The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-20 00:00:00

IRELAND.

CLONMEL, WEDNESDAY.—The Quarter Sessions
, were opened last week by Sergeant Howley, assistant
barrister for the county.
Four men were put on trial this day for having
pikes On their possession. They were convicted,
and sentenced to two years' imprisonment and hard
labour.
ACCIDENT ON THE TIPPERARY BRANCH OP THE
GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY.—
Intelligence was received here this morning of an
accident on the Tipperary branch of the Great
Southern and Western Railway. The novelty of the
occurrence (it being the only circumstance of the
kind that has taken place since the opening of the
line) tended in no slight degree to place the event in a
very distressing point of view. It appears that on the
Tipperary and Limerick branch there is but a single
line of rails laid down, and that the pre-
vention of accidents resulting from the unfinished
state of the branch line was a subject of anxious
consideration to the superintendent. However, not-
withstanding the caution of the superintendent, two
trains came in collision last night on the Tipperary
branch, by which two guards were killed and several
persons injured.
A man was stabbed in this town last night. The
offence had no connexion with public or political
matters. It arose out of a private quarrel.
DUBLIN, THURSDAY.—AII at once the autumn has
been cut short, and we have entered upon the winter,
with every appearance of unusual harshness and se-
verity. There has not been for many a year so early
a winter. It commenced yesterday morning with
keen north-east winds, frost, snow, and hail. So
sudden was the change that people were totally un-
prepared, and the poor—now so numerous and desti-
tute a class in all quarters—have their miseries
aggravated by a rigorous winter.
THE DUBLIN COMMISSION.
Mr. Kemmis, jun., of the Crown Solicitor's office,
is now in Dublin, preparing for the commission,
which opens on Saturday next. Mr. Justice Tor-
rens, of the Common Pleas, and Judge Crampton, of
the Queen's Bench, will be the presiding Judges.
The city calendar contains the following names,
from which it will be observed that Mr. Gavan Duffy
is to be tried for felony, and not high treason :
" Charles Gavan Duffy, aged 32, felony, by publishing
the Nation; Richard Dalton Williams, 27, felony, by
publishing the Irish Tribune; Kevin od O'Doherty,
24, felony, by publishing the Irish Tribune."
Yesterday the Board of Superintendence of New-
gate met, and issued an order, prohibiting all inter-
course with those prisoners, with the sole exception
of their nearest female relatives.

Mr. John Lawless, one of the State prisoners, was
yesterday removed from Newgate, to give evidence
at Clonmel on behalf of Mr. Meagher.
TnE HARVEST.—In some backward districts corn
still stands in the fields, whilst the ground is covered
with snow. For many years such an occurrence has
not been witnessed in this country. After so long a
period of fine harvest weather, there is no excuse for
this culpable neglect, which, however, proves the
great necessity of the system of practical agricultural
instruction introduced by Lord Clarendon. The
Tipperary Vindicatsr contains the following :
" It is not an unusual sight in the neighbourhood of
Nenagh to see oat fields yet uncut. The ear in many
cases is quite empty of grain, and farmers are unwilling
to reap the crop, which has been a wretchedly bad one
in general. Potatoes are decaying with astounding
rapidity; and what with the disease and the general prac-
tice among farmers of consuming their stock as quickly
as they can, it is feared there will not be a potato in the
country at Christmas!"

THE SPECIAL COMMISSION.
TRIAL OF MR. T. F. MEAGHER.

