The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-17 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1844.

tribunal ; Mr. Justice Crampton bad expressly said

that it could not be inquired into.
Mr. Justice CRAmproN said the Court did not in-
tend to pass over the name of Mr. Roper. Mr. Henn
would also permit him to say that his argument was
not ad item. His judgment was given on the array
of the whole jury panel, and he had given no opinion
as to the qualification of any particular juror.
The CHIEF JUSTICE said the name of Mr. Roper
had been returned, and he was now on the list ; so

far the Act of Parliament had been complied with.

The next question was, whether Mr. Roper was enti-
tled to be passed by. As far as he had yet gone he
had heard nothing to induce him to say that Mr.
Roper had established an excuse. He rather thought
that no such sufficient reason had been shown to the

Court, and he was of opinion that the jury ought to

be sworn.

Mr. Roper was then sworn as one of the jury.
Stephen Parker was then called, and handed in a
medical certificate from Surgeon Kirby, stating his

inability to attend.
Mr. Vane, a licentiate apothecary was called and
sworn. He said he knew and attended Mr. Parker.

He was labouring at present under great nervous ex-
citement.—(Laughter.) Inhis (witness's) opinion, he
was not in a state to attend to the present case. He
thought it would be fatal to him to attend. He had
apoplexy twice.
Cross-examined by Mr. Macdonough—ls of opi-
nion that Mr. Parker could not attend. He was in a

At the departure of the mail, the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman was still addressing the Court.

traversers, and concluded a very able argument by
calling on the Court to allow the demurrer of the

ALARMING FIRE AT IPSWICH.
Yesterday. morning, between the hours of twelve
and one, the inhabitants of Ipswich were aroused from
their slumbers by loud and continuous cries of "Fire !"
and most urgent appeals for help. Bells and knockers
were suddenly and violently sounded to give the
alarm, while a lurid flame lighted up the atmo-
sphere, and painfully, added weight to the cry—
" The White Hart is in flames !—for God's sake
get up and help us !" On proceeding to the
spot, at about a quarter to one o'clock, we found a
range of stabling, running parallel with the back'
of the dwelling-house, and nearly eighty feet in
length, rapidly being consumed by the fiery ele-
ment. At this time one engine only (the Tower)
was playing. Contiguous to the north end of the
stabling = are Mr. Ray's extensive premises, built
in this place of slight lath and plaster—these were
soon burnt through in several places ; at the south
end the stabling joined Mr. Hooker's (chemist)
warehouse, containing large quantities of inflammable
materials ; Mr. Smith's premises and others, closely
surrounded the burning mass; and the all but cer-
tainty of there being a fearfully extensive conflagra-
tion stared everbody in the face. Shortly after two
other engines arrived, the Suffolk Fire-office and the
St. Clement's. The hose of the former was taken
through Mr. Ray's private passage way, in Tavern-
street, and most effectively hemmed in the flames ;
the St. Clement's engine also powerfully co-operated
with it, by playing principally on the gable end of Mr.
Ray's premises, while the Tower engine was em-
ployed in preventing the ignition of Messrs. Smith's,
Hooker's, and Conder's premises. Providentially there
was scarcely any wind at the time, and after about
two hours persevering exertion all fear of further
calamity was removed. The authorities of the town,
and many of its most influential inhabitants, were early
at the scene of danger, and assisted materially in check-
ing the progress of the flames—indeed all present,
from the Mayor to the humblest artisan, lent their
aid with such earnestness and hearty good-will, in their
different stations, as to do credit to their hearts.
Thanks to them that a much more widely extended
conflagration—of the extent of which it is fearful to
contemplate—has not visited our town. We are sorry
to state that 3 6 coombs of corn, 2 tons of straw, chaff
engine, &c., were consumed. The cattle and harness
were happily saved. Mr. Boby, landlord of the
White Hart, is fully insured. The building destroyed
was the property of J. Cobbold, Esq. Many of the
inhabitants of the endangered premises hurriedly
sought safety in the neighbouring houses ; a great
quantity of goods was also removed into St. Lawrence
Church, and other places of safety. The fire was first
discovered by Mr. Brownsmith, a person living on
the premises, who, on entering the yard, perceived
some straw on the ground floor to be in flames,
which immediately set fire to the lofts above. It
has not been ascertained by what means the straw
became ignited. In the hurry and excitement some
rather severe falls occurred. Mr. Franks, master of
the Blue School, sustained some injury ; but there was
no casualty of a serious character. We cannot close
this notice without an expression of regret that the
authorities of St. Mary Tower do not keep the hose of
that engine in a better state of repair. A very consi-
derable time elapsed before anything could be done
with it, it being. necessary to bind it with list, and
have other contrivances, before the engine could be
brought into work. The other engines, particularly
the Suffolk Fire Office, were immediately ready for
powerful action.—lpswich Express.

