The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-08 00:00:00

APRIL 8, 1850

and proposals for preserving secresy were made to
her, which, though accompanied by an offer of pro-
vision for life, she felt bound in honour, virtue, and
duty to unqualifiedly refuse. She had been already
advised not to appear before the legislature of any
sister'state ; and that if any such legislature could
be induced to pass such act it would be inoperative,
especially in Pennsylvania, whose constitution forbade
the trial of such cases by the legislature. Therefore
she had not left New York to appear before the com-
mittee to which Mr. Forrest's petition was referred.
Nor did her counsel deem it right to appear on the
notice of Mr. Forrest's counsel to cross-examine his
witnesses, as the only consistent course for Mrs.
Forrest was a full appearance and defence, or a total
" declinature" of the inappropriate jurisdiction.
Mrs. Forrest is without pecuniary means to conduct
a litigation in another state. Far from her native
land, and only male relative, she has not a fit pro-
tector for such a journey. Distant from the wit-
nesses who know her life, and without process to en-
force their attendance, she wou!d appear before the
Pennsylvanian Legislature under great disadvantages;
but even it these did not exist, her course would be
the same, and she would respectfully protest against 1
the jurisdiction. Her sole motive in this address is
to place on their files, side by side with the accu-
sation, this her solemn declaratiou. She has never
in act, word, or thoughts, failed in affection or
honour to Mr. Forrest, unless in some thoughts and
occasional expressions as wrung from her by this
cruel accusation. Whenever summoned in any court
of justice she is ready to appear and vindicate her
innocence.

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST A PHYSICIAN.
—At the Dover quarter-sessions, on Saturday, William Case,
an elderly man, an M.D., residing at Margate, appeared
before William Henry Bodkin, Esq., Recorder, to answer a
charge of unlawfully and indecently assaulting a girl named
Mary Impett. aged between 14 and 15, at Margate, in
December last. The prosecutrix had been placed under
Case's medical care, and the prisoner had committed the
offence for which he stood charged, telling her it was neces-
sary. The prosecutrix, a simple country girl, submitted to
it, considering that as her mother had placed her under the
prisoner's care, she was bound to consent. The prisoner, she
stated, repeated the offence on several occasions afterwards
when she went for medicine. On her mother learning what
had passed, her parents went to the prisoner's house, and ac-
cused him of ruining their daughter, which he denied, tell-
ing them that he had not done anything wrong to her, and
offered to make up the matter in a pecuniary manner. This
offer, however, was indignantly rejected by the parents, and
the case was brought before the magistrates on the 20th of
February, and the prisoner was committed to take his trial.
The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the Recorder sen-
tenced him to eighteen months' imprisonment in Dover gaol
The trial occupied the court upwards of six hours.
PUBLIC RECANTATION OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Yesterday (Sunday) morning a very interesting event was
witnessed in the French Protestant Church, St. Martin's-le-
Grand. This was the public renunciation of the errors and
heresies of the Church of Rome ley a young French lady re•
cently converted to the Protestant faith through the instru-
mentality of the Rev. G. G. Daugars, one of the ministers
of the French Church. The !new convert was yesterday in-
troduced to the congregation for the first time, at the termi-
nation of the morning service, and then and there publicly
renounced seriatim the erroneous and unscriptural doctrines
of the Romish Church, including the supremacy of the Pope,
the sacrifice of the mass, the real presence, auricular con-
fession, the efficacy of good works as a means of salvation,
and the other innumerable superstitions appertaining to the
Popish apostacy. Mr. Daugars hereupon invoked the
blessing of God upon the new convert, and the young lady
was immediately admitted as a member of the congregation.
and at the close of the service partook of the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper according to the simple and apostolical
form which has prevailed in the French Protestant Church
for the last 300 years. M. Daugars afterwards delivered a
most eloquent and argumentative discourse on the nature of
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in which he clearly ex-
posed the falsity of the doctrine of transubstantiation, aid
explained the real signification and purpose of the sacred
ordinance of our Saviour. The church was crowded.

