The Sun.
London, England, 1840-08-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY`, AUGUST 11, 1840.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

(FROM Mg DAILY PAPERS OF TESTEkDATO
(From the Globe.)
Louis Napoleon had for some time been engaged in ,
preparing for his expedition ; and had employed agents
to engage a large number of the Poles this country
to assist him in carrying out, his pl al-li. In almost
every instance their proposals were rejected. One of
this ill•fated nation was induced to accompany him, and
was among the number of those who fell by the dis-
charge of musketry from the guard. Another part
of this wild scheme was to send into France
as emissaries a number of the low Frenchmen,
resident in London. These were to sow the seeds of
disaffection to the existing Government iu the different
towns of France situate on the coast, and to kindle a
spirit of interest for the Bonaparte family. Large sums
of money were distributed by the agents of Prince
Louis Napoleon among these people, and many were
actually sent over on this mission. We are assured
that M. Guizot, the French Ambassador, was not al-
together unaware of those proceedings, his jealousy hav-
ing been excited by the unusual number of passports
applied for by persons of this class. It is remarkable
that the Courrier de Londres, a French journal pub-
lished in London, a short time before the mad attempt
actually hinted at the ease with which, by such means,
a descent might be made on the French coast with
such an object, and mentioned Boulogne as one of the
ports at which a landing might be effected.
(From the Standard.)
The French papers detail the orders given to
carry out the Ministerial projects for increasing the
naval and military forces of France, although, ac-
cording to the Debats, she possesses at present a
more efficient navy than we do ! Alas ! that our
Whig economists should, by their gross negli-
gence and obstinacy, have rendered this boast
so much less improbable than it used to be in
the high and palmy days of England's wooden walls.
The ports of Brest and Havre, and all the. dockyards
of France, are to be put on a 'war footing, and orders
have been given to purchase 60,000 horses in Germany.
Surely the time has arrived when the culpable faneans
of the Admiralty should do what they ought to have
done three years ago for the British navy.
(From the Courier.)
Amongst the Naval Appointments last announced
we have the following :
" PROMOTlONS.—Lieutenant the lion. Charles Gilbert
John Brydone Elliot, to the rank of Commander."
" APPOINTMENTS.—Commander the Hon. C. G. J. B.
Elliot to the Hazard."

We have a notion, in common with the John Bull,
that this newly-made Commander is the same person
who, having been six weeks a Mate in the navy, was
promoted to a Lieutenancy at the Coronation, in June,
1838 ; and, if correct, this stripling, who has barely
elapsed from his infancy, exhibits in his own person an
extraordinary proof of the care and attention bestowed
by our Government on the interests of the best portion
of our defensive service. Rapid promotions are only ex-
cusable when the object has displayed either remarkable
proficiency in his profession, or performed some unusual
deed of bravery. In the former case, precocity of
talent supplies the want of experience, but it must
be that kind of precocity which makes itself known not
only to the whole service, naval or military, but to the
whole nation. It is only by conditions of this kind that
the want of experience can be supplied, and only on
such conditions can officers of long standing be satisfied
with promotions over their heads. What man, ac-
quainted in the slightest degree with public affairs, w:11
have the assurance to assert that the puerile Commander
of the Hazard has either experience or precocity of
talent, or distinction in the service derived from uncom-
mon exertion of courage? We dislike a pun as much
as, it is said Dr. Johnson did'; but we really consider
the name of the vessel to which Lord Minto has ap-
pointed his infantile son ominous to the crew.

EXTENSIVE FAILURE IN STOCK-

PORT.

We regret to announce that a very extensive failure,
and one which will doubtless result in the greatest
amount of distress and misery to many families here, and

Aservhere, has this week occurred in Stockport. Nothing
certainly within our recollection has caused so much
consternation and astonishment. We have been loth