CLONMEL, OCT. 18.—The court met to-day soon after
ten o'clock, when the examination of witnesses was pro-
ceeded with :

Patrick Ford, examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL
—ldentified Mr. Meagher as having come with Mr.
O'Brien and Mr. Dillon to Callan, on Monday, the 24th
of July. He recounted the speeches of Mr. O'Brien and
Mr. Meagher very much in the way the policeman had
given them on the previous evening. The constable
Mahoney made a joint note of their speeches the same
night. The paper was written by Mahoney, and it was
in Mahoney's possession. After the speeches the three
gentlemen went away on the car together, to the road
leading to the Nine-mile House.
Cross-examined by Mr. BUTT—His evidence was given
both from his recollection and from the notes. The sen-
tences ho had quoted did not follow one another, there
were a great many sentences between them. He did not
say that the sentences he had omitted would not alter
the meaning of the whole speech.
James Lalor, constable, examined by the SOLICITOR-
GENERAL—Identified Mr. Meagher as having been at
Nine mile House with other two gentlemen, on Monday,
the 24th of July. The other two gentlemen were Mr.
Dillon and Mr. O'Brien. Witness never knew any of
the gentlemen before. He had been ten years stationed
at Nine. mile House. Mr. Meagher and witness had a
conversation. He did not speak about the clubs. They
remained about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes,
when they went ou the road to Carrick.
Cross-examined by Mr. WHITESIDE—The three gen-
tlemen stayed about a quarter of an hour. Often saw
these gentlemen come to the place before. Next saw
Mr. Meagher in Rilmainham gaol.
Constable Hamilton corroborated the evidence of the
last witness,. lie was examined at great length, and in
the course of his cross-examination stated that he had
never read Lamartine's " History of the Girondists."—
(Mr. Butt read a passage from that work and from an-
other, but the witness said the words were not those ut.
tered by Mr. Meagher at Carrick.) Would swear Mr.
Meagher did not say anything in praise of the British
Constitution. The sentences he had ascribed to Mr.
Meagher were not consecutive, words and sentences in-
tervened. Ile could not recollect the last sentence of
his address, his attention at that moment was ,taken off
by something in the crowd. Mr. Meagher told the people
that he did not expect to have seen them again so soon,
but the base and bloody Government of England had
taken another step in the work of destruction. For every
step theytook he would take another, till they stood face
to lace. Are z on ready to stand before the military?
The English Government had trampled on all laws, it
had refused to give the people law ; but now they were
prepared to give them no law, with packed juries and
bloody judges . They have persecuted the bravest of Ire-
land's young citizens with demon vengeance. What we are
about to do requires but a few hours' deliberation. We
must not be carried away by the enthusiasm of our feel-
ings. To make our ship sail steadily, we must have
ballast—we must have sails—we must have a stout arm
at the helm—we must have stout arms to man her.
Now is the time to strike the blow, to make Ireland for
her lovely sons. Are you ready with nerved arms to
give effect to that blow ? I am ready, with those stal-
wart bodies—those stout hearts—through good and
ill success, to strike that blow. If we fall, we shall
sink like the fireship of the French Republic—we shall
sink from view with one cry of " Long live the Repub-
lic l" which will rise to the hearing of generations yet
unborn. There are many of you here this day who have
children, who, if we fall, shall rise in thirty years to
come to avenge their fathers' bloody graves. What care
I for all their force. They may threaten us with death
—they may tear from us our lives ; more they cannot,
for they have already deprived us of all else besides.
Death is the worst they can inflict—death is the ut-
most bounds of all their threats. They are about to
renew the bloody scenes of '9B. Then we had the
men of talent to stand by us ; then, too, they per-
secuted those talented men ; then, too, they had
packed juries and bloody judges ; then, too, they had.
a suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act ; then, too,
the judges, with folded arms, presided over those
scenes red with the blood of their victims, and retired to
their festivities, satisfied with having done their duty to
their Government. But I tell them that the time is now
come when that mown down grass has sprung up again,
and hero it is (pointing to the people beneath him). I
tell them that the grass which I see here shall rise in one
rapid swathe, and bury beneath its overwhelming growth
the destroyers of our lovely island.
Mr. SCOTT—Did he say anything more? Witness—
He said more, but I don't remember it.—(Laughter.)
Mr. Meagher then went into Mr. Purcell's house. The
people appeared to be very much excited. Witness
put this down in writing, as soon as he returned to the
barrack.
Cross-examined by Mr. Burr—Witness was on the
same aide of the street with the house where Mr. O'Brien
and Mr. Meagher spoke. The crowd was excited and
moved to and fro. They cheered the speech.
Police-constable Coghlan examined—Witness was in
Carrick on the 24th July, and gave evidence respecting
the visit of Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Meagher to Carrick on
that day. Also saw a person named O'Mahotzlewmith
them in Mr. Purcell's window. He was there
S. O'Brien addressed the meeting. Therewerew3,ooo or;
4,000 persons present. On his return to his barrack he
took notes of what Mr. O'Brien had said. Mr. Meagher
alluded to the arrest of Mr. Mitchell and his transpor-
tation. He said one of the most talented and gifted of
the young citizens was taken from amongst them by
means of a packed jury, and I cannot say whether it
was perjured and bloody judges. Fur some time I could
not hear the words at all. There was a great deal of
the speech and many of the words that I can have no
recollection of at all. He said also that many of those
around him had children, and that in thirty years to
come, when aroused by some young spirit, like him, to a
spirit of revenge, they might complete the work they
left unfinished, and have revenge for the blood) grates
of their fathers. The witness was requested to repeat
the words, but on repeating them did no make any
mention of " bloody graves.'
Mr. WHITESIDE—Now, can you repeat this?—(reads
rapidly)—" The mercenary informer knows no distinc-
tion. - Under such a system the obnoxious people are
slaves." Witness--Oh I—(Laugh ter.)
Mr. WHITESIDE—Can you repeat this? Witness—lf
you stop there I can.—(Laughter.)
Mr. WHITESIDE—But did not Mr. Meagher speak
very rapidly? Witness---Yes. He is a very nice young
man.—(Laugh ter.)
Mr. WHITESIDE—Yes, and you are trying to do him
all the service in your power. Now, can you repeat
this? " A mercenary informer knows no distinction.
Under such a system the obnoxious people are slaves,
not only to the Governmeat, but they live at the mercy
of every individual. They are at once the slaves of the
whole community, and of every part of it; and the worst
and most unmerciful men are those on whose goodness
they most depend. In this situation men not only shrink
1 from the frowns of a stern magistrate, but aro obliged to

