggressions an d street robberies. Ince*
this state of things is daily on the increase, and as the rue,
secson approaches and the long nights come on there is Tea:.
son to fear that our streets will become most lest
eura
If we are to believe everything reported by the public voice,
auusinations continually take place. Great deduction', haw.
ever, mail be made from reports in circulation, as I bate se
doubt they are much exaggerated from political motives,
great diecontent having been created in certain mutters by
the general disarming which took place after the mourned
in the month of May. The opposition papers are loud hi
their demands for • national guard, and permision to
arms, basing the justice of the demand on the gnat c:a
insecurity of the city. The use which 'hey make of this bet
is undoubtedly ingenious, but that which hu not been can
ceded to them frem any political necessity, will not, I think,
be granted from any supposed se, vice it might render to pub-
lic order. My experience, indeed, has been that the na-
tional guard were most ineffective guardians of the security
of the city—often creating broils and bitter party I cling from
the very want of that coolness which disepene alone
can give, and from high-flown notions of the imams
of the order, as well as from want of experience, man ;,,,gh_
posed and incapable of performing the duties ot a wag.
trained police. Often have I heard many speak with indig.
nation of their being compelled to watch for thieves sad
pickpockets. How, then, can it now be contended that May
are necessary to the maiutenauce of the security of the city'?
The permission to wear arms would be equally inetetivs,
and stilt more dangerous, as it would constantly lead to
street broils, and might possibly give occasion to (etudes,
What is much wanted is the complete disarming of the Lan.
earned clue, ',ha, by a strange inconsistency, are permitted
to carry their murderous sfcioxisi and knives, whilst the upper
classes are disarmed. Anotlte r great desideratum is a well-
organised polies, and until these two objects are urns-
plished it will be in vain to expect anything like personal
security.
The s overnment hos commenced the old F y stem of Una.
ing anyone they thick proper to suspect. A great many
have been osdcred to leave Naples within the last few days,
amengst whom are Count Arrivabene and the rich Mniquin
Ala Ponsoni, a gentleman well known for his patronage of
the fine arts. A' neither of these gentlemen ever took any
put in politics their banishment Lithe more extreord nary.
But whilst some are sent away, others are returning. Opt
old friend the notorious Code, the king's confessor, is 'pia
in Naples.

ITALY.—We have advice, from Florer.ce to the
6th and from Leghorn to the 4th inst. B Ale these cities
were in an unquiet state. On the 6th some disturbances
took place at Florence, which elicited a proclamation from
the prefect menacing tre disturbers witn punishment, and
warning all well eistered persons from jeiuing them. At
Leghorn the populte !still rem nnded Glarus; so g ,vern or, end
Montanelli u minister. Chinese had return, dto Florence
•1 the 4th, leaving behind him a sort of address or proclama-
tion to the peeple.
HOLLAND.—THE Ocr. 10.—The new
constitution of the kingdom of the Netherlands has been
voted by the second chamber of the states general is double
number, by a majority of three-fourths of the votes. At
halt-past one yesterday, the ministers assembled in council
at the home department. The meeting lasted till three
o'cloz.k. Immediately after the Ministers of the Interior, of
Foreign Affairs, end of War, repaired to the first chamber,
which, having information that the second chamber had is
double number adopted the twelve projects of Ise, was eon-
yoked to deliberate is sections. The deliberations will be
short, for, as we have already stated, thoe projeets have
been approved beforehand by this legislative Itedy. It is
expected that the legislative session of 1847 arid Isle will
close in the course of this week. Conformably to what is pre.
seated by the new fundamental law, and especiall by
Article lof the provisional electoral regulations, the legis.
Latin semien will commence on Monday, the 16th of
o.ltdaer. This chamber will occupy itself with the forma-
tion of its bureaux, the nonainatie nut candidates for the pre-
silency, and other ordinary business, after which it
will adjourn. The chambers elected according to the new
oorstitution will probably assemble in the month of Decem-
ber for the new legislative session, and the new chambers
will be dissolved. His Royal Highness Prince Henry elate
Netherlands set out this morning for Nieuwe Deep, to in-
spect the vessels which are to transport the troops to Batavia.
We hear from Harderwyk that detachments of military
which have voluntarily taken service in the colonial army,
continue to arrive therefrom all tee provinces 0. the king-
dom. The number already amounts to 12,000 men. On Fri-
day 540 embarked here for Nieuwe Diep.—M. Von Alpert,
referendary of the colonial department, who came front
Batavia last Meech, hes just arrived in this city, en his way
back to India.—The King intends to open the ailing of the
chambers in puma on litoodas.

REACTION AGAINST THE SLAVE TRADE.
