The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-22 00:00:00

COURT OF ALDERMEN.

On Saturday a Court was held for the despatch of pub-
lic business.

THE NEWLY-ELECTED RECORDER.

Mr. Russell Gurney, who on Tuesday last was una-
nimously elected Recorder, was sworn into office.
The Lord Mayor having invited the Recorder to take
his seat, that learned officer, in returning thanks (which
he did in a most graceful manner), said :—" My Lord
Mayor, I cannot take my seat in this court without ex-
pressing to your lordship, and through your lordship to
the members of this Court, my grateful thanks for the
honour which thsy have conferred upon me by electing
me, and not less, I may say, by the manner in which
they have elected me, to the high office which it will
now be my pride to fill. (Hear, hear.) I have on two
former occasions had to offer to the aldermen and com-
mon councilmen of London the expression of my grati.
tude for the confidence which they have reposed in me by
electing me to important judicial offices. The discharge
of the duties of those offices has necessarily brought
me into immediate communication with the magis-
trates of London, and it is a matter of peculiar gratifi-
cation to me that I have now been selected for the
office which I fill by those who for many years have
had such ample opportunities of observing the manner
in which my past duties have been discharged. (Hear,
hear.) I know well that the duties of my present office
are various, and many of them difficult ; but my past
experience has satisfied me that I need not fear any
but a most generous construction of my conduct, if
only you shall perceive in me an honesty of purpose
lied a perfect devotion of such powers as I possess to
your service and to the service of the public. (Cheers.)
Thanks, I know, for such favours as I have received
may seem idle things, and I certainly have not the
power to express the feelings to which I would wish
to give utterance, but I feel assured that I shall best
manifest my gratitude, and best repay the kindness
which has been shown me, and the confideace which has
been reposed in me, by an anxious discharge of all the
duties which now devolve upon me, by a firm and yet
merciful administration of the law, and by a zeal which
I promise you shall ❑ever flag to maintain the rights
and uphold the honour of this ancient corporation.
(Loud cheers.)
The learned Recorder then took his seat at the right
of the Lord Mayor and commenced the daties of his
office.
THE GOVERNOR OF THE GAOL OF NEWGATE.

Mr. Alderman COPELAND, senior visiting magistrate
to the prison, brought up the following report, which
was read by the town clerk :

"To the right Hon. the Lord Mayor and Court of Alder-

men.

" We, the undersigned visiting magistrates, to whom it
was referred to ascertain the truth of the allegation re-
specting the Governor of Newgate receiving presents of
game from the friends of a prisoner named Octavins King,
annex the statements made, and are of opinion that there
is not the slightest foundation for the statement made
against the Governor of Newgate. (Hear, 'ear.)
" W. T. COPELAND,
" WILLIAM LAWRENCE.
" Saturday, Deo. 13, 1856."
_ _

