The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-07 00:00:00

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THE SUN, LOINpON, TUESDAY EVEN! '4l, OCTOBER 7, 1862:

Smeeth and Fen sluice (the subject of the accident)
was built and the drain itself excavated in 1832,
under the direction of Sir John Rennie, Mr. Dyson
being, we believe, the builder. The still erect posi-
tion of the sluice, under the circumstances described,
is a proof that its foundations and brickwork az e
of very great strength. Its weak point is that
of every such work—the junction of the masonry
with the earthwork, where the stream continually
seeks an entrance, and often effects one in a place
beneath the surface, and thus quite out of view.
The damage is only discovered by very careful in-
vestigation, and then, as has been seen, sometimes
too late for any remedy.
A fact which ought not to be forgotten in con-
nexion with the flooding of the Marshland proper
is, that this would probably not have occurred but
that the defensive-bank between the two drains was
some years ago largely excavated and the clay used
in making bricks, thus leaving holes and low places
over which the water has found immediate vent.
Such a piece of short-sighted folly would be incredi-
ble, but that the evidence of its commission is stilt
plainly visible, and the fact itself is well remem-
bered in the neighbourhod.
The Smeeth and Fen commissioners may be said
to be sitting en permanence at the scene of opera-
tions; and the Court of Sewers is to hold a meeting
this day (Tuesday) to decide what is to be done for
the protection of their distinct, which is seriously
threatened, not only by the gincreased overflowing
of the banks, but also by the probable destruction
of their own sluice.

AT7E3IP2ED BALLOONING AT WIN-
CHESTER.

The interest felt in ballooning just now gives
value to the following account, by " one of the gar-
rison," of an attempted ascent from Winchester
Barracks by Mr. Coxwell

Lest any incorrect account of the accident which
occurred on the morning of Tuesday last to Mr.
Coxwell's " Mammoth Balloon " should go forth,
I venture to offer you an account of the occur-
rence, and some other details.

It was contemplated that the balloon should be
filled with gas, and the ascent take place on the
Ist of October, from the inner quadrangle of Win-
chester Barracks, a spot full of interest from its
associations with Charles 11., and one which
from its sheltered aspect on all sides, and from its
affording ample accommodation at different eleva-
tions for several thousand persons, was eminently
fitted for the object desired.
Numerous spectators were expected from Ports-
mouth, Salisbury, and Southampton; even the quiet
Hampshire villages were to have contributed their
quota, with,' further, the benevolent intention in
view of contributing their shilling for the Lanca-
shire Distress Fund.

On Monday, the 29th ult., Mr. Cowell arrived,
having only just ascertained that, in consequence
of the defective size of the pipe (owing to a mistake
of the gas manager), the balloon could not be filled
in barracks without a fresh arrangement, which
there was not then time to make; so that the only
remaining chance of not disappointing the public
was to fill the balloon at the gasometer, a distance
of 900 yards from the barracks.

Strict secrecy was kept to avoid any crowd, and
the filling was most successfully and vigorously per-
formed on Monday night by a detachment of sol-
diers, who received orders, given with much fore-
thought by Colonel M'Donald, who energetically
directed everything. Such were the cheerfulness
and intelligence of the men that Mr. Coxwell re-
marked of one that he thought he must, before en-
listing, have had experience in balloon filling.
The weather caused much anxiety, but the fre-
quent showers we had during the night had lulled
the wind, and at sunrise there was a dead calm,
though with every indication of a stiff gale coming
on, and this we felt in violent gusts just as the bal-
loon was ready for moving, at seven a.m., on Tues-
day. Then, during a favourable lull, 65 soldiers,
obeying Mr. Coxwell's signals under their own
officers with such accuracy as only discipline can
insure, started with their capricious and bulky in-
fant, guiding it on its way to the barracks by three
ropes, ?ur. Cowell and some others riding aloft in
the car at some 30 feet from the ground. Our
success, however, met with a check before we had
travelled 150 yards, from the balloon touching a
tree ' • three tears was the result. Mr. Coxwell,
with his characteristic patience, took it to a
neighbouring field and repaired the damage
done. He proposed, however, to leave the balloon
tethered till the wind abated, but the strain from
the violent gusts that caught it was too great ; for
while a bystander was pointing out a small hole to
Mr. Coxwell, it suddenly increased to a rent from
the top half way to the bottom, without allowing
an instant for the valve being opened; everything
consequently came to the ground, and our hopes of
an ascent on this day were at an end.

