The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 28, 1858.

cautions which tended to make all other nations
respect us. He wished that our rulers would
always bear in mind how essentially a commercial
people we were, that we had a large population to
support, and that it was infinitely better to be able
to maintain an industrious community by means of
the peaceful pursuits of trade and commerce than
as soldiers and sailors to fight our battles. He had
therefore always felt strongly the necessity of keep-
ing up those " wooden walls," consecrated in the
history of the country as its best defence—a proper
army that might be augmented in case of need, but
chiefly to rely on an efficient navy for the protec-
tion of our coasts and the defence of our trade.
(Cheers.) The Alderman having briefly stated his
views in reference to the question of education,
passed on to the consideration of the question of
the paper duty, the total and early abolition of
which, he strongly urged as a means of fair play to
the penny press, which he strongly eulogised,
making at the same time a complimentary allusion
to the ability and enterprise with which the Times
was conducted, and to its influence throughout the
civilised world. Acknowledging the gratitude he
owed as an individual to Lord Derby for the assist-
ance he had rendered to the final triumph of Jewish
emancipation, he indulged in a few goodnatured
criticisms on the constitution of the noble Lord's
Government, and concluded by expressing a hope
that the constituency would return him (Mr. Salo-
mons) as their representative whenever the day of
election arrived.

On the motion of Mr. W. Bennett, seconded by
Mr. Roch, and briefly supported by General Thomp-
son, M.P., a resolution that Mr. Alderman Salo-
mons was a fit and proper person to represent the
borough of Greenwich in Parliament was carried
with great unanimity, and the Alderman having
briefly replied to several questions put to him from
several parts of the meeting, the proceedings ter-
minated at 10 o'clock.

