The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-14 00:00:00

~;~

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENNG, DECEMBER 14. 1841.

LA TV INTELLIGENCE—(PUs Day.)

COURT OF CHANCERY.
(Before the Lord Chancellor.)
THOMAS V. HOBLER.

This is a motion by the defendant:calling on the plain-
tiff to answer for falsifying the mining cost book produced
since the hearing of this appeal on 15th July last, by
falsely introducing between the leaves of the cost book, a
prospectus of the company dated 29th December, 1853,—a
report of the directors, and a report of a meeting cut out of
the _alining Journal, to the prejudice of the defendant.
Sir Hugh Cairns, Q.C., was heard for the defendant, and
read several affidavits in support of the motion. •
Mr. Sandel was examined orally by the Lord Chancellor,
and his belief was, that the alterations complained of were
made by the plaintiff, as no other person could have any
interest. in making them. The Lord Chancellor left it to
Sir Hugh Cairns to say whether he should proceed any
farther with the motion.

Sir Hugh Cairns, Q.C., on consulting with his client,
said his only object was to remove the objectionable pro-
ductions, and the affidavits produced showed the grounds on
which the application was made; but ho was willing not to
proceed any farther with the motion.
Mr. Rolt, Q.O , said that the character of his client was
so much implicated that something more than costs must be
given to him.

n the Atrato.

The Lord Chancellor proposed to discharge the motion
with costs, and to declare that there was no imputation on
the character of the plaintiff, but as the counsel for the
parties were not satisfied, Sir Hugh Cairns, Q.C., pro-
ceeded, and is now being heard on the remainder of his
moth) n.

COURT OF DIVORCE.
WATSON V. WATSON AND WILKINSON-DAMAGES LAID

AT £lO,OOO.

This was a suit instituted by Sir Charles Watson, Bart.,
for a divorce from his wife, on the ground of her adultery
with the co-respondent, and he claimed £lO,OOO damages.
Both respondents pleaded, denying the charge, and alleging
several acts of adultery against the petitioner.
Mr. Sergeant Hayes, Mr. Hanner, and Mr. Wells ap-
peared for the petitioner; Mr. O'Malley, Q.C., and Dr.
Spinks for the respondent, and Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., and
Mr. Cole for the co-respondent. _ _ _

Mr. Sergeant Hayes, in opening the case yesterday, said
that all the parties in this suit were highly respectable.
The petitioner was the son of Sir Chas. Watson, a baronet
of ancient family,the resp ondent was the daughter of a highly
respectable gentleman, and the co-respondent was a gentle-
man of fortune in Kent. The parties were married at Genoa
in 1854, and cohabited until May, 1860, during which time
there had been four children issue of the marriage. Sir Chas.
and Lady Watson lived at Wratting Park, in Kent, and Mr.
Wilkinson at Upper Hare Lodge, his country seat, which
was situate about nine or ten miles from the residence of
Sir Charles Watson. Sir Charles Watson was a gentleman
of weak intellect, and for some time his wife had managed
the whole of his affairs. Mr. Wilkinson, who was a married
man, was in the habit of hunting with Sir Charles Watson,
and visited at his house, and unfortunately suceeded in
seducing the affections of Lady Watson, who eloped with
him ; since which event all cohabitation between her and
her husband had ceased. Since leaving her husband, a
female domestic of Sir Charles Watson had received a letter
from Lady Watson, stating that she had returned to her
family, and that in future she would devote herself to the
service of God, and requesting this female to ask Sir Charles
Watson to send her some books and music.

