The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-22 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.

An inquest was held at the %Vbite Hart, lleptfiml-green, an
Saturday. before J. rattert:a, Esq., on the holy of William
Thottipsor, quarter-muster of the tiv mei, discovery ship, who was
found hanattitt in the lashings of his hammock, at Ma ludgings
(Mrs. Elliot's), 1/eptford-green.
It appered upon the evidence of Mrs. Elliott, the landlady, that
Ave souse days past he appeared murk depressed in spirits, and that
he was rxtreincly careless in his meals. lle slept in his hammock,
shish he had lashed up in hia lodging, where he used to sleep.
That on Saturday morning the landlady went up stairs, and asked
him if he was coming down to breakfast? Ile peevishly replied that
he did not care about any. lint notwithstanding, Mrs. E. took
him his breakfast sometime afterwards, when she found him sitting
up in hi. hanittiock, with a Bible in his hand; she said William
l
I have brought you sonic breakfast ;" he Tel:lied, "put it down.'
She accordingly placed it on a chair snit left the room. About a
! quarter before twelve she went up to the moot again, being fearful
his melancholy VMS increasing, when, to her great ;darn), aloe
found him impended by his jaw to one of the clues of his hant-
imok. !ihe instantly alarmed her next neighbour, Mr. Hatton,
shoemaker, who immediately extricated the body, and medical aid
was in the meantime sent for. Dr. Edwards of Union-street, with
that promptitade and humanity for which he is so remarkable in
this town (Depttiwili. rendered every assistance possible, also aided
by the medical gentlemen belonging to the different discovery ships,
but the spark of life was extinct. Tne deceased was highly respected,
nod had accompanied the late Discovery ships in the same situa-
(ion. No cause can he assigned for the rash act t but a letter was
found from a female in the North. to whom he Ilan much attached.
lin which she expressed the warmest sentiments, and at the game
fume regrettina he had not seen her since his return from the last
! voyage. A letter was also found in answer to the above (not fur-
-1 warded), excusing himself tie the negligence, but expressing his
intention to du so previous to his departure.
The Jury came to • conclusion, that in a momentary fit of de-
rangenieut he camintitval the rash set. Verdict—Jr:acuity.

THE LAI4E Sllip..coLLlAß, AND ER. JAmsrsi

NAVAL i
I- ITIFUIik:

Mr. Thomas Collier, brother of the distinguished oMeer
whose melancholy death is so freih in public recollection,
has written a long letter to the editor of an evening paper,'
in answer to Mr. James's statement respecting the escape of
the American ship Constitution from the Leander, and two
other British frigates, during the Pate Mar. Mr. Collier
observes—

The American ships cut their tables and pat to sea from the
roads of Porto Prays, on observing the British force; inimaliately
on which the signal front the Leander was made to chime. The
weather was so thick :Is to skew the enemy's ships. very indistinctly,
which, combined with Sir George Collier's first Impression at their
force, satisfied hint that the three ships seen were Asserseasidgolcs,
and upon this impression he acted. lam jusdbed in this observe.
thin by the assertions of such of the officers of the Leander as I
have had the means of referring to; who have also added, that this
WAS the full belitt of themselves at the time, =dot' all on board that
ship.
I would, in charity, hope that Mr. James, Its ignorance, and not
with design of mis.statentent, represents the signal made by the
Leander, for tacking, as intended by Sir George Collier to distal-
tinue the chain of the large ship to the eastward, which afterwards
proved to be the Constitution, for the mere purpose of engaging the
whole British force, in the unnecessary duty of capturing a much
somata ship.
The signal ordered by Sir George Collier (and my information
is not merely from his public letter, but also from Lieut. Rich- I
mond, then on board the Leander. and now at my side) was for the
Acasta dime to tack; and for the very good reason of enabling
the Acasta to elate with one of the ships to windward; but tea
Midshipman, a Mr. Morrison (I think it proper to give names),
whose duty it was to make the signal, did, by mistake, hoist the •
general signal $ when Sir George WHAT, SOON time alter, °beery-
' mgthe Newcastle had tacked, and expressing his great suilithle,
it was reported to him a mistake had been wade by the signal
officer, in hoisting the general signal to tack, instead of the ACIIStell
only. In remedy of this, Sir Georg! Collier immediately ordered •
the optional signal, a signal established in the squadron, to be
made to the Newcastle, which left ba tome her discretion, she
I being advanced three or four miles, and in consequence best able to
i judge whether or not she had any prospect of keeping sight of the
I enemy. The optional signal it afterwards appeared, from the ,
j thickness of the weather could not be nude nut by the Newcastle.
Thus it will appear the orders of Sir George Collier were clear and
Idistinct, although, by accident the signal was incorrectly made ;
. and Mr. James does not venture to say the Newcastle had any ,
hopes of getting up with the Constitution, but confines himself to
1 the Amiens, bad she not been drawn off by signal
The motive for the Leander tacking, as Lieutenant Richmond I,
states, was in the full persuasion that the two ships of the enemy
1 were frigate*, and not entailer ships ; for I bare the authority of I
' Captain Al'lliougall and Lieutenant Richmond, who area in the
Leander, to declare that, fro u the situation in which she wad, and
the haziness of the weather, all on board the Leander at the time
believed the ships seen were frigates, however they may have ap-
peared to the Aesata, which ship was nearer to them.
Mr. Collier then gives an extract from the Acastea
to chew that the Constitution " escaped, owing to the
thickness of the weather, and being too far to windward.-
The letter thus concludes :

