The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-24 00:00:00

At a meeting of the Poles, in Paris, on the 9th
inst., convened by, and held under, the presidency
of Prince Adam Czartoryski, the following Decla-
ration of the Polish Emigration has been adopted
and signed, with reference to the announced Polish
amnesty—the addresses delivered by the Emperor
Alexander 11., and the circular of the Minister for
Foreign Affairs in Russia.
- The declaration is now in the course of signature
among the Polish emigrants throughout France
and England :
DECLARATION Or THE POLISH EMIGRATION.
By. a recent ukase of the Emperor of Russia, which
was repeated in a circular from the Russian Minister of
Foreign Affairs, dated May 15/27, 1856, the Emperor's
favour towards Polish emigrants was announced, and
permission to return 'to their country granted to those
who would ask for it, repenting of their errors. Simul-
taneously with this ukase we received the speeches of the
Emperor of Russia pronounced in Warsaw.
Each of us will easily appreciate the true worth of
this act. We, the undersigned, therefore, not intending
to influence any one's determination or to bias any one's
opinions, wish merely, by a clear and open statement, to
enlighten the Governments and nations which have
granted us their hospitality as to the reasons which in-
duce us still, with patience and submission to the de-
crees of Providence, to remain in the position which the
will of Almighty God has marked out for us.
Doubtless, the Emperor of Russia would have acted
better, and would have gained mere opinions to his side,
if; instead of threatening and warning the Poles that he
" wishes to keep up the state of things introduced by his
father," he had rather acted up to the designs of his
un -le, Alexander 1., as explained in the following words,
addressed by him to the Poles :—" Russia gives you her
hand like a brother, and from the many benefits which
conquest (now peace) assures her, she se:ects but this—the
glory of reconstructing a brave and noble nation."t
The Poles whom political offences have driven from
their country, should be looked upon in two different
lights. Each of us, individually, is but a more
or less suffering sacrifice to an unfortunate war ;
a splinter from the wreck cast hither and thither
at she mercy of the storm. They have torn us
from our possessions, they have condemned us in our
absence ; our return to our c ,untry, then, must neces
Rarity depend on personal considerations of safety and of
family affairq, of which each must judge for himself and
decide according to his own views. In this light, such
an amnesty as this, which speaks of "mistakes," 'of
" tardy repentance," of "irreconcileable hatred ;" which
permits you to return to your native hearth, but does
not restore it to its rightful owner ; which inflicts upon
men in the decline of life, as a guarantee of " pardon,"
three years of mistrust and probation, in a difficult and
hopeless position ; an amnesty which excludes our fel-
low-countrymen, who are condemned to groan in the
depths of Siberia because they loved their country; such
an amnesty perhaps differs from similar favours an-
nounced from time to time since 1832, only in this, that
it frees those who return from a judicial trial ; not,
however, in the least degree guaranteeing them against
the voluntary and intolerable persecution which may
fall upon them at any moment and under the slightest
pretext, from the Russian police, who are as suspicious
as they are ignorant. We have read rand heard in mo-
dern history of perfect amnesties, distinguished by gene-
roity and nobleness of mind, These imposed no other
condition upon the pardoned than that of acknowledging
the existing Government. Far different is the amnesty
recently published ; and, therefore, whatever trust we
may put in the character and sentiments of the young
Russian monarch, it will not be strengthened by the
above named ukase, so long as the system of government
which is to carry out the latter, and which, to our mis-
fortune, we know of old, shall continue to exist.
The second distinguishing characteristic of the position
of the Polish emigrants, and which is too often forgotten
by fereigners, is, that collectively we represent our sacred
cause ; that we bring before the notice of Europe the
sorrows, the wants, and the inalienable rights of Poland,
which is itself compelled to silence. This mission, exclu-
sively political, and imposed upon us by the misfortunes
of our country, has created duties which the unexpected
termination of the war has indeed for the present sus-
pended, but the binding force of which is not cancelled
by the recent words and deeds of the Emperor of
Russia.

