The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-18 00:00:00

CASE OF THE MADIAL

A deputation from the Protestant Alliance had an in-
terview yesterday with Lord John Russell, at the Foreign-
office, on the subject of the persecutions now carried on
in Tuscany. The deputation consisted of the Earl of
Cavan, Hon A. Kinnaird, M.P., Rev. C. Kemble, Rev.
Dr. Steane, Colonel Alexander, Mr. Josiah Conder, Mr.
J. Cook, Evans, Mr. R. B. Seeley, Captain Giberne,
and Mr. John Macgregor.
The Hon. A. KINNAIRD briefly stated the circum-
stances attending the arreft and imprisonment of the
Madiai, and the efforts which had been made in vain for
their release. He was glad to find that the report of
the death of F. Madiai was unfounded, but the prolonged
confinement of these persons, and of some thirty others
known to be imprisoned only for their religious acts,
seemed to be a case in which Britain was called upon to
interfere authoritatively and in the cause of outraged
humanity. He understood that Sir H. Bulwer had been
actively, though quietly, engaged in his endeavours to pro-
cure a remission of the sentences of those prisoners, and
that the Prussian Government were disposed to press the
demands already made' by a special envoy deputed for
that purpose. From individuals, also, in our own coun-
try, of the most exalted rank, representations had been
made to the Grand Duke, but without effect, and al-
though hopes of a liberation of the two prisoners were
distinctly held forth to the deputation from the various
European Churches which lately visited Florence, yet
their illegal confinement was still prolonged—new vic-
tims were daily added to the number of those in gaol,
and the Tuscan Government (urged no doubt by other
Powers) now appeared determined to see how far intol-
erance could be carried against religious truth. The
Roman Catholics in this country were, he believed, quite
divided in opinion upon the rights of this case, many of
them being indignant that such persecution should be
resorted to as a means of advancing their religion. The
honourable gentleman having stated the leading fea-
tures of the Madiai case, and alluded to others of whiCh
it is but a sample, expressed the earnest desire of the
deputation that some distinct application should be
made by the British Minister at Florence, for the
immediate liberation of all these prisoners, and that
this should be supported, if necessary, by an intima-
tion to the Grand Duke, that if by his commands the
rights of conscience and of humanity were thus outraged
in his dominions, it would become the duty of other
civilised States to withdraw from diplomatic relations
with Tuscany. A short statement of the foregoing facts,
and a translation of several legal documents connected
with the trial of the Madiai, were then put into his
lordship's hands. •
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that, with respect to the
particular case of the Ma.diai, his sentiments were very
much in accordance with those of the deputation. The
prosecution had been instituted under the law passed in
1786, which was an enlightened time. He approved of
the course pursued by the late Government upon the
subject; and, from dispatches received by the present
Government, it appeared that Sir H. Bulwer was still
anxiously employed in the case ; but with respect to any
further steps which it might be considered proper to take
in communicating with an independent sovereign, his
lordship begged to be allowed to reserve his opinion.
The deputation, having thanked his lordsh.p, then
withdrew.

WEST INDIA MAILS.—The Royal Mail steam-ship
Parana, with the West India mails, was signalled off
Southampton this morning.
POST-OFFICE NOTICE.---The following notice was
issued by the Post-office authorities yesterday, viz. :
" Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ascension, &c.—
Notice.—lnformation having been received that the
packet which in due course should have been des-
patched from Plymouth on the 15th inst. is not yet
ready to sail, supplementary mails for the Cape of
Good Hope, India, &c., will be made up until further
notice.

