The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-10 00:00:00

AFTERNOON SITTING.

A resolution was passed, which contained a recommenda-
tion to every temperance society in the kingdom of promot-
ing home missionary efforts.
Mr. DUNLOP then moved a resolution, to the effect "That
this convention are of opinion that, in order best to advance
the cause of temperance, those engagements ought to be pre-
ferred which, agreeing to personal abstinence from alcoholic
liquors, would also have the effect of restraining_the parties
from giving or offering these liquors as beverages."
Mr. REID proposed an amendment to this resolution, and
a discussion ensued of a very antagonistic and excited
character. _ -

The propositions before the chair gave rise to the oft-
debated question of the long and the short pledges, when the
most extreme opinions were uttered on the subject.
The Rev. JABEZ BURNS was opposed to the adoption of
such a resolution, although he was a long-pledged man, and
he repudiated the old pledge, in which an exception was
made to liquor used "in the religious ordinances of the
Church ;" for, since he had become a teetotaller, he had never
permitted religion to justify the use of that which he con-
demned in the chapel of which he had the spiritual care.
(This sentiment appeared to have been shared in by a great
number of those who were present, if we were to judge from
the cheering with which it was received.)
Dr. LOVELL was also opposed to the adoption of such a re-
solution, although when he joined the cause he had ordered
the beer in his house to be thrown upon the dunghill and
the wine to be made blacking of. He, however, had no ob-
jection to accept invitations to dinner (when his time per-
mitted), even though the usual decanters of wine were on
the table; but he had refused even to pass the bottle to a
lady of title, in order that he might keep his hand blameless
in-assisting to procure that intoxicating draught for another
which in his conscience he so much condemed.
A.-third GENTLEMAN said that if the meeting passed such
a resolution be should feel that he had no right to be ;any
longer among them, for though he was a sincere and deter-
mined teetotaller himself, he could not afford to carry out
the principle of such a resolution in his own house by intro-
ducing what would only be a subject of discord with his wife,
who was not a teetotaller, although she never touched a
drop of any intoxicating liquor except when (as she con-
ceived) the usages of society required her to offer a glass
of wine to a friend who visited her.
_ .

Dr. Beaumont, the Rev. Dr. Beecher, and several others,
having spoken against the resolution as well as the amend-
ment, a second amendment was submitted to the meeting
with the view of getting rid of this vexata questio—namely,
" That this meeting proceed to the consideration of the
previous question."
The CHAIRMAN having expressed a wish that Mr. Danlop
would withdraw his resolution, as it was so necessary to pre-
serve unanimity in their body,
Mr. DUNLOP said that his conscience would not permit him
to accede to such a proposal. When he recollected that the
American, the Scotch, and the north 'of England teetotallers
had adopted the long pledge, he was the more anxious to
press this subject upon the attention of the convention. He
thought that the time was now come when a sudden start
ought to be made upon this subject. In the Peace Society
they had adopted two pledges—the one permitted a defen-
sive war, the other denounced war under any circumstances.
Ultimately, that society would not tolerate any person on
their committees, or in the capacity of agents, who would not
preach in favour of total peace, under all circumstances. He
merely asked them to agree to a resolution giving a pre-
ference to the long pledge.
The CHAIRMAN expressed his doubts of the competency of
the World's Convention adopting any such resolution.
On the question being put, " the consideration of the pre-
vious question" was carried by a large majority, 'and the
resolution and first amendment were rejected.
The CHAIRMAN appealed to the meeting in favour of
carrying on their proceedings in a calm and dignified manner,
as he thought that the state of excitement which pre-
vailed among them was totally unworthy of their proceed-
ing.—( Hear, hear.)
The SECRETARY then submitted to their consideration an
address to the Wesleyan Conference, now sitting in Bristol,
calling for their support in aid of the temperance movement
throughout the world.
Dr. BEAUMONT having moved, and
Mr. JAMES S. BUCKINGHAM having seconded the adoption

of the address, it was carried unanimously.
Mr. HAUGHTON, of Dublin, proposed a resolution to the
effect " That in view of all the information which has been
given to this Convention, our conviction of the immorality
of the manufacture, sale, and use of intoxicating drinks as a
common beverage is dzepened and strengthened; and we
desire to enunciate to the world this strong conviction of our
mind," &c.
Mr. H. SOLLY, in seconding the resolution, read an address
to the manufacturers and sellers of intoxicating drinks,
setting forth the evils c'nsequent upon an indulgence in
them, and appealing to them as Christians and as humane
men to give up such traffic, and to aid the Convention in their
efforts to advance the comforts and happiness of mankind by
denouncing the use of all such pernicious beverages.
Mr. ALEXANDER said he was opposed to the adoption of
such a resolution as the one proposed by Mr. Haughton, in-
asmuch as he was not prepared to prove that in all cases the
use of intoxicating drinks was in itself an immoral act; he
believed it to be opposed to Christian expediency and their
duties as patriots and Christians. - He could go no further.
The Rev. ➢ir. TAnamtAm thought that the resolution
ought to pass, for they should take care that the second com-
mandment was not violated—" Thou shalt love thy neigh-
bour as thyself."
Mr. J. S. Buciusaniut was also in favour of the reso-
lution.
Here an animated discussion again took place in reference
. .

