The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-20 00:00:00

TURKISH FIRMAN.

The Smyrna Journal publishes a firman, addressed
by the Sultan to the Governors of the empire, and
explaining in detail the principles of the Hatti-Scheriff
of Gulhane, which they are called upon to put in force
in their respective provinces. It is to the following
purport
After informing the Governors that the new social
constitution had been sworn to in the sacred name of
God by the Sultan and all the public functionaries of
Constantinople, the firman says :—" Thus from the
highest to the lowest, from my Vizier down to the
simple shepherd, every man can dispose as he pleases
of his property." It then orders that all trials, both
civil and criminal, may be open, and full justice may
be administered. With respect to capital punish-
ment, it says, " No person can be put to death, how-
ever he may have merited it, except on the follow-
ing conditions :—There shall be forwarded an exact
report of his crime to the capital, where the cause
of the criminal shall be submitted to a judicial in-
quiry, and decided upon according to the law of the
country. Upon.this decision, I will pronounce the pain
of death, so that no person may be authorized in
future, under any pretence, to inflict death, publicly or
clandestinely, upon any individual whatever. Every
public functionary or other person, who shall be con-
victed of having transgressed this regulation, shall him-
self be punished with death, without regard to his rank,
character, or credit, all men being equal before the law.
The property of the criminal shall not in future be con-
fiscated ; his innocent heirs shall in no wise be made to
partake of his punishment, and all their legal rights
shall be preserved." The next line in the firman is a
volume—“ Every arbitrary act is abolished for the
future." After stating that the regulations respecting
taxes are preparing, and that there will be no exceptions
in favour of any class, all persons having to pay ac-
cording to their means—the firman concludes with an
order to the Governors of the districts to have it read
aloud in all public places, and otherwise published, so
that none may be ignorant of its contents.

MEETIN G OF MIDDLESEX

MAGISTRATES.

A very numerous meeting of the Magistrates of the
County of Middlesex was held yesterday at the Sessions
House, Clerkenwell, for the despatch of county business.
Mr. Sergeant ADAMS in the Chair.
The minutes of the last Court were read and con-
firmed.

The Report of the Committee of Accounts recom-
mended that the sum of 2501. be paid to Mr. Baker,
and 150/. to Mr. Wakley, the Coroners for the County,
on account of the sums due to them for holding inquests
since the last Court day.
The Report of the Visiting Justices of the House of
Correction stated that there were at present confined
in that gaol 813 male and 315 female prisoners.
The Report as to the New Prison stated that it at
present contained 96 male and 41 female prisoners.
Sir J. WlLLimas brought up a Special Report of the
Visiting Justices of the House of Correction as to the
immediate necessity of appointing 56 male and 26 female
turnkeys to maintain the discipline of that prison under
the New Prison Act. The additional expense to the
county in consequence of the provisions of this statute
will amount probably to 5,0001. per annum for the
House of Correction alone.
The Report was read and received.
Mr. JOHN WILKS thought that, under existing cir-
cumstances, it was the duty of the Court to come to
some specific resolution immediately as to the manner in
which the new Act of Parliament should be carried
into effect, so as to secure the due order and manage-
ment of the House of Correction. It was not for them
thisresolution
movingunanimously
to discuss the policy of the new Act ; their duty was
simply
fter to
some obey it. Hconcluded
resolu-
tion embodying this view of the question.
A
adopted.
a Mr. TULK stated that there was now room for several
additional patients in the Hanwell Asylum, and
that notice would be given to the different parishes who
discussion,
by
was
had now pauper lunatics confined at Miles's and other
private asylums, that unless they were removed to Han-
well Asylum by the 25th instant, the county would not
Pay the additional expense of their keep.
After disposing of some other business, the Court
adjourned.

In some parts of this county and in Hereford-
shire not a seed of wheat has been yet put into the
ground, and a larger breadth than usual will be reserved
for spring grain. The wheats already up present a dif-
ferent appearance in different places. In some they
look strong, healthy, and vigorous, whilst in others the
blade is of a yellow and sickly hue. The wet season
has continued up to nearly the present period, and so
unfavourable a time for sowing has scarcely ever been
remembered.—Worcester Journal. . _

There -are nearly 240 prisoners nnw in Wor-
cester county gaol, the largest number ever known at
one time.