I have thus, I think, 'hewn, that in all I have stated, I have
authority that fully justifies me, whereas in all Mr. James has
stated, by his own confession he is without any authority whatever.
Yet he did nut hesitate io making the most slanderous remarks
'on the conduct of my brother, and the foulest Insinuations
against his professional character, although excusing himself In
the observation " that being a landsman," be was likely to err,
and apologizing after my brother's death, when his apology was
worthless.

I will add only, that had Sir George Collier felt any backward-
ness in meeting the Constitution' he never would have used ever)
inducement in his power to lead her out of Boston to meet the Le-
ander singly, by proposing even to reduce the strength of his ship,
if Captain Stewart would, upon his honour, declare the Constitu-
tion mounted feria guns than the Leander. Had the two ships
met, which Captain Feed and Lieut. Richmond told me wu not
only hoped but expected, if lam to credit these officers, although
Mr. James, " a landsman," expresses so many apprehensions of
the result of any such meeting, the officers and seamen of the Lean-
der were perfectly fearless of the consequences.
My brother's valuable life has born the sacrifice of Mr. James's
slander, and comments more offensive to an honourable and sensi-
tive mind, upon. conduct of which Mr. James professes himself in-
capable of judging, language could scarcely furnish ; and I think
I have fully sheen that such comments could not have been directed
where they less applied.
It has, indeed, been alleged in excuse by Mr. James, that Sir
George Collier exhibited symptoms of disordered mind at other
periods of his life, and that his friends could have proved this, had
they been so disposed. I beg most distinctly to add, to the public
testimony already borne by Lieutenant Richmond to the contrary
of these insinuations, that this statement is entirely devoid of trail,.
and that the wanton and slanderous comments upon the proles-
sional eharaiia and honour of coy launemcd brother, were the sole
and entire cause of his melancholy ate.
I am, Sir,
Your eery obedient Servant,
THOMAS COLLIER.

Fitzroy-Meet, Apr:l 90, 1824.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

CUSTO3I-HOUSE, Aram 21.
ENTERED INWARDS.
William, Stewart (Spier', broker), from Calais.
Duck. Nichols (t) Key). from Oporto.
Diana, Miller (Blake), from dlogadore.
Marger, Ferguson (Robertson), from Odessa.
Hope, Knowles (Coe). from Gravelinea.
George Home, 1 oung (Batten), from Batavia and Rotterdam.
Esperanoe, Geyt (D)e Bie), from Antwerp.
Fraw Johanna, Stein (Bremer), from Kunipberg.
Vrow iiuke, Swart (Hofaian), from Antwerp.
Vrow Hendrina, ()ever (Simon), front Rotterdam.
Union, Ilroceke (De Bie), from Antwerp.
Verbuch, Tulke (Benham), from Dentate.
APRIL 20.
ENTERED OUTWARDS--TbC Man, for Beams Ayres ; Esther,
for Berbice ; Furst Blucher, far Rostock ; Britannia and Rachel.
fur Ilamliargh; Camden, and Prince of Wales, for Madam's Bay.
CLEARING Or TV/ARDS—The Georgians, for Virginia= Au-
rora, for Pill.tu ; Pacific. fur Buenos Ayres; Laren. for Demerara;
Earl Bathurst, fur Rotterdam ; and Navigator, foe Jamaica.
• FROM LLOYD'S LIST.