Mr. Alderman COPELAND said that his colleague and
himself had instituted as strict and as searching an inquiry
into the charges brought against the Governor as it was
possible to make. The Governor had met the charges
in a most fair, honest, and straightforward manner ; and
it has been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, espe-
cially by the evidence of King's brother, that the Go-
vernor had faithfully and properly discharged the duties
of his office, and that the charges brought against him
were both false and calumnious. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman SIDNEY said he had read the evidence,
and quite agreed with the opinion at which the visiting
magistrates had arrived. As he had been the means of
communicating the rumour to the Court, he desired to
say that he had done so on the statement of an officer very
high in confidence of the Court. It appeared that the
rumour had originated with the prisoner King himself,
who stated in the infirmary that he had been enabled to
write to his friends more frequently than the gaol regu-
lations allowed from the circumstance of his brother ha% •
ing sent game to the Governor. The fact that King was
the originator of the rumour was proved by one of the
officers of the gaol, as well as by some prisoners in the
infirmary ward who heard the statement. It turned out,
however, that King had made a most unfounded and
unjust statement, and he (Mr. Alderman Sidney) was
most happy to think that the visiting justices had been
enabled to bring up so satisfactory a report. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. Alderman COPELAND—That King wrote more
frequently than any other prisoner there can be no
doubt, but why was this ? He was a bankrupt, and his
correspondence wholly and solely related to his bank-
ruptcy. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman WILSON—I think we must all very
much regret that such a charge as this should ever have
been brought forward. The character of the Governor of
Newgate is as dear to him as the character of any mem-
ber of this Court is dear to him. That is a matter which
ought not to be trifled with. (Hear, hear. Before such
a charge was brought it ought to be ascertained whether
there was any probability of truth in it. (Hear, hear.)
A set of fellows in Newgate, convicts whom you cannot
examine on oath, and who are not to be believed, report
a conversatson, which is carried to the Court of Alder-
men, and the matter gets into print, to the ecr:oui injury
of the character of the Governor. I hope when the
Court have expressed their opinion upon this subject the
Governor will be called to the bar, and told that there
is no foundation whatever for the charges. (Hear, hear.)
Sir P. LAURIE—As far as I can judge, a more judi-
cious and clear-headed man than Mr. Weatherhead
never was appointed to any once in the gift of the cor•
poration. He is by far the best Governor we have had
during my recollection. I am very glad to find that the
report of the visiting magistrates completely exonerates
the Governor from all blame, and frustrates the attempt
that was made to blast his character and reputation.
Mr. Alderman EAGLETON said that the character of
the Governor, he was sure, would sustain no injury from
the false charges which had been brought against him.
AIr.A lderman COPELAND —lt is enough for me to know
and to state to my brethren that all these matters
were securely bottled up for weeks at least, till the
conduct of the informant was such that he got suspended
from his office, when he spat his venom by making this
charge against the Governor. (Hear, hear.)
The report was agreed to, and upon the motion of
Mr. Alderman Wilson, seconded by Sir Peter Laurie,
the Governor was called to the bar of the Court, when
The LORD MAYOR, addreisiog him, said—lhare great

pleasure in stating to you that the charges which were
made against you have been thoroughly investigated,
and that there was net the slightest ground for making
them. There is not the least reflection upon your elm
ratter.
Mr. WEATHERIIEAD bowed and withdrew.

Mr. Alderman CIIBITT, chairman cf the gaol com-
mittee, brought up a report recommending the dismissal
of the chapel c!erk and schoolmaster from his situation.
Agreed to.

EMMANUEL HOSPITAL.

Mr. Alderman WIRE moved—

" That the Emmanuel Hospital Committee be autho•
rised to treat with Government or any bodies, pelitic or
corporate, or any other persons, for the sale of the estate
belonging to the hospital, with the buildings thereon
situate at Westminster."

The matter was ordered to be reported upon, and the
Court adjourned.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The following regiments—namely, 26th Cameronians,
32d Regiment, 35th Royal Sussex, 37th, 52d Light In-
fantry, 70th, and 81st, the depots of which are attached
to the provisional battalion, Chatham, being below their
required strength, an order has been issued for them to
oomplete their proper numbers, and volunteering has
accordingly been opened from those regiments above the
prescribed establishment.
The following officers at Chatham have been placed
under Capt. W. Nott, 83d Regt., and Lieut. A. Al‘Leod,
78th Highlanders, the instructors in musketry to the
provisional battalion, for the purpose of being instructed
in the use of the Enfield r.iie previously to embarking
for India to join the service companies of their respective
regiments :—Lieut. V. G. Coates, 86th Regt. ; Ensign
H. C. Talbot, and Ensign T. M'Goun, 43d Light Infan-
try ; Ensign E. T. Sainsbury, and Ensign S. Richards,
74th Highlanders ; Ensign G. S. Jackson, 86th Regt. ;
and Ensign F. F. Devereux, 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The Simoom, 18, troop steam frigate, and the Megzra,
6, steam troop frigate, were commissioned o❑ Saturday
at Portsmouth—the former by Corn. J. M. Cooke, and
the latter by Com. G. T. N. Purvis, for troop service.
The Alban steam vessel, Lieut. De Blaquiere, arrived
at Portsmouth yesterday from the westward, with
supernumeraries for her Majesty's ships St. Vincent and
Plumper.
The Prussian corvette Frauenlob sailed from Spithead
yesterday for Dantzic.
Her Majesty's steam vessel Dasher, Com. Hore, left
Portsmouth yesterday afternoon for the Channel Islands
to resume her protection of the fisheries.
A steam vessel, believed to be the Wye (distilling
ship), was standing up to Spithead from the westward
yesterday afternoon.
The steam tender Avon sailed from Plymouth on
Saturday for Portsmouth.
The frigate Eagle, 50, was commissioned at Plymouth
en Saturday by Capt. H. A. Storey. She will probably
be stationed at Falmouth for the reception of Coastguard
men.

