The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-18 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF

ABDUCTION.
On Friday last a serious charge was brought at the
instance of the Mayor of Worcester (Mr. F. T. Elgie)
against the inspector of police of that city (Mr.
Phillips) and two of the sergeants in the police force,
named Chipp and Bateman. The charge was for
having assisted a gentleman named Smith, who re-
sides at Woo:Ion-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire, in
forcibly carrying away his wife, a lady sixty-five years
of age, from her lodgings at the house of a Mr. Hey-
wood, at Boughton-street, St. John's, near Worcester.
The charge was publicly made before the watch com-
mittee of the Worcester Town Council, in whose
hands the police regulations of the city are placed.
From the statements of the several parties made
before the committee, it appeared that Mrs. Smith and
her husband, having disagreed on family affairs, se-
parated some years since, and Mrs. Smith had lived
for the last six years in lodgings at Mr. Heywood's.
Latterly, for some reasons which need not here be al-
luded to, Mr. Smith was desirous of obtaining pos-
session of his wife, and accordingly his solicitor,
having obtained the aid of the two sergeants of
police, proceeded to Mr. Heywood's residence, where,
having got into the house, Mr. Smith carried off his
wife in his arms to a carriage which was waiting for
her in the street. Mr. Heywood interposed, and at-
tempted to prevent her being carried off, as Mrs.
Smith called to him to come to her aid; but the po-
lice held him fast, and would not permit him to inter-
fere. The wife was, therefore, carried off scream-
ing in a shocking manner, and was taken directly to
the residence of her husband in Gloucestershire. The
committee considered the conduct of the sergeants in
interfering at all in the matter as most improper, but
their defence was that they acted under the direction
of Mr. Phillips, their inspector, by whom they were
instructed to accompany the attorney (Mr. Knipe) to
Mr. Heywood's house—whence a man was going, as
they had been informed, to fetch his wife—to see that
no breach of the peace was committed, and they said
that in observing the orders of their superior officer
they did not consider they were acting illegally, or
doing more than their duty. They had had no re-
muneration for what they had done, neither did they
expect any. Inspector Phillips at once admitted that
his instructions to the sergeants were to the effect
already stated by them, and what blame there was in
the matter attached to himself. He was applied to
by the attorney of Mr. Smith for the presence of
two of the police, as an endeavour was to be made
by a person to obtain possession of his wife. He in-
quired if it was legal, and the attorney assured him
that it was, and that all he had to do was to see that
no breach of the peace was committed. After hear-
ing the whole of the facts, the committee passed a
severe censure upon the inspector and two sergeants
of police, intimating that they should have dismissed
the latter, had they not acted entirely under the con-
trol of their superior officer, the inspector.

MA RYLZBON E VESTRY, SAT URDAY.—APPALLING
INCREASE OF PAUPERISDI.—Mr. G. Daniell said that ho
was about introducing a subject connected with the pro-
perty of the parish and the interests of the poor. It
was said by certain individuals that the poor, if left to
the tender mercies of the Poor-law Commissioner!,
would be better treated than they were by the local go•
vernments. Marylebone, by the extent of its charity,
and the amount for which it had overdrawn its bankers,
contradicted that assertion.—(Hear, hear.) The New
Poor-law R•'moval Act—the transfer of the support of
the poor from the landed interest to the cities and towns
—the sums of =my gone from this country to Ire-
land, and the restrictions that had been placed upon
trade by the corn-laws—brought about the dreadful
results that occurred, and still threatened the coun-
try.—(Hear, hear.) At such a crisis he called upon
them to do their duty to the parish and the pool ;
and as the begging-box would on to-morrow (Sun-
day) be sent round their churches for the Irish ;
he hoped that before they subscribed towards them they
would remember their own poor at home.—(Loud crie
of " hear, hear.") He concluded by moving that Sir
C. Scott and Co. be requested to advance 10,0001. at
per cent, for three months, on a resolution of the vestry.
Mr. C. H. Wilson, who attributed the increase of
pauperism to the absence of employment, consequent on
the stoppage of public works and buildings, seconded
the resolution. Mr. Joseph strongly objected to tho
collections made yesterday for the Irish. The Rev.
Robert Walpole, rector of Christchurch, said that
although he was bound to obey the order of his bishop,
and announce a collection in aid of the Irish, yet it was
his intention to circulate two sets of handbills—the ono
stating that it was the wish of many persons to raise a
subscription for the poor of the parish, the other con-
taining the bishop's injunctions to subscribe for the Irish
and Scotch. The motion having been adopted it was
forwarded to Sir Claude Scott and Co., and a committee
was appointed to wait for their answer in the court-
house. The vestry rose at three O'clock.

