The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 27, 1853.

sworn testimony of a person who, although unfor-
tunately for himself the inmate of a debtor's pH-
, son, is still a man and a gentleman, and whose
assertions, if unfounded, could be so easily and
completely rebutted. But Mr. POULTON'S ovi-
• deuce was not unsupported. It received a de-
plorable corroboration in the attenuated and
worn frame that was lying in its coffin before the
jury. The mute witness, WILLIAM JONES, whose
testimony was sealed with his last breath, was
more convincing than any that could be brought
forward—even if bearing the proudest title
that could be bestowed on a subject. If, there-
fore, Lord H. CHOLMONDELEY had been as distinct
and precise in his statements as he has really been
vague and unintelligible, we could not regard the
question as decided. A more stringent and
searching investigation, conducted by parties who
had previously been totally unconnected with the
L transaction, and who might therefore be supposed
• to be free from bias or prejudice, might be re-
• quired ; and until the report of such disinterested
; and impartial judges had been obtained, the pub-
lic might be called upon to suspend their judg-
ment. But that is all. The greater the differ-
ence the more decided the issue knit between the
parties, the more imperative that further inquiry
which has been, demanded, and which cannot be
refused.
But let us ascertain what is the real value of
the statement attributed to Lord H. ClloustoN-
DELEY. The Noble Lord, it is said, " took occa-
sion to deny the truth of the statements, made at
a recent Coroner's inquest in London, respecting
cruelties practised in Winchester Gaol. Lord
PALMERSTON had sent down one of the Inspectors
of Prisons to make inquiry. He went over
the prison with himself (Lord CHOLMONDELEY)
and Mr. TAYLOR, and had expressed himself per-
fectly satisfied, and Mr. WILLIAMS told him that
he might state that the whole was an unfounded
charge !" He also endeavoured to cast a slur on
the conduct of the respected and experienced
gentleman by whom the inquiry at the Queen's
Prison was conducted, by adding—" He must be
allowed to express his surprise that a public officer
like a coroner, should have felt it to be his duty
to read and make use of an anonymous letter,
when there could be no one present on behalf of
the visiting justices to answer it." Now Mr.
PAYNE requires no advocate to defend him as to
the manner in which he discharges the duties of
his situation. If Visiting Justices were as much
beyond blame as that learned gentleman—if they
brought equal knowledge, intelligence, and im-
partiality to their bench, we might have been
spared many unpleasant commentaries. It evinces,
however, a strange degree of ignorance on the part
of a nobleman who has for so many years occupied a
a prominent position among Justices that he should
suppose a Coroner could receive no testimony incul-
pating parties who were not present before him !
Strictly speaking, it is only as amere favour that the
Coroner receives a suggestion on the part even of
a prisoner. Besides, the anonymous letter was
only referred to for the purpose of directing the
inquiry into the suitable channel. The facts
which excited the astonishment of the Coroner, and
the indignant recommendation of the Jury, were
established on oath, in strict accordance with the
rules by which such proceedings have from time
immemorial been regulated. The envenomed
shaft which he aimed against Mr. PAYNE has,
therefore, recoiled against himself with double
forge, and inflicted a heavy blow on his Lord-
ship.

But, revenons au nous moutons. What is the
contradiction which he really intends to offer ?
We do not desire to take any advantage of his
generalities. The statement was that there
was a man named WILLIAM MILLAR, who had
been 40 years in Winchester Goal, and was over
seventy-five years of age. Does he mean to
say that there is no such person, or that
the account of his prolonged incarceration is alto-
gether fabulous. If so, we have the confession of
the Chaplain acknowledging 39 years' imprison-
ment. Does he mean to assert that there is not
a bye-law to the effect that, if a debtor do not
settle his debt or make application to the Insol-
vent Court, within fourteen days, he is to be
removed to what is termed " the convict prison ?"
Does he ignore " the D wing uuder the felons'
gaol ?" or can he assert that the miserable inmates
are 'allowed to obtain any animal food, .or to
receive from friends, or purchase for themselves,
any additional comforts to thoqe allowed by the
prison regulations ? Is the dietary of a richer or
more nutritious character than that detailed by
Mr. POULTON ? or what is the nature and amount
of the allowance given to the prisoners ? or can

he contradict the assertion of the efficient madical
officer of the Queen's Prison, that " the diet was
certainly too low for an able-bodied man ?" These
are the statements that have excited the public
indignation, the truth and accuracy whereof Lord
H. CHOLMONDELEY has taken upon himself to
deny. Does he dare to repeat that contra-
diction clearly and explicitly, so as to have

