The Sun.
London, England, 1830-04-16 00:00:00

CORN DISTILLERY.

MEETING OP THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE
COUNTY OF EDINBURGH.
(From the Scotsman.)
Pursuant to requisition, a meeting of the county
gentlemen was held on Tuesday, in the County
- Hall, Edinburgh, for the purpose of taking into
consideration the injury which the agricultural in-
terest will sustain, if the measures proposed by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, by which a preference
is to be given to Rum over British-made Spirits,
are carried into execution.
Sir John Hope stated the object for which the
meeting was called, and on the motion of Mr.
Sheriff Duff, he was unanimously called to the chair.
jaisßs G. CRAIG, Esq. said, the subject that was
to come under the consideration of the meeting was
one of the greatest importance to the landed inte-
F"t. The question was, in short, whether the
agricultural interest was to be permitted to retain
their own market, or whether it should be hereafter
—lo:en up to the West Indian proprietors. 1n the
Year 1825, after a long and careful investigation, an
rangement was made which was highly satis-
. 'ac tOry to all parties, and it was really strange than
that arrangement should be so soon set aside with-
out any apparent cause or any explanation given.
So far from the West India planters having any
• cause of complaint, it is the British Distiller who
has cause to complain, because the consumption
of ruin has increased 60 per cent., and for the year
ending sth January, 1830, the consumption beyond
the year 1829 was 237,287 gallons, while within
the same year the consumption of British Spirits
had decreased 58,923 gallons. The consequence of
the proposed additional duty will be, that rum will
,Arive_the British spirits, out of the market, shut up
The distilleries, and will otherwise be attended with
the most' ruinous consequences. It has been said,
Abet because the tax on beer is taken off, we ought
not• to complain. But last year the brewers is
Scotland used'dulyB3,ooo bushels, wlsie 600,000
• Were used, by tfie distillers., Besides, the brewers
use only the very best barley, while a great portion
of that used by the distillers is of the most inferior,
and indeed the worst description. It was really
high time that the agriculturists should step forward
and raise their voices against the very serious conse-
quences that were hanging over their heads, and he
was happy to see that English agricultural members
were unanimous to a man on the subject. There
were upwards of 20,000 puncheons of ram in bond
ready to pour upon the country the moment the
duty on whisky was raised. But indeed it might
be manufactured to any extent ; it is only taking
the sugar and making it into the wore profit-
able commodity, in such quantities as would de-
stroy
-the whole country. He would cheerfully sup-
port
any measure that would lessen the consump-
tion of ardent spirits, and prevent the demorali-
zation which was spreading among the people, but
it did not appear to him that the proposed measure
would have that effect. Under these considerations,
he would move 'a series 'of resolutions on the sub-
ject. He certainly had no hostility towards the pre-
sent Ministers--he only wished that they should be
put right on this important subjeet, and he would be
truly sorry that they should forfeit the good opinion
of the agriculturists of this country. Mr. Craig
then read the following resolutions :-
1. That the Distillers of the United Kingdom,
particularly in the present depressed state of agri-
culture, are essential to the welfare of the agricul-
tural interests of the country, and are entitled to a
fair and reasonable protection,
2. That the duty in England of 7s. per gallon
on British spirit:, and of Bs. 6d. on rum, was fixed
in the year 1825 by Government, after the fullest
investigation, as affording only that fair and reason-
able protection which the agriculturists of the United
kingdom are justly entitled to; and that in the pre-
sent times there can be no reason for withdrawing
that protection. That since the consumption of
um in England has increased 50 per cent. per an-
num, and for the year ending sth Jan. 1830, the