• .
merit to piotect the just rights and legitimate inte-
rests of her Majesty's subjects. That is, gentlemen,
what my position really was—that with the know-
ledge and concession of the Sultan of Borneo I held
the country and government of Sarawak, and he de-
fended my rights thereto. No sanction more con-
clusive can well be conceived, and the treaty of
1824 was then finally settled, and my just rights
and legitimate interests not only acknowledged but
defended. As a sort of corollary I was afterwards
appointed a public officer and instructed to negotiate
a treaty, by which Holland with other nations was
excluded from the north-west coast of Borneo. Thus,
if acts indicate the intentions of the Government,
those intentions were clear. In 1847 I was in Eng-
land for a few months, when I was honoured by the
Sovereign, applauded and distinguished by my
countrymen, and formally thanked in the name of
the Government by the Premier for my services. I
then retired with increased power to the East as
the representative of Great Britain. Step by step
the intentions of the Government were developed.
Assurances were made that England would repress
disorder and encourage commerce, and measures
were actively prosecuted for this purpose. Having
referred to the confidence in the protection of Eng-
land which these measures inspired in the natives,
and stated, as an additional proof of the protective
objects of the Government, that the British Minis-
try sanctioned the national flag at Sarawak, which
was saluted by British ships of war, Sir James
asked whether these vigorous measures were now
to be abandoned. He replied " No; this policy,
honestly commenced, honestly pursued, must be
maintained." He continued :—I have an intuitive
conviction of the value attached by the people of
England to the unswerving maintenance of the
national faith, whether in dealing with a petty
native State or a powerful European nation. This
conviction has grown with my growth, and it is
upon this that I rely for a decision in favour of the
native inhabitants and of the British residents in
Sarawak. Remember,- gentlemen, that British
merchants and British missionaries, British subjects
of every class and country, with their wives and
families, in reliance on the faith and justice of their
Government, have embarked their all—life and for-
tune—in Sarawak. Many a year of toil has passed
over them, and many a seed of promise has been
sown which cannot and will not, I believe, be be-
trayed. I must, however, leave it to you and to
the great commercial communities of the country to
decide whether, under the circumstances I have de-
tailed, Sarawak can be abandoned and the interests
attracted there destroyed. I feel confident every
gentleman present will concur with me that a na-
tional obligation should, if requisite, entail a national
sacrifice, and that a public sanction should be
held as sacred as a private bond. But no
sacrifice or costly offering at the shrine of political
integrity is required in this case, but a simple and
advantageous arrangement of a long•vexed ques-
tion, difficult to evade consistently with honour.
Sarawak cannot stand alone. She must lean upon
the support of an European State in order to ensure
that permanency which is at the root of all prospe-
rity. The proposed arrangement that England
should grant a protectorate to Sarawak ; and,
secondly, that she should refund the sum which I
have expended to bring Sarawak to its present
prosperous condition. The other details would fol-
low as a matter of course. This proposition is just ;
for, the arrangement being advantageous, England
should not benefit at my expense—(hear)—or, in
other words, should not trade upon my small capi-
tal; and, having acquired a valuable province, she
should not repay my poor but very highly lauded
service by the deprivation of my inheritance. It is
moreover not only just but necessary, for it will
afford a national sanction for consistency,, and sup-
ply me with means for placing Sarawak in a state
of efficiency after the late Chinese insurrection which
was brought upon her chiefly in consequence of
her close relations with England. Having de-
scribed the geographical features of the country
with a view to show the commercial advantages
which England would derive from the arrangement,
Sir James said that the value 'of the countries of
the Eastern Archipelago had been recognised by
the people of England, and the cession of the island
of Java, with many another rich dependency, had
been deplored as a foolish and fatal act of neglect
by the government of the day. A bright jewel was
plucked out from the British Crown from lack of
knowledge to appreciate its value. Do not (he con-
tinued) stand by and see this error repeated in the
present with regard to Borneo. Do not permit the
north-west coast of Borneo to be cast away in order
that you may regret its loss hereafter. Guard that
possession as a link uniting the British possessions
in Australia and India with our vast and growing
interest in the empire of China. Sarawak holds a
commanding position on the shore of the China sea,
both for commercial purposes and those of protec-
tion and defence: she possesses a fertile soil, valu-
able tropical products, extensive forests of valuable
timber, and is rich in the minerals most needed for
the maintenance of our political position and the
development of our commerce; for the value of the
coal fields of the north-west coast of Borneo can be
estimated only by the extension of our commerce
and the increase of our steam marine. It will be
well for the statesmen and merchants of England
to pause and consider the coming exigencies of the
nation. The Chinese treaty has been concluded ;
that vast and decrepid empire lies prostrate before
British commerce and European diplomacy. It re-
quires no profound sagacity to predict that the
nation whose territory borders the China Sea, and
whose resources are nearest and most valuable, will
gain a paramount influence over—nay, more, a poli-
tical mastery in China; and for want of precaution
it may be that the commerce of England will find
itself impeded, and have to struggle against obsta-
cles far worse than any which have yet been expe-
rienced. I cannot believe,, however, that she will
turn sluggard, and that her Government will con-
tinue deaf to the claims of national grandeur
and commercial extension. The ripening harvest
of commerce must be watched, and carefully reaped
An European policy is to be developed in the East
and the north-west coast of Borneo is a most im-
portant position. Do not, then, throw it away.
Having disclaimed the object of mere personal
aggrandisement, Sir James said, to gain the pro-
tection of his native country for Sarawak, and to
place her in a state of prosperous security, had been
the passion of his life. A. very few months more
would decide the future of Sarawak, and bind or
break the ties which so long had connected her
with this country. This decision (he continued)
will give me joy or sorrow for a short time The
pulse of pleasure or the pang of anguish may thrill
or throb for a short time, but duty will then
resume its sway. That duty is clearly before me,
and it must be done. Sarawak must be placed in
prosperous security, and then my life's task will
have ended. (Cheers.) Sir James concluded
by urging those present, and the mer-
chants of Liverpool generally, to recommend to
her Majesty's Government the adoption of a policy
which would redound to the honour and advantage
of England, and confer lasting blessings upon the
inhabitants of the north-west coast of Borneo.
Mr. T. B. HORSFALL, M.P., responded to the
health of the members for the borough and county,
after which Mr. C. TURNER responded to the toast
of the commercial bodies of Liverpool.
The MAYOR gave " The health of the Members
for the Town," to which Mr. HORSFALL responded,
and in doing so he urged upon the commercial bodies
of the town to take up this important question and
press it upon the, attention of Government.
The MAYOR, as the last toast, gave " The Com-
mercial Associations of the Town," and
Mr. C. TURNER briefly responded.
Sir James subsequently went on 'Change, where
he was enthusiastically received.

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,STA:RDLIYG-CONPESSIONS- OF A

ROCKITE.