.•
the issue decided by an impartial tribunal ? If so,
let the investigation take place openly, not in the
gaol itself. Let it be by a party who has not for
many years tolerated the iniquitous system, and
passed it sub silentio ; and above all, let the Judge
not be prompted or eartvigged by a pair of the
magistrates who have framed these horrible regu-
lations. Under such circumstances a denial may
be satisfactory, but not otherwise. We cannot
forget that the Birmingham Magistrates attempted
to defend the cruelties of Lieutenant Ausurr—that
they declared in their report that they had found
him " faithful, energetic, and painstaking in the
discharge of his difficult and laborious duties."
We cannot, then, wonder that Lord H. CHOL-
MONDELEY should follow the precedent, that he,
likewise, should attempt to veil the iniquities prac-
tised in the Winchester Bastile. He cannot, how-
ever, do so. He cannot keep down the natural
excitement created by these harrowing revelations.
Nor will Lord PALMERSTON be induced to suppress
the inquiry, which, if Lord H. CHOLMONDELEY
credit his own statement, he himself and his
brother Magistrates should be the first to demand,
and without which their honour cannot he satis-
factorily vindicated.

The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, accompanied
by the Earl of Dalkeith and the youthful Ladies Scott,
have arrived at Rowhill, Selkirkshire. Lord Walter
Montague Scott is on his passage to India with his regi-
ment, the 52d Light Infantry.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Brabant and Count of Flanders, accompanied by his
Excellency M. Van de Weyer and suite, honoured the
establishment of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell, of New
Bond-street, with a lengthened visit on Tuesday, the
25th inst.

COLOSSEUM.— Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and
Duchess of Brabant and the Count of Flanders, attended
by the Count and Countess de Lannoy and Baron Prisse,
honoured the Colosseum by visiting it yesterday.
The Princess Nicholas Esterhazy has rallied within
the last few days, at St. Leonard's-on-Sea. Dr. Sey-
mour continues his attendance on her highness.
INTEREST ON EXCHEQUER-BILLS.—It appears from a
late return that in the year ended the sth of January
last the interest paid by the Government on Exchequer.
bills amounted to 403,652/.
ROYAL MARIONETTE THEATRE. This neat little
theatre was never put to better account than it is just
now, under the very able management of Mr. Simpson.
The promenade concerts given here every evening are of
a very superior description, both as regards the taste
shown in the selection of the music and the skill of the
bd s fter ewnetd performersuponthem ;paronvdes the
the patronage so
in whichso
bounteouslythey
are held by the public. In addition to the Hungarian
Baud, whose execution is marked by great delicacy and
precision, and whose praises have been sounded far and
wide, there have lately been added various other attrac-
tions, which cannot fail to be highly acceptable to the
frequenters of these concerts. Among them we may
mention the Misses Brougham—two fine girls of pre-
possessing appearance, and with voices of large compass
but still of great sweetness—who sing with a brilliancy
and finish that always brings down loud applause ; Miss
Josephine Braun, from Dublin, a vocalist who pleases
by her easy and effective manner of singing; a Hun-
garian, bearing the almost unpronouncable name of Herr
Toybraijrre, who, with wonderful nimbleness, plays some
pretty airs on a
• peculiar kind of instrument called the
Zither Hongrois, which, as to tune and shape, bears
some resemblance to a harmonicon ; and the Brothers
Distin, whose performances on silver Sax-horns are o I
themselves sufficient to repay a visit. From this list we
have omitted M. de Valaderes, said to be an East Indian,
and who exhibited an astonishing degree of skill as a
violinist. The selection of instrumental music consists

of polkas, quadrilles, mazurkas, and pieces from the
operas of Ler Freiscltutz and La Sonnambula. Alto-
gether it is a novel and elegant musical entertainment ;
and as the cheapness of admission places it within the
reach of the humblest, we have no doubt it will become
one of the most popular of the day.

NEWMARKET RACES.

(THIS DAY.)

(BY ELECTRIC TELEOR,APH.)
SWEEPSTAKES OF 10 SOVS. A.F.
Jack the Giant Killer
Braxey
Hobbyhorse
HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES for 2-yr-olds. D.3/I,
Blanchie f
Sis. to Aphrodite
SELLING HANDICAP.