consumption beyond the year 1829 was 237,287
gallons, while within the same year, the consumption
of British spirits decreased 58,923 gallons.
3. That the measure now- proposed by laying an
additional duty of-ls.. a gallon on British spirits in
ngland, while niradditional duty is laid on rum,
will be attended with the most injurious conse-
quences to the agriculturists.
4. That this county rejoice in the prospect of the
abolition of the duties on beer, and will gladly con-
cur in any other measure calculated to lessen the
consumption of ardent spirits; but most decidedly
object to the measure which will not tend to lessen
that consump ion, and the only effect of which must
be to sacrifice the interests of the agriculturists to
the West India planters.
5. That copies of these resolutions be sent to the
conversers of the different counties in Scotland, and
that they be requested to convene their counties as
soon as possible on this important subject.
6. That his Grace the Duke of Buccleugh, Sir
George Clerk, and all the Members of both Houses
of Parliament, connected with Scotland, be ear-
ellestlY entreated to give their utmost assistance in
atrying the spirit of these resolutions into effect;
and that his Grace the Duke of Buccleugh and Sir
Georgek Clerk be respectfully requested to submit
lust; with the least delay, to his Grace the Duke
of Wellington, and the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer.
A. C. MAITLAND GIBSON, Esq. seconded the re-
solutions.
JOHN
CUNNINGHAM, Esq., Advocate, was of opi-
nion that it was impossible not only for the county,
.but for every county in Scotland, to concar heartily
in the excellent resolutions before the meeting. He
Ohl not think it was possible for him to add any
thing to the luminous statement of his friend Mr.
Gibson-Craig, but being accidentally connected with
a County in which distillation was carried on to a
g7eat extent, he would sympathise not only with the
trade. but with the community, if a new tax was so
!uddenly to affect that great branch of manufacture,
because he knew it was on the faith that a law
passed only three years ago would not be so pre-
lnaturely altered, that many gentlemen had em-
barked their whole capital, and it was really im-
Possible to calculate the severe loss and de-
struction of property which would immediately
ensue if the proposed measure of the Chancellor
°.l the Exchequer was carried into effect. Had
ti_uey suspected that the duty on spirits was
fourmbe
spne.eraised' in _such a short time, lie wai in-
the by distillers that they would have caused
s
aaik of
laid out the property to serve. Many had
their whole—built blew works—brought
peopl! about them and given them employment, and
theii
it was surely hard to have a tax laid on them
which
would be attended with the most ruinous '
e°l4e uen
taken off I was true th a t the tax had been
II
off beer, with a view to turn the attention of
far
People to a more wholesome beverage, but in sol
a
ad
the morals of the people were concerned an
dic sonal duty on whisky would not have the de-
sired effect.
Those unfortunate persons who are
attracted
addicted to
to thisru destructive habit, will instantly be
the p„„rle ro. Surely it was as pernicious for
Whisky,
and the
intoxicated with rum as with
very novelty of the article would
cause an increased consumption, and consequently
promote the very
practice the were all so anxious
to check as far as possible. It was quite com-
mon to look to the distillers as she manufac-
turers and venders of a noxious poison, but it
tait:t ibe recollected that the pubic would ob-
they in
way or other the very spirits
distiller in .sth though there was not a licensed
notice, that distilleries
But it deserved special
known from ttliileries in many districts were chiefly
the Heighbourhonoi)enefits which they conferred on
hundreds, by ,fforucii By giving employment to
creasing the manure nf
keep to the cattle and in-
the poorest cotter vvioththf e farmer,and by furnishing
most scarce and inclemerdto his cow during the
season of the year, they
increase the comfort of shte
of distress, to an extent _yowe.r orders in a period
Yrt Ich it would be difficult