Compared with the promised benefits and improve-
ments which were to be ;ranted to Poland with the
peace and a new government, private interests, which
this change might be expected to further, were to the
Polish emigrants the least consideration. We turned
our minds with hope to reforms and improvements, both
moral and material, to be introduced in our country ;
for although these would not indemnify her for her lost
hopes they would at least permit her to live. And
now, if we set aside reports, perhaps purposely spread—
if we set aside the statements of newspapers—have we
not reason to think that these reforms, if they are such,
have unfortunately rather the appearance and intention
of throwing dust in the eyes of Europe than of consti-
tuting guarantees satisfactory to the just wishes of Po-
land ? What have been hitherto the opportunities allowed
for the inculcation of our religion and our language,
or for the education of our children ? Where is the
probability of an internal and more or less national ad-
ministration ? What hope is there of reconstructing
the Universities of Warsaw and Vilna ? Have we not
seen how the semi-official Russian organs concluded from
the silence of the Paris Conferences that their monarch
was freed from all compacts respecting Poland ? Have
we seen not only our aspirations as a nation to a free '
and independent existence, but even the stipulations of
the Trea'y of Vienna, imposed by Europe and accepted
by Russia herself, treated as "day-dreams ?" We are
Poles, desiring the reconstruction of our country ; and
we cannot stigmatise as an error that which was
an act of duty conscientiously performed. We
have suffered defeats, but our consciences are clear.
We have no hatred towards Russia; in the present
state of things silence and resignation alone be-
come us; but until justice is done to our country
shall we cast off a duty which has descended to us from
our fathers I Were there but one free emigrant remain-
ing on the whole earth, he would not cease to say to
nations and governments_" In the name of religion,
and of history, Poland has a right to a national and in-
dependent existence. She trusts in God, and confides
in the demands of your own interests, and in the con-
science of the impartial men of all countries !"
Paris, June 3, 1856.

* Speech of the Emperor of Russia, in Warsaw, in
May, 1856.

1 Speech of the Emperor Alexander 1., in Warsaw,
1818.

::: Le Nord of the 2d June, 1356, No. 151.

SERIOUS AFFRAY BETWEEN GERMAN
AND ENGLISH TROOPS AT ALDERSHOT.

...,._....----.............-.-...-...-.

FARNBOROUGH, JUNE 23.

The encampment at Aldershot has been thrown
into a state of alarming excitement within the last 48
hours by a serious disturbance which commenced on Sa-
' turday evening between the German and English troops
in garrison. The Regiments implicated are the 2d Ger-
man Jagers on the one side, and the depots of the let
and 2d battalions of the Me Brigade on the other.
There is some doubt as to the precise circumstances un-
der which the affray originated, but one thing is certain,
that the dispute which led to the disturbance began in
one of the public-houses within the village of Aldershot.
The Jagers were numerically the strongest party, and it
is admitted on all hands that they went to most inexcus-
able lengths, and used, with indiscriminate violence,
knives, sticks, stones, and bayonets. Several men were
seriously wounded, and it was found necessary to convey
them to the hospital, where they now remain, many of
them in a state of great suffering. Immediately on the
fact of the disturbance becoming known at head-guar•
tern, General Knollys ordered out strong picquets, and
kept the troops in camp under arms until all apprehen-
sion of further rioting was at an end. Yesterday
morning a general order was issued forbidding any sol-
diers i❑ camp to enter the village of Aldershot, but
these precautions had not the desired effect, for early
in the afternoon another riot broke out, mid the camp
bugles at once called ail the troops 4 arms. The
depots of the Rifle Brigade, and such o r regiments
as could be hastily got together, were despatched
into the surrounding villages with orders to clear
the publio-houses, and bring all the soldiers into
camp. At 9 o'clock last night everything was quiet,
but it is confidently stated by those competent to form
an opinion on the subject, that unless the German
troops are at once removed serious consequences will un-
doubtedly ensue.

An investigation into the circumstances has already
been set on foot. The prevailing impression is, that the
Germans left the camp in large bodies en Saturday
night, armed with sticks and other weapons, and, visit-
ing in succession the different public-houses in which
their English comrades were enjoying themselves, with-
out provocation of any kind assailed them, and turned
them out of the houses, and in some places smashed the
windows, furniture, &c. At one period affairs were so
threatening that the cavalry were actually ordered out
to part the combatants, but fortunately a cessation in
the disturbance rendered their employment unnecessary.
Several men were, however, so seriously injured with
bayonet wounds, yesterday, as to be obliged to go into
hospital.
The occurrence of this affray is very deeply regretted,
inasmuch as, up to a recent date, nothing could be more
perfect than the understanding which had prevailed, nut
only among the troops in camp, but also between
the whole military force and the civilians re-
sident in the adjacent villages. In proof of this
it may be mentioned, that only on Friday last
the inhabitants of Farnham gave a dinner to 200
!nen of the let Royal Dragoops— this being the first rcgi•
meat that has arrived in camp from too Crimea.

