Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-05 00:00:00

BIRKENHEAD COMAIISSIONSRS.

encamped on the old Delhi parade ground, but though one
o'clock no tents up yet. We are occupying any buildings
we can find. I am with the General and Staff in an old
hospital, till tents came up. The mutineers in their first
position, had the Oommander-in-Oniet's head-quarter
tents, which they had got out of the magazine. Lines of
the 10th is with us, and all right—also Becher, young
Briggs, h orman, and the the two Greatheds. I do not
know yet who are killed and wounded. They are blazing
big guns from the city now, but cannot reach us.
From a statement relative to the commencement
of the Delhi massacres, derived from native
sources, we glean some interesting particulars.
The natives state what they saw and heard, for
they were in Delhi a mouth befare the outbreak.
took place ::
First only five troopers came into Delhi from Meerut.
They went to the house of an age n- to the King of Delhi,
near the Delhi gate inside the town.- He came out, and
said-he was in the service of the King. They would not
listen to him, but cut him down, and then murdered his
wife and family, and told the people to, plunder the house.
They then went to the houses in Din:ya Dunj. Peer
Baksh saw the troopers go to a pink-coloured house; the
owner was a European ; they killed him, and plunderad
and burnt the house. They plundered and barut all the
houses in this suburb, which is chi fie inhabited by clerks,
and murdered all who could not escape.
By this time other troopers and infantry, and town 7-.
people, joined in the work of destruction, A number of
the fugitives took refuge iu a building near the mosque of
Aurungzebo's daughter, and began to defend it against
the insurgents. These were field at hay. They left
people all round, and the main body went off to the
Bank. There they were, joined by more mutineers.
They plundered and murdered wherever they comae
Europeans. The townspeop'e assisted warmly in Ihe
plunder, and the mutineers of the intantry were particularly
active. The commissioner, Mr. Fraser, on hearing of the
advent of the mutineers, had gone down to cut awey the
bridge, but was too late. Oa returning ho met the
mutineers at this place. The mutineers to the coin-
missioner's escort, "Are you on the side of the Europeaas,
or on that of religion?" They said the latter. The com-
missioner, on hearing this, drove off in his buggy. lain
escort remaioedi passive. The mutineers ff 'lowed and
cut down the gentleman. He fi ed one pistol. The
mutineers killed people on the road, but bet L g more intent
on the magazine, they went to it. After arranging matters
for surrounding the place, the insurgents and mutineers
proceeded to the gaol. Oae of the seetrks shat a man,
but when they said they were fighting for religion, the
gu-rd joined them, and 503 convicts were released. They
then closed all the gates, and went into the For t. They
paid their respects to the King. He made objtetioes, and
said he had no army. He at last consented.
On the second day they went to the magazine, where
many Europeans had taken refuge. After some firieg on
both skits, the natives, such as hescirs, woul.t do nettling ;
they hid themselves ; the Europeans alone carried on the
defence; but, seeing they could do tiothieg against so
many, they blew up the wall towards the river ; some 200
of the rebels or more were destroyed by ths. They
however got in and destroyed as many of the Europeans as
they could, and plundered weaphes, &e , leaving- only the
guns and powder. Two native infantry regiments were
present. They searched, and everywhere they could find
Europeans they Slew them. Oa the third day they went
buck to the house near the mosque, where some E iropeans
had taken refuge. As they were without water, Szc., for
several days, they called for a S .6 .d it (deponent was
present) and five others, and asked them to take their
oaths that they would give them water and take them attcc
to the King; he might kill them if he liked. On thii
oath the Europeans came out, the mutineers placed water
before them, and said "Lay down your arms and then
you get water." They gave over two guns, all they had.
The mutineers gave no water. They ssized_ eleven
children, among them infants, eight ladies, and eight
gentlemen. They took then to the caul --sheds. One
lady, who seemed more self-possessed than the rest,
observed that they were not taking them to the Palace ;
they replied they were, taking them via Durya Ganj.
Deponent says that he saw all this, awl saw them placed
in a row and shot. One woman entreated them to give
her child water, though they might kill her. A iepoy
tank her child and dashed it on the ground ; the people
leiolred on in dismay, and feared for Delhi.
he King's people took some thirty-five Europeans to
the Palace ; on the fifth day they tied them to a tree, and
shot them. They burnt their budies.
On the fifth day notice was given that,' if any. one con-
cealed a European, he would be deAroye l. Pe -pie dis-
guised many, and sent them off, but many were killed
that day, mostly by people of the city.
Matters remained pretty quiet for two days, The
Durya Gunj Bazaar was turned into an encampment for
the mutineers. Shops were plundered in the Chandnee
houk and Dlereeba Bez tar. The shops were but for

The monthly meeting offthe Birkenhead Commissioners--
was held in -the Board-room, Hamiltcn-square, Birken-
head; at seven o'clock last evening. Mr. Bee presided;
•
and the other members present were—Messrs. Willoughby,
Cook, M'Whirter, M‘Donald, Bell,, Holme, Meakin,
Verelst, Park, Hat rieon, Aspinall, Hindet and Beadley.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and con-
firmed.