Nell Gwynne
Winter
Six rail.
MATCH.—Pharold beat Invasion.

LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE.
NURSERY STAKES.
sto 1 agst Duchess of Lorraine colt (taken).
Bto 1 agst Brother to Little Swift.
10 to 1 agst Hermitage (taken).
DERBY.
7to 1 agst Autocrat.
9to 1 agst King Toni.
4to 1 agst Scott's lot.
OAKS.
9to 2 agst Meteora (taken to 1,0001. 6to 1
• previously taken heavily).
10 to 1 agst Sortie (taken).
CHESTER CUP.
1000 to 20 agst Muscovite and Defiance coupled.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

A courier left Paris yesterday morning for Mar-
seilles, where the Fury is waiting to convey him to
Constantinople. He takes despatches from the
French, and, it is said, the English Government,
and also from the Turkish Ambassador to his Go-
vernment. It is rumoured that, perhaps, the re-
cal alluded to yesterday may be comprised in the
despatches for the French Ambassador.
A Queen's messenger, with dispatches for Lord
Stratford de Radcliffe, left Paris yesterday, for
Marseilles, on his way to Constantinople.
The Moniteur announces that the two Cabinets
have dispatched orders to their respective fleets to
pass the Dardanelles, and that by this time they
will have anchored in the Sea of Marmora.
The Moniteur also contains an article on the
Eastern question which it declares has entered a
new phase. In the fifth paragraph the Emperor,
sensible, it says, that peace is the lasting interest
of the people, has given his solemn assurance to co-
operate cordially for the preservation of the peace
which Europe has hitherto enjoyed ; but, it adds,
that peace would be wanting in an essential prin-
ciple if it ceased to be based on the balance of
power necessary to maintain the rights and secure
the interests of all. The last paragraph runs
thus :—" So many circumstances united in favour
of a cause which is that of all Europe, allow us to
regard the ultimate issue with a feeling of security
and confidence."

The Emperor received, on Tuesday, at Com-
piegne, a deputation from the iron-masters of St.
Etienne. The Emperor and Empress, as already
stated, are to return to Compiegne this day. In a
few days their Majesties will set out for Fontaine-
bleau.

It is affirmed that the French Government is de-
termined to give great importance to the affair of
M. Wieseluse. It is even said that the High Court
is to be convoked on the occasion.

The Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, and
Public Works, has addressed a circular to the Go-
vernment engineers, in which he recommends them
in their operations to pay the greatest possible re-
spect to private property—not taking possession of
any without having obtained all the necessary au-
thorisations and observed all due formalities—and
carefully refraining from committing any needless
injury on property which they may require to oc-
cupy temporarily. The circular recommends also
that the engineers of companies that have obtained
the concession of public works and of railways shall
act in the same way.
A serious accident took place yesterday morning
on the Versailles railway. In consequence of a rail
breaking, the train which left Versailles at 7 o'clock
for Paris, went off the rails between Courbevoie and
Asnieres. The train ran with great violence
against the iron columns of a bridge, by which
three of the carriages were upset, and two of them
dashed to pieces. Three passengers were mortally
and nine very dangerously wounded. Many others
received contusions. The subsequent trains were
delayed for an hour beyond their time.
Three individuals were convicted before the police
court of Paris, on Tuesday, of having exposed for
sale portraits of the Count de Chambord, the Prince
do Joinville, and other members of the Bourbon
family, without the authority of the Government.
They were each sentenced to imprisonment for one
month, and to pay of 300 f.
The Atlantic squadron, composed of four ships of
the line, two steam-frigates, and a steam corvette,
sailed from Cherbourg for Brest on the 21st inst.
The Bourse was animated to-day, and there was
a considerable amount of business transacted. The
Three per Cents. opened at 72f. 50c., fell to 72f.
20c., rose subsequently to 72f. 75c., and closed at
72f. 65c. for the end of the month, being a rise of
25c. as compared with the closing price of yester-
day. The rise is attributed to the inability of
many of the speculators to deliver the stock sold
by them, and to the announcement that Consols
had improved in London. The Four-and-a-Half
per Cents. closed at 98f. 90c. ; Orleans Railway
Shares, 1,150 f. ; Rouen, I,ooof. ; Havre, 475 f. ;
Great Northern, 840 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 897 f.
50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 892 f. 50c. ; Lyons to the
Mediterranean, 722 f. 50c. ; Western of France,
685 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 575 f. ; Great Central,
513 f. 75c. ; Shares of the Bank of Credit Mobilier,
692 f. 50c.

sian troops have been withdrawn from Little Wal-
lachia. Prince Gortschakoff seems thus to invite
the Turks to cross the Danube at that part of the
river. The Russians, it is asserted, would have no
objection to fight a battle near Bucharest, before
the winter sets in.

