The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-26 00:00:00

WooLmcs, SEPT. 25.—The Mynx steam-vessel was
recently tried down the river with thirteen different
modifications of the screw popeller, and out of these
four of the best were selected for further trial, one by
Mr. F. P. Smith, of the steam screw propeller depart-
ment at the Admiralty; one by Mr. Woodcroft, and two
screw propellers modified by Mr. Atherton, chief en-
gineer at Woolwich dockyard. The Mynx left Wool-
wich on Friday last, under the charge of Lieutenant
Robertson, assistant to Captain Austin, C. 8., with the
four screws, and made three trials down and three trials
up with one of the screws, and two trials down and two
trials up with each of the other screws, making eighteen
runs over the measured mile in Long Reach during the
day. The result was very satisfactory, the average speed
being in no instance less than 9 knots per hour, and
some cases reaching nearly Of knots per hour. The
shipping and unshipping the screws occupied from 25 to
30 minutes, and the Mynx returned to Woolwich shortly
after five o'clock P. 31.

The Monkey steam-vessel towed the Princess Royal
to her moorings opposite the Royal Arsenal to-day, and
will leave at an early hour to morrow, with two compa
nies of Royal Artillery and one company of Royal Sap
pent and Miners for Gibraltar. The following officers
proceed with the companies:—Captain John Adye, com-
manding; Captain G. C. Baillie, Royal Engineers;
Lieutenant B. K. Freeth, Lieutenant J. Speerway, and
Lieutenant Harding, Royal Artillery; Lieutenant Ewart,
Royal Engineers; and Assistant-Surgeon Allinson, of
the Ordnance Medical Department.
The Athol troopship, Master Commander Pearn, has
arrived in the river from Canada, and is hourly expected
at Woolwich, with two companies of the Royal Artillery
from Quebec. The Vesuvius has had her moorings
changed to-day to make room for the Athol alongside
the receiving-ship.
The Sharpshooter, Lieutenant Commander Bailey, was
taken out of dock on Saturday, and is expected to go
down the river on. trial on Wednesday.
The Janus steam-vessel was taken into dock on Sa-
turday to be prepared for the reception of the engines
formerly used in the Sydenham, instead of the rotatory
engines previously tried in the Janus by Rear-Admiral
the Earl of Dundonald.
The Royal squadron, under the command of Captain
Lord Adolphus Fitaclarence, G.C.11., will leave Aber-
deen to-day on the return of her Majesty from Scotland,
and the royal yacht is expected to arrive at Cowes,
where the squadron will proceed direct, on Thursday,
the 28th inst.

PLYMOUTH, SErr. 23,—Tier Majesty's steam-vessel
Sprightly, Master Commander James P. Moon, sailed
yesterday for the Cove of Cork.
The merchant barque Majestic, from Bombay, for
London, was off the port yesterday.
The barque Phantom, of London, from Jamaica,
which passed up Channel yesterday and lauded a pas-
senger from Fayal, reports that on the 2d of August,
during the passage home, she saw a water-logged brig,
apparently timber-laden, both masts gone, bowsprit
standing, totally abandoned.
The audden death of Lord George Bentinck has
created a painful sensation in the minds of the shipowners
of the port of Plymouth, who held the deceased noble-
man in high esteem for his untiring attention to their
interests.

CUSTOMS' REFORMS.
During the recent session, Mr. Macgregor, the
Member for Glasgow, gave the following notice of
motion for next session :-
1. That, considering the magnitude of the mari-
time commerce of the British empire, and that no
vessel or ship, with a cargo, in ballast, or with pas-
sengers, can, when engaged either in the coasting,
colonial, or foreign trade, arrive at, discharge, or take
in a lading, or passengers, or depart from any port in
the United Kingdom, without the interference of the
officers and submitting to the regulations and laws of
the Customs, it has become necessary for Parliament
to take into consideration the whole subject of the
administration, organization, management, and regu-
lations of that department.
2. That the friendly and peaceable relations, and
reciprocal social benefits, and commercial advantages,
between the United Kingdom and all foreign coun-
tries, can be most harmoniously and durably main•
tained by the maritime and trading intercourse being
rendered as free as the security of the revenue may,
allow from all vexatious, ignorant, and,useless restric-
tions, delays, and expenses.
$. That, with a view to facilitate maritime inter-
course between British and all foreign ports, and to
effect a direct responsibility of duties and efficiency of
services in regard to the security of the revenue, and
the quick dispatch of the commercial and shipping
business of the United Kingdom, it appears the fol-
lowing changes are absolutely necessary :—First----
A complete reform of the system of regulations, or-
ders, and management of the Customs. Second—An
abolition of the present administrative organization of
appointments, and especially that of the Board of
Commissioners. Third—That, for the purposes of
responsibility of duties, the security of the revenue,
and the quick and efficient dispatch of ships and their
cargoes, am efficient re-arrangement of the personal
organization of the Customs department appears ne-
cessary. _ _ _

