The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-24 00:00:00

THE CASE OF MARY FURLEY.

Sir James Graham has earned an undying reputation
by his conduct in the case of this broken-hearted
woman. In the first place, although she was sentenced
to death by the honey-tongued Maule, Sir James Graham
knew nothing whatever of the matter. No ; when ques-
tioned by the House upon the atrocity of the sentence,
aggravated as it was by the funeral eloquence of the
judge, who doubtless, to teach a great moral lesson,
tortured the woman with Tyburn tropes ; even the
Home Secretary knew nothing of the circumstances
which had sent a shuddering horror through the heart of
the kingdom. He would,, however, inquire about Mary
rurley. A week or so passes, and the country is astounded,
horrified at the further barbarity exercised upon the
Sufferer, who is frenzied, agonized by the official
visit of the sheriff, come with the death-war-
rant from the Home-office. There is no hope for her!
She has, it is true, been driven to madness by accumu-
lated miseries which beggar fiction : she has been tor-
.

;ured into an act of insanity by the cruelty of fortune ;
t is no matter, says the philosopher at the Home-
office—she must die. The woman must be hanged!
For some four-and-twenty hours the doomed creature
suffers agony unutterable. Sir James Graham, doubtless,
sleeps sweetly in his bed—yes, enjoys that sweet, deep
slumber, rewardful of solemn duties solemnly fulfilled.
Then, rising, he bethinks himself of the poor wretch
in Newgate ; the fact is, he is made to think
of her by the earnest faces and loud remonstrances
of a few Samaritans who beset the Home-office.
He is entreated to reconsider the sentence, and the re-
sult is—a reprieve for Mary Furley. No extenuating
circumstance has been discovered—none whatever. The
case remains as it was when Judge Maule—whose
eloquence might fire even the Temple—denounced
the forlorn offender from the judgment-seat ; just
as it was, -when Sir James Graham sent down
the death-warrant ; but the public heart has re-
volted at the contemplated atrocity—the official
murder threatened by the Home-office—and the Minister
relents ; yes, the woman shall be reprieved She has
been upon the rack for four-and-twenty hours ; but
what is such amount of torment, more or less, to one
who has already suffered so much ? What, another
stab of the heart, to a heart so sorely maimed and'
bleeding ? Then appear in the newspapers comforting
paragraphs, indicative" of the new tenderness of Sir
James Graham. 'Yes, think we, Sir James has
now fully considered Mary Purley's condition. Poor
blighted creature! He has followed her through her
miserable history—has sympathised with her wretched-
ness in the union, when her sick child was cut and
maimed by the union's drunken servant—has lowed
with admiration of her, when, with her heroic wo- '
man's heart, she again faced the misery of an un-
pitying world—has sorrowed with her at the failing
of her last hope, the few shillings, stolen or lost,
that were to have given her and her babe the means of
life—has felt, to painful intensity, a grief and sympathy,
when, with a brain fired with despair, the frantic mother
sought a grave for herself and child. Yes—thought we
—the good, soft-hearted Sir James has pondered on the
history, so complete in all its terrors, of Mary Furley, and
he will recommend the woman to the Royal mercy. A
few days, a week or two perhaps, may be the term
of her imprisonment ii the Penitentiary ; and then she
will return to the world, to enjoy the active sympathies
even of the highest-born of her own sex, who will gather
about her, and with Samaritan goodness strive to heal the
wounds inflicted by undeserved wretchedness upon her.
sympathising She will be pitied, comforted, ay, caressed, for the horrors
she has endured, and, by the bounty of
good-
ness, the means of subsistence will henceforth be made easy
mp
to her: Such was our day-dream. Sir Jame-s Graham has
recommended Mary Furley to the Royal mercy, and the
result is—transportation for seven years! " Such is the
breath" of Home Secretaries! The Royal mercy was
wont, by a figure of speech, to be called the brightest
jewel in the Crown. If it still be so, why then, Sir
James, thanks to you, her Majesty Queen Victoria wears
at the present moment the dimmest* of diadems.—
Punch. •

