The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-05 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Yobserve that you, as well as other papers,
use the term " Catholic when speaking of the Roman
Catholics. Now, certainly this is a misnomer, for we
of the Church of England call our faith the Holy
Catholic Church. Now, the Romanists delight to
call theweelves "Catholic," because that implies the
universality of their faith; and the inference, therefore,
is that those who are not Catholics are heretics, which
is the impression they wish covertly to convey ; and
it has its weight. They therefore ought, in all the
Protestant printe, to be called what they really are—
viz., " Roman Catholics," or "Rotnanists," or "
P • "which last is their proper designation, because,
'MS
as the Pope is their spiritual head, they are strictly
and undeniably Papists. Your use of this term in
your talented and widely-circulated paper would
render a service to Protestantism, and gratify yours
respectfully, ZETA
Liverpool, Dec. 4, 1850.

REPRESENTATION OP SOUTH NOTTS..—NOTTING.
HAM, NVEDNESDAY.- Mr. Bromley, the recently-elected M.P.
for South Nottinghamshire, is about to retire into private
life, in consequence of long-continued ill health, and a desire
on the part of his constituency to be more efficiently repre-
sented. Mr. W. H. Barrow, of Southwell, and Lord New-
ark, son of Earl Alanners, are 'talked of as likely candidates;
but the latter is unpopular, in consequence of his noble father
having, at the recent audits, demanded "every penny of the
rent," although the example of the Dukes of Portland and
Newcastle, and others, were urged in favour of some sub-
stantial return.
ROYAL FREE HOSPlTAL.—Yesterday evening a
meeting of the governors and subscribers was held in the
board-room of the institution, in the Gray's Inn-road, far
the transaction of general business. The Rev. Dr. Rice in
the chair. It appeared from the medical report that during
the past year there had been 550 in, and 27,339 out-patients;
making a total of 28,190 sufferers, and a grand total of near
40,000 since the institution was founded in 1828.
THE ORION.—THE PORTPATRICK BOATMEN.—A
sun of 203/. 45., chiefly raised in Glasgow, has just been dis-
tributed among the Portpatrick boatmen who saved the
lives of the passengers at the wreck of the °riot,. Dr. Ro-
bertson was presented at the same time with a silver snuff-
box and IN.—Glasgow Constitutional.
FOREIGN Hoff':.—Two arrivals, of twenty-five
bales each, of hops, have taken place from Antwerp, the
growth of Belgium, which are officially declared to have been
imported in trausitu to another foreign country. No impor-
tations of hops from abroad into this country, for home con-
sumption are taking place at the present time.
DESPOTISM VERSUS LITERATURE.—The Araldo,
weekly journal of Naples, announces the fact that the Nea-
politan Government has prohibited the sale of the works of
the following authors :—Shakspere, Schiller, Moliere, La-
marline, Lucretius, Lucian, Sophocles, Sismondi, Thiers, and
Humboldt. Amongst the works of the latter especial prohi-
bitive mention is made of the "Cosmos." -
Workmen are now occupied by the city of Paris in
planting- trees along the inner and outer boulevards, in the
Champs Elvsees, and along all the double line of quays from
Bercy to Passy. quay along the poultry market is now
planted fur the first time.— Guliynani.
limo resleration ut the Porte St. Denis, which bas
been in progress for some time, is now completed. It Las
been thoroughly cleaned and repaired, and the line pieces of
sculpture (a `2ranccis Augnier may now be seen in rel their
original beauty. :is erected iu Ito 2 by
the city of Pal front desigt.; by Fiancois Blonde!, in
inein,,ry of the passage of the Rhine by Louis XIV.—
A HIGH PRICE FOR A HORSE.—The Essex Herald
states that overture have been made to Mr. Raiford for the
purchase of Prime Minister, his Derby crack, and that only
liNal3rti.:llvl:lenekrr.)%eianiudxrai:d,sBH: ff of ttlilol.ooowl.nwina.s offered tar him with
geritlentu% 'aj treeneysultiOware=LsoLuTfoovEy.—years
agonweL.
tneorishee to Sir ArtiaveMtlieelee (4, it buitke"), vas /atflY
,llvii•otn 46644001(4u-a
Illoug,lt now somewhat in flJe
seraarfik?Yi olsp
AiNsoArY -r)-4
0 JAM 4#. Y
ThS(Le o..t.„ll's;tacrivt.<l4),Ct.o,rs, An,„teiT4lne;t4
ae4sa roz en to-deafkiltteigtd ~4n,oter
.rother.,,
3-HA Onset e: ' 7.r1,104.1.9