to supply in any other way. Under these cir-
cumstances he trusted that the resolutions would
not only receive the cordial support of this county,
but of every county in Scotland.

Sir JOHN Hopi; put the resolutions .eriatini, and
they were unanimously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. CUNNINGHAM, the thanks
of the meeting were gven to Sir John 'Hope for his
conduct in the Chair, and the gentlemen retired.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.

ASSAULT UPON THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE
EAST INDIA COMPANY.—.I. Edgar Kearney, Esq..
who, it was stated in the Justice-room, is a Colonel
in the East India Company's Service, was charged
before the LORD MAYOR with having violently as-
saulted W. Astell,Esq., M.P., Deputy Chairman of the
Hon. East India Company, under the following cir-
cumstance :—From Mr. Astell's statement it ap-
peared that the defendant came up to him as he was
going from the East India House to the London
Tavern on Wednesday last, and wished to enter into
conversation with him upon the subject of his (Mr.
Kearney's) application to the Board of Directors,
for the sum of 2501., to defray the expences of his
voyage, we understood, to and from India. The
prosecutor staled to Mr. Kearney that the case had
already been heard and decided upon by the Board,
and he (Mr. Astell) could not interfere, the matter
being wholly beyond his contreul. Mr. Kearney
not satisfied at this explanation and assurance, con-
tinued to follow him, and a friend who accompanied
him, until they approached the London Tavern.
The prosecutor at length told Mr. Kearney that if
he did not go away, a police officer should be called,
and ordered to take him into custody. Mr. Kearney
became more and more troublesome, and raising his
umbrella, he struck prosecutor with it violently. over
, the eye. Mr. Astell's eye bore very palpable evidence
of the blow. It was, of course, found necessary to
call in the assistance of the police. Mr. Kearney
shewed, in the London Tavern, in which all the
parties found themselves immediately after the blow
was struck, a very strong disposition to repeat the
violence, but was prevented.
Loch, jun., Esq., M.P., was walking arm in
arm with the prosecutor, when defendant approached
them, and addressed Mr. Astell as to the applica-
tion to the Board of Directors which had been re-
jected. Mr. Astell, after some expostulation upon
the impropriety of Mr. K.'s following him, and ad-
dressing him on a question with the decision of
which he had nothing to do, mentioned that he
would place Mr. Kearney in the hands of a police
officer if the interruption was not discontinued.—
Soon after this. the act of violence was committed
upon Mr. Astell, without any provocation whatever
upon the part of that gentleman.
The LORD MAYOR asked the defendant whether
it was his wish to say any thing in vindication ?
Mr. Kearney had been informed by Lord Ellen-
borough, to whom he stated the nature of his de-
mand upon the East India Company, in whose
service he had long been actively engaged, that
his claim was valid, and his Lordship particularly
mentioned that the matter lay with Mr. Astell. He
(Mr. Kearney) naturally applied to the quarter al-
luded to; but instead of having met with a concilia-
tory or polite reception, he was most rudely repulsed.
The LORD MAYOR ordered the defendant to find
bail, viz., two sureties for 100/. each, and himself
for the sum of 2001.

A curious scene followed. A girl of the town,
named Afary -Aliiler, apparently very youthful and
artless, and of an extremely diminutive size, was
charged with having, in the language of the police,
" kicked up a row" before the Mansion-house, on
the preceding night.

One of the officers stated that the young lady bad
fallen foul of a gentleman called Jack Robinson ;
and not having succeeded in her professional at-
tempts upon him, made a most " aggravating"
noise, and swore she would have justice, or she'd
pull the Lord Mayor bang out of his flea-park (bed.)
—(Laughter.)--To the Compter the officer was
obliged to remove her, where she sheaved herself
game to the last.

The defendant, in a very shrill tone, assured the
Lord Mayor (but without once addressing him, ex-
cept as-an equal), that the hojficer was a rascally
liar. She was, she said, going home to her lodgings
up a court, in an alley in Goswell-street, with the
key in her hand, when a fellow tried to get it away
from her, and she wouldn't give it up; so the
officer, in the most cruel manner, seized her, and
took her off.

The LORD MAYOR—And what are you, my good
girl ? Defendant—Eh ! what am I ? Why, I'm
a prostitute, to be sure.

