The Sun.
London, England, 1818-11-05 00:00:00

SIEL SAMUEL ROMILLY.

The funeral of the late Sir SAMUEL Rokittrt
will, it is said, be a private one, and that his re.
mains will he interred in the vault of the church
of st. AIM'S? Soho, the parish in which he was
born. _ _

The ever•to-be-lamented death of Sir SANltuat.
ROMILLY will CIIIISe a great distribution of busi•
Hess amongst ►lie King's Counsel, at the Chancery
Bar. A Junior King's Counsel received on 'll ties-
day twenty-one general retainers from Solicitors
who were in the habit of giving their briefs to Sir
SAMUEL ROMILLY.

The death of Lady ROMILLY will be felt most
severely by the unfortunate. tier Ladttintiip dis-
tributed 10001. per annum privately amongst
worthy families who had been tadueed by misfor-
tune.

It isbn singular circumstance that in the Parish
Church of St. Bride, Peet-street, there is a simple
undecorated tablet placed against the wall, on
which there is an inscription to the memory of at►
ancestor of Sir SpIUEL ROMILLY, who died of a
broken heart, seven. days after tht► decease of a
beloved wife.
Tire inscription is as follows
Near this place
are deposited the remains of
Mt. kAAC Roxtita.Y. F. R. S.
Mit lath December 1759, Xtat 49,
whose alEible and humane temper of wind,
joyned to hit goodness of heart.
justly endeared hint to all his friends;
as did his great ingenuity and labour
in forming his extensive and valuable
collection of manila ctiraisitteS
to the esteem of the learned,

the saute grave with the remains
of MARY, his beloved' wite,
whose sudden and unexpected death,'
on the I lth of December, 1759,
iti the 46th year of her age,
greatly contributed to shortea
the thread of his life;
for they were an gxamplo
Of conjugal
affection.

COLLINS THE PocT.—At Chichester, traditien
has preserved sonic striking and affecting occur-
rences of his last days. He would haunt the
aisles and cloisters of the Cathedral, roving nights
and days together, loving their
" Dinh reliposlight"-.-
and, when the choristers chaunteti their anthem,
the listening and bewildered Poet, carried out of
himself by the solemn strains and his own too
susceptible imagination, moused and shrieked,
and awoke a sadness and terror most affecting in
so solemn a plave; their friend, their kinsmen,
and their poet, was before them, an awful image
of human misery and ruined genius
bitonLasitx SESSIONS.--Thie morning these
Sessions were resumed before FRANCIS CoNat,
Esq. and a very full Bench of Magistrates, the
proceedings having excited much interest, being
the Appeals of several Stage-coach Maw's,
Bakers, &c. &e, against their convictions before
Magistrates, for currying more passengers titan it
*flowed, short weight, &c., in the decision' of
which are involved questions of great public ;H.
tercet. The Court is then expeited to adjourn'
till the beginning of Jeuusry.

-
FCEDETIA'.gFRI CANA.

[N.. XL]

ILLUSTRIOUS SoVEREiGtstS--=-11 have finished the
Interesting task •which .I.undertook,! except that
have non' to submit to your consideration,
snore specifically tlfari I did at the outset, the
duties foWardS Africa whieli -Eirope-his yet to

