The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-21 00:00:00

THAMES.

Fmtious DRIVING—SERIOUS ACCIDENT.— George Tasker,
carman, in the employ of Mr. James Stiff, of the Pottery,
High-street, Lambeth, was brought before Mr. Partridge,
charged with furiously and recklessly driving a horse and
van, damaging the cab, No. 4,147, and seriously injuring
Thomas Chapman, a cab driver. _ _ . ....

Last night a few minutes before 12 o'clock Chapman
was driving his cab at s moderate pace along the Com-
mercial-road, and was about to turn into Sutton-street in
a southerly direction, when the prisoner, who was the
worse for liquor, and was driving a horse and van along
the stone tramway at a furious and reckless pace, came in
contact with the cab, cut both wheels off, and overturned
it. The driver was thrown down and stunned, and the
cab was a complete wreck. The prisoner drove on as if
nothing had happened. He was pursued by police-sergeant
Freeston, 58 K, who took him into custody.
Fro3ston said the prisoner was most decidedly to blame,
and was the worse for liquor. _ _

Mr. Partridge —ls compensation asked for? A good
deal of damage has been done.

The complainant—No, sir, my master will bring his
action.

Mr. Partridge fined the prisoner 40s. for furious driving,
which he paid.

WESTMINSTER.

ALLEGED SYSTEMATIC ROBBERY.—john Searle, a youth
about 17 years of age, was charged with robbing his em-
ployer in a very systematic manner.
M. La Mar, wine merchant, 151, Lower Belgrave-place,
Pimlico, said that the prisoner hod been in his service.
On Tuesday last prosecutor was informed that the pri-
soner had robbed him of a gallon of brandy, and given it
to the dustman. He asked prisoner what had become of
the jar in which he had heard the brandy had been taken
away, when he replied he knew nothing about it. Being
unable to get any satisfactory answer, prosecutor sent him
away. The dustman afterwards came and told prosecutor
something, and prisoner was given in charge. Upwards of
three gallons of brandy had been stolen.
John Leather said the prisoner filled the jar, which was
put on one side till the dustman came, when he took it
away in his basket.
J. Clark, 144 B, said when he took the prisoner into cus:
tody he denied the charge, and said Leather made up the
story to get himself taken back, he having been discharged
at the SAM time as prisoner.

Prisoner repeated his denial of the charge.
He was remanded for the attendance of the dustman.

THE WARD NOTE ELECTIONS--This Day.

The annual election of Common Councilmen, for the dif-
ferent wards of the city, took place to-day, and although a
number of new candidates have appeared, there will be, it
is expected, but trifling alterations made from those who
have represented the wards during the last year.
ALDGATE.— In this Ward there will probably be a poll
as Mr. W. Baglehole, of Billiter-street, offers himself as a
candidate. _ _

BiexorsGATß.—ln addition to the present members, all
of whom have received Precinct returns, Mr. George
Richardson again solicits the suffrages of this Ward.
CASTLE BAYNARD.—Mr. George Webb retires, having
become disqualified in conseqLtence of removal from the
Ward; and Mr. S. C. Hadley, a former member, seeks to
fill the vacancy thus created.
FARRINGDON WITHOUT.—There ara two vacancies in
this Ward, consequent upon the disqualification of Mr.
Deputy Scamell and the retirement of Mr. James Ander-
tou. To fill these vacancies, Mr. Howell has been re-
turned by the Precinct of St. Sepulchre, and Mr. Wil-
loughby by the Precinct of St. Martin, Ludgate. Mr.
W. H. Bonnewell is also a candidate.

No change is likely to take place in the following Wards:
—Aldersgate, Bassishaw, Billingsgate, Bread-street,
Bridge, Broad-street, Cheap, Coleman-street, Cordwaiiier,
Cornhill, Cripplegate, Dowgate, Langbourn, Lime-street,
Portsoken, Queenhithe, Tower, Vintry, and Wallbrook.

COURSE OF EXCHANGE- This Evening

Amsterdam Short. 11 16 11 17
Ditto 3 Months. 11. 18i 11 19
RottArdam
Antwerp — 25 40 25 45
Brussels — 25 40 25 45
Hamburg — 13 81 13 9
Paris Short 25 15 25 221
Ditto 3 Months. 25 35 25 40
Marseilles
Frankfort on the Maine —119 k

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.—Dec, 20.