ROYAL BANK OF AIISTRALIA.—Yesterday, a meeting
was held before Master in Chancery Richards, to exa-
mine Mr. J. N. Smith (firm of Campbell, Smith, and
Co., Australian agents), Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Mr. Fal-
coner, of the London Chartered Bank of Australia, and
Mr. Millikin, of the Bank of Australasia, relative to the
disputed charges of Messrs. Smith and Campbell, the
late agents of the Royal Bank. Attention having been
called by Mr. Walton to a certificate of Mr. Orr, of
Sydney, touching a certain portion, amounting to some
thousands, of Messrs. Smith and Campbell's accounts,
Mr. Roxburgh and Mr. H. Harris, for Mr. Wryghte,
the official manager, insisted that they had no advice on
the subject. After a discussion of two hours the Master
intimated that the parties might agree to the • proposed
reference of the question involving about 27,0001., to
two merchants, on the understanding that if they found
that Mr. Orr was authorised to make the certificate, it
should be binding on the official manager,'otherwise that
it should be void, and that his examination into the
matter should be proceeded with.
SHIPS FOR AUSTRALIA.—The departures from the port
of London for the Australian colonies during the past
week have been large. Five ships have sailed for Port
Philip (Victoria), of an aggregate burden of 2,306 tons ;
four to Sydney, of 1,456 tons ; one to Adelaide, of 563
tons ; and one to Swan River, of 258 tons—making a
total of 4,583 tons. Exporters continue very active, and
freights are still rising ; 61. per ton is being paid for
measurement goods to Port Philip and Adelaide, and for
a vessel now laid on for the former port, 81. is said to be
asked.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The difficulties which
have arisen in obtaining a charter for the new joint-
stock company'intended to resuscitate the fortunes of her
Majesty's Theatre, are said to be removed. The Wagner
trial, in which Mr. Lumley claims immense damages, is
not yet decided. We are glad, however, to hear a
rumour that the "Benvenuto Cellini" of M. Berlioz
may be one among the novelties given at her Majesty's
Theatre during the coming season.—Athenceum.
GENERAL LYING-IN HOSPITAL, YORK-ROAD, LAMBETH.
=Yesterday the quarterly general court of the gover-
nors of this charity was held at the hospital in the York-
road ; J. S. Somers Cocks, Esq., M.P., in the chair.
From the minutes of the sittings of the committee it
appeared that a district ward has been opened for the
reception of single women, that they may be as separate
as possible from the married. The financial statement
was to the effect that for the last year the income was,
including 4001. subscriptions, 1,6661. 6s. 3d. ; and the
outlay 1,3041. Os. 9d. ; leaving a balance of 3621.55. 6d.
of income over expenditure. The balance upon the
whole account is 5021. 9s. 3d., out of which there are to
be paid debts to the amount of 4091. 10s. 3d. During
the year 5001. were invested in the Three per Cents.
The out-patients for the year were 478 ; the interim pa-
tients for the same period were 261, of whom 187 were
married women. This statement was unanimously
adopted. The governing and medical officers were then
separately thanked for their past services, and re-elected
to their offices ; when the proceedings terminated with a
vote of thanks to the chairman.
ROYAL NAVAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—Yester-
day the quarterly general court of the members of this
society was held at the Thatched House Tavern—Sir
Watkyn Owen Pell in the chair. The minutes of the
last court having been confirmed, the secretary brought
j'erward the financial statements for the quarter and for
the year ending December 31st, 1852. From these it
appeared that the income for the year, including a ba-
lance of 92215. ls. ld. from the previous year, and sub-
scriptions to the amount of 926/. 17s. 6d., was 3,791/.
13s. ld., 'and that the expenditure was 3,6221. 10s. 51d.,
of which 1,8961. was disbursed in grants. The balance
in favour of the institution is 1691. 2s. 7d. The amount
of stock possessed by the institution is 36,195/. 12s. 2d.,
of which 1,2881. 10s. was invested last year. These
statements were confirmed, Lord Waldeg,rave was elected.
vice-president; in the room of Sir Thomas Briggs, de-
ceased ; and the memorials from the families of deceased
members were taken into consideration, after which the
proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.
BANQUET TO THE AMERICAN MINISTER AT BIRMING- •
HA3l.—lt is understood that Mr. Ingersoll has accepted
the invitation to a public dinner at Birmingham, and,
according to present arrangements, it will take place
next Friday. His Excellency is expected at Perry-hall,
the seat of Lord Calthorpe, to-day.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, Two o'CLocx.

