The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-01 00:00:00

SERIOUS COLLIERY EXPLOSION

AND LOSS OF LIFE.

On Tuessday,Cout one o'clock, an explosion of fire-
damp, fatal in its consequences, we fear, to a number
of persons, took place at the colliery, known some-
times as the Liter Patricroft Colliery, but more pro-
perly as the Kirkless flail Colliery, near the boundary
line of the townships of Ince and Aspull, on the
banks of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, about two
miles from Wigan. The result of the accident,
as far as we could learn, up to five o'clock yesterday
afternoon, was the death of two persons, the very seri-
ous injury of eight or ten others, and the injury, more
or less, of at least a dozen more. From information
hastily collected on the spot, it appeared that the cause
of the explosion arose from the blowing up a quantity of
coal by one of the men, which set it on fire ; and before
the fire could be blocked up or extinguished, the accident
occurred. We must here state, on the best authority,
that the firing of coals by miners, which is doubt-
less practised to save their own labour, is against the
rule laid down by the proprietors of the colliery, and
on this occasion was practised without their know-
ledge or consent. About half-past eleven in the morn-
ing, one of the men had been having a " blow up," and
the consequence was the setting on fire the coal in that
part of the mine, which we are told is of a highly
bituminous and inflammable nature. The under, -
looker, George Evans, on the first alarm being given,
directed all his efforts to extinguish the fire, collected
his best men for the purpose, and sent several out of
the pit for safety. The reports in the neighbourhood
being much exaggerated as to the number of persons
in the pit when the explosion occurred, it may be
well to state that the pit is divided into two sec-
tions, one of which only felt the effects of the acci-
dent. In this section, we believe, thirty-two persons
were the full complement employed, or sent down in
the morning. Of these, six or eight were sent up, and had
given in their lamps, and the remaining portion were at
the place of the explosion. After an ineffectual attempt
to put out the fire, all the efforts of the men appear to
have been directed to the closing or building up that
part where the fire was burning ; and the confinement
of the air, and consequent stopping of the usual current
in that direction, is supposed to have caused the
explosion but the underlooker being severely in-
jured, and the other men on the spot knowing little
of it, or being incapable of supplying any in-
formation, no positive facts can be at present stated.
Immediately after the accident, the efforts of all were
directed to the getting out of the injured parties, and up
to five o'clock twenty-three had been brought to the top
of the pit ; of there, two or three belonged to the other
section of the mine. It was found, however, impracticable
to prosecute the search with safety until the fire had
been effectually blocked up ; but at five o'clock one man
only was said to be missing. The following is, we
believe, a correct list of all those brought up after the
explosion, none of whom, it is said, escaped unhurt :--
John Cartwright—dead.
Joseph WilkinsJn, a boy—said to have died on his way
home.
Robert Wilkinson, father of the above—seriously in-

jured. ..
John Berry—very badly burnt, with no hopes of reco-

♦ery.
Very badly burnt—John Rhodes, George Evans,
underlooker, Henry !lawson, John Riley, Ashmore,
a boy, and Samuel Evans.
More or less injured—William Dainty, John llol-
croft, John Bolton, James Naylor, Joseph Penman, Eli
Monk, William Jackson, Richard Currie, John Web-
F ter, James Belshaw, John Mills, Thomas Laurenson,
Samuel Simkin.

--Robert Southern, the only one said to be missing, and
supposed to be dead.—Manchester Guardian.

NEWS TOR THE GEOLOGISTS —The Journal des
Debats publishes the following letter, dated Odessa, the
4th instant:—" The Counsellor of State, Erdmano:Pro-
fessor of Geology at the Imperial University of Dorpat,
who at this moment is travelling in the south of Russia,
has discovered in a property situated to the north of
Odessa several skeletons of fossil animals of enormous
dimensions. The skeletons are 83 in number, viz.,
6 elephants, 1 rhinoceros, 2 oxen, 4 stags, 1 antelope,
61 bears, 2 hyenas, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a ruminating
animal, species unknown. Those skeletons, together
with the bones, were found under a thick layer of cal-
careous earth. The discovery made by M. Erdmann is
the more remarkable, as hitherto there never has been
any remains of the antediluvian animal reign discovered
in Russia."