LIGIIyING AND WATCHING COISIMITTEN.

It appeared, from the minutes of the committee?, that a
lett-et-had been read from Captain Joseph Cook, of Park-
fi'el4i, calling attention to the number of% quack doctors'
placards posted upon the walls of the township, to the
annoyance of the re:•ideate of the township. The letter
was referred to the superintendent of police. It was recom-
mended that Mr. Henry Gunning, inspector, should rank
as chief inspector of the force, with,. the resp,risibility of
the superintendence of the force, during Mr; Birnie's
absence, and that his wages be increased 23 a week. The
proceedings were confirmed.

MARKETS' COMMITTEE:

The proceedings of this committee. were read. They
comprised nothing of interest. They were-confirmed.

II FALTE COMMITTEE:

The proceedings of this committee were read: The
deaths during the month were forty, sin,. of which eleven_
were from zymotic diseases. A conversation took place in
reference to the litigation with Mr. Morris, the contractor,
in the course of which Mr. Bradley, chairman of the com—
mittee, stated- that Mr. Morris refused to be bound by the
propositions of his own solicitor. The proceedings were
confirmed.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE

The proceedings a this committee were read. They
included a letter from Sir John Ramsden, in reply to a
letter addressed by Mr. Laird to Lo'rd Panmure, on the
29th ultimo,. requesting that two Russian guns might
be granted for the Birkenhead-park. Sir John
Ramt-den stated, on the part of Lord Panmure, that
his lordship had much pleasure in presenting.to the town
of Birkenhead, on the understanding that the park in
whien they were to be placed was open to the .public, two
Russian iron guns, trophies of the late war. As the guns
had not carriages, there were also transmitted three pho-
tographs of Russian gun carriages of different kinds, and
Lord Panmure offered—if the Birkenhead Commissioners
desired it, and undertook to pay the expense—to allow
carriages of any of these kinds to be constructed at the
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. In teply to the letter, the
committee expressed their thanks, and requested that a
carriage for each gun should be constructed after one of
the photagraphs designated.
On the motion of Mr. Hind, the proceedings were con-
firmed. •

FINANCE CO: MITER.
This Committee reported that they had instructed Mr.
Wale, the Law-clerk, to obtain the opinion of counsel as
to the ript of chief eonPtable of police to take charge of
thelowitahip of Claughton under the Counties' Police Act;
and also, that in respect to all future Parliamentary bills
affecting the interests of the township, copies of the same
be laid on the Board-room table.

