The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-16 00:00:00

, - 7 DECE
N°.lB 481.] LONDON, TUESDAY
r kr,
E 4„. G MBER 16 1851

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT

MUTUAL ASSURANCE.
COTTISH WIDOWS' FUND acrd LIFE

in which the friends and relatives of poor unfortu-
nate prisoners are plundered by persons who prowl
about the court, professing themselves lawyers; but
they—every one of them—shall see pretty quickly
the inside of the county prisons if I can only get a
clear case brought home to them. Flanagan—l am
here to defend myself, and swear I ',ever had
a penny from this woman. I never saw her before.
The woman then repeated her statement, but was
interrupted at every sentence by Flanagan, who con-
tradicted every word she uttered. She then called
two witnesses. o.te of them s sore that she saw the
money paid to Flanagan at the Lamb and Fieg, and
that halfa pint of gin was paid for by the women at
Flanagan's re vest. The other witness swore that
she saw Flanagan and tha woman at the house of
Detention, and heard him ask for 2/. 103., land tell
her that the money must be paid to him, and to kitn
alone. The complainant had wale a tnistalv., as to the
day ; it was last last Weddeiday week, when the
Court was sitting at Clerkeawell, and Lot last Wed-
nesday.
The JUDGE—Nov!, sir, what do you say to this ?
Flanagan then said that last Monday week he was
told by Fisher, an officer of the G division, that he
could have the case, when he replied that if he did it
would be 2/. 4s. 63. That would be a guinea for Mr.
Horry, a guinea for Mr. Hadwin (whom he did busi-
ness for), and half-a-crown to the clerk. He had
nothing to do with it.
The JUDGE—Who's Mr. Iladwin ? Flanagan—
He's an attorney that I am with.
The JUDGE—Then you go about getting money as
an attorney's clerk. I will have Mr. Hadwin sent
for, and Ist this man be taken into custody.
Flanagan was then removed to the cells ; and a
Messenger sent to find Mr. Hadwin at an address
given by Flanagan,' No. 4, Clifford's Inn, but the
officer returned and said there was no such person to
, be found there.— '4"1"*""---

ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
Constituted by Act of Parliament.
Established A.D. 1815.

OLD COURT. ,
Harriet Anne Newman, a good-looking young wo-
man, surrendered to take her trial upon a charge of
having committed wilful and corrupt perjury on the
trial of an indiemen against a person named Day, in
this court, in May last.
Mr. Payne arid Mr. Robinsorfavere ccunsel for the
prosecution ; Mr. hurry appear d for the defendant.
Tin circumstances of this case were of rather a
singular character. This presebutor, a young man
named Div, was tried in this co;rc in May last, upon
a charge of coaspiracy to procuret the dehauchtnent of
the present defendant, and also fig attempting himself
to commit A felonious assault utn her ; end it will
be remeushered that the story tol by the defendant in
support of the charge was of ti very extraordinary
character. She represented that, she received a letter
from a young man named Roberts, who was at the
time her sweetheart on the 31st March, appointing to
in( et her in the evening at Stepney, and up .n her
goiu to the place she saw the prisoner, who forced
her into a cab and drove her about, and at length took
her to a large house, where something was given her
to drink, which had the effect of stupifying her, and
she was then assailed by three gentlemen, who sought
to obtain possession of her person, but she stated that
she got a knife, and by means of that weapon she
eventually succeeded in fighting her way out of
the house. The prosecutor Day was taken into cus-
tody a day or two afterwards, and the defendant swore
positively that he was the man who had acted in
the way described, and after several examinations
before the magistrate the prosecutor was committed
to this court, and after a long trial, in which wit-
nesses were examined on both sides, the jury found
the prosecutor guilty, and he was sentenced to twelve
months' imprisonment. After his conviction it
appeared that representatlans were made to the.
Secretary of State in reference to the case, the result
of which was that Day received a pardon, and ho
then preferred the present charge against the defend-
ant, who it appeared had since the transaction got
married to Roberts, the sweetheart alluded to.
Day, the former defendant, was now examined as
a witness, and he stated most positively that he saw
nothing of defendant on the night in question, and
that the story told by her with regard to his having
forced her into a cab and taken her to the house she
referred to was false in every respect, so far as he
was concerned.
This witness was cross-examined at some length
by Mr. Horry, but his evidence was not shaken in
any material respect.
Several other witnesses were called, who proved
that Day was in their company at different periods
during the afternoon and evening of the 31st of
March, and consequently that it was impossible for
him to have been at the place mentioned by the de-
fendant. _

EAD OFFICE, EDINBURGH-5, St. Andrew•square.
LONDON-4, Royal Exchange-buildings.
MINCHESTER-39, Cross-street, King-street.
GLASGOW-30, Royal Exchange-square.

