The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-17 00:00:00

DECEMBE
MI

Caucasian accents—" On every sacred day you read
to the people the exploits of Jewish heroism, the
proofs of Jewish devotion, the brilliant annals of their
past magnificence !"

We have on several occasions directed the public
attention to the loose \ and inefficient manner in
which prosecutions are frequently conducted, and
which, in many instances, has led to the total failure
_ .

of justice, and the escape of the parties accused from
the punishment due to the crimes of which no doubt
as to their actual guilt could exist. Another illus-
tration of the absurdity of the present system was
yesterday afforded at the Central Criminal
Court, on the trial of the prisoners charged
with the murder of the late Mr. BELL-
CHAMBERS, and although the law was vindicated,
and a conviction had against two of the parties,
the result does not in the slightest degree affect the
argument .as to the impolicy of affording such
chances of impunity to persons accused of so heinous
•an offence. The able and talented advocate who was
accidentally present, and who, when the prisoners
had actually been given in charge to the jury, so that
there was no longer the possibility of any postpone-
ment of the trial, consented, at the request of the
Court, to conduct, the prosecution, was placed in a
most unfair position. The case was one mainly de-
pendent on circumstantial evidence, of all others the
most difficult to unravel, and to place in a propei
light before the jury. Everything depended on
the due connexion of the several links of the
chain, and‘ any break, howevery trifling, must
have ended acquittal of the prisoners.
It is unnecessary to say that the eminent counsel
engaged most ably and effectively discharged the
onerous duty he had taken upon himself, and that
every material fact contained in 'the depositions was
elicited and fairly brought before the Court ; but the
Learned Gentleman was unable to detail these various
facts in the first instance, or to show their connexion
the one with the other. He was obliged to state to
the jury his utter ignorance of the circumstances of
the case, which he was compelled to collect from the
several depositions, and to arrange on the spur of the
moment during the course of the proceedings.
The want of a properly instructed counsel on
behalf of the prosecution was no less unfair to the
jury, and even to the prisoners themselves. The jury
were deprived of the usual history of the case, which
is ordinarily given before the witnesses are produced.
They were obliged to discover the bearing of the se-
veral facts, to connect them together without any
assistance or explanation previous to the Judge's
charge. They, perhaps, lost the opportunity of put-
ting questions, which might have been of the greatest
importance; and it is possible that a certain degree
of prejudice might have been thereby excited against
the accused. The address of an advocate is like
a two-edged sword—it cuts both ways : if the
case is clear it tells with powerful effect
against the parties on whose guilt or innocence
the jury are to pronounce their verdict, the various
parts of the case are skilfully arranged, and so dove-
tailed into each other as to clearly establish the truth
of the accusation. On the other hand, any deficiency
of evidence, any failure of proof is much more easily
detected from such a statement than from the answers
of the witnesses, which the jury must follow with the
closest attention. The presiding judge, too, is in a
certain degree changed into a counsel for the prose-
cution, and obliged to urge the points bearing most
hardly upon the prisoners in a stronger manner than
might have been the case if they had previously been
commented upon by the counsel. Such observations
comicg from the judgment-seat, have much greater
weight than if they proceeded from any other quarter,
and thus the case for the defence may be seriously
prejudiced.

It is not our desire to cast any censure upon any
of the parties to whom we have alluded, or to express
any opinion respecting the guilt or innocence of the
unfortunate men now under sentence of death. It is
the fault of the system to which we have alluded,
which permits the onus of the prosecution
to rest upon private individuals in place of devolving
upon a public prosecutor; whose duty it should be to
act in every criminal case on behalf of the Crown.
The injury to the party aggrieved is merged in the
outrage on society. It would not be competent for
any but the Chief Magistrate to extend pardon to the
offenders; nor should it appear as if motives of
revenge had anything to do with the punishment that
might be adjudged. But so long as private prosecu-
tions are not only sanctioned, but rendered almost
imperative from the neglect of the authori-
ties, such will appear to be the case, and
the cause of public justice will be seriously
injured. The practice in Scotland as to the mode of
conducting criminal investigations is in every respect
superior to that adopted in this country ; and we
trust that its speedy introduction will prevent the
constant repetition of such neglect as that to which
we have just alluded.