STAINES PETTY SESSIONS, Junta 23.
(Before Mr. G. Patterson, Chairman, Major Reed, Mr.
T. Scott, and r. W.A. Mitcheson.)
William G. Craven, lieutenant in the Ist Life Guards
and George Belcher a groom in his service, appeared
before the bench to-day to answer 'a complaint preferred
against them at the instance of theßoyal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, charging them with
having overdriven a-horse on Sunday, the 11th ult., on
the high road between Windsc.r and Hounslow, and
causing the death of the animal.
Mr. Forster attended to prosecute, Mr. Jennings,
from the office of Messrs. Hodgson and Burton, of Salis-
bury-street, appeared for the defendants, both of whom
pleaded not guilty.
I
Mr. Forster said it was his painful duty to prefer a
l charge of aggravated cruelty to a horse alainst a gentle-
\Viitnhd
itvhiadtuaglenotfle humblem an he
. man holding a high commission in her Majesty's service.
in the ser . ice of the first defendant. It would b for the
bench, after hearing the evidence he should adduce, to
had
felt
station,
duty
Belcher, to
a as B:reoilute
judge of the relative guilt, if any, of either or both of
the defendants. It was an undoubted fact that the great
majority of the prosecetions undertaken by the society
I were directed ag,ainst the humbler classes. This, however
was not occiaeioned by any leniency towards offenders
an
against humanity in a higher grade of society, but it arose
simply from the fact that persons of superior enlighten.
went and education were naturally more humane than
those who had not enjoyed the same advantages. Hence
when such a case did ocour, it became especially the
duty of the society to set•re public mark upon the in•
dividual, lest tlan,s,e4napie .01 higher rank and attains,
ments should mislead the poor and igneirsint. 1-et ttnr-
' Preient case, Mr. Craven was charged with having as-
sisted-in driving a horse to such an extent beyond
its natural powers as to cause its death. What the
answer to the complaint would be be was at a loss to
conceive. If it were urged that the animal had been
accidentally overdriven without reflection by the defen-
daet that was no excuse, for in a case where the proper
treatment of dumb creatures was concerned reflection
should be habitual. Mr. Forster, having briefly stated
the facts of the case, called -
David Clark, a railway porter, who said he remem-
bered Mr. Craven driving up in a dogcart to the station
of the South-Western Railway, at Windsor, immediately
after the 1.50 p.m. train for Landon had started on Sun-
day, the 11th of May. He was accompanied by another
gentleman, and the defendant Belcher occupied the back
seat of the vehicle. On ascertaining that the train had
started, Mr. Craven drove off in the direction of Datchet,
as witness understood, for the purpose of catching the
train at that station. The horse went at its topmost
speed while witness kept it in view, which was for about
half a mi'e along the flat.
William Houghton, another porter in the same service
on duty at Datchet, saw defendants pass that station at
a full gallop. The L5O p.m. train from Windsor was
not more than 100 yards from the Datchet station when
Mr. Craven drove through the gate crossing of which
witnesses had charge.
Two police constables of the T division proved seeing
a dogcart driven past the police-station at Staines at a
furious rate on the afternoon in question. The driver
whipped the horse as it passed them apparently to urge
the animal into a greater speed. It was then going at
seventeen miles an hour, as near as one of the witnesses
could judge.
Mr. John Turner, landlord of the George Inn, Houns-
low, proved that Mr. Craven drove into his yard a few
minutes before three o'clock, on Whit-Sunday, and or-
dered a pair of post-horses to take himself and his friend
on to London. Mr. Craven's dogcart and the horse be
had driven to Hounslow remained at the George, and
witness drove the two gentlemen on to London. The
horse was distressed, but not more than witness had
seen other horses.
Henry white, ostler in the service of the fast witness,
proved having had charge of Mr. Craven's horse. Ater
being dressed, it was placed in the stable, and some
gruel and corn offered to it. It was a good deal blown,
and would take only about a pint of the gruel, and ate
no corn. Witness after about twenty minutes brought
it out of the stable, and walked it about the yard. It
had not got its wind properly then. In about an hour
afterwards, the defendant Belcher had the horse put to,
and left Hounslow on his return to 'Windsor. It bad
not properly recovered itself then.
George Tubb, ostler at the Coach and Horses, Egham,
proved having received charge of the horse from the de-
fendant Belcher about six o'clock on the evening of the
11th ult. It was in a very bad state, trembling vio-
lently, and in ten minutes after it had been placed in
the stable it came out in a cold sweat. Presently after-
wards it rolled about and pitched forwards on its head.
Witness obtained assistance, and got it upon its legs,
but it was unable to stand, and died in a very few
' minutes. Witness saw the animal opened after the re-
turn of Belcher with the veterinary surgeon of the regi-
ment. As soon as the knacker cut the skirt, the blood
rushed up his arm, and witness observed two or three
quarts of blood in the cavity of the stomach.
Mr. Henry Mackenzie, landlord of the Coach and
Horses', proved having had a conversation with the de•
fondant Belcher on the subject of the horse's death. Bel-
cher told him his master had made a bet, something
about being at Greenwich before another person who had
gone to London by the train ; that the horse had been
driven against the train, and. that this had caused its
death.
Joseph Green, knacker, of Egham, proved having
bought the carcase of the horse for 12s. He opened it
by the request of Mr. Jex, the veterinary surgeon of the
let Life Guards. The heart and liver were healthy, but
there was a large quantity of blood effused into the
stomach.
The most important testimony was that of William
Augove and Richard Luker, two constables of the New
Windsor police, who proved having seen the defendant
Belcher on the night of the 11th ult. Belcher observed to
them that they would never see the old trotting horse
again—that his mister had driven it against the train,
and killed it—that being too late for the I'so p.m. train
at Windsor, they had driven on to Datchet—that on ar-
riving there, the train had just started—that they then
went on to Staines, five or six miles further, and that there
the train served them the same—just moving off as they
drove up. Belcher added his master said he would not be
beaten then, for he would drive on to Hounslow and
take post-horses. After reaching Hounslow Belcher said
he had tried to return to Windsor, but the horse was un-
able to go further than Egham, and that while he was
gone to fetch the farrier-major the animal died. Belcher
aided that if it had been a poor man who had done as
his master had done he would have been prosecuted ft r
cruelty to animals.
This closed the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Jennings, for the defence, protested against the
absurd charge which had been got up by the societ
against his most respectable client. The fact was, there
was not a tittle of foundation for the complain., which
he believed had originated solely out of personal spite
towards the officers of a most distinguished regiment.
The distance accomplished was but thirteen miles, and
the time occupied was certainly over an hour. It was
perf ctly ridiculous to trump up a charge of cruelty upon
no better foundation, and be entertained no doubt of
being able to satisfy the Bench that if need had been
the horse could have performed double the distance in 1
the time specified without inconvenience.
The Chairman said it was not the total distance in a
given time that appeared to him to be the question, hut
rather as to whether from excessive speed during the
first portion of the journey the animal had not been ren-
dered altogether unfit to proceed further.
Mr. Samuel Sheward, horsedealer, of Green-street,
proved having sold the horse in question to Mr.
Craven for 200 guineas. It was 12 or 14 years old, but
an animal of exceeding high courage, and no horse in
witness's opinion could travel 18 miles an hour without
injury to itself.