The LORD MAYOR—Why carrying your key,
you show that you wish to be mistaken for a servant
maid. You wish to be seduced, I suppose ?—(
laugh.) Defendant—l carried my key, because I
had no pocket. What do you think of that, eh ?
The LORD MAYOR—And where do you carry
your cash ? Defendant—What ! carry my cash !
Why, in my hand, to be sure. I dare say I'll be
able to hold as much as you'll ever give me.
The LORD MAYOR—Pray, may I ask how long
you have been in this profession ? Defendant—
How long ! Lord, it's many years now.
The LORD MAYOR—And why don't you keep in
Goswell-street, about your own shop, away from us ?
We have enough of you. Defendant—Why, I
suppose I may take a walk anywhere I please.
The Officer—This is a terrible vixen, your Lord-
ship; she won't let none on us rest.

The LORD MAYOR—She won't let me rest either,
if she pulls me bang out of my bed. I must put
you under lock and key, young lady. Defendant—
No you won't.—(Laughter.)
The LORD MAYOR—Yes, I will, for a month in
the douse of Correction. Defendant—l say, old'un—
The LORD MAYOR—WeII, Miss Millar ? De-
fendant—Strike me lucky, but I hope, my old
cock, your body'll stick fast in that chair, till
L comes to see you.—(Loud laughter.)
The LORD MAYOR—What's that ? Defendant
—Why I say it's a rascally transaction between
you and that ere ho.llicer.

GUILDHALL.
Richard Bradshaw, a journeyman letter-founder,
was charged on suspicion of breaking open a box
in the bed-room of the landlord of the Cooper's
Arms public-house, in West-street, and stealing
nearly 1001. in cash and bills.—He was remanded.

A man, named John Tinslay, was committed for
trial, from obtaining thirty shillings from Mr. Allen,
the tailor, in Bond-street, under false pretences that
he was an attorney, and would lodge a detainer
against a prisoner in the Fleet.
Mr. Carlile, jun. attended to prefer a charge
against a young man for picking his pocket.
The prosecutor, it appears, was stepping into a
stage-coach, when the prisoner stole the property
from his pocket, and it was found in his possession.
The oath was administered, as usual, to the pro-
secutor.

Mr. M'Donald, a printer, of Stanhope-street,
Clare-marker, here said he had known the prisoner
to be an industrious, honest lad, and it would not
be consistent with English law to deprive him of
liberty on the oath of a profound Deist.

Alderman ATKINS said, that he was bound to re-
ceive Mr. Carlile's oath, if he was willing'to take
it, or any other man's. Mr. M'Donald—Then it is
contrary to the general usage of Courts of Law.
Mr. Alderman ATKINS—No, no—(to Mr. Car-
lile)—Do you believe, on the oath you have taken,
in future rewards and punishments? Mr. C., Yes,
Sir.

Alderman ATKINS—There, Sir; besides we have

the oath of an officer. Mr. M'bonald—Aye, another
witness, whose oath ought to be received with great
suspicion.

Alderman ATKINS—ReaIIy, you are very clever,
Sir; but my experience tells me that I am bound to
treat the oath of an officer with attention and re-
spect. MiDonald---That's more than I would do.
The prisoner was committed to Bridewell for a
month, and Mr. M'Donald left the Court complain-

ing of the illegality of the proceedings, and com-
plimenting Sir-R. Birnie, who, he said, would have
acted differently.

BO W-STR E ET.