The Mathews, Steele, from Pernambuco to liamburgh, ran nn
shore on the ttearttorn on the i sth lust. but was got off= the 17th,
after discharging part of her aux°.
The Billow sailed from Newfoundland the end of December, and
has not since been heard of.

FALMOVTIII, APRIL I9.—Arrived the Duke of Marlborough
packet, from Lisbon in eight days—on the 17th the Marlborough
fell in with a brig waterlogged and abandoned, laden with umber,
called the Ilanr.ah, of St. John's.

PLTMOUTII, iftqllL 19.—Arrived the Hobe, That, from Para ;
Hurd's, Leader, from I,islam. Off the Poet, the Charles and
henry, Keife, from Charleston ; and Eagle, of Boston, Smith,
trom II avannah.

PORTSMOUTH. Aran. 20.—Sailed the Ptinee of Orange trans.
port, for Cork ; his Majesty's ship Sparrowhawk, on a cruise;
Messenger, Pace, for Ilaniburgh ; and Penns, —, fur Quebec.
Drat., A Pali. N.—Passed through from London the Lord
Cathcart, for 31iratnichi ; Trial, fur Jamaica; Skipaey, foe II sli.
fait ; Hobert Edwards, for New Turk; Saha, fur Smyrna; Des-
patch, tOr Lisbon ; and Mary Jane, for Quebec.
Lies:meow., Arum 11—The Lune arrived here this day
from 11.:vbice, passed, on the 3d instant, in lat. 19. 44. long. 111. 32.
a brig, with loss of bowsprit and foremast, waterlogged and aban-
doned ; she had yellow sides and blue mouldings; her stern was
nut.

Artut 17.—The Elizabeth, from Dublin to Preston, tan on
shore at Berber Bunk, on the Welsh coast, the day before last, and
Was abandoned by the crew. Some fishermen afterwards got her
off, and carried her into Lytham harbour.
Arum 19.—.Irriced the John, Brewer, hoot New Orleans;
Eliza Ann, Ramsey, front Odessa; and Aetivite, °Melton, trout
Havre.

GRAVESEND, Arm'. 20.—Sailed the lion. COTrany's ship
Princess Amelia, Williams, for China direct ; Jane, VI ylie, fur St.
Luria; Christopher, Knight, for 31iramichi ; Caledonia, Rae. for
Stettin; and Union, DeAdes, and Friends, Garrett, tor Elvineur.
Arrived thcAnn, IsArtield, and A'iolet, Charreain, from llarlingen ;
Union, %%outlet Mock, and Esperance, Van Geyt, from Antwerp;
Hope, Kinialer.„ from firavelines Jenne Arnie, Cares, from
Rouen ; Diana, Miller, from Mogadore ; and Margery, Ferguson,
from t htesaa.

We are happy in having to announce the safe arrival in
town of Mr. hlatthews, the Englishman who was taken
prisoner with the unfortunate Riego, and conveyed to Ma-
drid. Mr. Matthews was released from prison on the 3d
instant, and quitted Madrid on the 7th, with an English
courier. During the interval of his release and departure
he was unable to go out of his lodgings, Sir W. A•Court
having pledged his went that be should not appear in
public ; but we understand that he was visited by nearly
all the principal Spanish Constitutionalists in Madrid,
who expressed a lively satisfaction at his release. Mr.
Matthews speaks of the present state of Spain as ex-
tremely favourable for the views of these who desire the
overthrow of the existing Government.
We regret to announce the melancholy fate of Lieutenant
Hume Johnson, of his Majesty's discovery ship Fury, who
has been observed for some time past in an extremely dis-
tressed state of mind. This unfortunate officer put a period
to his existence about seven o'clock yesterday morning, on
board the above ship, with a double-barrelled gun, which
had only been made a present to hint on the day previous
by a relative. The only cause assigned for the rash act was,
that his friends had strongly urged him to relinquish such a
dangerous expedition, which so much affected his mind as
to lead to this desperate resolution. Ile was a most pro-
milting officer, and related to highly respectable and vim-
lent families.