(Before Mr. Payne, Deputy-Assistant Judge.)
HIGHWAY ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT THE

REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

James Mann, 20, a rough and determined-looking
fellow, was indicted for stealing a watch, value £B,
the property of Cornelius Butler, from his person.
Mr. R. Harris prosecuted; Mr. Palmer defended
the prisoner, _ _ _

The prosecutor, a respectable-looking man, by
trade a smith, and living at No. 3, North-street,
Edgeware-road, as a member of the trade society
was present in the Reform demonstration at Beau-
fort-house, Fulham, on Monday, the 3d of Decem-
ber, and when the ground became full, a consulta-
tion took place amongst the leading members of
the committee, and it was thought advisable
that a person should be deputed to go and meet that
part of the procession that had not then arrived,
and to inform them that it would be useless pro-
ceeding further, as Beaufort-house grounds were
already full. The prosecutor was selected for that
duty, but had no sooner got to the entrance to the
grounds than a number of "roughs" surrounded
him, and he distinctly saw the prisoner take hold
of his watch and break it from the guard-
chain. He seized the prisoner's hand, upon which
he stooped down, and some of the prisoner's com-
panions called out " Sling it, sling it" (throw it
away). The prosecutor saw his watch thrown away,
but he still retained his hold of the prisoner, and
while this was going on the prisoner's companions
struck him about the head, smashing in his hat,
and trod upon his fingers to prevent him from re-
covering his watch. The prisoner then gave him a
violent blow in the mouth, the force of which
knocked out one of his teeth ; he then hit the pro-
secutor's hand and kicked him in different parts of
his body. He retained his hold of the prisoner un-
til he became exhausted, when he was obliged to
relax his hold, and the prisoner twisted himself
away. Just at this moment the prosecutor's son
came up, and seeing the condition his father was in
went to his assistance and secured the prisoner.
A Mr. Henry Blanchard, a sawyer, corroborated
this statement, and said he saw the prisoner with
other men surround the prosecutor, and observed
the prisoner pull his watch out of his pocket, leav-
ing the chain dragging. The prisoner dropped the
watch, and some one said, " Sling it," and it was
then passed between the legs of some of the prison-
er's companions. The prisoner was never lost sight
of until Wm. Barber, a police-constable, 258 P,
took him into custody.

Mr. Palmer declined to address the jury on behalf
of the prisoner, and he was immediately found
guilty.
A police-constable proved that the prisoner was
convicted in 1861 for stealing a cask of herrings,
and sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment.
Mr. Payne having consulted with the magistrates
on the bench, said, but for the opinion expressed by
his brother magistrates, he should undoubtedly have
sentenced the prisoner to be kept in penal servitude
for five years, and, if he had the power, he should
have coupled with it an order that the prisoner
should have been punished with the lash. It was,
therefore, with reluctance he yielded to his brother
magistrates in sentencing the prisoner to be im-
prisoned and kept to hard labodr for two years.
Since he (Mr. Payne) had been at the bar, if the
prisoner bad been convicted of such an offence, he
would most certainly have been hanged for it, and
nothing could have saved him.
The prosecutor was ordered to stand forward.
Mr. Payne said for the very brave manner in
which he had acted he should order him to receive
a reward of £3, as some compensation for the
injury he had sustained.
The Prosecutor—My lord, if you will allow it, I
will hand over that sum to my son, who also lost
his own watch when he came up to protect my life.
Mr. Payne—That is very kind and praiseworthy
on your part, but as he rendered you assistance,
under the circumstances, I shall order your son to
receive a reward of £2.

There was loud applause in the court on this an-
nouncement by the learned judge, and the jury
expressed their entire concurrence in what had been
done.

OFFICIAL. REPORT.

THE LOSS OF THE CHILDWICKBURY.

Greenwich Police-court, Dec. 17, 1866.