-- ----
The— India mail was conveyed from Boulogne to
Dover, yesterday morning, by the General Steam Navi-
gation Company's steam-ship Star; the time occupied
from leaving Boulogne until the mail was landed at
Dover having been 1 hour 55 minutes only.
ASHBURTON..-4t is with continued pleasure that
we can report most favourably of the growing crops of
potatoes in this part—not the smallest sign of the dis-
ease. The early sown potatoes are being taken from
the ground, and are of an exceedingly fine flavour and
excellent quality.

.
DANGEROUS RIOT.—An affray of a very serious
and threatening character occurred on Tuesday at Ken-
singtonre Park,
viv Notting-hill,;here arising out of an attempt
made to
the fair which was held in Ilyde
Park in 1838, in honour of her Majesty's coronation, and
the resistance made to the undertaking on the part of
the owners of the property. Notwithstanding this
opposition, the speculators succeeded in erecting a
variety of vans, shows, and booths, and as the police
had reason to believe that this occupation of the lanl
would not be submitted to quietly, and that precautions
were necessary to preserve the peace, an inspector and
about 50 constables were on the spot at an early hour
yesterday morning, and soon after the agent of the
ground landlord appeared upon the scene,
with about
payment of a sum of 130 L,
occupying tenant, who had
syt uthpeonoecu
duelOo tola btohuer el
ar su,dtloo
ridn sbi
underlet the ground to the persons now holding posses-
sion. The attendants were armed with hammers,
hatchets, &c., for the purpose of dismantling the tempo-
rary erections, in case of refusal, and were provided
with horses and carts to convey them away. The aspect
of affairs now became very alarming, one man having
shown a strong determination to use a loaded gun if
molested, and another, the proprietor of a travelling
menagerie, to let loose the lions, tigers, and other
ferocious animals amongst the crowd, if his property
was interfered with. It was found necessary to send
for a reinforcement of police ; but at length, by dint of
earnest remonstrances with both parties, a compromise
was effected, and the showmen were allowed to retain
possession of the ground for the day, on their promise to
vacate it at an early hour this morning.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
NEW YORK, JUNE 15.
Among other topics the Mexican war continues to
be the subject of conflicting opinions, and of much dis-
cussion in what may be termed well-informed circles.
The great question is, shall we soon "conquer a peace?"
To such an interrogatory we can only reply, the armies
of the United States continue to be victorious. When-
ever and wherever they strike, they are triumphant ;
but yet all is doubt and uncertainty as to when the
war will terminate, and what will be the character of the
negotiation.
In my last letter I stated substantially what I believed
to be the policy of Mr. Polk and his constitutional ad-
visers. Nothing has occurred to change that opinion.
It will be recollected, that from the commencement of
the war I have apprehended that it would have been
protracted, and of long continuance. This opinion was
based upon two facts,—first, a personal knowledge of
the temper, disposition, and wishes of the President;
second, the great difficulty of conquering and reducing
to " passive obedience and non-resistance " even a dis-
tracted and divided people.
In the remarks which I have made on the subject I
did not, and do not, mean to convey the idea, that the
Administration may not change its views, and with that
change its policy. After the Oregon leap from 54 deg.
40 min. to 49 deg., it would be idle to say that nothing
of the kind could reasonably be anticipated.
The recent movements of Mr. Polk indicate some
change, or rather a fixed determination to pursue a
policy which he hopes will promote the object nearest
his heart—a re-election to the Presidency. That ob-
ject was in a measure the cause of the present war, and
it may tend to promote a peace. To it every other
measure must be made subservient, if not sacrificed.
There is now, it is said and believed, a mission of
peace in Mexico, consisting of General Scott and Mr.
Twist. The terms, it is confidently asserted, are of the
most liberal character, honourable alike to Mexico and
the United States. Here I pause, I doubt—nay, more,
I am an unbeliever, because it is some months too early
to have a great influence on the presidential election.
It affords, however, an opportunity for the display of
management.
It is well known that the Administration dread the
political influence and power of Generals Scott and
Taylor, and would, therefore, willingly promote any
measure that would tend to lessen the influence of either
or both these military chieftains. It is very generally
believed, that the Executive is now countenancing an
intrigue to place these gallant and accomplished sol-
diers in a hostile attitude, whereby both may be in-
jured. This rumour is so general that no one but a
confirmed sceptic seems to express any doubt of its
truth. I continue, therefore, to think, notwithstanding
public opinion to the contrary, that there is no prospect
of an early peace.
The Administration are strongly impressed with the
idea, that by means of a military tariff in Mexico they
will be enabled to collect sufficient money, through the
Custom-houses which they will establish, to support an
army of 20,000 men. But, in the last resort, the church
property must make up the deficiency. Through the
official journal at Washington (the Union) a feeler was
thrown out, in relation to the wealth, &c., of the Catho-
lic churches, &c., which seemed to shock the American
community ; whereupon the Union retreated into its
shell, and denied that the article was written with the
knowledge and approbation of Mr. Polk. Now, every
person in this country, who understands the connexion
between the President and the Union considers this
denial puerile, and of no force. In short, it is not be-
lieved.

