The Sun.
London, England, 1829-04-25 00:00:00

GIBRALTAR.

TO THE' EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Stit,—l -see, by a recent number of your
valuable:Paper, that an investigation is going on
at Gibraltar (and by a still more recent one, that
no progress is making) regarding the fever which
lately raged there. Possibly this may lead to
others of great importance there, not only re-
specting.revenue, but also the general police of
▪ that place, which latter has been much neglected
and passed practically into the hands of irre-
• sponsible subalterns.
With a view to stimulate such inquiries, I
beg leave to notice some circumstances but little
known, and less attended to. Before doing so,
it is but right to say, that your correspondent
" Investigator" is in error when be asserts that
the poll-tax at Gibraltar is confined to the pay-
ment of one real weekly, by each respectable
sojourning foreigner : this payment is per day,
fur all such, so long as they remain on the rock.
And from such as fall under an opposite cha-
racter, of whom there are by far too many, it is
difficult, or impossible, to say what may be the
amount of their payment under this tax per day :
but I may pronounce, with safety, that the latter
description do pay to the police myrmidons pre-
cisely in a ratio with the desperate predicament
of their characters respectively.
Therefore, the collection by this tax must be
seven times the annual amount stated by " In-
vestigator," on the same numbers at least, and
appear accordingly about 90,000/. per annum,
instead of 12,0001. to 15,0001. It is my belief,
however, that this passes into the local treasury,
ac far as the rate of one real per day, though I
must confess this rests solely on my presump-
tion, because the revenue of Gibraltar is con
cealed from vulgar eyes, as if it could not meet
the glare of day.
It should be understood that the police sub-
alterns at Gibraltar are the direct instruments
for the introduction of multitudes of worthless
strangers (by whom they greatly profit), and are
the very last persons to prevent their ingress, or
expel them after they are within the walls of the
crarrison, as their duty directs them to do.
21
More, I think, need not be said on the point to
show not only the inefficiency of the police
there, but the ruinous tendency which it must
have in every sense. Can this, or will it; be
cured by the establishment of a numerous list of
quarantine officers ?
Gibraltar has been regarded heretofore as a
placz or station entirely destitute of revenue; and
on the other band, one involving great annual
expenditure of the national treasure, for the im-
proving of public works, their repair, and the
pay of the garrison ; consequently wholely un-
worthy of a constitutional form of civil govern-

ment.
That such was the condition of Gibraltar for
a considerable time, no one will deny, any
.more
than contend that such a regulation of the inter-
nal administration of such a place was improper
for its purpose. But such is not the condition
of Gibraltar at this time, nor has it been for the
last 35 years. In fact, the revenue proceeding
from the poll-tax alone repudiates the belief sup-
ported by the former state of things there, which
an host of collectors, inspectors, and their de-
puties, who have been long ago placed on the
rock to look after many other branches of public
revenue (of great and growing importance),
amply confirms : for instance, such as the excise,
licences for public-houses, land and houses, duty
on porters and carts, &c.
On the other hand, it ought also to be under-
stood, that the public works there are so com-
plete, and in such perfect condition, that the
utmost ingenuity of man could not usefully add
thereto, nor find an honest motive for extend-
ing beyond a very trifling sum on their occa-
sional repairs.
Under such altered circumstances of revenue
and expenditure at Gibraltar, it should not ap-
pear very extraordinary to demand for the local
regulation thereof the only legitimate administrar
tion which the constitution of the country knows
of—a municipal body ; and it might be asked,
whether such,a body, kept within the due limits
of its civil duties, could in any manner weaken
the military defence of the station ?
The great points for consideration are, whether
it be fair towards the people at Gibraltar, or in
this country, or wise on the part of the Colonial
Secretary at home, and th"e Governor of that
place, to keep from our sight the annual accounts
of our means, our money, And their application ?
Are we of necessity to believe that these officers
cannot misapply such means when so completely
removed from all check ? Should we compre-
hend that a Colonial Secretary and a Governor
can make law and tax the subject, when his Ma-
jesty and his Ministers can do neither ; and not
only so, but enact, collect, disburse, or retain, all
or any part, as if the whole consisted only in their
particular affairs ? Is it not known, that loca-
lity Jo es not destroy the provisions of the con-
stitution? What, then, is the character of such
conflicting and practice, through all our co-
lonial governmen:4? Is Lord Bathurst, with
whom this shameful pf2ctice originated systema-
tically, of more authority tin,:
n the constitution,
as set forth by Blackstone and the colonial code
of the empire ?
The colonial government seems to have been
entirely neglected by the press, amidst the, strife
generated by the internal interests of this country;
or if at all attended to, merely momentarily so,
and for party purposes,—never intelligently and
perseveringly, with a view to the permanent benefit
either of the colonies or the mother country.
Perhaps it is not known that these stations are
amongst the worst governed of any belonging to
European nations; not intentionally, I am willing
to believe, but in reality, if a total disregard of the
feelings of the people, their local prejudices, their
industrious aptitude, and general interests, are
considered of importance; for all these are quite
disregarded, and laws are made to regulate all
such by a governor who knows little of what re-
quires regulation,—who thinks it superfluous to
inquire, and by a colonial secretary, who knows
still less ! So that if any good can be derived by
such a blind combination, it may possibly arise
accidentally through their voluminous corre-
spondence. One thing, beyond all contradiction,
must arise out of such correspondence with theSe
colonies (by the Secretary for the Colonies) oil
this side. His office must be pestered with local
detail from all quarters of the globe of which he
and assistants may know about as much as the
governors who send them such, It is clear, that
such detail belongs of right to the local munici-
pality, and can be administered to by no other
party.
That the continuance of this abuse is not
confined to the ruin of local interests only, we
have Lord Bathurst's authority even for believing.
His Lordship made his deputy say, in the year
1819, in Parliament, that the new colonies
would all pay their expenditure, when put in
possession of their rights and privileges. The
plain meaning of this to the mother country