CrOss-examined—Witness was unable to account for
the distre-s and death of the animal on the llth ult.,
after travelling a much less distance in that period.
Mr. Thomas ,Tex, veterinary surgeon to the First Life
Guards, proved having seen the horse opened shortly
after death. He attributed its death to apoplexy, but
having made no examination of the head could give no
positive opinion on this point. He believed with the
last witness that the horse was well able to do more
than it accomplished on the 11th ult.
Cross-examined—He did not think that keeping up
with a railway train from Windsor to Staines, a distance
of seven miles, was calculated to injure the horse.
(Sensation.)

There being no other evidence the court was now
cleared, and the justices remained in deliberation about
half an hour.

On the public being re-admitted,
The Chairman said that with regard to Mr. Craven
the magistrates were divided in opinion. Two of them
believed the charge had been satisfactorily proved against
him, and two were of a different opinion. He would
therefore have the advantage of this division of opinion,
and the complaint against him would be dismissed.
With respect to his servant, George Belcher, the justices
were of opinion that be had been guilty of great inhu-
manity in driving the horse after it had been shown to
be in a state of great distress. They had, therefore,
ovine to the determination of inflicting the full penalty
of 51., with 51. costs, upon him, in default of payment
of which he would stand committed for two months'
hard labour.

Mr. Forster, while bowing to the judgment of the
court, hoped that as a division of opinion had been de-
clared by the bench, the society would not be mulcted
in the expenses of Mr. Craven's prosecution. After the
case had been made out he trusted at least Mr. Craven
would be compelled to pay the costs.
The Chairman said the Bench were unanimous in
their opinion that Mr. Forster's application was a very
reasonable one. What would the costs amount to
Mr. Forz-ter—Altogether, not less than 201.
The Bench granted 101. cots against Mr. Craven, and
a cheque for that amount having been handed in, the
proceedings, which had lasted over five tours, terminated ;
not a few of those present in the court being reminded by
the decision of the Bench of the words of an immortal
bard—

" That in the captain 'a but a choleric word
Which in the solaior is rank
•