The Sun.
London, England, 1829-12-15 00:00:00

that a high price of the Funds, in a country'
situated in all respects as England is, establishes
the fact, not perhaps that the existing stagnation
is of a temporary nature, but that it is firmly
believed to be so by a large majority of those
whose experience and opportunities of observa-
tion best qualify them to judge on such a sub-
ject. The price of the National Securities
cannot be adduced as a proof of actual pros-
perity, but it may very fairly and conclusively
be employed to correct the exaggerations or dis •
sipate the alarm of those who pretend or believe
that the acknowledged depression is permanent
and fatal. If we consider the amount of foreign
capital, together with that of the Jews, which
is neither British nor foreign, but cosmopolitan,
invested in the British Funds, it seems impos-
sible to doubt that any symptoms clearly indica-
tive of a progressive decay of the national re-
sources would produce a rapid and permanent
fall in the price of Stock. With respect to these
large, intelligent, and well-informed classes of
fundholders, the influence of patriotism or habit
is wholly out of the question. They pursue
their own interest without bias or interruption
from prejudice or attachment. It is the action
of these impartial judges upon the securities of
different nations which we believe mainly deter-
mines the relative value of each ; and as in

fact the prices of the British Funds remain much
higher in proportion to the income derived from
them, than those of the public securities of any
other nation, we think we are entitled to con-
clude, that in the estimation of the best and most
impartial judges that can be found in Europe,
the resources of the British Empire are neither

impaired nor endangered. Tlieir judgment
may possibly be erroneous, but it is at least
certain that it is genuine and sincere, and
this is rather more than we dare venture

to sa3 for any of those who labour to propagate
the opinion that the British nation is in the high
road to ruin. The appeal to the market price
of Stock is in effect an appeal to general opi-
nion. It proceeds upon the plain and simple
dictate of common sense, that men will not give
a high price for property which they believe to
be insecure. Now nothing can be more certain
than that the public creditor of England would
be in a very precarious situation if the recent
depression were likely to be permanent ; or if it
were necessary for its removal, that the Legisla-
ture should retrace steps, advisedly and delibe-
rately taken, with respect either to the currency
or to the system upon which the foreign trade
of the country is to be carried on. But they do
not think themselves in a precarious situation.
This is evident. They, the public creditors of
England—and it must be remembered that the
portion of them which, if not the largest, exer-
cises the most immediate and direct influence
upon price, are neither Whigs nor Tories, nei-
ther Pro-Catholics nor Anti-Catholics, the ad-