SIR JOHN RAMSDEN SUING A CRICKET
CLUB.

At the Huddersfield Count Court on Friday, be-
foreden, Jamesßart. ,
broughtS tans fi e I
adn,
appeared
afeal
auct
rhodbe mes,
ppfliboea err: tkntd h, and J.
cover
for the plaintiff:a.
the
Inra'srdefiel:
pie as the parade-ground
afield adjoining Green-
head
Mr. Shaw, barrister,
nneitopdi lwadvtauoi
orocedlnEcauyutensoftqtfiteho.o'eni jmr-ryuse
.dhgyem,
the against
rS to. i Mhrjllej.e :ea.
w uWedrmd.e IceGi torFlfsol:nieWgsishd-0
of Wakefield, for the defendants.
The facts of the ease
on the occasion ofSir are these :—ln the year 1852,
John Ramsden arriving at
his majority, the Huddersfield
Cricket Club, after
having played for seven years on ground that was
m
not altogether suitable a() application to Sir John
by letter, requesting '1
at hisd
hands a suitable plot
of ground, and that he
would give such directions
to his agent, Mr. Alex
!fathom, as.would
g
secure them one adapted t tehreir necessities, so that
they might rank with neighbouring
possession of grounds." he towns in the
re-
quested permission to enrol the h same letter also
name of Sir John
Ramsden as honorary president
John replied to this application thatof the club. Sir
he should be
glad for the club to have the use of a piece of his
ground for their sport, and felt gratified at the
honour of being made the honorary - president of the
club. This letter was considered by the club as a
promise of a piece of land free from rent, and they
made application to the agent for the use of the
field now occupied by the volunteers. The agent,
however, informed them that their impression was
a wrong one, and that Sir John would expect them
to pay a yearly rental of from £lO to £l2 for the
field, which is four acres in extent. Disregarding
this information, they drew up a memorial to Sir J.
W. Ramsden, and forwarded it to the residence of
the agent for presentation, and meanwhile entered
into possession of the ground on the understanding
that the question of rent was reserved for appeal to
Sir John himself. The agent, in his discretion, did
not forward the memorial to Sir John, who hap-
pened to be abroad. On this becoming known to the
club some time after, they wrote to Sir John re
questing a personal interview. This was declined
by Sir John, on the ground that business ought to
be transacted in writing, The club then forwarded
a full statement of their case, and received in due
time a reply to the effect that he should abide by
the letter of his agent, correcting the misapprehen-
sion which had existed in the minds of the club re-
garding the tenure of the cricket-field. The club
then instructed the secretary to write to Sir John
(at the close of 1858), pointing out that the enforce-
ment of retrospective rent would lead to a dismem-
berment of the club, which they could not conceive
their honorary president would permit, and asking
Sir John to remit the rent of the present year, and
promising to pay in future. To this request Sir
John refused to accede, informing the club that Mr.
Hathorn's application for rent 'was duly made ac-
cording to instructions from himself. The club
thereupon refused to pay any rent, and received
notice to quit in February, 1859. They quitted the
ground in February, 1860, their tents, grass. roller,
and other property being retained by the parties
taking possession in the name of Sir J. W. Rams-
den. The matter was allowed to lie over in the hope
of an amicable settlement, but the club refused to
come to terms, and the case was entered in the
county court. After a prolonged hearing,
the jury
returned a verdict in favour of the plaintiff to the
amount of £8 17s. 11d. Mr. Clough, on
behalf of
Sir John, refused this verdict, preferring a
nonsuit.
A nonsuit was therefore entered against the plain-
tiff) with costs.