to the propriety of agreeing to such a proposition.
The question was ultimately put from the chair, and
was carried by a large majority, the minority being only
about four.
The address to the brewers, distillers, and sellers of in-
toxicating drink was then referred to the committe for some
verbal amendments, after having received the concurrence
of the meeting.
Mr. CHRIMES then moved that a correspondence be opened
with all parts of the world, in order to ascertain how far
the formation of a " World's Temperance Union" would
meet with general approbation; and that a committee be
appointed to report in due time as to the result of their cor-
respondence.
After some further discussion this resolution was carried
against a minority of only seven persons.
➢lr. REED, of Glasgow, having moved that the convention
do recommend the establishment of day schools for the
teaching of the principal branches of education upon total
abstinence principles, which was agreed to, the usual thanks
of the meeting were given to the chairman, and the sitting of
the Convention was brought to a conclusion.

FATAL FIGHT ON BOARD A STEAM-BOAT.—On Thurs
day an inquiry was gene into before Mr. C. J. Carttar, at the
Eight Bells public •house, Church-street,,Greenwich, relative
to the death of John Finly, aged 24, late a fireman on board
the Souter Johnnie steam-tug, whose body was picked up in
the river at Bugsby's Hole, off East Greenwich. John Rat-
land, of 17, London-street, Ratcliffe, deposed that he is en-
gine-driver on board the Souter Johnnie steam-tug. The
deceased was fireman on board the same vessel. On Thurs-
day, the 30th of July, they were on board getting a barque,
called the Maryan, out of the West India Dock, in order to
tow her down the river on her passage for Quebec. Words
ensued between the deceased and another fireman, named
Andrew Grant. About five o'clock they were abreast of
Blackwell pier in midchannel. The master, mate, and
rest of the crew were on board. All of a sudden he
saw deceased and Grant struggling together. Deceased
had his clenched fists in an upright position, and
Grant had him grasped in his arms. In a moment
afterwards both fell over the rail on the larboard side
abaft the paddle-box, and rolled off the sponson
into the river. They sunk and came up together clasped
in each others arms. They again sank, and on rising a
second time they were about a yard apart, the tide running
up. The deceased rose again, sank, and was not seen after-
wards. A boat from the barque put off and saved Grant
as he was sinking a third time. A boat from the tug was
lowered, but having no skulls in her nothing could be done
to save deceased. Captain Wiggins of the Souter Johnnie,
afterwards took Grant on shore in the boat. There had
been disputes between deceased and Grant before leaving
the West India Deck, as well as on previous occasions.
Henry Holmes, mate of the Souter Johnnie, corroborated
last witness, and added, that Grant had taunted deceased
about getting into trouble a few days before, and also with
getting drunk. After hearing some further evidence to the
same effect, the coroner adjourned the inquiry until Monday
next, and called upon Andrew Grant, who had been
present during the greater part of the examination, for
bail in 1001., and himself in 401., to appear at the adjourned
inquest.
BRITISH BOTTLFs.—The revenue authorities having
had under their consideration the reports of the principal
superintending officers of the landing department, upon an
application requesting that empty bottles of British manu-
facture returned to this country may be delivered without
being sent to the warehouse with the stores of the vessel,
and being of opinion that there appears to be no objection to
a compliance with the request, not only in this particular
instance, but also in all future cases of the kind, have issued
orders to the several officers of the various departments
throughout the port of London to permit the same in future
accordingly, upon the condition of a declaration in each case
being made by the master of the vessel that the bottles are
of British manufacture, and upon the officers being satisfied,
upon an inspection and examination of the articles, of the
correctness thereof, and of the bottles being of British make,
as stated by the party.
THE HEAT IN SWITZERLAND.—LeIterS from Switzer-
land state, that the snow on the top of the mountains had
meted in consequence of the excessive heat of the weather.
The melted snow had augmented the rivers, and caused them
in several places to overflow their banks. The summit of
Mount Blanc appeared like a naked rock, a circumstance
which had not been observed for many years past.

