The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-21 00:00:00

THAMES TUNNEL COMPANY.

Yesterday a General Court of the Proprietors
of this Company was held at the City of London Tavern. At
a. few minutes after one, War. Sstrni, Esq. M.P. was called
to the Chair, and the business of the day commenced.
The CHAIRMAN stated, that on a former occasion he had
' had simply to call the attention of the Gentlemen then present
to the formation of such a Society; but on the present occa-
sion it became his duty to state the reason why further progress
had not been made in the undertaking; previous to this, how-
, ever, he was desirous of pointing out the advantagbs of the
communication ofd Tunnel under the River, from St. John's
Church, Wapping, to Rotherhithe Churah, at that point by
which the crowd and other inconveniences of London might
be avoided. A Tunnel manifestly was of superior convenience
to a bridge which could not be raised without an enormous ex.
pence. When the plan was suggested for this Tunnel, in con.
sequence of the failure which had taken place at Gravesend,
and on the very spot iproposed, it was necessary to inquire into
the likely expenses. Mr. Brunelle was applied to for this purpose,
as well as many other Gentlemen, and they all concurred in the
two points, that the thing was practicable, and that Mr. B's plans
were the best calculated for success. The Committee, in conse-
!pence, proceeded to obtain an act of incorpoiation, and hav-
ing
,obtained it, had called this Meeting to sanction the Report
of their proceedings. The subscription at present was full, but
there were a few shares reserved for the supply of any persons
that might apply for them, whose ground it would be necessary
to take. It had been feared that quicksands might be met with
under the bed of the Thames ; but this the Committee had it in
their power to contradict, as on boring the ground, it was found
that there was a general stratum of blue clay, of almost sta.
cient consistency"to stand without the assistance of brick-work.
He •was happy to state, that there was no expeCtation of any
further expences than had already been stated. It was pre.
sumed that the increase of traffic caused by‘this thoroughfare ;
would proportionably increase the value of the shared.
The Report of the Committee was then read. It stated that
the subscriptions were now full, with the exception of the re.
serve stated above. The ground had been surveyed, and 39
borings made, as well in the bed of the river as on the Surrey
side of the water, near Rotherhithe Church. The Committee
had agreed with Mr. Brunelle for his patent, for which ho
was to .rec:ive ten thousand pounds in two sums • . and that
gentleman had been appointed engineer, at a salary of one
-thousand pounds per annum for three years; and Mr. Butler
appointed Clerk to the Company. The expences up to this
time had amounted to 2,1771. ss. The Report concluded by
stating the sanguine expectations of the Committee under the
management of so able an engineer as Mr. Brunelle.
Mr. MARTEN, in moving that the Report he printed, could
not sit down without stating the very handsome manner in
which Mr. Brunelle had acted with respect to the payments
that were to be made to hint for his services ; it was his own
wish that no payment should be made to him till the Tunnel
was pierced 60 feet on each side.
The motion was then seconded' and carried unanimously.
Mr. NUDE!. observed, that he was sure the Report must
have been highly satisfactory to every one present. lie moved
the custody of the common seal be committed to the Directors,
to be used at their meetings by the majority of them. This
motion was likewise carried unanimously.
A number of bye-laws for the use of the Company were
then read, and after one or two remarks front some Gentlemen
present, were approved and carried.
Mr. MARTEN. moved that the three following Gentlemen,
Vmii. Thompson, Esq. M.P. and Alderman, J. Somerville,
Esq. and Wm. I'rater, Esq. to be appointed Auditors for this
Company. This motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. PRATER shortly returned thanks for himself and his
colleagues. -
Admiral Sir E. CoinuNnTON moved the thanks of the
Meeting to Wm. smith, um:J. M.P. fire his services during the
progress of the Bill through the (louse of Parliament.-
I%lot/Ih* could have sbewn his zeal and exertion more than
Its having passed without the slightest opposition, indeed.
it had passed in a manner sub sikntio, and nobody had known
any thing about it. fie considered this as a very popular
question, even in the West end of the town. Both the Duke
lof Gloucester and the Duke of Wellington had expressed their
high satisfaction of it, nnd his Royal Highness had consented
to open the work as soon as every thing was ready, to be fol.
lowed by a public dinner to the Proprietors—Meer !)
The motion was seconded by G. 11. Wou.neTore, Esq.,
and carried with applause.
The CITAIIIMAN returned thanks, and observed, that as
long as he held a scat in the direction, he should undoubtedly
Committee.t
the sutra
i n
ot
. 10001.
feel it his duty to do every thing in his power to promote_the
interests of the Company.
'Al'ilri. a niklns
Arilw•elArentlhieand voted m
o toye tIIe.
that
be divided among the Directors, from the time or per annum
the Royal
Ascent to the first receipt of tolls, according to their respective
attendances. „
Mr. PULT.rir suggested, as an amendment, that, as there
were thirteen Directors, it would he better to let the sum be
13001. per annum. •
Mr. IlliAbiAli observed, that the sum he proposed was. to be
divided according to their respective attendances, and he did
not think that above ten out of the thirteen gentlemen, would
make a point of attending. Mr. Brarnall's :notion was then
carried unanimously.
Mr. MARTEN MOVedintitlicß to Messrs. Sweet, Stokes, and
Carr, for the talent displayed in procuring the Act of Incorpo-
ration.
Mr. Helms then moved the Thanks of' die Meeting to the
Chairman, who returned thanks, and the Meeting dissolved.