A letter was read from Mr. Dutton, honorary secre-
tary to the Library Committee, suggesting the propriety
of having the rating on the buildings used for the
library reduced. The buildings were rated at
£74, but as there was no beneficial occupation
except in regard to the three rooms used by the libra-inn,
which were rated at £9, he suggested that the whole rating
se:ould be reduced to that amount. The committee recom-
mended that the suggestion be adopted. -
A letter was read from the surveyor, stating that he ha'l
seen Mr. Brassey's trustees, who were willing to grant a
lease of the present Commissioners' office for fourteen or
twenty-one years, at a rent of £lOO a-year, and to advance
a sum of £l,OOO, at 7a- per cent , to make the necessary
alterations therein. The committee recommended that the
offer be accepted.
A letter was read from the overseers of the township,
intimating their intention to call a meeting of the Vestry
in regard to providing a dead-house for the township, and
requesting to know what site could be offered for the
purpose. The committee recommended that a plot of land
at the back of the hospital in Livingatc.ne-street, containing
about 330 square yards, be sold to the overseers for the
purpose, at the schedule price of 13s. 6d. the square yard.
Mr. ASPIN#LL thought the proposition of building a
deedhouse in the centre of the town a most dangerous
proceeding. Such a building should, if possible, be placed
on the bank of the river, but under no circumstances in a
thickly-populated neighbourhood. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HOeme thought the recommendation in regard to
Mr. Brassey's proposition an injudicious one. Under any
circumstances, they should take the premises for the
shortest possible period ; and therefore, if the Board were
in favour of the recommendation, he would move that
fourteen years be the term.
Mr. M'WHIRTKR concurred with Mr. Holme. He
thought that no expense should be incurred in regard to
the premises.
lonmepeTrin"inzeTniedle. th fasttESILITIV was
seven years elapsed they would not be in the building.
Mr. COOK express d himself opposed to laying out any
money on the house.
The Chairman observed that the committee did not
intend to lay out a shilling on the improvement. The
whole cost would be borne by the landlord and the improve-
ments effaeted in accordance with the plans of the surveyor.
The present Board-room was too small for the Commis-
sioners and reporters, but if thelrecommendations were
adopted, Mre Brassey would erect a room of handsome
dimensioes for their use. The increased expense to the
township would be about £9O a year, and the question
was, whether they would provide suitab e accommodation
for the Board, or leave them subject to the inconveniences
under which they at present laboured ? He should
' confess that he was ie favour of the recommendation, as
being the most economical arrangement.
Mr. COOK hoped that before seven years they would
have public offices erected fir their use, and he would,
therefor e, suggest that the present offices be taken only
for seven yews, if they could be obtained for that period.
Mr. WILLOUGHBY said he yid not entertain the most
remote idea of a Town hall being built in Birkenhead
for many years to come They should also remember, that
the parties who contemplated building a Town-hall, would
not do so unless the Commissioners guaranteed them a
rent of £350 a year for the portion of the building to be
used by the Board ; and such being the case, the com-
mittee thought it best to recommend the acceptance of Mr.
Br ,ssey's offer.
Mr. HARRISON : It will be throwing away Mr. Brassey's
money, without doing pod to. the Commissioners.
Mr ASPINALL hoped they would soon have a Town-hall
worthy of the town, and of the first Mayor of Birken-
head - one in which his Worship could periodically enter.
taro them. (Laughter.)
Mr BRADLEY supported the recommendation, and
observed that he dispaired of their having a Town•-hall
before the next twenty years.
Ater some further conversation it was agreed to post-
pone the matter for a month.
Mr. Asriaaw., moved that the proceedings in. reference
to the sale of land for a dead-house be not confirmed-.
Mr. }LINDE seconded the motion, observing that the
erection--of such a building in such a place, would injure the
other property of the Commissioners. Besides, they were
collecting subscriptions for the erotion of. an hospital
adequate to the wants of the tewn.
The motion was unanimously adopted,
Mr. M'Wniarea asked whether the. parliamentary
committee had taken any steps for the,protection of then
rates of the township.
The Levi CLERK said, the committee were endeavouring
to have that object provideo, for in. the Mersey Conservancy
Bill.
Mr. M`Witttersit askei if th clause was prepared.
The Lew CLEalt said, he expected the clanye was pro.
pared by this time, as he had. given iustrntions to the
parliamentary law agents.
.Mr. M•Witimeze: hopedthe committees would keep their
attention upon -the qreastion, as. it was a subject of the
last importance to thes.public.
The other proceedings a the Committee were con-
firmed.

lye days. The King went through the city, and told the
People to open the shops. At each gate there is a company
of native infantry: About 9,000 mutineers are assembled.
No cavalry have joined, excepting from Meerat. Some
4,000 or 5,000 new men have been raised, but they are
rabble. During the festival of Eed, whilst at prayers,
there was the dust or a kafila of laden animals. An
alarm arcsc—it w,is the Euglish army; the people all
rushed helter-skelter into the city.
Th. ICina rorosed to oo on the throne. The mutineers
assured him that a similar massecre ilea taken
Peshawar and down to Calcutta He appointed the
following officers—Hukeem, Nussurools, Mahhoob, Allio,
and one other belonging to the mutineers. but deponent
knows not his name. His new levies receive four at,nas
a-day. Guns are placed on the ramparts of the town.
These are pronounced strong. Tie S ippers and Misers
are mounting guns in Selimghur. The mutineers say
when the army approaches they will fight, and the native
troops with the army are sure to join teem. Many
mutineers who tried to get away with plunder were robbed ;
this has prevented many others from leaving.
A tailor concealed no less than five Europeans; the
deponent thinks many more are concealed.