The following remarkable biography, professing
to be the history of a " Rockite" is taken from the
Kilkenny Moderator. It may be remarked that there
is nothing stated in the narrative beyond the range
of probability. The existence of organised bodies in
Ireland, similar to the Ribbon Society, having for
their object the removal of obnoxious persons, has
often been proved by deeds of blood incomparably
more cruel than those detailed below. Had these
" Confessions" first seen the light in the columns of
some Irish provincial journals their genuineness
might be doubted, but the character of the Mode-
rator is a guarantee of their faithfulness.
" There died very recently in the Kilkenny Union
Workhouse, in the 80th year of his age, a remark-
able person, whose departure from this earthly
stage we cannot permit to pass without a glance at
his strange eventful history. The personage whom
we would introduce to our readers is the once noto-
rious Wm. Delaney, generally known by the sobri-
quet of ' Billy the Boy.' He must not be confounded
with another Wm. Delaney, who gave evidence as
an informer on the trials of the murderers of Hoyne
and Mortimer, in this county. This latter person-
age was a much younger man. Billy the Boy' was
connected with what was called the Whitefeet
murders' of more than 30 years ago. He was not
very formidable in appearance, being only 5 ft. 4 in.
in height, for he was found under the standard
height for the army when in early life he offered to
enlist in her Majesty's service—a consummation
which, if attained, might have saved from serious
trouble many of her Majesty's loyal lieges. He
was rather broad-shouldered, and well made for
enduring fatigue, and he was a great sportsman. It
was the dexterity he had acquired in this manner
in the use of firearms which led him into the com-
mission of various crimes which we shall hereafter
glance at. His most remarkable feature was per-
haps his eye. If you knew even nothing of the
man, and were called on to remark him, you could
not, we think, fail to observe a degree of clear, cold,
cunning in the grey eye, which should make you
uneasy. This, however, may have been mere fancy.
Billy was more than a dozen times in gaol, and was
tried for capital offences, we believe, on five or six
occasions. At no time was there a conviction, and
he mice escaped through the sudden illness of a
juror. His pious expression on that occasion was
that God had a hand in him.' He never in-
formed' on his accomplices. He had, the merit, if
it can be called so, of faithfulness to his rebellious
crew.' In his latter days we have reason to be-
lieve that he refused to have anything to do with
the lawless proceedings in the way of agrarian
crime which were so disgraceful to our county with-
in the last 15 years, and which were terminated by
the execution of lioyne's murderers. The Boy'
sometimes talked freely about his former exploits,
and it is from his own lips that we give the follow-
ing stories. The only variation which we have allowed
ourselves to make is in putting together the different
accounts which he gave at different times of the
same transaction. It is necessary to do this in order
to limit our narrative. It will also explain why he
appears tuhave admitted his participation in the
crimes so freely. He never did so while telling his
story once ; but by putting together his different
versions of the same occurrence his connection with
the crime was always clear. Giving this explana-
tion, we may now proceed to set down his own
words :—"rhe first bad thing I had anything to
say to was the death of Samos Sutcliff. The boys
were out one night, and our leader was a black-
guard fellow of the name of (of course we omit
the name). Well, sir, this fellow had a grudge
against Sutcliff, something about a greyhound it
was, or some game. Well, our leader, the black-
guard, made us drunk, but he, kept himself sober ; •
and then he persuaded us that he had an order'
against Sutcliff. And so we went to his house, and
I staid in the background, because I was the only
one of the party that Sutcliff and his wife knew.
Well, when we went to the house, our leader de-
manded admittance, and, when he wasn't let in, he
lays down his gun -against the jumb, and makes a
rush against the door and sends it in. They then
went in and brought out Sutcliff, and one of the
party fired a shot at him when he was in the yard.
That did not kill him, but then the leader went
back to where he had left his gun 'lnside the door,
and fired into him again, and so we left him.' We
may remark that Billy keeps. himself as far
as possible from the murder. Some said that
it was he who actually fired the first
shot ; but his account is somewhat corrobo-
rated by Sutcliff's wife's story, who stated that,
though she knew Delaney, yet she did not see him
of the party.
- "To proceed to another story :—' There were
people of the name of
and it was taken by another set ' • and Andy Mul-
downey wasleft as caretaker. The boys were watch-
ing him for a long time, for he was a terrible man.
He built up the windows of the house, and he was
well armed, and it was long before we got an offer
at him. Well, one day he went to a neighbouring
house to meet a friend, ye understand, and we knew
that he would not leave the neighbouring house for-
some time ; so we went up to his own place and
took the stones out of some of the windows, and
three went in and the stones were built in again.
Andy Muldowney returned, and of course when hO,
saw all as it was when he left, he opened the
door and went in. :But he wasn't long in when he
was no more. There were people tried for that, but
they wern't the people that did it, though they
wern't sorry for what had happened.' Billy was
generally believed to have been himself one of the
three who went into the house. When asked about