Martha Spence, examined by Mr. Wells—l was house-
keeper of Sir Charles Watson, and have been in that capa-
city in the family for 24 years. I remember the marriage
of Sir Charles, and his bringing home his wife from
abroad. They resided principally at Wratting Park until
1860. Lady Watson's mother and sister used occasionally
to visit her. I never saw Sir Charles behave otherwise
than kindly to his wife. I know Mr. Wilkinson, the co-
respondent. He was in the habit of visiting Sir Charles at
Wratting Park for the last eight or nine years. After the
marriage Mr. Wilkinson was in the habit of coming to
Wratting Park, sometimes before Sir Charles was up.
That was on the occasion of their going out hunting
together. With the exception of one or two cases, I never
knew him to call when Sir Charles was absent; and those
cases were when Sir Charles was in London. I cannot say
how long they were together on such occasions. Lady
Watson had to place Sir Charles in a lunatic asylum,
where he was kept from November, 1855, until May,
1856. She had the management of the estate. On the
Ist of May, 1860, Sir dharles was in London, and on the
2d of that month Lady Watson left Wratting Park about
twelve o'clock in the day. It was not known to the ser-
vants that she intended leaving until the evening previous.
She said she was going to meet her brother, Captain
Tredcock. She carried with her two boxes, one with an
oval cover and a bag. She was dressed in a brown silk
dress, with flounces, a brown cloak, a black muff, and a
white bonnet with blue ribbons. She never returned to
Wratting Park. She bade her children good bye, and de-
sired them to be good girls ; but she left no orders respect-
ing them. All the children are girls. The eldest was seven
last February, and the youngest will be three on the 27th of
March next. After Lady Watson left, Sir Charles came to
Wratting Park with Captain Tredcock, in search of Lady
Watson. I knew nothing more until I received the letter
from Lady Watson. (This was the letter referred to by the
learned counsel ; it was addressed 16, Half-moon-street, and
dated January, 1861.) The children have remained in my
care since Lady Watson left, but they have been taken to
see her.

Cross-examined by Mr. O'Malley—Sir Charles was fond
of lying in bed late. I never saw anything bad with him.
He used sometimes to spend his evenings out. I have
known him spend the night out several times. He has
gone out after dinner, but he returned by bed-time.
Newmarket is about 10 miles from Wratting Park. On one
occasion I think he went out in his hunting dress, and he
did not come back until the next morning. Sir Charles and
Lady Watson sometimes went to Bury. I did not accom-
pany them, but Lady Watson's maid used to go with them.
Sir Charles used to wear spectacles, which were generally
screwed to his hat. I know Ellen Cracknell. She lives in
the:village of Wratting, and is a woman of bad character.
I knew that Sir charles was ill on one occasion after his
marriage, when his mother came to see him. Ido not re-
collect;the year. I did not know that Lady Watson was ill
afterwards, and I never knew her to be ill except in her
confinements. Ido not remember a medical man attend-
ing Sir Charles on the occasion of the illness alluded to.

Samuel Ship stated that he was gardener to Mr. Wilkin-
son for four years, and until March, 1861. He remem-
bered his leaving his lodge last May, about half-past 8 in
the morning. Mrs. 'Wilkinson was at home on that day,
but she left the next day, and he did not see her for about
three weeks afterwards, when she returned to the park for
three or four days. The establishment had since been
broken up.
In cross-examination, he said that he was aware that
Mr. Wilkinson and his wife had been recently living at
Richmond.

Evidence was then adduced to show that about the middle
of last May Mr. Wilkinson met Lady Watson at the South-
Eastern station, when she was in a cab, and that they went
to the Bridge-house hotel, London-bridge, together.
Several other witnesses were examined to-day, but the
case will not conclude before Monday.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day)

BOW-STREET.

THE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF BIGAMY..--Mrs.
Wilson again attended to meet the charge, but the case was
adjourned for the production of witnesses to prove a previ-
ous marriage with Gotobed.

10g1

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS. cheering, as the coming crop of staples was expected
to be a large one. The season continued genial,
and the weather was delightfully cool. Colds and
fevers, induced by the change in th 9 atmosphere,
were, as usual at this period of the year, very pre-
valent in the city.
From Grenada there is nothing new to be re-
ported in regard to the crops, the weather, or the
sanitary state of the island, everything remaining
as at the date of last mail. Several valuable island
properties were in the market.

The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship Atrato,
Captain F. Woolley, with these mails in charge of

Lieutenant Balfour, RN., naval mail agent, ar-

rived at Southampton at 4.30 p.m. yesterday. She
left St. Thomas's on the 29th ult., and experienced

fine weather up to the Bth inst., when she encoun-
tered some rough weather, increasing to a gale, and

a very high sea running from the westward; sub•
sequently decreasing wind and sea from N.W. for
about 24 hours, and then a fresh gale, with heavy
sea from S.S.E., continuing up Channel, with thick
rainy weather.