THE MUTINY AT PESHAWUR,

Pesuisvue, June 14.—We have had no outbreak here,
but we have had to disarm three native infantry regiments
and one of cavalry, having disc .vered that they intended
to massacre us all on the 22nd (May.) It was done at the
same moment to all the regiments, though at diffen,nt
points of the station, a small European force, guns and
cavalry, being told off to each. That night the disarmed
men began to desert in numbers—a proceeding it was
actually necessary to stop lest they should raise the city
and neighbourhood ; so they were overtaken and brought
back, and thirteen or fourteen hung, pour encourager lea
aufres. None have gone since. Ail their private arms,
which every soldier has, were also taken away, guns kept
constantly pointed towards their lines, with bodies of Euro-
peans ready to turn out at a moment's notice, and a station
flooded with a host of levies brought up from Mooltan by
the foraight of Edwardes, who raised them in the* last
Punjab' campaign. One of them offered to polish off all the
Sapays et 6cl (four annas) a-head. The crisis may be said
to have been over on the 22nd; but ouc position then was
a livid dangerous oue, from which the hand of Providence.
tiling as his instrument the best soldiers and politicals in
India, has reseaed us, Fanc,y 2,000 Europeans in a statfon
with seven regiments, all, with one exception, prepared to
rise on us, backed up by a cantonment populated with the
greatest scoundrels, a city full of ruffians ready to join the
mutineers, and a chain of forts- surrounding us,
garrisoned by four more regiments, ready to com-
bine and march down upon us ! Further on we were
encircled by the hills, full of fanatics, thirsting for our blood,
and in open concert with the mutineers. lo add to our
troubles, the country people, knowing what was impending
on that day (22)., would not bring in supplies, nor would
the M,:oltan levies take service until it was seen how we
should fare. The immediate disarming of the regiments
above-mentioned was imperative,. and done accordingly with
6-iT: et. Confidence was at once restored, and supplies and
levies came in the next day. A force of Europeans with
guns was sent round the forts, one of which, Meerdan,
was held by the 55th Native Infantry in qpen mutiny ;
they tried, to escape when our force appeared, and some got
off to Swat ; the others were made prisoners ; 150 were
killed on the spot, 9 tried by drumhead court martial, and
instantly shot, including a native officer of a regiment not
in mutiny, who would not act as he was ordered. Others
were driven into the hills, and killed by the hill men, a
price of 10 rupees being set on their heads. The col ,uel
of this regiment blew out his brains in disgust at the rEitrit COMMITTZE.
'mutiny. The villains kept their officers in confinement, It aprdearea from tl.te minutes of the committee, that
and told them if they tried to escape they would roast a letter had been royeeived. from Mr. Gough, of the
tab o Woof
a'
them alive. alive. They did, however, manage to escape. Tee side Hotel, one o; the Commissioners, complain
foreethen went and disarmed all the other regiments in the nuisance caused by the recent erection of a bell at the
forts and quieted the district. Some of the 200 prisoners ferry. The sr;bjeee had been considered, and the com-
a the 55th have been tried, and we blew forty of them mittee resole ed that mr. Gough be informed that the new
away from our guns in the presence of the whole force belt at the f erry was not erected without
due cons
ommideration e
three days ago, nf:arfnl but necessary example, which has upon the Wet of the committee, anthe citte
struck terror into their souls. Three sides of a square were regretted, "act it should cause any annoyance to Mr.
formed, ten guns pointed outwards, the sentence of the Gough, '
The salary of Mr. Nicholl, treasurer to the
court was read, a prisoner bound to each gun, the signal ferry, -vr AS Mere •sed from £lOO to £175 per annum, the
given, and the salvo fired. Such a scene I hope never ineree—
se to commence from April last. It was also
again to witness—human trunks, heads, legs, arms, &c., rest)i.sed that the salary of Captain Reed, the ferry
flying about in all directions. • All met their fate with mr .nager, be increased from £3OO to .030 per annum, from
firmness but two, who would not be tied up ; so to save
last, and that a sum of £5O be presented to Captain
time they were dropped e.
to the ground and their brains Reed, as an acknowledgment of his past services.
blown out by musketry. Trials are going on, and the, The receipts for the ferry last inonth were R 2,890 Ilel I d,
mutineers will never forget the lesson taught at PashawrAr, as compared with £2,923 5s 7d in July, 1856. The
It is not my business to contrast or compare with se' enes receipts for the quarter, commencing the 24th April and
elsewhere. I trust and believe we have done duty ending the 31st J uly, 1857, amounted to £8,890 143 4d,
demands. as compared with £8,515 7s 10d for the corresponding

quarters in 1856 The expenditure for the same quarters
was, in 1857, £4,983 14s 101 1856, £4,814 Bs.

Mr. HARRISON moved that the proreeling3 be confirmed,
which was agreed to without discussion.

LIBR tRY COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee did not cpnta'n any-
thing of importance.
Mr. VERELST moved thir confirmation, wh..!11 eras g-r ed
to it hout discussion.