LONDON HONORARY BOARD
George Young, Esq , 47, Wimpole-strect and Mark-lane.
Rev. John Jackson, Rector of St. James's, Piccadilly.
Charles Edward Pollock, Esq , Barrister, Temple.
David Hill, Esq., East India House.
John Murray, Esq., Paidisher, Albenlarle-street.
Samuel Laing, Esq., Chairman of Brighton Railway.

The steady progress of this Institution affords abundant proof that
the substantial character of the advantages it holds out to Insurers,
continues to be fully appreciated by the community. The number
of Policies passed during the year 1850 was 715, assuring somewhat
more than 498,000/. ; and on an average of the last thirteon years,
the amount of Assurances effected cmsllerably exceeds
HALF A MILLION PER ANNUAL
Ihe total ammnt paid since the institution of the Society, under
Policies which have emerged by death, is upwards of
ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS.

Every information may be obtained on application at the Head
Oflice, or any of the Society's Agencies.

SPECIAL NOTICE.
THE NEXT SEPTENNIAL INVESTIGATION TAKES PLACE
AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1852. POLICIES OPENED WITH THE
SOCIETY PREVIOUS TO 31sT DECEMBER NEXT (1851),
HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF A FULL YEAR'S STANDING
OVER THOSE DELAYED BEYOND TILT DATE, AND
WILL BE ENTITLED TO RANK FOR TWO YEARS' ADDI-
TIONS AT TIIE INVESTIGATION,

JOHN MACKENZIE, Manager.
WILLIAM LINDESAY, Secretary.
LONDON OFFICE-4, ROYAL E XCHANGE BUILDINGS.
HUGH WKEAN, Agent.

Subsequently Flanagan was brought into court.
The Learned JUDGE told him that before many
hours passed he would in all probability find himself
charged with obtaining money under false pretences.
No such person as Mr. Hadwin, to whom he was
clerk, had been found at the address he had given to
the officer. Who and where was that person ? Flana-
gan—l never said I was clerk to Mr. Hadwin.
The JUDGE—You did say so, or what was equal to
it; and if you were not, how comes it that you asked
for a guinea for him as well as one for counsel ?
Flanagan for some time could not recollect Iladwin's
address. He said he had made a mistake in giving
the former one—it was No. 4, Lyon's-inn.
The Learned JUDGE then directed that Flanagan
should remain in custody until to-morrow (this day),
and that an officer should inform Mr. Hadwin that
his attendance was required.
Fisher, of the G division, denied most positively
that he ever had any communication with Flanagan
about the case.