It has been currently reported that France is about.
to send a force of several thousand, men to the River
Plate for the purpose of taking possession of Monte
Video, upon the plea of protecting French subjects and
their property. This is, however, a mere pretext. We
have before shown that France has had a strong desire to
establish a settlement there lied she been sincere in her
professed intention to bring about a price, it might Ling
since have been accomplished by wiihdrAwing the in-
direct support which lies been given to the armed legion.
It is now, boa ever, high time that our merchants and
manufacturers bestir themselves, and consider the im-
portance of this subject, for should Fiance once get the
ascendancy in the River Plate, our commerce e i!1 re..
ccive a serious check. We would alsa call the attention
thereto of the bondholders, because, so long as matters
remain in their present state, or if ailowed to go worse.
there will be no chance of their getting dividends. \Vu
consider the best course w1:1 be for all parties to unite
in urging upon the Government the necessity of main-
taining the independence of these South American States,
and not allow the interference with or occupation of
them by an armed French force. There can be no
doubt that Lord Howden saw through the intrigue going
on between the foreign party in Monte Video and Count
Walewski, or he would not have withdrawn on the part
of England, and raised the blockade.—Post.
PUNISHING ALL PARTIES.—OH the 20th ult. the
Hamburgh merchantman the ineedendence, Captain
Schaecht, arrived at Hamburgh from New York. Among
her crew, of 30 men, was a free negro named Prim, who
was the butt of the rest of the sailors. They made him
believed that the captain intended to throw him over-
board and leave him to be drowned. In a spirit of re-
venge Prim got a hatchet, and stealing into the cabin
during, the night struck the captain with it; but wounded
him so slightly that he was able to get up, overpower
the black, and have him pinioned and thrown into the
pigstye, where he remained cramped up till the ship
arrived in port, when Captiin Schaecht delivered him
up to justice, and prosecuted him for an attempt to
murder. Prim, on the other hand, laid a complaint
against the captain and crew for ill-treatment. The
double trial came to a hearing on the 7th, the result of
which was that Prim was sentenced to confinement with
hard labour for 12 months, the captain to simple im-
prisonment for six months, and the crew to the like
punishment for one, two, and three months for pro •-
moting the animosity of Prim by their false representa-
tion.—Galignani.
DGING BUSINESS.—A culprit from Dundee, who at
Perth was tried, convicted, and sentenced to banishment
last Wednesday evening, officiated on the previous
morning in Dundee, as hangman's assistant, at the exe-
cution of Thomas Leith. He had 51. for his services,
of which be gave his counsel 21. to defend him on his
trial.

COUNTY or CLARE.—It is evident, from the num-
ber of outrages which are being daily perpetrated around
us, that some combined movement against the laws of
the land and the well-Ming of society is now in progress
among a portion of our populatit ; and it is much to
be feared that, throughout the approaching winter there
will be no safety for life nor security for property unless
some effectual means be adopted in order to suppress
the risins spirit of insubordination. On Wednesday
night, as Thomas Connell and Thomas Slattery
fired
atterywe
at
near
eraer-
turning from Ennis market, they were
Shepperton; a few slugs enter, d thehoerske'nsehe. head, and
Slattery received a few slight grains ina th
hpete shot. Two
carrying, ro
hgraadinp rteoviinoaurskl ye
market,
beenhia
horsegi n ,t
wouldha t
heifers, the property of Mr. T
certainly
Tuesday night killed on the lands of Borntick, and the
carcasses taken away.—Clure Journal.
LIBRARIES FOR TDB POOR.—A library and read-
ing-room for the industrious classes has just been
Ep ed in the populous district of St. George's in.the-
ast,ne through the exertions of the Rev. William Que-
kett, the incumbent. There are already upwards of 100
members, who are admitted, at the low rate of ls. per
quarter, to the advantages of a well-selected library of
books on useful and general literature. Most of the
daily papers are also taken in. It is the intention of
the worthy founder to have courses of lectures on popu-
lar subjects delivered occasionally.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemen having undergone the necessary examina-
tions for the diploma of this college were admitted
members at the meeting of the Court of Examiners on
Friday evening, the 15th inst., viz.:—Messrs. Thomas
Harrington Tuke, Chiswick; Charles Bowman Wilson,
Liverpool ; Edward Henry Owen, Reading, Berkshire;
James M'Nicoll, Liverpool; William Casper Kelaart,
Rochester; Henry John Waterland, Thealby, Lincoln-
shire; Henry Davis Benwell, Greenwich; and Richard
Brauwell, Penzance.