The following is a translation from the Brazilian
Contemporaneo, political journal, of 21st July, 1819 :
We were present on the 14th at the trial by jury, and
bad the opportunity to witness the reaction whisk is beim;
effected on the minds of the public, and even on those of the
authorities, against so abominable a traffic, condemned by
religion, and by our laws. It appears that a merchant,'
commander of the order of Christ, had received information
some months back that two or three knew!' had combined
with his overseer to go to bie house at St. Cbristovao, with
the intent to steal some of his blacks, vulgarly called' Mein
Cares,' and that he in consequence communicated the same
to the late chief of police, who, in order to protect said mer-
chant's props sty, sent some policemen to watch for the rob-
' bets at the appointed time, the latter, independent of being
sure of their booty, expected moreover to have a hundred
yeah pardon. The policemen (only according to their re-
port) were successful in their proceeding, because they ar-
rested the recontrabandistas with the blacks is their posies-
sion on the point of embarkation at the beach of San
Cbristovao, but, whether it was by a free act of their own,
or by order of their superior (which we do not believe), the
said policemen, instead of conveying the robbers and the
stolen blacks apprehended by order of the chief of police to
prison, handed over the blacks at a late hour of the night on
that solitary beach (we do not know how many blacks then
were) to a person who claimed them as his, and who, for
what we know, desired them to release one of the supposed
robbers (es we heard three were captured), for only two
were presented for trial, as appears by the report of proceed-
ings of the tribunal, given in the Jame- do Comercio of
16th inst.
hinny persons who have reed that report have expressed
astonishment at the facts therein annoe.noed. The first is,
that the two persons accused by a proprietor merchant of the
rank of the said commander of the attempt to steal some of
his slaves should go before a jury without an advocate to de-
fend them, and be, notwithstanding that, absolved. The
second is, that although an accuser presented himself, the
municipality was condemned to par the costs. But we, who
were present at the debates of the jury, wen not only not at
all surprised, but even found that, with few exceptions, the
proceedings, if not in order, were at least conducted on the
principle of equity.
From what we have above said it is clear that the jury
could not avoid acquitting the accused, because it is not
shown in the report of the trial that the slaves, said to have
been stolen, were confronted to those accused of the
attempt to steal them, that °entente n having been ten-
dered impossible by the delivery of them, when apprehended,
to the accuser, against whom, as was very properly said, or
cording to our recollection by the presiding judge and
Attorney-General, tho accusation should be turned, sot that
of an attempt to steal slaves, but that of reducing free men
to slavery, an opinion that was applauded by all the specta-
tors and juty present, and was signed by the council of the
latter, which unanimously acquitted the two accused r-
em., the judge at the same time condemning the municipa-
lity in the costa, because the accuser cunningly (or perhsce
be was too poor to bear the expense) left it to justice to de-
fend his cause, freeing himself by that means from not only
the necessity of paying a lawyer and an attorney, but from
the costa, which, as he calculated, have fallen upon the mu-
nicipality of the very loyal and heroic city of Rio de Janeiro!
It is, however, the first time we have heard the matter so
suitably commented upon as was done by the judge and
the Attorney-General. They deserve praise for their inde-
pendent language. But if the Sequaremaa were in power,
another sort of cock would crew. . . . We can only re-
commend the accusing commander to be in future as cautious
and sparing of his accusations as be is of his purse. Let him
keep in mind that witchcraft sometimes turns against the
wizard.
Some one was on the point of calling him to the bar of
the tribunal—we believe that one of the jury proposed this
in a loud manner, and if he was not listened to, it may be
that the reaction is not yet quite complete. Let us go on
thus. . . We are advancing. . .If it was the
duty of the policemen to apprehend thou persons who
attempted to perpetrate that robbery, it was also their
bounden duty to apprehend the Bocal negroes they found in
their poseeesion, and to take them immediately b. fore the
competent authority. If they had acted thus, instead of
handing them over to the accusing commander, if the other
authorities did not shut their eyes to the scandalous traffic
which is carried on even in the centre of this city on a loge
sale, in the face of all, and in its of our laws, we should
not be witnesses of so many calamities, we should not be
the victims of so many pestilential emanations, produced
Ey
the accumulation of thousands of there unfortunates in dif-
ferent points, as well in the suburbs as in the capital itselt
Those foeuses of infection are sue of the real causes of the
disease our sleepy-headed imperial seademisu ponspeadf
term reigning and endemic. Let that nuisance be removed
to a distance, let those infected lanarettos be duly inspected,
let the attrition of the authorities be called to the !Mines
of thus disgusting depdts of human fiesta, frequently the
prey of anticipated putrefaction brought on by hideous 4*
eases, and the pestilential small pox, the severe and puree
lent opthalmies, the pernicious et cetera& . • . • 'nil
disappear from the healthy sail of Santa Cruz. Who
this kind of traffic was formerly permitted, and that
honest merchants sought to make their fortunes by
it, the depots for the blacks were kept clean
there were health officers charged with keeping a watch
to prevent dangerous accumulations, not only ore
those arriving in a sickly state, but also over the healthy.
Now-a-days everything is' permitted, or tolerated; the
traffic may be carried on, that is winked at, and the reels
thereof is the great immorality proceeding from
sae ths,
thepurposed
dawn; disbresut nPeeter for,,
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