The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-28 00:00:00

soners had any complaint to make. With regard to the
bulks, there was no one to usk if there e.cre any com-
plaints to be made, and ho one visited them except
the doctor and Mr. Perry. Wes it their object to re-
claim the prisoners, or to make an example of them?
If their object was to reclaim them, why was their
education totally neglected? There were no prayers,
and nothing was done to their spiritual instruction.
The ships received on the average 620 prisoners
every year, and during ail that time the only
Divine service given was on Sunday mornings.
Nothing was d r.e to instruct them—those able to work
went to the arsenal and dockyard in the morning and
returned in the evening. When they were dying they
received no attention. The chaplain seldom visited
them, and their last moments were passed with only
the assistance 'of the other prisoners. There was cer
tainly the great protection of the coroner's inquest to
all individuals who died in prison. With regard to
the conduct of the medical attendant, Dr. Bois-
sey,- he stood there to state that nothing could
be so neglectful as his conduct, fled when he rues
present nothing was more brutal. There was no one
except Mr. Capper, who was appointed by Government
as superintendent of the hulks. He had been in the
situation many years, but his controul or inspection was
not sufficient, and his duties had been left to a nephew
of his, who acted as his clerk or superintendent, and
who was a grocer in the Strand. This parson had
had done the duties which ought to have been performed
by Mr. Capper. He also complained of the system
of control, and the irresponsible power which the
overseers of these ships had over the prisoners.
He could scarcely conceive anything more unjust than a
power being vested in a body to inflict any amount of
corporal punishment they wished ; and what rendered
this more unjust was that there was no tribunal to
which those, who were suffering under the system,
could appeal. He would give one or two instances
of the injustice and cruelty of the system.. There was a
poor lunatic named Hetherington on board the Justitia,
who was ordered to receive several lashes, and was then
ordered to receive several more ; he was then re-
moved, and lie attempted to cut his throat,
but fortunately he did not succeed in doing
so. There were six men who had been brought
up in one case, flogged, and then consigned to the
hospital, where they were necessarily obliged to remain
for a long time, to the loss of the service
in which they were engaged. Referring again to the
Justitia, he would mention the case of another poor
lunatic who had been ordered to receive two dozen.
Those had not been all inflicted upon him
and the officer, whose duty it was to be their execu-
tioner, said to him on seeing him shortly after, "I owe
you three dozen." There was another case of an
unfortunate lunatic who was lying in confinement
in all his filth, his urine, and his ordure.
The Hon. Gentleman proceeded to detail the bad treat-
ment experienced by Mr. Theobald, who also belonged
to the Justitia, and who suff, red from epileptic fits and
great weakness of body. Janis Brandish, a maniac, and
Cooper, a nurse iu the establishment, who had a bad
liver complaint and a bag of matter lying at the pit of
his stomach, also met with the harshest treatment.
Mr. Alderman HUMPHREYS asked if the cases
might not be over-coloured ?
Mr. DUNCOMBE said that he had authority for all
he stated ; and, with respect to the last case, the unhappy
individual declared at his last moments that lie was a
murdered man. Henry Driver, a Milbank pri-
soner, entered the hospital, on the 21st of May, and
died upon the 26th, four days afterwards. W hen he
died he was taken down to the anatomy-room and
dissected, and his entrails were thrown into the river.
When the dissection was over the vacuum was filled up
with flannel, and sewn up in order to await the
coroner's inquest to sit upon it. —(Flear, hear.)
Now he would ask the Right Honourable Gentleman
was that legal, was it not against the provisions of the
Anatomy Act, in which it was provided, that forty-eight
hours must elapse before dissection takes place, and
more particularly so when a coroner's inquest is to take
place. No medical man attends these unfortunate
beings in their dying moments—all was left
to the judgtsent of convict prisoners, for the chaplaiu
never visits she sick. These nurses watch them with the
oyes of hawks, and as soon as life is extinct, the yet
warm body is drawn out and laid upon the floor, when
the bed is ransacked for money, or other articles which
they may have concealed. Now, he would ask, was it
right that these unfortunate creatures should be thus
exposed ? They were entitled to a portion of their
earnings, he did not know how much, but he believed
that is, it was about sixpence a-week, and this was the
prey for which these nurses waited. He asked the
Right Honourable Gentleman had he any idea that
these things were done, or whether they could
exist if there were a proper system cf inspec-
tion. There is a feeling among those unfortunate
creatures that they are allowed to die for the sake of
their bodies for the School of Anatomy. Ho wished
that a return would be given by the Inspector of Ana-
tomy as to the number of bodies that had been sent from
the hulks at Woolwich, and their places of destination.
He would prove that Dr. Bossy, when a coroner's in-
quest was about to sit, went round to the convicts and
told them not to answer any questions which might be
put to them by the coroner or jury, but to
refer them to him (Dr. Bossy) for an answer.
The medical officer had stated, that amongst the 600
persons employed in the hulks at Woolwich, only 11 had
died. But he saw, from the last returns, the number
was stated to be 28, and, from private information, he
believed that it was 41. It was very possible that
future returns ought make a change in this statement,
but it was quite impossible, after what he had stated to
the House, that these returns made to Government, by
the medical officer, could be at all relied on, as re-
spected the convicts at Woolwich.—(Year, hear.) If
they granted him the Committee, and the facts were
proved, which he had alleged in the House that
night, and he would undertake to prove those facts:
if it were granted ; it was quite impossible that this
system could continue, or that the returns of Mr. Capper
could be received by the Admiralty, or that they could
long continue to be received as authentic documents. He
should conclude by moving for the appointment of a Se-
lect Committee to investigate the returns made to the
Admiralty of the number of convicts who had died at
Woolwich. during the last year?
through On the motion being put,
gnahble his to
details,fe
Sir G. GREY said that under the present circum-
Hstloneeoeusr'ablehe Gewnatlsema cineite butththe
he did agree with him, that if there
llew
was any foundation for these details, that they
were quite unworthy of a Christian country. He must
at the same time say that he had made the utmost in-
quiry into the conduct of the medical officers at Wool-
wich Dockyard, and so far as he could ascer-
tain there was not the slightest foundation for
the serious statements which had been made to-night.
The Hon. Gentleman had spoken of corporal punish-
ments. In a conversation which he had with his Right
Hon. Friend the Secretary for the Admiralty, he had
learned that the reports lately given them had only been
one corporal punishment inflicted during the last 4 years.
The Hon. Gentleman had gone over his points without
giving bim any previous notice of either their nature
or details, and, of course, he had come there un-
prepared • to meet the statements of the Honourable
Member. At all events, however, if the Honour-
able Gentleman would supply him with the names
of the parties who vouched for the accuracy of his state-
ment, the Hot. Gentleman might rely upon the matter
being fully investigated. At present, however, he could
not accede to the motion of the Honourable Gentle.
man, and, a:'ter the exaggerated statements which,
it had turned out, a former petition contained
on this subject, he trusted Government would not be
taunted witty refusing Committees in the face of serious
and revolting accusations brought against particular
public officers. It was impossible to speak of Mr.
Capper in other terms than those of high eulogy, as he
had devoted from forty to fifty years of his life to that
department of the Government which had the manage-
ment of the convict establishments. It was the
intention of the Government to introduce a
Bill which would provide for the employment of
convicts under as vigilant inspection as that employed
in the various prisons of the City. If the Honousble
Gentleman would furnish him with the par-
ticulars of the cases which he had stated to
the House, or of others which might come with-
in his owes knowledge, he would institute
the most searching and rigid investigation, but it would
not be well to institute an enquiry unless it
were clear that there were grounds for making
it.—(Hoar, hear.) He hoped ha would allow him at
all events to institute an inquiry in the way he proposed.
He hoped, tin frefore, the House would not accede to the
appointment ,of the Committee which the Hon. Gentle-
man had moved for.
Lord MAR ON attic], as the lion. Member had brough'
forward charg,.is without furnishing his authorities,
(LEFT SPEAKING )
_

