The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-23 00:00:00

other ineffectual efforts to induce his Lordship to with- -
draw the clause ; and eventually your Committee, with
very great reluctance, acting under the advice of Sir
Thomas Winnington, consented to the withdrawal of
the Bill.
" From the experience of your Committee in the fate
of the Bills introduced in the two last sessions of Par-
liament, i
they are of opinion that this Association is not
in itself sufficiently powerful to carry a measure of so
much importance as the regulation of the salmon fisheries
throughout England and Wales, and that some more
powerful agency should be set to work, in order to mrAke
a successful attempt to remove the existing Eth-:.ases.
Under these circumstances, and, looking also
to the
report of the Commissioners on the Irish Fisbrjries, re-
cently published (the perusal of which they s'aeongly re-
commend to all who are interested in the protecti,n of
salmon fisheries),
they are of opinion the;,;the;,;the more cer-
tain way of obtaining a just law on the subject would be
by the Association memorialising the Government,
through the Board of Trade, to a"ppoint a Commission
similar in effect to the Irish Co':arnission.
" From the various report's which have been received
from the upper and lower 'portions of the Severn, it ap-
pears that salmon arc more plentiful now than they have
been for many years, particularly in the lower part of
the river, in the locr4ty of the Putt Fisheries ; in our
own immediate neighbourhood also a large proportion
of fish have been taken by the Worcester fishermen.
When they bis.vri been inclined to work, the number
taken has been three-fold what it was a few years since.
The preset r,rice of Severn Salmon in Gloucestershire
is 6d. pc,: lb. ; the average price here has been from Is.
to Is, 6d, when at the same time Scotch and Irish fish
have: sol.d for 6d. and Bd. The high price which the Se-
vern 'salmon caught by our fishermen fetches, must be at-
trit'Arted to the superior quality of the fish and its par-
tial supply, and this latter circumstance, coupled with
the fact of the men working their nets only when it suits
their inclination or convenience, strongly induces your
committee to recommend that some plan should be
adopted, either by the formation of a company or other-
wise, whereby to secure a regular fishing, and, as a na-
tural result, a regular supply of fish. The Committee
have hitherto forborne to take any steps which might be
considered as opposed to the interests of the Worcester
fishermen ; but when they see a whole month pass away,
without a single attempt being made to take salmon, at
a time when it was known that large quantities are pass-
ing up the river, as was the case ourlng the past month
of August, they think they are bound to take some
steps in order to supply the public wants.
Among the resolutions adopted at this meeting were
the folhowing:—
I" That rom the experience which the Central Com-
mittee have had in the fate of the Bills introduced in
the two last sessions, this meeting is of opinion that the
Association is not in itself sufficiently powerful to carry
a measure through Parliament of so much importance
as the regulation of the salmon fisheries throughont
England and Wales, it therefore strongly recommends
to the Central. Committee to take steps to procure an
interview with the Board of Trade, or any other public
department, for the purpose of inducing the Govern-
ment to take such steps by a general Act, or otherwise,
as to tlaem may seem best adapted to promote the im-
provev.nellt of the fisheries, and that they solicit the co-
operation of other associations which have the same
ol'iject in view, and that a copy of these resolutions be
transmitted to the Members of the county and city, so-
liciting their earnest support."