The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 10,000 bales, of which 2,000 American
were taken on speculation. The market was ani-
mated, and closed firmly. The sales comprised
6,000 American, 700 Pernam and Maranham at
51d. to 7d., 2,000 Bahia at 50. to 60., 200
Egyptian at 6d. to 9d., 600 Surat at 3kd. to 4d.,
and 130 Sea Island at ls. Bd. to 2s. 2i.d. per lb.
Railway Shares were depressed, and the heavy
stocks declined one to two per cent.
_ _

The arrivals from Australia are boming fast upon
us, and there is an abundance of gold. The sums
lodged with the Bank of England for security are
large ; and, although they may not immediately be
brought into the account, and may have first to
pass through the refiners' hands and then to some
amount be shipped. to the continent, itis impossible to
conceive that there will not be gradually a large
addition to the Bank reserves. The Calphurnia,
from Melbourne, does not bring later dates, but
has 56;000 ounces of gold on board ; and the
Anna Maria, from Sydney, 23,290 ounces ; and
ships had left, at the date of the last advices, with
more than a million and a half sterling on board.
The new " diggings" at Owen's Creek, 180 miles
from Melbourne, were said even to surpass former
discoveries. In the City there is still a
general talk about the Bank of England, on
Thursday next, further advancing the rate of dis-
count, and the discount brokers are allowing 2 per
cent. for money on " call"—a proof that, tempo-
rarily, at least, there is more want of accommoda-
tion. Should the Bank put up the rate to 3, as
its Lombard-street competitors are asking 24,
large sums now kept idle, in anticipation of
such enhancement, would no doubt be imme-
diately brought into play, and thus immediate
relief would be afforded, for it is impossible
to believe there can be any real scarcity of cash,
when the Bank has so much in its vaults, or when
discounts are but 2S per cent. The monied interest
has been shorn of its profits materially of late, and
naturally makes an effort to increase them when
occasion serves. In this sense the sooner 3 per
cent. is charged the better, because an end will be
put to further doubt, the exchanges will rapidly
advance, and 'money will flow in rather than be
withdrawn for more profitable employment else-
where. With good harvest prospects there would
appear to us to be scarcely a chance of money here-
after ruling dear. The glut of gold will ultimately
bear down every effort of the monied interest, and
though we may regret such an issue if speculation
be encouraged, we cannot feel surprised at, nor can
we imagine, any means of averting it. The second
best thing that can be done is to direct the specu-
lation into the safest channels.

At Hamburgh last Friday, the rate for bills on
London was steady at 13 2. Gold was at 424.
Stocks were firm, but Railway Shares depressed.
Bills on Amsterdam, Petersburgh, and Frankfort
were in much request. The supply on other places
was large. There was no change in the value of
gold. Discounts were 21 to 3 per cent. Colonial
produce and grain were both dull.
The English funds were looking heavy at the
commencement of business, but are better since.
Consols for transfer have been quoted 99i and
for account 99/ having been rather sellers since
at 991, and being now buyers at that price. The
New 3i per Cents. realise lon Bank Stock is
worth 224 k to 226. Exchequer Bills are worth
60s. to 645. premium, and India Bonds 775. pre-
mium.

The Foreign Market is still rather heavy. The
Spanish Certificate, however, is an exception, being
up to 5 and 51. The New Deferred Stock is worth
22i to 23. Portuguese Small Bonds are at 40i.
Mexican have been 23/ to and Grenada De-
ferred 12 to /.
The Committee of Spanish American Bondholders
received this morning, by way of New York, the
subjoined letter of Mr. Mocatta, their Commissioner
with the Ecuadorian Government, dated—

"Guayaquil, Ist Dec., 1852.
"In my last respects I informed you that I fully
anticipated sending you something definitive ; but not-
withstanding my repeated urgent applications to H. E.
General Urbina, I have only at a late hour obtained
a letter from him, of which I send you a copy—you will
perceive that I am promised to be enabled to remit you
by the ensuing steamer satisfactory accounts, in which I
shall use every effort not to be disappointed."