4. that, considering the effect which the commerce
and financial legislation of the United Kingdom have,
at all times, upon the employment of the people, the
prosperity of the empire, and the public revenue and
credit, it appears necessary to inquire into the pro-
gress of the trade and navigation between the United
Kingdom and foreign countries, and also between the
United Kingdom and the British possessions abroad,
including India, from the sth day of January, 1827,
to the sth day of January, 1849.

THE CHARTIST TRIALS.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.
TRIAL OF CUFFEY, LACY, FAY, AND
MULLINS.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. BALLANTINE said ho understood 200 new jurors
had been summoned, whose names had not been called
over. He proposed to show, without disrespect to the
jurymen, that he was not unindifferent as between the
Crown and the prisoner. This he proposed to show out
of his own mouth.
Mr. Baron PLATT thought the jury could not be ob-
jected to until they were in the box.
Mr. PARRY applied to have his application with re-
spect to the reading of the panel placed upon the record.
otherwise the prisoner could not take advantage of it if
their Lordships' decision was wrong.
Mr. Baron PLATT refused the application.
The jury having been called and taken their
places in the box,
Mr. HUDDLESTONE applied, on behalf of Coffey, to have
the panel read over in the words stated by Chitty,
p. 546.
Mr. Baron PLATT inquired if the Attorney-General
opposed the application?
The ATTORNEY GENERAL said ho did not.
Mr. KENEALY called the attention of the Court to the
fact that he cited the same authority before Mr. Justice
Erle and Mr. Justice Williams, and that they refused it.
Mr. Justice WILLIAMS reminded the Learned Counsel
that he merely applied for a copy.
The panel was then read over.
Mr. BALLANTINE intimated that the prisoners intended
to separate their challenges?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, if sixty gentlemen
were objected to, a sufficient margin would not be left
for the evidence of all parties; he should therefore take
the case of Cuffey first. You say you shall separate
your challenges. I shall, therefore, proceed upon my
undoubted right, and try Cuffey alone.
Mr. STREIGIIT then proceeded, at the request of the
Court, we understood, to read the names of the 200, the
whole of whom were called out of the New Court and
filled this court to overflowing, the prisoners being ac-
commodated with seats whilst the list was read. When
the list was completed the 200 were filed off.
In reply to Mr. Ballantine Mr. Baron PLATT stated
that counsel had no right to examine the jurymen as to
their position, political feeling, &c.
One or two of the jury having been challenged,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected, and pleaded that
the juryman (Mr. Pickwell) was indifferent.
Two triers having been sworn, one a juryman and
the other an independent person, the juryman objected to
was sworn.
Mr. BALLANTINE proposed to ask him if he was a
special constable.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected. The question
was foreign to the matter at issue.
The COURT was of the same opinion.
The juryman, in reply to another question, said he
had expressed no opinion with respect to the issue of this
case.

The " triers" found that Mr. Pickwell was indifferent,
as also did two of the jurymen subsequently appointed
to discharge the same duty with respect to several others
who were challenged., One juryman, a Mr. Pembroke,
on being asked the question, said be had expressed a
wish that all the parties might be hung.—(Roars of
laughter, in which the prisoner heartily joined.)
Mr. Baron PLATT asked him to repeat the answer, as
he had not heard it, from the noise in the Court. On
repeating it some hisses burst from that portion of the
gallery in which Mrs. Cuffey and some of the prisoner's
friends were situated. Mr. Pembroke was objected to
by Mr, Ballantine, and he left the box amidst renewed
hisses. some few of which came from the body of the
court.