to make any allusion whatever to the subject, as one
which, under any circumstances, must be treated with
extreme caution, from the exaggerated rumours gene-
rally current at such times ; but the matter has now
become so far one of notoriety, and the fact of the fail-
ure has been so indisputably authenticated since the
appearance of Tuesday's Gazette, that we feel ourselves
justified in making brief allusion to it.
It will immediately be inferred that we allude to the
case of Mr. J. K. Winterbottom, a gentleman who had
long practised as a respectable solicitor in Stockport—
who is known, we dare say, without exception, to all our
readers—and who was universally known and esteemed
as a man and a gentleman. Mr. Winterbottom is now
a bankrupt ; in what amount he may have failed it is,
of course, impossible for us to say with' anything like
certainty, but we may mention that we have heard the
amount estimated at 80,0001. Be the deficiency, how-
ever, more or less, it will assuredly amount to -some-
thing very considerable.
The fiat in bankruptcy we understand. has been is-
sued at the instance of the Directors of the Manchester
and Liverpool District Banking Company, by whom it
is supposed large advances have been made, while, on
the other hand, it is reported that the demand by the
bank upon the estate is covered by the amount of secu-
rity they hold. Mr. Winterbottom, it will be remem-
bered by many of our readers, was instrumental in
the establishment of this Company some years ago.
The affair with the bank, however, is not an isolated
case : there are soma scores of private parties who, it is
expected, will be sufferers, who hold drafts merely as
security for advances made on certain rates of interest.
Some of these unfortunates are utterly ruined, as, from
the hitherto sterling character of the house, they have
been reduced to stake their all upon insufficient secu-
rity. In fact the affairs of the estate are so exceedingly
entangled, that nothing definite can be known ; and it is
generally supposed, that from the litigation that will
eventually ensue, it may be many years before a divi-
dend, if any, can be declared.
The above is copied from the Stockport Chronicle.
To these details we might add much of an extremely
painful nature, but we forbear. There are one or two
points, however, which it is proper the public should be
made acquainted with, as Mr. Winterbottom has abs-
conded, evidently from the fear of apprehension on a
charge of felony. He was partner in the exten-
sive cotton-spinning establishment of " James and
William Bradshaw and C 0.," and the co-partner-
ship was dissolved on' Saturday last. • Part of Sun-
day he remained with his family ut his house in
Edgley, near Stockport, and in the afternoon he left
in his carriage, accompanied by his wife, for Man-
chester. He drove to the railway station in Water-
street, where he took leave of Mrs. Winterbottom,
stating that he should return from London on Tuesday,
evening. When he alighted from the carriage it was re-
marked by the coachman that he said to him, some-
what emphatically, " Farewell," a word he had never
before used to him. Various rumours are afloat as to
his retreat. We think it will turn out that he has made
the best of his way to the Continent.
The amount of his defalcations is estimated at a very
high sum, which, perhaps, is' greatly magnified. His
liabilities are, however, considerable ; and we deeply
regret to add, that his money transactions were not
confined merely to debts, but are of a criminal
nature. Among his other numerous clients was the
late John Isherwood, of Marple Halt, near
Stockport, by whom he was' authorised to -effect
policies of aisurance on Mr. Isherwood's life.
It appears that the amount of the policies was ob-
tained by Mr. Wietei:bottom from' two' offices, the
Ptacaix and the Royal Exchange, in bills at short dates ;
the fornier for 5,000/., and 'the latter' for 3,000/. The
agent for thePl-ceaix had drawn the bill payable to the
individual executors, and of course it required their in-
dorsations ; and as, we understand, they state they have
not indorsed the bill, it follows that a forgery has been
in that case committed. The agent-for the Royal Ex-
change had, it is said, in the first instance drawn in time
bill payable to the Individual executors, but subse-
quently, at the request of Mr. Winterbottom, to him,
",as agent for the executors." The money for this has
therefore not been obtained by forgery, but by a fraud.
In neither case does it appear that the executors will be
the sufferers, payment not having been legally made to
them.

The names of many persons have been mentioned to
us as those of sufferers by Mr. Winterbottom's conduct.
Among these is that of Sir Salusbury Humphreys, of
Bramball Hall, near Stockport, a gentleman of the
Most honourable principles, end highly and deservedly
respected by all whO know him. He was a client of
Mr. W interbottom's, and -empowered him, during his
recent tour on the Continent, to receive his.rents,
large amount of which, with other. sums belonging to
Sir Salusbury, has :tot been paid over.
We understand that the London agent of the
Pticenix office applied on Thursday to the Mayor of
Stockport for a warrant for the apprehension of Mr.
Winterbottom ; but the application was refused, on the
ground that sufficient proof of the alleged felony had
not been adduced. Art application will doubtless be
made to the Lord Mayor of London, that immediate
measures be adopted to pursue and apprehend the ac-
cused.

This digressing affair has thrown the town of Stock-
port into great consternation, as most people enter-
tained the highest confidence of Mr. Winterbottom's
integrity, and believed him incapable of a dishonourable
action.—Manchester Times.

BIRMINGHAM ADMINISTRATION
OF PUBLIC JUSTICE BILL.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

Carlton-gardens, Aug. 8, 1840.
Sir,—As you have stated in The Sun of this even-
ing that the Birmingham Administration Bill was car-
ried, and I withdrew my amendment in the House of
Lords, I beg you will correct such a mis-statement, and
I refer you to the minutes of the Lords on the subject,
wherein it is stated that after a debate the amendment
was carried without a division.

I never would have withdrawn my amendment ; and
I stated in the House I never would make myself a party
to that Bill, and trusted their Lordships would not
either. I remain, Sir, your's obediently,
WARWICK.