Lord lthrrro had a private audience of the POPE on
;he 10th.

The Diario of Rome announces the death at the
convent of Sainte Marie, in that city, of Mgr.
FRANCIS O'FINAN, of the order of the Preaching
Brothers, Bishop of Killaloe, in Ireland.
By a recent decree of the King of SARDINIA, the
entry and departure of vessels to and from ports of
that kingdom, and the Custom-house operations con•
sequent thereon are henceforth to be allowed to take
place on Sundays and holidays, as well as on other
days, This reform is considered of great importance
to commerce.

Madrid journals of the 9th have arrived. The ad-
dress of the Deputies in reply to the speech, had been
presented by Senor Mow. General AdIETLER had
arrived in Madrid.

MADRID BOLSA, DEC. 9.—The Three per Cents.
26i for money, 271-16 at 50 days; Five per Cents.
at 15i at 50 days ; Debt without Interest, at 41 for
money.

We have received the Paris papers of Wednesday.
On Tuesday the grand Reform banquet of the
electors of the 14th arrondissement of the Seine, took
place at St. Denis. Eleven hundred electors sat down
to dinner. MM. LAYSTERIE, ODILLON BAEROT, and
nine other Deputies were present. The health of the
KING was not proposed, but the toast to the Sove-
reignty of the People, which was substituted for it,
was drank with enthusiastic plaudits.
The Union Monarchique says, that the Emperor of
RUSSIA, has at length consented to give to M. DE
KISSELEFF, the title of Minister Plenipotentiary at
Paris, and that in consequence the Marquis of DAL-
MATIA (the son of Marshal Souur) will be ap-
pointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia.
According to the Presse, M. GulzoT has deter-
mined to recal M. BOIS LE COMTE from Switzerland.
In the same journal we find the following extract of a
letter from Berne, dated 10th instant :
" I am informed by a person in a high position that
Sir Stratford Canning said to his Excellency the Presi-
dent of the Diet, at their interview yesterday, that he
was charged by the English Government to remit to him
a note conceived in the same terms as those of France,
Austria, and Prussia ; but that, as it had been ill in-
formed as to the state of Switzerland, he deemed it pro-
per to suspend the delivery of the note until he had re-
ferred to his Government."

PARIS BOURSE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15.—The
Bourse has been to-day rather flatter than yes-
terday, with but a moderate share of business doing at
prices rather below the quotations of yesterday's close,
the last call for Threes being 75f. 25c., both for cash
and account; Fives; 116 f. 30c., for cash, and 116 f. 60c.
for the end of the month; and New Loan, 76f. 35c. for
the latter period. Railway Shares have been freely
offered to-day, and what transactions have taken place
have been at prices rather below the closing quotations
of yesterday.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 16.
Dutch Rhenish, 23'—Northern of Fresco, 11%—Or-
leans and Bordeaux, sN—Paris and,kLyons, 5%.

DEATH OF SIR JAMES WILLIAMS, KNIGHT.—
This gentleman, who filled the office of Sheriff of Lon-
don on the occasion of the coronation of George IV.,
when he was knighted, died on the 15th inst., at his re-
sidence in Kentish Town, aged 81. He was formerly
an eaten:sive paper manufacturer.