THE SHRIEVALTY OF WESTMORELAND. - OUr
readers may probably know that about a month ago the
Privy Council met to hear the petition of a Mr. Tafton,
praying to be admitted to the shrievalty of the county of
Westmoreland, as devisee of the late Earl of Thanet. On that
occasion the case of Mr. Tufton was heard only in part, and
adjourned to a future day. Since then we have reason to
know a negotiation has been entered upon between her Ma-
jesty's Government and Mr. Tufton, which has ended in Mr.
Tutton's relinquishing his claim to the shrievalty, and a
bill will, within the next few days, if it has not been already
done, be introduced into Parliament declaratory of her Ma-
jesty's prerogative to nominate and appoint the future
sheriffs of this county in the same way as it is exercised in
respect of other counties in England and Wales. It has been
hinted that alloble and Learned Lord has bees instrumental
in procuring a promise that a title, not a peerage, should be
conferred upon a younger member of the Tufton family.—
Westmoreland Gazette.

STUDIES FOR MEMBERS PREPARING TO VOTE THE
Nev-r ESTIMATES.—The majority of well-disposed people
support all Governments in keeping up efficient naval esta-
blishments, ashore and afloat. Our officials reduce the Ma-
rines one-fifth, and the rank and file of the army one-
twentieth or thereabouts, because it takes three years to
make a good marine, and three months to make a soldier of
the line. National dockyards, and a fleet of unemployed
vessels, more or less rapidly decaying at their moorings, are
supported and advocated, on the ground that it is necessary
to be able to send to sea on an emergency an overwhelming
force, and that the army of skilled artificers we keep con-
stantly in pay can be depended upon to fit them out more
rapidly and efficiently than private tradesmen. Not a fleet,
but two vessels, are wanted to succour Sir John Franklin.
In her Majesty's service they are not to be found, and they
are obliged to purchase the vessels out of the despised mer-
chant service, which, according to official blue books and
offic'al bills, ought to be taken charge of by the Govern-
ment. Two steam-tenders are required, out of the national
steam fleet which has cost us five millions in the last ten
years ; none are fit for the service, and the Sir Robert Peel and
Free Trade are purchased—much to the joy of their owners.
Dispatch is necessary ; the advantages of the dockyard
syfitem, "organized efficiency," &c., will' be surely shown.
A voyage down the river will dispel that illusion: the united
energies of .Woolwich and Deptford are unequal to the
task, and Wigram and Green have the honour and profit of
fitting out the expedition. For the last few years iron
steam-vessels have so established their superiority over
wooden ones in the essential qualities of speed, economy, and
capacity, that no wooden steamers have been constructed in
this country for private individuals or companies exposed
to competition. Our Government first built a fleet of iron
vessels; then condemned them as vessels of war, without a
trial ; and are now selling them off as useless. All practical
inquirers, and the whole steam interest of the country, are
aware that a great change is going on in steam navigation
by the substitution 'of the screw-propeller for the paddle-
wheel. Our officials are quietly extending the existing con-
tracts for the Post-office service by paddle-wheel steamers;
and thus doing their utmost to perpetuate the existing
monopolies and keep back improvement in ocean-steam navi-
gation.—Spectator.

SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY.—Captain Smith, R.N.
the Admiralty superintendent of packets in this port, ex-
pired this morning rather unexpectedly. His decease places
at the disposal of the Admiralty a situation of 600/. a year.
HEAVY-GUN BATTERIES ON THE EAST COAST.—
We understand that the coast-guard officers have been put
un the qui vase by a visit from Captain Jerningham, R.N.,
one of the officers of her Majesty's ship Excellent, the gun-
nery-ship,. at Portsmouth, appointed for the organization
of the coast guard in great-gun exercises, and who has
been sent by Government to select ground on which to
erect batteries on our coast for the instruction of the coast
guard, so as to qualify them to serve afloat in her Majesty's
navy, if called on ; but we believe it is not contemplated to
employ them beyond the British coast. These batteries will
extend from Norfolk to Berwick, and other portions of
the British shores not having been previously pro-
vided for. When these are completed, the whole of
the coast guard will be brought within prac-
tice in great gunnery. We believe that Yar-
mouth, Cromer, Wells, Grimsby, Bridlington, Scar-
borough, Whitby, Sunderland, have already been selected as
stations at which these batteries will be erected. The ad-
vantages likely to arise are various. The practice of the men
firing at objects has been found a great source of attraction
at Brighton and other places in the south, where the votaries
of pleasure and health have thronged with delight to witness
the scene; but, in another respect, these batteries have a
further local advantage, affording to the humane the oppor-
tunity of firing heavy gun signals in cases of distress, when
such signals are desirable for the preservation of life. The
coast-guard will be qualified, by keeping up the great-gun
exercises in which they were instructed when on board of a
man-of-war, again to go afloat, having acquired the necessary
instruction in gunnery, as now taught in the navy. The
coast-guard officers we have always esteemed as a class of
faithful servants to their Queen and country ; and they will,
by this means, prove an additional sinew in time of war for
home defence; whilst in peace they will continue, as hereto-
fore, to protect the revenue.—Norfolk Chronicle.
REMARKABLE ANOMALY.—A CHRISTIAN CONGRE-
UATI•N SEEKING AN ASYLUM IN THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.
—We perceive, by a recent account from Stettin, in Prussia,
that the " Free Christian Congregation" of that town having
been refused by Government the further use of the " Aula"
for the exercise of their religious devotion, have addressed the
representatives of the Jewish congregation cf Stettin, solicit-
ing the use of the synagogue for one hour one day in the week,
to perform their religious service. The address, -which is a
lengthy document, thus concludes :—" However limited our
means may be, we shall build a house in which we may per-
form our service. Meanwhile, we beg of you to grant us
your synagogue for one hour on any one day on which your
synagogue is not occupied. The God whom you adore in
your temple, is He not the God of all men and all the universe?
We call you our brethren ; we may do so, our religion teaches
it. We apply to you because we hope to find with you what
we did not obtain from our Christian brethren, humanity,
which knows no religious tyranny. We trust to you, because
history tells us that the Jewish people, in the bitterest days of
suffering, exercised humanity when opportunity offered. We
know that the Christian parents of the present generation of
Stettin have sinned much against the Jews. They have
trampled upon the Jews and illused them ; but we crave your
pardon. Receive us, then, in your synagogue, brethren ; and
history will inscribe in her annals the remarkable words,' A
Christian congregation persecuted by,
"—Jewish Christians,c have found
an asylum in the Jewish synagogue.
A SINGULAR CASE OF DEATH.—There has been
considerable excitement at Frederick, Md., in regard to the
sudden death of a son of Mr. George A. Cole. A corre-
spondent of the Hagerstown Mail says:—After being kept
for a period of four days, he was placed iu Mr. Hart's vault,
in the Lutheran grave=yard, with the lid of his coffin open,
as there were very serious doubts whether or not he was in a
trance. His disease, the doctors say, was the erysipelas, the
only indication of which was a small pimple on his lip, caus-
ing much swelling, and of which, in the short space of three
days, he died. Many persons have daily visited his remains,
and all express their doubts. Though in this state for more
titan two weeks, his checks are as rosy and fresh as when in
good health; his lips, at first somewhat blue, now have a
very natural and life-like colour, and his limbs are as pliant
as ever, not have the rigidity of death at all; his eyes are
not at all sunken, but natural as when in robust health.
There is not as yet the least appearance of decay, and no
offensive smell. His parents visit him daily, to ascertain if
any change has taken place either for better or worse.
Though doctors say hQ is dead, many persons in the commu-
nity doubt it, Doctors are not infallible.. He was fifteen or
sixteen years of age, fine looking and intelligent. On Sun-
day hewas in excellent health, enjoying himself with his
companions ; on Wednesday night he was declared a corpse."
4 Montreal Courier.