LAW INTELLICkNCE.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, WEDVZSDAY, Aran. IL

Befigre Me Loan CHIEF JUSTICE and 0 Special San.
11011(.401( i. TWENTY MAX.
The pleadings having been opened,
Mr. Sc*lt LETT addressed the Jure. lfe said. This is an meth*
which has been brought by 31w.srs. floeufsiii and Deane. who are
brewers of great eminence. rgairst Mr. Taertynian, charging Mm
with having fraudulently branded the name of Mean. 11.1.40 et
and Co. cm certain casks of beer, which were sent to India, In
which country Messrs. Hodson and Co. have a considerable trade
in what is called ..11odglon's pale tiLt " I are happy to find disc
the defendant, though at a hie period, at.% recanted. Shd sc.
knowledged hi. error ; he •itlaitits that a verdict shall be metered
for the plaintiff... for Ltny shillings, and has written a letter. to
acknowledge publicly that he has been u'.ing the brand.matk of
the plaintirs firm, and to express Isis regret. 1:e has agreed up
'lay all thP costs, bath at law and in equity, on the subject; and
:))caws. Hodgson anal thourh they lia7e great reaWin to be
offended, and might !took Mr large tiamager% it your hatiabt, are con%
tent to take the verdict btr ilte amount co.tsented to by the defendant.
I hate seen the brief of lay lteurr.ed frie::d, the Common tier:
great, erinsenting to this.
The Jury found a verdict for the p!aintilra accordingly. Da;
wages. 40..—(:outs,
'she following is the letter alluded to by 3lr. Scarlet :
Loidon,ll:Jth Apiil, 11721.

Mews. lindgon and Co.
nentletnen,—l hereby publu ly acknowledge having, In,fre-
quent instances, used the brand-mark of your reapectabb hien,
upon casks of ale brewed by other persons. which has caused me
regret; and on your agreeing to withdraw your actions
against 1111 e, for having so done. I will obetettlly pay aft the es.
l.cnaca, both at law and equity. and will also enter into a bond, en-
gaging n•-ver to use your brand in future unZet any circumstances
whAtever.

I am, Gen:Tanen, re:pa:if:llly, your obedicrt humble iservpn,
Jour: TWENT If X.Ol.

