The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-22 00:00:00

THE rStIN, LONDON, MONDAY' EVIJNING,

NORTH OF EUROPE STEAM NAVIGATION CO.

A general meeting of the shareholders was held
on Friday at the London Tavern ; C. MORRIS N 2
Esq., in the chair.
The report, which had been previously circulated
among the shareholders, was read. It occupied 15
pages of letterpress.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report and statement of accounts, after some pre-
fatory remarks, observed that in the report they
had given a sort of approximate estimate of what
their property was worth, and the calculated ba-
lance was about 106,0001. Supposing the items
set forth realised what was expected, it would re-
main to be divided upon the shares, but that was
not to be taken as a test as to what the property
really was worth. In the amount of 106,0001. they
had added the amount of unpaid calls, bills, cash,
and open accounts, amounting to 25,8931. ; and,
making allowance for bad debts, he hoped there
would be in round numbers 25,8001. Their liabili-
ties were taken at 52,9851. The board had tried
to take every item at so low a cost that things
could not eventually prove worse than they stated.
Then there was the snip and hulk sold in the be-
ginning of the year at 1,7501., and stores taken
at 3,0001., which had been taken at a very low es-
timate. The board had taken the lowest estimate,
and they hoped that by prudent negotiations they
might realise more, and that they knew the worst.
But there were two large items which required
some comment ; the first was the estimate of
105,000/. for their ships (the directors not pledging
themselves to the accuracy of that valuation). It
was impossible to say beforehand what they would
get for their ships, or whether they would
get bidders —it appeared, however, to the
directors, that if parties wanted these ships
they should pay more than they had estimated
them at. If they forced a sale, to say what they
would fetch must depend upon circumstances. The
next item of uncertainty was the sum of 23,5001.
for the factory and plant, it being the original cost,
with a depreciation of 5 per cent, per annum which
had been written off. The factory at Lowestoft was
valuable chiefly to any parties who might require
such premises ; these were uncertain matters. Six
months ago they had refused to give an estimate on

that ground, and partly on motives of policy ; but
the board felt they could Lot take that course again.
The directors, under the eircumstances of the case,
had felt it would be better to give an imperfect esti-
mate, whereby they found that an additional loss
had been incurred, and that things were worse than
they had expected they would be. He was sorry to
say they had lost little short of 4-sths of their ca-
pital. Their property had not gone in bad debts ;
but though they hid lost no ships, their ships ware
comparatively of no value; and thisresult arose from
various causes. Their loss was occasioned by trading.
Bad debts, interest, payment of dividen out of ca-
pital, depreciation of stores, Sec., 141,5841; realised
and estimated depreciation of ships, factory, Sec.,
197,0181., together 338,6021. Then there was the
difference of nearly 200,0001. between what the
ships originally cost. Then as to sums realised for
the ships which had been sold, there was a depreci-
ation from two causes—the state of the money mar-
ket and their very old-fashioned wooden paddle
vessels, and all the skips bad been injured by sub-
sequent improvements which had been made. With
reference to what the board had done during the
last six months, they had two objects in view, as
suggested at the last meeting-Ist, to sell the ships;
and 2d, to work the ships remaining, to see whether
this could be done, and save the company from the
loss of the service of their ships. Having taken in
review all the details of the position of the com-
pany, the hon. gentlemansaid there were two courses
open to the shareholders to adopt. The company
might be put formally in+o liquidation by a resolu-
tion of a special meeting called for the purpose, and
the appointment of liquidators. Or, the manage-
ment might be left in the hands of the directors,
with instructions to use every exertion to effect
sales of the property, but without destroying the
company's legal existence. It would be for the
shareholders to decide between these alternatives.
He next alluded to the profit which they had made
in the cattle trade during the time of the year it
was in operation, and concluded by moving the
adoption of the report.
Mr. JACKSON suggested that, instead of proceed-
ing at once to wind up the company, a new com-
pany might be formed, and let some of the ships be
sold for moneys due.
Mr. ABEL, chairman of the late committee of in-
vestigation, said that, after what they had heard he
would ask the proprietors present whether the state-
ments he had formerly submitted to them respect-
ing the affairs and management of this unfortunate
company were not fully itrztified and substantiated
by the disclosures of that day ? It was, lie said,
just seventeen months since Sir M. Peto, after de-
claring a dividend of 8 per cent, out of the profits
of the preceding half-year, assured them that, after
the most careful examination of the accounts of the
company, he was happy to inform them that they
had a mos 'L valuable property arising from the trade
to the North of Europe, a trade which could not be
taken from them ; whereas the report of the late
committee informed them that at that very moment
there had been a loss of upwards of 4,000/. It was
exactly 12 months since a deputation of share-
holders waited upon Sir M. Peto, who assured
them that the dividend of 8 per cent. had been well
declared—that all was right with the company, on
the strength of and in reliance upon which declare.
tions the proprietors parted with their money, and
paid up the further call of 51. per share ; that many
more persons were by these means decoyed into
the company, wherebyithe circle of ruin was greatly
extended. With these facts before him, he must
express his hope that the attention of Majesty'sher
Attorney-General might be called to what had
been done ; for whether he looked at the reports
from time to time issued to the shareholders, the
false dividends which had been declared, and
lastly, to the peculiar mode which had been adopted
for concealing the truth until that day, when
they had bee* permitted to learn that not one-third
as was stated in the report of the committee, but
four-fifths of their capital had been squandered, he
must and did regard the whole proceedings as well
deserving of punishment as the conduct of the
directors of the Royal British Bank, then under
investigation within a few yards of the spot upon
which they were then assembled.