whe►► converted into figures is, that upwards of
20,000 men and their officers, would be paid by
these stations, instead of being paid by. this
country. But this they cannot be asked to do
till they are emancipated. I am, your
April 21. CONSTANT READER.

LENT ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

CHESTER, APRIL 22.

Alexander Harrison, aged 20, George Lum, aged
23, and Peter MottrarA, aged 23, were indicted for
breaking into the factory of William Lees, of New-
ton, and stealing therefrom 2161. in bank notes and
monies, two casks of wine, and one of brandy.
Moses Mottram (the accomplice).—On the 27th
of November last he was at Newton, at a smithy in
Ceal-pit-court, about eleven o'clock at night. He
sew the prisoners there arid another man, named
Stockport (not in custody). Harrison made some
tinder about half-past eleven o'clock. Stockport
and Harrison then said they would go home. The
others remained a few minutes, and then said they
would also go. Lum soon returned for a drill (a
crow-bar), about two feet long—that is, a piece of
iron sharpened at one end. He afterwards watched
them, and say the prisoners turn up to Mr. Lee's
factory. They all stopped a few minutes, and then
Stockport went to the fire-bole of the factory, and
then came back to them. Harrison went round by
the watch -house inside the yard, and Stockport helped
Peter Mot tram over the gate. Stockport went to see
if any one was coming. Dim stood at the end of the
warehouse. He could see what they were doing. They
were there about an hour, close to the counting house.
He could hear them knocking at the wall. They did
not then know where he was. Stockport afterwards
asked Lum who it was that was watching ? Stockport
their came up to him, and said,l must stand my ground
until he came back, and not to make a noise; he
then, went back, and when witness saw him again,
he was coming out at a door, joining the ware-
house, which he believed to be the counting-house
door. Stockport got a light at the fire-hole. Mot-
train and Harrison came out tvith a keg each, and
Stockport gave him one, and told him to go down
the new road; when he bad gone about 100 yards,
he heard three very loud blows, as if against iron;
he left them all there. When he had gone about
another hundred yards, Stockport overtook him,
and said that he must go across the fields to Meat-
iugwood ; he went, and there lie saw all the three
prisoners; they sat down ; Harrison pulled out a
purse with gold, and a napkin with silver,, and
other monies, and some rings ; they began to divide
it; they gave him a handful of silver, which they
called 71., but when he counted it he found that it
was only 41. 10.; there were amongst it some 3s.
and eighteen-penny pieces. Harrison said that was
his share; he must not have more, because he had
not helped to get it. Harrison said to him, that if
he ever told he would murder him.
Cross-examined by Mr. COTTINGILM—He never
told until he was taken ; he did not take the keg
to Mr. Lees, because i.e had not a mind. He was
taken about a week after at Stockport, by Birch ;
he had a gill of ale given him, and he then out with

his story it began as it ended—" the difference of
71. and the 41. 10s. stuck in my throat, as it would
have stuck in yours." (Laughter.) He did not

know if the teflinz of this story would save him;
he thought that it would : he had never seen the
learned counqel before. He was at Knutsford last