MR. HUDSON'S EVIDENCE AT
YORK.
T) THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—A letter has appeared in your columns to-day
signed "John Henry Doyle," which hea a tendency
to involve me in the very disgraceful imputation of
having attempted to corrupt the Weekly Chronicle.
That letter does me gross injustice.
With what has taken place between Mr. Russell
and Mr. Doyle I have nothing to do, nor is it neces-
sary that I should express my private belief on one
side or the other ; but Ido solemnly and unreservedly
declare that I never, by act, word. or suggestion, held
out any hope, or led Mr. Russell to expect, or autho-
rised bins to offer, any consideration or reward, pecu-
niary or otherwise, for the insertion of any article
having reference to Mr. Hudson, or, any one else, in
the columns of the Weekly Chronicle.
That I wrote a short notice of Mr. Hudson's evi-
dence at York, which appeared in that newspr.per on
the 15th of September, is true. I wrote it at the in-
stance and request of .Mr. Russell, and, as I then
believed, with the entire sanction and concurrence of
his partner, Mr. Doyle.
That I asked Mr. Russell to direct Mr. Dillon, the
publisher, to forward 200 copies of the paper con-
taining my article to the addresses mentioned in Mr.
Doyle 's letter, is equally true.
That I wrote a second article, concluding and in
completion of the former (hut not a " p3negyric on
Mr. Hudson," and merely a review of his evidence),
is also true—but I did no more. _

That is the head and front of my offending ! I
never suggested—l never offered a bribe. The idea
never crossed my mind.
It is true that the second article did not appear, but
I myself insisted on its being restored to me, and
destroyed it with my own hands rather than accede
to the terms upon which it was offered to be inserted
—an offer which did not come from Mr. Robert W.
Russell.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
WM. DIGBY SEYMOUR.

2, Inner Temple-lane, Dec. 4.
[As the strange and, it now appears, utterly
groundless charge of an attempt having been made to
corrupt the Weekly Chronicle for Mr. Hudson's pur-
poses, has led to a public acknowledgment by Mr.
Digby Seymour, that he is the author of the review
which appeared in that paper on Mr. Hudson's cele-
brated evidence at York, it may gratify our readers
to peruse that learned gentleman's views, of which he
now takes the responsibility on himself. We, there-
fere, reprint the article in extenso.—ED. Sun.]

MR. DIGBY SEYMOUR'S FIRST REVIEW OF
MR. HUDSON'S EVIDENCE AT YORK.
(From the Weekly Chronicle of September 15.)
When Mr. Hudson had left the witness box, during a
late remarkable trial at York, there was a movement
among the bar, many of whom hurried forward to con-
gratulate him upon the manner in which he had passed
through the difficult and unsparing ordeal to which he
had just been subjected. The tone and gestures of his
friends told that a triumph bad been gained, while his
more immediate accusers either found a different

Exit, or

" Astonished stood and blank!"