The Debats says :—" We have received a letter
from Galatz of the 14th, written by one of our
friends, who had descended the Danube from Pesth,
on his way to Constantinople, on commercial affairs.
As he was passing on the 11th before Routschouk,
a Turkish fortress on the Danube, the aide-de-camp
of Omer Pacha, who had been to Giurgevo on the
Wallachian bank, to notify the declaration of war,
had just returned to the fortress, after having
passed eight days in the head-quarters of Prince
Gortschakoff. After the delay of 15 days fixed by
the summons of Omer Pacha, hostilities would com-
mence on the 11th October of the Greek and Rus-
sian calendar, which is 12 days behind ours—the Ist
October of the Russian corresponding to the 13th of
our calendar. The Russian troops were occupying
in force the little town of Giurgevo (opposite Routs-
chouk), and were entrenching themselves there.
Letters differ greatly as to the force of this corps
d'armee. Some estimate it at 15,000 men, and
others at 30,000. In Wallachia great terror
was felt at the expected passage of the Turks.
The Turkish camp is opposite Giurgevo. There
were there a good many irregular troops who
inspire great terror. The weather continued to be
magnificent. The serenity of the sky and the dry-
ness of the ground would permit the armies to make
a campaign before the winter. There was a large
Russian camp near Galatz, on the Lower Danube.
The strong places of the Turks along the Danube
appeared to be in a good state and well armed.
That of Routschouk was specially remarked on
account of its imposing aspect. It is the centre of
a corps d'armee. The town is seated on a steep
bank by the side of the river, and the ramparts
crown the summit. At the brink of the river is a
series of low batteries. Round the town are seen
the tents of the Turks, which are of a green colour
in b.orour of the Prophet. The coup d'ceil is very
picturesque. It is pretended that the Hungarian
General Klapka commands this corps d'armee, or
one of its divisions. It appears that the Turks
protect themselves on the Bulgarian bank, and
keep watch with great vigilance. All along the
bank there are posts and sentinels or vedettes
with near them a pole, from 15 or 18 feet
high, surrounded with straw or rushes steeped in
tar, and destined to be set on fire in case of alarm.
The fires would be lighted in the event of a move-
ment of the Russians, and the signal would spread
rapidly on all the line. The vedettes shelter them-
selves under a covering of branches, holding their
horses by the bridle, and with their lances stuck up
before them ; they have also poles by which to
give an alarm. All these vedettes belong to the
regular cavalry. Besides the posts and the vedettes
of the bank, there are others on the road, having
also signals prepared. This system of vigilance is
very well regulated, and things appear to be on a
very good footing at Routschouk."

A letter from Berlin of the 23d, in the Cologne
Gazette, says :—" The English ambassador has
presented two projects of arrangement, which do
not appear to have any chance of success. One of
them proposes to submit the decision of the exist-
ing difference to the Great Powers, and in case of
the refusal of Russia, to a Sovereign appointed to
'arbitrate. The second declares that the Four
Powers give, by the interpretation of the Vienna
Note, a complete guarantee to the Sultan that
Russia shall not draw from the acceptance of the
Note the consequences apprehended by the Porte.
Hitherto there have not been any conferences
on the subject, and the declaration of the Porte
appears to have rendered every ulterior step quite
useless."

The Post Ampt Gazette contains a letter from
Bucharest to the 12th, which says :—" Two days
back the Russian colours and troops received the
benediction of the church in the camp, as is the
custom when
_a war is about to commence. All
the generals holding commands have left the town,
with the exception of Prince Gortschakoff, for their
respective posts. On the 9th the pontoon equi-
page set out in the direction of the Danube. There
are 50,000 Russians here, which will give an idea
of the masses of troops on the Danube. Prince
Gortschakoff has officially acknowledged the re-
ceipt of Omer Pacha's letter, replying that there
was no need of all the time which had been al-
lowed, which circumstance would seem to prove
that the Prince was in possession of full instruc-
tions for the case of war being declared."