Elizabeth Woodfield, an old woman, deposed that
she had known the defendant from a hild, and was
also acquainted with her family. On the 17th, or
between that and the 25th of March, the defendant
called upon her, and asked her to write for her the
letter that had been produced, and she said it was to
be used for the purpose of having a game with Dick
Roberta. She also wrote upon an envelope the ad-
dress of the defendant. She also said that when she
heard of Day being taken into custody upon the
original charge, she went to the defendant and told
her that if she persisted in prosecuting an innocent
young man, she would tell all she knew about the
matter ; and the defendant then told her that if she
" split" she would be a ruined young woman ; and
witness replied that if she did not, Day would be a
ruined young man. She also told her that she was
anxious to save both of them, but she was determined
to save the innocent.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HO USE.
Joseph Hayward was brought before the Lord
Mayor, charged with having robbed his employers.
Mr. Matthew Thomas Humphrey, managing clerk
to Messrs. Ernest and Cresswell, of 99, Cheapside,
accountants, said—On the 9th August the prisoner
was in the employment of the firm as well as myself,
and had a cheque-book in his possession belonging to
John Coleman and Henry Howard, trading under the
firm of Howard and Coleman. I saw it in his posses-
sion in the afternoon of that day with a cheque drawri
for 91. 7s. 6d., and which was duly signed " Howard
and Coleman." Ernest and Cresswell had at that
time some business of Howard and Coleman's, and it
was the duty of the prisoner to see to the issuing of
the cheques of that firm. On the Monday following
I wanted the cheque-book, and it was not to be
found, and the prisoner was absent from his duty that
morning. I made inquiry ,about the cheque 14
91. 7s. 6d., and stopped payment of it at the banker's.
I here produce the cheque which I had seen that day
in the cheque-book, and which has sinee been re•
ceived from Mrs. Ann Dawe. In the counterfoil is
written the word "cancelled." '['he writing is to my
knowledge the prisoner's. I hold in my hand a state-
ment on the subject made by the prisoner, but written
by another person who is now in custody upon ano-
ther charge.
Mrs. Anne Dawe, a licensed victualler, in Wall-
brook, said--On the 10th of August the prisonet
came to my house and had a pint of ale, and asked
me to cash a cheque for N. 7s. 61. It was not the n
crossed. 1 gave him the full change. My husband
has not lost the money.
The prisoner—The statement made is perfectly
correct, and I admit my guilt.
A few moments afterwards the prisoner exhibited
much impatience to be committed, and said it was
not his wish to adjourn the case ; on the contrary, he
wished to go at once for trial.—The prisoner was
then committed for trial.
7HA M E S.
William Dixon, a well-known and desperate thief,
aged 19, and who was described as a labourer, of No.
12, Cock-bill, Ratcliffe, was brought before Mr.
Corrie, who sat for Mr. Yardley, charged with being
concerned with another in breaking into a ware-
house at Muntz's metal wharf, on the banks of the
Regent's-canal, Limehouse, and stealing therefrom
about five cwt. of copper and copper nails.
It appeared that on Saturday night, a warehouse
in the occupation of Messrs. Charles Moss and Co.
on the metal wharf, was fastened up and secured in
the usual manner. On Sunday morning at nine
o'clock, Mr. Knight, a clerk in the employ of the
firm, went down to the wharf to see if all was safe,
and was surprised to find a glare of light in the lower
warehouse. He was at once convinced that the pre-
mises had been entered by thieves, and he soon disco-
vered that one of the window frames, and the stout
iron bars which secured it, had been forcibly re-
moved, an operation which must have occupied some
time. A large quantity of metal and metal nails,
used for shipbuilding purposes, was: missing from
the warehouse. The police were immediately com-
municated with, and Copping, a police-constable,
No. 379 K, and Showier, a sergeant of the same
division, proceeded to the wharf and traced the
greater portion of the metal which had been stolen
to another part of the wharf, where they found it
deposited in old bags, and covered over with
drain-pipes. The officers placed themselves in ambush
the whole of Sunday and Sunday night. Yesterday
morning, soon after six o'clock, they heard men on the
wharf, which was followed by a noise among the
drain pipes. Copping and Showier rushed from their
hiding-place and saw the prisoner and another man,
each with a bag of metal on his shoulders. On
seeing the policemen they threw down their
loads, and one of them leaped into the canal ;
and although immediate assistance was rendered,
and the drags were procured and thrown into
the water, he was never seen afterwards. The
prisoner, who did not follow his companion into the
water, made a furious attack on the policemen who,
after a desperate and violent struggle, effected his cap-
ture. The bag which dropped from the prisoner con-
tained 79 lbs. of sheathing metal, which-was identified
by Mr. Knight and Mr. Smith as the property of
Messrs. Moss and Ce. The metal and nails found
among the drain pipes, and which had been abstracted
from the warehouse, weighed 3 cwt. 3 qrs. and 20 lbs.
The prisoner, in defence, said that be had nothing
to do with any robbery or with breaking into a ware-
house. He was in the Commercial-road that morn-
ing, and was accosted by a man who asked him if he
wanted a job, and on his applying in the affirmative
the man took him to the wharf and pointed to a bag
of metal, which he directed him to carry, and just as
he got it on his back the police-constable pounced
upon him.
Mr. COME —Who is the man? The prisoner—
I don't know ; he jumped into the water, and I never
saw him afterwards.
A Thames police-constable, No. 18, said the pri-
soner was well known, and had been convicted three
times and very often in custody.
Mr. CORM said the prisoner must be remanded
for a week, and asked if the canal had been dragged.
••Inspector Smith,.of the K division—Yes, sir, it was
dragged yesterday ; the man was not found.