THE LATE ELOPEMENT OF A YOUNG LADY

WITH INSPECTOR OUSLEY.—Yesterday a gentleman
of the name of King, who resides with the family
of Mr. Kidder, the silversmith, of the Strand,
whose daughter eloped on Friday last with Inspector
Ousley, came before Sir Richard Birnie with Mr.
Superintendant Thomas; and the latter communi-
cated to the Magistrate that the gentleman wished
to have some private conversation with him (Sir
Richard Birnie) upon the subject of the elopement
of Miss Kidder, her parents being exceedingly
anxious that the most
,prompt and active measures-
should he adopted for restoring her to her family.
Sir RICHARD BIRNIE—Oh,- it is relative to the
recent calamity in the family of Mr. Kidder. I feel
very sorry for his misfortune, having known him for
years as a respectable tradesman.
Mr. King stated to Sir Bichard Birnie, that a
packet, containing two letters, bad been sent to
him by the fugitives, with a request that lie would
deliver them to Mr. Kidder. The packet had been
conveyed by a crossroad coach, and was delivered
to a London coachman, who brought it to town that
morning. From inquiries made at the coach-office
in London, it was supposed that the packet had been
sent, by Ousley and his fair companion, from the
neighbourhood of Derby, or that he had got the
packet sent to Derbyshire, and conveyed to Lon-
don in the manner described, for the purpose of
putting their pursuers upon a wrong scent.
Sir R. BIRNIE read the letters—one was written
by Miss Kidder to her father, andihe other by
Ousley. In her letter she implores forgiveness for
haring left so good a parent ; %he pleads that it was
caused by a most ardent and unconquerable passion,
and that it was her " first love." She hopes her
parent will not be miserable on her account, and
states that it is probable he will never see her more.
Ousley, in his letter, says he cannot offer an excuse
for his conduct, but he promises to devote himself
to the young lady's happiness. He also says that
they possess a sufficient competence to make them
happy for life in retirement.

Si R. BIRNIE said, he was of opinion that Ous-
ley had adopted the plan of causing the packet of
letters to be sent from one part of the kingdom,
while he proceeded with the young lady in an oppo-
site direction.

Sir Richard and Mr. King retired to the private
room, where a long conversation took place, and
some plan was suggested for employing an officer to
pursue the parties.

Sir R. VIRNIE said that the wife of Ousley, a
very interesting young woman, with her two chil-
dren, attended him at St. Martin's workhouse, and
he ordered the overseers to give her relief. Her
case was peculiarly distressing, and deserving of the
attention of the benevolent and humane. She had
sworn that her husband deserted her, and left her
only one shilling when he went away, and a warrant
was issued for his apprehension.
Mrs. Ousley, who resides at No. 12, Mercer-
street, Long-acre, has obtained possession of the
following letter, written by Miss Kidder to her hus-
band, above a month ago. It was found in Ous-
ley's drawer, at the Police Station, in Covent-
garden, since his flight. It is written in a very neat
hand, and we give it verbatim :
" Your note of this morning has made me com-
paratively happy, and I trust you will feel the same
when I assure you I have nothing to forgive—you
have neither displeased me, nor are my feelings in
the smallest degree hurt, therefore do not feel any
anxiety on that account. I have thoroughly consi-
dered, and reflected on your proposal, arid will freely
acknowledge my willingness, at a convenient time,
to resign my habits, and be in truth for ever yours,
if you think it can be accomplished with secresy on
your side; and to prevent the possibility of its ever
being known, would it not be the best way to de-
stroy all notes that have reference to the subject—
were they to be seen by a third person, I dread to
think the mischief that might be done. You will
do what you think best, and I will be contented.
For Jane's assistance I never can repay her ; she
smooths all difficulties. I cannot write much now,
for remember it is washing week, and I have been
very idle to-day. You shall hear from me again to-
morrow or the next day ; in the meantime believe
me to remain ever your's alone."—No signature.
We ought to state that Miss Kidder, in her letter
to her father, admits that she was equally criminal
as Ousley, for she knew, and for a long time pre-
vious to her elopement, that he was a married man.
The person alluded to in the letter of Miss Kidder
addressed to Ousley by the name of Jane, is a ser-
vant in Mr. Kidder's family, who was the go-
between, on almost all occasions when the parties
corresponded. It is a singular fact that this girl
still remains in the service of Mr. Kidder; though
she knew of Ousley being a married man, arid was
personally acquainted with his wife and children.
It is stated that Miss Kidder did not leave London
without taking considerable property with her, and
when she becomes of age she will be possessed of a
handsome fortune, derived from her mother, who
died a few months ago. A subscription is about to
be opened for the wife and children of Ousley.
Asia proof of the destitute state of the wife of
Ousley, it is only necessary to state, that if Mr.
Thomas had not given her a few shillings out of his
own pocket, she and her children would have been
without bread, and the parish officers of St. Martin's-
in-the-Fields have ordered her the liberal allowance
of half-a-crown weekly for her and her two children.
The landlord of the White Lion public-house, in
Wych-street, Strand, was charged with admitting
notoriously bad characters into his house on Sun-
day morning last, between the hours of two and
four o'clock. The defendant was fined 2/, 10s. and
costs.