state of great excitement. I heard him called yester-
day. I went home with him, and I saw him after

dinner.
Mr. Macdonough—Was he in a state of excite-
ment then ?—(Laughter.)
The Attorney-General said he did not think there
was matter for laughter or ridicule in the case at all.
Mr. Macdonough—Many things occur in this
Court which are matter for ridicule.
The CHIEF JUSTICE—We must excuse Mr. Parker.
Edmond Clarke was next called and sworn.
Benjamin Heaton, architect and builder, was the
next juror called. He begged to be excused, in con-
sequence of incapacity to serve from severe bodily
pain with which he was affected, by reason of a hurt
he received in falling from a scaffold, during the pur-
suit of his business. He had a certificate from Sur-
geon Hart, stating his inability to serve, and he was
sworn to that effect. He was excused.
Francis Faulkner was next called and sworn.
John Cook was next called and sworn.
Henry Flynn was called and sworn.
Henry Thompson was called and sworn.
Anson Floyd was called and sworn.
John Rigby was next called. He asked the Court
to excuse him, as he had been summoned as John
Rigby, his name being John Jason Rigby. A few
questions were put to him, which identified him as
being the proper person, and he was accordingly
sworn.

Robert Hanna was called and sworn.
William Longfield was called and sworn.
William Ord was the last person called and sworn.
The following persons were then called over and
answered to their names :—James Hamilton, Upper
Ormond Quay, Foreman ; Capt. Edward Roper,
Upper Eccles-street ; Edward Clarke ; Francis
Faulkner, Grafton-street ; John Croker, North
Great Georges-street; Henry Flynn, William-street;
Henry Thompson, Eustace-street ; Anson Floyd,
Wellington Quay ; John Rigby, Great Brunswick-
street ; Robert Hanna, Henry-street ; William Long-
field, Harcourt-street ; William Ord, Cork-street.
The names of the several traversers, Daniel O'Con-
nell, John O'Connell, Thos. Steele, C. G. Duffy,
Rich. Barrett, John Gray, and the Rev. Mr. Tierney
were then called over and placed upon their trial.
Mr. NAPD3R then opened the pleadings, setting
forth the nature of the case as stated in the opening
of the Attorney-General. There were eleven counts
in the indictment, to which the traversers pleaded not
guilty. _ _ _

GENERAL JACKSON.
TO THE EDITOR GF THE TIMES.
Sir,—ln your City Article of Monday appeared an
extract from a letter of the correspondent of an Ame-
rican paper, giving some account of a personage of some
celebrity—one who has hitherto been to the English an
object of no ordinary respect—l mean the famous An-
drew Jackson.
We find him there described as showing signs, I re-
gret to say, of the advance of old age, but " the lightning
fire of former years yet flashing in his eyes ;" and he
is said to be of opinion that it will be long ere the
disgrace inflicted upon his countrymen by the hard
cider humbug can be wiped off. This letter is very
gratifying, on more accounts than one. First of all,
it manifests to all the world the exquisite sense
of honour inherent in brother Jonathan. To a sensitive
mind such as his, the disgrace of the hard cider humbug
must be a thing quite unsupportable. Thus we have clearly
demonstrated to us the malice of those that would insinu-
ate, that because he does not pay his debts, therefore he
is not a man of honour. What, however, is more import-
ant (for no ono, I believe, ever seriously doubted Jona-
than to be a man of honour), this letter seems to promise
the means of getting at what I, amongst others, have
long been desiring to know—namely, what may happen
to be the sentiments of such a person as General Jaukson
on the subject of public faith, the obligation of paying
one's debts and the like.
It must be borne in mind that there are two sides, a
" yea" and a " nay," to every question, and it may hap-
pen that the General's opinion on both these points
may be in the negative. Hitherto, however, he, as well
as all other public men in America (with the solitary
exception of Mr. Webster), have, owing no doubt
to the characteristic modesty of the Americans,
with singular unanimity kept their sentiments
upon these subjects to themselves. No one can suspect
the hero of New Orleans of a lack of moral courage to
speak out whensoever and whatsoever the good of his
country calls for. It must be remembered too, that in-
et and render dumb.
is apt to make the tongue
deli
On this subject, therefore, information is wanted ; and
eganvaet itoon ,
the w hr
oe no f excessive, is
I should like to know whether any fire or lightning is
seen to flash from the General's eyes when he hears
talk of M‘Nutt and repudiation ? He is said to take a
vast interest in the elections of New York. Pray what
does he think of what is now going on the adjoining
State of Pennsylvania, where they are said to be dili-
gently paying off both principal and interest of the
floating (that is domestic) debt, whilst the funded (or
foreign) creditor is treated with paper in satisfaction of
his dividends
The General has been removed for some years from
the sphere of active politics, and free therefore from
the trammels of party politics ; precisely therefore
the character from whom, considering his vast in-
fluence, it was expected and desired that we should
hear a strong denunciation of what is regarded here
as the folly of his reckless children. This expectation
may, however, have been founded in a misapprehen-
sion. It may be that the mode of thinking which
seems to prevail pretty unanimously on this side of the
Atlantic, that debts ought to be paid, that contracts are
obligatory, that public faith ought to be kept, that for
either an individual or a State to borrow money which
at the time they have not good reason to know
they can, and which they do not seriously intend, to
repay, is what is vulgarly called swindling, and that
swindling is a trade of infamy may y be that our
mode of thinking differs from his. He may look upon
all creditors, public creditors especially, as Jews and
jobbers ; and it cannot be denied that Jews and jobbers
are very detestable animals, and fit subjects for pillage.
Swindling he may consider as a necessary ingredient in
a democratic constitution, and therefore to be tolerated
if not encouraged.
In any case it appears highly desirable that the opinion
on this subject of such a person should be publicly
known, in order that it may be tried whether any thing
can be done towards reconciling the apparent discrepancy
in the morality of the whole and the new world.
To you, therefore, I address this, in the hope that it
may be deemed worthy of a place in your columns,
which may chance to bring it to the eye of the " cor-
respondent," or some other person capable and willing to
enlighten us on this interesting matter.
Jau. 16. ANTI-SWINDLE.