the murder of D clancy,which occurrednear the round
tower of Fartagh, this was the story The black-
guard was a cousin as well as a namesake of my
own, and he wanted to betray some of the boys to the
police, for they had bribed him ; so he laid a plan
to get the boys to attack some house where the po-
lice would be ready to seize them. Well, sir, he was
afraid to betray any of us, and so it was some of
the Galmoy boys he wanted to bring into the trap,
and we found it out. So we determined to give
the Galmoy boys word, and lots were drawn to
know who was to give them the intelligence. The
lot fell on me. (We may remark that it is probable,
from this and other circumstances, that Billy, ruf-
fian as he was, was generally the tool of others.)
Well, sir, I went and told them the design, and I
never saw him more.' When he was asked did he
ever hear anythin,* of the particulars of the case,
he would reply—' Well, they said the. Galmonians
went out with him as if they were going to fall
into the trap, and when they got him near a bog
hole, they fired a shot at him and threw him into
the hole. The leader of the party was a terrible
fellow ; they called him Bloodybones. Well, when
Delaney fell into the water he wasn't dead, and he
tried to get out, and Bloodybones told him to come
to the side where he was. It was said through the
country that when he struggled to the side, Bloody-
bones hit him on the head with the butt of the short
gun, and said when he hit him, " Dead dogs tell no
tales," so he fell over and perished.'
" There were two attempts made on the life of
Mr. Barton of Greenhills. Billy alwaysindignantly
denied having had anything to say to the first of
these attempts. Why, he was out of his gig,
walking quietly beside it, and is it me to miss him
in that way ! The blackguards to say that I was
such a bad shot as that !' Of the second attempt he
gave the following account There were two of
us appointed for it, but the other party failed me,
the blackguard, because he thought I was able to
do it myself. There were two roads,to his house,
and I was on one of them, behind a hedge.
The other road was open, because it wasn't a
safe road to do anything on. The way we were to
know had he came home was by a light in the win-
dow of his house, for we had a friend in it ; and if the
light was to be put out, then we were to know that
he had come home. Well, I was watching the light
every now and then, and I was listening for the
horse's steps, and it was a terrible cold night. I
had a bottle of whisky with me, so I took a long
drink to get some warmth into me ; and before I
had the bottle down from my mouth I heard the
trot of the horse , and I laid down the bottle in a
hurry, and put my gun through the hedge. But
between the whisky and the slapping of the
branches across my face, my sight spread a little, so
I could not take steady aim—that was what saved
him, for I only took off two of his fingers.'
" One story somewhat to the credit of the
wretched man we must add, There was a game-
keeper whom he considered his friend, and when
this person was threatened by some of the White-
feet, Billy interposed in his behalf, but he did so
after a characteristic fashion. He did not give the
threatened man notice, much less the police intelli-
gence, of what was to take place ; but he assembled
a party of his own and met in such force those
assembled to attack the gamekeeper, that the latter
were discomfited and obliged to desist from their
attempt.

" This is enough about Delaney's crimes.
We may add something about the state of his con-
science in his latter days. When asked if he did
not think himself a very bad man, he.wouldreply,
God help me, sir, I'm very bad—l took an oath
against drink before the altar, and it was not
long till I broke it, and that was very bad." Yes,
Billy,' his interrogator miffht say, but it's not
about drink I am now speaking, but about the mur-
ders you were concerned in. Were not they very
bad crimes ?' His reply to this on one occasion was
very peculiar. Well, sir, I don't know about that.
You tee, sir, I was a very handy fellow about fire-
arms, and the people had a very great respect for
me on that account, so they put me on every wick.:

edness that was to be done.' Notwithstanding
these attempts at extenuating his guilt, we have
reason to believe that he felt to some extent the
wickedness of his career. He refused in later life,
as we have mentioned, to have anything to say to
the people who got up the murders of Hoyne and
Mortimer; and on one occasion, having got some
idea that another life was in danger, he endeavoured
to put the intended victim on his guard. On this
occasion he said—' God knows it is not for any re-
ward I am looking, but I don't wish to have any-
thing to say to more blood—a hundred thousand
pounds would not bribe me to do that.' He gotta
Testament, which he promised to read, and on one
occasion, we are assured, a gentleman saw him on
his knees in a field, when he supposed there was no
one looking at him. He also stated that his reason
for going into the workhouse, where he died the
other day, was that he might have time for reflec-
tion.' Whether there was anything of real repen-
tance in all this the Great Day alone can tell."