The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-11 00:00:00

THAMES- OFFICE.

SEAMF.N.S WM:JIM-Captain B. Locke, the master of
the ship Singapore, appeared before Mr. Ballantine,
to answer the complaint of Ralph Maitland, steward
of the same vessel, who claimed the sum of 191., for hisservices on board, on a voyage from London to Singapore
and back.
Mr. Pelham, for the complainant, said his client had
slipped as steward, and was to receive 21. 10s. per month.
Shortly after the vessel left London the man was taken ill,
and not being able to effectually perform his duty as stew-
ard, he was taken into the caboose to act as cook. The
Captain now refused to pay the man, on what grounds he
could not say. The man was attacked with illness in the
performance of his duty, whether from the climate or not
it was impossible to tell, but certainly not from his own
imprudence, and he therefore contended that the man was
entitled to the wages mentioned its the articles.
Mr. BALLANTINE asked for the articles, and was in-
formed by the Captain that he had left them at home,
on which the Magistrate said he could do nothing without
them.

The articles having been sent for and handed to the
Magistrate, the Captain stated that the complainant was
incompetent, and that he was quite incapable of filling the
situation of steward when he signed articles. When the
ship reached the Downs he was compelled to take a black
boy into the cabin to assist Maitland, who would
not bring any thing down below. When he signed
articles and left London, the complainant appeared to be a
very brisk old man, but he soon found out that he was
useless on board, and he had not done a stroke of work all
through the voyage.
Mr. BALLANTINE—HOW did he appear when you
shipped him ? Captain Locke—ln full health, as he is now.
Mr. BALLANTINE—I don't know what you mean by
full health. He appears very infirm now and unfit for a
steward's duties.

The chief mate was called to show that Maitland was
quite incompetent from the commencement of the vayage.
The first entry into the log was to the following effect
" Sept. 2. 1838, Four A.m.—Ralph Mlitland laid up
through infirmity, and not able to do his duty." The ves-
sel was then in lat. 33 S., and 39 \V. longitude The
steward continued sick from that time during the whole of
the voyage. He was transferred from the cabin as steward
into the galley as cook, and a boy was appointed to assist
him in doing the hard work, such as bringing up wood,
lighting the fires, and scouring the cooking utensils ; but

the man could not long attend to the lighter duties of
work, and after he had been in the galley a few days was
obliged to give up cooking altogether.

Mr. BaLLANTINE—Now, I ask you, as an honest man,
was he incompetent to perform the duties of steward when
he shipped ? The Mate—Must undoubtedly he was. He
ought never to have been shipped at all.
In cross-examination by Mr. Pelham the mate said that
the complainant was fourteen days in the ship before he
left the river, and for six or seven days acted as cook, and
the remainder of the time as steward. He was informed
that Maitland had originally engaged as cook, but was told
that the duties of steward were lighter, and he then accepted
of that situation. The complainant was sixty years of age.
He would swear that a black boy was put into the galley
to assist Maitland at Singapore. According to the boy he
acted as cook from the 11th to the 24th of December, when
he fell sick again, and knocked off duty. He never saw
the complainant dru k at sea, because he could not get the
liquor to be drunk with.
Mr. BALLANTINE-Well, then, he was not drunk. What
occasion is there to qualify it?
The Mate—He got drunk once before the vessel left
the London Dock.

Mr. BALLANTINE—That is an orthodox irregularity. We
ought not to say anything about that.
Mr. Pelham said if the man fell sick in the performance
of his duty, his wages could not be reduced, and that be
was entitled to be cured at the expense of the ship. That
was an old principle of law never attempted to be contro-
verted. There was no entry in the log till September,
more than two months after the ship left London, and it
was fair to infer that the man did his duty satisfactorily up
to that time. If it was a question of quantum meruit, he
must contend that Maitland was entitled to more than 303
per month, the sum offered by the captain, inasmuch as he
acted as cook after he was removed from the situation of
steward, and was only assisted by a boy, who received lOs.
per month.
Mr. BALLANTINE said the man's inefficiency was made
up of a parcel of small items. He broke down directly he
got out to sea, and when put into the galley he could not
even perform the lightest duties of work with a boy to as-
sist him. The man had shipped as an able steward, a situ-
ation for which he was altogether inefficient. Great in-
convenience must have grown out of such a state of things.
He was of opinion such an old and infirm man ought not
to have shipped as steward at all, and that his doing so
was in the nature of a fraud on the ship.