fulfil
If I hale succeeded the 'attettiptio slew
a great part of the calamities of the age have'been
providentiarretrilnitions for the Slave Trade, the
practieal on-selueneels not less obvioni in pdint
art pr,litical .
prim,denc,e)ltan of mural obligation.*
•Nrntr wi,e,t provisions for the future repose of
Eatope toil probably be fruitless, uniess'yonbild
to them The renroval'of. tharoffence•on :acctitint of
which the family of civilized natiousltas been se-
verely chastised by Heaven. It may he expected
at least that the countries whiCh still perSist in
this •!;rent I)rntneation,wvl,ether expressly'per=
rotting the 'lade, or conniving at its' illiejt .prose-
ention, will be ebasti;cd by further calamitieu;
mid if these should arise either from new .wars, or
intetior convnlsittus, it is nor likely that then
twigi'photirs esPape the mischievous ef-
fects.' Nor isitlectiovill they deserve to do so, be-
• ,
relllSe. it calllitit' (100b1Cd 1114t,4 proper concert
between the Povtersnot engaged in that guilty
emmu)erce might now effect a geocral re.formation;•
tend ft'lPe ability exists, the exertion of it by I )w.
Oil int at cannot he blamelessly:omitted. Their
sit) in this respect would rt,Senible Olaf of Eli, vrit'o'
though be,had nor himself been an actor the
impious scenes which drew down the vengeance of.
God on .W hot had rononstrated against
i‘itetn,•was_:yet involved iu the guilt, and in the
punishment, ". because his sons made themselves rile,
and he restrained 'them not "
Let it tint be thotight, however, that I rest the
right or the ditty of removing this crime and re-
proach of Europe on tire manifestation of the Di-
vine anger against it. Tllotigli I have fat it in.:
on. me to submit to your
,Maje,sties, and
to the Etir;l'peair Public the groVoth of ab opinion
with which tnv own Mind is deeply impressed on
that subject, and which, if just, will he admitted
to detn,llld from us, as Men and Christians, the
ut MOST regard', I kiniw- that many, from prejti.
dice against such views in general, will dissent
from that opinion, who will not dispute the Inn-
rid principles that ought to lead to the. same prac-
tical results. It was to these principles, there,
fore, that I appealed at the outset ; nod on these
alone I ant content to rely. . Moral duty, indeed,
is-but another name for the lax of God—a law
which depends not at all for its authority on time
temporal chastisements which may have attendeet
its violation ; thoulzit these, when visible, may,
like thee pmblie pnnishrue'nt of offendets against
ti
'human laws, materially assist, its practical in-
fitienee• But lam content •to consider time Slave
Trade m,-rely as' an offence against a moral law
Of universal and acknoWledged obligation, t:ith-
out any dire.ct reference to the Divine Law=
giver ; and- even in this view, the right and
duty of suppressing it will still be abundantly

kat'. • .
• Let the terms of this proposition he carefully
observed-, and it can,- I coneeiVe,',be.liable to no
sound objection ; for Lspeak, not-of. a law the
duty of Observing which may be disputed by those •
rho perskt in its violation, but one therobliga-
tion of which is universal and acknowledged.—
It is its universality which gives to all natittes an
interest in upholding its authority ; but without
its acknowledgment also, their right • to' do so
might be dispu'red, and the exercise of -the right •
might be liable io much -abuse. -The revealed law
of God, as contained in the Christian Scriptures,
is of universal force, and the whole world has an
interest in its observance.; but the authority of
those Scriptures not being acknowledged .by. Ma-
liomedaos and Heathens, it would be :unjust. to
demand front them, in any international case, in
admission of their practical precepts.
But there is a rule of action called, on account
of its native, universal, and permanent obligation
on the whole human race, the law 'of Nature ;
and to this law the Slave Tradesis now'acknoW-
ledged to be repugnant. France expressly con-
fessed that truth, by her Treaty of 1814 ; and all
other nations «•h° have any share, by tbeirlaws
or otherwise, in the Slave Trade, have made the
came acknowledgment, though in other words,
by declaring the practice contrary to justice and
humanity.
I inquire not whether a nation openly violat--
ing, vOlll6lll thus avowing the violatirm of, the
law of -notnee, might be lawfully constrained by
other Powers to respect it in (noire (though the
practice of England, and the genera) voice of
Europe, was on ti,e affirmative side of that ques-
tion in the- (recent case of Algiers), but. 1
tain, that where there is both the offence, and the
acknowledgment of its universally criminal cha-
racter, such interposition becomes a clear right,
the exercise of which is liable to --no objection,
because tending to no abuse.—There cap be oo
danger of a malicious or vexatious prosecution in
remedy allowed only against such offenders as
have freely confessed their crime.
, What, on the other hand, would be the tendency
of permitting any people openly to trample on the
law"of palate, while,recognizing its violated rule?
It would plainly_be to bring that law into general
contelopt,.ro the. great danger and (lett intent of
the whole civilised world. The law of natore.is
that which, in the absence of conventional rules,
and long established general customs, solely de-
termines the rights and duties of independent tui-
tions towards each other ; and if its sacred prin-
ciples were to lose their authority. they would
bare no'others to appeal to. Brutal force and
violence -must, iu theory, as too Oen in prac-
tice, be the-arbiters .of every-difference between

them., •
In offences against the municipal code, it is
justly considered as one of their.critninal proper-
ties, tit:at they, Ity,their contumacious character,-
bling the 14.gislator And his institutions in ge.ne-
red into distepute,,:ind thereby, tend to subvert
t}H,ir authority-aiHotce. But the evil is greater
in the case weare • considering,.hecaise tlic.ci%il
power in a State has ra-sy.aud peaceable means of
it-.)torcing its la..vs agaii,st thn disobedient"; where-