You will perceive that by the contemplated measure
of seizing all the revenue of Mexico for the support of
an American standing army of 20,000 or 30,000 men,
without the knowledge or consent of Congress, you open
a new and alarming constitutional question. It is not
my intention at present to discuss it. But it may be
asked, if this is permitted or countenanced, what becomes
of the constitutional provision against such an army?
With a disciplined force of 30,000 men on our southern
border, what might not an usurper with such a body at
his command suddenly effect?
Strange as it may appear, ex-President Tyler is once
more endeavouring to force himself into notice. For the
last two years he has lived in complete retirement—per-
haps it would be more correct to say, in obscurity. No
man ever more effectually sacrificed himself to a ridicu-
lous vanity and a still more unpardonable ambition. For
these and other sins he has sorely suffered. You will
find in the public journals a late letter from him evinc-
ing, to use the mildest phrase, a total want of memory. I
perceive it stated in a Virginia paper, that on or about
the day that a dinner was to be given Mr. Webster in
Richmond, Mr. Tyler visited that city in the expecta-
tion of being invited to meet at the festive board bc:rd`'
former Secretary of State. But no such invitation
tendered Mr. Tyler. To comment on such an occurs: g%
would be unkind. It shows, however, the abiding force of
public opinion.
By an arrival at New Orleans advices have been re-
ceived from Vera Cruz to the Ist inst., and from Brazos
to the 4th.

General Twiggs had entered Puebla on the 29th ult.
General Scott had left Jalapa with 6,000 troops, but
whether he would proceed forthwith to the city of Mexico
was not known, and considered doubtful. About 3,000
Mexican troops were said to be in the capital.
Santa Anna had resigned the Presidency on the 28th;
but whether his resignation would be accepted was not
stated. He was superintending, personally, the fortifi-
cations erecting at livadaloupe and Majicaeczingo, near
the suburbs.

Nothing new from General Taylor.
After much mortification and disappointm(nt to the
parties concerned, the United States frigate Macedonian
has sailed on her benevolent mission of relief to suffer-
ing humanity. She is, as lam informed, well freighted.
On the merits or demerits of the controversy which
caused her detention I have no opinion to give. She
has my most ardent and sincere hope that she may have
a rapid and sate passage, and that her officers and crew
may return in health to their native land.
The President of the United States is expected shortly
to visit this city. The precise time is not fixed—pro-
bably between the 20th and 30th of this month. Ile
will be welcomed and received by a Whig corporation,
and other citizens, with the courtesy and distinction to
which his exalted station entitles him.

Sterling bills, rather inactive, at 6 to 6} per cent.
Flour in moderate demand, on a firm market, at
8 dolls. 25c. to 8 dolls. 75c.

Money abundant and cheap.
A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.

—Times.

