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LONDON, FR/DAY EVENING, MAY 6, 1853.

NEW. WORK BY .TEL AUTHOR OF. " SAM SLICK."
Early Next Week, in 2 vols., 215., bound,
SAM SLICK'S WISE SAWS
AND MODERN INSTANCES ;
• Or, WHAT lIE SAID, DID, or INVENTED.
Hurat and Blackett, Publishers, successors to Henry Coll urn,
13, Great Marlborough-street.
Orders received by all Bookiellers.

THE LATE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.

of the circular of 1847. Their promotion was a great
injustice to labourers who had done duty as sawyers,
and who, having been displaced, weie, according to the
practice of the yard, entitled to expect the vacancies.
It was in. oonsequence of these appointments that be
wrote to Sir Baldwin Walker the letter of the 27th of
April, an extract of which had been read, and the rest
of which was as follows : •
_

The committee resumed its inquiryand
esterday, find,
judginge
wee
Seymour
interest
t.dmi
Duketnwhb: eehut
oiirhoefaahntr
Northumberland,
the i d a
ph
rc
ee e
ee
ds
hasn d behind
excited the
under-
goes bar,
L
happy
yd tao al et
tttenrd
awhichtany intimatinght ien danreceived
from the Duke of Northumberland, intimating that his
the committee any information in his power.
Captain' Richards was then called, and his examina-
nhittaehtTe
shu9iaertds
hdßabyo.efe
WalkerVAl
ur
teil, shbd2y; r
ect
ghHoand statedadtinenAdmiralty,
complaining
lietygo wrote,fw aa the
eel io:us ner
sletterefernot
n
rsued
e
stating that if it was persisted in, the order of the 10th of
February, 1847, might as well be consigned to the tomb
of "all the Caplets." Afterwards, Captain Pelham pro-
cured him an interview with the Duke of Northumber-
land, and his Grace assured him that he had never heard,
and did not believe, that he (Captain Richards) had ex-
ercised any political influence, and that he was satisfied
he devoted himself to the good of the service. His
Grace further desired him to come to him or Captain
Pelham whenever he wished to do so. He saw Admiral
Hyde Parker afterwards, and was then informed by him
that it was the first time he also had heard of the accu-
satioes, and that he did not believe a word of it.
The statement that he was a political partisan would
be heard with astonishment at Chatham, and he
challenged Mr. Stafford to the proof of what
he had asserted. He was on intimate terms with
Sir Frederick Smith, and both he and Sir J. Stirling
dined together at his (Captain Richards') table
during their canvass. Ridgway had been several
times before him, and in fact he had little difficulty in
describing him as the worst leading man in the yard.
He (Captain Richards) was astonished to find that Ridg-
way was on the Conservative side at Chatham, having
previously tried to make inteqst with Sir Francis caring
through the-ailig partyat WiAsmouth. His promotion
was an entire departure from the circular of 1847, which
equired that promotion should not take place without a
recommendation from the superintendent, and should
not be prompted by political influences. Sir Frederick
Smith's canvass of Chatham lasted for several months,
and he (Capt. Richards), on being told by Sir Frederick
that he was going to stand, said to him, " I wish you
luck, but I can't give you the least help." He had never
sought his appointment to Chatham, and never was more
surprised than when he received it ; and in order that
there might be no misconception as to the manner and
terms in which that appointment was made he put in
evidence the portion of Sir F. Baring's letter which he
had not read on his previous examination, as it might be
considered self-laudatory to do so :
" (Private.)
" Admiralty, April 26, 1849.
"My dear Sir,—l have this day received the account of
Sir T. Bourchier's death with much regret.
" This leaves Chatham-yard vacant, and it is an impor-
tant yard.
" From what I have heard and seen of you, it will give
me much pleasure if it should suit you.
" I shall feel satisfied that I have placed an important
duty in the hands of one who will perform it to the advan-
tage of the public service.
" There must be one understanding—that you will not
meddle with politics. I make this understanding with op-
ponent and friend, and I do not think you are likely to
publico bjec t tsoe
ray
iccoenald iotni oen._wyhicourh
swt ill lu oblige you
Ft o. 108 oßknit
Go
2t,h e
He had never in his life applied for a political favour,
and had never received any, and his appointment to
Pembroke Dockyard had been obtained from Lord Auck-
land's applying to Sir W. Parker, whose flag captain he
then was.
The witness then read some further correspondence
that had taken place between him and the Admiralty
with regard to the appointments, and in answer to Lord
Seymour, in explanation of certain words in one of his
aso u ta-
ls
dt tee r
as , saidde ektyhaerrde ahs
ao
llowoakyesd a upslovnarma odfocpkeyrsaornds
species of property in which they had a right, and ex-
pected nominations to appointments. He (Captain
Richards) had complained about the promotion of
Ridgway, as he had been reported as inefficient from
irregular conduct. If it had been stated that Ridgway
had been reported because he was a Tory or a Conser-
vative, it was not so, and he would distinctly say, in
answer to what Mr. Stafford had said, no political in-
fluence was used against him in the yard.
Sir B. Hall—How did Cotsell perform his duties ?
Captain Richards thought him a very good master
smith—as good as was to be found in the dockyards.
Sir B. Hall—Do you remember Mr. Stafford being in
the yard with Sir Frederick Smith l
Captain Richards explained that he was absent when
Mr. Stafford came, and met him immediately after be
left. He expressed his regret at not being there to re-
ceive him, to which Mr. Stafford replied that he had been
se much engaged with Lord Derby he could not give
him notice.

