The Sun.
London, England, 1833-04-16 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE-(THIS DAY.)

ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE PROPRIETORS.
At twelve o'clock today, the proprietors again met at the
East India House, pursuant to an adjournment from yesterday.
Sir A. JONES rose to address the Court, and said, as the pe-
riod had now arrived when it was necessary to enter into a
new compact with his Majesty's Government, relative to the
renewal of their charter, it became them to consider upon
what terms they were willing to treat for it. He adverted to
the calls that had been made from various quarters for an abo-
lition of the Charter, and lie stated that those calls were made
by persons who had not maturely weighed the various inter-
ests which were concerned in the question. He asked
whether the proprietors were inferior—in point of
rank, wealth, and intelligence, to those who were
so Glamourous against them. He was sure it was not the
merchants of this great city—it was not the shipping interest
of this, the first great commercial port in the world, that
called for the destruction of their charter.—(Hear.) In spite
of the assertions of the timeserving press, and in spite also of
what interested persons might say in other places, the bulk
of the people were with the Company.—(Hear, hear.) When
the fate of this empire was trembling, this Company came
forward nobly to its assistance.—(Hear, hear.) In the
revolutionary war with France, when gold was scarce,
were the Company backward in rendering its assistance—
(Hear)—and when bread was dear and scarce, did not the
Company, by the immediate importation of rice, do all in their
power to remove that scarcity ?—(Hear.) The people of Eng.
land were a high_minded people, and knowing what a mine of
strength the Company had been to them, the great bulk were
in favour of the charter.—(Hear.) He believed also that
many of the Ministers were in its favour. He would
not deny that changes which became necessary in
all human affairs might not become necessary in
theirs, but those charges should be considered as in.
volving great interests. He was gratified at hearing the
speech of a Right Hon. Baronet (Sir John Malcolm) and par_
ticularly of that part, in which he said that the trade with
China was not gone.—(Hear.) Whoever took a view of the
China trade, only as it related to this country, took a very wrong
view of it—(Hear, hear)—and he asked, was there any man
rash enough to say that the interests of India,
to which the China trade were particularly related
did not claim a most serious and careful consideration ?
Assailed as Ministers had been on every side for a repeal of.
taxes, he hoped that they would pause before they set adrift
a revenue of four millior•.s, annually collected at an expense of
only 10,000/., besides establishing, as a nourishment for the
people of this country, the deleterious stuff which the China-
man would eel!, instead of the wholesome and fragrant article
sold by the Company.—(Hear, hear.) There were, however,
other people to consult, before a change could be made
with effect. The Chinaman did not want for good sense
and discretion, and it was not to be imagined
that he would give up a safe and honourable customer for that
of God knew who ? Was it to be imagined that the celes-
tial governor of a celestial empire would admit into his celes-
tial port all the tag-rag and bobtail who chose to go there ?
(Hear, and laughter.)—And if he did not, what redress was
there for those who might be refused? There was no prin.
ciple more advantageous to be observed by nations and indi-
viduals than to let well alone. That was the maxim of
a great French Minister now dead, and he must say that
he would much rather see Ministers following that pattern,
than adopting the theories of system manufacturers, who now
so loudly cried out.—(Cheers.) If he was near, he would
beseech them to consider by whom this great einpi.-e of India
had been governed. He would beg them to ask themselves,
whether any of the Directors of this great Company had shown
themselves incompetent to govern India ?—(Cheers.) He
would ask them whether they would throw such precious metal
into the cruicible of speculation, subjecting it to the fire of public
opinion, in order to try whether it would come out pure. What
would be the result of the adoption of such a course. Probably the
total annihilation of that which was as pure as all could wish
before. He trusted that Ministers would look to history to as.
certain the course that had been pursued by the Company ; and
if they did so, he was sure that everything would be found that
reflected the highest credit on the Company, and showed that
under the Company India had flourished.—(Cheers.) He
trusted that history would teach Ministers what course
to follow, and what to avoid—(Cheers)—and he hoped,
ere it was too late, they would be fully aware that
the course they were now pursuing would be productive of the
most baneful effects.—(Hear ) With respect to the resolu-
tions which had been proposed by the worthy Proprietor who
spoke yesterday, after reading them very carefully, he must
confess upon his honour and conscience, as a proprietor of
India stock, he did not think they went to that extent with
which the Proprietors ought to be satisfied.—(Cheers) He
was not in court when the excellent protest of Mr. Tucker was
read, but he had seen the substance of it in the newspapers,
and he must confess that he would much rather have the tone
of the court taken from that minute than from the resolution
which had been proposed by the worthy Baronet, whom he
begged to ask if they had been framed in consequence of any
communications between himself and his Majesty's Ministers.
Sir J MALCOLM said that he had never had any communi-
cation with Ministers, or any other person, on the subject.
Mr. A. JONES was happy to hear the statement of the Hon.
Baronet.