A very long discussion followed, involving much
personal matter, but the original motion was ulti-
mately carried.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed, on the part of the
directors, a resolution to the effect that the direc-
tors be required to realise the assets of this com-
pany as expeditiously as possible with a -view of
winding up.
Mr. BAGSHAV► was of opinion that the crncern
might be turned to profit.
Another long discussion arose, the CHAIRMAN
insisting on the fact that by the 13th clause of the
18th and 19th Vic., c. 133, they were bound to
wind up when they bad lost three-fourths of their
capital. Amidst conflicting opinions the result was,
that the meeting was adjourned to that day four
weeks on the motion of Mr. MalMs, in order that
tune- might be given equally to the directors and
shareholders to mature some decided plan of ope-
rations.

RISE Or RENTS IN SOOTLIIND.—The farms on the
estates of the Earl of Fife in Scotland, which had just
run out of lease, have been /eased again for 19 years,
chiefly to the former tenants, at rents ranging from 200
to 300 per cent. above the former rates. A similar ris•J
of rents has taken place in several other parts of Scot-
land.

Tag PAPER DUTY.—On Wednesday evening a meet-
ing of about 1,000 people took place at the Assembly-
room, Manchester, to advocate the repeal of the duty on
paper. Mr. George Wilson presided. Mr. Milner
Gibson, M.P., who had a most enthusiastic reception
from the crowded audience, said the meeting had been
called by the Association for the Repeal of the Taxes
on Knowledge, and his object in joining the society
had been partly commercial and partly political. The
taxes on knowledge, said to have been imposed for
purposes of revenue, really were imposed for the purpose
of restricting the press. The object of the society was
to obtain the total repeal of the duty on paper,
and he denied that there was any necessity to wait
until there was a surplus of revenue. Sir Robert
Peel commenced his revision of our fiscal system
with a deficiency, and in 11 years, ending in 1352, had
removed 7,000,1001. of taxes with a gain of 5,000,000/.
to the revenue. Dr. Watts had almost demonstrated
that by repealing the paper duty there would be in a
very short period no loss whatever, as the increased
use of the articles paying duty consequent upon the
measure would soon compensate for the loss. Ile
contended that commercially the paper duty wag mis-
chievous, giving an advantage to foreign manufacturers,
who. had supplanted us in India and our own colonies.
A. paper manufacturer in the neighbourhood had informed
non that he formerly supplied Buenos Ayres and Monte
Video, but that of late the French and the Belgians
had entirely driven him out of the market—a re,ult, no
doubt, attributable
theto tba pernicious influence of our
Excise
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to the
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security syatem
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and the paper du,st
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praying for the repeal of the
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medicines, and the consequence was,
entirely got rid of his complaint,"—Sold by all now
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LA W INTELLIGENCE.—Feb. 20.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

I(Sittings at Nisi Prius, before Lord Chief Justice
Cockburn and a Common Jury.)

APPLETON Y. MORSE.-BREACH OF PROMISE OF

31.1RRIAGE.

Miss Jane Appleton, the plaintiff, sued Mr.
Thos. Morse, the defendant, to recover damages
for breach of his promise to marry her, and he
pleaded that they had agreed that the contract
should be rescinded, but he did not appear per-
sonally or by counsel to support his defence.
Mr. Phinn, Q.C., and Mr. Pearce appeared for
the plaintiff.