English ..
Irish
Foreign

3,860

Beasts,
1,515

LLOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, DEC. 17.—Wind S.S.E., light breeze, and
dull hazy weather, with drizzling rain.
DEAL, DEC. 16.—Wind S.S.W.—Arrd. Alexander
Baring', Wilson, Calcutta ; Richmond, Greecgrass,
Algoa Bay.
FALIiIOUTH, DEC. 16.—Wiad S.S.W., fresh gales.—
Sld. Seagull packet, Madeira, Teneriffe, and Brazils.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 15.—Wind S.S E. to S.S.W.—Arrd.
Susan Lord, Chadbourne; New Orleans ; Mountaineer,
Carey, Pugwash; Montezuma., Little, Quebec; Acadia
steamer, Boston, with 80,0001. on board ; Hettinguer,
Barsley, New York, with 30,0001. dollars in spathe. Sid.
Fame, Rio Janeiro; Columbus, Pernambuco; Nueva San.
Franziac, llavannah; Choice, Jamaica; General Terry,
Boston.

STAOMNESS, DEC. B.—The William, Newcastle to
Dublin, went on shore yesterday at Yesnaby, and will
probably become a wreck ; one boy drowned.
KILLYBEGS, DEC. 14.—The Vigilant, of Glasgow,
Sligo to Westport, put in here yesterday, with fire beet
water in her hold, having struck on Anghross
BELFAST, DEC. 15.—The Ganges, Smith, of and from
Liverpool, for Now Orleans, is riding inside the South
Rock Light, with both anchors in a dangerous position,
having mistaken the light. It is blowing a gale at S. to
S.S.E., but is now more moderate. The Isabella, of Port-
ferry, Liverpool to Newry, is on shore near Gunner's
Island, and expected to become a wreck.
FALMOUTH, DEC. 16.—The Warrior, Beynon, from
London to Gibraltar and Marseilles, put in here last
night with jib-boom carried away, fore-topmast sprung,
cutwater and rigging damaged, loss of sails, bulwarks,
&c., having been in contact at two o'clock A.M., in
lat. 49, lon. 6, with the French brig Emma, Berthon,
from Galatz to this port for orders, which vessel, it is
feared, sank with five of the crew; the master and re-
maining three men saved themselves by getting on board
the Warrior.
HELSTONE, DEC. 14.—Some planks, and other parts
of a vessel, marked in yellow " Savich," have been picked
up biro. .
• ••• • - •
ST. IVES, DEC. 14.—Part of the crow of the Sove-
reign, from St. John's, New Brunswick, towed into
Scilly yesterday, waterlogged, has been landed.
BRISTOL, DEC. 15.—Several casks of wine were passed
off Ushant on the 12th instant, also several boxes of
oranges off Lundy Island on the 13th, by the Ides,
Quick, arrd. at Bristol.
LLANDupLo, DEC. 15.—The Asciduca Palatine, which
was driven on shore in this bay 7th instant, is a total
wreck; much depredation has been committed on her
cargo by the country people.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 16.—The J. H. Adami, for Ha-
vannah, has put back leaky, having been on shore on the
coast of Ireland. The Venus, of Jersey (fruit laden),
has been spoken 65 miles S.W. of Tuskar, with loss of
boat, bulwarks, jib-boom, topmast, and sails, by the
Mountaineer, Carey, arrived here.
ST. IVES, DEC. 14.—A Scilly ,pilot boat this morning
brought in five of the crew of the Sovereign, from St.
John's, New Brunswick, last from Cork, timber laden,
which put into Scilly yesterday, water logged. Memo-
randum—The above account is supposed to relate to the
Cumberland, of Shields, which was towed into Scilly
13th inst., waterlogged and abandoned.
DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN, DEC. 16.—The schooner
Maria, Williams, of Portmadoc, from Newcastle, in
pulling into this port lath inst., struck against the quay
several times, and made a great deal of water. She is
now repairing.
ABERDOVEY, DEC. 14.—A mast and main boom, ap-
parently belonging to a sloop, sunk after striking on
Sarn Bivch Reef, are to be seen projecting from the water
about two miles from the shore. 15. A ship's compass,
and the stern sheet, and seat of a large boat, the latter
painted, with two half circles in black, have been picked
np near there. -06,"
WATERFORD, DEC. 15.—The captain of the Specu-
lator, Williams, arrived here from Newport, reports that
be saw a brig sink off the Smalls, yesterday, and also
saw two boats leave her with crews, and as he could
render them no assistance, fears they were lost.
WARREN POINT, DEC. 15.—1 t blew a heavy gale
yesterday and last night from S.W., and still blows
heavily. The Marchioness of Bute, Binning, from
Liverpool to Mobile, on shore at Cooley Point, is full of
water; crew saved.
SHIELDS, DEC. 16.—The Orion,' Robertson, from
Yarmouth, which put in here 7th inst., leaky, and with
pumps choked, discharged part of cargo, found the defect
in the pump-well, and sailed to day for Leith.
WHITBY, DEC. 16.—The Cleveland, Skelton, of this
port, from Shields to Carthagena, struck on Whitby
Rock last night, but proceeded without any apparen
damage.