THE MONTREAL ANNEXATION
QUESTION.
TO THE KIETOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—In bringing my remarks upon the Montreal
annexation document to a conclusion, I confess I hardly
know how to approach or handle the paragraph which
follows the assertion that the home Government is
" imperfectly acquainted with Canadian affairs, and
somewhat indifferent to her interests." The para-
graph of which I would speak states, that "in the
event of a rupture between two of the most powerful
nations in the world, Canada would become the
battle-field and the sufferer, however little her in-
terests might be involved in the cause of quarrel or
the issue of the contest." This is the paragraph I
hardly know how to approach, and only wonder how
the annexation party could have brought such en
argument forward. When I consider the history of
Canada, when I look to the long list of gallant men who
have fought and bled in that land, who have boldly
stood forward to oppose the advance of a mighty
people on its soil, where the banner of civil and reli-
gious liberty waves in perfect safety, I would not be-
lieve for one moment, I cannot believe, that those
who signed the annexation document ever gave its
contents one serious thought. Is there one amongst
them who would dread the battle-field—is there one
amongst them who would venture seriously to urge
such arguments to a De Salabery, a Alontezatnbert,
a Mac Nab, an Ermatingar, a Jones, or indeed would
allow it even to influence themselves for an instant ?
No, I answer for theM, there is not one; no, they
would be much more likely to exclaim with the
noble Harry—
" By Jove, I am not covetous of gold,
Nor care I who does feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not, if men my garments wear,
Such outward things dwell not in my desires;
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive."
What ! Canadians afraid that their country would
become the battle-field. I think I see the smile of
contempt that would pass over each bold countenance
at such an idea. No, no, good people of the annexa-
tion party, think not to tempt Canadians with such a
peaceful bait ; rather at once propose that the banner
of independence should be raised, and proclaim that
" he who would be free himself must strike the blow."
As to the interests of Canada, it must be known full
well that was, unfortunately, a war to break out be-
tween Great Britain and America, it would greatly
benefit the Canadians, as it would cause an immense
expenditure of English capital in that country ; and
the Canadians know full well that any American who
might dare to set his foot in Canada would be anni-
hilated at once and for ever; for in a just cause—and
England will war upon no other terms—America
would be "crushed to atoms." What ! men come
from the south to conquer the hardy sons of the
north ? Bah 1 Let but the bugle of war sound the
assembly, and up will start the good old soldiers of
England settled in Canada, around whom would rally
the noble and daring spirits of our North American
provinces; the fleets and soldiers of the British em-
pire would soon be seen gathering in the rivers and
on the lakes of those magnificent countries, and Eng-
land would more likely annex the half of America to
Canada, instead of Canada being annexed to the
United States. If Canada is true to herself, she is
impregnable, and may one day become a mighty na-
tion, and the right arm of England. It may, per-
haps, be her fate yet to travel through many diffi-
culties, for " tumults, and insurrections, and opposi-
tions, like arts and sciences, have travelled west," and
it is idle for her to suppose she can avoid them by
annexation to the United States. "No, America,
too, will have to strain its energies, to crack its
sinews, and all but break its heart, as the rest of us
have had to do. America's battle is yet to fight, and
we, sorrowful though nothing doubting, will wish
her strength for it." People of the annexation
party, if there really be such a party, and if you wish
to avoid a battle-field, is it not better for the Canadas to
remain the children of her who has gone through the
fiery ordeal of a thousand battle-fields, and who now
in the enjoyment of peace, and reaping all the benefit
of her former wars, is also most anxiously engaged to
extend every right, every happiness, and every com-
fort to her distant provinces ? Away, then, at once
with such an idea as annexation; blot it out for ever
from your thoughts, lest it become a canker, injuring
every part of the constitution of Canada, as the canker
of repeal has injured Ireland. When at some future age
the North American provinces are in a position to be-
come a nation, then will be the time for them to
speak out, and boldly say they think so. They can
then offer the right hand to England, and say, we
thank you, you have placed us here in the good old
English fashion, and here the standard of civil and
religious liberty shall, under Providence, wave for
ever.