side, however, th• 3 protective system counts its partisans
at the present t7say, not only amongst those whose for-
tunes we beiie•ie are made by it, but amongst men who
are evidently quite disinterested in the discussion. Cer-
tain great interests declare that the qnestion of the main-
tense° or the destruction of the protective system is
with tliieln a question of life and death. It is even
!iftP'ossible to conceal from ourselves that certain
ir,dustries, whose great value none can contest, have
flourished by means of this system, and, thanks to it,
have arrived at a great degree of prosperity. We do
not hesitate to say that our choice is made. We are
advocates for free trade, in the sense that we consider it
an object which ought to be attained gradually, and by
constantly approaching towards it as far as circumstances
will permit. The protective system, interpreted by
prohibition, for it is always in that sense that the term
is used, may be very favourable to a particular branch
of industry, specially protected while in its infancy,
but once that a country has taken great strides in
a manufacturing career, the system, it will be seen, be-
comes injurious ; it arrests the progress of the arts
which it pretends to protect, and which often believe
themselves efficaciously protected ; it opposes the natural
order of things, in causing prohibition by way of repri-
sals against foreign countries, and in impeding by re-
strictions and augmentations in the price of the raw ma-
terial at home, those branches of manufactures in which
the country succeeds the best. It gives a bad direction
to national capital, and maintains an artificial and bur-
densome state of things by creating factitious industri, s
which live as in a hot-house, and do not produce results
equivalent to the labour they absorb. It institutes and
tends to perpetuate inequalities when the law has wished
to give to every citizen equal facilities. The great majo-
rity of those who support it are led astray by prejudices
and by false calculations. They have not correctly esti-
mated and placed in parallel what it costs and what it
produces, not only to the state and to the country, but
to themselves. They only ace the apparent profits, and
deceive themselves as to the charges. The present
moment offers, for the organisation of international
exchanges on a more liberal footing, conditions ex-
tremely favourable, and which may perhaps never be
again found, if not now taken advantage of.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND
HIS SCOTCH TENANTRY.
The annual agricultural meeting of the Duke of
Richmond's tenantry at Fochabers was held on Tuesday
last, at Gordon Castle. The show yard was formed in
one of the parks, and was very numerously attended by
the yeomen of the surrounding districts. The animals
exhibited were of a very superior character. His Grace's
stock were objects of much admiration, particularly a
short-horned bull, two short-horned cows, and several
pairs of highland stots.
There was an extensive show of agricultural imple-
ments, which reflected much credit on the skill and en-
terprise of the tenantry.
The judges having awarded the prizes, which were
bestowed by his Grace, they presented a carefully drawn
up report as to the condition of the farms, cottages, and
turnips entered for competition. In respect to the latter
it states that but for the unfortunate blight or mildew
with which the turnip crop in the north of Scotland has
generally been affected, and which none of the fields
under their notice had escaped, they would have proved
such crops for weight and substance as they had seldom
witnessed. The document thus concludes :—" This
being the second occasion on which a majority of us have
acted in our present capacity, we may be permitted to
state that the premiums offered by the Noble Duke are
having the desired effect in creating an emulation
among an enterprising and active tenantry, which,
coupled with the liberal encouragement otherwise given,
cannot fail to place the Gordon estates second to none in
the north of Scotland.
At three o'clock in the afternoon about 300 of the
tenantry sat down to dinner, to which they had been in-
vited by the noble landlord, under a spacious marquee
which had been erected on the castle lawn. His Grace
the Duke of Richmond, who was loudly cheered on
entering the tent, filled the chair, and near him were
observed the Earl of March, Lord Henry Gordon
Lennox, M.P.; Mr. Charles Goring, M.P.; Rev. Mr.
Cushney, of Fochabers ; Mr. W. Tighe, Mr. Edward
Wagstaff, Mr. James Skinner, Mr. Alexander Marquis,
aneMr. John Gordon.
The several loyal toasts having been given,
The CHAIRMAN said, in proposing " The Memory of
the late Duke of Gordon" in any company in the north
of Scotland, it was not necessary to recall to their re-
collection the many services the late Duke had per-
formed, both in the field of battle and at home. The
Duke of Gordon was one of the most popular noblemen