Suicinc.—Yesterday an inquest was held at
the sign of the Sun, Gray's-Inn-lain, }whim THOMAS sTilt-
t.lxn, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Mr. Wm. Roakbey,
aged 32, a master-saddler, lately residing in Gray's-inn-lane.
Richard Horwood depot*, that he lives at No. 22, King-
street, Golden-square, and' had been in the employment of the
deceased for upwards of a week as a journeyman saddler, dur- ,
ing which period he frequently heard the deceased complain of
a giddiness in the head, and on one occasion he fell backwards
in the shop while witness 1,7113 by his side, and hurt himself
v,ry much. On Saturday last, while witness was at worlc in
Vie shop, he was alarmed by the cries of Mrs. Itoakbey, who
called out that she was afraid her husband had laid violent
hands on himself: Wines immediately proceeded to the
yard, according to the direction of his mistress, and on going to
the door of the water.eloseti he found it fastened, and the blood
was flowing profusely from under the door, which he immedi-
ately broke open, and discovered the deceased with his throat
cat in a most dreadful manner. His neckcloth was off, and
ml.;:iitnhgbnioeinri,a
aclsaisipkekvi:iisfee the
etchernesee('s cloths, fbilad es, which was Covered
Att4i the
floor. !Fite deceased was sensible, and witness Ingtontly sent
for a surgeon, who arrived, hut although he used every effort to
save him, he expired soon after. Witness has no doubt but
the deceaSed committed the act himself, being at the time
afflicted in his mind. ',.. r-
-10.ur returned x verdict, 4' That
the d
tal d axed c ece
mut
enthi,"s throat, being at the time in a state of
erange

Between t%velve and one o'clock yesterday
aft"""nn) a fire broke out in the liquor-vaults,
belonging to Air. BLAKESLEY, of Upper Judd.
place, St. Puncras,
__ which caused much alarm to
the neighbours. The speedy arrival of the en-
gines, and a plentiful supply of water, s""
tinguished the flames ; but not before much loss
was sustained.

On Saturday morning John Harris, who re-
ceived sentence of transportation on Monday
WI, effected his escape from our City Gaol. Al.
though'an alarm was instantly given, and an im•
mediate pursuit made, yet he was enabled to
evade kis followers, niid has *lot yet been taken.
A. reward is Offered for, his apprehension, which
we trust will be successful, ns he is a desperate
character.,-(,Gloucester Herald.)

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, JULY. 20.