A

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IN !; WS l'A 1-3 -i'' TR
---
that tibtl. Italica( math, nu kset 4
net of lit*O".--,-;444*.1F•:.1
,21. 1.,<-;.(1r.;,:',
.
pointment at the non-arrival of reinfoi 6 . .e.ig".44,„
}
that he has urged expedition upon '-. -.....4,,--..- O" •
vernors, but with no success, although the mkt° a s
North ia swarming with the now levies. In-Yew
Jersey alone there appear to be 10,000 men ready
to go, but retained by the Governor. In New York
there :are one way or another at least three
times the number. General Coteors.n's Irish Bri-
gade is spending its bounty money in beer, whisky,
and jewellery, and othu wise amusing itself riot-
ously in Staten Island; and on Saturday last the
26th and 27th New Jersey Regiments—a portion ,
no doubt, of the idle 10,000 of that State—coolly
disbanded themselves, or, as the newspapers say,
"skedaddled" and dispersed into private life, be-
cause their officers would not allow them a fur-
lough to spend, in New York, the superabundant
dollars that were burning holes in their pockets as
effectually as if they had been gold and silver.
Great numbers of them have since been recaptured
by the police; but, perhaps, under such circum-
stances, General 111‘Clellan was none the worse at
Sharpsburg and Antietam for not having been
encumbered with such assistance as these " ske-
daddlers" could have rendered Min.

THE CONFEDERATE STATES,

LETTER FROM MR. MASON'.
The following letters were read at the Staleybridge meet-
ing :

Stayleybriage, Sept. 17th, 1862.

Sir,—lmpelled by a desire to remedy the distress that pre-
vails in the cotton-manufacturing districts, a committee has
been formed in this town to promote the recognition of the
Confederate States of North America as an independent
nationality. The persons comprising tlais committee feel
satisfied that the Confederate States, by their sacrifices,
exertions, and successes, have made good their claim to be
admitted into the family of nations.
This, it is thought, would be a just, effectual, and speedy
way of terminating the disastrous war that is now desola-
ting the hitherto most prosperous and enterprising portions
of the earth, and bringing ruin and misery into many once
happy homes. As secretary of this committee, I am in-
structed to write to you, as the only person with whom we
are acquainted who officially represents the interests of the
South in this country, asking you what effect recognition
would have in accomplishing so desirable an object.
We have drawn up a requisition to the Mayor, desiring
him to calls meeting of the ratepayers in the Town Hall.
The requisition has been signed by 150 of the principal in-
habitants of the town, including millowners, clergymen,
professional men, &c.

The Mayor has consented to call a meeting and to pre-
side on the occasion. In the meantime we are collecting
all the information we can on the subject, in order to supply
our speakers with the strongest possible arguments in favour
of recognition, and thus enable them to overcome opposition.
We write to you to request you to favour us with such in-
formation as you think will best tend to advance the cause
we have at heart. Believing you will be able to supply
the required information, I am, dear sir, waiting your reply,
yours very respectfully, WiLmArs BOON.

TO WILLIAM BOON, ESQ.
54, Devonshire.street, Portland-place, London,
September 19, 1862.
Sir,—l have had the honour to receive your letter of the
17th inst., informing me of a projected meeting to be held
at Staleybridge, in Cheshire, of the ratepayers of the town,
who are to have under consideration the question of recog-
nition of the Confederate States of America, and asking my
opinion as to the effect that such recognition would have in
bringing about a peace, and any other information I may
deem pertinent to the subject.
As a citizen of those States I do not feel at liberty to re-
fuse your request under the circumstances stated, when per-
haps otherwise to offer my opinions might be deemed intru-
sive.

It is certainly a settled principle of international law that
when a new nation or empire is brought into existence as a
separate and independent Power, other nations are at liberty
without giving cause of offence, to recognise it as such, and
to receive it as an equal in the family of nations ; and to en-
title it to such recognition it is only required that sufficient
evidence be exhibited of stability and permanence in the new
government, coupled with the power to sustain itself in its
new position.

In the case of the Confederate States, I think it may be
confidently submitted that the facts which have transpired
since their separation from the United States, both in the
Cabinet and in the field, come fully up to such requisitions.
It has existed as a perfectly organised Government, in full
and unimpeded operation, for more than 18 months ; and as
to its ability to sustain itself, its career in arms, against
vastly superior forces, may challenge the judgment of the
world. The present population of the Confederate States
comprises about 12 millions of people.
I think I may confidently assume as the public judgment
of Europe, that the separation of these States from the late
United States is final and for ever, and that in no possible
contingency—even could the war be continued to their ex-
termination—can they ever be restored to the repudiated
Union.