Report of the circumstances attending the loss of
the ship Childwickbury, on the night of the 15th
November, 1866, near the entrance of Kinsale Har-
bour :

The Childwickbury was a wooden ship, built at
Portland, New Brunswick, in the year 1857, and
registered in London, of the burden of 1,046 tons.
She was owned by Messrs. Toulmin and others, of
London, and commanded by Joseph Brathwaite
Cowx, who holds a certificate of competency
as Master, dated October 17, 1864. The Child-
wickbury left Liverpool coal laden for Callao at
noon of the 12th of Nov. last, manned by a crew of
28 hands, all told, and was wrecked near the en-
trance of Kinsale Harbour at midnight on the 15th.
On leaving Liverpool the ship's compasses, of which
there were two on deck (the one being in a binnacle
on the break of the poop, and the other aft before
the wheel), were found to vary very much from
each other. Accordingly, a third compass was
placed immediately behind and in contact with
that in the foremost binnacle. In this position
they differed two points or more from the steering
compass. The placing of these two compasses in
this manner so near to each other was, to say
the least of it, a most unskilful proceeding, as
they must mutuallyact upon and derange each other.
This, however, is not a case in which the decision
depends on errors in compasses, except in so far as
the knowledge of their discrepancy ought to have
induced an especial degree of caution. The ship
sighted the Smalls, which was the last bearing she
had, at 4 p.m. of the 14th. She was then on
the starboard tack, under all plain sail, steering
S.W., the wind being from the northward and west-
ward, light, and variabh. On the morning of the
15th the wind having shifted, the ship went on the
port tack, heading about W.N.W., after allowing
two points leeway, with the wind S.S.W., increasing
to a moderate gale. At 4 p.m. soundings were
taken, and no bottom was found at 50 fathoms. At
8 p.m. another cast of the lead was taken, at 55
fathoms. Soon after this the master, who was suf-
fering from illness, left the deck in charge of the
mate,who holds a Board of Trade certificate of com-
petency as chief mate, and gave him directions " to
keep a bright look out," and "to keep the lead going
every two hours." At 10 p.m., the ship still being
on the port tack, as before, W.N.W., sound-
ings were taken, which are said to have been
at 40 fathoms. The chief officer went below
and told the Master, who repeated ,his
former direction, " to keep a bright look-out,"
and "stand on till midnight, unless lights were seen
in the meantime." The weather at this time was
very thick. Acting under these directions the ship
kept on her course till 11.45 p.m., when, on taking
another cast of the lead, as stated, in 30 fathoms,
the chief mate immediately ran and told the master,
who gave orders to wear ship instantly, but before
she could be got round she went aground upon a
rock, which must have passed through her bottom,
and she became immovably fixed and a total wreck.
No lives were lost, and a considerable portion of the
stores were saved. Upon a review of all the
circumstances of this case, the Court was of
opinion that there were several points in which some
blame was to be attached to the persons in charge
of the ship. In the first place, assuming it
to be true that the compasses differed as stated,
the captain acted very injudiciously in proceed-
ing to sea without having them accurately tested ;
but the Court was of opinion that this alleged error
in the compasses was not the proximate cause of
the loss of the ship. The Court was also of opinion
that the master was hardly justified in directing the
course to be steered till midnight when he was in-
formed at 10 o'clock by the first officer that the
soundings had shoaled from 55 fathoms to 40 in a
run of four knots. It would, at least, have been
prudent on his part to have directed another cast of
the lead to be taken in less than two hours, as he
was approaching the land. But the point which
requires the most serious consideration is the extreme

inaccuracy of these soundings, as may be clearly
proved by tracing the ship back on the course she must
have steered. By reference to the chart of the Irish
Channel, it is obvious that the lead, both at 8.10
and 11.45 p.m., was greatly over-hove. The
Court, however, saw no reason to doubt that
the persons who took these soundings believed
that they were correct, and, consequently, the mas-
ter
might have persuaded himself that his ship was
in a safe position, particularly as he had worked
his course and distance from the Smalls, which cor-
responded with the supposed soundings obtained
that evening at 8. Again, though warned at ten
o'clock that the water was shoaling, yet, taking into
consideration the slow progress of his ship, and the
distance that 40 fathoms would give him from the
land, he might have felt that there was no danger
in continuing on the same track till midnight. The
court, having called attention to such parts of this
case as it considered open to comment, was not dis-
posed to regard the loss of the Childwickbury
as arising from any grave omission or neglect of
duty on the part of her master. With these obser-
vations the court returned Mr. Cowx his certificate.
JAMES TRAILL, Stipeneiary Magistrate.
We concur in this report.
Ha'. HARRIS
Nautical Assessors.
R. B. BAKER,