(Before FRANCIS CONST, Esq.)
• Mr. ROBERT GOURLAY.
andAt ten o'clock this
Mr.
Maule,
theis
morning,Solicitor
the C
a;
tathehairmTreaaanareyn,teartead the Court,
adupaathe
Bench, and held a private conversation with him, which lasted
for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. • Jtist as the con-
versation had terminated, Mr. Gourley entered the Court
in custody of Vickery, the Governor of the House of Cor-
rection. 111 r. Gourley, who appeared in good health, walked
up to the Bench, and handed to the Chairman a written
paper, which that gentlemanread privately. It was a docu-
ment
t ani
.edveray
auceoenisaicdternabarlreatlivenegtahf,
tahned
eiwreie
iumnaitlaenrseteosodivitlliteaht
had taken place, as affecting Mr. Gourley, from the time
of his assaulting Mr. Brougham, his examination at Bow-
Street, his committal by Mr. Halls, the Magistrate, and
his arrival at the House of Correction; and it concluded by call-
ing upon the Court to dismiss him from his confinement, which
he pronounced to be unjust and illegal.
CitAntatAle—This paper, Mr. Gourley, is, like a former
one which was presented to me, and of no use whatever. This
Court cannot possibly have recognizance of what you allege has
taken place. You were committed to prison under the autho-
rity of a Magistrate's warrant, and the Court cannot do any
tiling to relieve you, unless you make an application for your
discharge, on the ground that no person appears here to support
any charge against you.
Mr. Bot. LAND (to the Chairman)—Sir, I beg leave to state
to the Court, that if Mr. Gourley makes an application to be
discharged, I am prepared to oppose it.
CIiAIRBIAN-1 did not know that Counsel was engaged.
Mr. Gourlay—As you are prepared to oppose it, I shall be
glad to know if there is a prosecutor in Court, and who and
what lie is ?
CHAIRMAN— We have only the commitment of the Magis-
trate, by which you wereisent from Bow-street to the House of
COrrection.
Mr. Gourley (to Mr. Bolland) Pray, Sir, will you be so
kind as to inform me for whom you appear to oppose my dis-
charge ? •
Mr. BOX. LAND —I appear on the part of the Crown.
Mr. Gourlay—The Crown'? The Secretary of State, I sup-
pose, you mean, Sir. Is it not so ?
Mr. BonLem—l received 'my brief from Mr. Maule, the
Solicitor to the Treasury, and it is my duty,to see that the pro-
visions df the Act of 39 and 40 Geo. 3. cap. 94, sec. 3, are com-
plied with, and it may be as well that the clause in the Act I
have referred to should be now read.
Mr. Richards, Clerk of the Arraigns, then read the clause,
which stated, that persons who had been committed upon the
warrant of the Justice of the Peace, on the ground of insanity,
should remain in custody until they put in good and suffici-
ent bail.
CitAtitetaN—The Court, Mr. Gourley, have the power to
accept of bail, if such is your application.
Mr. Ciourlay—l do not apply to put in bail; I now stand
here ready to take my trial, if there is any charge against me,
or any prosecutor.
Cita' itetaer—el tell you, that if no one appears to prefer a
charge against you, that you are entitled to your discharge
from custody on putting in good and sufficient bail. Your com-
mittal I consider to be in the nature of an execution, and there-
fore you are not entitled to your discharge on a general gaol de-
livery, as a matter of course; you are committed under a par-
ticular Act of Parliament, the provisions of which must be com-
plied with, and you must put in bail.
Mr. Gourlay—Mr. Chairman, I beg leave respectfully to
differ with you in that opinion, though I must submit to what
is the decision of your superior legal knowledge. I have re-
mained in confinement a very long period without an accuser,
and Ido not see how bail can now be required of me. My
honour, Mr. Chirman, is deeply concerned, and I am most
anxious to have a public trial, that. I may set the matter at
rest, and sbew the baseness and falsehood of the imputations
which had been cast upon me. I. have been most cruelly, and
I conceive, illegally treated, as the warrant upon which I was
committed I believe to be an illegal instrument.
CHAIRMAN—Mr. Bolland, what course do yoteeintend to
take in this matter ?----Mr. Bonus/m-1 hare but one
straight forward course, and that is, to oppose the discharge of
that Gentleman, unless he puts in good bail.
• CIIAI II NI A N—l do not know what course to 'recommend
but I would advise Mr. Gourley to go before a Judge, and
apply for his discharge, on the gtound of the illegality f the
warrant on. which he was committed ; and I am sure, if the
warrant be illegal, the Judge would instantly set him at liber-
ty, which I have not the power to do without his giving satis-
factory bail.
Mr. Gourlay—l should in.my person be establishing a most
dangerous precedent, if I were, merely for time sake of my
