The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-25 00:00:00

7HE ALLEGED CASE OF SHIP-BURNING.

Considerable interest was excited yesterday in
1 the Liverpool Police-court, as it was known that
' the question of receiving the bail of persons offering
for the relief of George Ruxton would come under
• the notice of the nia,sistrate:s. The prisoner was
committed for trial on a charge of having conspired
to burn the ship Roscoe, on a voyage to Smyrna.
The case was heard by Mr. Raffles, the stipendiary
magistrate, on the Ist inst., who committed him for
trial at the assizes. Application was made on be-
half of the prisoner to be admitted to bail, but the
application was refused. Since then the application
has been renewed before the judge in chambers, and
after hearing the case argued at considerable
length, Mr. Justice Mellor agreed to admit the pri-
soner to bail, himself in £l,OOO and four sureties
in .E 250 each, his lordship remitting the question
as to substantiality of bail to the Liverpool magis-
trates for consideration. Mr. Deighton, instructed
by Messrs. Forshaw and Goodman, appeared in
support of the bail ; and Mr. Maculloch, instructed
by Messrs. Lownd,?s, Bateson, and Co. In the ab-
sence of Mr. Raffles, Mr. Alderman Holme occu-
pied the bench.
Mr. Deighton, in opening the case, read the
judge's order, and having done so, said his duty
was a simple one. It was simply to tender the
names of responsible persons who were willing to
become securities, and he concluded his remarks by
tendering Mr. Thomas Berwick, master mariner,
residing in Bred -road.

Mr. Maculloch objected to Mr. Berwick being
received as one of the bail. He said the objection(
was chiefly based on the understanding that Mr.
Berwick had been engaged as partner with the pti-
soner in certain transactions which had, to say the
least, turned out unfortuuate. Consequently, be
considered there was reason for supposing that he
might have some desire to aid the prisoner in an
endeavour to elude the pending trial.
Mr. Deighton said the remarks of his learned
friend were quite uncalled for, and beyond the
question. The only matter for the consideration of
the Bench was the fact of whether the bail offered
was sufficient.
Mr. Maculloch said he could not concur in the
view expressed by Mr. Deighton. In fixing bail it
was not the intention of the judge to secure the means
of enforcing a pecuniary fine, but to take such
measures as would insure the personal presence of
the accused to abide the issue of the trial.
The worthy magistrate appeared to entertain the
views expressed by Mr. Deighton, and it was under-
stood that Mr. Berwick will be accepted as one of
the bail.
Mr. John Carter, timber merchant in Vine-street,
was next tendered, and, no objection being offered,
it was agreed to accept him. William Herd, publi-
can, Birmingham •street, Manchester
s next
tendered, but after a brief inquiry into hiswa circun-i-
-stances the magistrates decided not to accept him.
Thomas Shehan was next offered, but, as due notice
had not been given, so that his circumstances might
be inquired into, it was agreed to adjourn the con-
sideration of his case.
William Ruxton, the prisoner's son, was also
tendered, but it turned out that he is not a house-
holder, and has not any real property os which a
levy could be made. His bail was also, rejected.
Further consideration of the case was then ad-
journed till tomorrow (Friday), at two o'clock, and
the prisoner was removed in custody.