The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-20 00:00:00

THE SITN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, MAY 20, 1844

THREATENING LETTERS TO SIR
R. PEEL AND LORD ELIOT.
BOTV-STREET.

it the eourse of Fiilay afternoon, a middle-aged man
of respectable appearance, named /fri.llium Toole, residing at
2, Milton-street, in the City, was brought up in the custody
of Inspector Stevens, and other constables of the A division,
charged with using threatening language towards Sir Robert
Peel on Thursday night, with sending him a threatening
letter; and also sending another letter of a similar character
to Lord Eliot, the Secretary of State for Ireland.
The prisoner seemed to have suffered much from privation,
and being placed at the bar conducted himself in an orderly
manner, without offering to interrupt the witnesses while
giving their evidence.
Constable 244 A division stated, that being on duty about
six o'clock on Thursday evening in Whitehall-gardens, the
pi isoner came to him and inquired if Sir Robert Peel had yet
gone down to the House of Commons. He replied that lie
thought he had not yet left his house, but if he wanted to
deliver anything to him, lie might leave it with the porter in
the ball, and it would certainly reach him ; upon which the
prisoner said, in an excited manner—" `o; I have already
written, but find that it is of no use, and, therefore, I must
make him feel another way." Witness instantly laid hold of
him and conveyed him to the station.
The inspector said the prisoner would have been brought
before the Court at an earlier period, instead of having been
confined such a length of time, but it was deemed necessary
to make some inquiries respecting his profession and mode of
living, from which it appeared that lie had been attached to
the horse patrol in Ireland, and, having resigned his situa-
tion, arrived in London in the month of February last, in the
Devonshire steamer, being induced by a female to take such
a course, under the impression that he could in a short time
better his condition in England. Having made inquiries on
his journey where he could procure comfortable lodgings, he
was directed to the house of Mrs. Riley, in Milton-street,
where lie had resided up to the present time, for which she
had made no charge, and occasionally supplied hint with
small sums of money, until he could succeed in procuring
employment. The several letters produced, which were di-
rected to Sir R. Peel and Lord Eliot, were found at his lodg-
ings and on his person. Another had been received from him
by Sir Robert, and two others by Lord Eliot, in one of which
the following appears
" I have often thought of destroying myself, but another
thought has now taken possession of my mind. I will per-
petrate an act which will make a noise in the world. I will
produce a change in the government of countries, and thereby
gain for myself notoriety—unenviable notoriety. Your Lord-
ship will say, Be it so.' Is it not better to die thus, than be
like a vegetable, unseen and unnoticed? I feel I have an im-
mortal spirit—l feel already as conqueror.—Yours, &c.
" WILLIAM TOOLE."
The next letter was directed to Lord Eliot, part of which
was couched in the following terms :
" I have been more than three months in London, and am
now starving. I have done everything in my power to pro-
cure bread. I have attended at the East India Decks at half-
past seven every morning, and also the West India Docks at
eight o'clock, but there was no employment for me. My
nund and body are sinking fast. I have an idea to destroy
myself, but another thought has passed across me. I will
perform an act that shall change the government of countries.
1 on will say it is unenviable notoriety ; be it so ; I shall
abide the consequences.—Yours, &c.,
"WILLIAM TOOLE."

The third letter, which was sent to Sir Robert Peel, and
delivered up to the inspector, was next read, a part of which
ran thus :