The hired screw steam transport Cleopatra, No. 134,
Captain Paton, having discharged her ordnance stores
at Plymouth, sailed on Saturday for Liverpool, where
she will be paid off from the Government service.
The Austrian steam screw frigate Ra,detzky, 31, sailed
from Plymouth on Saturday for Lisbon.
The following officers have taken up their commissions
and joined the Hawke, 60 gun screw steamship at Sheer-
ness, being brought forward for the Coastguard service
—viz., Captain Wilson, First Lieut. J. E. M. Wilson
(if 1854), B. Renaud, master ; T. A. W. Smyth, clerk ;
George A. Lance, paymaster, and Mr. J. M'Kie, chief
engineer. The following officers have also taken up
their commissions, and joined the Melampus, 42 (late
store-ship), at Sheerness, now being fitted for the Coast-
guard, for duty at Newhaven :—Captain Leopold G.
Heath, C. 8., and Henry Collins, paymaster. Mr.
George Murdoch has taken up his commission and
joined the Edinburgh, at Sheerness, as inspector of ma-
chinery of the steam squadron of reserve, under com-
mand of Captain Edward P. Halsted.
The Edinburgh, screw-ship, 60, at Sheerness, Captain
E. Pellew Halsted, assisted by Commander Henry
Lloyd, has the following vessels under her command
here—viz., Pylades, Scylla, Royal George, Russell,
lurotas, Horatio, Terrible, Phoenix, Hydra, Argues,
Cyclops, and the despatch gun-boats Reynard and Fox-

hound, with the two floating batteries Trusty and Terror,
and the gun-boats Bullfrog, Cochis, Dwarf, Fidget, Fly,
Griper, Hasty, Herring, Julia, Manly, Mastiff, Midge,
Mistletoe, Sepoy, Spey, Surly, Thrasher, Tickler, Tiny,
Traveller, Carnation, Erne, Louisa, Magnet, Mayflower,
Pelter, Ruby, Sandfly, and Spanker, together with the
Ch aFseur, floating factory, which is daily in full work
repairing machinery of the above steam reserve of this
harbour.

The Meeanee, 80, is in Sheerness dry dock, being
converted into a screw-steamer.

The Wellington, 74, is fitted at Sheerness for a coast-
guard ship, and is moored in the stream. She is rigged
complete with 40-gun ships' masts, and is not commis-
sioned.

The Lizard, paddlewheel steam-vessel, Lieutenant.
Commander Thomas B. Christopher, arrived at Sheer-
ness on Saturday, from Portsmouth, with supernume-
raries for ships fitting at the latter port.
Her Majesty's ship Trident, Commander F. A. Close,
left Woolwich on Saturday for Greenhithe with the
Pluto, Lieutenant Commander W. Swinburne. The
Trident has been fitted with compasses and binacles
adjusted with magrets by the Astronomer Royal, so
as to counteract the deviation hitherto experienced by
attraction from the iron work of the vessel, and which
has occasioned irregular variations in the compass.
The Indus, 78, having had her copper examined and
repaired at Devonport, was taken out of dock on Thurs-
day, and the screw steamship Cornwallis, 61, placed
therein to have her copper and fan examined.
The Conquestader arrived alongside the pier at Wool-
wich Arsenal on Saturday, in tow of the steamers Vol-
cano and Fearless, from Sheerness. She has commenced
unshipping her anchors and iron ballot, preparatory to
being fitted to serve as an extra Ordnance floating maga-
zine, and is to be moored in an appropriate part of the
river, to be ultimately fixed on by the authorities. The
Conquestador left Sheerness on Monday last, but on ac-
e mint of the havy state of the fog on the Thames the
steamers were unable to proceed further than Northfleet
until the clearing of the atmosphere.
The following appointments were made on Saturday
at the Admiralty :
Lieut. W. M. Wright, to the Impregnable (for dis-
posal) ; Lieut. S. H. Pickard, to the Hawke ; Lieut.
C. J. Slaughter, to the Hawke ; Lieut. G. Rivington,
to the Megaara ; Lieut. C. E. Burlton, to the Simoom ;
M. A. S. Hare, Rate, to the Trident, and R. P. Den•
nistoun, mate, to the Antelope.
POBTSMOUTE, Saturday.—The dockyard is looking
busy again in bringing
.forward five of our heavy iron
screw troop frigates—via.,Sinsown, Megesra, Assistance,
Resolute, and Transit. Each ship can accommodate
from 1000 to 1200 soldiers, and it is supposed they will
proceed to India. We hear it rumoured that 10,000
troops are to embark without delay. The same mistrust
is visible in every one s countenance as existed at the
oommencement of the Russian outbreak three years
since ; we are, however, on this occasion better pre-
pared. The dockyard is full of stores, all marked and
numbered ; our liners and steamers have their sea stores
on board ; and in one month we could send, in any
direction, 100 heavy ships of war, 150 screw gun-boats,
and 100 mortar vessels, besides half a-dozen huge iron-
cased floating batteries ; but of these last we have no
opinion, nor ever had, from the launching at Blackwall
the first of these abortions, and the late practice at Plum-
stead-marshes with 68-pound shot at from 400 to 600
yards has proved that they would sink the strongest of
them. When the first order was given for building these
expensive and useless batteries, the Morning Herald
suggested that the same experiment should be immedi-
ately tried so as to test their supposed invulnerability.
Now it has proved that they are totally unfit for the
object intended, and here is another half.million of money
thrown away.—Morning Herald.