Here follows the translation of the President's
letter mentioned above :

" Guayaquil, let Dec. 1852.
" My worthy friend and sir,—"Lhe unexpected arrival
of the mail from the north urgently requiring the de-
spatches to go forward by the steamer, which, as you
will be aware are of great importance, and having
at the same time received a Cabinet messenger
from New Granada, that equally requires my
immediAe attention—all this prevents me to give
you an official reply to your esteemed communication ;
but, so soon as I have discharged the pressing duties
which this day has brought me, I shall feel great pleasure
in writing to you, that you may be able to send satis
factory accounts, by the next packet, to your consti
tuents.—l am, &c.,
(Signed)

"J. M. URBINA.

"To E. Maeatta, Es.q."
Railway Shares have continued heavy with
limited sales.
Gold Mine Shares are better than at the close
last evening.

Australin Agricultural Shares are very buoyant
at advanced rates.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(From the Official List.) _

Business done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities..... ......
3 per Cent. Console Annuities
New 31 per Cent. Annuities..... ...... ..
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 7-16 i
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6l
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO 77
Consols for Account 10th February o9i i i
Exchequer Bills lid. March. Juno.
£1000
£5OO 64 60
Small 6l 64 60

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent J -
Ditto 3 per Cent BO
Grenada Bonds, Deferred,
Mexican 3 per Cent
Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent —
Ditto for the Account 621
Portuguese 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto 4. per Cent.
Ditto Small ' lO3l
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Sp nish Bonds, 3 per Cent 47 6/
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent 22 3 2i
Spanish Passive (Converted) 54
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 54 5 p e
Swedish Loan 2 d
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852 par
Venezuela Bonds 31 per Cent.
Dutch Exchange 21 per Cent B6 x d
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates.....,....

Consols
Ditto February Account

THREE O'CLOCK.
99
993

STEAM NAVIGATION OF THE DANUBE.

We learn with great interest, from a perusal of the
Pesth. Gazette, the almost incredible extent to which
mercantile investment has been increased in the south-
east of Europe, in consequences of the security afforded
by the restoration of peace and order in that portion of
the Continent.

The Danube Steam Navigation Company having en-
gaged the services of some of the most experienced men
of the age, and employed them to travel through both
Europe and America, in search of every improvement
which could be made available in the furtherance of river
navigation, are now foremost in the great work of inter-
national trade, to which we must look forward as the
surest pledge of future peace and prosperity.
The fleet of this company already consists of 85 steam
vessels of the collective power of 9,517 horses, together
with 300 flat-bottomed cargo vessels. These are actively
engaged in the transport of passengers, goods, and cattle,
on the DRnube and its tributaries, and are under the
most perfect system of arrangement and supervision.
The vessels are almost entirely constructed of iron,
and have been built at the company's own building yard
at Alt-Ofen, where upwards of 2,000 men are in con-
stant employment. _

The sEeaiia machinery is from the workshops of the
most celebrated London and continental engineers, and
that which is described as being most pre-eminently well
adapted for the peculiar service of a river, abounding, as
the Danube does, with shoals and bars, is from the fac-
tory of Messrs. John and Alfred Blyth, of London.
The engines supplied by this establishment are of 100-
horse power, and have been fitted on board the Gonyo
and Waitzen, and are described as having imparted
to those vessels more speed than has been ob-
tained from smaller vessels with engines of 120
,and 150-horse power, made by other engineers of
eminence. The speed of the cargo vessels has been
re-ddered by these engines equal to that of the swiftest
rdassenger vessel on the river. The company have given
extensive orders to the same engineers for other ships
now building, and have promised to have six other ves-
sels with engines by the same makers in operation early
in the present year.

Mesirs. Blith have already supplied dredging-ma-
chines, which are at work on the Danube, excavating
-the shallows of the stream; and to the great success of
these efforts may be ascribed the high expectations which
-the Danube Steam Navigation Company entertain, that
ere long the river navigation will, under their auspices,
present all the regularity and speed of railway travelling,
combined with that safety and comfort which the supe-
rior accommodation of steam-vessels alone can afford.

