The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH T2l, 1861

not be impeached en the evidence he gave.•
No, Mr. JOSE LOUIS FERNANDEZ really offered
himself as a victim to save the Head Corruptor,
Mr. CHARLESWORTII, to whom he had acted the
part of agent. He had taken. legal advice. He
answered one or two questions. respecting identity
without difficulty—then began the stickingi
' " Was he active in municipal. and parliamentary
elections ?"—" Did he remember the election in
1859 ?" These two questions the Judge with some
trouble coaxed him to answer. " Had he received
a sum of money from defendant (Mr. J. B. Charles-
worth) in 1859 ?" Not less than nine times did Judge
and prosecuting counsel press this question; answer
he would not, till at length the judge pronounced his
fate, and one which by his manner he had little
anticipated.

The question then arose—could the jury be dis-
charged without giving a verdict when once they
had been charged with the prisoner Some legal
doubt there seems to be, but the public voice will
commend Mr. Justice HILL for giving the benefit
of the doubt to justice, not to transparent knavery.
Had the jury given, as in the state of the
evidence they must have given, a verdict of
not guilty, the martyr to corruption ' would
have purged his contempt, have walked out of
prison, and he and his clique would have laughed
at a fine of £5OO, when they had given almost as
much as that for half a dozen votes—and the arch-
briber CHARLESWORTH would have been free. We
hope the discharge of the jury will prove to be
legal ; however, on this ticklish point hangs the
question, whether it will not be generally easy to
defeat, by a very little suffering, any prosecution
for bribery.

It is impossible to conclude these remarks, how-
ever, without expressing our indignation with the
really guilty parties. Men like Lord PALMERSTON
and Lord JOHN RUSSELL, and the army of hypo-
critical Legislators who gladly obey them, are the
real authors of all these disgraceful scenes. They
it is to whom we trace all the bribery and intimi-
dation in the kingdom. It is childish to pretend
virtuous indignation with corrupt candidates and
their agents, with prevaricating and reticent wit-
nesses ; bad and wrong enough they doubtless are;
but who leads them into temptation ? Who enables
the briber to bribe successfully, by enabling the
briber to prove that he has given him money's
worth for his bribe ? Who refuses even to
take a stringent declaration from the returned
member that corruption of no kind has been used
to secure his return ?—who sets himself bitterly
against the simple precaution of so taking the vote,
that none can know how it was given except the
individual himself, and those who like to take his
word The legislator to whom these simple ques-
tions point, is the FAGIN of all this dirty work.
The enormous cost of all these prosecutions is
incurred merely:that corruption, of the appropriate
' kind, may be applied in counties and boroughs,
and yet our legislators seem as if they wished to
prevent it. It is all one tissue of almost shameless
hypocrisy.

TO COMMANDING OFFICERS OF VOLUNTEER
CORPS.

MEMORANDUM.

Volunteers, when in mourning, will wear a
piece of black crape three inches wide round the
left arm above the elbow.

By order.

M. M'MURDO.

War Office, 20th March, 1861.

Punch, is capital again this week, as last.
Napoleon and Palmerston are playing a Nautical
game at cards. Nap throws down La
Glare as a safe trump whereupon Pam covers it
with the Warrior to the astonishment of Ironsides.
The easy look of devil•may-care indifference of
Palmerston's air, with his evergreen sprig of
shillelagh dangling from his lips contrasts
admirably with the gravity and surprise of the
Imperial looker on. The size of the Warrior
card aptly illustrates the relative size of
each. The bet is francs to sovereigns,
and the motto, " Beggar my Neighbour."
The moral—Pam puts—" Is not your Majesty tired
of this foolish game ?" We know that the people
of both France and England are heartily sick of it
—and Mr. GLADSTONE, too.