in the country. He knew him to be an honourable man,
and knew also how deeply his death was deplored by the
tenantry on his estates.—(Drunk in solemn silence.)
Mr. GEDDES, of Orbliston, then rose and begged to
propose " The Health of the Duke of Richmond," a
toast which he was satisfied would be received with the
enthusiasm which it so highly deserved, thereby tes-
tifying the gratitude of an attached tenantry towards a
liberal and kind landlord—a gratitude which existed not
in name but in reality.—(Cheers.) They were certainly
much indebted to his Grace for the opportunity afforded
them that day of meeting together, for the encourage-
ment offered to the tenantry on his extensive estates,
and for the kind and liberal manner in which his
Grace had ever acted towards them.—(Loud cheers.)
He trusted that he would not be considered as
infringing any of the regulations did he refer
to the unexampled exertions made by the Noble
Duke in his place in Parliament in behalf of the agricul-
tural interests of the country ; and, although his efforts
were unsuccessful, it was not his fault.—(Much cheering.)
If, unfortunately, their worst anticipations were realised,
and prices fell so much as to prove unremunerating to
the farmer, he was confident the Noble Chairman would
be the first to meet his tenantry in a fair and lib.!ral
manner.—(Cheers.) He then concluded by proposing
his Grace's health, and trusted that he might be long
spared to reign among them, which was, he (Mr.Geddes)
felt confident, the sincere and heartfelt wish of every
tenant on his estates.—(The toast was drank in the most
enthusiastic manner.)
The Duke of RICHMOND, in returning thanks, assured
the company that it was no easy task to endeavour to
express to them the feelings of gratitude which warmed
his bosom for the kind manner in which they had drunk
his health.—(Cheers.) It was only a few years since he
came there, comparatively a stranger, but he soon found
himself among warm and attached friends.—(Cheers.)
He would not now trouble them with any of the
arguments on the subject of the corn-law question
to which Mr. Geddes had adverted. It was a question
of the greatest importance to the prosperity, not only
of agriculture, but of the country generally. He
would not, however, under present circumstances, say
that the price of corn might not be kept up for a short
time. Foreigners were quite unprepared for the great
change. This time last year they had no idea that pro-
tection would be removed, and that circumstances might;
in some measure, keep up the price. The extensive
failure in the potato crop in Ireland, and throughout the
country, would also tend to the same result, but he felt
that it was not possible that with even the greatest
energy, the farmers of this country would be able to
compete with the foreigner who had no taxes to pay.
When he recollected that many now present a few years
ago came forward and signed leases under the first im-
pression that the Corn Bill was to remain entire, but
now that through treachery and double-dealing it had
been abolished, he felt that he would be incapable of
holding up his head among them did he not now tell
them that should any of his tenants wish to relinquish
their farms, by giving intimation of their intentions to
either of his managers, he would at once relieve them
of their obligations ; more than that, he would cause
an estimate to be made of the unexhausted permanent
improvements they had made upon their farms, and re-
pay them the amount.—(Cheers.) He felt that this was
only justice, for who could have thought that Sir R. Peel
would have turned the traitor he had become? He should,
however, regret parting with any one of his tenantry,
many of whom had cultivated the same soil for a very
long period, but he could not feel satisfied were they to
remain and injure their own prospects or those of their
family.—(Cheers.) He hoped that his prophecies of
the evil of the measure would not prove correct, but
although he had patiently listened to all the arguments
which had been advanced in favour of the abolition of
protection, his objections to the measure were not re-
moved. He felt that it was brought forward by the
Anti Corn-law' League, and adopted by a Government
which bowed, not to argument and conviction, but to a
clamour from without, raised by the expenditure of large
mims of money.—(Much cheerine.) II:: then closed his
address by expressing his gratification in meeting so
anany of his tenantry on that occasion, and sincerely
hoped that Providence would cause their fields to be
fruitful and their homes the abodes of the highest do-
mestic felicity and comfort.
His Grace resumed his scat amidst deafening applause.
The health of the Duchess of Richmond, Earl and
Countess of March, " the successful and unsuccessful
competitors," and other toasts having been drunk, the
company at a late hour dispersed.
His Grace's piper was in attendance during the evening.