Mr. lIORRY (to the witness)—How do you get your
living ? Witness—You know very well. I write
letters and petitions, and I have repeatedly given you
briefs, and paid you 7s. 6d. 103., and 153. with them
for poor people.—(A. laugh.)
The RECORDER told the witness to answer the
questions put to her, and not to be impertinent.
Witness—How can I help it, my Lord ? Mr.
Horry always received me as a lady when I took him
a brief and gave him money.—(Renewed laughter.)
Mr. Hoaay—Don't you go by the name of the
female lawyer ? Witness—Yes, and you are known
as the cheap barrister.—(Roars of laughter.)
Mr. Hoaar —Do you not get your living by telling
fortunes? Witness—l told your fortune very plea-
santly when I brought you money.—(Laughter.)
Mr. HORRY—How long is it since you have given
any one a brief in this court ? Witness—l gave you
One two years ago.
Mr. Ilossay—Now, I ask you again, do you not
get your living by telling fortunes ? Witness—l told
your very pleasantly.— (Laughter.)
I The RECORDER told the witness again that she must

answer the question.
Witness—Mr. Horry knows I am not a fortune-
teller. He has no business to ask me such questions.
Mr. Iloatty—Have you not been committed to
prison for fortune-telling ? Witness—No ; I was
once committed to prison for au assault. A person
spat in my face, and I had a pint pot in my hand, and
I gave him a crack over the head with it, and I would
serve you the same if seu were to spit in my face.—
(Roars of laughter.)
Some other witnesses were then called, whose evi-
dence tended to contradict different statements made
by the defendant in support of the charge she made
against the prosecutor, and this closed the case for the
prosecution.
Mr. HOARY then addressed the jury. He said he
believed that when they had heard all the facts of
the case they would be of opinion that the present
charge ought'never to have been preferred, and that
there was in reality no ground for saying that the de-
fendant had wilfully and corruptly sworn that which
she knew to be false. The original charge had un-
dergone a most careful inquiry by an intelligent
magistrate, who had committed the prisoner for trial
upon it, and, after a long investigation, the jury
having heard all the facts and all the evidence that
was brought for ward by the party accused, had re-
turned a yea-diet of guilty ; and the present proceed-
ing was really nothing more than an attempt to make
the Central Criminal Court a Court of Appeal
against its own decisions. The Learned Counsel
then stated that it would be his duty to call all the
witnesses who were examined in support of the
original charge ; and he said he had no doubt that
when the jury had heard their evidence, they would
come to the conclusion that the defendant ought not
to be convicted upon this indictment.
It being stated, in answer to a question put by
the Court, that it would be impossible to bring the
inquiry to a close that night unless the Court sat to
a very late hour, it was arranged that the trial should
be adjourned to this morning.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, Dec. 15.
Edward White, 29, was indicted for having stolen
sixteen yards of woollen cloth, value 41. 135., thesro-
perty of Henry Barber.
Mr. O'Brien appeared for the prisoner.
This case was remanded from the last session. The
prosecutor was a tailor in Gosweli.street, and the evi-
dence of his two sons clearly proved the case against
the prisoner. He was seen to attempt to carry off the
cloth, end when he found he was discovered he threw
it at the head of one of the witnesses. His identity
was proved beyond question, and the Learned Coun-
sel said he could make no answer to the case.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty.
It was proved that he was an old offender, and he
was sentenced to be transported for seven years.
Mr. O'BitieN said there were some women in court
who wished to make some communication to the
Bench. There were a number of persons about the
courtpwerhsoonws,etrheeinfrtiehnedshoabfi prisoners,gettingtof money from
pooruader the pre-,
tence of procuring legal assistance for them, and the
women he alluded to had something to say upon the
subject.
The Learned JUDGE directed the women to be
brought forward, when
One of them said she had paid 11. 33. 6d. to a person
named Flanagan, who was clerk to Mr. Horry, the
barrister, for the defence of White ; but she had been
obliged to raise a similar sum to employ Mr. O'Brien,
because he had not engaged Mr. Horry.
The individual referred to, Henry Martin Flanagan,
here stood up, and said be was ready to answer any-
thing the woman had to say against him.
The JUDGE—WeII, you. have,heard the complaint,
what have you to say to it ?. I lanagan—May I ask
her a question, your Lordship ?
The JUDGE—Certainly; what is it you wish
to ask ?
Flanagan (to the woman)—Now, you say you
paid me 11. 3s. 6i. ; where did you pay it, and when ?
The woman--I paid it last Wednesday, at the public-
house over the way—the Lamb and Flag. It was in
the afternoon.
Flanagan—My Lord, last Wednesday—l can prove
it by Mr. Horry and fifty others—l was at the South-
wark Police-court from ten in the morning until six
at night. I never saw the woman before in my life,
and I declare to God I never received a penny from
her. I am not now Mr. 'lorry's clerk, and I never
told her I was,
The JUDGE—Now be careful, sir. lam told the,
at the last session, Mr. Horry applied to have this
case postponed. This is one of those infamous casts

