The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-11 00:00:00

IRMINCi ft AM U RCH.-RAT
EXPECTED ROW.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT
The Committee appointed to " watch over and pro-
tect the interests of the Inhabitants at the Vestry Meet-
ing of Friday," after laying_before the public the opinion
of her Majesty's Attorney-General, to the effect, that th,
occupiers of property whose landlords are rated to the
relief of the Poor, are entitled to vote in Vestry, &c.,
inform the inhabitants of Birmingham, that all persons,
male or female, who occupy any house, shop, land, or
other tenement, in the parish of Birmingham, are en-
titled to be present and vote in the Vestry to be held on
Friday, whether the Poor-rates be paid by the landlord
or tenant. The Committee, therefore, trust that every
qualified inhabitant will be present at the Town Hall, at
ten o'clock on Friday morning, in order to exercise the
right which he legally possesses.
The Liberal party, including the Dissenters, are de-
termined, we are Informed, in consequence of the opinion
of the Attorney-General, to enter the Hall, in spite of
the churchwardens' prohibition, and as there are about
13,000 male and female inhabitants liable to be rated, a
collusion is expected, and' the town is in a ferment.

MURDER AT CHEPSTOW.
(From the Bristd Standard.)
A melancholy case of murder has occurred at Chep-
stow. The victim, Sarah Sophia Fleming, was a native
of Bristol, aboat nineteen years of age, and of consider-
able personal attractions. She was induced to leave her
home about twelve months ago, and had latterly aban-
doned herself to a dissolute course of life, attaching her-
self to a young man of idle habits, named Benjamin
James, whom she chiefly supported by her sinful pursuits.
On Sunday night. the 29th of August last, this poet-
girl, with another unfortunate creature of the same class,
and Benjamin James, were walking on Chepstow-bridge,
and. were joined by three young men, with whom they
went up. to Tutshill ; deceased left the party in com-
pany with one of the men, which roused the jealousy
of James, who called after her, and as she did Hot
return, followed her up a lane called Dead Man's-
lane (in which tradition says a murder was formerly
committed), the other girl following him, and at the end
of the lane they found theft, In the turnpike-road. It
was a moonlight night, and on seeing James, the poor
girl withdrew her hand from the young man, and James
ran up and attempted, to strike her, but was twice pre-
vented by the man, who took bold of him, and begged
him to let the girl alone, calling to her to go home,
which she refused, saying, " Ben will beat me worse if
I do, when he catches inc." James at length got loose,
and overtook her at the gate leading into Dead Map's,'
lane, where he fy.truelt her violently with his fist in her
right side; She immediately fell on her knees; he drag-
ged her up, and she fell against the wall. The wretched
man then lay down in the road, and his poor Nictitn
crawled to him and hissed him, saying, " Don't do it any
more, Ben," lie turned towards her and said, " I will
murder you." She kissed him again, and he swore he
would murder and be the death of her; he did not strike
her again, but, alas! the mischief was done—she had
received her death-blow.
They afterwards went down the lane to Chapel House
Farm, where the two females and James spent the night
in a shed, the deceased suffering acute pain in her side,
in the morning James left them in Chepstow, but in the
evening met them on the opposite side of the town, and
they remained together all night under a hay-rick, the
deceased in great agony on her right side and back,
the internal inflammation increasing rapidly I they
continued out the whole of the following day, and
at night James left them, saying ho was afraid to stay
lest she should die. Her companion then supported
her through the streets in search of a lodging, and
at length, being quite exhausted, the poor sufferer sank
on the steps of a (6,4 where they were attacked by some
vagabond boys, who threw dirt and filth at them. The
deceased exclaimed, " It is hard I cannot be left alone,
lam so ill," and burst into tears ; her companion got
her away and obtained a lodging, where she passed the
night in extreme agony, and the next morning her
father was sent for, who, being unable to pay a medical
attendant, took her to the poorhouse, where she received
every attention that medical aid and kind treatment
could afford, but the inflammation increased, and she
expired en Friday evening,
Benjamin James was apprehended on Thursday, and
the poor girl's deposition taken by Colonel Lewis in his
presence, but she was evidently alarmed at the prisoner
being in the room, exclaiming, "Take him away, he
will kill Inc." On Friday morning she told her father
she was worse, and said, " Where is Ben? He has
murdered me, and I am dying; he ought to suffer as
well as me;" and expressed a wish to see the Magis-
trate, as she had something on her mind. A messenger
was despatched to St. Pierre, and on Colonel Lewis's
arrival, the prisoner was again taken to her room, but
it was then too late, she had lost the power of speech--
she was dying. The worthy Magistrate and all in the
room were deeply affected, except the prisoner, who
stood unmoved at the dreadful scene without betraying
the least emotion, and apparently without the slightest
feeling for his unfortunate victim. On Saturday he was
committed to. Monmouth gaol, charged with wilful
murder, and the Coroner's inquest has since returned a
similar verdict.

LOSS OF LIFE FROM THE SWELL

OF A STEAMER.

THE TUNNEL-PlER.—Yesterday afternoon the ad-
journed inquiry into the death of William John Edwards,
aged 13, who was drowned while bathing off Execution

Rotherhithe, by the swell occasioned by a steam-
boat, took place at the George Inn, Lower• Deptford. •
The inquest had been adjourned fur the purpose of
finding out the name of the stearn•boat that caused the
accident, and for hearing evidcnce as to the speed, &c., of
the same.

The first witness called was William Jones, a lighter-
man, who said—At the time of the accident I was stand-
ing on the platform of the Dundee Tavern. The Gipsy,
Greenwich steam-boat, that caused the swell, was going
up, and the Water Lily coining down. The, boats go so
fast at this part of the river that the water is drawn off
the shore. The steamer was going at the rate of nine
miles an hour. It was entirely through the steam-boat
that the deceased lost his life ; he was only up to his
chest in the water, and was completely dragged off his
feet by the swell. The Tunnel-Pier is about 200 yards
from the Thames Police-office.

Mr. John Jaskins, inspector of Thames Police, said—
The steamers have to come so near in shore to get to
the Tunnel Pier that the lives of persons are greatly en-
dangered. Persons have been washed off the shore
before, and the Thames-police boats are often washed
up and left dry ashore by the speed of the steam-boats.
When I saw the steam-boat she was about fifty yards
from the shore.

CORONER.—it 15 a matter of great importance, and
;he pier ought to be indicted,

In. answer to a Juror,

The CORONER stated that he understood the pier be-
longed to a private gentleman, named Charles. • It was
so far sanctioned by the Corporation that no notice was

taken of it

The CORONER said it would be necessary to have ,an-
other adjournment. From what he knew of the Com-
panies belonging to the black and red funnel boats, he
was sure they would give every assistance to forward the
investigation, and institute an inquiry among their ser-
vants. The Gipsy being the boat sworn to, the captain
and mate of that vessel must bo.summoned.

The, inquiry was then adjourned until Thursday next

THE MARKETS.-YESTERDAY.
CORN EXCHANGE.

This week's arrivals of English Grain have been moderate,
but of Foreign Wheat considerable. The Wheat trade firm at
Monday's prices. Barley, Beans, and Peas dull at last quota-
ten ions. Rather more done in Vials, at for Mer rates. London
Averages— Wheat, 12,301, 761. 9d. ; Barley, 3,479, 425.
7d. ; Beans, 1,046,..._445, 4d. ; Peas, 676. 475. sd.