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.)

CORN EXCHANGE.-FRIDAY.

A full average quantity of English Wheat, viz., 5,270
quarters, having arrived this week, coastwise, the. stands
to day were fairly supplied with samples. Still, how-
ever, the finest parcels of both rid and white coin
mended a very steady demand, and Monday's advanced
rates were well supported. The middling and inferior
kinds were a slow sale, but not cheaper. The imports
of foreign Wheat have been again small. The best
qualities were quite as dear, but other sorts were neg-
lected. Fine Malting Barley, the supply of which was
small, sold at very full prices. Grinding and distilling
sorts were held at late rates. The demand for all kinds
of Malt was steady, but we have no actual advance to
notice in value. The Oat trade was steady, at full cur-
rencies. Beans and Peas were heavy, but Indian Corn
and Meal were inquired for. Flour moved off steadily,
at extreme figures,

Whast.

ARRIVALS.
Barley.

5,270 qrs. I 7,010 qrs.

Malt. 4,920 (11:11.
SMITHFIELD,
The supply of Beasts on offer was seasonably exten-
sive as to number, but very deficient in general quality.
On the whole, the Beef trade was steady, and prices,were
mostly supported. As, however, there were no extraor-
dinary good animals in the market, as was the case on
Monday last, the highest figure for the best Scots, &c.,
did not exceed 5s 4d per Sibs, at which a good clearance
was effected. There were on sale only 68 Beasts, 180
Sheep, and 42 Calves from abroad. With Sheep we
were fairly supplied, while the demand was somewhat
inactive, at barely the late advance in the quotations. In
Calves only a moderate business was doing, at unaltered
currencies. Prime small Pigs sold freely, otherwise the
Pork trade was dull. Milch Cows moved off slowly at
from 14114 s to 181 each, including their small Calf.

Oats. I Flour.
460 qre. I 4,450 $lO.
2,560 I --
4,010 1 --

Per Sibs. to si
s. d. to e. d.l
Inferior Beasts..... 3 6 310 1

Second quality •• •• 4 0 4 6
Prime large Oxen— 4 8 410
Prime Scots •• ••• • 5 0 5 4

ink the offal.

s. d. to s. d .
Second quality ditto 4 2 4 6

Coarse-woolled ditto 4 6 5 0
Southdown \i ether 5 2 5 4
Ditto eut of the wool

Large coarse Calves 3 8 4 f, Large Hogs ...• •• 4 0 4 6
Prime small ditto .. 4 8 410 Small Porkers ... • 4 8 5 2
Suckling Calves 20 0 29 0 Quarter old Pigs ..18 0 25 0
'nferlor Sheep .. • 3 8 4 0 Lambs •••••• • • • • 0 0 0 0
SUPPLY AT MARKET.
I Sheep. I Calves. I
Pigs.
5,270 137 340
NEVTGATE AND LEADENHALL.
We had a steady trade here this morning at very
1111 prices.