China. To the Rev. E. C. Bridgman he leaves his celes-
tial and terrestrial globes and other scientific instru•
meats. His collection of Chinese and other coins and
curiosities he leaves at the disposal of Dr. Alexander
Anderson, of Canton, with a request that he will select
from them such as he thinks will be acceptable to his
sister and Mrs. Morrison.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL GEORGE WULFF, Colonel-
Commandant Royal Artillery, who died on the 10th of
August last, at the age of 83, has left his estates in cer-
tain proportions amongst his children, bequeathing to each
of them specific bequests. To his son, Kendra C. Wulff,
he has left his shares in the Reversionary Interest So-
ciety, amounting to 1,0001. The personal estate was
valued at 9,000/. The residue he directs to be divided
into four equal parts, between his sons, henry P. Wulff,
and the Rev. James G. Wulff, vicar of Gwinear, Corn-
wall, the acting executor, and his daughter, Lady Hat.-
dingo, and the children of his late daughter, Mrs. Forster.
The Gallant General is succeeded in the appointment of
Colonel-Commandant by Major-General R. S. Brough.

THE StTN, tiONDON, WEDNE'SDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 23, 1846.

pany with Ilickton, from the police station in Arbour-
square. Nothing particular occurred until the night
of the 29th of June (the night of the murder).
On that evening it was proved that the deceased
went on duty with his brother constables at
nine o'clock, and proceeded to his beat. The last consta-
ble ho was seen in company with was Sergeant Parsons
about half-past nine o'clock. The sergeant was then in
the road on horseback, and Clarke on foot, and at this
time the wife of Sergeant Parsons and his sister came
along, and Mrs. Parsons having complained of being
tired, the poor fellow Clarke, who was in good spirits
455 the time, offered to lift her on to the sergeant's horse,
but did not do so. Parsons' wife and sister left Clarke
and Parsons together, and he was not seen again until
half-past ten o'clock, when Clarke was met by a man
named Luke White. That was the last time, so far as
the evidence showed, that the deceased was seen alive.
He was missed at one o'clock in the morning, and at six
o'clock on the 30th the deceased was reported by the
police as missing. The body, as the jury were all un-
fortunately aware, was not discovered until four days
after, when it was found in the corn-field where the
murder took place. Upon reference to the medical evi-
dence which the jury had heard, he (the Coroner) wished
particularly to direct their attention to that portion of
the case, as it was most important, clearly proving that
the murder was the result of revenge. The murderer
was not satisfied with killing his victim, but mangled
him in the frightful manner seen by the jury, and de-
tailed in the medical evidence. Had the deceased been
killed in an-ordinary quarrel, or in the performance of
his duty, his assailants would have been satisfied with in-
flicting on him a single blow or cut, such as had been de-
scribed, and then left him; but when the jury reflected on
the horrible wayin which the unfortunate man was muti-
lated, they could come to no other conclusion than that
this most atrocious murder was the result of revenge,
and nothing else. The Learned Coroner here pro-
ceeded to read over the voluminous evidence, commenting
on it as he proceeded. In reference to the evidence of,
the police, he said that it appeared clear that during
portions of the night of the murder Sergeant Parsons
was not on duty. What became of Parsons between
half-past ten and twelve o'clock on that night, and be-
tween one and six o'clock on the following morning, did
not appear, nor did Parsons exhibit any disposition to
inform the jury. Again, the constable Butfoy endea-
voured to make it appear that he was not on duty on the
night of the murder, having, as he said, got drunk at
Romford, and that he was in bed from five o'clock in the
afternoon of the 29th of June, until six o'clock the
next morning, when he heard that the deceased Clarke
was missing. Now this was positively contradicted by
Kimpton and by Parsons himself, who said Butfoy came
to the station at twelve o'clock, and said, " All right,
sergeant." If Butfoy could prove he was really in bed,
why then his time was accounted for on the night of the
murder ; but if he did not, then there must be some sus-
picion attaching to his conduct. They had it proved, that
on the morning after the murder, when Clarke was re-
ported missing, Parsons left the station-house with the
constable Kimpton, and before he had proceeded 200 yards
from the station he proposed to Kimpton what tale they
were all to stick to in reference to his being on duty on the
night of the murder. Now that had struck him (the Coro-
ner) as a very strong and suspicious circumstance in
the case, but it would be for the jury to sly, what
importance should be attached to it. With reference to
the conduct of the police generally in the case, there were
no words strong enough in the English language to ex-
press the disgust which must be felt by all right-minded
persons at their conduct. He applied his observations
to those policemen who had been guilty of the foul and
heinous crime, to say the least of it, of wilful, and cor-
rupt perjury. The unfortunate circumstance was, that
these very men, the servants of the public, had in the
first instance been engaged in tracing cut he perpetra-
tors of the deed and in forwarding the ends of justice,
and they had been the principal means by which the
ends of justice had been defeated. They had been en-
gaged to ascertain the perpetrators of the diabolical
deed, and they had done everything in their power to
repress the truth. Its consequence of these circum-
stances the greatest difficulty and mystery had been
thrown around the case; but it would be for the jury to
consider whether there was suspicion founded on the
evidence sufficiently strong to warrant them in returning
a verdict of wilful murder against any person or per-
sons. He need not again caution the jury that they
were bound to come to a conclusion without any hatred
er malice, but that they were bound to do so solely from
the facts adduced in evidence before them. If they did
not think that the circumstances were sufficiently strong
to inculpate any person or persons in a charge of wilful
murder, then it would the duty of the jury to return an
open verdict of wilful murder against some person or
persons unknown. With these remarks he (the coroner)
would leave the case in the hands of the jury,, doubting
not but that they would come to such a conclusion as
would satisfy their own consciences, and the minds of
the public at large, in so important a matter.
The inquest-room was here cleared of strangers, and
after a consultation lasting upwards of an hour, the
Court was re-opened, when the Coroner announced that
the jury had come to a verdict of " Wilful murder against
some person or persons unknown."
Mr. Rawlings said, on the part of Sergeant Parsons,
he now wished to know if he was to remain in the cus-
tody, or under the surveillance, of the police any longer?
Mr. Superintendent Pearce said he had no authority
to answer that question.
The CORONER said he would undertake to say, that
not only Sergeant Parsons, but the whole of the men
who had sworn falsely, would be indicted forthwith for
perjury.
Mr. Rawlings said, on the part of Sergeant Parsons,
he was prepared to meet any charge which might be
brought against him.
The CORONER remarked, that no doubt a few days
would decide the matter, and if Sergeant Parsons still
remained in custody ho had no one to blame for it but
himself.

The proceedings in this protracted and truly mys-
terious affair then terminated.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL. COURT.

OLD COURT.