fly from their very species. The .seeds of destruction
are sown in civil intercourse and in social habitutes.
The bl )od of wholesome kindred is infected. The tables
and be Is are surrounded with snares. All the means
given by Providence to make life safe and comfortable
are perverted into instruments of terror and torment."
Witness—l don't think there is a man in the court
would do it.—(Laughter.)
Mr. WHITESIDE—You may go down.
Witness—l say the word "spy "is not applicable to
me. I was only in the discharge of my duty.
John Geary, a police constable, also gave evidence
respecting the speech of Mr. Meagher at Carrick-on-
Suir. His report of the passage, referring to the French
fire-ship, differed from the other reports. He repre-
sented Mr. Meagher to have said, " The French fire-
ship that sunk and rose again so to show to the world
the benefit of a glorious Republic."
Cross-examined by Mr. BUTT—Wrote out the speecb,
next day. Had a perfect recollection of it.
Mr. BUTT—Then repeat it for me.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—SureIy the witness can
look through the document to refresh his memory.
Mr. BUTT—He cannot. The cross-examination Would
he to no purpose if he 1.-,ere allowed to do so.

Witness endeavoured to repeat the report without re-
fering to his notes, but failed to do so, though he said
he had read his notes that morning.
Mr. BUTT—Can you repeat one sentence?—(No an-
swer.) Come, I will give you two words, "French fire--
ship." Witness—" The French fire-ship that sunk b.c-
neath the waters, and rose again, showing forth to the
eorld the benefits of a glorious Republic. '
Mr. BUTT—Can you go on with the next " then
hurra? Witness—" Then, hurra for the Republic."
Mr. BUTT—WeII, go on? " but we must not—"
Witness made no answer.