THE BEAUVALLON DUEL.—The appeal of M.
~ Eequpvilley against the sentence of the Court of Assize
of the Seine, condemning him to ten years' reclusion for
pyThiry, committed on the trial of M. Beauvallon, for
killing M. Dujarrier in a duel, came on for hearing on
Friday, before the Court of Cassation. The Court
over-ruled all the objections, and rejected the appeal.
Hill therefore have to undergo the punish--
mint in^ntioned above. The result oe M. Beauvallon 's
ppeal has not yet transpired.
A new helmet for the Heavy Dragoons has just
been sanctioned by the proper authorities, and will come
into use at the customary period for renewing the
clothing. In form the helmet resembles that worn by
the Life Guards, but the material is of brass with a black
horse-hair plume.—United Service Gazette.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MR. BRITTON.—He remarks
in his preface to the new publication of Aubrey's MS.
on Wilts, that it is his intention now to devote himself
to the autobiography which he has undertaken to write
for the host of kind friends who have subscribed a large
sum of money as a public testiraopial to hi11i...-.lkaide.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
New YORK, SEPT. 30.—Great anxiety pervades
this community as to the result of the pending nego-
tiatins in regard to the question—" Shall we have
peace or war with Mexico ?" The Government is
but very little better informed on this subject than
active and intelligent business men. If the ground
-originally assumed by the President continues to be
occupied by him, then, in my opinion, there is no
fiximediate prospect of a favourable termination of
„wending negotiations. It is understood that Mr.
TTritt is empowered to make, and probably has made,
certain specific propositions.
In this stage of the case, uninformed as to what ,
those propositions are, it would not be discreet to
hazard a positive opinion on the question—" Shall we
have peace or war with Mexico?'
On one point I have no hesitation in expressing
my firm belief. There is no doubt the President has
now the power and the opportunity of making a
treaty of peace, alike honourable and just to both
countries. The question presents itself, " Will he
embrace it ?" That is a very doubtful question. 'ln
respect to it I entertain apprehensions. Mr. Polk is
not a man of a great and magnanimous mind. He is
under the controlling influence of a false pride. He
has committed himself so deeply as to what he will
effect that he knows not how to retreat; and yet, I
believe, he now sees that he cannot accomplish what
he has threatened to do, and is a mere waiter on Pro-
vidence, in the hope that some accidental circumstance
may occur to enable him to escape from the dilemma
in which he finds himself placed by his own im-
petuosity.
The affairs of Mexico, as an independent sove-
reignty, present a gloomy aspect. The rumours
respecting Paredes are contradictory ; but the better
opinion seems to be that he is preparing to overthrow
Santa Anna, and is advancing towards the city cf
Mexico with an anti-American war party under his
command. These rumours seem to have given birth
to others, probably not less apocryphal, namely, that
there was an understanding between Generals Scott
and Santa Anna, that, if the latter would enter into
a satisfactory treaty with the United States, General
Scott would pledge himself to sustain Santa Anna's
Government against Paredes, or any other military
chieftain who might attempt to revolutionise Mexico.
I give this last rumour that you may see the cha-
racter of the reports that continually reach us from
the seat of war, but without placing the least confi•
dence in its truth. General Scott is a man of too
much sagacity and discretion to place himself in such
a position with such a man as Santa Anna; but if,
contrary to all human probability, he should do it, he
would soon have Mr. Polk's order to retire from the
army in Mexico; for, be it remembered, the General
is no favourite of the President's.

On Mexican affairs the Washington correspondent
of the Courier and Enquirer says—" There is no
news from the city of Mexico later than the 29th of
August. Let us separate, then, th►e certain from the
conjectural. It is certain, then, first, that General
Scott and Mr. Trist are exerting themselves to the
utmost to effect a treaty of peace ; second, that Santa
Anna is doing all in his power to accomplish the same
object; third, that Herrera is co-operating with Santa
Anna openly for this purpose, and with that view has
even become one of the commissioners." The writer
adds—" Will a treaty of peace be signed ? I think
such a treaty will be signed by Mr. Trist and General
Scott, on the one hand, and by the Mexican Com-
missioners on the other, and that it will be confirmed
by Santa Anna as President. But will it be ratified
by the Mexican Congress ? This point is certainly
not free from doubt.'