cm HICIIIIRT) arrant( I. THE 11•11 K OP ENGLAWI).
Mr. SC A RLE TT said this was an action brought by the plaintif
against the Rank of Enkland, for neglecting to verify a power d
auntie,, the object of which was to trattsfir stock, steadies In the
name of Sir Richard Sutton, to an unreasonable length of now, by
which delay the plai:Mfrsustritted pecuniary has to the AMMO% of
1:301. 4s. 10d. Sir Ricitord Sutton was a gentleman of large for-
tune, arc on the death of the late 31architiness of Rath came into
postieseion of a large sum of money, exceeding 300,0001. which woe
in the funds. Sir Ifichani had, from time to time, sold out differ..
cut parts of this sum, and Ig.d done it through the agency of Mrs
31•1)isugal.•gentleman of torsi respectabili.y,who was well known
at the hank. in October last Sir R. Sutton bemght an caste ,Hors
folk, the deposit money for which was to be rodeo the else of that
nanith 4 and to provide the money net...nary for such payment, kir
Richard, who wan our of town, triersmiteeti his power of attorney to
Mr. .51`Dougal, with instructions that he should sell out sulat
suck to answer that pttrpese. This power of attorney was delis
vcred by Mr. APDougal to his broker, who took it as usual to the
Power of Attorney Office, at the Rank. to have it verified—this woe
done on the 20. h of October, and the broker proceeded to sell week
to the amount of 23,0001. preparatory
.to the transfer being made
on the following day, by which time, in the towel tonne of basis
nen, the power of attorney would be verified by the Bank. On the
following day, at one o'cluck, Mr. INN-meal attended his broker to
the Transfer-office, in order to transfer the stock, when be was told
the power bad not been verified, mid therefore the transfer could
not be made. Application was then matte to the Power ef Attorney
office, to know the reason of the delay. At first he was told that
the power was before the Directors in the parlour. but Would MOO
be passed. Subsequent applications were made, but sitbout effect.
and at length Mr. 31`Dougal was info-rated some doubts had sri.en
as to the signature of Sir Richard. Mr. M‘Dougal offered to give.
an indemnity, and to produce the checks of Sir Itidiard on hie
town bankers, and letters of Sir Richard to himself, but In vain:
the Directors would net pass the power, and of comes the transfer
of the stock could not be made. A delay followed of several days,
and it was net until the 29:h of Oct. that the sale could beefectedt
and then, owing to the fan which had taken place in the price of
consols, at a loss of MI. 111. Bd., and for that sum, which it wan
all.ged had been lost to the plaintiff; through the improper delay
interpos..•d by the Rank, in verifying the power of attorsey, the
present action was brought. Mr. Sennett was ready to acknowledge
that the Bank had a right to adopt eveti necessary precaution-
ary measure—but here, knowing Mr. M•Dougal and the offers
made by that gentleman, that cught t, have satisfied them.
Mr. SCAR rETT then etfied Itenjamin Boyde, a stock-broker—.
Ile stated, that In October last he hail a power of attorney handed
over to him—the sante now produced—it was one of the Bank
printed tarots. Witness, on the 20th et October, took it to the
Power of Attorney ofiice, in the Rat k; it wan the usual ere
put in the power one day, and act upon it the next. noes% ow
the same day, pursuant to his instructions, sold out on that same
day 3 per Cent. Consols to the amount of 23,9521. 2s. Id. for Sir
Richard Sutton, at WI:, preparatory to the transfer to the rurchaest
being made on the following day. On the followingday, Tuesday.
the 21st, witness went to the Transfer Office With the purekaaer, to
i make the transfer, when he was infoneed the power had not beta
to-warded. Witness, upon this, went to Mr. Nesbitt, the Wipeout,
who said the power wan in the parlour before the Directors • that
he had himself looked at it, and believed it was correct, and had no
doubt it would pass. At one o'clock witness again _applied, bat the
power had nor come down. Soon atm he made a thWd
and was told the power was under a)! consideration of Mr. Kaye.
Witness next saw 11r. Kale, who said if Mr. fili'Dougal weak,
KIVU an indemnity the. poser would be passed. Mr. 3PDougal,
who was present, itnuerfook to give an indemnity, and they were
then referred to Mr. Dateres office; but here, on seeing Sir.
Dawes, he could obtain no other information, except that the power
WAS Kinn the Directors in the parlour. Mr. APlDougal then ma
monstrated on the inconvenience to which be was subjected. 31r.
limres said the delay was occanioned by some doubts,which bad
arisen on a difference between the signature of Sir Richard Snow'
to this and a runner power. Mr. 31`Dougal offered to produce
proof of the authenticity of the signature, and said be would kid
the Rank responsible. Mr. Dawes replied, Mr. M•Dotigal would
do as lie pleased. They then went away, and witness proceeded to
resell the stock back again: Witness called every day at the ogee
from that time to Saturday, the 25th October, and on that day be
was told the power had passed. Ile then gave notice to Me.
M•Dougal, but that gentleman was out of town. Monday was one
a public transfer day, Tuesday was a holiday, and on Wednesday
the witness sold out the sum of 36,30d1. at 82t. This was a loss en
the sum first sold out of 2001. I Is. Bd., independent of brakemen.
lied the sale been on the Monday the ditlinence would have been
the sabre. On the Saturday it would have been WI. 16a. a
Mr. Mtl)ougal is a anlicteor in London, and has been se for up.
wards of forty years. Since Sir Richard Seaton cattle of age, wit-
ness had acted for hint as his agent, and as such had, previous to
October last, sold for hint muck to the amount of 200.0001.
October last Sir Richard purchased an estate in Norfolk, end en
the 2lst the deposit-motley was to he paid, and witness received a
power of attorney from Sir Richard to sell out sufficient stock ben
longing to him to raise the snm necessary to pay such deposit.
Witness. accordingly, on the 20th, heeded over the power of =Cr.
ney to 3lr. Boyde, .he last witness, who was his broker, for him to
' take the necewary steps preparatory to making the transfer. The
witness then proceeded to corroborate the testimony given by the
lam witness. %Vents' described the inconvenience to which the
plaintiff had been put by this delay, and the offer which be had
made to the Bank of his own indemnity, and of producing the
banker's cheeks and other proof of the genuineness of Sir Richard's
isignature.