Phinn, in opening the case, said the plaintiff
was the daughter of a tradesman of great respect 1-
bility, and she sued the defendant in conscqnence
of a most wanton breach of his premise to marry
her. Cases of this kind presented an infinite variety
of circumstances. Sometimes they came before a
jury in a very mitigated form, but other times they
called for very serious and grave reprehension ;
and he had hardly ever heard of a case that re-
quired more unqualified condemnation on the part
of every one who heard of the conduct of the de-
fendant than this did. The defendant was a pub-
lican keeping the Chester Arms, in Bunhill-row,
and in the course of his business he became
acquainted with Mr. Forrester, a collector to a
brewer, who had married the sister of the plaintiff.
The acquaintance between the plaintiff and defen-
dant took place early in last year, the introduction
being at a place which seemed favourable to intro-
ductions of the kind—the Crystal Palace—and the
date was Good Friday. The defendant seemed
much smitten by the plaintiff's attractions, and
proposed to visit her on the following Sunday, and
matters progressed so rapidly that, on the 28th of
April, a correspondence commenced with which
he need not trouble them in detail, there being
about forty letters, but he would read one or
two as a sample. The learned counsel then read
the following letters :
_ _ _

" London, 14th May, 1856.
" MY DEAR JANE, —By that name I feel I ought
to address you. lam afraid I cannot accept your
kind invitation to tea on Sunday afternoon, but I
shall have infinite pleasure in being with you from
six to seven o'clock, and have the satisfaction of
spending a faw hours in your agreeable society. I
got home safe and sound the ()Una: n.glit, and at
your sister's shutters rapped, but her was in the
arms of Morpus—(a laugh)—enjoying a sweet sound
sleep. Regretting I have net the pleasure of being
so situated ; but perhaps the day is not far distant.
I hope, my dear, that you are enjoying good health,
as this delightful weather must be fine in your
part. Don't be surprised if you see me some fine
morning to taste your hot rolls and butter.
(Laughter.) With my best respects to your bro-
ther, tell him the order for the theatre next week
will be safe. Expecting to hear from you I remain,
my dear Jane, " Yours affectionately,
" THOMAS MORSE."
"London, 26th May, 1857.
"MY DRAB JANE,—On Sunday much solace and
comfort did your kind, feeling, and affectionate
note convey to my heart, for which permit me to
offer you my warmest and fondest thanks, parti-
cularly coming from the hand of a lady where one
is fondly attached. lam now most happy to iu-
form you I am much better, and able to assist in
my business alittle. To-morrow (Wednesday) being
the Derby day, I don't feel well enough for the
bustle, but propose calling upon your niece, in the
Clapham-road, to-morrow afternoon, so I may see
many folks return. If you are not otherwise en-
gaged, I will meet' you at your sister's, Mrs. For-
rester's, to-morrow afternoon, say six o'clock (not
to tea). I hope, my dear Jane, you are in go d
health and spirits. I have had a sharp bout of it.
I compare myself to a mushroom, down at night
and up in the morning. (Loud laughter.) Taking
word from your note, I wish we was differently
situated, that we may love and cherish each other
in sickness and in health. With my warmest at-
tachment and fondest lore,
" I am, yours,

" THOMAS MORSE."
"Bunhill-row, 2nd July, 1357.
"MY DEAR JANE,—I have no doubt you con-
sider my last very short, but I was so very late and
unable to see my friend after I left you. I did not
feel inclined to chance the tickets for the dinner of
yesterday, and considering the weather I do not
feel disappointed. To-morrow (Friday) being
generally a quiet day with us, I shall have much
pleasure in seeing you here with your sister, or by
yourself, to tea. I shall be at home at balf-pas,,
five o'clock, if that time will be convenient tJ you.
You must not expect ceremonies in the house of a
widower, without the important piece of furniture ;
but I trust it is already manufactured and only re-
quires a slight remove. (Laughter.) I begin now,
my. dear, to feel that after enjoying a delightful
share of happiness for years, and now living sn^h
an unsettled life makes one feel dejected, and such
feeling must be removed. Is there such a party
that can do it ? Yes. Trust you are well, as lam
quite so. _ _