A jury having been at length empannelled,
Mr. PARRY said, on behalf of Fay and Lacy, that they
had no objection to be tried by this jury ; he should not,
therefore, challenge the array, the only object of himself
and his Learned Friends being to obtain an impartial
jury. He believed they had now obtained one.
The ATTORNEZ-GLNERAL acceded to this course, and
Fay and Lacy were called up, when the jury were
sworn.

Cuffey said the only objection he had to the jury was
that they were not his equals ; he was a journeyman
mechanic.
The jurymen not sworn were then dismissed until to-
morrow (this) morning, at nine o'clock.
Mr. Baron PLATT intimated that he should sit till
eight o'clock.
After an adjournment of about half an hour, Cuffey,
Fay, and Lacy were placed at the bar.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL addressed the jury, and
he regretted very much that the exigencies of justice re-
quired the attendance of so large a number of gentlemen
in their position, no doubt to their great inconvenience;
and he at the same time trusted that the proceedings
which they had just witnessed with regard to the choice
of the jury would not have the effect of prejudicing the
prisoners, because it was a course perfectly in accord-
ance with the law, and which the prisoners were entitled
to adopt. He then proceeded to state the circumstances
under which the charge was preferred against the pri-
soners, but as the facts were precisely the same as in the
former case, it will be unnecessary to repeat them.
The evidence was then gone into.
William Cross, a police-constable, proved that he ap-
prehended the prisoner Fay on the 18th of August, and
that, as they were going to the police-office, the prisoner
told him that he had been secretary to one of the Chartist
associations.
Sergeant Thompson deposed that he went to a garret
occupied by Cuffey on the 18th of August, and took him
into custody. He told him that he was charged with
felony, in conspiring against the Queen, and he replied,
"It is quite sufficient. I understand what lam charged
with." He then went to a drawer in the room, and
fumbled about for some time, and then took out a pistol,
which he endeavoured to pass to his wife, but witness
laid hold of him, and, after a struggle, got the pistol
from him. It was loaded with powder and ball, and
primed. Ho also found a flag and banner, which were
produced, and in which were inserted the words" West-
minster District."

Sergeant West proved that on the following day he
searched a cockloft in Cuffey's house, and found a pike-
staff, which he produced.
Charles Tilden deposed that he became a member of
the Chartist Association on the 2,th of last May, and
Cuffey was his class leader. He belonged to the Dean-
street locality. In June he had a conversation with
Cuffey about making cartridges, and Cuffey wished
him to make some. He told him he had got no gun,
and the prisoner answered that when the time came
they should get plenty of arms from the gun-
makers' shops. They likewise had a conversation about
ginger-beer bottles filled with gunpowder and pieces of
iron, and Cuffey said they would be very good things
for the Chartists' wives to throw out of the windows
while their husbands were engaged with the police.
Cuffey likewise showed him a pikehead and staff, which
he said was made after the Mitchel fashion. He also
told hint that there was a rebellion in Ireland, and the
soldiers would all soon be sent away, and London would
be in their hands, and he said he hoped that witness
would not flinch when the day came.
Cross-examined—He was very anxious to be placed
under such a redoubtable leader as Cuffey, and he ex-
pected if he obeyed his orders he should become a general,
and, perhaps, eventually president of the commonwealth.
--(A laugh.) He had been charged with being drunk,
and about seven years ago, while engaged in looking at
the statue of King James, a policeman interfered with
him, and he was obstinate, and stood by the statue from
nine o'clock in the morning till five, and then he was
locked up for looking at KingJames.—(Laughter.) The
magistrate ordered him to find bail on this occasion,
and he was in prison for three weeks. He joined the
Chartists as a moral-force man, and he purchased gun-
powder at Cuffey's request, in order to see if he could
not find out something to stop their proceedings. He
considered the ginger beer bottle business physical force
and not moral force. He mentioned the ginger-beer
bottles to lead him to think that he was sincere. He
offered to sharpen the; pikehead from the same motive,
and he always determined to betray the physical-force
movement. He was in communication with the Govern-
ment before he said anything about sharpening the pike,
and he communicated from time to time what was going
on. He knew nothing of Powell, and never saw him.
He did not expected to be paid for what he did, and he
became a spy and informer for the good of the public.
He went to Cuffey's house a quarter of an hour after he
was apprehended. Knew there was a cockloft to his
garret, but had never noticed it particularly, and, of
course, he did nut put the pike-handle into that
loft. He was in regular employment with a
a respectable tradesman at the time of these
proceedings, and was earning 28s. per week.
Did not expect to be paid for anything except his
loss of time; but he should not be ashamed to take any-
thing the Government might give him. On one occasion
he saw Cuffey casting bullets in his garret. He was
using a tobacco-pipe and a pair of pliers for the purpose.
Neither Mrs. Cuffey or any of the little Cuffeys were in
the room.—(A laugh.)
Re-examined—He was apprehended for loitering about
Whitehall-gardens, and not giving a satisfactory account
of himself.
At the close of the examination of this witness, the
jury in the former case came into court, and handed in
a written paper to the Bench, in which they expressed
a wish for the Court to read over those portions of
the evidence which confirmed the statement of the ac-
complice.
Mr. Justice WILLIAMS said that his Learned Brother
Erlo who tried the case, and who had more particularly
directed his attention to it, had left the court, but he
would endeavour, as well as he could, to do what the
jury required.
The ATTOUNEY-GENERAL suggested that it was now
past seven o'clock, and, as it would not be advisable to
break into the evidence of the next witness, it would
be better at once to adjourn the case of Cuffey and the
other prisoners.