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, May 23.
ROYAL COMMISSION.
The Royal Assent was given to day to the Eastern
Counties Railway Bill (No. 1), to the Eastern Coun-
ties Railway Bill (No. 2), to the Selby and York
Railway Bill, to the South-Eastern Extension Rail-
way Bill, to the Furness Railway Bill, to the
Darlington Junction Railway Bill, to the Hartle-
pool Dock and Harbour Bill, to the Coal Mining
Company's Bill, and several Inclosure and Naturaliza-
tion Bills.
The Lord Commissioners were the Archbishop o
Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Earl o
Shaftesbury.
Their Lordships re-assembled at Five o'clock.
The Earl of GALLOWAY presented a petition from
Glasgow, in favour of the Bill lately introduced by the
Bishop of Exeter for the suppression of brothels.
Lord BEAUMONT presented petitions from York-
shire in favour of protection to agriculture.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from a gen-
tleman named Henry Archer, against the Chester and
Holyhead Railway ; also a petition against the Brighton
and Chichester Railway Bill.
Messengers from the Commons brought up certain Bills.
Lord DENMAN presented a petition from certain
ministers of the Gospel, praying for the abolition of
oaths in certain cases.
The Criminal Law Amendment Bill went through
Committee, after some observations from the LORD
CHANCELLOR and Lord CAMPBELL.
Lord LYTTELTON presented a petition from
Newark-upon-Trent against the Debtors and Creditors
Bill.
LANCASTER AND CARLISLE RAILWAY BILL.
On the motion that the amendments of the Commons
to this Bill be agreed to, some discussion took place, in
which Lord BROUGHAM and the Marquis of CLANRI-
CARDE joined, the former deprecating the provisions of
the Bill, and the latter supporting them.
Lord CAMPBELL thought that there could be no
doubt that the clause had been improperly introduced,
and ought to be abandoned. It was not introduced
in the Committee on bringing up the report, but on
its third reading: It was not in the power of the Com-
pany to procure permission for his Noble and Learned
Friend to erect gates across the Queen's highway, and
that, too, upon the great north road. He appealed to the
Noble Earl, the Chairman of Committees, who was a
most meritorious public officer, whether it was the prac-
tice of the House to introduce such a clause upon a third
reading without notice ?
The Earl of SEIAFTESBURY said that it was not
the practice of late years to introduce such clauses on a
third reading ; but it was competent for any Noble
Lord to move the addition of such a clause if he thought
proper. But if these gates were to be at a distance of
three-quarters of a mile from the railway, the clause
would be, in common parlance, dehors the Bill, and could
not be admitted. •
The Earl of DEVON recommended that the Bill
should stand over until after the recess. In the mean-
time some compromise might take place, and his Noble
and Leaaned Friend might get, if not exactly what he
wanted, at least something to satisfy him.
Lord BROUGHAM was perfectly ashamed to detain
their Lordships upon what might appear a personal and
trumpery matter relating to himself ; but he thought
that the way in which he had been trepanned into giving
up his opposition to the Bill was a matter of public
importance. Ile complained that no intimation
had been given to him of the course which bad been
adopted that evening with respect to this Bill. His
Noble Friend near him said it was exceedingly hard that
any body should suppose this was a personal or party
motive. Now, he (Lord Brougham) would like to know
if this Bill had not been opposed by him, whether there
would have been all this noise and fuss about it? Would
Noble Lords near him have taken so much interest in
the measure ? It was absurd to think of such a thing.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE indignantly denied
that he had been actuated by any party or personal
Motive in the course which he bad taken with respect to
this measure. The Noble -Lord complained of being
taken by surprise, yet the Noble and Learned Lord had
allowed Monday and Tuesday to pass without making
any motion upon the subject. The insinuation which
the Noble and Learned Lord had indulged in, was one
which no other Learned Lord would have dared to put
forth. He begged pardon if he had used an
unparliamentary phrase, but he would say, that
a more unfavourable insinuation had never been made
and he could assure the House that it would not have
the effect of deterring him (the Marquis of Clanricarde)
from doing his duty.
Lord BROUGHAM could not allow the insinuations
thrown out by the Noble Marquis to pass without obser-
vation. He had made no charge against the Noble
Marquis • all that he had said was, that the extraordi-
nary zeal that had been displayed with respect to this
measure gave it an air of suspicion.
The Earl of RADNOR could not but think that their
Lordships were placed in a most awkward position.
The question now was, whether their Lordships would
agree to the amendments of the Commons, or adjourn
the debate. He had heard rumours of Noble Lords
making terms with railroads, but he had never heard'a
proposition put forward that a question should be ad •
plumed in order that a Noble Lord might make terms
with a railroad.—(Hear, bear.) What was all that had
taken place for but to enable the Noble and Learned
Lord to make a better bargain than he had made?—
(Hear.) He could not believe that the House would
adopt the proposition that had been laid before it.
The Duke of WELLINGTON felt bound to say a
few words on this question. He thought that his Noble
and Learned Friend opposite was acting rightly in the
course he had pursued. Had he any interest in this
matter except upon public grounds? No, he had not ;
but it was his duty to come forward and see that the
public were protected. That, he apprehended, was the
position in which his Noble and Learned Friend stood,
and what had been asked was, that this matter should
be postponed for twenty-four hours, in order that an ar-
rangement might be made which would be beneficial to
the public.
Lord BROUGHAM said that the object of his oppo-
sition was to have these gates erected, by which the
public road would be improved.
Lord MONTEAGLE contended that there was no
pretence whatever for putting up these gates, and urged
upon the House the necessity of refusing to accede to
the proposition which had been made to postpone this
measure. He contended that it would be most benefi-
cial to the public to hive this measure passed as speedily
as possible. Although the delay which had been asked
for was only twenty-four hours, yet practically this
would be a delay of a week. He had no interest in this
matter, but he trusted, on public grounds, that their
Lordships would at once pass the measure.
Lord BROUGHAM explained,
The Marquis of SALISBURY supported the motion
for postponement. He thought there were sufficient
grounds for recommitting the Bill.
Lord MONTEAGLE—The Bill has been read a third
time.