Mr. PELHAM asked what was the nature of the man's
sickness?
The Mate—That we could never find out. He con-
sumed his 2lbs. of beef and pork per day, drunk his grog,
and ate his biscuits, but as for work he could do none.

Mr. Pelham—Perhaps beef and grog was the best me-
dicine that could be administered to him.

Mr. BALLANTINE—Yes, but it is such a medicine as
shipowners do not like to administer unless they reap some
benefit from it. I shall only order 30s. per month, which
the Captain offered to pay him before he came here.

CARLOW ELECTION COMMITTEE
(YESTERDAY.)

The Committee met at 11 o'clock yesterday morning,
when

Mr. AUSTIN proposed to strike off the vote of Thomas
Quinlan, of Tullon-street, and for this purpose called John
Lennam, as a witness.

Mr. TIIESIGER objected to this witness giving evidence,
inasmuch as he had been in the room during part of the
proceedings.
Witness being questioned, admitted that on the first
day he had been in the room for a few minutes, but stated
that he had heard no evidence—all that he had heard was
a great noise made by one of the Counsel.—( Laughter.)
Witnesses were called who proved that Lennam had been
in the room for 20 minutes.

Mr. AUSTIN desired the witness to point out the gentle-
man who was making the noise.
After scrutinizing the Learned Counsel very minutely,
witness pointed out Mr. Thesiger, declaring " God, that's
the man."—( Roars of laughter.)
Mr. AUSTIN then concluded that the evidence of the
witness was admissible, as he had heard nothing which was
likely to prejudice his testimony.
After a lengthened argument the room was cleared, and
the Committee decided on hearing the evidence.
Lennam was then called, to prove that the voter's oc-
cupation was of insufficient value ; and at half-past four,
when the Committee adjourned, the case had not been
concluded.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.

(From the London New Price Current of last evening.

SUGAR.—For British Plantation there has been an -in--
creased demand this week, both grocers and refiners have
purchased freely of brown as well as yellow descriptions,
and importers having supplied the market sparingly, to-
gether with the contrary winds keeping out the ships ;
buyers have been compelled to pay an advance on the
rates of this day week of is als 6d. On Tuesday
the private sales reached 600, on Wednesday 800, and
yesterday 700, making the sales for the three days
2,100 hhds and trcs, besides a public sale of 109
hhds Barbadoes, which went off briskly at 6d to is advance
on the prices of the last auction : good quality brought 66s
to 675, and fine 67s 6d to 695: by private contract Berbice
of dry brown quality has been sold at 62s 6d to 635, rather
better grey Demerara at 63s 6d to 645; Antiguas, mid and
fine mid 65s to 675, and other descriptions in proportion ;
nothing is to be met with in the market of low brown quality
under 62g. The delivery last week was not equal to that
of last year during the same time by 1,036 hhds, &c. ;
the surplus in the comparative stocks has further diminished,
and by the last returns the increase this year over that of
last was 3,488 hinds and trs ; there has not been a single
arrival since our last.

This afternoon there was a fair disposition evinced on
the part of the grocers and refiners to do business, but the
demand was checked by the scanty show, and the sales
were only 400 hhds and trs at the rates previously estab-
lished. The quantity sold since this day week amounts to
2,d00 hhds and tierces.