Captain Dalton, master of the English bark Lena
wrecked at Belize, in ballast ; Capt. David Keith'
master, and the crew of the English brig Duke of
Bronte, of Liverpool, abandoned and condemned at

Belize ; and Captain Thomas Ferris, master, and
the crew of the English brig Fairy, of Liverpool,

shipwrecked at St. Domingo, have all come home

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Accounts from all parts of the West Indies show
that great indignation was felt by people of all
classes throughout the Islands at the attack on the
mail steamer Trent by the American frigate San
Jacinto. Her Majesty's ship Cadmus, 400 horse-
power, 21 guns, Captain Henry S. Hillyer, C. 8.,
senior officer of the windward station, had arrived
at St. Thomas's from Barbadoes, having gone there
to protect British vessels from any similar outrage.
Admiral Milne, with his squadron, was daily ex-
pected at Bermuda. Despatches from the British
Consul at St. Thomas's, and a copy of the protest
of Captain Moir, of the Trent, had been forwarded

to the Admiral.
Great interest was excited at St. Thomas's and
all the West India Islands by the movements of
the Confederate steamer Sumter. On the 23d ult.
an American schooner arrived at St. Thomas's from
Martinique, with despatches for the American Con-
sul from the United States' steamer Iroquois, stating
that the Sumter was in the port of St. Pierre, and
as, in the event of a chase, the Iroquois required
more coals, so the schooner was laden with coals,
and at midnight same day was towed out and for
Martinique by the United States' steamer Dacotah,
also sent in the hopes of the speedy capture of the
Confederate vessel. The Northerners were greatly
excited, and thought there would now be short work
in her capture, being watched so closely by one
vessel, and another sent to assist ; but, to their
chagrin, the Iroquois arrived on the 25th, reporting
her escape. It appears that the Iroquois arrived at
St. Pierre, Martinique, on the 16th of November ;
the Sumter had just coaled, provisioned, and also

landed several prisoners taken out of Northern
vessels, and was ready for sea ; the Iroquois re-
mained standing on and off the port, closely watch-
ing the Sumter. On the 23d a French steamer
sailed in the evening, and the Sumter availing
herself of the darkness went out at the same time,
but in opposite direction, and the Iroquois reports
chasing the Frenchman first, when, finding the
mistake, the Sumter had gone off entirely.
The American ship Montmorenci, from Newport,
with 1,718 tons of coal on board for the Royal Mail
Company, arrived at St. Thomas's on the 28th of
November, and Captain Brown, the master, reports
having been boarded and captured on the 25th by
the Sumter, but, in consideration of the cargo be-

The Atrato spoke the schooner London Packet, of Ips-
wich, running up Channel, 20 miles S.W. of Portland.
About 2 a.m. yesterday morning, off the Start, the Atrato
observed a steamer, with two green lights and one white,
coming on full speed towards her. Capt. Woolley promptly
altered the course of his ship, and thus avoided a collision.
The steamer then continued chasing, and altered her lights,
taking in one green and putting red in its place. The
Atrato was going slow at the time, it being very thick aid
dark. She was, however, put to full speed, and left the
other behind.

longing to British subjects, the vessel, which had
been ordered to be burnt, was released, the master
being compelled to give bonds for 20,000 dols. pay-
able three months after the establishment of peace
between the United and Confederate States. The
register of the Montmorenci bears the following
indorsement :

The Royal Mail Company's steamers Avon (from Colon)
tho Derwent (from Jamaica), the Prince and the Tamar
(for Colon), the Trent (refitting), and the Wye (from Ear-
badoes), were at St. Thomas's ; the Clyde on the Gulf of
Mexico route ; the Solent at Colon ; the Teviot at Jamaica,
from Belize ; and the Thames at Barbadocs.
The United States screw steamer Dacotah, 998 tons, 450-
horse power, Commander J. P. M'Kinstry, arrived at St.
Thomas's on the 21st ult. She carries four 32-pounders and
two 11-inch Dalghren guns, and has a complement of 144
men. The Dacotah left Hongkong on the Gth of August,
Batavia on the 27th of August, Angeer Point on the 29th
of August, Cape Town on the 9th of October. She coaled
and sailed for Martinique at midnight on the 23d, towing a
schooner laden with coals for the Iroquois, at that place
watching the Confederate steamer Sumter at St. Pierre.
The United States frigate Macedonian arrived at St.
Thomas's on the 27th ult. from Colon. Tho war steamer

" The ship Montmorenci, of Bath, Maine, was
this day captured by the Confederate States' steamer
Sumter, in lat. 18 30 N., and long. 58 40 W. ; but
having on board a neutral cargo, belonging to Eng-
lish subjects, she was released upon a ransom bill.
" R. SEMMES, Commander, C.S. Navy.
" Confederate States' steamship Sumter,
Nov. 25, 1861."