TEE MEXiiAN QUESTION,

--P-

The following diplomatic correspondence between
the American and French Governments relative to
the occupation of Mexico has been laid before the
United States' Congress.
Under date of Nov. 8 Th.. Bigelow wrote to Mr.
Seward, stating the French Government had altered
its programme, and would not begin to remove
any of its forces in Mexico before the spring, and
gave as a reason the action of Government. In an
interview accorded to Mr. Bigelow the Emperor of
the French stated, however, that he would not give
another man nor another dollar to Maximilian.
Thus reassured partially, Mr. Bigelow withdrew,
giving the Emperor to understand that his embar-
rassment would be removed. Next day, Nov. 9,
Mr. Seward transmitted to Mr. Bigelow a copy of
his instructions to Minister Campbell, for the infor-
mation of the French Government, even to the read-
ing of the despatch if required. About two weeks
later, Nov. 22, the Secretary of War was officially in-
formed of the existing state of affairs, and requested
to give such instructions to the forces on the Rio
Grande as might be deemed expedient. Next day
(Nov. 23) Mr. Campbell was informed of the state
of affairs, and on the same day the famous cable
despatch, which excited so much curiosity and
comment at the time, was sent to Mr. Bigelow. Its
supposed vast importance, and its great length—
being the longest despatch ever sent over the cable
—made every one anxious to know what new trouble
was arising. This despatch is as follows :
" MR. SEWARD TO MR. BIGELOW.
" Department of State, Washington, Nov. 23.
" Sir,—Your despatch of the Bth of November
(No. 38.1) in regard to Mexico is received. Your
proceedings in your interview with M. Moustier and
also your proceedings in your interview with the
Emperor are entirely approved. Say to M. Moustier
that this Government is surprised and affected with
deep concern by the announcement now made for
the first time that the promised recall of one detach-
ment of the French troops from Mexico in Novem-
ber current has been postponed by the Emperor.
The embarrassment thus produced is immeasurably
increased by the circumstance that this proceeding
of the Emperor has been taken without conference
with and even without notice to the United States.
This Government has not in any way afforded rein-
forcements to the Mexicans, as the Emperor seems
to assume, and it has known nothing at all of his
countermanding instructions to Marshal Bazaine, of
which the Emperor speaks. We consult only official
communications to ascertain the purposes and reso-
lutions of France, as we make our own purposes
and resolutions known only in the same manner
when she is concerned. lam not prepared to say,
and it is now unnecessary to discuss, whether the
President could or could not have agreed to the
Emperor's proposed delay, if he had been season-
ably consulted and if the proposition had been then
put, as the proceeding is now, upon the ground of
military considerations alone, and if it had been
marked with the customary manifestation of regard
to the interests and feelings of the United States.
But the Emperor's decision to modify the existing
arrangement without any understanding with the
United States, so as to leave the whole French army
in Mexico for the present, instead of withdrawing
one detachment in November current, as promised,
is now found in every way inconvenient and excep-
tionable. We cannot acquiesce, first, because the
term next spring,' as appointed for the entire eva-
cuation, is indefinite and vague ; second, because we
have no authority for stating to Congress and to the
American people that we have now a better guaran-
tee for the withdrawal of the whole expeditionary
force in the spring than we have heretofore had for
the withdrawal of a part in November; third, in
full reliance upon at least a literal performance of
the Emperor's existing agreement, we have taken
measures, while facilitating the anticipated French
evacuation, to co-operate with the Republican Go-
vernment of Mexico for promoting the pacification
of that country, and for the early and complete re-
storation of the proper constitutional authority of
that Government. As a part of those measures,
Mr. Campbell, our newly-appointed Minister, at-
tended by Lieut.-Gen. Sherman, has been sent to
Mexico, in order to confer with President Juarez on
the subjects which are deeply interesting to the
United States, and of vital importance to Mexico.
Our policy and measures, thus adopted in full re-
liance upon the anticipated beginning of the eva-
cuation of Mexico, were promptly made known
to the French Legation here, and doubtless you have
already executed your instructions, by making them
known to the Emperor's Government in Paris. The
Emperor will perceive that we cannot now recall Mr.
Campbell ; nor can we modify the instructions under
which he is expected to treat, and under which he
may even now be treating with the Republican Go-
vernment of Mexico. That Government will, of
course, most earnestly desire and confidently expect
an early and entire discontinuation of foreign hos-
tile occupation. You will, therefore, state to the
Emperor's Government that the President sincerely
hopes and expects that the evacuation of Mexico
will be carried into effect with such conformity to
the existing agreement as the inoportune complica-
tion which calls for this despatch shall allow. Mr.
Campbell will be advised of that complication. In-
structions will be issued to the United States mili-
tary forces of observation to await in every case
special directions from the President. This will be
done with a confident expectation that the telegraph
or the mail may seasonably bring us a satisfactory
resolution from the Emperor in reply to this note.
You will assure the French Government that the
United States, while they seek the relief of Mexico,
desire nothing more earnestly than to
preserve
peace and friendship with France ; nor does the
President allow himself to doubt that what has been
determined in France, most inauspiciously, as we
think, has been decided upon inadvertently without
full reflection upon the embarrassment it must pro-
duce here, and without any. design to retain the
French expeditionary forces in Mexico beyond the
full period of 18 months, originally stipulated for
the complete evacuation.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
" To John Bigelow, Esq., &c., Paris."
The following despatches are also published in
the New York press :
Washington, Dec. 6.
" A cable despatch was received yesterday from
Mr. Bigelow, which has convinced the Government
of the good faith of the French Emperor. The late
change of plan which has excited our suspicion
arose solely from military reasons, and the Emperor
has distinctly specified the time when his army will
embark to the last man. The Emperor further
expresses his satisfaction at the mission to Mexico
by our Government, and proposes cordially to co-
operate in promoting the restoration of the Repub-
lican Government. His Majesty suggests as the
shortest road to a solution that an election shall be
brought about by the joint influence of the United
States and France without any dictation as to the
choice of candidates ; but he thinks it will devolve
on the United States to maintain the Government
thus created. This despatch has removed appre.
hensions of any further misunderstanding with
France."