July (the gaol) ; it was for a pair of stockings and
a coat ; he only swapped them ; he did not take
them. He had pleaded guilty, and they gave him
14 days. When he had money he lodged. When
he had none he did without as he liked.
Several witnesses were then called, who corrobo-
rated the witness, who was known as " Old Mo,"
in a variety of collateral circumstances, and the Jury
found them all Guilty. They were sentenced to be
transported each for the term of 14 years.
A number of other cases were tried, none of
which were of peculiar interest.
These eases terminated the assizes, which were
the heaviest ever known here, and characterized by
crimes of the greatest enormity, excepting murder.
Two persons are left for execution.
Mr, Justice JERVIS left the city in about an hour
after the termination of the business.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

The Lord Chief Justice Warren still continues
in the same deplorable state : there does not appear
to be the slightest hope of his recovery. He still
continues speechless, but perfectly sensible, although
gradually growing weaker.. Mrs. Warren is un-
ceasing.in her attentions, and is constantly with him.
Drs. Thaekray and Cummins pay repeated visits in
the course of the day, but cannot give the least hope
to his friends a a favourable change.

The Duke de ItocLovE was ex.cassively ugly.
Another nobleman, whose personal beauty was even in-
ferior to that of Boer-ova, having killed his antagonist in
a duel, applied to the Duke for his interest and protection,
knowing it was the only channel through which he could
obtain pardon. The Duke readily engaged in his friend'', in-
terest, and fairly rallied the KING into compliance. After
the KING had finished ltio fit of laughter, and given his royal
promise, he added, " But for heaven's sake, RocLove,
whit could induce you to be so stronunue in this interc,s-
sion ?” " I will tell your MAJESTY," answered the Dnke,
" if he had suffewl I should then have been the ugliest
man in all France.'

COUNTY OF AYR.—fn consequence of the
death of General MONTCOMERIE, the late Member, a new
writ has been iasueci. The candidates are Sir ,/aNgs
FERGUSSON of Kiikerran, Baronet, and Colonel BLAin of
J3lair. We understand that, from the respectability and
eixameter of both gentlemen, either is well fitted for the
honour to which he is aspiring; and from all we can
learn, the great majority of votes will be for Col. BLAIR.
Scotsman.

HOP DUTY.—We are authorised to state,
for the information of hop planters, that tha hop duty
is to be paid by instalments; the first on the 30th ul
May, and the second on the 30th of September.—Kent
Herald.

The law of sacrilege has aga4i been called
into action at Dieppe. A party of young people haying
lately been arrested by the gensdarmerie for dancing in the
grounds of a M. ROUTIER, too near a church, in the corn.
mune of St. Martin la Campagne, by which the service
is alleged ta have been interrupted, the young people bays
been sentenced to s week's imprisonment, a fine of 16
francs each, and to pa/ ,he law expenses. An appeal has
been lodged by them to the Oour Royale of Rouen.
It is somewhat singular that, ci,w,,e the catch
of mackerel lest week, the boats on the Kentish coast have
not been fortunate enough to take any more. The very
oldest inhabitant cannot account for the early arrival of
those fish and herrings.--IsWt Herald,

Died on Friday morning, after a lingering 111.
new. at Stoke, Mrs. POWNE, aged 84, ce:ehrated for her
attachmeet to goats. She had at the time of her decease
nearly a dozen a these animals lodging with her in the
same hoarse, and sharipe all things in common. Her loss
is more particularly lamented by her disconsolate husband,
by whom she was aizacerely and deseryedlybeloved ; and by
a friend who, having passed many years ui her societi, bears
this testimotsy to her worth.—Plymourn journal,.
DESTRUCTIVE FlRES.—Yesterday morning,
between two and three o'cl'ock, the embers of the recent
lire in Nt. Botolph's-lane, burst out afresh, and commu.
nicating with the premises of Mr. LowELL, immediately
adjoining the large Committee-room of Butchers'-hall,
Pudding-lane, totally destroyed it, together with a very
fene and valuable collection of paintings, yalatzd 4t nearly
2,0001. The progress of the flames was so insidious 4ncl
sudden, that the grfmet} (who remained with their en-
gines at the former tire), notwithstanding their utmost
exertions, could not arrest the progress of the flames until
the entire of the Committee-roc,m and pictures were con.
stapled, nothing remaining but the bare walls. An im-
mense celieetion of pickpockets was collected to the spot,
and their depredations on the host of city folks, who hur-
ried to the fire, were of the most daring nature. There
was one picture of Mr. Wm. MELLisrf, formerly the
Principal of the Society of Butchers, for which the Corn-
mittee had paid three hundred guineas. There were nearly
eighty other paintings, the whole of which have fallen a
sacrifice to the devouring element. We have understood,
from authentic sources, that neither the premises nor any
of the property was insured,