"DeN.Tonport, April 27, 1852.

" A wholesale nomination to vacancies has this morning
come, I fear without strict reference to necessity. I cannot,
forbear expressing a hope that • the discouragements so pe-
culiarly, attaching to your important position may not only
not disturb you, but rather lead to a determination to we:l.
tiler a storm that. cannot continue, arising, as I yet chari-
tably hope, out of an inability to understand the disastrous
professional consequences that inevitably belong to the
sacrifice_of your great department to the emergencies of a
political struggle. I should be indeed happy to find my
apprehension ill-grounded, and still more so that we have
the certainty of your continuance in a post so universally
approved.—Believe me always yours most truly,

_ _
" G. A. Siimoun."
The vacancies thus filled up had been reported by him.
but not as requiring to be supplied. If that was wanted
the surveyor would make a representation to the effect
that it was so.

At this point in Commodore Seymour's examination
;lie committee adjourned till to-day, at 11 o'clock.

THE CASE OF ABORTION AT CLAPHAM.

Yesterday, Chas. Cunningham, alias Smith, de-
scribing•himself as a surgeon, of Slough, and James
Thompson Currie, of Norfolk-street, Fitzroy-square,
also describing himself as a surgeon, were charged,
with George Thomas, a chemist, of Leather-lane,
Holborn, at the Lambeth Police-court, with being
concerned in various degrees in an "attempt to procure
abortion. In justice to the profession, it should be
stated that neither of the two first-mentioned defendants
is connected with any one of the corporation of legally
qualified' practitioners of medicine in England.
The former examinations of the prisoners have been
reported in our columns. On this occasion the victim of
the practices charged upon the prisoners was in attend-
ance to give her evidence.

The first witness called was,
Mrs. Ann Morden, of Ely-place, Holborn, who stated
that she was the mother of Eliza Morden, the prosecu-
trix. She did not know that her daughter was enciente
until after the proceedings out of which this charge
arose. The Rev. George Campbell Gordon came to
lodge at her house in the month of March, 1851, and
remained there a lodger until last Saturday week, when
he left, and he had not taken away any of his things.
Mr. Gordon is about fifty-five years old, an unmarried
man, and a curate of the parish church of St. Andrew's,
Holborn.