The power of attorney was put in and teed.
The AsroaNnv-ficsmstaz. then addressed the Jury for the
defendants, and contended that the Bank had in this case exercised
only a proper shared caution, and that no unreasonable delay bed
beer, introduced into tl.e transaction hy them. The Learned l'eus
set then proeetded to detail the course cf transacting this description
of business at the Rita. If II power of attorney was (many son
lout than 211.11101., then the doeuinent was only inspected by
Nesbitt, at the Power of Attorney's office; but if above that tutu,
then it was transmitted to the Accountant.tienen.l for his in-
spection also. In the present inrance the power of attcrney was
for $0,01101., and Mr. llawt a, as was usual. proceeded to Inwood-
gate the signature of Sir Richard. by reference to other signatures
of that gentleman then in his possession. The only notating
which was then in the (tank, however, was a signature to a power
of attorney granted by sir Richard in 1821; and, on the nor
pariion, there was such a ditterer.ce as fully justified the Direr
tors in the course of inquiry they had instituted. Whes the
amount of the stun was considered, was it surprising that, acknow.
ledgiog to the fullest extent the respectability of Mr. M•Dougel,
the Bank should have hesitated to take his indemnity ? The=
however, lost no time, as he would prove, in writing to tit R
Sutton, to wacestain whether the signature was gsendne; and
further he would prove. that 11r. lki'Dougal himself held suggested
this course, and to this proof he would further add, that the
greater portion of delay and loss had been occasioned by bin
st•ltougal himself, who by hi: absence from town had delayed
the transtir from Fri:tar. the 24 to %Vetinesday, the :alas of
October; and if the si tL Led hen transferred on the "'tidal,
the extent of the iiefiet_:..y scold not have exceeded one•tightli
per cer.t. The public rot perhaps aware of the important*
which attached to the .in,y devolvieg on the Bank with respect
to power of atturnees. lie !tank had upwards of 40,000 pow SO
investigate annually. Nxt a-d en the average 110 (Lily
and when it wits recollcct..l that this was a power for no brae a
14111) than 60,0001. he wts prionidtd the Jury would not eossider
the eantion adoped by the !tank ss iinre.:sonable; and if suede was
their opinion, then he the Sauk would be entitled to a
verdict. At all events t:.e pLirtilf could only be entitled to
the difference on Friday's price, compared with that of Wads
ntialay.

Ifswes is Chief Accountant of the Rank of England. Ile
has been in the employment of the Bank scarf, 44 yeas. lie
been eighteen years in his present situation. When powers of at.
torney are of a considerable amount, upwards of 20.0001., they are
first examined at Mr. Nc.bitt's office, and tee:,, for further els-
mination, passed to the office of witness. The rower of attorney
in question was so passed to his office. It was accompanied by a
Pinner power of attorney, which he now held in his hand, of Sir
R. Sutton, for 2041,0001. This was the only means be hid of judg.
ing of the authenticity of the power, and on comparison there au.
peered to him, at first sight, a material dissimilarity i• the heat-
writing. In consequence of thi. be ntlepted the usual COLIIe, and
sent them both to the tiovernor for inspection.
The two powers were handed to the Jury fur their inspection of
the lined.teriting of Mr R. Sutton.
IV itness continued.—ln consequence of the foliar examination
of that power by the Governor, he addressed a letter to Sir R.
Sutton at his mulence„ as tleseriood in the power of attorney. Mr.
Kare at:crwards came to tis ofike, and gave him another edema
to Sutihrolte. To that letter te remind an answer on the 11111611.
tog of the 24th, anti he then passed the prom rat tittrwrioy, sad

I'