"I remain, my dear Jane, yours affectionately,
lIIO3IAS MORSE."
The correspondence went on, and it was now neces-
sary to call their attention to a very serious feature
of the case. While this tender sa-respondence was
going on this gentleman thought it better to have
a second string to his bow, and he made the ac-
quaintance of a young lady named Wells, who was
a barmaid, and who had gone to live with Mrs.
Sandell, who kept a public-house in the Borough.
He paid Miss Wells the most devoted attention, and
he, in fact, divided his time between her and
Miss Appleton. But in the course of her acquaint-
ance with Miss Wells -he was introduced to her
mistress, Mrs. Sandell, and one occasion, on going
into her cellar to mix her beer and gin, he made
love to Mrs. Sandell, and after some mouths she
had the honour of becoming Mrs. Morse. He was
making love to all three at the same time—Miss
Appleton, Miss Wells, and Mrs. Sandell—but, as
usual on these occasions, the widow carried the day.
(A laugh.) The plaintiff was, of course, utterly
ignorant of these proceedings, but, unhappily fcr
the defendant, his own barmaid seemed to resent
his conduct, and she disclosed the fatal secret, that
while Miss Wells was visiting him he was terribly
afraid lest the widow should drop in to supper. In
September or October, he told her that the widow
was to become Mrs. Morse, and that without any
remorse on his part. His barmaid expressed great
surprise, and he said, "I have found out that the
widow has a deal more money than Miss Apple-
ton," that young lady's fortune being 1,0001.
Under these circumstances, there was no alternative
but to bring this action. Of course, there were
many laughable incidents in cases of this kind, but
\ though they might be moved to laughter', he
trusted that they would bear in mind the serious
injury that had been inflicted on the plaintiff.
Mrs. Sarah Forrester—On Good Friday last I
and my husband proposed to go to the Crystal
Palace, and told Mr. Morse so. He said—" If
your sister (the plaintiff) goes, I will make one of
the party." We all went to the Palace, and aft! r
that the defendant frequently visited the plaintiff at
my house. He paid attentions to my sister. He
had seen her frequently before, and he asked me to
make an appointment for him. He said it was his
wish to be introduced to my sister, to become her
husband, and I introduced him on that footing.
After that I had conversations with the defendant
in reference to his approaching marriage. Abut
June last he produced to' mo a wedding-ring. It
was put into my hand to look at, and [ said I hoped
my sister would not regret wearing it. He said
—"lf I did not think of getting a good wife, I
would go and jump into the Thames." (Laughter.)
On another occasion we were talking about getting
married, and I said, you are not I:ke a giddy young
man ' • perhaps you will be married quietly.
The Lord Chief Justice—What is his age?
Witness—About 45, I should say. He said,
" Quite right." He paid his attentions to my
sister down to October or November last. He
visited my Aster at my house at times, and I fre-
quently accompanied her to his house. In October
or November I heard of his marriage with another
lady.
To the Lord Chief Justice—He did not visit so
frequently at the latter part of the time. He made
excuses. He said he had a lawsuit on hand, which
prevented him coming. He never said he did not
intend to marry my sister.
Miss Jana Carr—ln the early part of last year
I was living as barmaid with the defendant. Ile
keeps a public-house, No. 62, Bunhill-row,
Luke's. About Easter ho said he had some
friends coming to tea, and Miss Appleton and Mr.
and Mrs. Forrester came. About a month of er

he showed me a ring, and told me that it was a
wedding sing, and he intended to be married to
Miss Appleton. About two months afterwards he
visited Mr. and Mrs. Neale at Putney, and on that
occasion he told me he was going to be married 'to
Miss Appleton. He gave me directions on the fol-
lowing morning to measure the swiss for a new
carpet, and asked me to tell him what furniture
was required, as Mrs. Morse was coming home.
About midsummer ho mentioned Miss Wells t.
me. He said he had commenced a correspondence'
with Miss Wells, who was then living as
bat mairl at Mr. Thor!, et t'-', the Cloth
workers' Arms, Arlington-street, Islington. He
said she had 500/. Mr. Thornett got married soon
afterwards and Miss Wells left.. The defendant
mentioned to me that he had been to see Miss Wel's
at her new
d hime
place, Mrs. Sandell's) and that Mrs.
Sandell had. ask
to go into the cellar to make
up her gin and beer, which he did, leaving a man
named Good t
during his absence.
play the amiable to Miss Wells
(Laughter.) He always give

me to understand that Miss Appleton was to be my
future mistress. Miss Appleton and her sister used
to come, and he always made excuses to get them
out of the way in time for Mrs. Sandell to come.
He used to Fee them to an omnibus and then re-
turned with Mrs. Sandell in a cab. He showed
me letters from Mrs. Sandell.