REFINED,—The home trade have purchased freely, par-
ticularly of the lower descriptions of goods, paying an ad-
vance on the rates of this day week of 2s ; standard lumps
have been sold at 80s 6d to 81s, brown lumps 778 to 78s,
and nothing of this quality is to be purchased under the
former figure ; the lowest price of patent goods is 793.
MAURITIUS.—There has been a good demand by private
contract for grocery as well as for refining descriptions, and
advanced rates have again been obtained ; the lower
sorts are still the most in request, and are much dearer
in proportion to good and fine yellow qualities: at auc-
tion on Tuesday, 8,180 bags sold freely at 6d advance,
good to fine brown fetched 62; to 62; 6,1 middling to good
Yellow 63s to 64s 6d, mid to good greyish 63; to 64s 6d ;
yesterday at public sale, 2,879 bags went at a further ad-
vance of fully Is, making the rise since this day week
Is 6d, and in some instances 23; low middling yellow
brought 64s to 64s 6d, good middling 65s 6d to 665, good
67s 6d, middling grey 64s to 655, fine brown 63s 6d to 64s
per cwt. This afternoon the demand was unabated, and
2,499 bags at public sale supported the advance noticed
above, mid to good yellow brought 65s to 675, low yellow
64s 6d.

EAST INDIA.—The grocers have come forward with in-
creased freedom, and an advance on previous rates of Is
has been established for Bengal ; at auction, 1,000
bags sold readily, middling white at 66s to 66s 6d,
good 68s, fine 695, damps, &c. 65s to 68s; there
have been some arrivals. For Manilla there has been
very few inquiries, and only 500 bags solt quality have
been sold this week at 235, the attention of buyers being
directed to the approaching large public sales ; in prices
there is however no change. In Siam the sales effected
amounting to 1,000 bags, have been at late rates—viz., at
28s to 30s for low to good middling white. Java as last
quoted, and the operations have been on a small scale.
This afternoon the auctions consisted of 2,200 bags Ben-
gal, 1,542 bags Manilla, and 86 baskets Java; the Manilla
was all sold, principally to our Refiners, but the
prices paid are not equal to those of the last auction
by 6d per cwt., mid brown and low yellow fetched
23s a 233 6d, washed 22s a 22s 6d ; Java was
all disposed of, fine strong white at 31s 6d, and
good greyish yellow 25s 6d a 275, being rather lower for
the former, but full prices for the latter; the Bengal was
all taken in at 67s 6d to 693 for good and fine white, in
consequence of the selling broker refusing to sell, except-
ing for cash on delivery warrants. Since the sale the
Bengals have been sold rather under the buying-in price.
FOREIGN.—White Havannah of strong quality has again
been sought after ; and 250 boxes have been sold by private
treaty at stiff prices, viz. good at 425, the supply continnes
small ; yellow is held firmly, but the short supply has pre-
vented business of moment. The lowerdescriptions of Brazil
have been in better demand for refining here under bond, and
350 chests of brown have been taken for that purpose, and
very full prices have been paid, viz., 22s 6d to 23s 6d
for good and fine quality ; for shipping there are no orders
for this description ; white continues in request, particu-
larly strong sorts, and the business done, amounting to 100
chests, have been at the rate of this day week, middling
and good middling at 29s 6d to 31s.
This afternoon 29 chests Bahia at auction were taken
in at their full value, low to fine yellow at 24s to 27s per
cwt.