HOP INTELLIGENCE,.---WORCESTER, AUG 8.
_The hot weather is reported to be a little improving to
the hop plantations where the bine is strong, which are
now showing a few blossoms-at the tops of the poles, but
the weak bine is sinking, and is past recovery this season.
The duty must be small ; many are of opinion that it will
not be more than 5001. Our market on Saturday was
flatter than we have had it for some weeks past, and some
descriptions of hops were bought ss. per cwt. cheaper.
On Saturday morning an inquest was held be-
fore Mr. Carter, at the Mitre, Broadwall, Christ
Church, Surrey, on view of the 'body of William
Powell, a fine youth, aged fourteen years, who, it
was reported, had drowned himself, in consequence of
being ill-used by his mother. It appeared from the
evidence that the youth went with another boy to bathe
opposite Lambeth Palace on the afternoon of Tuesday
last, and on the road he (deceased) said he would either
drown himself or get transported; he, however, went a
second time into the water, and got round a barge which
was out of his depth, and as he could not swim he was
carried away by the tide. The Jury, after some consulta-
tion, returned a verdict of " Accidental death."
PROGRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.O—The Pre-
sident has commenced her voyage well, and we hope her
excellent performance at the beginning of her first trip
across the Atlantic augurs a speedy and pleasant passage.
She was seen by the Superb,' which arrived here on
Tuesday, from Charleston, at six o'clock on Sunday even-
ing, about eight miles east of the Old Head of Kinsale.
She had then run a distance of about 275 miles in 27/
hours, an aFveEruagleTpemrforAmßaEncEelo.. The speed and
ten knots per hour.
THE
cheapness of railway transmission have enabled the fruit-
growers of the south to send to the less produetiye coun-
ties of the north immense quantities of the products of
their orchards and hothouses. This system, Which has
now become fully established; is beneficial both to the pro-
ducers and purchasers. To the former it allows a regular
and steady demand, and better prices than could be ob-
tained if the whole product of .a fruitful district were
turned at once, as it became
,tll3on the loCality where
it was grown: to the latter it insures a good supply in
diaricts where fruit is not usually Mit:l.:dant: Liverpool
has lately been very' bountifully supplied with fruit and
the finest vegetables, from London and elsewhere, and
our markets now furnish a display of those commodities
equal to what can be found on the far-famed stalls of the
metropolis. We have also had an abundance of the finer
descriptions of fruits, such as apricots, peaches, and nec-
tarines, sent to this town from France via London. Thus,
while the stone fruits arc green in our own gardens, we
can, by this supply from the warmer climates of the south,
have them in full perfection ; a further consequence of
which will be an apparent prolongation of the fruit season,
for the foreign crop will be over just as our own is coming
in.—Liverpool Albion.
FRFNCU REPARATION.
.--Some of our readers
will probably remember that in April, 1839, the French
bug
Griffin fired into her Majesty's ship Medea, on the
'West India station, wounding one of the seamen on board,
a native of this town, named Matthew Harper. The
French Government agreed to make reparation to the suf-
ferer by granting him a pension ; but for months Matthew
lived in hope, or rather perhaps
we ought to say en the
kindness of his 'friends, for the promised pension came not.
' On Thursday last, however, a mysterious looking letter
arrived for the hard tar, which, to his great delight, con-
tained a hank
the postdlyboilf h i fof
65/ , being payment of his
pension from s wound, fifteen months ago,
and after the rate of 521 a y'ear..— Whitehaven Paper.
LooE.—The drift-boats bring in' from two to
five thousand per boat every morning. One scan has put
to sea, and the other scans arc getting ready with all
speed. Great hopes are entertaineS that this will be a
prosperous season, as at prcsznt there is a greater prospect
of fish than there has been for'matiY years past.

THE LONDON POST-OFFICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF. THE SUN.
SIR,-While in London as one of the Irish Anti-
Slavery Delegates, one or two of the regulations of
your Post-office struck me as so inconvenient, that
I think they should, at least, be brought before
the proper authorities.
For instance, I post this letter before half-past
three o'clock this day (Friday), to go by the half-
past five Liverpool mail, and yet I apprehend you
will not receive it till Monday morning, although
it arrives in London in good time to-morrow even-
ing, and if an answer was necessary, you could
not reply till Monday night's post. Now reverse
the picture. A letter posted before six this evening
in London,—two hours and a half later than this
is posted here—would reach me in time to-morrow
evening, Saturday, to reply by the night mail,
which you would receive at the same time as this
will reach you.
In ordinary cases the matter stands thus :—You
write this evening, and we receive in time to reply
by the next night's post; we post by the first mail
at half-past three, it arrives in London the following
afternoon, is not delivered till the following morn-
ing, and cannot be replied to till the night mail.
Thus about twenty-four hours are regularly lost on
your side.
Another serious inconvenience is, the short period
of time (from ten to four o'clock)allowed for re-
leasing letters directed to " the Post-office."
Such are generally for strangers, whose avoca-
tions often prevent them from getting, to the City
end of the town between those hours without a great
waste of time.

I would suggest that the largest possible period
of office hours should be allowed in this respect.

Respectfully yours,
A FRIEND TO CHEAP POSTAGE AND.
SPEEDY DELIVERY.
Dublin, August 7, 1840.
[The remarks of our Correspondent contain but
too much truth. What with the non-delivery of
letters on Sunday, and the sluggish way of doing
business at the chief Post-office, the inhabitants of
London are placed on a worse footing in this re-
spect, than any other portion of the people of this
country.]