The Lord Chief Justice—You were his general
confidant then
Witness—About the 15th October he said he was
going to be married to Mrs. Sandell. I expressed
my surprise, and asked him v.ihat Miss Appleton
would say ? He laughed, and said the widow had
the most money, and old fools were at all times the
worst of fools. (Laughter.)
The Lord Chief Justice—Who was the old fool,
Mrs. Sandell ? What ale was Miss Appleton ?
Witness—About 44. Mrs. Sandell was about
50. He discharged• me, telling me he was married
to Mrs. Sandell.

Mr. Charles Berry—About Easter I had a con-
versation with the defendant as to his approach-
ing marriage. He mentioned Miss Appleton.
Afterwards ho said he had gone to visit a young
lady of the name of Wells, and bad so become
acquainted with Mrs. Sandell. He said he Eaw Mrs.
Sandell, and she said, " I supposo you are a publi-
can ?" lle replied that ho was, and she then
asked him to go down to look at her stack and at
things in the cellar. (Laughter.) I told him I
thought it was a very good op laing—(loud laugh-
ter)—bat he said that Mrs. Sandell had pail
4,0001. some odd hundreds for her house, and had
Lesides 1901. or 1191. a-year from property. The
defendant has since introduced me to Mrs. Sandell
by the name of Mrs. Mors©. The defendant has a
lease of his house at Bunhill-row, of which 30 years
are unexpired. It is worth 7001. I used to visit
him twice a-week. At one time he used to be doing
a good huminess there, but as ROM as he took up
with this scheme of getting a wife he rather neglec-
ted his business. (A laugh.)
The Lord Chief Justice said be did not think
there was any great deal of romance in this matter;
the defendant W 33 40 or 50, the lady was on the
wrong side of 40, and the lady he had married was
older than either. Still a woman who had lost an
eligible settlement, and who found herself jilted,
was entitled to damages. On the other hand, when
he looked at the defendant's conduct he could not
sea anything in his favour.
Veid_et for tho phintiff—Daina,?;es, 3001.

LANCASTER .ASSIZAS.

['CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr. Baron Martin.)

LANCASTER, SATURDAY.
This morning, Thonsa3 Kershaw, 19, factory
worker, and Catherine Kershaw, 53, his mother,
were placed in the dock, indicted for having, at
Over Darwen, near Blackburn, on the 13th of Jan.
last, feloniously, &e., killed Robert Kershaw.
Thomas Kershaw was also indicted with having
committed the said murder, and Catherine Kershaw
with having feloniously, &e., received, harboured,
and maintained Thomas Kershaw, knowing him to
have committed the crime.
in addition, Thomas Kershaw was inclieed for
having, in Preston Gaol, attacked James Collinge,
with intent to do bodily harm.
To the first count in the indictment both prison-
ers pleaded not guilty. To the second, charging
Thomas Kershaw with the attempt upon James
Collings, he (the prisoner Thos. Kershaw) pleaded
guilty, although it was agreed previously not to
take his plea.
the night
r
of theine larubh2re
jaclu.t,hfaotuldas
idecienheids
claias,r,uwpiotnh
abltwlil46l4 wounds in his head, and with various
other injuries inflicted upon his body, which was
covered by several cwts. of coal.
The chief witness called was Thos. Kershaw, the
brother of the first and son of the second prisoner.
He said that on going home on the afternoon of
the 13th January, the prisoner said he found the
dead body of his father upon the hearth-stone, in
the kitchen, and said that his "mother had done
it," and that he had taken the body into the cellar
and covered it with coals. The female prisoner,
who, by the coroner's jury was discharged, but
who was ultimately apprehended on a warrant
issued by the magistrate, from the first denied any
knowledge of the murder, saying that she left the
prisoner Thomas and the deceased, when they
began to quarrel. But the evidence of witness,
both in court and before the coroner, showed that
she must at least have washed up from the floor of
the kitchen the blood that flowed from the old
man's head. Witness next stated the circumstances
which led to the discovery of the old man's body.
Several other members of the family dttailed
slight circumstances showing that for five or six
years the prisoner Thomas had not been of sound
mind.