I give you this extract, premising that I do not
place great confidence in the sagacity of the writer,
or his means of acquiring information, but others
implicitly rely on his statements. Heretofore I have
not concurred in opinion with him, and have not found
him more correct than other respectable writers in
Washington.
Accounts from Hayti show, incontestably, that a
revolutionary struggle of a most sanguinary cha-
racter has burst upon that devoted people. On Sun-
day, the 22d of August, two negro generals, Semelien
and Alerte, having incited rebellion, Generals Tes-
louge and Descayettes openly revolted. They were
joined by hundreds of negro citizens. This is a civil
war betweart the blacks and ifiulattoes.
The President Soulouque, was absent from Port-
au-Prince at the time of the revolt, and on hearing of
it sent Prince David Troy, one of his most trusty
Ministers, a negro, to restore order. Troy induced
Alerte to return to his allegiance. Semelien
refused, and declared that he acted under the in-
structions of the President himself. The authorities
awaited the response of the President to this declara-
tion. If he denies it, it will cost Semelien his life ;
if he confirms it, the result will be the formation of
a new Cabinet, and war to the knife against the
mulattoes. Such was the state of public affairs at
the latest accounts from Hayti.
General Calebreushing, at present with the United
States army, and considered, until recently, a mem-
ber of the Whig party, has been nominated as a
candidate for the office of Governor of the State of
Massachusetts. There is not the least prospect of his
being elected. Mr. Briggs, a Whig, and at present
Governor, will be re-elected.
Massachusetts, through a state convention, has

made another nominailoni She has designated, with
great unanimity, her great statesman, Mr. Daniel
Webster, as her candidate for the office of President,
subject, however, to the future decision of the United
states Whig Convention, to be held for the purpose
oinominating candidates for the offices of President
and Vice-President. Mr. 'Webster was fairly en-
titled to this distinguished testimonial of respect in
his native state.
Our local elections in several states are either pend-
ing, or the note to prepare is sounded by political
leaders. These elections are never-failing sources of
great excitement ; and, as a natural consequence,
absorb almost the exclusive attention of politicians.
You will therefore find in our journals little to in-
terest you for a few weeks to come, except what re-
lates Co the success or defeat of the various partisan
canididates.
We have a rumour this day from Washington that
the President is confined to his room by severe in-
disposition. It is probable, however, that the attack
is slight, or it would not be left in a state of un-
certainty.
A Toronto journal of the 24th of September says—
" The health of the city is improving. The numbers
in the hospital do not increase, and in the convalescent
hospital the numbers have increased."
—Times. A GENEVESE TRAVELLER..
THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

The Journal des Debats contains a long article on
the ship- canal proposed to be made between Suez and
Pelusium, of which it speaks in terms of approbation.
" The announcement of such a project," adds the
Journal des Debats, "is sufficient to prove its import-
ance. An enterprise which is to place the Mediter-
ranean in direct communication with the Indian seas,
. by avoiding more than one-half the distance which at
present separates them by the passage round the Cape
of Good }lope—such an enterprise interests not only
Egypt, whose territory is borrowed for its completion,
but it likewise interests the politics and the commerce
of the entire world. Arty leagues to be crossed in the
desert, in the midst of a plain which will facilitate
the works—two ports to be created, under difficult
circumstances it is true, but which present no obstacle
sufficient to dismay an engineer, and in fine an ex-
pense of 30,000,000 or 40,000,000 ; such are the con-
ditions, not very cseerous it may be seen, on
which this magnificent result is to be obtained.
How, then, does it happen, that this enter-
prise is yet only in contemplation, and not already
a, 'reality accomplished for the advantage of civi-
lization and the commerce of the world? It is be-
cause the material ohsitcles are the least in the affair,
Fi it is because they affect immense interests, and
because their completion will affect more or less pro-
foundly the
-political
litical and commercial situations of all
Powers, thatand that perhaps it
has remained so long in suspense,
it appear will remain so still longer, al-
thoughat this moment to be on the point
of receiving solution.
X doubt, when the plan
shall be brought forward °
arrests thlt: cutting through this
neck of land which
nations, and which, when et e commerce of so many
eleted, will open a new
career to the power of severalhostates, every party wiN
be agreed, and even those wheartily opposed
to the enterprise will not dare to areacvaT their opinions.
Cabinets is unani-
mous appears that the policy of all
as to the principle. But ever
anshthe actual
arisen
wished to depart fleim theory to entyertime when
we
construction of the canal, violent dissensioo
and each party more or less with his own interests,ave
proposed to support a different system ; a
real although not avowed enemies of the under-
taking, taking, availing themselves of the difference erof
opinion, prevented every plan from being carried
into effect. Such is the history, not very honourable
for European policy, but true, of all the plans which
have been as yet brought forward to open the Isthmus
of Suez. All the Eiiropean Cabinets have joined in
the discussion without having succeeded in agreeing
with respect to interests which appeared to be so
clearly defined. Some of the parties showed violent
passion, and manifested a bitterness which caused
Mehemet Ali, the Viceroy of Egypt, and a man of
great courage, to hesitate, although devoted to the
project and desirous of its completion. Although he
is Sovereign of the couriff,,v, and perfectly free to exe-
cute within his territories such works as may appear
useful to him, although his finances are sufficient for
the Purpose, and although he appears to have chosen
the best ablution, he has not dared to meet the re-
' !istanceoffered to him on this head, although he has
been eare affliciently astute to discover the value of
efr7ernyds :eyed him, even under the pretence of
a sYm_pathy for him and for the
success
riot
easuiriruirXtelte in itveirtheleas Mehemet Ali is
carry hit° abet that celebratedP ...He knows how to
axiom, that genius by

