The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-17 00:00:00

TRIM BILLS AGAINST MR. MITCHELL.

The Foreman announced that they had found true bills
on the indictments sent up.
The Clerk of the Crown asked were they found against
John Mitchell?
The Foreman—Yes; against John Mitchell. We
have found on all the counts in the two bills of indict-
ment against John Mitchell.
The Clerk of the Crown, at the suggestion of the At-
torney-General, was about handing up two other bills,
when
Sir E. Borowes intimated the wish of the grand jury
to defer the consideration of those bills until Monday.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, observed that both bills
were very short, and as it might save trouble to all par-
ties concerned, he suggested they should be considered.
There were only a few witnesses to be examined.
Mr. Smith O'Brien said, as far as he was concerned,
he was quite ready to go on. It was then decided the
bills should go up.
The CLERK of the Citowx observed, that the certifi-
cate on the bills was not properly drawn up, whereupon
the Grand Jury were recalled.
Sir Edward Borowes said he had signed the certificate
" a true bill—for self and fellows," which he presumed
was correct.
Mr. Mitchell.—MY Lords, I do not think that is
correct.
Mr. Justice CRAMPTON told the Grand Jury they
should state in the certificate the name of the individual
and the offence with which he was charged.
The CHIEF JUSTICE (to Sir Edward Borowes)—You
are called upon to state the offence.
Sir Edward—For seditious language.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—For seditious publications,
you mean.
Sir Edward—Yes, seditious publications in the United
Irishman.

The required certificate was thon appended to each
bill.

Mr. Mitchell was then called in due form, and ap-
peared.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that Mr. Mitchell
having appeared, he moved that he be required to plead
in four days, in pursuance of the statute in such case
provided. This was the course pursued at the late State
trial in this Court. Mr. Mitchell was entitled to a copy
of the indictment.
The motion being granted, a similar rule was made on
the second bill.
Copies of the indictments were banded to Mr. Mit-
chell.

Mr. DILLON applied to the Court, on behalf of Mr.
Mitchell, for liberty to appear henceforth by attorney in-
stead of in person.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected, as it would be
opposed to the rules of the court, and no grounds had
been offered in support of the motion.
Mr. Justice Cnesirrox observed that the court could
grant the motion if it saw sufficient grounds.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL admitted this; and
On the suggestion of the CHIEF JUSTICE the matter
was allowed to stand over to Monday.
TRUE BILLS AGAINST MESSRS. O'BRIEN AND MEAGHER.
Shortly after four o'clock the grand jury appeared in
court, when
Sir Edward Rot:owes announced that they had found
true bills against Mr. Thomas Meagher for uttering a
seditious speech en the 15th March last; and also true
bills against Mr. William Smith O'Brien for uttering a
seditious speech on the same day. "We find ,(said the
foreman) true bills on all the counts."
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then made a similar motion
to plead in four days to that in the case of Mr. Mitchell.
Mr. DILLore said he intended to move that Messrs.
O'Brien and Meagher be allowed to appear by attorney.
The ATTORNEY- GENERAL observed that he did not
desire to give the traversers unnecessary annoyance, and
if he could accede to the motion he would.
The CHIEF JUSTICE said the case could stand over to
Tuesday, when the like rule would be made in all three.
The Court then adjourned.
The Traversers, Messrs. O'Brien, Mitchell, and
Meagher, walked from the rooms of the Irish Confede-
ration to the courts, accompanied by Messrs. O'Gorman,
sen., Devin Reilly, and several other prominent members
of that body. They were loudly cheered by the crowd
assembled outside the court.
THE DEFENCE.

In reply to a question from Mr. Smith O'Brien, who
said he intended to address the jury himself,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated that he thought he
might hare the assistance of counsel in all legal matters.
But he recommended the lion. Gentleman to take the
adrice of counsel on the subject. Howerer, he thought
there could be nn objection.
THE INDICTMENTS.
There are two indictments against Mr. Mitchell.
One is grounded on the article entitled " Striking terror,"
which relates entirely to the late special commissions, and
may be considered as an attack upon Chief Justice Black-
burne as one of the presiding judges at them. The se-
cond indictment is on the letter to Lord Clarendon, who
is charged therein as " the general butcher of Ireland, '
and another article entitled "French Fashion.'

THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAT.—We are informed
that in consequence of what took place at the general
meeting of the shareholders of this company last week,
the directors have determined not to complete the
arrangements for a luggage station at the Laira, the
carrying out of which would cost probably about
2,0001., and the line will be therefore only used as a
passenger line till it is brought to Millbay.—Plymouth
and Devonport Jou, nal.