It was also reported that an American vessel laden
with molasses had been captured and burnt subse-
quently to the above. The Sumter was seen only
a short distance from St. Thomas's on the 28th of
November, and the Iroquois, which had been in
the hatbour four days, proceeded to sea on the
afternoon of the 29th of November to search for
her, without even taking in coals, which she said
she was so short of as to prevent her chasing the
Sumter when escaping from Martinique. The
United States' frigate Macedonian was also in port;
the Powhattan and Keystone State had returned
to the States, both haying been sent to the West
Indian islands to endeavour to capture the Sumter,
the latter having steamed 15,000 miles without
even seeing her once.
The French war steamer Milan sailed from St.
Thomas's on the 23d ult. for Havannah ; and the
Spanish screw frigates Lealtad, 41 guns, and Con-
cepcion, 37 guns, having coaled at St. Thomas's,
sailed for Havannah on the 18th.

Preparations were making at Grenada and Trini-
dad to give a cordial welcome to his Royal High-
ness Prince Alfred, who is expected to visit those
places early in the coming year. Despatches had
been received at Grenada from Governor Hincks
and Major Cowell, the young Prince's governor,
announcing that his Royal Highness is to return to
the West Indies early in January, to honour those
colonies which the limited time at his disposal pre-
vented his visiting last season. His Royal High-
ness, on board of her Majesty's ship St. George,
after calling at Halifax and Bermuda, will proceed
to Grenada, where he is expected to arrive on the
12th of January. From Grenada the Prince will
go to Tobago and Trinidad.
The Jamaica Legislature met on the 12th ult.,

Iroquois arrived at St. Thomas's on the 25th ult from Mar-
tinique, hewing failed to take the Sumter; she sailed again
on the 29th in further search of the Sumter, she having
been seen only a few hours' distance from St. Thomas's,

and immediately on the House of Assembly being I
constituted leave of absence was applied for and
granted to the Hon. C. M. Morales, the Speaker,
on account of ill health. Two gentlemen were nomi-
nated for the vacant chair—the Hon. Edward Jor-
don, C. 8., member for the city and senior member of
the House, and the Hon. Henry Westmoreland,
member for Metcalfe. Fifteen votes were recorded
for each, and the tie produced great excitement.
The Governor immediately issued a proclamation
adjourning the House till the following Friday, on
which day the members again assembled amid a
scene of great excitement. The nominator of Mr.
Westmoreland, however, withdrew that gentleman,
and Mr. Jordon was unanimously elected, and
) inducted as Speaker amid loud applause. The
Governor then formally opened the session in a
lengthy speech, which was well spoken of by the
papers generally. The civil strife existing in Ame-
rica was referred to, and, in connection with it, the
recent commercial panic in Jamaica. The recent
census engaged his Excellency's attention, and the
returns were subsequently laid before the House.
The following is an epitome :—Males, 213,521 ;
females, 227,734; total, 441,255. Whites, 13,816 ;
browns, 81,065; blacks, 346,374 ; total, 441,255.
The question of immigration had prominent notice
in the speech. His Excellency intimated that the
Act of the previous Session was still under the con-
sideration of the Imperial Government, and held out
prospects of additions to the labouring population
being obtained. .His Excellency announced that
the receipts of the Treasury for the year ending the
30th of September last had been found sufficient
to meet the unavoidable annual expenditure, and
that the export of the principal staples was slightly
in excess of that of the previous year. Amid the
difficulties and discouragements with which the
planters are struggling, it is cheering to find that
the export of staples is steadily increasing, that for
the year ending 30th of September last being the
largest upon record for the 10 years which then ter-
minated. Both the Legislative Council and the
House of Assembly replied to the Governor's speech
in a friendly spirit, and there was every appearance
of the business of the session proceeding peaceably
and harmoniously. The members of the Executive
Committee in the House had presented the annual
financial returns, and several bills were read a first
time and ordered to stand for a second reading on
an early day, and the financial statement was to be
made on the 26th ult. It was expected that, even
if the business of the session could not be got
through by Christmas, the session would not be a
long one. A grand ball was given at King's-
house on the night of the 13th in honour of Prince
Alfred's birthday. In business circles things were
still dull, but the prospects for next year were