Mr. Morgan, the landlord of the Feathers, in
Hart-street, Covent-garden, was charged with ille-
gally harbouring in his house on the 7th of April
last, at two o'clock in the morning, a police-officer,
named George Riley, well knowing that he was on
duty at the time. The defendant was fined 20s.
and costs.

A precocious little thief, who will be ten years
of age in May next, named John Skennell, was
charged with stealing seven half-crowns and two
shillings, from the till of Mr. John White, a trades-
man residing in Bedfordbury, St. Martin's-lane.
By the evidence of Mr. White, it appeared that
the prisoner is connected with a gang of little
thieves, who, though mere children, are exceedingly
dexterous in committing robberies. The manner in
which the prisoner committed the robbery in ques-
tion evinced a .sagacity beyond his years. He got
one of his companions to enter the shop, and to en-
gage the attention of Mr. White in purchasing a
pencil, while he crawled upon his hands and knees
round the counter; and having introduced one of
his hands into a slit in the drawer where the till is
kept, he abstracted seven half-crowns, but they
were not all taken a.t once; when he had obtained
possession of one half-crown, he returned to the
street and delivered it to a confederate, and returned
again till he had obtained the whole; but on every
occasion that he entered the shop he sent in a dif-
ferent boy to make a trifling purchase. When Mr.
White had missed the seven half-crowns from the

till, he marked two shillings, and placed them in
the drawer. Soon afterwards he detected the pri-
soner leaving the shop, and found the marked shil-
lings upon I►im.

Mr.HALLs observed that the prisoner was one of
the " babes" of Mr. Const, the Chairman of the
Middlesex Sessions, who, being so very youthful,
could not commit a felony I He (Mr. Halls) was
satisfied that the parents of many of the juvenile
thieves who infested the metropolis connived at, if
they did not actually send them into the streets to
commit robberies. Child as the prisoner was, he
had a knowledge that he was doing a criminal act;
and he was as great an adept at pilfering as an older
person. He fully committed him for trial.

QUEEN-SQUARE.

ARSON.—A child named Jemima Fuller, about

fourteen years of age, was charged with setting fire
to the premises of the Westminster Female Asylum,
in York-street, Westminster, an institution esta-
blished and supported by several ladies of distinc-
tion, for reclaiming young females who may have
been convicted of petty offences. It appeared that
the child at the bar had been tried and convicted
last week at the Westminster Sessions for stealing
a watch. In consequence of her youth, and it being
supposed to be her first offence, the Court did not
pass judgment on her, and she was sent to the
above-mentioned institution, in the hopes of reclaim-
ing her. On Wednesday evening she asked one of
the other girls whether, if the house was set fire to,
the gates would be opened. In a few minutes after she
borrowed a candle, and went up stairs under pre-
tence of getting some needles, and shortly after she
returned, one of the rooms on the second floor was
discovered to be in flames, and the whole establish-
ment was thrown into the greatest alarm and con-
fusion. Fortunately the fire was discovered so
quickly that it was got under without damaging the
premises, but the bedding, &c. were nearly con-
sumed. During the confusion the prisoner escaped
into the street, when she was met by one of the
turnkeys of Tothill Fields prison, who took her
into custody. On searching her a piece of candle
wrapped up in paper was found in her bosom.
The prisoner in her defence said, that when she
went up stairs with the light to get some needles
there was a cat on one of the beds, and she knocked
it off. When she left the room she was positive
there was nothing on fire.
Mr. GREGORIE ordered the prisoner to be re-
manded until the adjournment day at the Sessions,
when she will be brought tip for judgment for steal-
ing the watch.