THE LATE AFFRAY BETWEEN
THE MILITARY AND THE POLICE AT
SUNDERLAND. '

SUNDERLAND, SATURDAY, AUG. S.—Yesterday the magis-
trates of this borough were engaged nearly the entire day in
investigating into the above affray, and also as to the con-
duct of the picket. of the 69th Regiment, who had gone
through the streets with drawn bayonets, on Friday evening,
in a state of great excitement, attacked some of the police,
and thrown the inhabitants which were in the High-street,
into great terror and alarm. The police-court was crowded,
and Captain Paxton, the commanding officer at Sunderland
Barracks, was in attendance, and took notes of the pro-
ceedings.

The soldiers King and Brennan, and two civilians, who
had formerly been in the: militia, named Roberts and White,
were placed :at the bar, charged with having cut and
wounded George Holmes, a police-constable, with intent-to
maim or disable him.

The town clerk prosecuted, and Mr. Hayton, a solicitor,
appeared for the civilians.

'The principal witness was Holmes, wbo was in a very
weak state from the injuries he had received. He deposed,
I was on duty in the High-street, on Tuesday evening, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock. I saw three soldiers come
down the street, one of them appeared to be very much
intoxicated, and the others were not• so bad. After they
passed me I saw a soldier strike a sailor on the breast.

I went up to him, touched- him on the arm, and said,
" You had far better go to your barracks quietly, and not
make any disturbance in the streets." Brennan and
King were two of the soldiers. Brennan said, "I shall
not go ; I know what you are," shoved me with one
hand, and struck me with the other. after he struck
me my hat fell off; and, on stooping to pick it up, I
received another blow from the same man. I then
attempted to take hold of him, when he shoved me
again. King and a third soldier took hold of Brennan, and
I said to them, if you will only take them away to the
barracks, I want nothing to do with them. Then Brennan
made another rush and struck me on the breast. I laid
hold of him to take him to the station-house. Either King
or the other soldier held him fast, and said I should not take
him. I drew my truncheon, and told King, if he did not
leave hold of him, I should be obliged to strike him on the
arm. I asked him several times to leave loose, and, as he
did not, I struck him on the arm with the truncheon. All
three then seized hold of me and struck me. Whilst this
was going on, I saw King draw off his side-belt, and I re-
ceived a severe blow on the head, which made me insen-
sible. I did not see who struck the blow. After I came to
myself a fourth soldier interfered. He came behind me
and put my hair into his mouth. Some person took him off.
After that he gut hold of my coat back with his teeth, and
shook it for a long time. I was removed into Mr. Nesbitt's
shop. Witness then spoke of having seen Roberts and
White excite the crowd, by shouting " don't see the soldiers
beat," abusing the police, and hurrahing when he was
struck at.

Mr. Wetherell, Mr. Nesbitt, and Mr. John Thomas gave
corroborative testimony.
James Croucher, a private, was called for the purpose of
giving the names of his comrades on the evening in question.
He deposed—l left the barracks on Tuesday; I don't know
what time of the day; I cannot tell exactly with whom I
went; I do not know the name of a single man; I do not
know the men ; I have been about live months in the com-
pany ; I do not know the names of half the men. I came
out of the barracks by myself. I was in the Noah's Ark that
afternoon; I did not take notice whether any soldier was
with me or not. I picked up a belt, put it over my own,
and carried it to the guard-room. The picket did not
take any person into custody.
The prisoner, upon being called upon for his defence, ad-
mitted being concerned in the affray, but denied having
struck the officer with the brass breast-plate. One of them
said they had defended themselves, and what would civi-
lians have said if they had allowed policemen to strike at
them without doing so—would it not have been said that
they were cowardly fellows ?
The magistrates retired, and on their return the Mayor
said they had resolved to deal with the case summarily ;
they should fine each 51. and costs—in default of payment
one month in the House of Correction—and they much
regretted that the law would not allow them to fix
a greater penalty for the offence. They had also requested
him to express their f trong dissatisfaction with the disre-
putable manner in which the military had given their evi-
dence, and their hope that Captain Paxton would assist
the police in detecting the offenders who were not yet in
custody.
The captain promised to afford every assistance in his
power, and the proceedings on this charge-terminated.
The Bench next entered into an investigation relative to
the conduct of the picket on the evening in question.
After examining witnesses,
Captain Paxton expressed his regret at the misconduct of
his men. He wished the bench to understand that he had
no desire to interfere with the police, in sending for his
picket; his only object was to prevent further disturbance,
and it was not by his authority, or in accordance with his
wish, they had drawn their bayonets.
The Mayor said no blame was imputed to the gallant
captain; and as they had no prisoner before them the bench
would not proceed further with the investigation.