The next witness called was Eliza Morden. She
looked younger than the 22 years which were assigned
as her age, and gave her evidence with much clearness.
She stated that she was at present staying at the house
of Mr. Holcomb, 4, Stockwell-road, Private-road,
Clapham. She knew the Rev. George Campbell Gordon,
who was curate of St. Andrew's, Holborn, and who
lodged at her mother's house in Ely-place. In the
month of September last, said the witness, an improper
intimacy took place between Mr. Gordon and myself.
In consequence of my state a lodging was taken for
me at Hackney in the month of December, and a
medical man (Dr. Gillett) was called in to see me. At
that time I was not conscious I was in the family
way. Afterwards I sent Griffin, an old servant of
my mother's, to Mr. Mullins, a chemist in Leather-lane,
Holborn, to get some pills, describing to her my irregu-
larities. When I sent Griffin out I did not tell her to
go to Mullins's shop in particular. I did not mention
any shop, nor did I suggest the name of the prisoner
Thomas. At that time I had not heard it. The next
night, in consequence of what the witness Griffin told
me, I went to Mullins' shop myself; and there I saw the
prisoner Thomas. I asked him if he was the gentle-
man that a female had been to see about a young per-
son. He said "yes," and asked me to walk into the
surgery behind the shop. He felt my body and my
stomach, and told me I was in the family way. He said
that be had got a friend who would put me all right. I
asked him what I should have to pay, and his reply was
"10/." At that time nothing was said as to whether I
was married or single. I did not say to him that I was
in the family ivay. I did not believe it till he tolthme.
I said 101. was a great deal of money to give, and I did
not know whether I should be able to get it or not. He
said he should see his friend, and desired, me to call
again.
Mr. Norton—You have stated that the first time yoii
had improper intimacy with Mr. Gordon was in Septem-
ber. Can you state the last time when this occurred.
Witness—Not for a month before I left home, and
from my home I have been three weeks.