"My situation is no longer bearable. My nerves are shat-
tered—my mind unhappy.—l am, your obedient servant,
" WM. TOOLE!'
Mr. JARDINE observed it would be necessary that some
witness should prove the letters produced were in the hand-
writing of the prisoner.
The inspector replied that a messenger from the Irish office
was in attendance to prove that he delivered a letter to Lord
Eliot, which had been given to him by the prisoner for that
purpose, in addition to which he wrote down his address at
the station-house, and the writing corresponded in every
particular with the letters.
The prisoner, in a very cool manner, said that all the letters
read had been written and sent by him, at the same time ad-
mitting that the remaining portion was also written by him,
adding, " As you have directed such letters as bear upon the
charge against me to be read, perhaps you will allow the
testimonials in the possession of the inspector to be read also,
as they mention that my character has always been a good
and sound one. Distress has driven me to these acts, and I
was maddened in consequence of the distress I was reduced to."
Mr. JARDINE, in accordance with the prisoner's request,
examined the several documents in the possession of the
officer, among which were testimonials from several police
officers in Ireland ; from Alderman Darley, chief magistrate
of Dublin, who stated that the prisoner had served in the
force with credit to himself and honour to the horse patrol
for several years, that he had resigned of his own free will
and consent, and his departure was a subject of regret to the
officers and the authorities generally, in consequence of his
being such an efficient officer. Another certificate was from
Mr. Fred. Shaw, the Recorder of Dublin, to whom the pri-
soner was known for sixteen years.
Mr. JARDINE said it was a most extraordinary circum-
stance how a man having in his possession such documents,
which appeared to be genuine, could be guilty of such rash
conduct. There was no doubt of the prisoner's evil inten-
tion, by the mariner in which he addressed the constable,
in addition to the spirit in which the letters were written,
and it was his duty to take steps to prevent him doing in-
jury to any person for the future, by ordering him to put in
bail, himself in the sum of 2001. and two sureties in 1001.
each, to be of good behaviour, and to keep the peace towards
all her Majesty's subjects, but particularly towards Sir R.
Peel and Lord Eliot, for the next 12 months.
The prisoner—The bail you have ordered me to find is
out of my power to procure, as I am a total stranger, but
perhaps you would allow the duplicate of my watch and the
other articles to be delivered up to my landlady, to whom I
am indebted, and from whom I have experienced every kind-
ness since my arrival in this country.
Mr. JARDINE said there could be no objection to delivEr
the articles applied for.
The inspector said he found two knives upon the prisoner,
which were ordered to be detained.
The prisoner was then removed to the cells, where he con-
ducted himself very orderly, until the arrival of the van at
six o'clock, when he was removed to Tothill-fields Prison.

we left the Gambia on the 29th of February, and arrived at
the Nunez on the evening of the 4th of March. Our boats
were manned and armed, and sent to the assistance of the
steamer, Captain Bosanquet himself proceeding up the river
on the 7th, and remaining until the 9th; he succeeded in
effecting a reconciliation, and entered into a treaty of peace;
but, nevertheless, we have left a party of soldiers on board
the Albert to keep quietness. We reached Sierra Leone
again on the 14th March—all well, there being not the least
sickness on board. We expect shortly to proceed northward,
as far as the Cape de Verde Isles, and then cruise between
them and Cape Mount until June, after which we go to the
Bights of Benin and Biafra, in order to escape the wet season
here. We get our letters better from Sierra Leone than any
other part of the coast, otherwise we prefer the southward."
Her Majesty's ship Caledonia, 120, Captain A. Milne, was
paid advance of wages on Tuesday.
Her Majesty's ship America, 50, Captain the Hon. John
Gordon, will be ready for sea very shortly, the alteration of
her channels having been completed on Tuesday. It is ex-
pected she will go into the Sound on Wednesday next.
Her Majesty's packet Penguin, 6, Lieut. Walter Leslie,
having taken on board six months' stores, and undergone
some night repairs, sailed for Falmouth on Wednesday. She
takes the Brazilian mail of July.
Her Majesty's cutter Snipe, Lieut. George Raymond, sailed
on Tuesday for the Cove of Cork, to resume her station on
the coast of Ireland.

Her Majesty's steamer Dee, Master-Commander T. Driver,
sailed on Saturday last with stores for the Cove of Cork.
Her Majesty's steam-tug Contiance was taken out of dock
on Monday last.
Ships in Harbour—San Josef, 110, Captain Burgoyne;
America, 50, Captain the Hon John Gordon ; Confiance,
steamer.

In the Sound--Caledonia, 120, Captain Alex. Mile.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S
GRAND BALL.

Oa Friday his Grace the Duke of Devonshire gave his
first grand ball for the season at Devonshire House, which
was honoured by the presence of her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Cambridge, and about eight hundred members of
the aristocracy, including nearly the whole elite of the fashion-
able world.

The grand suite of saloons, comprising thirteen apartments,
Here thrown open on the occasion, for the first time since the
magnificent improvements recently effected under the super-
intendence of his Grace. The rooms were ornamented with
fragrant shrubs and the most choice exotics, and illuminated
by an infinity of wax lights tastefully arranged; the marble
staircase and ball being likewise adorned with a profusion of
plants and flowers.
The company began to arrive about half-past ten, and be-
fore eleven the ball-room was filled, when dancing commenced
to Weippert's, band, led by Mr. Charles Coote, pianiste to his
Grace. Amongst the most attractive dances of the evening
was the Polka, a new arrangement of which had been spe-
cially prepared for the occasion by Mr. Coote.
Supper was laid in the dining-room, and announced at one
o'clock, the adjoining apartments being appropriated to the
purposes of serving refreshments during the evening.
he following were among the company, in addition to
the Royal Duchess and nearly all the Foreign Ministers and
their ladies :

DUKES—Wellington, Norfolk, Leinster, Montrose, Bedford,
Roxburghe.
DucalEssEs--Sutherland, Buccleueh, Bedford, (Dowager),
Northumberland, Beaufort, Norfolk, Bedford, Itoxburghe,
Leinster.