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.
LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH-COAST
RAILWAY.

Traffic—Week ending Dec. 13,;1851 £8,039 3 10
Traffic—Week ending eec. 14, 1550 ... 8,307 12 3
Total of the half-year, to this date, 1851 ... 811,719 15 5
Total of the half-year, to this date, 1850 ... 284,556 0 5
Total number of Passengers—Week ending
Dec. 13, 1851 ... 44,860
Passengers ... '1,050 -0 3
Goods ... ... 1,989 3 7

Total ... £8,039 3 10
Total miles open, 1851, 1734 ; ditto, 1850, 171%
London Terminus, Dec. 15, 1851.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.
Gross traffic receipts for passengers
and goods, week ending Dec. 13,
1851. ... £10,c233 4 8
Ditto, Dec. 14, 1850 ... ... 9,314 0 3

Increase in 1851 ...
London Terminus, Dec. 15, 1851.

- 4919 4 5

The Warder states that a solicitor and twenty
other persons have abandoned Popery
or two in Dublin, within the last month

, ~),,,,,,....i
„...:::,..::._:::......4::10:;,..5.:c
sic 1 a
_.
~.__.2,,...1„. .., of ....,4e.' -9,...-jl,. '..., -s-'‘
-
,
C ~-,--k. ,
. , i '‘...1/A7l-7--
, : I,
_..../'
_,o' 4;41r- -
rfle-40) 1,..' --."'
( "
.../ .elr'•
. .
1 .our
17''.. -. • '-'-- 4,
.. - _. _ .
_ , ...„..... _ .. '
,
* let
(
-lit 1 P
~ r N.p.!--
„ -,.. .
-,4" ,wa
_,, -------, .-, ~,,,,-4 0 ...„.,1,,..„ic,,. t „Airti.e„ • ._. v „ ~,..„:"'
A,,,,, ~
,‘,..• 0„,,..1,., -,--,,- ~,,,, ‘,.. is" N, // •
4 . ,
.'4 ~.. v-. tt ~. , .
-----,------, , ( c,. 4, i,, 4%
'ia ellak,' * ~ „ . . -„.......
. . . ~t,.,... .
~,
'i•.,.
...----- -,•:„ '-•,•,:i.. • it....,,,i, -,..,7_A,/ z. 4......,,.
...1 , ....
'.---- • \:' 1%,
~,..-L:j
, ' ------i. ;
•,.
-.
. /r- ..-
.....-- ' '.;' :-f,..".
-'
' . i .....k
~,,:_•,- . „A. .''' , jut. -... •, . 7, -I/ ,Trr: ..x., 013 ~,146.,,_
.. ffr...llll‘,ilMq ,s• sil ,
~.."----'':' et,. -.E. - t-:,,i, Dit-u- ~ 7, —'••- 4, , : TA. -,,,... .4 DA orr ~,,
..... ~,v '., ~„, - - ''Ltiz,..,l•-'1!/4 * -'7-.M"