THE DISTRESSED SCOTCH AND IRISH.-011 the
27th April last Mr. Buckstone's favourite comedy of
Married Life, with the farce of Advice Gratis, was per-
formed at the Victoria Theatre, Meerut, by amateurs,
assisted by the amateurs of the Queen's Royal Lancsrs,
for the benefit of the distressed Scotch and Irish, when
the amount of 450 rupees was taken at the doors.
FREE PORTERS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.—Tues-
day a crowded meeting of the general body of free
porters of the City was held at the Bridge-house Hotel,
London-bridge, fir the purpose of petitioning the Court
of Common Council with respect to an infringement of
their privileges by the various dock companies on the
north bank of the Thames. Alderman Johnston pre-
sided on the occasion; and among the speakers were Mr.
Wire, Mr. Payne, and several members of the fellow-
ship. It appears that by the custom of the port of
London, the tree porters have had secured to them the
privilege of porterage and measureage of all coals, grain,
salt, and fruit imported or exported from the north bank
of the River Thames between Staines (above London-
bridge) and Yantlet, near Sheerness, below it. Since
the formation of the docks, however, the free porters
have been excluded from them, and the dock companies,
while retaining the services of the measurers, who are
members of the fellowship, have employed for porterage
servants of their own. It was of this infringement of
their privilege that the free porters met yesterday to
complain by petition addressed to the Court of Common
Council. The number of the body is stated to be nearly
3,000, and there is a general fund for the support of
aged and infirm members, considerable in amount; but
their exclusion from the docks has, it is said, deprived
them of the means of earning a competent livelihood.
Resolutions adopting the petition to the Court of Cora
mon Council, and providing for the energetic prosecution
of their claims, were carried by the meeting, which
broke up after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.
MEETING OF ROMAN CATHOLICS..--00 Tuesday a
very large and respectable meeting of Roman Catholics
of London was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern,
for the purpose of forming an association for the re-
moval of Catholic disabilities and grievances. The Rev.
Dr. Morris, Bishop of Troy, presided, and was supported
by a large number of Roman Catholic ladies, noblemen,
clergymen, and gentlemen. The Right Rev. Prelate
opened the proceedings in a short address. The Rev.
Dr. Moore proposed the first resolution, " That the
Catholics of Great Britain and its colonies are exposed
to many grievous oppressions, some of them of such a
nature as to peril the everlasting welfare of thousands;
that against these, though admitted to be at variance
with justice, and even the avowed principles of modern
legislation, the Catholic has no adequate defence or pro-
tection ; that therefore it is their bounden duty to pro-
cure by all lawful means the due administration of those
laws which are just and a speedy repeal of those which
are unjust ; and that the Catholics of the metropolis are
more particularly called upon more strenuously to exert
themselves in the matter for the common good." Mr.
Lucas proposed the second resolution, " That the op-
pression under which the Catholics suffer, though griev-
ous to them as citizens and subjects, are more especially
most felt by reason of the spiritual degradation they
entail upon so many thousand souls, and however right
and needful it may be to seek redress through means of
easy access, yet our hopes of success are founded in
God. This meeting, therefore, hears with satisfaction
of the proposed establishment of an association for
London, under the protection of our Blessed Lady,"
&c. A committee was then appointed for carrying out
the object of the association. A vote of thanks to the
chairman closed the proceedings, which did not termi-
nate until midnight.
UNUSUAL BESTOWAL OF MATERNAL SOLICITUDE!.
—ln the plantation near to Foulden-house is a starling 6
nest, containing four unfledged warblers, which by some
casualty have been deprived of their natural guardian,
but by a freak of compassion, have been adopted by a
crow. The sable philanthropist is seen regularly to pro-
ceed to the nest, and supply his tiny protegees with
suitable nutriment.—Berwick Advertiser.
THE LAZES.—The delightful village of Bowness
has of late been a scene of bustle. At present it is un-
usually full of visitors. Although it is much extended,
the accommodation is inadequate to the demand. The
steamer on Windermere Lake is a great inducement, and
of late has been very gay with parties in pursuit of
pleasure and varied and romantic scenery. The facilities
for visiting the queen of lakes by the "rail," and other
means, are so great, that numbers are induced to take a
peep in the morning at the beautiful scenery of the lake
district, and return to their homes in the evening.