Mr:Baron PIA-TT said that as there did not appear to
be any probability of getting through the case that night,
perhaps that would be the better course.
The further proceedings in the trial of Cuffey were
accordingly adjourned, the jury being taken, as in the
former case, to the London Coffee-house in the charge
of an officer.

Mr. Justice WILLIAms then proceeded to address the
jury in the case of Dowling, and read from his notes
those portions of the evidence which were relied upon
by the Crown as confirming the testimony of the ac-
complice.
Mr. KENEALY, at the close of the Learned Judge'i
address, complained that he had not been allowed to
adopt a similar course in challenging the jury that bad
been permitted to Mr. Ballantine in the case before the
Court that day. He had made the same application, but
it was refused.
Mr. Justice Wu.LlA.ms said that the Learned Counsel

had applied for a list of the jury, and that was the appli-
cation which bad been refused.

Mr. KENEALY asserted that he bad asked permission
to take precisely the same course that had bee❑ adopted
by Mr. Ballantine; and he now requested that the Court
would direct the fact to be placed upon the record.
The COURT refused to accede to the request.
The jury then again retired, at half-past eight o'clock,
and returned into court at half-past nine, when they
gave a verdict of Guilty against the prisoner upon the
second count of the indictment.
ZV IV COURT.
(Before the RECORDER.)
Soloman Cowan surrendered to take his trial on an
indictment charging him with having received a large
quantity of cards, the property of Messrs. Dickenson,
well knowing them to have been stolen.
The prisoner was defended by Mr. Bodkin, and Mr.
Ballantine stated the case to the jury.
The facts of the case have already been amply de-
tailed in the police reports, and under the head of this
court last session. For some long time past the prose-
cutors, the well-known card makers, had been plundered
to a great extent by their servants, one of whom and also
some receivers were convicted last session; the goods
were traced to several persons, and amongst others the
prisoner, who keeps a general-dealer's in Goswell-street,
and the point urged most strongly against the prisoner
was the fact of his having sold a quantity of the stolen
cards at very considerably below the wholesale price.
The RECORDER, having heard some of the witnesses,
expressed an opinion that he did not think there was
any case to go to the jury.
After some discussion,
Mr. BALLANTINE said, that if that was the opinion of
the Court, his clients did not wish to press the case any
farther. They admitted the prisoner had dealt openly
with the stolen articles, and although they had watched
their servants they had not traced any of them in com-
munication with him or at his premises.
The RECORDER, haviug directed an acquittal, cau-
tioned the prisoner to be more careful in his dealings for
the future.