'~
~~~.

[PRICE SD.

•

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES —The American P
FROM THE MDRNING TAPERS OF TUB DAY.
null necessity of producing Message
en
fill six or seven columns of ordinarya"n
is as essential to the dignity long enough to
President is under the an-
of newspaper. l
office as the _
ca-
valcade of a lt,jah, or the militia
European Emperor. It is as neceurY. pageants of.
.a
ressary apart of his
!net istter.
~But
tonc.i,ms a:. it is in our case to
just arrive:ln
with at b-ast one broad ,Ine•et readable our readers
a peru-aal of the Message
grave quq,tion. What if there should be ;1•1-igeSg's a
up f matters acehlie,
the President to talk about ? The bulk of stit 'la-
for
ment be-fore us made
netil in
their nature. and ephemeral in their interest.'
are events which might not have happened, and hneY
they not, it certainly dos strike one that the' Pre,aid
dent would have bean rather hard up for a subjeCt.
They are more than accidental, they are extraordi:
nary -events. Near a quarter of the Message is tt•ken
up with the Cuban invasion and the popular outrage
on the Spanish Consul at New Orleans, for
both of which incidents the President expresses
the deepest regret—ungratefully, we think,
considering the food they have furnished for his
pen. The interference of the American Govern-
ment in behalf of " Governor Kossuth," with the
convoy and asylum offered him by the States—the set-
tlement of Californian affairs, with the arrangements
for the railway at Panama, and canals by Nicaragua
and other practicable routes—the winding up of
the Texan annexation, with the Mexican compromise
—and the working of the fugitive law, are all of
them extraordinary topics, which may soon lose their
interest, without being succeeded by subjects of equal
importance. Yet, with the first topic mentioned,
they make up the greater part of the Message.
Prolixity is a duty in America. The pomp of words
is all that is permitted in a republic. The President
has certainly been favoured by-fortune hitherto, and
will never want for a subject so long as invasions are
attempted, foreign consuls maltreated, annexati▪
ons
accomplished, gold diggings discovered, oceans joined
by rail, and three millions of men and brethren kept
in the condition of cattle. But if it be posssihle to
imagine North America disturbed neither by ambition,
nor war, nor new discoveries, nor runaway slaves, for a
few years, how is the President to deliver his tale cf
bricks with the straw no longer found him ?
Doubtless he will deliver it, not merely because
words wi▪ ll never be wanting, but also because an
increasing and enterprising people will always give
him something to talk about. But that only removes
the difficulty we started with a little further. How
are the growing appetites and gigantic developements
of such a people to be constantly supplied ? That is
a question which greatly concerns its neighbours,
who are, in fact, all the rest of the world. The tone
adopted by the President in treating these delicate
questions is severely moderate. There is a sort of
stern self-denial in the eartnestness with which
he reprobates all designs upon the possessions of
his weak and ill-governed neighbours. But the
virtue is according to the temptation that is resisted,
and he does not fail to take credit for the singular
neutrality of the United States, whose mission, he
says, is to teach liberty by a splendid example,
rather than an officious interference. The American
Government, he says, does not follow, but lead, in
the doctrine of non-intervention, and particularly
in preventing its ports from being the depots for
piratical adventures. We bail these professions, and
trust they will be remembered in the hour of oppor-
tunity, but we will frankly confess to observe with
pain that the account with Spain is not yet entirely
closed ; that the sore has been kept open to this day
with inquiry and interposition; that the United
States still insist on the sanctity of any vessel bearing
their flag in their own or in adjacent waters, including
thereby all the waters round Cuba, even though ob-
viously' carrying piratical invaders to that island ;
that sati▪
sfaction has not yet been given for the sack of
the Spanish Consulate and the expulsion of the Con-
sul; and, that altogether, the relations between the
wolf and the lamb are left in a very ticklish state,
when nothing would be so easy as to settle them in
an amicable manner. The Americans bare the art
of taking it out in all ways. They can unite the
amusement of political exploitation, the pleasure of
substantial acquisition, and the dignity of virtuous
self-denial at the same time. The first not having
been successful this year, is vigorously repudiated ;
but we scarcely venture to ask what the President
would have nil had General L'lpt z been able to lann
his promised 2,000 men altogether, and at a place
where they could make good their position, and had
he thereby succeeded in conquering and annexing the
island. President Fillmore devotes a few words to
the financial policy to which he and his late chief were