Sir J. MALCOLM observed that he had chosen to adopt the
line of conduct he had pursued because he considered it prac-
tical; be would not say that it was the best, but it was what he
deemed the best the Company could obtain under existing
circumstances--(Cheers.) He thought his Hon. Friend, Sir
Charles Forbes, was under a great mistake in the statements
he had made, with respect to the 10 per cent. being a bur.
then on the natives of India.
Sir CHARLES FORBES rose to order. '
Sir Jons MAtcoLst did not feel that any justification of
his conduct was necessary, either to the Court or the public,
but he wished to set himself right with his Hon. Friend Sir C.
Forbes. In his speech, that lion. Baronet had complained
that he and his predecessor, Mount Stewart Elphinstone, had
spent twelve lacs of rupees in journeying about, as he said, for
their own pleasure. He could assure the Hon. Baronet, that
there was no part of his duty that was more arduous than that
same journeying to countries that had been newly added to the
territories of the Company; and if he would only give the
subject a moment's thought, he would see the vast importance
and absolute necessity of such visitations. He had merely
said so much in explanation, as he had been personally
attacked, and he thanked the Court for the patient hearing it
had given him.
Mr. M‘KINNoN then rose, but as he spoke with his back to-
wards us, we could not hear him so well as we could have
wished. He said, that having resided for a long time in China,
and having had much experience in the manner in which that
trade was carried on, he was anxious to give the Court not only
his own opinions but those which he had collected from other
officers who had long been in the service of the Company. It
was proposed by the Government that the Company should
give up the whole of their assets and revenue. And what was
the equivalent proposed to be given for such a surrender?
Why, that a sum of 630,000/. should be set apart from
the teritorial revenues of India without other guarantee.

(To be continued in our Second Edition.)

A courtrnartial assembled on Wednesday, in
the mess room of the loyal M trines barracks, at Wool-
wich, of which Colonel G. P. WINGROVE was President,
to try Second Lieutenant DANIEL O'CONNELL, of that
corps (nephew of D. O'CONNELL, Esq., M.P.) on the
following charges : —lst, for concealing a bottle of spirits
in his bed on the 221 of March last, during which time he
was a patient in the hospital-2d, for drunkenness between
the hours of seven .ind nine at night, on the 22d of March
last, abtienting himself from the hospital without leave, and
obstructing the hospital sergeant in his duty, when en-
deavouring to bring him hack to his ward. The case for
the prosecution closed on Thutsday ; and the prisoner, who
•was assisted by MAURICE O'CONNELL, Esq , M.P., son
of the Learned Member for Dublin, and W. J. O'CONNELL,
another relative, as his Counsel, was allowed until to-day,
at two o'cluk, to enter upon his defence.—Hampshire
Telegraph.

On 'Saturday evening, between five and six
o'clock, as WILLIAM HILL, groom to Gen. Sir CKARLES
CLINTON, was tiding a very spirited and valuable horse
belonging to his master out of the stable adjoining the
Wyndham Club-house, St. James's-square, the animal
took fright, anti set off at a furiops rate, when the rider
was thrown against the iron palisade enclosing the central
square, and so much injured that he died the same night
PUBLIC MEETING IN BOLTON IN SUPPORT
OF THE TEN Hou:ss' BILL.—A public meeting of the
" Friends of 1-kmastrrv" was held on Wednesday evening
last, in the Theatre, to consider the best mans of forward-
ing the Ten Hours' 8.11 now before Parliament. The
Chair was taken about half-past seven by JOilErli WALL-
WORK, Esq., horoughreeve of Little Bolton; and we ob-
served on the st ige R. OASTLER, ,of Fixby Hall,
Yorkshire, Dr. YOUNG, Mr. BANCROFT surgeon, the Rev,
Mr. FRAZIER, the Rev. Mr. JONES, the members of the
Operatives' Time Committee, anti several other friends of
the cause. The house was literally crammed in every
part. After the delivery of some very eloquent speeches
by Mr. OASTLER and others, resolutions in conformity
with the objects of the meeting were unanimously carried.
The proceedings concluded by the presentation of a silver
cup, a tribute of gratitude from the factory operatives of
Bolton, to Mr. OASTLER.
Hereford Easter Fair was held on Wednesday
last. We have seen larger supplies of cattle at this period
of the year, but the stock was considered on the whole
very prime. For fresh steers there was a brisk demand ;
but barrens sold heavily, at rather reduced prices; sheep
were scarce and much in request, in fact, the supply of
fat wethers was not adequate to the demand. In the horse
fair the show was about the average at this season of the
year. 01 the finest description of nag horses there were
scarcely any, and the scarcity of prime gigsters and nag
horses was generally remarked. Of draught horses there
was a large supply, particularly of colts of the heavy kind.
The number of inferior animals was considerable. There
was a good deal of activity in the horse fair, and many
sales effected ; but the prices were about the same as those
obtained at the late fairs in this neighbourhood.—Here-
ford Times.