At per stone by the Carcase.

s..d. to s. d. I- ------
s. d. to s. d.
Beef,lnferlor. •..•• 2 10 3 4 1 Mutton, interior •• 3 2 3 4
middling .... 3 6 3 8 middling— 3 6 3 8
primelarge .. 310 4 0 prime •... 310 4 6
prime small .. 4 2 4 4 Pork, large •• • • .... 3 8 4 8
Veal• •••••.• .. 3 8 4 6 small .• • • .... 4 8 5 2

Lamb, Os Od to Os Od.
BOROUGH HOP BIARHET.
Selected parcels of new Kent Hops are in good re-
quest, at a trifle more money. In all other kinds, both
old and new, next to nothing is doing, and in some
instances the quotations are almost nominal. The
supply on offer considerably exceeds the demand :
Sussex Pockets, 21 ifs to 31 3s ; Weald of Kent ditto
31 to 3110 s ; Mid and East Kent ditto, 3/ 5s to 5110 s.

CRIMINAL COURT .-(THIS DAY.)
- - - -------

OLD COURT

Before Mr. Justice WI6IITMAN, Mr. Commissioner

BULLOCK, and Mr. Alderman Gums.)
THE MURDER OF MR. BELLCHAMBERS.—Thomas
Doyle, 7'homas Davis, and John Lloyd, were indicted for
having, in the morning of the 11th of October, in com-
pany with Sale and M'Coy, committed highway robbery
upon Mr. John Bellchambers.
As the evidence was the same as that upon which the
jury had yesterday acquitted these prisoners of partici-
pation in the murder of the same gentleman,
Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN directed an acquittal i❑ this
case also, and the prisoners were discharged.
THE ALLEGED MATRICIDE OF MRS. SHERIDAN.—

William Stuart Sheridan, aied36,aclerk in the Cor-
responding Department of the Excise, was indicted
for the wilful murder of Mrs. Frances Sheridan, his
mother, by administering to her, at various times, the
poison white arsenic, to the amount at least of twenty
grains.
Mr. BODKIN conducted the case for the prosecution,
and called
Miss Kate Sheridan, who deposed that the deceased,
who was sixty five years of age, and the widow of an
officer, was entitled to a pension of 481. a year, which
was paid quarterly, by a Post-office order from Dublin.
Besides this income she received au allowance of 641.
a year from the prisoner, in payments of 81. every six
weeks, out of his: salary, which was 1301. or 1501. a
year. This was paid in pursuance of a stipulation
made by the late Sir John Mortloek, the Commissioner
of Excise, who gave him the appointment. The pri
soner always paid with reluctance, and had continual
and
quarrels with his mother. He expressed a wish
efioirire.euhfin,oerr.
death, that he might be released from the pa
also f em sustaining a policy of insurhaanceontyh
5001. in her favour. The witness detaile
i h
heightstances a ofwe
ethose f
before
quarrels, ,
mother's
which
death,a when attained
the latter
.
their
was taken ill with symptoms which induced witness to
accuse the prisoner of poisoning the mother. Ile made
no reply. As his mother lay ill he would not got go
into the bed-room tosee her, except once, when he
only said " Good night, mother." Some days before
her death he wrote to Ireland, to direct that the post-
office order for 121. should be made payable to him, and
not to his mother; and on the day of his mother's death
he cancelled the policy of insurance.
Cross-examined by Mr. CLARKSON, for the prisoner

(6 habit jot drinking. Could not ca, e‘;le
saw her the worse for drink. Could was unable to name a day for any o
she had stated, unless it was tha e
SO badly. He trampled on her
health s-he was ordered to drink wine.
hat shedid not get drunk with' brandy
day when her mother died. Did not
her sister, Mrs. Johnson, lying drunk
the front room. Did not think that
, Mrs. Silvester, remonstrated with her
been ill for a fortnight before her mother's
death. Sir John Mortlock was dead three years, and
the prisoner notwithstanding, continued the allowance
to kis mother. [At this time the witness 'complained
of being faint, and Mr. Justice Wightman allowed her
to retire for a while.]
Mrs. Johnson confirmed her sister's statements gene-
rally.
(The trial was proceeding when our report left.)