pledged at their election. Ho announces the proposi-
tion once more of a Bill to change the present ad
valorem duties into apt cific duties on those articles in
which, as ho alleges, the question of value is open to
fraud, and in which, he also adds, the American
manufacturers require some protection. As the illus-
trious framers of the American constitution have
wisely deprived the President of a standing army, a
metropolis, or any means whatever by which he
could enforce his will or maintain his position against
the Congress, and as a coup (Fetal is consequently
impossible at Washington, it matters very little what
private opinion Mr. Fillmore and his Ministers
may hold oil the subject of free trade against a
decided majority of Senate and the House of
Representatives. In the latter body the election
of a Democratic Speaker has been carried by a large
majority, and therefore we may presume that i▪ t sees
no occasion to modify the tariff of 1846. The Presi-
dent's own arguments for a modification are not
likely to make many converts. Those arguments are
founded on the commercial returns for the year end-
ing last June 30, and for that year he is
forced to
admit that the value of exports from the Uni▪
on, as
compared with those of the previous year, exhibited
an increase of 43,646,822 dolls. "At first view," he
observes, " this condition of our trade with foreign
nations would seem to present the most flattering
hopes of future prosperity." He argues, however,
that this inference is fallacious, because the increase
in the value of exports has not been an increase in the
quantity. He refers it wholly to the high price of
cotton during the last six months of the yen. 1850,
caused by a deficiency in the crop. But what does
the President suppose his customers to be ? Have
they Fortunatus'a purse that they can only pay
40,000,000 dolls. more than usual for their cotton, but
find money for more of other things besides.
No financial arrangement, least of all artificial re-
strictions on trade, will prevent the natural results
of a dearth ; and a dearth of cotton, like a dearth of
corn, curtails the means of the consumers, and renders

them worse customers fur all other things. If the
Americans pocketed, by Mr. Fillmore's account,
40,000,000 dolls. more than usual for the same, or
even for a less, quantity, of cotton, surely they might
well be content, without complaining that the rest of
their trade has not improved in proportion. All that
can be fairly expected from free trade is a general
increase in the interchange of commodities in the
long run ; for no law, or absence of law, can possibly
obviate the effects of political events or physical vicis-
situdes. If during the fiscal year treated of in the
Message, viz., that ending last June 30, having to
pay extra for a short crop of cotton—that is, having
to pay more for the raw material and to manufacture
less out of it, we had rather less money for
tobacco, that has nothing to do with free trade.
As for breadstuffs, provisions, and rice, of course
it is wholly unreasonable to suppose that the
American exports would continue at the money value
obtained in the famine year ending June, 30, 1847.
It is unreasonable to expect that the money value
and the quantity should not vary 'according to the
abundance or shortness of the British and European
crop or other accidents. A wide field of investiga-
tion, indeed, is opened by the facts instanced by Mr.
Fillmore, though evidently far beyond any Protec-
tionist ken. The truth is, that the United States
have, in several important respects, been rapidly
changing their industrial and commercial position
during the last two or three years.
tTney have de-
voted to the settlement of California,
thane thewost t gold dig-
gings,
portiona ndhtaoy
et
of
feo
thentt
rr
contributed
capitalow di ttho
andthe
increaselabou labour at
heft', t a wouldllim-
mense_
otherwise
tural prodnction. Another larget proportion agricul-
tural
ca-
pital and labour has been drau
canals, and other improve
im-
mediately, to the • propotrolonf
t gsh ed off railroad,
_men s. Such works add,
"nsumption, not the production of
corn. Immigration also adds to the consumption, st
the rate of about a quarter of wheat for each head,
as the immigrant must on the average work a whole
year before his labours tell on the harvest. In fact,
the United States, for the last two or three years,
have been rather in the position of a newly planted
colony, thriving on the supply
of foreign labour,
capital, food, and other mattheyerials. a
doubtless
Butwofuoir theeueattlieLs:
ordinary events of this period,
shua
pv
pe l
iproducedthem
somewhat much
cehceoatpt oe
rn. and
Californiaeoru, and
hashhaavde
the chief part in these changes, and that chiefly by
raising prices—a result which could not but operate
more unfavourably on the American than the British
manufacturer. But so far America has no reason
to complain. With an immense increase in the public
revenue, in the value of exports, and the quantity as
well as the value of imports, in population, in rail-
roads, and every other item of progress, it is idle to