Under such circumstances, how far it may be deemed in-
cumbent by other governments publicly to acknowledge the
existing fact of such final separation, and thus to recognise
the new power, is for those Governments to determine.
Fortunately for us, our people have shown themselves not
only self-reliant, but worthy of that reliance. We have
fought our battles unaided and alone, and, until recently,
have
uncheered
fears, norby nations looking on. For the future wo
no e would the recognition to which you refer
be of any value to us, except so far as it might tend to
bring the war to a close— a war to be waged henceforward
hopelessly by our enemy, and at which humanity shudders,
In reply to your inquiry as to what effect recognition of
our independence would have towards putting an end to the
war, I have only to say it would at once and for ever dispel
all delusion on the subject in the United Stales. So long
as it is withheld by Europe it is taken as an admission in
America that in European judgment there may yet be a
restoration of the broken Union, and to that extent our
adversaries may be encouraged to persevere. That lam
warranted in speaking of this as a delusion I may appeal to
the verdict of every intelligent Englishman.
Again, you are aware that the war was commenced and
has been prosecuted for the purpose of putting down an
alleged rebellion, Our recognition by the European powers
would be the decree of enlightened, impartial, and able ob-
servers that a rebellion, if one ever existed, had km
brought to an end, and there stood in place of it,
acknowledged by them, a separate, sovereign, and fade as
pen..
re.
dent state, the equal of any in the line of empi
It Is not in tho experience of the
world that a war so
disastrous in its results to those now
waging it against the
Confederate States, when they were made to understand
that It was no longer conducted against
alleged rebels in
you have submitted,
arms, but against an acknowledged equal political power,
Such could long be maintained.
baur et
Imhyop viewsintly
t eolnl
g en, given.—I have the honour
the questions
to bey,Sue
very respectfulle
y, Your obedient servant,

J. M. MASON.

itifERICAN COLONEL.

M_.__,,w_—____
writes ajor G. Longley, R.E., in a letter to a contemporary,
:—I have the honour to request you will give pub-
licity in your valuable journal to the following statement of
facts, which I am sure you will agree with me deserve pub-
licity, in order to show the state .of affairs and feeling in
North America. I was travelling on the Baltimore and
Washington Railway this morning, and had occasion to
stop at Relay House to wait two hours for a train
While
there a train containing rebel prisoners arrived. I remarked
to an efficer of the United States' army, Who happened to
be standing near me, that they were fine-looking men ; to
which he replied that they were Sc), if lice and dirt could
im
askedt , aeknedtz
nht
that
amwt
hs
tooh. statedelylwwaesr
inl that apytl thatreplied
iopinion
hoAnand
finenothingEnEnglishman.,,
mliselit
a.taon Hed with
then
e said " Yes, a d—d infernal Englishman." I replied that I
supposed he must be ay ankee of that description. He then
seized my arras, which were folded, pushed me off the rail-
way platform nearly on to an engine first, and then back,
and kicked me as I fell. Meanwhile I naturally resisted,
took
and aimed a blow with my right fist at his face, which only
partial effect, fortunately for him. He then fetched a
guard to take me prisoner, which I quietly assented to.
brought me to Baltimore, and took me before the
Pro lie
vost
Marshal. I sent for Mr. Bernal, the English Consul wh
came at once, and I appeared face to face with m ,oy
accuser,
Lieut.-Colonel Massy, 2d Marylands, General Wool read
his charge, to which I replied that it was in the main cor-
rect, but that I felt deeply insulted at the lieutenant-colo-
nel forcibly pushing me back ; to which General Wool
said I was wrong to express my opinion so freely, and
that the lieutenant-eolonel was also wrong in using force
to ma, The General advised me to leave this town for
New York at once, and that be could not give me leave to
visit the Federal army, as I had expressed Southern
Secession opinions. I replied that I was willing to do so,
but wished to have some satisfaction from him for the
brutal treatment I had experienced from a United States
officer, He said Lieut.-Col. Massy would afford me Per-
sonal satisfaction, but as to any other I must apply to. the
civil power. I told him I did not require personal sfhtisfae-
tion, but military. He declined having anything more to
say. I then retired with the Consul, and am now en route
for New York. Such facts sneak for themselves. I only
wish them to be known in England that travellers tnay
knew what to expect in the North United StatessilyasGeneralpoe
WrJ ol also advised mtown eto leave the as speedily
sible, as it was not safe for me to remain.

ABOLITION OF THE CITY-ROAD TOLLS. •—• The Me..
tropolis Roads Commissioners have just given notice to the
local authorities that it is their intention to abolish th
City-road gate, and throw the nuuntenan co of the
thedistrieti