MARQUISES—AngIesey, Londonderry, Headfort, Clanri-
carde, Normanby, Douro, Salisbury, Granby, Ailesbury.
MAnciiroslissEs—Wellesley, Londonderry, Lansdowne,
Ailesbury, Douro.
Ennr.s--Delawarr, Jersey, Wilton, Rosebery, March,
Cawdor, Auckland, Eglintoun, Chesterfield, Aberdeen, Essex,
Leicester.
CouNTEsszs—Delawarr, Jersey, Wilton, Rosebery, De
Salis, March, Mansfield, Chesterfield, Blount Edgecumbe,
Clarendon, Essex, Leicester, Glengall, Minto, Tankerville.
ViscouNTs—Sydney, Jocelyn, Palmerston, Ingestre, Clive,
Barrington.
VISCOUNTESSES—Sydney, Jocelyn, Ingestre, Palmerston,
&c., &c.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge retired
shortly after one o'clock, but dancing was kept up by the
great majority of the company until nearly daybreak.

OPENING OF THE GENERAL AS-

SEMBLY.

The General Assembly opened its proceedings to .day with
the usual pomp and circumstance. In the forenoon his Grace
the Lord High Commissioner held a levee in the Throne-room
of Holyrood Palace, which was attended by a very numerous
company. Among those present were—the Earl of Selkirk,
the Earl of Strathmore, Lord Ruthven, the Lord Provost and
Magistrates, the Moderator, Principal Lee, Sir Robert Aber-
cromby, Sir James Ramsay, Sir Ralph Anstruther, Sir T. D.
Lauder, Sir P. M. Thriepland, Sir William Hamilton, Sir Wil-
liam Liston Foulis, Sir C. G. Stuart Monteath, Sir Neil
Douglas and Staff; Dr. Cook, Dr. Arnot, Dr. Brown,
Greenock, and a number of clergymen. besides a numerous
list of military officers, landed proprietors, and the gentry of
the city. The band of the Cameronians, with a company of
the same regiment, was on duty at the Palace ; and on the
levee being finished, his Grace, with the usual cortege, pro-
ceeded from the Palace to the High Church to hear sermon
by the Moderator ; he was escorted by a guard of honour
from the Scots Greys, and preceded by the band of the Cara-
bineers. The Not th Bridge was lined by the Cameronians
and by the Scots Greys, and the High-street to St. Giles's
Church, by the Greys and the Carabineers.
The procession from the Palace attracted as usual a great
crowd of spectators along the whale line; and the brilliancy
of the equipages, the fine appearance of the troops, both ca-
valry and infantry, joined to the beauty of the day, gave an
effect to the cavalcade which has not been witnessed for
some years.
After sermon by Principal Macfarlan, his Grace proceeded
to the new Assembly Hall, when Dr. Macfarlan took the
chair, and opened the Assembly by prayer. Ile then ad-
dressed the meeting, congratulated them on being able to
meet in the elegant hall provided for their accommodation,
thanked the members of the last Assembly and the Church
at large for the kindness they had shown him in electing him
to the office of Moderator last year, and concluded by pro-
posing the Rev. Principal Lee as his successor in the Mode-
rator's chair, on whose talents and accomplishments he passed
a high eulogium. The proposition was hailed by loud cries
of " Agree, agree ;" and Principal Lee was introduced and
took the Moderator's chair.
Her Majesty's appointment of his Grace the Lord High
Commissioner, and her letter to the Church of Scotland, were
then read ; after which
His GRACE addressed the Assembly, and intimated that
her Majesty had directed him to state that 2,000/. should be
placed in the hands of the Assembly, for the promotion of
Christian knowledge and the principles of the reformed reli-
gion in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This being
the first occasion when the Assembly was able to occupy
their new building, he felt the more grateful. that her Ma-
jesty had been pleased to select him on this occasion as her
Commissioner.—(Applause.) The greatest pains had been
taken to arrange the adjoining apartments for their conve-
nience, and he hoped that that end had been attained. He
trusted that their Church would continue, under the Divine
blessing, to hold her Assemblies in this place for many many
years, and that she would prove alike the best security for
the liberties of the people and for the authority of the
Crown.—(Great applause.)
The MODERATOR begged leave, in name of the General
Assembly, to return her Majesty their warmest thanks for
her munificent donation of 2,000/. for the promotion of Chris-
tian knowledge in the Highlands and Islands. They would
take an early opportunity .of returning a duffel and loyal
answer to her Majesty's gracious letter, as it was particularly
incumbent on them to express their gratitude for her
Majesty's frequent recognition of her solemn pledge when
she ascended the throne, that she bound herself to main-
tain the Church of Scotland in all its rights and privileges.
He begged leave also to state, on the part of the Assembly,
that t hey hailed his Grace's re-appearance among them as the
representative of her Majesty. He had conferred many be-
nefits upon the Church of Scotland, not only in times of
prosperity and tranquillity but in seasons of trouble and
perplexity; and he (the Aioderator) trusted the Assembly
would merit the approbation of one who had ever been a firm
and decided friend of the National Church. In adverting to
the elegant building in which they were now met, he could
not help expressing a fervent and earnest hope that in this
place, through future generations, the Lord God of hosts
would command peace ; and that, added to all the embellish-
ments which belonged to the spot, they might hope to see
the Lord, the Head of the Church, spread over them the
buckler of his protection, like the pillar of cloud and fire over
the hosts of Israel, and that over all the glory there should be
a defence.—(Applause.)
The Assembly then proceeded to appoint various Commit-
tees, and transact other matters of routine, and adjourned
about half-past three o'clock.
The Assembly of the Free Church met this forenoon, in
Tanfield Ihll, Canonmills, when, after sermon by the last
Moderator, the Rev. Henry Grey, of Edinburgh, was elected
Moderator for the ensuing year.—Edinburgh Courant.