The Marquis of SALISBURY said it was still in
the power of their Lordships to recommit the Bill.
Lord BROUGHAM—I shall move for a Committee.
The Marquis of SALISBURY—I move that this de-
bate be now adjourned.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE—That is the mo-
tion which is already before the House, aril the Noble
Marquis is of course out of order.
The Marquis of SALISBURY—As the Noble Lord
is so particular about the order of this House, I think it
would be as well if he would be more in order himself,
and not rise to speak six times on the same subject.
Strangers were, ordered to withdraw, and their Lord-
ships divided, when there appeared—
For the adjournment 32
Against it 33
Majority
On our return to the gallery, we found
Lord BROUGHAM proposing that a Committee be
appointed to inquire into the amendments to this Bill
which had been proposed by the House of Commons.
Lord MONTEAGLE said the House of Commons
had made no amendments.
Lord BROUGHAM said the Committee could be ap-
pointed to consider the message from the Commons.
Earl VITZWILLIAM thought they ought to know
what the Noble and Learned Lord proposed to do in the
Committee.
Lord BROUGHAM said
.he had a case to make out ;
but, of course, he could not go into detail then.
The Duke of RICHMOND suggested that the matter
should be referred to the Committee to which originally
the Bill was referred.
After a short conversation,
Lord BROUGHAM consented to withdraw his oppo-
sition ; but he intimated that, when the parties pro-
moting this Bill should again come before Parliament,
he would look closely after them.—(Laughter.)
The motion was then withdrawn.
The Customs' Bill was read a first time, and was
ordered to be read a second time on Thursday next
The Debtors and Creditors' Bill passed through Com-
mittee.

Messengers from the Commons broitght up several
Bills, which were read a first time.
Their Lordships then, on the motion of the Duke of
WELLINGTON, adjourned till Thursday next.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 23.
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
ROYAL COMMISSION.
The Usher of. the Black Rod appeared at the bar and
summoned the House to •the bar of the House of Lords
to hear her Majesty's Commission read for giving the
Royal assent to certain Bills (for which see Lords'
report).
The South Devon Railway Bill was read a third time
and passed.

Mr. GREENE moved that all Railway Bills which
under Standing Order, No. 123, stand for further consi-
deration on Tuesday next, be taken into consideration
on Thursday the 30th day of May.—Agreed to.
HARWICH AND COLCHESTER RAILWAY BILL.
Major BERESFORD moved that the Harwich Rail-
way aad Pier, an the Colchester and Ilarwich (No. 2)
Railway Bills, be recommitted to the former . Com-
mittee, with instructions to the said Committee;
that they have power to rescind their former resolu-
tion on the preamble of the two Bills, if they think
fit ; and to consider the expediency of consolidating
the said Bills, and amalgamating the Companies
promoting the same respectively, with power to carry
Jointly into effect the undertaking thereby contemplated,
in the manner agreed on between the two companies, or
in such other manner as, in the opinion of the Com..
mittee, would be beneficial to the public. He thought
it was of national importance that a railway
should be constructed from London to Harwich.
Another reason why he thought this Bill should be re-
committed was the present state of the money market:
In a different state of the money market, persons might
not be found to engage in such a speculation. There
was besides a great deal of money expended, he believed
12,0004 in promoting the Bill; Which mould- be lost if if