RETURN OF THE COURT TO THE ISLE OF
WlGHT.—According to present arrangements the Royal
family will return to Osborne on Monday next, the 25th
irst. Her Majesty's apartments were undergoing exten-
sive alterations, as were the offices, kitchens, &c., and it
will require a number of workmen, and great exertions to
get the palace ready in time.

THE BALLOT SOCIETY.—The weekly meeting of
the eiecutive committee was held on Tuesday, at the offices
in Guildhall-chambers—Mr. Sydenham Nodes in the chair.
Mr. Whitehurst, Mr. Bontems, Mr. Man, Mr. F. Clowes,
&c., were present. Clair J. Grece, Esq., Redhill, Surrey,
was elected a member of the council; Thomas Baxley, Esq.,
M.P., T. B. Potter, Esq., John Fildes, Esq., and James
Sidebotham, Esq., were elected members of the finance com-
mittee for the Manchester district. The Wakefield bribery
case was considered by the committee, who came to the fol-
lowing resolution : "This committee, having regard to the
fact that the Government propose to Parliament further
penal legislation on the subject of corrupt practices at elec-
tions, takes this opportunity of calling public attention to
the tedious, costly, and inefficient operation of bribery pro-
secutions, as shown in the Wakefield ease, and to the con-
trast between such prosecutions and the simple, inexpen-
sive, and effectual method of preventing bribery by secret
voting, recommended by the commissioners in the St.
Albans, Gloucester, and Wakefield cases to the House of
Commons' committee on corrupt practices." Arrangements
were made for holding a meeting in Birmingham on Mon-
day evening, the 25th inst.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER AND
OXFORD UNIVERSITY.—Mr. Gladstone appears to have
been taken by surprise at the announcement which has
appeared in some of the papers that he has been waited upon
by a deputation from South Lancashire, asking him to
become a candidate for the third seat which it is proposed
to give to that division of the county, and that he gave a
favourable reply to the application. The right hon. gen-
tleman has communicated with a Church paper, which is
an authority in the University of Oxford, which he at
present represents, and the following " authorised state-
ment" has been issued :—" With reference to a paragraph
which appeared in the Times and other newspapers, stating
that a deputation had waited upon Mr. Gladstone, soliciting
him to be a candidate for the third seat proposed to be
given to South Lancashire, and that he had given a favour-
able reply, we can state that no deputation from South
Lancashire have seen, or proposed to see, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, and that no question has been put or answer
given between any such deputation and him, nor is he a
party to any proceedings that may have been taken in that
quarter."
EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL. —An extraordinary
case was tried before Chief Justice Cockburn, at Derby, on
Tuesday. A few months ago poaching prevailed to such
an extent in the neighbourhood of Derby that the autho-
rities felt themselves called upon to adopt extraordinary
measures, with the view, if possible, of putting a atop to the
frequent nocturnal raids in search of game. Early one
morning in October last, two officers of the borough police
force were on the look •out in one of the suburbs of the town,
when they encountered three men, who had in their pos-
session bags, nets, and several hares and rabbit 3. The men
were despoiled of their nets and game, but next day they
were informed that they might have the former by
calling at the police station. They, however, would
not have the nets unless they also obtained back the
whole of their property, meaning the hares and
rabbits. The "police, however, would not return
the game ; and, on Tuesday, one of the men, John
Wilmot, brought an action at the assizes against the officers
for the value of the property they had detained. "Wilmot
was examined, and an attempt was of course made by the
counsel for the defence to ascertain how he had acquired his
property, but he refused to make any disclosure on this
interesting point—admitting, however, that he had cn
several occasions been committed to prison for poaching.
The learned Judge, in summing up, doubted very much
how far the police could be justified in law in seizing the
plaintiff's propehy. He, however, described the case as
one of the most discreditable that had been brought in a
court of justice, and he advised the jury that in estimating
the value of the hares and rabbits they should take into
consideration the manner in which the plaintiff ha 1 become
possessed of ,them. The jury gave a verdict for the plain-
tiff-4s. 6d. damages, his lordship declining to certify for
costs,

LATEST EW

VIENNA, MARCH 21.
• The elections to the Provincial Diet have every-
where resulted in the return of Liberal members.