LATEST FROM CHINA.
(From the Devonport Independent.)
Wo have received letters, by the Overland Mail, from our
correspondent at Hong-Kong, dated February 14th, 1844,
from which we make the following extracts :
" A Court-martial was held on board H.M.S. Minden, on
the sth January, to try two seamen for desertion, Rear-Ad-
miral Sir Thomas Cochrane, Knight, C.B„ being President.
They were found guilty, and sentenced to receive 100 lashes
each.
" Jan, 9th,—This morning, one of those mournful spec-
tacles which used to be very common during the revolu-
tionary war, took place at Hong-Kong—that of flogging the
two deserters through the fleet. There were altogether four-
teen boats manned and armed. At daylight a gun was fired
from the Agincourt, and the yellow flag (which, I under-
stand, is the signal for punishment) hoisted at her fore-top-
gallant-mast-head, and kept there until it was over. It was
rather an astonishing sight to the natives, although many of
their punishments are more severe.
" Vice-Admiral Sir Win. Parker, the Commander-in-Chief
left Manilla, for Singapore, in the Cornwallis, on the 2d
January, so that he will not return to China.
"The Emperor, transport, which was supposed to .be lost,
having been ninety days on her passage from Anger, the run
being generally made in a fortnight or three weeks, has been
found in a very crippled state.
" Lieutenant Hancock has been appointed to the Minden,
Mr. Wise, late clerk of the Cornwallis, has gone to England
in the Childers.
" Jan. 31st.—Lord Saltoun embarked on board the Dido
to-day. She sails with two millions of dollars, one to go to
Calcutta, the other to England in the Wanderer, from Singa-
pore ; the Childers will also take one million to England,
The Cornwall, freight-ship, has sailed for England, with in-
valids and old stores,
" All the salt meat (naval) in India has been found to be
bad; therefore the Alligator troop-ship is ordered, on her
arrival, to take up 1,000 casks of beef and pork for convey-
ancebad as the other when
it "
Feb, 2d,—The Dido has sailed, with her purser under
arrives.
here,
which will, no doubt, be as