WALKABLE (NoRTHALLERToN)—APRIL 13.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sia.—ln your Paper of Thursday you make some ob-
servations in favour of a Bill before Parliament, call, ri
" the General Registration Bill ;" and you complain that
it has been opposed mainly by the people of Yorkshire,
who have themselves for a long time enjoyed the advan-
tage of a local registry. I cannot think it matter of com-
plaint against us that we are satisfied with what answers
our purpose—that we deprecate any alteration in a system
of which we have found the benefit. Before any change
be adopted—particularly such a change as that contem-
plated by Sir John Campbell's Bill—we have a right to
require that it he shown that a necessity of the change
exists. You defend the plan of a Metropolitan Registry,
because it will prevent fraud and litigation—because it
will facilitate the raising of money upon real estates—and
because of a comprehensive " &c." But are not all these
objects answered as fully and efficiently by a local regis-
try
more? s
oT: h ea peoplend
with o
gf
,Ye
aotrl
yk smh iorree t hcoinknv
etnhiaetn
ct he
.e y areN o vastly
argu-
ment can be adduced in favour of a General Registry
Office, that does not apply with ten times the force to a
District Office. But there is another reason which you
allege in favour of a Metropolitan Registry, which, in the
country, we have always claimed in favour of our provin•
cial establishments, and that is—the diminished expense.
The machinery of the General Registration Bill may be
cheap, but it will require something more than the asser-
tion of a lawyer, however respectable, to convince us that
expense can he lessened by the employment (as would
often be necessary) of two solicitors instead of one ; or
that business can be conducted at a distance of two or
three hundred miles from home, either so cheaply, or so
satisfactorily,-as at twenty or thirty. The carriage alone
of a p arcel from Yorkshire, to and from London, would
aearly amount to the average fees of our local offices, upon
the registration of a deed. A Metropolitan Registry,
therefire, would press most injuriously upon small pur-
chasers ; and in large purchases, or mortgages, a personal
search is frequently made.' The correspondence, too,
would necessarily be frequent, and the correspondence of
either London or country solicitors is somewhat expensive.
When you sneak of the register offices in Yorkshire be-
ing " sinecures" I confess that I cannot understand you,
except by supposing there is a meaning in the word of
which lam not aware. The gentlemen who conduct the
register offices in Yorkshire are paid, not by any fixed
salary, but by fixed -ees (which are excessively
chargeable on the registering of deeds, on searches, and
for extracts. If they have no business (and lat-ly the
tiansfer of property has been very limited), they have no
fres ; but if the wont of business creates the " sinecure,"
all I can say is, that it is a " sinecure" not worth having.
I do not mean here to state the objections to a Metro-
politan Registry ; but if our opposition to it be strong and
numerous, it is because understanding the subject from
from experience, we do not perceive one advantage to
counterbaknce innumei able inconveniences. If registra-
tiiin be desirable, and I do not deny it, let us have local
offices, which we have ti ied and value.

When you hid us rejoice in the public spirit of a London
lawyer who could suggest a Gen -ral Register Office in
London, where his own practice lies—and when you tell
us that country gentlemen have been alarmed into oppoSi-
tion to such a me usure of disinterestedness by " their attor •
net's, who fancy it would diminish their business," you
seem to forget that it may he charged upon the London
solicitors and conveyancers, that their support of this Bill
may not be altogether from " public spirit"—that regis
trars and deputy registrars will be required, and that
business may increase in London as it diminishes in the
country. In short, Sir, we do not think so ill of our
Yorkshire air as to suppose that it makes our solicitors
more rapacious than yours in London. At all events, we
will not take your Lawyer's word for it.
I rejoice heartily, however, that the present Bill is not
likely to pass ; b►ut I shall be glad if you will cause this
letter to be inserted in The Sun of Tuesday.
I am, Sir, your very obedient S rvant,
B. J. WETHERELL.

OLD BAILEY.-(THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.

In the case of Noah Pease Folyer, who way tried for
shooting at Mr. Mellish, which was not concluded yester-
day when we wen' to press, the Jury acquitted the prisoner
on the ground of insanity.