The last important witness called was Robert
Fletcher Kershaw, the eLiest son of the deceased,
to whom the prisoner Thomas first stated that ho
had taken the body into the cellar. This witness
was the first person to gi;e information to the
police. • Amongst other things this witness said in
substance that during the last 12 mouths the pri-
soner Thomas had been constantly reading the
Thble, and believed from reading the Books of Eze-
krel and the Revelations of St. John, !hat the
of Goa
there predicted was now taking place,
thatgird
their whole time and all their minds to study the
injury of their neighbours, bus that ho was de-
stieed to be the great deliverer. He (the prisoner)
also believed that the deceased was the principal
man among the Gogites, and that he was conspiring
to have an improper intimacy with his eldest daugh-
ter, with the intention to charge that offence upon
him (Thomas), who therefore believed it was bis
duty to destroy that influence. He (the prisoner)
also believed constantly that the Emperors of Rus-
sia and France intended to invade this country.
Ho also talked of going to America to see Kossuth
and other patriots, and of afterwards going to the
President of the United States, who, he believed,
would give
him an army with which he believed he
was
destined g to prevent an invasion of England
and ,
done that, that he was with it to pur-
sue the Gogites until he had thoroughly rid the
earth of them.
After the examination of this witness, Mr. Over-
end,having Q. C. (who was with Ur. R. A. Cross, M. P.,
for the prosecution, Mr. Ovens defending the male,
and Mr. Wigham the female prisoner) said he next
prr p-sed to call a medical witness, who had seen
the prisoner Thomas in Preston Gaol.
Baron Martin said he did not sea What more
could be wanted. If the last witness was to be be-
lieved, and he had given his evidence in a most
proper manner, there was no doubt the prisoner
Thomas was insane ; the only question was as to
the female prisoner, and up to that moment he (the
Judge) had. not a word of evidence as• against her
upon his notes.
Some further evidence was then given bearing
wholly upon the conduct of the female prisoner,
and subsequently the Judge said he was of opinion
there was no evidence against the woman.
Mr. Overend.—She wiped up the blood.
The Judge.—Probably; and did other things ;
but that is only destroying evidence, and, accord-
ing to my own inc!ination, I do not sea any one can
tell me to the contrary, that to destroy the evidence
is only equivalent to proving a person accessory
after the fact. _

After this remark some discussion took place, and
on the part of the prosecution, it was admitted
there ~nce against the female prisoner.
addr,s3ing the jury, S3i,J, if
lha was no
they agreed with him, and thought it unnecessary
to go any further with the case as to the female
prisoner, against whom there was no evidence, 1 hey
would acquit her. As to the male prisoner, the
only question was, "Did they (the jury) believe
him to be insane 1" and, from the evidence h,:fore
them, he (the Judge) did not see how they could
come to any other decision.
Shortly afterwards, ,the jury returned a verdict
,
of not guilty, as regarded the female prisoner, and
of not guilty
the male prisoner, who will therefore be imprisoned
during her upon the ground c f imanity against
Majesty's pleasure. The female pii-
soner was ultimately discharged.
THE CHARGE OF ARSON AGAINST A COTTON SPINNER.
George Thwaites, a cotton spinner at Euxt oil, was
arraigned on a charge of having
set fire to a cotton
mill at Euxton with intent to defraudheMan-
chester Insurance Ganpany. Holden, who was
also indicted for the same offence, had pleaded
guilty.
_...

Lie Attorney-General (with Mr. Assheton Cross)
appeared on the part of the prosecution ; and the
defence was entrusted to Mr. Monk.
The Attorney-General (Mr. Bliss) in opening the
case, stated that the case upon which the prisoner
would bs tried was that of tieing accessory before
the fact of setting fire to the mil!, the principal
having pleaded guilty. It would be necessary in
the course of this investigation to call this man
Holden before them, as his evidence was the only
evidence upon which the prisoner could be cot: victed.
The learned gentleman then went through the
details of the case. The evidence adduced went
to show that the prison« r Thwaitcs was a cotton
spinner and millowner at Euston; and had insured
his mill in the Manch ster Insurance Company. On
the 10,11 Nov., 1857, the mill was burnt, and Mr.
Thwaites then made out a claim upon the company
for the sum of 2,4341. 7s. 10d. The company sell,'
their agent to investigate the matter, and he
ap-
plied to the prisoner to know if he had a valuation,
and was informed that he had one made in August
The agent expressed his surprise that one should
be made at tat time of the year, when it trans-
pired that Mr. Thwaites was i❑ treaty for a loan of
1,7001. Upon the Machinery, and had got it valuo:1,