It is with regret that I continue any further obser-
vations upon this annexation document, but how ears
we reconcile what follows with what went before ?
"The bitter animosities of political parties and
factions in Canada, often leading to violence, and,
upon one occasion, to civil war, seem not to have
abated with time; nor is there, at the present mt -
ment, any prospect of diminution or accommodation."
How is this ? I thought the annexation document
commenced with an agreement to merge all past
differences, and the Canadians may depend upon it
that they cannot do better ; we beseech them to do it
honestly, if they would do it wisely, and if theydesire
a successful issue and the welfare of their country ;
let them be once united as a people, and their honest
intention announced, that they will remain the chil-
dren of England. Then capital, enterprise, and talent
will inevitably flew into their country. But this docu-
ment unfortunately alludes to the prevailing belief of
" statesmen of the mother country, sagacious ob-
servers of the neighbouring republic, in Canada, and
in all British America, that a political revolution in
their country is at hand, and that these forebodings
have a tendency to realise the event to which they
point." In this remark all must agree, hut, has it
never occurred to the good people of Canada, that
these forebodings of the sagacious observer of the
neighbouring republic may have been created with a
view to realise the events they desire. Let the Cana-
dian people disappoint all these sagacious gentlemen,
these kind American cousins, in whose " self-denying
protestations," Mr. Roebuck says, he has no faith,
and let them consider well, what was lately said by
the Prime Minister of England, who commands the
esteem and respect of all parties from his honest,
truthful, and straightforward conduct, however much
many may differ with him in political opinions. The
Noble Lord says, "I do anticipate with others, that
some of the colonies may so grow in population
and wealth, that they may say, our strength is
sufficient to enable us to be independent of England."
But his Lordship added, " I do not think that that
time is yet approaching; let us make them, as far as
possible, fit to govern themselves; let us give them,
as far as we can, the capacity of ruling their own
affairs ; let them increase in wealth and population,
and whatever may happen, we of this great empire
will have the consolation of saying that we have con-
tributed to the happiness of the world." Will the an •
nexation party, after this, have the courage to urge
forward their fellow-countrymen to separate them-
selves from a country anxious to govern them in such
a spirit ?* In a pamphlet, lately published, it has
been stated, " The most able and active of the Colo-
nial Reformers of the day are in office, and at work.
What they have done, and are doing, is obvious to all
who choose to look for it, and it is accompanied with
ample evidence that no will has been wanting
on their part to the accomplishment of more." And
the Canadians may depend upon it, that there is a
powerful out-of-doors party, a strong pressure from
without that will not allow even able and active
Colonial Reformers to repose upon a bed of roses.
Mr. Hart remarks in his pamphlet, "Let the colo-
nies know that England is quite willing to let each
protect and support itself, and that no further measure
of protection can be extended to them, struggling, as
they are now, between liberty and extinction, and
the result will soon become apparent."
Let the North American colonies remain easy
upon that bead, for the same pamphlet, before alluded
to, says—` . As to the military expenditure of the co-
lonies ....this rule applies to the North American
colonies :—any attack made upon them would most
probably be directed against the interests and the
power of this country, rather than dictated by any
hostile feeling against the colonies themselves ; hence
the expediency and the justice of our bearing the ex-
pense of the fortifications and garrisons maintained
for their defence.:' And Lord John Russell stated,
on the Bth of February last, in his address to the
House on the colonial policy of the Government—
" With respect to the question of military force, I
shall reserve the discussion of that to a future occa-
aion, when it will be more immediately before the
House. With respect to some of our colonies, my
Noble Friend the Secretary of State has stated that
he thinks the force now existing might be safely
diminished. But I believe these colonies will look to
you for their defence in any foreign war, or against
any foreign aggressor, and I think you are bound to
give it to them. I think you are bound to maintain
the means by which you will be able to give them
that assistance."
Canadians—the late Lord Sydenhain, when, as Mr.
Thompson, he described the state of things in East
Canada, wrote thus :—" No man looks to a practical
measure of improvement. Talk to any one en edu-
cation, or public works, or better laws, you might els
well talk Gree k to him." Canadians—put it out of
the power of man to make such a speech again.
Apply yourselves at once to open up the great re-
sources of your noble country, and I most heartily wish
you success. HI was a Canadian, as lam an English-
man, I would never be a Yankee—no, never never !

" We have vin immense colonial empire," says the
Times '•—" to its resources, and exigencies we now
seem, for the first time •to awaken; hitherto we have
been content to consider it as a magnificent encumbrance,
that testified to our greatness, but had nothing to do
with our iusereita or the welfare of our population."