of GRAIN and OTHER
CROPS.
TO, THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
SIR,--I send herewith an estimate of the deficiency of
grain and other crops in the United Kingdom for the year
ending September I, 1847.
This estimate is founded chiefly upon the statistical facts
furnished by Mr. Labouchere in his speech of Tuesday even-
ing, the 19th inst. The results are startling, and confirm
the views you :have recently expressed in relation to the dan-
gers- which menace the commercial and monetary interests
of Great Britain.
If the estimate be essentially erroneous, it will be easy for
some better informed correspondent of the Times to point
out the errors; if substantially correct, the sooner the full
extent of the e is made public the better. Forewarned is
forearmed.
I enclose my card.
London, January 25. J. A. D.
ESTDIATE of DEFICIENCY of GRAIN, and OTHER
CROPS REDUCED to GRAiN, in the UNITED KING-
DWI for the YEAR ENDING SEPT. 1, 1847.
Quarters.
1. Ordinary annual deficiency
2. Loss of potatoes in Ireland, value 12,000,0001
to be supplied by grain (a food of double the
cost of potatoes), value 24,000,0001., repro-
9,809,000
sentilg• at 50s. per quarter
3. Loss of oats in Ireland, stated by Mr. Labou-
-5,227,000
there to be one-third the crop, or
4. Lose of pota; tees in England and Scotland, say
one-tenth only the loss in Ireland, or 1,000,000
5. Loss of oats in Scotland and England .
10
_OOOO
6. Loss of barley in the United Kingdom
7. Extra seed for increased cultivation of grain
8. Extra consu. mption of railway labourers