4rFP-sf.
tt
.A. very were accident has happened to Mr. Aplin, mid:
shipman, of the Agincourt. 110 Was out shooting, when by
some strange mismanagement the gun went off, and both his
hands being over the muzzle, the contents passed through
them. The medical men have not yet been able to determine
whether it will be necessary for him to lose either or both of
114 hands. M. Whipple, assistant. surgeon happened fortu•
natelY le .i.)Q Ca the dpot; of 114, uniurtunatO etlfterer iVould
have died from loss of blood.
" I hear it is proposed to make the Sapphire troop-ship
a hulk or hospital-ship, as she is found to be in too weak a
state to be trusted on a voyage to England. Should this 11
Rohe, 4 i.q moat lilolylip Nto4-fl. ,ty4l pc sent 491
f! VA. iBgi;-,-,pp .a,irl!9transport is now coniM in with
troops, rout ears have een 'eti4l:(44lo 44' ll' t !Ifotyi
as she ought to have been here nearly two months since.
"Her Majesty's steam-frigate Driver is ordered to Chusan,
to bring down, with the Vixen steamer, the right wing of
to!nls ;1105irtPoh 4.leiin%lC.elltilo;.'lltl
eti4
1 :
t- r'''' lit 11" ril'' 14Pe Ca ,tau:
alPittilb'liPaiil3 beets
the beach, underpin; repair.
" Feb. 14th.—Her Majesty's surveying-vessel Samarang is
just arrived, sucl as elle. wog ;lot expected tit pearly twelve

months, something must be wrong. On inquiry, I find the
Second Lieutenant, Wade, is under close arrest, and will, it is
generally supposed, be tried by a court-martial."

SACRED CONCERTS-EXETER-

HALL.

The concerts given by the Sacred Harmonic Society at
Exeter-hall were resumed on Friday evening, under the most
favourable auspices. Mr. George Perry's beautiful oratorio
of the Death of Abel was selected for the evening's enter-
tainment. The Hall was numerously and fashionably at •
tended, as usual. The vocal performance, with but one ex-
ception, was composed of native talent, Herr Staudigl being
the only foreigner amongst the professionals. His re-appear-
ance caused much delight, but it would be unjust to say that
the approbation of the audience was lessened in consequence
towards his friendly rivals, among whom were Miss Rain-
forth, Miss Poole, Hobbs, Manvers, and Phillips. The fol-
lowing was the programme :
PART I.

Introduction.
Recit The vapours of dank night.
Air Rejoice, 0 my beloved.
Recit
Solo and Chorus
Recit. These are thy Works 0 God.
Air 0 thou Omnipotent.

Hdar'st thou not Eve.
Quartett and Chorus
Recit. What sounds of joy.
Air
Recit
Air 0 dearest Father.
Recit ..... What means this sternness.
Air
Recit
Air 0 Cain.

Recit. ..
Chorus
Recit. O, Happy change.
Air

Recit. Forgive me, Abel.
Duet
Recit Thus ever, 0 my children.
Chorus
PART 11.
Recit I will ascend to Earth.
Air The favourite of Heaven.
Chorus ..
Recit

Air

I trace thy steps.
Cain, my beloved.

Ilecit . ..
I am not glad.
Air

Recit
Soli and Chorus
Recit

Air ...
Recit
Chorus .... .

Recit Pride, Envy, Malice.

Air

Recit What mighty Tumult.
Air Hear, 0 Lord.
Recit
Recit Turn not away.
Duet
Chorus
'tecit What hath my fury done.
.... . .

Recit.
Air and Chorus A vengeance.
Recit. ... Gracious and Righteous.
Air
Recit. To the just God.
Chorus
The Death of Abel, as s performance, has been so often
criticised, and acknowledged to rank high in the musical
world, that an elaborate comment upon it in the present in-
stance as a whole is superfluous ; suffice it, therefore, that the
melodies are elegant and flaming, and light and spirited by
turns. The ear is first charmed by a quiet serenity, the heart
pants with the impress of a holy fear, and then swells forth
with a burst of praise to the Almighty; anon we feel the
approach of the dark hour, in which man slew his fellow man,
and the mind is led to reflect upon the infinite power of the
Creator, and the meek and helpless state of mortal existence
in itself. The remorse and repentance of Cain is then pour-
trayed ; and finally the chorus bursts forth in a gust of me-
lody—" Give the Lord the honour due unto his name." The
soft, the pathetic, and the triumphant, follow with harmonious
rivalry—all has been perfect, and the oratorio is finished with
the just approbation of the scientific, as well as with that of
the humble amateur.

Miss Rainforth sang with her accustomed sweetness and
power. Herr Standigl was able to prove the brilliancy of his
voice in the part assigned him, to which the audience re-
sponded. Mr. Phillips was effective throughout, and appears
to improve upon acquaintance, though he has long been a
favourite. Miss Poole, Hobbs, and Manvers, each sang with
effective precision and discernment.