The city of Vienna has elected the following :
Minister Baron Schmerling almost unanimously ;
M. Kuranda, a Jew, and editor of the Ost-Deutsche
Post; M. Franz, a Protestant; Dr. Muhlfeld, a
barrister; and Dr. Berger, the counsel who de-
fended Richter, and in 1848 Liberal member of the
German Parliament. •

MILAN, MARCH 21.

The .Perseveranza asserts that the priests are
exercising a pressure on the Pope with the object
of inducing him to proceed to Venice.
Bellegarde is now in Vienna conducting nego-
tiations to that effect.
It would appear, however, that Austria fears the
responsibility which such a step might involve.

MADRID, THURSDAY.

The Correspondencia 4utografa asserts that the
differences between Senor Calderon Collantes, the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, and M. Adolphe
Barrot, the French Ambassador, has been arranged
in a satisfactory manner.

Advices from Lisbon state that the Opposition
had resolved upon continuing their attempts to
overthrow the Ministry.

TURIN, MARCH 20.
All the Ministers have tendered their resigna-
tions, which have been accepted by the King.
Count Cavour, it is believed, will be entrusted
with the formation. of a new Cabinet, in which all
the divisions of Italy will be represented.

TURIN, MARCH 20 (Evening.)

In to -day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
Count Cavour announced that the whole Minis-
try had tendered its resignation, and stated that
he had advised the King to form a Ministry
according to the new elements of the Kingdom.
It was, he said, the intention of Government to
deprive the councillors of lieutenancy at Naples
of their political character, and to reform the
organisation of the Council by placing it under
the Central Government, which would be respon-
sible for all its acts.

In consequence of the resignation of the Ministry
the interpellation of Signor Massari announced for
to-day was not discussed, and some other questions
of which notice had been given were postponed.
The Chamber of Deputies stands adjourned until
a new Ministry has been formed.

In the Seaate the, Minister Fanti presented a
project of law granting a life annuity of 10,000 f.
to General Cialdini, as an acknowledgment of the
services ho has rendered to the country.

TURIN, MARCH 20.

It is asserted that the Ministry will to-day com-
municate to the Chambers the intention of Govern-
ment to modify the powers of the councils of lieu-
tenancy at Naples and Palermo. A consequence
of this resolution would be the modification of the
Ministry, into which several members from
Southern Italy would enter.

PARIS, MARCH 20,

The Patrie gives a denial to the rumour that
General Goyon will be replaced at Rome by an.
other French general.

ASCOLI, MARCH 20,

After a well-sustained fire, which lasted four
days, Civitella del Tronto Las surrendered to Gen.
Mezzacapo.

LISBON, MARCH 19,

The Messageries Imperiales' steamer Beam, from
Rio Janeiro on the 25th ult., arrived here at three
o'clock this morning.

Exchange on London was quoted at 'Ai' 26.
Coffee, good first, 6,000 to 6,100. Shipments
since the departure of the English steamer 112,000
bags, including 44,500 for the Channel. Stock,
40,000 bags.
At Bahia on the 29th ult. exchange on London
was quoted 26}, 262. Cotton, 8,000 to 8,400 reis
per arroba.

At Pernambuco on the Ist inst., Exchange was
quoted 261 261. Brown sugar, 2,000 to 2,500
reis, white 3,000 to 4,200 reis per arroba.