THE . RECENT ALARMING CORD FRA UDS IN

THE CITY.

MANSION-HOUSE -(THIS DAY.)

This morning, Mr. Robert Ferdinand Pries, who has
been charged with extensive frauds under circumstances
detailed in evidence on a previous occasion, and who has
been for the last week under remand, was again placed at
the bar before Alderman Sir R. W. Carden, Bart.

Mr. Ballantine appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Wontner for the defence.

Mr. Dallantine having explained the form in which he
proposed to conduct the proceedings said, he intended to
produce a vast number of bills of lading and bills of
acceptances, all of which were forgeries. It was most
fearful to contemplate the vast amount of fraud that had
been committed.
Mr, Freshfield stated that, although Messrs. Collmann
did not appear to prosecute, having been defrauded to
the extent of 50,0001., a circumstance which had com-
pelled him to suspend their payments ; those gentlemen
were, however, present to give any information that
might be in their power with reference to these gigantic
frauds.

Huggett, the detective officer who apprehended the
prisoner, said that since the last examination he had
served upon the prisoner, as well as upon his wife, calling
upon the former to produce certain documents, and upon
the latter a letter addressed to her by the prisoner, in
which he stated that he was an impostor, and that he
was about to put an end to his existence.

Mr. W. F. Ingelow said he had seen the letter ad-
dressed to Mrs. Pries, alluded to in the notice which had
been served upon that lady.

Objection to the production of this document was
taken by Mr. Wontner on the ground that it was not in
the possession of the prisoner. A lengthened argu-
ment ensued upon this point.

Sir R. W. Carden said he should not allow any legal
quibble to interfere with the full investigation of the case,
and as it was not produced he should allow secondary
evidence to be taken.

Mr. Ingelow proceeded to say that he made a
memorandum of the contents of the letter soon after he
read it, and it was nearly as follows :---(e My dearest
dearest Matilda, —When you have got over the first
shock, you will be better without me. Teach little
not to hate the memory of his wretched father. 0 God !
by what a chain of circumstances have I been led to do
what I have done. lam an impostor, a swindler, and a
forger. I shall take the quickest means of putting an
end to my existence. (Signed) Yours, R. F. PRIES."
Mr. Thomas Young examined—l am a lighterman,
waterman, and granary keeper, carrying on business in
Thomas-street, Horsleydown, in partnership with Mr.
Brown. I have not had transactions directly with
the prisoner. When goods are consigned to my
warehouse, they are removed by a delivery order
from the person landing them. The goods would
be in the name of the party who entered them.
If a changa of property took place during the time the
goods were in our possession, it would be necessary for
the person receiving the order to present it to us.; and if
we were satisfied the goods would be transferred to a
new name in the event of such a request being made,
such person would be enabled to obtain from us a docu-
ment verifying that fact. We should hold ourselves
responsible to the person to whom we had given the
transfer. These documents (produced) are not signed
by me, or by my authority. (The documents professed
to bear the signature of the house with which Mr.
Young is connected.)

Mr. 11. Turk, merchant, a partner in the house of
Collmann and Co., said—l have had large transactions
with the prisoner. Those documents (produced) I re-
ceived from the prisoner in November last. The names
of Young and Brown were then attached to them, but
what was written across was not on them then. I ad-
vanced large sums of money upon them. I gave then
up to the prisoner upon his promise to pay the advances
that had been made upon them, which was to be esti-
mated at 30s. on each quarter of corn. The prisoner
said his object in regaining the documents was to obtain
advances from other parties. Witness produced a large
bundle of forged transfers, all of which he said were
deposited with him by the prisoner.
Witness continued—The total amount advanced upon
them was 51,0001.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wontner—Since the 31st of
December prisoner has paid 21,0001.

Re-examined by Mr. Ballantine—After deducting that
amount, 51,0001. still remain due to our establishment
from the prisoner.
Mr. 13allantine said that would be the case on ono
part of the evidence.

Mr. Schulzff deposed that on the faith of those forged
bills of lading, ho had advanced several thousands of
pounds.
The case was then remanded for a week.