THE SANITARY COMMITTEE.
The following report was read from the Sanitary C,m—
mikes :--

REPORT.

Yc;ur committee have to report that since their appointment
kat month, they have given their hest consideration to, the
question referred to them by the Board, viz., the most desira—
b!o course to be adopted to insure the immediate formation of
a pub-le cemetery for the township. The question narrowed
itself to two points, viz , first, what was the most eligible site
for the proposed cemetery ; secondTy, was is men desirable to
c,rry the work out under the Commissioners' Cemetery Act of
1843, or by a4burial board under the recent Butial Acts.
With regard -to the first point, your committee came to the con-
clusion that the land purchased by the township in 1843 was in
all essential respects the most eligible for the purpose, both as
to situation and quality of soil (except perhaps an undue pre—
valence of rock in• one direction) and was approved of by the
Government Inspector, on his visit to Birkenhead some
months ago: The site has the additional recommtndation of
being already the property of the ratepayers. With regard to
the second point, your committee entered upon-the inquiry
with a strong feeling in favour of carrying the work out,
should it be found possible under the Commissioners' own
Cemetery Act. They proceeded first, therefore, to ascertain
the probable cost.. According to Mr. Mills' plan and'estirnate,
the cost would be about £5,500, Nut this allowed only £1,350
for chapels and. lodges; .whereas it-the grounds ate- to be made
ornamental and. attractive, a much. larger outlay under this-
head would be requisite. According to a design prepared by
Mr. Kemp, and highly approved of by your committee, the
probable cost of walling, levelling, laying out, erecting two
handsome chapels and entrance lodges, the probable cosrwould
he about £10;000';. and,' looking at the permanent character
of the work, and its probable fatale extension, year com—
mittee were of opinion that it would:prove tie best economy in
ihe end to d 6 the well:efficiently from the outset. Attproving.
then, as they did, ottMr. It-,:rnp;si plan, they had next to devise

the means of providing £lO,OOO within the next two years;
but as the hollowing powers of tho Commissioners have been
exhausted, the onl3 means remaining to the Commissioners of
raising the money appeared to be by an increase of one shilling
in the pound in the Improvement-rate for two years to come—
a course which, even if no other difficulties interposed, could.
only be followed with the consent tys two-thirds of the rate-
payers. Under these cireumstances„ your committee invited
to a conference representatives ftom•the various denominations
of Christians in the ttmn. The conference was held on the
30,11 instant,.and after a careful dismsion of the whole ques-
tion, the unanimous coneusions of the meeting were :-
Ist. That it is desirable,. in any event, that a portion of the
land already belonging to the township should be adapted to the
purposes of a cemetery. 2nd. That, owing to the present
financial position of the, township, and for other reasons, it is
expedient that the construction of the cemetery be entrusted)
a burial board,.to be chosen under the recent burial acts. Your
committee, regardingthe difficulties which stand in the way of
the work being carried out by the commissioners as insuperable,
have merely to add that they give their entire adherence to the
resolutions above stated, and respectfully recommend that the
overseers be requested to take the steps necessary for the
election of a burial boaid without delay.

6EO. RAE, Chairman.

Birkenhead, 31st Ju1',1857.
The CHAIRMAN said; in moving the adoption, of the
report, he did not know that he could add anythinz to the
statement contained. in the report it±elf. The difficulties
they had to contend within seeking to carry out the object
under the township act of 1843, were of two Muds—reli-
gions and financial The religious objection was to the
appointment c f a chaplain, and his payment out of the
general fund of the cemetery, and also to the burial fees
payable to the incumbent of the parish for b:dies buried
within the consecrated ground of the cemetery. It was
quite obvious that upon these points soma inflcmtial rate-
payers of the township would give a decided opposition.
The other difficulty, however, was still more con-
siderable—the financial one. Ile thought if it were
possible to erect a cemetery sufficiently clarga, with au
outlay of about £5,000, or one shilling for one year of the
improvement rate, the rateyasers might probably have
agreed to it. But he thought it was too much to expect,
and somewhat unreasonable to hope that a locoposal to the
ra'epayers to tax themselves voluntarily another shilling in
the pound for two years in succession would be agreed.
upon. It was =der these circumstances,, therefore, that
the Committee unanimously came to the resolution to
recommend to the Board, and to the ratepayers of Birken—
head generally, to carry out that most desirable object by
means of a cemetery rate. On these pounds he moved
the adoption of the report, and that it be entered as usual
upon the proceedings.
After a short conversation the repo:t•Qvas adopted.
The Board then adjourned.

THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND

MR BERTOLO.OI

The committee to whom was. referred Mr. Ber
tolacci's petition imputing misconduct to several
11 I 4.' LL ...,•.,,,..a.. ..... ---
nection with his tenure of thsaoffice of Auditor of
the duchy, was printed yesterday morning. The
committee held fifteen meatings, and examined,
among others, Lords Granville, Harrowby, and
Belper, successive Chancellors. They thus sum
up the result of their inquiry with reference to the
principal points:
That Mr. Bertolacci had ,grounds for believing that the
office of auditor was given to' him as a reward fa?! public
services ; and that though the notion which he took up of
his duties as auditor of the duchy were such that it became
indiapensible to remove him, since no audit conllever be
obtained froth him, yet the whole blame of this failure does
not rest onMr. Bertolacchalone, but is partly to baattributed
to the want of a clear definition at the outset or his duties
in a position differing from that of his predecessors, who
had a seat at the council, and to an incomplete arrange-
ment with the heads of the Ordnance on the subject of
his leave of absence.
That the idea which Mr. Bertolacci entertained of his
functions as auditor, and of his rights and !privileges was
throughout the cause of the difficulties, which he ex-
perience!, and appears to your committee, to have been
erroneous. Your commit'ale think that as Mr. Bertolacci
was plainly told by Lord Belperon his ,appointment that
he could net have raseat at the council, it.was his business
to have rrpeer,d64 with the ordinary duty of audit, as if
that question wee settled.
It does not appear to your comnalttee that Mr.
Bertolacei was at any time without the means of per-
fecting the_ audit of the year ended. September, 1853,
whit, vas in arrear when he was appointed ; or of that
which. ended in September, ISA; . and they have not
received from Mr. Bertolacci, or any other witaess, any
122fficieat reason why this audit was not conalpeted.
That the instances, mentioned in the petition, of
incivility from Mr. Gooch, of overbearing letters from
General Fox, of evasive replhis from Lord Efarrowby,
and generally of want of- courtesy from the, officers of
the duchy have an exaggerated importance given to
them in the petition ; s and your committee do not
wonder-that some discontent should be caused by the
conduct and corsesponlenee of Mr. Bartolacci, together
with his delay in his audit, and the troehle,which he gave
to others in searching for documents, and in keeping them
after office hours.
That if any imautation was intended to be raised by
the 'petition on the conduct of the. Duke of Newcastle, it
is wholly unfounded; that the dt.-„ke seems to have acted
in;deating with the duchy in a more scrupulous manner
than if he had no connexion with the council, and that he
seems to have made on that account a less Davourable
bargain. •
That no. oher course was pursued in regard to Lord
Qranville„ because he was Chancellor, than would have
been followed in the case of any other individual tenant
of the duchy who expended money is permanent improve_
meats.
That some improvament has alre'dy bieen made in the
mode of, preparing the accounts of the duchy for Parlia-
ment; and that your committee think it would be
desirable that a common form should he devised for malzing
of Labncaiter and the Duchy
uopf
et
.ernrwestunr.ns of the Duchy
•That the case of Mr. Bertolacci, as developed by evidence
taken before r ur committae,
:.require the interference of the Raise.
In concluaion;' your committee are of opi.nion that
doss not appear. to them to
the presentation of this petition
present position or the future prospects Bartolacci,
prejudice the
still less ought it to derogate from former claims ; for your
committee are decidedly of opinion that throughout., even
when he was most clearly in error, Mr. Bertolacci acted
should
of Mr.
bona fide ace,rding to the sincere convictions, which VMS
deeply seated in his mind, that in his person the privileges
of the office of auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster had
been infringed. •
---eta—,—.

VISIT OF M. K9S11:1T11 TO GLAgGOW.—In compliance
with a requisition addressed to him by several thousand's
of the citizens some months ago, his Excellency M. L.
Kossuth has agrecd to lecture in Glasgow early in Sept.
next, on cur foreign relations, and arrangements are being
entered iAto in 'order to render this visit as effeeti'fo at
possible,—Vos,yoto Daily Mail,

CHESTER ASSIZES.-V-ZSTERDIT.

BEFORE LORD CITIET. JUSTICE COCTIBURN.