The ATTORNEY•GENBRAL then rose and addressed
the Court and jury, He commenced by saying, that
the jury had been impannelled on the present occasion
to perform the duty of deciding on the guilt
or innocence of the several traversers, and it
would not be necessary for him to impress
on their minds the necessity of giving their
anxious and undivided attention to such a mo-
mentous cause. Mr. Napier had told them the nature
of the charge against the several traversers, but to
impress it on their minds, and that they might be
able to understand the cause as it proceeded, he would
call their attention to it again. The traversers stood
indicted for having conspired together and confederated
to create discontent and disaffection among her Majesty's
subjects, and to excite them to hatred and contempt ofth
Government and Constitution of the realm as by law
established, and to stir up hatred and be-
tween the different classes of her Majesty's subjects,
particularly in Ireland ; to excite discontent and dis-
affection in the army ; and to cause large numbers of
persons to meet together at different times and
places for the unlawful purpose of obtain-
ing, by means of the intimidation, thereby
created, and by the exhibition of great physical force
changes and alterations in the law and constitution
of the realm as by law established, and particularly
by these means, to bring about a dissolution of the
Legislative Union ; and by means of seditious ad-
dresses, publications, and by intimidating Parliament,
to bring about changes in the law of the realm, and
to bring into contempt and hatred the tribunals
for the administration of justice, and to diminish
the confidence of the Queen's subjects in the admi-
nistration of the law therein, and to assume the pre-
rogative of the Crown with regard to the administra-
tion of justice. Having thus brought under the no-
tice of the jury the charges upon which the defendants
stood indicted, it would be convenient and proper for
him to make a few observations with regard to the
law of conspiracy.

SUMMARY OF THE STATE
TRIALS.

DUBLIN, TUESDAY

The traversers made no more opposition to the
'swearing of the jury, which was proceeded with this
morning, after a short delay caused by the non-
appearance of the traversers, Mr. Barrett and Mr.
Duffy, the former from having to come from
his country residence, some distance from Dublin,
and the latter from ill health. Mr. Cantwell, the soli-
citor, and Mr. Henn, the counsel for these gentlemen,
each offered to alio/A the trial to proceed in their ab-
sence, but the Attorney-General would not per-
mit it, and the consent of the Crown
is necessary for a defendant in such a
case to appear by attorney. The Chief Justice
said the reason given by Mr. Barrett was no
excuse, and if the delay occurred again
the Court would enforce the recognizances.
The swearing of the Jury was then proceeded
with, and some applications for exemption, sup-
ported by affidavit and certificate of bad health
and incapacity having been granted, and one
for exemption on account of age having been
refused, the following gentlemen were sworn :
James Hamilton, Ormond-quay; Capt. Roper, Eccles-
street ; Edward Clarke; F. Faulkier, Grafton-street;
John Croker ; Henry Flinn, William-street ; Henry
Thompson Anson Floyd, Wellington-street; John
Rigby, Suffolk-street; Robert Hanna, Henry-street;
William Longfield ; William Ord, Kilmainham.
The Attorney-General then rose and commenced
his address for the prosecution. He stated the nature of
the offence and the law of conspiracy, supported
by numerous quotations from law authorities.
He then went into a lengthened history of the
repeal agitation gave sketches of the different Associa-
tions that have been connected with the movement, and
grounded his case against the individual traversers by
quotations from the repeal press, from the speeches
of Mr. O'Connell, and the evidence of the
organisation of the Association itself. In de-
scribing the repeal card of membership, the
mention of the portrait of Brian Boirhome, which is
one of its illustrations, excited considerable merriment,
which he immediately reproved, appearing somewhat
vexed at a merriment he considered so out of place.
His whole speech was carefully got up and as care-
fully delivered, but was without fire or animation of
any kind.

might exist in the list of jurors. He could not see
any objection to amending the book according to the
true and real general list, vouched and supported by
comparison with the authentic parochial lists. On
these grounds he had felt himself compelled to come to
that conclusion. He certainly did entertain an im-
pression that the challenge ought to be allowed,
though certainly not without considerable doubt as
to the correctness of his opinion.
The Court was then adjourned till ten o'clock the
following morning.