what I saw of him in there interviews, I thought he
stood in need of the care of his relations. -
Josiah Allanson, examined by Sir CHARLES
WETHRRELL--I am cashier in Mr. Hankey's batik.
I knew Mr. E. Davies, and have done so for the last
ten years. I recollect his coming into our shop in
July last. I observed something particular in his
manner on that occasion. He looked very wild.
His manner was observed by all the clerks. I never
observed him in such a state before.
Mr. William Lawrence—l am a surgeon. I
know Mr. Edward Davies. He called at my house
on the Ist of July this year. He stated to me his
supposed complaint. He said that he had some un-
easy feelings about his throat. I examined it. I
found no disorder there. He gave no particular
name to his disorder; but in consequence of my in-
quiries he began to describe sensations which he
said that he felt in his throat. When I found no
complaint in his throat, I asked other inquiries
about his health. He then entered into a long►
story regarding his health. He said that he had
made a discovery which was calculated to benefit the
revenue. The impression on my mind at that in-
terview was, that he was not in a sound state of
mind. When he entered my room, there was a
wildness of look, and hurriedness of mariner about
him, which induced me to doubt as to the sanity
of his mind. I paid him six or eight visits in Phil-
pot-lane. 1 saw his mother on the first. He spoke
to me about his mother's anxiety for him. When
I saw him in Philpot-lane, lie exprested kind and
proper feelings for his mother. I afterwards visited
him at Crouch-hill, once or twice before he left
Philpot-lane. That would be at the end of July or
the beginning of August. His disorder was rather
more aggravated at the tinge than it was before. It
was shown in voluble and incoherent discourse, and
was accompanied by a strong antipathy to his mo-
ther, and several near relations. A Mr. Gibbs was
a tea-broker against whom he had conceived a
strong dislike. He mentioned several times that
people looked in a particular way at him in the
streets. He said several times that they laughed
and sneered at him. As far as I recollect, the
feeling in his mind was that it was occasioned by the
jealousy which they felt at his great success in
trade. He generally rose and fastened the doors
and windows, and examined whether any body could
overhear us whilst I was talking to him. He said
that he was afraid that persons might be listening
and watching. I have not seen him since the 25th
of August. I saw him several times in Dr. Bur-
rows's asylum ; he was then rather quieter, the
causes of excitement being removed in consequence.
of his seclusion. During this period of my attend-
ance he wrote several letters, of which two or three
were directed to Dr. Burrows. They were not
written in my presence. I have four letters of his.
One of them, marked No. 1, is addressed to Dr.
Burrows—the rest are to myself.
Cross-examined by Sir C. WETHERELL—Am I
to understand you that his antipathy to his mother
was a symptom of his disease ? The witness again
gave a reply in the affirmative. His notion was,
that his mother wished to get the control of his
property into her own hands, arid that the restraint
placed upon him at Crouch-hill was in pursuance of
that object.
The letters referred to in Mr. Lawrence's evidence
were then put in and read. The first was so inco-
herent in its nature that we could not pretend to re-
port it, and we were unable to procure a copy of it.
Two of the others were brief and immaterial. The
last was to the following effect :
"14, Portland-terrace, Monday, August 17, 1829.
" Gentlemen,—l have endeavoured so very frequently
in verbal and written communications to express my high
opinion of your medical talents, that really I feel I should
be repeating more than a thrice-told tale in saying any
thing more on the subject. I now, in the absence of legal
advice of any kind, protest in the strongest manner a ra-
tional man can or ought to protest against being so shame-
fully and illegally deprived of my just liberty; and I now
inform you both, that unless you take some active steps
on my behalf—that is, unless you write a note to my so-
licitor, Mr. Hobler, jun., Mansion-house, city—stating
my and your own opinion of myself—that is, my state of
mind and health, and whether you do consider me com-
petent to give instructions for may legal defence ; or, on the
contrary, if you do not consider me competent to do so,
I will then take what steps I may think proper, and which
I well know can enly l►e justified by the very extraordi-
nary and illegal restraint now existing on my liberty. I beg
to add, that I was grossly deceived by the manner in
which I was enticed out of my own house on Friday after-
noon, from Crouch-end. I think you will yourselves admit
that it was under the plea of benefit expected for my
health, and also a more airy and healthy situation. Now,
let the appeal to your hearts, not to your medical policy,
to say if you did not understand me to believe (whatever
your own impressions of policy may have been at the
time), that when I consented to leave my own house, my
dutiful servants, my horses, my dogs, it was under the
impression I was to derive much increased liberty ?
When I speak of dumb animals, your policy will be shock-
ed-0 God! lam now nearly overpowered by my feel-
ings—instead of the benefits which you expected, or pre-
tended to expect, I really know not which (I can feel
effects—l leave it to others more learned than tradesmen
of the city of Loudon to investigate causes), from the
change of air, change of scene, and Such hypocritical
cant, what do I experience?—Falsehood, increased re-
strictions, confined rooms ; and as to loftiness, there is no
comparison: no garden, nor even allowed to walk out of
the house. I could say much more; but if this appeal
will not reach your best feelings, it will be useless for me
to make the attempt. Yes, I will give either of you one
more opportunity of seeing the this day, before I resort to
any other means of bringing this most abominable case of
oppression before my country.
" Gentlemen, believe me yours gratefully,
" E. DAVIES."
At the close of tl►is letter, the Commissioners
adjourned the Court till eleven o'clock to-morrow
morning.

herents of neither one party in the State nor
another—pronounce by the unequivocal organ of
the Price Current that
.they do not believe the
recent depression likely to be permanent—that
they do not believe the British Legislature will
be compelled for the preservation of the country
to retract any of its deliberate measures—that
they have full confidence in the robust and hardy
organization of British society, in the inde-
structible and inexhaustible resources of the
State, although errors may possibly have been
committed, or even although those errors may
not speedily be corrected. This view of the
subject may surely serve, not we admit to prove
that the country is prosperous, or that errors
have not been committed, but to correct exag-
geration and dissipate alarm.—Morning Post.