ACTION FOR LIBEL AGAINST A NEW,kPAPER PROPRIETOR.
LEWIS a. BAYLEY.—The plaintiff in this action is Mr.
Lewis, a solicitor, and clerk to the magistrates at Wrexham,
and the defendant. Mr. Bayley, is the registered proprietor
of the Wrexham and Denbighshire Weedy Advertiser.
The action was brought to reco er damages for a series of
alleged libels on the plaintiff, published in the defendant's
paper. The damages were laid at £lOO. Additional
interest was imparted to the proceedings from its being,
known that the p 1 airy iff is one of the proprietors of the Wrece-
ham Telegraph, and that there had often been differences
between the two papers. Mr. Wel-by and Mr. Foulkes
appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. Neale, Q.C., of the
Oxford Circuit (specially retained), and Mr. Macintyre
for the diefendant. Mr. Welsh stated the case on the part
of the plaintiff at considerable lengh. Some time in May,
1836, a paragraph appeared in the defendant's paper,
'headed Clerical Sacrilege," in which there was an adu-
sation against the Rev. Mr. Bonner, the vicar of Ruaben,
of having broken open a chest in the church and abstracted
therefrom some documents. Upon this paragraph appear-
ing, Mr. Lewis, who is the solicitor for the vicar, waited
upon that gentleman, and subsequently called upon the
defendant to contradict the statement in the next issue
of his paper. That was not done, and an action was
therefore commenced against h;m by the vicar, through
Mr. Lewis, the plaintiff in the present action. Pro-
ceedings were stayed on the defendant's making an
apolcgy in the paper, but the apology was followed up by
a series cf attacks made in the paper on the character of
Mr. Lewis. On the .le3th of July, 1556, an article
appeared in the defendant's newspaper reflecting on Mr.
Lewis as having been the means of the vicar bringing the
action against the defendant, and that the plaintiff
prompted him by vindictive feelings. In this article the
plaintiff was denounced as the vicar's ". Snap, Gammon,
and Quirk' adviser, who, in matters of this kind, seems
quite at home, and above all things likes ap-Aoziee to be
dote to the letter, and who, Shyloek-like, in the in'ensity
of his hatred to a political opponent, is scarcely satisfied
with the pound of flesh fairly meted out." Several of the
articles appeared in succession against the plaintiff,
in all of which his character was attacked, and in
one a these articles he was caricatured in his
position as clerk to the magistrates, as "a spruce,
sharp-faced individual, with a re:mding forehead,
and spare person, whose nervous boa horde seemed to
serve him as a substitute for capacious intellect and gentle-
manly bearing." The learned counsel, in continuation,
said that these repeated attacks were calculated to injure
the plaintiff in his professional and private character, and
the cries of " Snap, Gammon, and Quirk," applied to him
as he passed along the streets, calculated to bring
him into contempt. There could be no doubt that
the terms which the defendant had applied to
him were slanderous, and therefore he asked
for a verdict. He did not ask for large or vindictive
damages. All he wished was that the defendant should
be shown that he was ding wrong in making these at-
tacks, and that the plaintiff was not to be insulted as he
had been. Perhaps his learned friend on the other side
would talk about the liberty of the press, and the necessity
of its being protected in its comments on the conduct of
public men ; but, agreeing, as he did, that the press was
the great safeguard of cur rights and liberties, none of us
could contend that our personal and professional character
should be made the subject of such lascerating comments
as those to which he had referred. Evidence having been
put in proving that the defendant was the proprietor of the
Wrexham aid Denbighshi e Meekly Advertiser, Mr.
Welsby intimated that he did not intend to call any
witnesses, and that that was the plaintiff's ease. Mr.
Neale, in addressing the
.iury, cnaplained that Mr. Welsby
bad not dared to put the plaintiff into the witness box,
nor any other person, to state their belief that the alleged
libels applied to the plaintiff. He then endeavoured to
show that there was no proof at all that they were
directed against the plaintiff, and even supposing they
were he denied that they were libellous. A great deal
had been said by the learned counsel as to the obloquy
cast upon the plaintiff by the application of thu terms,
" Quirk, Gammon, and Snap ;" but really there was no
ground for the statement, for he believed that they were
three bet evolent gentlemen, reared in a Warren
near Midhurst, by a gentleman who was one of
the stars of Lord Derby's medley. ( Laughter.) Well,
then, the learned counsel had complained that the defen-
dant had called his client "a spruce, sharp faced gentle.
man, with a receding forehead." Surely there was no
libel in that ; on the contrary, it was a compliment, for he
was likened unto Cicero, who also bad a receding forehead.
(Renewed laughter) Again, it was said, the defendant had
called him a "spare person," which, so far from its being
a reflection, indicated that he was a man who would live
for ever, having no fat to bother him. (Renewal
laughter.) The learned counsel, in terms of ridicule
and humour, dwelt on the plaintiff applying the
remarks in the defendant's paper to himself, and quo 'ecl
largely from Goldsmith, Johnson. micluat'osg
of his remarks. He cor eluded by denouncing the action
as one brought by the plaintiff; as an attorney, to obta'n
his costs, and ruin, if possible, a rival journalist. The
Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, commented with great
severity on the manner in which the learned counsel for
the defendant had endeavoured to heap ridicule on the
plaintiff, by quoting poetry as he had done. If the jury
telieved that what was charged against the defendant did
really amount to a libel on the plaintiff; it was his duty to
tell them that the manner in which the learned
counsel had assailed the plaintiff was a very great
aggravation of the original libel. His Lordship then
proceeded to remetak upon the articles which had appeared
in the defendant's paper, observing that perhaps that
was neither the time nor the place to refresh their literary
recollections, for the purpose of ascertaining what the
terms of '• Quirk, Gammon, and Snap," were intended to
convey ; but without reference to any source from which
they might derive information on the question, he thought
that the words " Quirk, Gammon, and Snap" attached to
the name of a professional gentleman, was not calculated
to raise such a gentleman's character, but rather to lower
it. His Lordship having concluded, the jury, after retiring
for a few minutes, returned a verdict for the plaintiff
Damages, £lO.