" 'Washington, Friday, Dec. 7.
" Mr. Bigelow's reply to Mr. Seward's cipher des-
patch was received on Tuesday morning, and this
is the whole of it nearly :
"In answer to verbal communication, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Aloustier, writes
me to-day that France has not changed her resolu-
tion, but that upon military considerations she has
deemed it expedient to substitute one comprehensive
evacuation for au evacuation in separate parts. All
the French troops will leave Mexico in the month
of March."

DESPATCH OF TIIE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.---SOUTH-
AmrroN, Thursday.—The Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steam-ship Nyanza, Captain Weeks, sailed to-day
with mails for Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden,
Ceylon, India (except Bombay), China, Mauritius, Austra-
lia, and New Zealand. She took out 71 first and 25 second
class passengers, and a general cargo on freight, including
specie, &c., value £6,6G4 11s. Gd. The mails taken out by
the Nyanza amounted to 1,021 boxes and 17 bags ; they
measured 93 tons, and weighed 43 tons.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—Ths Day.

WILTS HIRE COUNTY STEEPLECHASES
Will take place at Westbury, on Friday, Dec. 28, 1866.
The Wiltshire County Handicap.

Mr. Powell's Daisy Age st. lb.
Mr. Murray's Philosopher l2 10
Mr. Brayley's Ibex a 11 10
61110
10
Mr. Vallender's Arlescott...
a 11 4
Mr. Chamberlayno's Rosalie
Mr. Daily's Ben Nevis
Mr. Tubb's Meersehatun a 10 6
Mr. Greenish us The Tartar
Mr. Merton's Jack Alive ...I 6 10 2
Capt. Coote's Early Bird (late Bob) .. 6 10 2