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. Jelin Macgregor.
The Hon. A. KINNAIRD briefly stated the circum-
stances attending the arrest 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 Madiai, 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 lordship, 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 manages., 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 AllSTRALlA.—Thelpartures 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 ; 6/. per ton is being paid for
measurement goods to Port Philip and Adelaide, and for
a vessel now laid on for the former port, 8/. 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.—Atheneum.
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, 1,666/. 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 500/. 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
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ROYAL NAVAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—Yester-
day the quarterly general court of the
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confirmed,
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13s. ld., and that the expenditure was 3,622/. 10s. 54d.,
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 36,1951. 12s. 2d.,
of which 1,2881. 10s. was invested last year. These
statements were confirmed, Lord Waldegrave was elected
acceptedlßAßANQUETis
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T oTizA m
thatß 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
AMERICAN
AhMNr a vote of thanks to the
chairman.
the invitation to a public dinner at Birmingham, and,
according to present arrangements, it will take place
next Friday. His Excellency is expected at Ferry-hall,
the seat of Lord Calthorpe, to-day. M.
IngersolllNlsTß AhTa s BIRMING-
HAM.—ItriN a-
H