Frederick William Soutlicombe, aged 22, a cabinet-
maker, was indicted for forgery and conspiracy.
From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner (who
had for some years past swindled a number of trades-
people under a variety of aliases) opened a baker's shop
in the Caledonian-road, Islington, under the name of
Cocking, and by means of a forged bill of exchange, the
subject-matter of the first indictment, obtained goods to
the amount of 71 10s. from Messrs. Hens, ironmongers,
of High-street, Islington.
The evidence was very conclusive of the prisoner's
guilt, and the jury at once convicted him.
There were eight other indictments against the pri-
soner—four for forgery, and four for obtaining goods
under false pretences.
The RECORDER, having looked over some of the other
charges, sentenced the prisoner to seven years' trans-
portation.

No other ease worthy of mention transpired in this
court during the day.

THIRD COURT.
(Before Mr. Commissioner BULLOCK.)
John Rickman, aged 49, a plumber, was indicted for
attempting to murder his wife by cutting her throat.
Mr. PLATT prosecuted, and the prisoner was unde-
fended.

The Learncod Counsel, having briefly detailed the
facts, called

Caroline Rickman, who deposed that the prisoner was
her husband, and that they had been married for several
years, but that a month ago, in consequence of some dis-
agreement, they separated and lived apart. on the 10th
of September she met the prisoner in the East India-
road, when be came up and spoke to her, and, expressing
his contrition for what had occurred, he parted with her
upon the best of terms, and begged of her to meet him
in the evening at the house of his sister in Church-lane,
Limehouse. She accordingly went, and having been
there for a short time, he came in, and haring shook her
by the hand took her to a seat and embraced her, saying
he never meant to part from her again. Whilst so
seated he placed his hand around her neck and again
kissed her, forcing her head back; and at that moment
she felt something sharp pass across her neck, and, upon
putting her hands up, found he had wounded her throat.
She cried out, " The knife! He has a knife!" and some
of her relations forced her from him, and he ran from
the house. She was taken to the station-house, where a
surgeon was sent for, who dressed the wound, which was
still bad.
~„
Several witnesses who were in the room deposed- to
seeing the prisoner, after he had forced her head back,
take a knife from his pocket and try to cut her throat.
When he ran from the house some of them followed
him, and, having given the alarm, he was overtaken by
a police-constable, to whom he admitted he had done it,
and said that he had thrown the knife away; that he
was very sorry, but he did not know what he was about.
The prisoner, in his defence, said he did not know
what he was about, and begged for mercy.
The jury acquitted him on the count of the intent to
murder, but found him Guilty of cutting and wounding,
with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Mr. BULLOCK then sentenced him to be transported
for fifteen years. _ _ _

John Golding, an elderly man, was convicted of
bigamy. He had been separated many years from his
first wife before he married again.
Ho was ordered to be imprisoned and kept to hard
labour for one month.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Mr. Dubois, dentist, summoned George Duallle before
Mr. Painter for having used abusive and insulting lan-
guage towards him in the public streets, on Thursday
last,

Mr. Dubois said he was on his way to England from
the Boulogne fetes last Thursday, when he noticed a
great number of officers of the Garde Nationale on
board the steam-vessel, who were about to pay a visit
to the English metropolis. As the party of visitors were
totally unacquainted with the metropolis, he volunteered
to direct them to an hotel where they could get accom-
modation. On arriving in London he proceeded to show
the party to the Hotel de l'Europe, in Leicester-square,
when he was suddenly pounced upon by the defendant,
who, in the capacity of commissionaire of the Hotel de
Boulogne, endeavoured to induce the French visitors to
transfer their patronage from the Hotel de l'Europe to
the Hotel de Boulogne. Complainant, who had no in-
terest in recommending one hotel more than another,
refused to alter his first determination, and the conse-
quence was that the defendant proceeded to apply abu-
sive epithets to him. First he called him a " tooth-
drawer;" this he would have passed over, but when other
more insulting appellations were added, be thought he
was justified in appealing to the law. The defendant's
connexion with the Hotel de Boulogne would be proved
by the fact of his having been summoned us " George,
the waiter."
The defendant denied that he had any connexion with
the Hotel de Boulogne. All he did was to offer his ser-
vices to the GArde Nationale to show them the Hotel de
Boulogne, where they had been recommended to locate
themselves.
One of the French visitors came forward, and denied
that any of the party intended to put up at the lintel de
Boulogne.
Mr. PAINTER said, it was evident the defendant was a
sort of touter to the Hotel de Boulogne. lie had used
offensive language to the complainant, for which he
must pay a fine of 20s.—The money was paid.
Thomas Howe, a licensed victualler, residing in King.
street, Long-acre, was brought before Mr. Paynter (who
sat in the absence of Mr. Bingham), charged with being
drunk, and representing himself to be a police-con-
stable.