This afternoon two cargoes of white Brazil have been
taken, supposed for the Mediterranean, at 33s 6d a 345.
MOLASSES.—The private operations in West India have
been to a fair extent, and prices must again be quoted
rather higher; fine Demerara has brought 345, and com-
mon St. Vincents 32s per cwt.
COFFEE.—The large quantities of East India and Cape
Coffee, which have been again pressed upon the market,
has caused the demand from the grocers to be very
limited for British Plantation, particulary for ordi-
nary and unclean qualities which are rather cheaper, but
it is difficult to quote objectionable descriptions accurately,
such is the competition they meet with from Ceylon,
Sumatra, &c., and Foreign at the 9d duty ; middling
and fine clean sorts, however, being scarce, have
brought fully previous rates ; at auction only 80 casks
and bags have been brought forward, which, being
all unclean, was principally bought in, low middling
Berbice at 110 s, fine fine ord 105 s. and mid Demerara at
1093 6d. There have been no arrivals of Ceylon ; 2,200 bags
have been offered, being the remainder of the late arrivals,
all of which found ready buyers at prices 6d above those of
this day week, low good ord fetched 94s 6d a g6s, good ord
96s 6d a 97s 6d, fine ord coloury 98s a 101 s, a few lots very
fine green 103s.—Mocha is held for the advanced rates of
last week.-5,200 bags Brazil, imported from the
.Cape, have
been brought forward, when, in consequence of its flavour
not suiting the home trade, it was all bought in at 46s 6d
a 56s for good to fine ord, the bulk at 50s for palish good
ord mixed, being rather under its former value ; 47s has been
paid since the sale for 400 bags good ord. 200 bags Sumatra
sold rather cheaper, viz., fair ord at 4.33 a 43s 6d good
48s, and 300 bags Batavia were likewise disposed of on
easi.,r terms, pale mixed fair good ord selling_ at 63s Gd a
65s 6d, and better at 663 a 68s 6d ; there have been
some arrivals, the bulk is from the Cape.
OlLS.—Fish Oils of common quality_ have maintained
their former currency. Sperm at the aCvanced rates pre-
viously quoted ;
Linseed Oil, 26s 3d ; Rape, at is de-
cline. In Olive, little variation has occurred. Cocoa
Nut, at 435. Palm, at 40s to 40s 6d per cwt.
RUM, BRANDY, AND HoeLANDs.—Buyers of Rum have

EVENING EDITION.

been compelled to pay a further advance of id a Id for
Leewards ; Jamaica has brought former rates. The sales
in the foimer arc 200 puns, proofs to 4 over 3, 4,1-d to
3- 61, 5 to 7 over 3s 7d to 3s Bi. S to 12 over 3s 9d to
3s I Id, 14 to 16 over 4s to 4s Id, 30 to 32 over 55; to
5s 2d, 34 to 37 over ss 3d to 5s 4d. Brandy and Geneva
at former rates.
TEA. —The trade having not disposed of the large quan-
tities of Tea which they bought at the late pubic sales'
caused them to evince very little anxiety to purchase at the
present sale, excepting at lower prices ; this importers were
not inclined to accede to in the early part, and the conse-
uence was that the demand was very limited, the principal
part passed auction being taken in and withdrawn at the April
sales prices, but yesterday proprietors evincing a dispositior!
to meet the buyers, led to more business, and 5,700 out ot
13,000 which passed the chair sold at prices id told under
those of the last monthly sale for Twankay and the loeer
descriptions of Congou, 13-d to 21 for Hyson and imprial,
and I d upon most other descriptions, excepting
Hyson, and Canton Bohea which have supported the rates
of that period. Young
RICE. For East India prices have given way 6d per
cwt. ; Bengal at 14s to 14s 6d for low, and 14s 6d to 15s for
middling white. Carolina is still held for 383 to 403 for
consumption, and 25s to 26s for export.
SALTPETRE.—This afternoon there were two public
sales of Rough, consisting of 2,410 bags, but the impor-
ters not being inclined to submit to any further re-
duction in prices, the whole was taken in, viz. refraction
8+ to 41 per cent. at 25s to 26s per cwt.
SPICES. —This afternoon the auctions consisted of 1,000
bags Bengal Ginger, and 1,488 bags Pepper;
went Is to 2s cheaper, good quality selling at 183
te
18s 6d, the latter all found buyers at the decline noticed
above, very inferior to fine half heavy Sumatra went at 3d
to 4i-d per lb. the former
TALLOW. —The Market yet remains very uncertain; thee
d
stock is held by one house, and many parties having
delivery, are necessitated to complete their contracts, and are
compelled to pay any prices that are demanded ; 523 to 545
were paid in the early part of the week, but the nearest
quotation is now 52s 6d for P. Y. C. ; the trade are not gene;
rally purchasers at these prices. For arrival 463 to 463 6o
continue to be the quotations of New Tallow, but the de-
mand is not active. sol for