(Before the RECORDER and Mr. Alderman Gums.)

ASSAULT, WITH INTENT TO DO GRIEVOUS BODILY
HARM.—John Morgan, aged 19, a last-maker, was
charged with having feloniously stabbed and wounded
Martin O'Hara, an officer in the service of the Great
Western Railway Company, with intent to do him grie-
vous bodily harm.
Mr. Clarkson appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Prendergast attended for the prisoner.
Mr. CLARKSON having opened the case, called
Martin O'Hara, who said that on the 22d of August
he gave evidence in that Court, and on leaving he called
(looking for a friend) in a public-house near Golden-
square, and, not finding him, was coming out,
when the prisoner, who was inside, said, " There goes a
b-- railway policeman," at the same time drawing the
weapon out of a sword-stick and stabbing him in the
back. Witness said " you have stabbed me in the back."
The prisoner said nothing, but the landlord said ;` I
hope not," and wished them to make it up. Witness re-
fused, and the prisoner was given into custody.
Police-constable 185 C said that he was called to take
the prisoner into custody. Ile was not quite sober, and
when told what he was charged with, he said, " Ob, it's
only a lark, and Pm sorry for it." On the way to the
station-house the prisoner said, " go with you, but I
won't go with that b—."
Mr. PRENDERGAST then addressed the jury, and cha-
racterised the whole matter as of the most trumpery
kind. The grievous bodily harm resolved itself into a
trifling puncture of the skin, for which no surgeon had
been consulted, and which would never have been heard
of, if the person aggrieved had not been a policeman.
Witnesses were heard to character. _ . .

The Learned RECORDER summed up, and the jury,
after a brief consultation, returned a verdict of guilty of
an aggravated assault. The jury at the same time ex-
pressed their reprobation of the use of such instruments.
The prisoner was sentenced to six months' imprison-
ment, with hard labour, the Learned Judge regretting
that the Court could not shut its oyes to the fact that
this crime was greatly on the increase, and, therefore,
the public safety required that every such offence should
be visited by severe punishment.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
A young man named John Seymour was brought
before the Lord Mayor, charged with the offence`
specified in the following evidence:—
William Norman, coffeehouse keeper in St. George's-
ctreet East. stated _that on Saturday week the prisoner
came to the house, and said that ne wished to beard and
lodge there a short time. Witness asked him for some
security as to the discharge of the amount of the ex-
pense, and he offered an advance note, which witness
returned to him on Saturday, receiving from him at the
same time the advance note produced, for 31. 55., pur-
porting to be signed " F. Richardson," commander of
the British Queen, and addressed to Mr. Angar, 7,
Fenchurch-street. The prisoner had his board and
lodging with witness for ten days, which amounted to
IL, and witness gave him the remainder of the sum at
different times. The prisoner wrote his name on the
back of the note.
Mr. John A. Angar, merchant, of Fen-court, Fen-
church-strect, said that he had no vessel called the
British Queen, nor was he agent of any such vessel, nor
did he know any commander of the name of Richardson.
The prisoner said that the writing on the back of the
note was not his.—Committed for trial.
William Hall, cab-driver, No. 4,033, was charged with
having violently whipped a lad named John Noble.
As the complainant was drawing a truck in Fen-
church-street a waggon was passing by, and the prisoner
wanted to drive his cab between witness and the pave-
ment, and then began to lash the lad most desperately,
and struck him in the eye with his whip. A person
who witnessed the brutal conduct of the defendant
readily appeared to give evidence of the fact.
Alderman MUSGROVE said he should inflict the penalty
of 30 shillings upon the defendant, who refused to pay,
and said it was quite ridiculous to say that any assault
had been committed.—The prison( r was committed.
GREENWICH.
HORSE STEALING.—John Johnson, a cab driver, re-
siding on Blackheath-hill, was broughtlbefore Mr. Traill,
charged with stealing a gelding and harness, the pro-
perty of William Attersley, hackney master, of No. 73,
Stratton-ground, Horseferry-road, Westminster, and also
a horse, the property of W. Walker, of York-road,
Lambeth, cab proprietor.
Mr. Attersley identified his horse, which was safe in
the stable on the night of Monday fortnight last, after
the gates had been closed and barred.
James Rapsey, police-constable, 102 R, deposed that
the horse in question was handed over to him by a per-
son named Crutch, at the Si in Inn, Blackheath-hill, who
had agreed to purchase it : after inquiry, and had paid a
deposit of ss. on account. Witness, from information
given, followed and apprehended prisoner in the Black-
heath-road.
J9lui Crutch, pnalmeizen 131,411060, &MEI 010