20,627,000

Deduct econonbiie,s made by starvation and non-
feeding of pigs

Total deficiency
Money va,,ae of the deficiency at 3/. per quarter,
8,000,000/.

COWES, JAN, . 27.—The Grant, Warming, from Copenhagen
to St. Croix, w. hich put in here 25th instant, is come into the
harbour to-day to lighten, being leaky,

Mr. Harding rose and said—A case of considerable im-
portance was, he believed, to have occupied the attention of
the magistrates, but he understood that the solicitor for the
prosecution intended to apply for a remand. He (Mr. Hard-
ing) appealed for the prisoner, who .00d charged with ob-
taining Looney to the amount of 3,0004 upon false preterces.
He had looked over and considered ..e grounds upon which
a remand of the prisoner was askel, he must admit that
he thought them sufficiently strong to justify the magis-
trates in taking that course. lie would theretore consent on
the part of the prisoner that the further hearing of the case
should be adjourned until Frhiay.
Mr. Rollason intimated his assent, and the prisoner was
remanded accordingly.
Proceedings hove seen adopted with the view of mil
Mr. Gomm a bankrupt, but great difficulty is found in ak
theg attempt to establish an act of bankruptcy. In the meantime
parties, in a condition, are selling off the prisoner's ava'lable
effects, and it is feared little will be left for the remaining
creditors.

SANATORY REGULATIONS.
The Corporation of London are determined to adopt
the strongest measures to secure the observance of
sanatory regulations. In the Court of Aldermen held
some days ago, Sir James Duke made some observadons
founded on the emphatic representations of Doctor
Lynch, in the Court of Common Council, on the state of
the lanes and alleys of the extensive district of Farring-
don Without ward. The following letter was transmitted
by the clerk of the Commissioners of Sewers to Sir
James Duke, in consequence of the remarks made by
that Alderman, urging the necessity of making efforts
for the protection of public health :
f Sewers-office, Guildhall, Jan. 15, 1847.
Sir,—l am directed by Mr. Deputy Peacock, Chair-
man of the Commissioners of Sewers, to signify to you
that he has seen in the Times newspaper of Tuesday last,
a report of some observations made by you, in your place
in the Court of Aldermen, on the preceding day, refer-
ring to a presentment made by the inquest jury of St.
Dunstan, relative to some old houses in Fetter' lane, it
which you are made to state there was abundant me-
dical evidence to show that the densely crowded slate
of the neighbourhood, and the want of sewage, produced
fever to an alarming extent, to which the presentment
alluded.'