THE CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN

MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 21.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Pera, Captain Jamieson, with the heavy por-
tion of the above mails, has arrived. She brings 122
passengers, seven packages speeie, value not stated,
also 70 boxes oranges, eight packages teeth, 181
packages sundries, and 1,200 bales raw silk, value
£llB,OOO sterling. •
The Pera sailed from Gibraltar on the 16th.
During her passage she spoke the following ships :
—On the 16th inst. exchanged signals with the com-
pany's steamers Ellora and Vectis, bound to Alex-
andria ; on the 12th, the Ceylon, bound to Malta ;
and on the 16th, the Delta, standing for Gibraltar.
The ship Itaumi, of Raumi, from Cardiff, with
coals for Gibraltar, was blown up in the harbour of
Padstow on the 4th. Eight of the crew were picked
up ; the other 12 have not been heard of.
Instructions have been received at Tetuan to pre-
pare to evacuate the place.

Authentic advices from Tangiers state that the
Sultan is labouring with great ardour to fulfil the
engagements with Spain. He has summoned all
the wealthy kaids belonging to the Kabyles, as
well as the administrators, in order to devise means
to obtain money.

Gibraltar exchanges—On London, 90 days' date,
501- ; Paris sf. 30c. ; Marseilles, sf. 30c. ; Genoa,
sf. 31c.; Madrid, eight days' sight, par; Malaga,
par ; Seville, par ; Alicante, dis. ; Valencia, par ;
Barcelona, pm. ; Spanish pillared dollars, Fer-
dinand, 5 per cent. premium, no demand ; Spanish
pillared Carolus, 22 per cent. premium, in demand.
Freights to London and outports in the United.
Kingdom, 25s to 30s per steamer ; Brazil and River
Plate, 12 dollars per ton and 10 per cent.; Gulf of
Mexico and Havannah, 12 dollars per ton, and 10
per cent.

in order that no one can pretend to be ignorant of

Telegraphic advises of the 18th announce that the
Commission of Safety continued its functions under
the presidency of General Lewinski. The Com-
mission had placed itself in communication with
all the principal towns of the kingdom, where,
according to its instructions, the same sort of urban
police had been formed as at Warsaw. In conse-
quence of these well-advised measures the pacific
movement was extending to every province.
The Committee of Education was to commence its
functions on the 20th inst. One of its first steps
would be, it is said, to ask for the restoration of the
University of Warsaw, and to maintain the prin-
ciple of national education.

TURKEY.
(From the Correspondent of the Times.)
CONSTANTINOPLE, MARCH 8.

The draught of the new commercial treaty pro
posed between Great Britain and Turkey was, as I
have mentioned in a former letter, sent home some
time since. I have stated at different times what its
provisions were likely to be. Now that it has assumed
a more definite shape it may, perhaps, be well to re-
capitulate the more important articles.
In the first place, then, an uniform 8 per cent. ad
valorem duty on both imports and exports is, for
the moment substituted for the imposts now exist-
ing under the commercial treaty of 1838. Those
imposts were then fixed at 5 per cent. on imports
into the Ottoman dominions, and 12 per cent. on
exports therefrom. The draught of the proposed
treaty provides for its duration for a period of
28 years, each of the contracting parties reserving,
however, to itself the right of proposing such
modifications after ten years as experience shall
have suggested. The 8 per cent. duty on exports
from Turkey is to be reduced by 1 per cent.
annually until only 1 per cent. remains chargeable,
which reduced duty will be maintained during the
continuance of the treaty. No diminution of the 8
per cent. import duty is provided for. Goods
in transit through the Ottoman dominions are to
pay in lieu of the 3 per cent. with which they are
now chargeable, 2 per cent. for the first eight
years during which the new treaty shall be in force,
and 1 per cent. for the residue of the period over
which it extends. Tobacco and salt are articles to
which the above duties do not apply. Importation
of these articles into Turkey is prohibited. On the
other hand, the Porte allows their free export
without any duty or impost whatsoever. The im-
portation of munitions of war into Turkey is also
prohibited. The proposed treaty, which should
come into force on. the 13th inst., extends to all
parts of the Sultan's dominions, including Egypt
and the Principalities of Servia and Wallachia and
Moldavia.