.own
gross violation of
ipmeirasaoanitillialiabeeratays,etnot itiautbeinabapialrntyowta.
aulewliouald rather remainin
the liberty of the subject. There is no charge against me that
can he proved, and why should I be detained in custody ?
Cue/ !MA N —Under the Act of Parliament upon which you
were committed, I do no think I can discharge you without
your giving bail.—Mr. Gourlay—l have already most cruelly
suffered, and I am ready to sutler more, rather than the rights
of the public should be compromised through me. I should,
as a matter of curiosity merely, be glad to know what bail is re-
quired by those who oppose my discharge out of custody
CHAT netAK-1 should not call upon you for heavy bail; but
as you ask only, as you say, for the gratification of niere cu-
riosity, what bail would be accepted by the Court, 1 do not feel
disposed to gratify your curiosity by enentioning any partial.
ler sum. It will be quite time enough to state the sum when
your sureties arc in attendance.
recommended ll. C
Plrr.p s conversedi.lintitoputinb thawili,a3nldnoaobtatrla
itTile;i, and
slibesrttryo;n fie
told hint that it was for the sake of his family and friends that
he advised him to do so.—Mr. Goorlay thanked Mr. Phillips
for his kind advice, and said, "' No, Sir, my mind is made up
on the subject. 1 cannot do an act that may be conceived by
any person to be an•admission of the truth of the impudent
insinuations which have been made as to the state of my mind.
Ido not like to be considered an insane man. I will, however,
consider the course I ought to adopt ; all I wish is that I may
be brought to an open and fair trial, and I would cheerfully
rest upon its issue. I wish to know (addressing himself to Mr.
Rolland) if the Secretary of State has any intention of becom-
ing my prosecutor ?"
Mr. IS LAN D—.My instructions are contained in my brief;
I only attend to see that the provisions of the Act of Parliament
are complied with.
CHAIIIMAN—YOU are only detained in custody till you put
in bail ; I shall not object to take moderate bail, it you offer it ;
you are proceeded against upon n statute, anti time Court is
according
onruni
bound to
nMr. o ()Itacrtli atytc.ec(rov
illseezel)t—liarclelt:ont;ei len tLwant a fair trial ; give
me a fair trial (in great agitation). I differ with you all in
I will not yield to such terms ; I am ready to go back to prison rather than compro-
mise myself.
CH AIR HAN—I have nothin whatever to do with it ;it is
not in my power to interfere ; I repeat again, that as you were
committed under a particular statute, you must comply with
the terms of it before you can be set at liberty ; I am ready
to accept your bail, and that is fill the Court bus the power of
doing for you.
Mr. Gotiriny—l request that the Act of Parliament may be
shewn to ine.--(The Act was handed to him, and he read it,
and declared that in his opinion not one of the clauses applied
to him.)
Mr. Cußwoon, who was in Court, humanely observed to
Mr. Gourley, that a Magistrate ought not, upon the application
of any persons whatsoever, to commit any individual to prison
underthat
before
hi ln statute,teuond, unlessdoubt,
the ie mani insanity
he
isttyrcomfgtll)iyapdavritsyedwsaisrio
.zol,u'erd.
lay to apply to a Judge for a habeas Corpus to bring him up
to be examined, and he felt confidenethe Judge would set him
at liberty.
Mr. Gourley—If this. Act is enforced against me, no man's
liberty is safe for n moment, and if poor he hay no means of
obtaining redress for any outrage that may be inflicted upon
him ; a Justice of the Peace has the power to commit any in-
dividual he please'', amid to make insanity his excuse for it.—
It is a power the meet monstrous I ever been' of, and 1 will
not submit to it.
Cif ArnetAN—As you have asked what bail the Court will
require, I deem it bat fair to acquaint you, the Court will be
satisfied with younell in the sum of 2001., and two sureties in
1001. each. If you have friends who will enter into that secu.
rity, you nifty take your discharge instantly, or, as this is the
last day of the Session, you may take time to consider, and
make the application to put in your bail on the adjouniment
day, which is next week.
Mr. Gourlay—lt is not at all probable' I shall ask the fa-
vour of any one to bail me; I um determined to weather it
out, whatever may be the issue.

CHAIRMAN—I can do no more fryou.
11r. Gourley then bowed to the Court, and returned in tilt.
custody of an officer to the House of Correction.

BitlikD.—There is actually a difference of ono
hilt! in the price of the same descryoion of
)read, ,old at different bakers' shops in the me-
ropolis:

Yesterday morning, Mr. KEAN, the celebrated
regedian passidthrough this city in his travel-
ing.chariot for London, on his return from Italy.
—(Kentish Gazette, July ech)