TH ARCTIC SHIP RESOLUTE.

PORTSMOUTH. DEC. 21.

LieLuat. stE.
eveE.
ninsgt,onCea,pt.ielluat.rtiit.eiDn,avLidiseount:
Ddr.. Hm.acWcoeullns:
and Dr. Otis, comprising all the officers of her Majesty's
ship Resolute, were entertained at the Admiralty-house
by Vice-Admiral Sir G. Seymour, K.C.8., the Comman-
der-in-Chief. Mr. Croskey, Consul-General for the United
States of this district, and Chevalier Vincent Pappalardo,
Vice-Consul at Portsmouth, were also guests, with a gal-
lant circle of naval officers, among whom were Major-
General Breton, the Lieutenant-Governor ; Rear-Admi-
ral Superintendent Martin ; Sir T. Maitland, C.B. ;
Capt. Dacree, C.B. ; Capt. Stewart, C.B. ; Colonel
Graham, C. 8., A.D.C., ko. Sir G. Seymour, in pro-
posing the health of the President of the United States,
paid a well-merited tribute to the service represented by
Captain Hartatein, to which that officer responded in
very terse and suitable terms.
The officers were afterwards presented to Lady Sey-
mour and family.
Yesterday afternoon Messrs. Garratt and Gibbon, the
agents to Lloyd at this port, delivered a telegraphic mes-
sage to Captain Hartstein from the Shipowners' Society
of Liverpool, requesting permission to send a deputation
from that society to present an address to Captain Hart-
stein. A reply was returned that the deputation would
be received on Tuesday next on board the Resolute.
The Resolute is an object of much interest in the port.
Among the stores found in her were several puncheons
of fine old rum, which had been put on board in prime
condition at the outset of her career from Woolwich. One
of these puncheons had been sent by Captain Hartstein
to Prince Albert, as a relic of the Resolute.
On Tuesday the only pablic dinner the American offi-
cers can attend in England will be given by the Mayor
and Corporation of Portsmouth. On Christmas-day the
American officers will all dine with Lady Franklin.
To-day (Sunday) the Resolute has been visited by
some of the officers who set out in the Arctic search in
her and other ships. Among them were Capt. Pullen,
Capt. Richards, Lieut. Pym ; a party from London,
who came down last night, also visited the ship to-day,
comprising Major Selby, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Forbes, Mr.
Sullivan, and Mr. Grinnel.
An artist, from the house of Colnaghi, on an intro-
duction from Colonel the Hon C. B. Phipps, dated from
Osborne, want on board the Resolute yesterday, to take
the portraits in group (as they stood when the Queen
visited the ship last Tuesday) of all the officers of the
Resolute for a special object.

THE LATE FEARGUS O'CONNOL—TI3O Nottingham
Journal states that some of the admirers of the late
Feargus O'Connor are about to erect a monument to
him in Nottingham, and that the statue will be a per-
fect representation of Mr. O'Connor as he appear' in
the plate of 0 Counorville.