COPY OF AN ORDER OF THE GRAND VIZIR, TO BE MADE
PUBLIC TO THE INHABITANTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE,
EYOUB, SCUTARI, AND GALATA.
The acceptance of the propositions, as made by Rus-
sia, and which are known to all the world, relative to
the religious privileges, would not only have been an
infringement of the sovereign rights and independence
of the Ottoman Empire, but would be the immediate
source, as also, in the future, of all sorts of preju-
dices—from which God preserve you ! Russia has
assumed a menacing attitude by making such im-
mense preparations for war.
As regards the Sublime Porte, whilst taking on its
side measures of precaution and defence, by sending
troops to the Imperial frontiers, to Anatolia, and Rou-
melia, it has at the same time, in compliance with
its system and pacific principles, exhausted all the
means of negotiation, and proposed a moderate
arrangement, and made every effort for the preserva-
tion of peace—at all times a cherished and sacred
object—but all was of no avail ' • and finally the Rus-
sian army crossed the Pruth, and has invaded the pro-
vinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, hereditary provinces of
his Majesty the Sultan. Notwithstanding this state of
things, the Sublime Porte had recourse to intermedia-
tion, with a view to reconciliation, in the interest of the
maintenance of peace, but it has not been possible ; and,
in consequence, a National Council was convoked by
the Porte on the 22d and 23d of the month of Zelludge,
composed of the Sizirs, Caserkers, -Enemas, military
chiefs, and other functionaries, and the question was
examined in all its bearings. It being clear and evident
that as the Court of Russia declines to accept an ar-
rangement to which the Sublime Porte can adhere, the
peaceful solution of these differences is not possible ; it
being known to all the world that it was Russia who
violated all the treaties by invading the Ottoman terri-
tory ; and the promulgation of such a state of things
being hurtful, it was unanimously decided to place our
confidence in divine aid, and in that of our Holy
Prophet, to undertake war, and order the troops to
move. This decision of the council was confirmed by a
Fetoa of the Sheik-ul-lelant, a fetoa which it was thought
proper to put into execution ; and a report to that effect
ha iing been laid at the foot of the throne for the ordari of
tLe Sultan, the decision of the general council was sanc-
tioned by a Hata-Sheri:A and the whole made known to
the Caserkers of the divisions of the army in Roumelia
and Anatolia, and to all the inhabitants of the empire,
by the publication of firmans. Therefore, you also will

convene the Imams of the districts, and you will say to
them that as it is Russia which gave rise to this affair,
and that as it is on her that the responsibility will fall,they
must address prayers to the God of Battles for the triumph
of the Sublime Porte and of the Imperial troops, and
we enjoin them to pray incessantly and with fervour

- -
for the success of our cause. And at the same time
you will make it clearly understood to all, that as this
war is a war against a Government which, without the
slightest reason has violated the rights of the indepen-
dence of the Ottoman! Empire, the amicable relations
which exist between the Sublime Porte and the other
friendly Powers have not suffered the slightest alteration
in consequence of this situation ; and consequently no
one must be allowed to molest the merchants or sub-
jects of those Powers, nor persons professing a different
religion, as regards their life, honour, and property ;
and no one .shall be allowed to molest them in any
manner whatsoever, for the law protects the life, the
honour, and property of every class of subjects, and of
Rayahs' as our own; all must be treated, according to our
sacred laws, in every circumstance, with justice, and
enjoy the most perfect security ; in a word, it is repug-
nant to the sacred law as well as to common sense, as
it has been made known in the past, to regard the
Rayahs of the Sublime Porte, who profess a religion
bearing conformity to that of Russia, responsible for
the conduct of the Russian Government. What that
Government demands, it demands in its own interests,
and to increase its influence. The subjects of the Sub.
ime Porte have enjoyed for centuries the religious pri.
vileges accorded to them by the Ottoman Emperors,
under the special protection of the Sublime Porte ; and
t hose privileges acquire daily additional strength and
reater extension. They are aware that the pretence of
.
the Russian Government to take them under its protec-
tion would only tend to weaken them.
You will make it well known to all men that one of
the external causes of the triumph implored is that all
classes of his Highness may live together in harmony ,
that none should molest or humiliate another ; and that
all shall endeavour to live in perfect union, and serve
their common country.
If from negligence, ignorance, or ill-will, any
one
should act in opposition to these legitimate orders, he
shall be severely punished.
All the above dispositions were decreed in the general
Councils recently held. You will therefore have a care
that no one shall act contrary to the above orders.
This sth Manharem, 1270 (Bth October, 1853).