Mr. BUTT—Were you ever degraded for drunkenness?
Witness—No.

Mr. BUTT—Did you lose service for drunkennesss?
Witness—Yes, I lost five years' service.
Mr. BUTT—Can you tell me one sentence of the
speech Mr. Meagher uttered? Witness—l have already
repeated it.
Mr. Burr—l call upon you to repeat one sentence of
it for me.—Witness made no answer.

Mr. Gore Jones, stipendiary magistrate, gave evidence
respecting the visit of Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Meagher to
Carrick-on•Suir. _

D. Williams, head-constable, was then called.
Mr. WHITESIDE here submitted that the acts of Mr.
O'Brien could not be received in evidence against Mr.
Meagher. They were not charged in the same indict-
ment.

The COURT overruled the objection, but a note of the
point was reserved. _ _

. The examination of Williams was then proceeded
with, and he detailed the proceedings at Mullinahone, as
he had done before on the previous trials. He added to
his former evidence, that he heard Mr. O'Brien read a
song from a book. This had been brought to his recol-
lection in consequence of a witness on a former trial
having said that he sung a song. He then reiterated his
statements regarding the demand Mr. O'Brien made for
his arms, and his refusal.
Constable Wiggins corroborated the previous witness.
Timothy Sullivan detailed the proceedings of Mr.
Smith O'Brien at Mullinahone.
Thomas Burke examined—Witness repeated the evi-
dence given by him on the former trials respecting the
proceedings at Ballingarry.
To Mr. BUTT—I was in the crowd carrying a pitch-
fork myself. _

George Spooner deposed likewise to the transactions
at Ballingarry. Saw Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Dillon, and a
gentleman he heard was Mr. Meagher, drilling the
people.
Mr. WHITESIDE—I object to that; he now mentions a
name he did not mention before.

Mr. SAUSSE—Turn about, and tell me did you see
that gentleman there? (pointing to Mr. Meagher.) Wit-
ness—l cannot say I saw him there.

To Mr. Burr-4 swore two informations.
After some further evidence, already adduced on the
other trials, and entirely of a formal character, the Court
adjourned.

THE STAR STEAM- PACKET
COMPANY.

The annual general court of proprietors of the
Star Steam-packet Company was held at the Lite-
rary Institution at Gravesend on Wednesday last, to
receive the annual report of the proceedings of the
company, elect ten directors, appoint auditors for the
year ensuing, and to declare a dividend. James
Harmer, Esq., of Ingress Abbey, presided.
From the annual statement for the year ending
the 30th of September, it appeared that the earnings
of the packets amounted to 18,8121.55. ld.; to which
were to be added miscellaneous receipts, making to-
gether a total of 19,62 V. ss. 3d. The expenditure
for the same period amounted to 15,6001. 53., leaving
a balance of 4,0281. Os. 3d., from which there had
been paid to Messrs. Miller, Ravenhill, and Co., in
full satisfaction for the new Star, 3,4001. ; and for
the purchase of 59 shares on account of the remain-
ing proprietors, 1131. 55., leaving with other sums
due to the company, an available cash balance of
8811. 2s. 7d.

In presenting this statement to the proprietors, the
auditors congratulated them upon the improvement
of their property and prospects, al: d expressed their
anprobation of the conduct of the directors, and es-
pecially of their judicious arrangement in the sub-
stitution of another new vessel for the Comet, for
which 2,000/. had been allowed. In consequence of
this favourable state of the company's affairs, the
directors tilt warranted in recommending that a divi-
dend of 5 per cent. be paid, which Mr. Dobson, the
secretary, stated would take about 730/., and which
was afterwards agreed to.
A discussion was raised relative to the allowance
to the auditors, wbo, it appeared, since the formation
of the company had received five guineas each for
their services.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors, thinking
that fifteen guineas would be adequate for the services
of the five auditors, had written to these gentlemen
respecting it, but bad not received any answer
from either of them ; and the directors now thought
it better to leave the matter in the hands of the sub-
scribers. The deed, however, gave them twenty- five
guineas.