Witness (in continuation)—On the following Monday,
or two or three days afterwards, in the evening I think,
I saw the prisoner Thomas at the shop in Leather,lane.
He told me had seen the gentleman, and " he would do
the job for the 101." He did not say what he was to do.
That was all that passed. He did not mention the name
of his friend at that time. I was told to call ; and,
though no time was mentioned, I did call again in a day
or two afterwards. I think it was in the evening. I
told tha prisoner Thomas that I was not quite right.
He asked me if I lived at home. I told him I lived
with my mother. lie did not ask me my name, but he
gave mo a bit of paper with Dr. Smith's (Cunningham's)
address upon it. That paper I have lost, but it stated
that Dr. Smith could be seen from ten to twelve o'clock.
at Dr. Currie's, No. 10, Norfolk-street, Tottenham-
court-road, near the Middlesex Hospital. I went
to Mr. Smith's address and asked for him. On doing
so I saw the prisoner Cunningham, who came out from
behind the counter. The shop was a chemist's shop,
and the prisoner Cunningham asked me if I was the
young person Mr. Thomas had been speaking to him
about. I said yes. At this time I think Mr. Currie
was in the shop, but I can't say that he heard me ask
for Dr. Smith, nor whether he was near enough to helr
what had been said. The prisoner Cunningham—alias
Smith—said to me, " Go into the surgery," and I went.
He pulled down the blind and was going to examine
me, but he would not do it without the money down.
I told him I had but two pounds, which I took out of
my purse and placed on the table. He said he could not
give his advice until he had the 101. down. I said I had
not got it with me, but that I had got it at home, and I
asked him if he could arrange to come down to my lodg-
ings at four o'clock the next day. Before this I had
asked Mr. Gordon for the money, and Mr. Gordon gave
me the 101. I called again at the prisoner Currie's, and
saw a female, and asked if Mr. Smith was at home. The
female said no, but called Dr. Currie. I asked him if
Dr. Smith was at home. He replied in the negative,
but that any message that I left he would deliver to
him. Accordingly I left a message for Dr. Smith to
call on me at my lodgings. He came, and I gave him
the 101. He told me to lie on my left side on a sofa in
the room, and I did so. He used some instrument
under my clothes. A full quarter of an hour elapsed
during the operation ; but during the operation, in which
both the prisoner's hands were engaged, I felt something
going round like a worm or a corkscrew. There was
not any particular pain. He told me to bear it patiently,
and after half an hour I got up. He asked me how I
felt. I said pretty well, and then he left. He came again
every day for about a week. I never saw the instrument,
but I believe he used it every time he came. On each I
occasion that he came the operation was the same. I
lay on my side every time, and felt a pain, a short pain,
when the instrument was used. At the end of the week
he said he was quite satisfied that everything was done
that he could do. A week after this I went home to my
mother's, where I remained about two months. In that
time I frequently saw Mr. Gordon. I told him I was
not in the way I should wish to be. He said he would
write and ascertain if Mr. Smith would see me again. I
called two or three times at the prisoner Thomas's, and
he said he should forward any letter or message to Mr.
Smith, and eventually I wrote a letter to Mr. Smith,
and gave it to Mr. Thomas, making an appoint-
ment with the former to meet him at No. 24, Essex-
street. Strand, a lawyer's. There I went to an empty
room at the top of the house, is company with a Mrs.
Cornelius, who is sister to Mrs. Holcomb, in whose
house I now live. The prisoner Smith came to us to the
empty room, and then again performed another opera-
tion on me the same as before, and with an instrument.
I felt a similar pain.
Mr. Norton—What perform an operation in an empty
room ! Was there no furniture of any sort in it ?
Witness—Only a carpet and a sort of couch, or
sofa bedstead. I lay on the latter, with my face to
the wall. He then told me it was "polypus," and
used the instrument as before. He told me I must
get away from home for a week, and desired me
to take a lodging, and in consequence I got the lodgings
where I am now staying. It was on the 11th of April
that I was in the empty room in Essex-street, and on
the Tuesday following I went to Stockwell. After get-
ting my mother's consent to go to Mrs. Holcomb's I
wrote to the prisoner Smith requesting him to call on
me at my new lodgings, and left the letter at Thomas's,
requesting him to forward it. Thomas inquired what
Mr. Smith had said about me, and I said " a polypus."
Smith called on me on the day I removed to Stockwell,
and he then used the instrument in the back parlour at
Mrs. Holcomb's, while I was in the same position as
before, with my face to the wall. By his desire I had
first locked the door and pulled down the blind. He
came again on the Wednesday and Thursday, and ap-
plied the instrument as before. On the Friday and
Saturday he brought me some powders, which were
taken in water, and were very nasty to the palate.
They were of a greyish colour, and gave me great
pain in my stomach, and so I told Mr. Smith,
On the Tuesday or the Wednesday he used the instru-
ment again, but did not say anything about the pow-
ders. On the Saturday I felt very ill indeed, and sent
for him to the lodgings he had taken at Stockwell. He
came between seven and eight on the Sunday morning,
and inquired how I was, and I said, "Very ill." He
replied that the "pains were coming on." He came
again in the middle of the day, when I told him I
felt much worse, and he said, " It will be soon over."
He came a third time in the afternoon, and re-
mained sitting at my bedside two or three hours.
On Friday and Saturday he wished me to get up, but
the pains were so great that I could not do so. On the
Sunday evening, when my mothor arrived, Mr, Smith