CROWN COURT.
Mr. Justice Crowder was occupied the greater part of
the day in the trial of Thomas Brooks, for forging a will
at Congleton. There were two separate indictments
against hull, on both of wh7ch he was found guilty. The
prisoner's c bled was to obtain £9 from the Congleton
Savings' Bank.

INCREASE OP THE COMPANY'S EUROPEAN TROOPS.—It
is intended to increase the number of European Artillery,
Sappers and Miners, and infantry in the service of the
East India Company by 6.000 men. Regimental offices s
will not be permitted to hold any civil appointment. The
Commissariat will be officered in a similar manner to that
of her Majesty's service, and not, ae at present, detached
from their regiments to serve as Deputies and Assistant
Commissariat Generals.
How HUMAN BEINGS ARE SPOKEN OF IN AMERICA.—
A company of seventy Irish girls passed through this city
on their way to the West, a day or two since, accompanied
by an Irish gentleman who had them in charge, and
brought them all the way from Ireland. They were a fine
looking lot of girls, .from sixteen to eighteen years of age,
and intend to make the West their homes; and of course
are ready to marry, but are willing to work and earn their
living until the rime arrives when they will get husbands,
They are to earn money sufficient to pay the expense of
bringing them aver, and return it to the benevolent gentle.
man who took the expense upon himself the first thing.;
after that they *ill be at liberty to indulge in ribbons ane
hoops, if they choose. The girls are all of the working.
class, being somewhat of the better class of emigrants.
Father Henessy, of this city, selected thirteen of the num-
ber, and took upon himself the task of finding homes for
them. They came through by railroad from New York.
The various roads along the route showed their gallantry
by providing them with first-class cars to ride in, although
the tickets were emigrant tickets. There is room oe the
Western prairies for all such cargoes that can be brought
to the country.
THE LATE EmILIA L'ANGELIER AND Mrss MADELEINE
SMITH.—A correspondent, writing from Edinburgh, states
that two actions of divorce are now pending in the Scot-
tish law courts, brought about by the too close intimacy of
the late Emile L'Angelier with certain married ladies in
that city. The entries in the memorandum-hoek found in
L'Angelier's desk, and which it will be recolleeted was
rejected as evidence on the trial of Miss Smith, are said to
have revealed matter sufficient to place the guilt of the
parties in question beyond a doubt. Attempts are beim?,
made to hush up the affair ; a' few days will, however, it is
expected, unravel the mystery. Miss Smith (adds our
correspondent) was seen walking last week, with the ut-
most composure, near her father's residence in G.asgow.
The A:co/fish Press states that Mr. Rankin, who was the
Edinburgh agent for Miss Smith, is so convinced she was
innocent of the crime laid to her charge, that ha has causes
"a thorough investigation to be made into the ,whole cas',
whch investigation is not 3 et c.mpleted, bat evidence has
in course transpired; vela:ch in his judgment, we believe,
will satisfy the public, as it would have satisfied the Crown,
that the ease should be abandoned, or would have satisfied
the jury that a verdict of 'Not Guilty' would have been
more appropriate. We content ourselves with this stat:-
ment for the present; by-and-by the public will be placed
in the jury box to try over again, in the perusal ,of Mr.
Itankiu'e case,' the facts of the charge."

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—YEsrmthey.