As this scene was going on outside the court, an
acute and gifted Member of Parliament, who remained
behind, and whose fame as a senator is only equalled by
his reputation as an advocate, turning to those who
stood near him, somewhat roughly, but forcibly, re-
marked—" Mr. Hudson has shaken off a great deal of
dirt during these last two hours."
We are jealous, as a nation, of the character and
" good report" of our public men. We know that
their biographies must go some day to make up our
history. They represent us in the eyes of foreigners;
and we desire to see none conspicuous who are
not respectable. We feel, too, that they who aro
in high places should continue worthy of their
good fortune, and that their virtue should be firmer in
proportion to their eminence. We are especially vigilant
about those who have been raised by a rapid prosperity
and the concurrence of unforeseen events. Taken from
among the people, they are to a greater degree identi-
fied with the people; many entertain doubts as to how
they will demean themselves in their new position; and
many envy whom all are forced to applaud. When we
add this consideration to the circumstances of the times
through which we have of late years passed—amongst
other things, the wild fever of speculation which so dis-
turbed the national mind, and which his unusual success
only tended to encourage—referring, too, as we must
do, many losses and much ruin to railway invest-
ments and expenditure—without being driven to
assume that Mr. Hudson is guilty of all that his accusers
allege, we may sufficiently account for the fact that
his condemnation was so general and his fall so preci-
pitate. His position, when assailed, was extremely cri-
tical; it was no time for a cool trial; and it is not to be
wondered at that evidence of alleged misconduct, which,
two years before, might have been laughed to scorn—
which would not have provoked a local inquiry—should
have ileng, him from the height to which be had risen,
and injured so deeply his public character. Nor should
we feel much surprise that one who, in the midst of his
success, and while his influence was felt widely abroad,
was pointed at as an instance of what good talents and
great energy can accomplish in a free country, should,
at such a commercial crisis, when every man was panic-
stricken, fall before an accusation of delinquency.
But as with individuals, so with us as as a nation—
where we have acted most by impulse, we are most dis-
posed to be afterwards forgiving—if we have in haste
done a partial injury, when prejudice and passion have
coaled down, the reaction is as sure as the infliction was
sudden, and all will listen to his vindication whom many
condemned without a hearing. We have been led to
make these observations from our attention having been
called to a full report of Mr. Hudson's evi•
dence on the trial above referred to, and which
has within the last few days issued from the
press. We make them the more cheerfully in this
instance, because, ever opposed to Mr. Hudson in
politics—having often severely censured him—personally
wholly unacquainted with him, they will, we believe,
be received by our readers in the spirit in which they
aro offered—a spirit of " fair play," and from a desire
to see done to every man, but especially to one whose
name is SO connected with great public undertakings,
ample and impartial justice. We confess, too, that the
explanations Mr. Hudson gave so recently upon oath,
and in a court of justice, of those transactions which
have drawn upon him the greatest share of discredit and
blame, are calculated to pave the way for his regaining to
a considerable extent the place in public confidence he
seemed to have lost so hopelessly.
One transaction, indeed, appeared hitherto so utterly
disgraceful, that had its truth been admitted, or had it
been left unanswered, and no explanation offered, Mr.
Hudson's character would have still remained under
a cloud which no sophistry could brighten and no
ingenuity could clear away, We allude to the
circumstances connected with the contract for the
supply of iron by Messrs. Thompson and Forman to
the Newcastle and Berwick Railway Company. The
charge Against Mr. Hudson was, that the company, of
which he was a director, requiring to purchase
20,000 tons of iron, cognz Int of this, and knowing
that tenders must shortly be advertised for, ho bought
from the above gentlemen professedly on his own ac-
count, but at the real risk of the company, 10,000
tons, at 61. 10z.; that when these gentlemen subse-
quently sent in their tender to supply the required
quantity at 121. per ton, Mr. Hudson being chairman
it was accepted; that of these 20,000 tons 7,000 were,
as between him. and Messrs. Thompson and Forman,
treated by Mr. Hudson as his own; and being
" under the blind " of Messrs. Thompson and For-
man's name sold to the company, ho became thus a
gainer t the amount of 38,0001. Such is the charge,
and viewing it in its " naked deformity," Mr. Hudson's
conduct is wholly inexcusable. What is his answer ?
It amounts, in effect, to this:—" In October, 1844, the
Newcastle and Berwick Riilway was a mere project.
It had not yet gone before Parliament. It had immense
opposition yet to surmount. In that month believing
that iron would rise, because I foresaw a great and
coining demand for it, I thought it a good specula-
tion to purchase iron. I invited many friends
to join me at the time. Finally, I bought
10,000 tons of Messrs. Thompson and Forman, wholly
on my own individual account. I alone was respon-
sible to them, whatever happened. In March, 1845,
the Bill, for the first time, went before Parliament.
The company then advertised for tenders. I had
bought at 61. 10s. and upwards. Meanwhile, iron
had risen to 121. 10s. and upwards in the market.
Messrs. Thompson and Form in 's tender was accepted.
They supplied 20,000 tons, of which 7,000 tons were
a portion of my purchase. I gained nothing by sell-
ing it to this company. Others would have bought it;
Messrs. Crawshay offered me 50,0001. for my bargain."
Were the company losers? No. Was the price above
the market price? No. Was it bought in the name, or
on account, or at the risk of the company. No. It iron
fell, who would be the loser? Mr. Hudson. Iron having
risers in price; and Mr. Hudson having made a profit,
what was his crime? That he did not make the company
a present of 38,0001.!
vh
oa
kvWee
de saidha adv
ieesnpnonoustigtspace to notice thisa
far
a revidenceaslay withf rt huser:
pWroe.
fworenhamvoer'e calm and impartial exa-
mination of the charges against Mr. Hudson. Our aim
is not to vindicate him. Wo do not seek to be his apo-
logists; but a public journalist assumes no unbecoming
attitude when an effort is made to secure a fair and pa-
tient hearing for one who was condemned almost un-
heard. Often of necessity the advocates of a party, we
may sometimes of choice prove the minister of justice.
" Audi alteram partem" is a heathen precept, but should
not a Christian practise it?
If further inquiry into Mr. Hudson's conduct leads to
clearer proof of his criminality, it is well—his sentence
will he more severe, and the pause we have recommended
in public opinion would be followed by his more indig-
nant condemnation. But if—and " charity hopetla
things"--further inquiry tends to restore hire oven par-
tially to public favour, it is better—for then at least
dishonour and disgrace will not for over attach to a luau
chose name must go down to fu'ure ages associated with
,oerie of the greatest and most enduring monuments of
British art and genius which England in her palmiest
days has exhibited to the world!

Wait nainster Land Society, held a
LpAiblici meeting at the Railway Tavet4, Ttlennond,- last.
ilyp)npsday evening, 'for tiqipi-frup,ao of Makitigarra9gements'
fl-. 4 transmission 9f 84nel-fit-h.* fronV
loca,l; Mr. Gringql Ur: Stcere Was unatur,
'70,41 elected gout for the-district. ,Zlr., G. lil..Dowites
'etl explained dip objects of the society, a number of
'ishitck were taken, aid a +6tes thatks to the chairman
Itiltisti the pteceotliPg&