patience opens a second road when it meets an incur- 7
mountable obstacle on the first. This is what he has
done. Despairing of success if he should bereduced to his
own means alone to contend against the adversaries of
his favourite idea, and being well convinced by ex-
perience that he should be unable to act as long as he
left the affair on diplomatic ground, and as long as he
should endavour to obtain the impossible accord of
Cabinets and foreign Ministers, he is at present en-
deavouring to lay the question before the real sove-
reign power in Europe—public opinion. Seeing the
impossibility of gaining over Governments to his views,
he appeals to commerce, manufactures, and to the
private interests of the nations which he knows to be
in accord with his own. It is with that object he has
suggested the formation of a company of engineers
and bankers, which he wishes to interest in his pro-
ject. And in order to tranquillise distrust—to show
his impartiality—to prove that he merely wishes to
hold the balance even between all interests, and to give
them all the fullest satisfaction, he expressed a wish
that this company should be composed of three groups,
representing each one of the three great Powers of
Europe most interested in the enterprise under
political and commercial reports, viz., Austria,
England, and France. This company is at pre-
sent formed, and in each of those countries it
reckons at its head distinguished engineers and
influential capitalists. The Austrian group, warmly
supported by its Government, has at its head M.
Negrelli, the constructor of the railroad from Vienna
to Trieate. The British group has for its chief Mr.
Stephenson, now Member of Parliament, constructor
of a number of English railroads, and the inventor
of the first locomotive which ran between Liverpool
and Manchester. The French group is represented
by M. Talabot, whose name is too well known to re-
Oh* kny commentary. That company, now some
months'eonstituted, has already resolved in principle
the fitiestion of the most advantageous mode of com-
munication, as :regards commerce, to be established
across the Isthmus of Suez. It has declared in favour
of the execution of a maritime canal, navigable at all
seasons and for the largest ships, and it has acquired
the certainty of being able to give such a canal 27
feet of depth; that is more than sufficient to float a
three-decker. Moreover, the company has agreed as
to the distribution and division of the works. The
English are to have, under the sanction and autho-
rity of the Viceroy, the construction of the harbour
at Suez, the French that of the canal from Suez to
Pelusium, and the Austrians the harbour to be
created at Pelusium, on the Mediterranean Sea. The
latter point created some uneasiness, as it was feared
at first that it would cost an enormous sum, but a
survey made on the spot by M. Negrelli relieved all
doubts. The port may be formed at Pelusium and
on better terms than could have been expected. The
French engineers have arrived in Egypt, and it is
announced that they are to be followed by the Eng-
lish. So far all appears propitious for this glorious
enterprise; however, too much confidence must not
be placed in Fortune. The mistrusts and passion,
which have so long succeeded in retarding its com-
pletion have been revived more warmly and more
skilfully, and besiege Mehemet Ali more than ever.
,Aficit daring longer to contest the utility of such a
work, and seeing that at length the opposition should
be withdrawn, they have invented, or rather resusci-
tated, a counter project, of which they warmly soli-
cit the adoption. At present, as three 3rears since,
when the maritime canal appeared to have reached
realisation, a railroad was opposed to it, so that the
enterprise, long reputed so difficult, is now menaced
with being drowned in the abundance of means pro.
posed for its accomplishment. Such is the real situ
ation of the question ; such are at present the two
systems proposed, and to the merits of which we shall
have to return."