the House did not allow the Bill to be recommitted. He
was not aware of any standing order which
would oppose its recommittal. He hoped, there.
fore, the House would not refuse his motion.
Mr. D. R. ROSS seconded the motion.
Sir G. SMYTHE supported the recommittal of the
Bill. He was satisfied, if the motion were granted, that
sufficient evidence would be adduced before the Commit-
tee to induce them to come to a different decision. He
did not blame the Committee for deciding as they had
upon the evidence which they bad before them. It was
true there was not much traffic at present, but the Bill
would create traffic with foreign countries. The Hon.
Gentleman then presented two petitions from Colchester,
in favour of the recommittal.

Mr. TATTON EGERTON said, if the House had
heard as much about the matter as the Committee, they
would have come to the same determination, of throw-
ing out both Bills. There was no traffic to support
either line, and there wits such gross jobbing in the
bringing forward of the matter that the Committee had no
choice but to reject both Bills. He thought they ought
to postpone the consideration of the subject till next
session.
Mr. ROSS said he concurred in the uXanimous deci-
sion of the Committee. He had heard nothing either in
public or private which tended to lead him to an oppo-
site conclusion.

Sir G. COCKBURN said he had come down to the
House impressed with the great importance of having a
railway to Harwich ; but after hearing the opinions
which had been expressed, he felt bound to concur in the
decision of the Committee.

Mr. 11. lIINDE said, having been on the Committee,
he had given a vote different from that of the Hon.
Meinbers who had addressed the House. It appeared
eery plainly that a railway between London and Har-
wich was an object of great national importance. Evi-
dence was given on the part of the Post-office to that
effect. Although many landowners appeared to op-
pose the Bill, there were no cases of peculiar hardship.
He could only say, that if both the Bills were sent back
to the Committee, be would give the proposals of each
party his best consideration. _ _

Admiral DUNDAS suggested that a surveyor should
be sent from the Board of Admiralty for the purpose of
examining whether or not it was desirable that a line
should be constructed.

Mr. ESTCOURT said that if two parties wore to be
allowed to obtain a fresh Committee after their Bills had
been rejected, there would be no end to such proceedings.
Mr. GLADSTONE opposed the motion. He asked,
what could be said to those private parties who had
opposed the Bill at great expense ? The House had
given a judicial decision on their case. It might be a
matter of regret that the parties had come to their
senses too late; however, the responsibility of the post-
ponement rested with themselves.
Mr. P. M. STEWART said that if the Bills were not
now recommitted the parties would amalgamate out of
doors, and the refusal would only cause additional ex-
pense. He thought it would be carrying points of form
to a cruel length to quash these Bills, and that too in
the absence of all opposition. It could not be denied
that the measure was one of great national importance,
and a mere point of form ought not to stand in its way.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that the recommittal
would not be a mere departure from a point of form, but
a violation of all the rules of the House. It would be
better for the parties to withdraw their Bills, and next
year present to the House a measure to which Parlia-
ment could assent.

Mr. F. FRENCH supported the recommittal of the
Bills.

Major BERESFORD was satisfied with the acknow-
ledgments upon all sides of the House of the national
importance of the harbour of Harwich, and hoped that he
would have the general support of the House next ses-
sion. He therefore withdrew his motion.
BIRKENHEAD IMPROVEMENT.

Mr. RICE withdrew the motion of which he had
given notice, for leave to the Committee on the Birken-
head Improvement Bill to make their report, till Friday
the 25th instant.
MANCHESTER POLICE i3ILL.

On the motion of Mr. MARK PHILIPS, the Man
chester Police Bill was read a third time and passed.
VAUXHALL AND LAMBETH SUSPENSION

BRIDGE.

Mr. BERNARD presented a petition against the
Vauxhall and Lambeth Suspension Bridge Bill, which
was ordered to be referred to the Committee on the Bill.
SOUTHAMPTON IMPROVEMENT BILL.
The Southampton Improvement Bill was read a third
time, and passed.
HYTHE LANDING-PLACE BILL.
The Hythe Landing-place Bill was read a third time
and passed.