(YESTERDAY.)
MURDER OF MR. BELLCRAMBERS.—George Masi, •
wine cooper, Thomas Doyle, labourer, Thomas Sale, cooper,
aril Thomas Davis, tinman, were indicted for the wilful
murder of John Bel'chambers, on the 11th of October
last, in Westminster.
There was another indictment for the same murder, but
omitting the name of Thomas Doyle, and including that
of John Lloyd, modeller, instead, with the three other
prisoners. They are all young men, the eldest 25, the
youngest 17.
No counsel was engaged to conduct the prosecution,
but Mr. Clarkson, at the request of the Court, exa-
mined the withesses from the depositions. Davis,
Sale, and Doyle were defended by Mr. O'Brien, Mr.
Charnock, and Mr. Parry; and 3`Coy
and Lloyd were
undefended.
The several witnesses who appearu'd
before the
ma-
gistrate, and whose evidence has been at:.eadY reported
at great length in The Sun, repeated their .te!stimn °147h3
and the confession of M'Coy, which appearea
Sun about ten days since, was put in and read.
The Learned CotiNsEL for the prisoners Sale an,
Doyle addressed the jury, and argued that the evidence'
was quite insufficient to convict them of the offence
alleged against them, and it was particularly impressed
upon the jury that whatever weight they might attach
to the letter written by M'Coy, with regard to his owns
share in the transaction, that it was no evidence
against any of the other prisoners, and ought not in. ,
any way to affect the decision of the jury with regard
to them.

Mr. PARRY was about to address the jury for the
prisoner Davis, when
Mr. Justice WIGBTMAN said that he and his Learned
Brother considered it was unnecessary for him to do so;
as they thought there was not sufficient evidence against
him to go to the jury; and they were also of the same
opinion with regard to Lloyd.
M'Coy, on being called upon for his defence, said that
he could say nothing more than that everything he wrote
in the letter was true.

Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN summed up the evidence
against the remaining prisoners.
The jury, at the suggestion of the Learned Judge,
before they retired, acquitted the prisoners Lloyd and
Davis, and then proceeded to deliberate with regard ter
the others. They were absent for nearly an hour and a
half, when they returned into court and inquired of the
Learned Judge whether, supposing three persons agreed
to commit a felony, and, after it was committed, a blow
was struck which caused death, whether they would be
all guilty of murder in the eye of the law ?
Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN said that would depend whe'
ther they should be of opinion that they all resolved
beforehand to commit the robbery at all hazard.
The jury deliberated for a short time, when they re•
turned a verdict of Guilty against Sale and M'Coy, and
Acquitted Doyle.
The prisoners were called up for judgment, and
The Learned JUDGE, after observing that there could
be no doubt that they had committed the murder im-
puted to them for the most base object, that of acquiring
the property of the deceased, and that he certainly con-
eurred with them in the verdict, sentenced them to be
executed, and did not hold out any hope of a commute•
tion of the sentence.

The prisoners heard the sentence with perfect indif-
ference, and Sale said he considered he had not had a
fair trial. M'Coy also left the bar declaring ths be
was innocent.

ELECTION NEWS.
STOCKPORT.
DEFEAT OF THE TORY CANDIDATE.

The polling commenced yesterday morning, and
continued with much vigour throughout the day. Up
to two o'clock Major Marsland had the lead of Mr.
Kershaw, when the latter obtained a majority. The
following is the official declaration of the poll:
Kershaw
Marsland
Majority for Kershaw — 27
The Mayor therefore declared Alderman James Ker-
shaw duly elected.

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