'to 'give ekect, thelaw of nature and nattoilt 1
against tire refractory State. Dest roj the
tnHu-
'ettce of public,opinion in their favour, by treat-
ing.thetn with open contennit, and there will re-
main nn remedyior their_infractiou but. the donbt-
frii and terrible one•of war. 'On what'principles
stronger than those ofinstice andittimanity can
a.
weak and defenceless State invoke the
.protection •
of its neighbours, when threatened with an un
provoked and cruel invasion ? But if justice and
-humanity Should ever lose the respect, and cruelty •
and wrong cease to excite the indignarirm of
mankind, -suet) an appeal Would be hopeless. Sel-
fislttiess would 'become the only .principle, anti
force the,only law. it follows then, that all na-
tions have an interest in upholding the reverence
dye to that system of universal morals which we
cidi• the law of nature ; anti if s-6, neither the
right nor the duty of their interposing in its stun-
, port can possibly be doubted. The right and the
duty might exist without, the interest ; but
• if this be added, every independent State owes
such interposition not to others only, but to

itself.
I will not insist longer on these prineiples,which
seen) abmidintly clear. if further arguments are
wanting to slew how wide the interest' is, and
how strong the duty; that calls on the whole
family of civilized nations to vindicate tire now
aelcuOwledged law of nature in this 'instance, I
would refer to a tract -published t'WU or 'three
years ago, entitled-, " into the right
and Onty of. compelling Spain to relinquish the
Slave Tiade in Northern
• It is the less necessary Ry•iivioAl on this part of
my subject, because your Imperial and Ri)yal Ma-
jesties .hare already recognized, and in some
measure perfornott, the duty of interposing with
foreign Powers In behalf ot the unfortunate Afri-
cans, and have solemnly pledged yourselves to
each other, in the Declaration of Vienna, not to
desist front your efforts to obtain a universal and
elfecitial'aboliti,n of the Slave Trade, till thee-
shall he crowned with complete success, ion
even agreed during the conferences to employ,
should it he necessary, compulsory means ; for a
'system of commercial exclusions against any dis-
sentiug Power, may be justly regarded as compul-
sion. The chief or only questions therefore that
can remain in your Royal minds, are the extent
and' proper choice Of 'the means, Comptisory air
otherwise, -which the grand end may be best
attained ; aid to these alone 1 will restlict uiv
further suggestions.
in respect of Municipal' legislation and federal
compact for the prohibition of the crime, little re-
ntal:l9.m be accomplished. That large: part' of
the AtricanContinent, which lies to the North of
the y, qii!itor, is already delivered from the trade
in point of law ; though -in practice, alas! the
caveis deplorably•the reverse. Not a slave is car-
ried front its coast, but, by au infraction,of civil or
international laws, which the exporters are hound
to obey. The sattie prohibition as to the SOluthern
part of the Continent is adopted prospectively by
the only civilized powers ever engaged in the
trade which have not immediately retrounced it ;
for `Spain has engaged by treaty to prohibit it
universally to her subjects front May, 1820 ; and
Portugal • has made a like stipulation, though
without binding herself to the same or any other
definite time.
It is indeed deeply to be lamented, and must,
either its a reli-,;ions or metal view,' be severely
condemned, that a system so pregnant with lin-
man Misery and guilt should be permitted to en-
\durefor anhOurbeyond the nearest period at which
it could be practically abolished. But on a ques-
tion involving the consideration ot compulsory
means, I ant ready to admit, that an adoption by
Port ugal of the same period already fixed by
Spain, is•all that it would he advisable to require ;
especially as a term of eighteen months would not
very largely exceed the time of notice which con-
venience would demand for finishing depending
adventures, and finally winding up the, concerns
of so extensive a trade. On the other hand, it the
Court, of Brazil should refuse to adopt that limi-
tation, the most extreme case that can be inia-
gined will arise on are principles to which 1 have
adverted. The qttestion will be, whether a single
Power shall be permitted to tiustrate the just and
generous, the pious and penitential, etTorts of ail
other civilized' nations ; and to waste and destroy
fourth part of the habitable globe, for her own
sole and sordid advantage, in contempt of those
sacred principles which she herself has solemnly
acknowledged, and the authority of which all na-
tions are bound to uphold.
will not farther argue this extraordinary case,
which I trust will not call for your decision. If
it should, the reason most be, that the just and
pious feelings of the Portuguese Court are con-
trollied by that very powerful colonial
_influence
within the immediate trammels of which the cala-
asides of Europe have placed it. Beyond distibt
the planters ot Brazil would not• easily forgive
their Sovereign for the renunciation of the Slave
Trade while it can possibly be retained. I will
therefore presume' to hint, that there may be
cases in which the peremptory requisition) of pow-
din' foreign Monarchs, united for a laudable ob-
ject may decide, by a very acceptable as well as
salutary violence, the counsels of a foreign Court.
go be continued.]