Sir B. Hall—Did you hear if Mr. Stafford had gone
round the yard with Sir Frederick
Captain Richards had asked no questions, for he did
not think it proper to inquire of the officers what the
Secretary of the Board of Admiralty had been about.
Sir B. Hall—When dockyards are within the limits of
a borough, do you think, looking to the efficiency of the
service, that the men should have no vote ?
Captain Richards thought the service would be mate-
rially advantaged thereby, but still the influence of rela-
tions who had votes would be brought to bear on the pa-
tronage of the yards. They would be placed in the same
position as tho Excise and Customs. The best way, how-
ever, would be to carry out stringently the views of Sir F.
Baring, and not to listen to any applications that were
not made on public grounds. If people at head-quarters
could be depended on for this the object sought for
would be accomplished. During the last election Sir
James Stirling came to ask him if any of the officers of
the yard were entitled to intimidate voters under them.
He immediately asked for the name of the officer who
had been doing so, and he said he would report him in-
stantly to the board. Sir James Stirling refused to give
it up, and he told him that as he was not prepared to do
so he should not have come to him at all about the mat-
ter. In consequence of that communication he sent for
the master shipwright, and cautioned him to tell the
officers privately that if he caught any of them influenc-
ing the workmen under them he would bring their con-
duct before the board. The master shipwright subse-
quently told him that one officer acknowledged having
done so, but expressed his sorrow, and promised to
desist forthwith. He (Captain Richards) took so little
interest in the election that he did not know the result
till the following morning.
Admiral Fanshawe, superintendent of Portsmouth
Dockyard, was called to show that he had received
from the Duke of Northumberland, through his priLvate
secretary, Captain Pelham, similar instructions to avoid
meddling with politics to those given to Captain
Richards by Sir Francis Baring.
Benjamin Cross, a sergeant of Marines, and tailor to
the force at Devonport, said that he was a voter of East
Stonehouse. Before the last election he had a conver-
sation with Colonel Coryton, who sent for him, and to
whom he was taken by Sergeant Mortimer. He was
shown into the colonel's drawing-room, and saw there
with the colonel, who was in undress military unifoinn,
General Berkeley, and another gentleman. The gen'sral
solicited his vote in the presence of the colonel. He
told him it was too late, as he had pledged for Sirs J.
Romilly. Colonel Coryton said, "I am sorry for it."
Sir B. Hall—Do you know of any other Mariner so
sent for ?

Witness—CorporalßerkeleygainAed htkitnse
w way. A man named Marsh was also sent for, and it
was said had been promised promotion to corporal.
General election n
10 votes. b y
a 31"lar
a majority of
Sergeant Ching, master shoemaker to the Marictes at
Devonport, had a communication made him from Colonel
Coryton through Sergeant Mortimer, of the same kind
as that to the previous witness. He split his vote be-
tween Sir John Romilly and General Berkeley, whitch he
ously would not have done had he not been fearful that sup-
porting the. Whig party alone, as he had previ been
in the habit of doing, would have injured him.
Sergeant Mortimer said that he went for Ching, Cross,
and Atkinson, by. Colonel Coryton's command, bust was
not told why the colonel wanted to see them.
Colonel Coryton acknowledged that he had sent Mor-
timer, as described, on the request of General Berkeley,
who had called and asked to be allowed to do so: Ho
left the room when the men were canvassed, and bad
not interfered in any way. He had given his consent
to what was done without considering that there was
any impropriety in it. •
Commodore Seymour, superintendent of the Deron-
port Dockyard, stated that he received.his appointment
there in September, 1851, in a letter from Sir F. Bar-
ing, of which the following is a copy :
" (Secret and confidential.)
" Ad-, August 26, 18M,.
"My dear Sir,—The accounts which we have received
of Lord John Hay may leave no hope of his recovery 5 in.
c canvassedt
ie
deed I expect by to-morrow's post to, learn his death.. It
makes it necessary for me to make arrangements for• the
dockyard at Devonport.
" The whole working of our system depends on the su-
perintendents in the several yards, and I am anxious to, ap-
point to Devonport an officer who may remain there tome
time, and who will be efficient.
Sheerness since
" I have myself not visited you have
several qua
been there, but I have heard fromquarters on
which I can rely an account a your proceedings. In o ffer-
ing you the dockyard at Devonport I believe I shall do. the
best for the public service in securing the superintendence
of an officer who has shown that he can perform the auty
in a satisfactory manner.
" I need not say that the same condition of non-i:ater-
ference in local politics attaches to every yard, and iC pos-
sible I attach more importance to it at Devonport 'than
anywheream
I been tog to go abroad fora fortnight, and avo,
therefore been advised to write to you_befiosre a vacancy at
arrangements before leaving England. shall be obkiged,
Devonport has actually taken place.l ivhto seta.. my
tioning this communication until hearn further, I am,
therefore, by an immediate answer, and
by your not :men-
my dear Sir, yours very truly, i
"g
F. BARINO."
Previously to his appointment to Sheerness in Novem-
ber, 1850, ho had acquaintance with Sir Francis Baring.
While Sir Francis was First Lord all appointments in
the dockyards took place in a regular manner. On
the 26th of April, 1852, 12 labourers were advanced
without any recommendation from him, and in violation