Police•constable 69 A, said, last night, about ten
o'clock, he and another constable were on duty near the
Cumberland-gate, Hyde-park, watching some persons
who were on the grass. The prisoner passed them and
looked them very hard in the face. Ile then ran some
little di btance and jumped over an enclosure and watched
witness and the other constable. The prisoner shoNVy
after came up to them and said, " I am a constable--I
have seen quite sufficient, and have got two officers close
by." He then ran off, and called out, " Bill, Jack, where
are you, d— you; you are never here when you are
wanted." Witness and the other constable then went
round the enclosure, and met the prisoner coming
towards them. The prisoner, directly he saw them,
said "D— you, who are you." Witness replied "We
are two officers, where are the two that you (prisoner)
have got." The prisoner made no reply, but struck
witness on the breast. Witness immediately collared
him, and told him that as he would not produce the two
constables he had talked about, it was the duty of wit-
ness to take him to the station. The prisoner made
great resistance, and struck witness and his brother con-
stable several times.
Police-constable, 85 A, corroborated the evidence of
last witness.
Defendant said he attributed his present disgraceful
position to having indulged too freely in strong liquor.
He was now extremely sorry for what he had done.
Mr. Hayling, landlord of the Itodney's Head, Comp-
ton-street, having spoken highly as to the defendant's
character,
10/. for every
Mr. PAYNTEa said the penalty was
d acted in the
had been proved that tho defendant had
should have
he
person assuming the character of a peace officer. If it
foolish manner he had done when sober, he
penalty.
He
should, therefore, remit the fine to 4
felt himself bound to inflict the highest
immediately paid.
rover in Monument-yard,
Mr. William Bevan, .--'rhe 'Money was
frail sisterhood, re-
Mary Ann Clarendon, one I .
aid last ni circumstances:—
about nine o'cicck
City, was charged under tahegnfo_lltokwegihntg
siding at 56, Quadrant, when she met the
she was walking in e distance, talking
glass of wine, which
to her. He wanted. her
ik 1
as far as St. Martin's-lane
but after wa mg
1 et she consented to
she refused;
Clio Ilayinar c
defendant, who followed Wes t ethnrel her fur OvPeri:tsacoem'
and back again to .
subsequently wished to
he declined, on the grounds that he
see her home,
but
she
.1 to enter the house. He then took
would not be allowe'and
they walked up the Haymarket.
take a glass with him. He
hold of her wrist,
once felt defendant unfasten the clasp of her
replaced it. Defendant then undid it
; and all at once s .
he missed it from her wrist. She
again, had lost her bracelet, but did not like to
told him she
that he had taken it. She therefore asked him
bSrhaeceallel ta.t She
tell
eheirri:er
home;
and on reaching as far as Windmill-
street she she saw a constable, snd gave him in charge.
menial, 80 C, who took defendant into custody, said
eomplainant toll him the bracelet was not of much value,
but at the station-house she told the inspector it was
worth 4/.
There not being the least evidence to lead Mr. Paynter
to suspect that defendant had stolen the bracelet, he was
discharged.

CLERKEN WELL.
John O'Donnell, a street-grinder, was placed at the bar
before Mr. Combe, charged by Rachael Wilson, a mar-
nod woman, residing in Lower-road, Islington, with