"The Chairman desires me to draw your attention o
the fact that within the last four years alone the Commis
sionors of Sewers have expended about 20;00/. in the
construction of sewers in the ward Farfingdce Without,
and that they are proceeding in that work carefi:sly and
steadily. They have reason to believe that upon in-
quiry, but very few places in that ward will b^ f-und to
be without a sewer. But the Coalman directs me to
say that upon finding ai-,y such pla.e, however remote,
in which a public sewer can b 3 constructed, which at
present has it nut, if you will be gc,:l enough to attend
the Court, as a Commissioner, or ot:)erivise point it oat
to the Commissioners, their immediate attention wit! be
given to remedy the grievance as far as possible.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient
servant, 6•J`)SEPII DAW, Prin. Clerk."
The most firm hopes of a strong support of the efforts
of Government to improve the health of the vast popu-
lation of the metropolis are entertained, in coos!oquence
of the prompt attention paid by the Committee of Sewers
to the subject of complaint.

,LAMENTABLE MORTALITY IN A LIVERPOOL SIIT.P.—
The barque Old England, 600 tons regi:.:er, Captain Juseph
White, from Shanghae to Liverpool, with a cargo of tea,
insured for 100,000/., put into Cork a few days as., seven
months since she sailed feorn Shanghae. When at sea three
months an inveterate scurvy broke oat amoneet the crew
and disabled them. Captain White made sail er St. Helene
but before arriving there four of the crew had died, and
were buried at rea, and on the day of al. ival the bootswaie
expired. Captain White, havinee landed tee tree in a
dying state, took on board some Porzugaese, and again put
to sea. The working of the vessel Licem St. Helena to Cork
devolved upon the captain, first mate, and second mate. Sea-
men were shipped in Cone to work the vessel to Liverpool.—
Liverpool Courser.
ISLE OF ELY.—MARCII CORN MARKET.—Fridcy
act, was the opening day for establishing a corn market at
March. Notwithstanding the unfavooroble state of the
weather, there was a full attendance of .arireis, and several.
Cmoetri
se
ihdaenr
at sb
Iferoginu
aan
tdiitsiteaseoc, and
fegrai others
aof h
re sho
I,tvne, neighbourhood.
oeoadt
1,169 qrs.; Oats, 665 qrs.; Beans, 172 qrs.; Barley, 35 qrs.
A slignt check to the transactions of business occurred at
starting, owing to the farmers endeavouring to establish Cie
practice of not allowing disco-ant on the purchases; ulti-
mately, however, the farmers gave way, when a fair pro-
portion of grain changed heeds. We are authorised to say,
that in future the farmers attending this n'arket will concede
the diecount on all purchases by the merchant.—Cambridge
Advertiser.
On Tuesday evening, between the hours of seven
and eight o'clock, a man, having the appearance of a well-
dressed mechanic, was observed by some passers by to walk
deliberately to the shop front of Messrs. Prown. 47, St.
Martin's-lane, Charing•cross, and force his arm through the
window, throwing down various articles of expensive cut
glass, and otherwise damaging many services of china to a
considerable extent. He then effected his escape by a rapid
flight, the object being evidently to commit the greatest
amount of damage in the smallest possible time.
FOREIGN POTATOES.—The following arrivals of
potatoes have taken place during the past week et the port
of London :—The Neptune, from Grevelinee, brought 18
tons weight; the Paliss, from Calais, 30 tons; the Born,
from Gravelines, 34 tons; the Charlotte, from Boulogne. 80
tons; the John and Ann, from Dunkirk. 75 tuns; the Jeune
Henri. from Gravelines, 35 tons; the Nathalie, from Dun-
kirk, 82 tons; the Lion, from Gravelipe, 63 tons; the
Emelie, from Calais, 30 tops ; the Ito e, from Gravelines,
50 tons; the Hope, from Guernsey,. 81 tons; the Magnet,
from Harlingen, 5 baskets; the Prince, from Guern,ey and
Jersey, 20 tons weight; the Neptune, from Gravelines, 30
tons; the Cecile, from Calais, 82 tons; and the Jeune Al-
phons, from Gravelines, 42 tons weight of the article.
PARLIAMENTARY EXPENSES.--In the small town
of St. Helen's, the expense of the new waterworks was 3,000/.,
and the expense of obtaining the permission of Parliament
to erect those works was I,COO/.—Liverpool Times.
Mr. Kingscote had an interview with S.r George :S:reY,
yesterday. Mr. Lloyd bad also an interview with the
Right lion. Baronet, at the licnae office.