Mr. ANDERTON condemned what he termed the
cursed deed ; there was no improvement or altera-
tion ever suggested but what the deed was in the
way. He remembered having written to the secre-
tary relative to the directors, signifying his wish,
that if any vacancy should occur in that body it
should not be tilled up: and how was that letter met?
That the deed compelled such vacancies to be filled
up. It was not an Act of Parliament, and he
thought the sooner it was done away with the better.
In reference to the allowance to the auditors, he
should have thought at least that it was due from
those gentlemen to have replied to the directors, and
their not doing so he should have taken as an assent
on their part to take the reduced sum. He concluded
by moving that the sum of fifteen guineas be allowed
to them for their services.
Mr. H. MARRIOTT, one of the directors, thought
that his friend Anderton, in alluding to the deed,
which gave the directors an allowance of 4201„ ought
at least to have given that body credit for relin-
quishing, as they had done, a great portion of that
sum. It would be better for them to deal on the
square, for they would then know what they were
acting upon.—(Hear, hear.)
Air. ARNOLD, the treasurer, said be thought it but
fair to the auditors to state that if the matter was set-
tled that day by the shareholders for the reduced
allowance, it would be as gratifying to their feelings
as to the proprietors themselves ; but they did not
approve of the directors acting in it of their own ac-
cord, and they were desirous of baying the principle
established by the shareholders.
Mr. ANDERTON said it was only :by getting the
principle established that they could get at the interest.
With regard to the reduction made by the directors
alluded to by Mr. Marriott, he thought it highly
honourable to those gentlemen to have consented to
it. He concluded by moving that the auditors' re-
port and that of the directors be received and adopted ;
which being duly seconded, was unanimously agreed
to, as was likewise the reduced allowance to the
auditors.
A vote of thanks having been passed to the chair-
man, directors, auditors, treasurer, and secretary, the
proprietors proceeded to re-elect the whole of the di-
rectors and auditors for the year ensuing, when the
meeting separated.

We can add little to our recent observations re-
specting the state of commercial affairs in the City.
Since the settlement of the account on the Stock Ex-
change yesterday money seems to be more abundant, and
to day it can be obtained on first-class securities on
decidedly lower terms. The sole cause of this state of
things is the total absence of enterprise in every depart-
ment of commercial business, operations being strictly
limited to current wants, scarcely any reduction of price
operating as a temptation to purchase on speculation.
The measure is, therefore, strictly that of current con-
sumption, even the retail dealers keeping their stocks on
hand as low as possible, and often coming to market
twice a week. The shipping trade may be generally
stated to be in a worse situation than the inland, the
best business doing being in the towns and villages of
the agricultural districts. In this state of things money
is easily procured by loan o❑ public securities, and were
it not for the uncertainty which prevails as to whether or
not the Chancellor of the Exchequer has disposed of the
new stock to be created, there is scarcely a doubt that
prices would be forced up higher. Every day that
passes, however, more and more clearly shows that Sir
Charles Wood committed a gross financial blunder by
not tuking the loan by tender in the usual form, as we
have repeatedly stated, and which every practical man of
business has since confirmed.—Herald.
A SLEEPY TRAVELLER.—One day last week one
of our denizens went to Perth to transact business, in-
tending :to return by the last train. In pursuance of
this intention he entered one of the omnibuses standing
on the South-street, Perth. He had not been long in
it when he was overtaken by sleep, and in this state
driven to the Barnhill station; but, as he was not per-
ceived by the driver, he was driven back to the Fair
City, where the omnibus was placed in a coach yard, for
the night. Our traveller did not discover his mi stake
until about four o'clock next morning, when he a,vvoke
shivering with cold, and, after groping about for some
time in a fit of bewilderment, found that he had passed
the night in the inside of the vehicle,—Lundes c'eurien