Richard Caster and Edmund Smith were indicted for
uttering a forged 10/. note, with intent to defraud the Go-
vernor and Company of the Bank of England. The
second count charged the prisoners with intending to de-
fraud TheopUus Clarke.
Sir JAMES ScA num, for the prosecution, called Mr.
James Clarke, of Honiton, Devonshire, who deposed to
having received two letters, one on the 26th February and
the second on the 15th of March. The latter contained
ten 51. Bank of England notes He marked them all, and
in about ten minutes after he carried them to the Honiton
Bank, where he learned they were forgeries. He after-
wards went to Mr. Aberdeen, a solicitor, and mentioned
the circumstance to him. He had seen another letter in
the postman's hands, directed to Miss Cox, in the same
writing as those he had received. This letter contained
eight Si. notes of the Bank of England and one 10/. note.
He afterwards made up two parcels and sent them off to
Mr. Freshfield, the Bank solicitor. The notes were never
out of his possession.
Mr. R. H. Aberdeen, on the 16th March, received a
letter from the postman at Honiton, directed to Miss Cox,
who had gone to Brighton. On seeing it he saw it con-
tained nine notes, and believing them to be forged, he
put them up in a parcel, and directed them to Mr. Fresh-
field at the Bank of England, with a letter on the subject.

Richard Pearce deposed that his father keeps the Four
Swans in Bishopsgate-street On Saturday evening, the
16th March last, the prison.r Smith came to the house,
and delivered him a piece of paper. The prisoner ob-
served to him, that be expected a parcel to be sent from
the country, but he was afraid he had made a mistake, a,
he bad given the direction to the Bull Inn. Ile asked
him to take it in for him, in case it should be directed
there in the name of Jackson ; the carriage of it, he said,
would be paid. He then went away, after taking a glass
of beer, and said he would call again next day. The next
day, about two o'clock, the prisoner Coster called at the
bar, and said he expected a gentleman, a friend of his, to
arrive by the Ipswich coach. He told him the coaches
came in late in the afternoon, and he then went away to-
wards Bishopsgate Church. Smith was outside, and
joined him. Witness did not know any person of the
name of Jackson, excepting the prisoner Smith, who
assumed that name.

A bill was here produced, purporting to be drawn by
Wm. Jackson.
Rebecca Stone stated that she is bar-maid at the Four
Swans. On Tuesday, March 19, she saw a parcel come by
the coach, directed to Jackson ; she gave it to her master,
Mr. Pearce. Between ten and eleven o'clock, Coster
called at the inn, and said he expected a friend either by
the Bevy or Ipswich coach, and inquired the hour at
wh;ch it arrived. Witness informed him that the Bury
coach did not come there. There had been a letter left
at the bar for a Mr. Faver. This letter Coster maw, and
said Faver had taken in a friend of his of the name of
Jackson for neatly 2001. The prisoner then lett, and
returned again, when he remained for about an hour.
Upon speaking about Jackson, he said he lived at the
west-end of the town.

John Clifford, bookkeeper at the Four Swan., in
Bishop Tate-street, remembered receiving two parcel+
and two letters on the 19th March ; they were to be lef
till called for. About two o'clock in the day the prisoner
Smith called, and inquired if there were any parcel+ there
directed to Mr. William Jackson. Witness asked hiss
from what part of the country he expected it ? He
said from Honiton, in Devonshire. Witness then cave
him the parcels, and he paid 7s. 4d. for the carriaze.
He walked out of the office, followed by Meeley, the officer.
Edward Pearse, the proprietor of the Four Swans, in
Bishopsgate-street, had a communication with Mr. Cope,
the City Marsh d, in consequence of which two officer*
were placed on the premises, on Saturday the 19th March.
In the course of the day the two parcels directed to Jack-
son arrived, and he gave them to the last wirnest. He
afterwards saw Coster on the opposite side of the way,
looking up the gateway. Witness passed him towards
the church, and saw him look under a hackney coach, and
then he turned round and ran off. Witness pursued and
overtook him. Saw Roe the officer coming towards him
with the prisoner Smith in custody, and the two parcels
now produced. They were both carried before the Lord
Miyor at the Mansion-house.
(Here two letters were put in and read.)

One of them was addressed to T. Clarke, Laceman,
Honiton, Devonshire—" important and immediate,"
ordering 501. worth of lace. The letter was signed,
William Jackson, 84, Bishopsgate-street, London, and
was dated March 13. The secund letter was directed to
Mr. Clarke, containing 501. in Bank of England notes,
and was dated March 15, 1833. A third letter was read,
addressed to Miss. Cu; at Honiton, also signed William
Jackson, 84, Bishopsgate-street.
Mason Stephenson knew Coster's b indwriting, and the
lettert now produced were written by him.
This closed the case for the prosecution.
(The case was proseeding when our Reporter left.)