The lion. and Right Rev. the Loup Blstrop of
DURHAM has just entered on the 50th year from
his' consecration to the episcopal office. As a mark
of respect on so rare an occurrence, and in grate.
ful comtnemoration of the eminent virtues of their
venerable Diocesan, she Clergy of the Diocese
propose to erect at Newcastle, the ntost 'popu-
lous and important place in the Bishopric, solely
by their own subscriptions, a school on the Ma-
dras system, capable of receiving 400 scholars,lo*
be named The Clergy Jubilee School. The names
of the subscribers to be entered on a tablet, and
,iispended in the sehool•rootn, but •without ape=
cifying,the stint subscribed by each,—that all may
thus contribute to an object interesting to all, and
every, thing like invidious comparison be excluded.
Tuesday afternoon two
.yonng men engaged
boat at VAith to amuse themselves for 'an' hour or
two. I\ot being very expert watermen, they
came in contact %vial abarge, when:the:boat was
upset, and both the ir•oung meti were diowited.—•
hey appeared respectable' young men, about 26
of ace.

years

CORONERS'. INQIiEST.S.

SUICIDE OF MR. WILLIAM ELLIOT.

At eight o'clock last night, an Inquisition was
held at the King's-Arms Tavern, Newate-mar-
ket, 'before 'FnoroAs SHIII.4.OIST, Esq. COronertfor
the 'City-of London; on the'body of Mr. 'Williatn.
Elliott, who, as. we Stated yesterday, made so
conspicuous a character.at tile late Election in the.
City of Westminster, in espousing Mr. Iltu
in-
terest, and afterwards publicly renouncing any
further connexion with him, who cut his throat
last Toesday, afternoon, at his lodgings, 36, Pa-
ternoster-row,
Samuel Ingratn, a surgical pupil, and Mr. Pe-
ters, a MedicalCirentleman, said, that the :leCeased
was for the last few days
,mach depressed in spi-
rits, an d complained payicttlarly or a violent pain
in the head. The latter witness saw him yester-
day ahont twelve o'clock. Eiis pulse was high,
he spoke incoherently, and said he felt disposed
to throw himself out at the window ;
..retresting,
ttt tine same time, th.at.he might not be left alOne.
Witness.was infritrned in half an hour after he left
him, that the deceased had 'cut his throat, findron
entering g the room he fonnd him bleeding, aid
three razors open tipou the table, lie expired in
a few nrinute3 after. • •
From the evidence of Mrs. Want, Mr. Terry,
anti another Gentleman, it appeared that the de- I
ceased hail been very notch depressed in mind
since he acted as Choittnatr to Hunt's Committee.
He was constantly harassed by demands for the
price of some posting-bills, for which he became
atistVefabre;'-in furtherance •of that Gentleman's
cause' at the Westminster Election. Nor being
able to liquidate the tiebt, he was arrested for it:
The death of his wife also seemed to affect him
'very touch. Verdict--Destroyed hinasclf in a fit of
ti,erangtment.