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

(Continued from our Paper of yesterday.)
. Sir C. WETHERELL addressed the jury in support
of the petition, contending that it would be the
duty of the jury, on the evidence which lie should
call before them, to find Edward Davies a lunatic.
He then proceeded to give a history of the alleged
lunatic, from which it appeared that he was appren-
ticed at 14 years of age to a tea-dealer of the name
of Ross, and that in consequence of that person's
death, he was assigned over to Mr. Hodson, of Phil-
pot-lane, in 1822, and that in 1823, be then being
of age, he entered into partnership with his mother,
Mrs. Bywater, who had purchased Mr. Hodson's
business of his executors; Mrs. Bywater had pre-
viously opened an account with the banking-house
of Mulkey and Co.; but in 1823 she transferred
the balance of her account into her son's name, and
gave up drawing on the bank, though she still conti-
nued to attend in the shop, and to pack up tea as
neatly as his Learned Friend could pack rip a speech,
and quite as excellently in point of composition. In
1824, Edw: Davies sold some freehold houses,which
lie had at Clerkenwell, for 1,3961., and threw the pro
ceeds into the firm, which from that time was carried
on under the title of Hodson and Davies. From
that time to the spring of 1829 its business was emi-
nently successful and lucrative; and it was not his
intention to assert that during the early period of
Edward Davies's conducting it, he was lunatic.
All he (Sir C. Wetherell) should contend would be,
that his (Davies's) lunacy commenced last spring,
and that he would prove by the most unquestionable
evidence. Prior to the spring of 1829, the deport-
ment of Davies was mild, regular, quiet, and placid.
Afterwards he became quite altered, and the jury
would find him rambling about in various parts of
London, performing actions which carried an ap-
pearance of insanity upon the face of them. The
Learned Counsel then stated the different facts which
he should prove in evidence ; from which it ap- War Office, Dec, 14, 1829.
peared that Davies laboured under various delusions 24 Regiment of Life Guards—J. 0. Fairlie, Gent., to
of mind; as, for instance, that he had oracular coin- be Cornet and Sub-Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Frank-
len, who retitr, dated Nov. 7, 1829.
munications with the Deity, who sometimes tapped
Royal ItTiment of Horse G. uards—Corporal
.C. Fair-
him on the shoulder and conversed with him,—that brother to be Quartermaster, vice Speed, who retires upon
a conspiracy was formed against him, which rendered full-pay, Nov. 7.
it necessary for him to carry fire-arms perpetually,— sth Regiment of Dragoon Guards—Lieut. J. L. Hemp-
that he was a great financier,—and that he was to ton to be Captain, by purcase, vice Hay, who retires;
enter Parliament to recruit and repair the finances Cornet C. J. Radcliffe tr be Lieutenant, by purchase,
of the country. The Learned Counsel likewise vice Hatnptoo ; and F. P. Hovenden, Gent., to be Cor-
stated that he had a fasciculas of Davies's letters, net, by purchase, vice Radclyffe, Nov. 12.
which were as confused as any man's letters could be Ist Regiment of Dragoons—Lieut.-Gen. Lord R. E.
whose head was vibrating between 25 ideas in a mi-
H. Somerset, K.C.B. from the 17th Light Dragoons, to
nute. These letters he should be compelled to read
viceglt
‘Dvra
be Cohleßneel,. viecnetGofenta.i Garth,h dec., Nov. 23.
to them, and they would then see that it was not inDragoons
—sCNavphtn.
eCx.ciCia.n Vivian,
rerun& natura that the writer of them could be sane. ceiviug the difference, Nov. 19 ; Capt.p Sir S. 11. gSetsu'arret,
Mr. William Hankey, examined by Mr. 'WRIGHT— Bart., from half-pay of the 9th Light Dragoons, vice R.
from7t the half-pay,g
lam a banker, and know Mr. Davies. I have Pringle, who exchanges, receiving the difference, Nov. 26
known him for seven years, during which time he —to be Captains.
has kept account with me. 1 saw Mr. Davies on a 10th Light Dragoons—Capt. T. W. Giffard, from ball-
Saturday in the summer, when he first attracted my pay 7th Dragoon Guards, to be Captain, vice Lord J.
attention. He called at the banking-house, and Fitzroy, who exchanges, receiving the difference, Nov. 12.
wished to see one of the partners. From what he 17th Ditto—Major-General Sir J. Elley, K.C.B. to be
Dragoons, Nov. 23, . 1
the
the I could not make out that his object was busi- Colonel,dvoicfetLheorldsß. E. H. Somerset, appointed to the
ness ; and the incoherence of his conversation, and
_of't. Foot—Major J. 11.1 Ma ion, from the
the manner in which he fled from one subject to
59th Foot, to be Major, vice Waring, who exchanges,
another, led me to suppose that his mind was not Nov. 12.
tranquil. I had a second interview with him about 4th Foot—Lieut. J. Gordon to be Captain, by com2dinartnegiment
pur-
half-past eleven o'clock on the Monday following, chase, vice Nickle, who retires; Ensign T. Faunce to be
at the same place where I first saw him. Desirous lieutenant, by purchase, vice Gordon ; and H. Zouch,
of cutting the conversation short, I made an effort Gent. to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Faunce, Nov. 12.
to leave the room, for I saw that he was in a worse 15th Foot—J. H. Gray, Gent. to be Ensign, bp pur-
state of excitement than at our former interview. chase, vice O'Grady, promoted, Nov. 24.
On my attempting to leave the room he laid hold of 1 17th Foot—Captainh James William Bouverie, to be
Major,
i‘bylacpuhrc ase, vice Lai:Man, who retires; Ca fain
me by the arms with some force to keep me on my
chair, He said, " I shall not suffer you to rise, for , Philip , e
nesr.sen, from the half-pay, to be Captain, vice
viceE /Ins Vjohun H.
Aololetzd to
jboeh Lieutenant,
Rose
ri
lam stronger than you." He then spoke about his Holden,
drawing a cheque upon us : Tie asked me " Would I
PGent. to be Ensign, 1:2) pxt.t' rpciratse, veice. Allez, Nov. 26.
pay it 1" He did not state the amount then. My , 22d Foot—.Captaia. Philip George Wroughton, from
answer was that I considered him entitled to draw the half-pay, to be Captain, vice William Abraham Lee
if he pleased: and upon that explanation he left me. mesurier, who exchanges, receiving the difference, Nev. 19.
Cross-exansined by the COMMINIONIIRS—From . Buo
rtievbenrsi
ee:
~ 26th Foot—Lieut. James Sweeney, from half-pay New

SECOND EDITION
SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

THE LONDON GAZETTE
OF THIS EVENING.