Star.
London, England, 1830-05-28 00:00:00

MEXICAN BONDHOLDERS.

On Wednesday a meeting of the Mexican bondholders
took place at the City of London Tavern, to consider the
proposals lately submitted to them by M. Gorostiza with
regard to the payment of their dividends.
Mr. Alderman Thom PISON was called to the chair, and
opened the business of the meeting. He thought there
was evidence enough to show that the Mexican Govern-
Went was anxious to adopt all means in his power to
uphold the credit of the state. Whether the means pro-
posed were practicable or not, it was for some one more
able than himself to judge. He hoped that the meeting
would proceed to the consideration of the proposals with
all due regard to the political circumstances in which
Mexico was placed, its internal disquietudes and position
in respect to Spain, and under which the Government
had been compelled to make use of the funds allotted for
the payment of the dividends of its English creditors
for other purposes. Those funds, there was little doubt,
were fully adequate to the payment of the dividends, if
properly applied. In addition to this, it might be men-
tioned that the members of the present Mexican Govern-
ment
were all men of high honour and integrity.
Sir R.Wi Lsox said, that in reference to one part of
the Mexican Minister's proposal, that the shareholders
should appoint agents to receive the duties to be set aside
for their use, he had had a communication with the Earl
of Aberdeen, who had informed him of his perfect readi-
ness to forward the views of the bondholders upon that
subject, by desiring the Vice-Consuls at the different
ports to receive those duties. Notwithstanding the pre-
sent intentions of the Mexican Government. circum-
stances might be such that the military would be again
tempted to seize the duties, and with the same appearance
Qfigittificatiop, 'which, however, they would hardly venture
to do if it once came into the hands of a British officer.

They would then become British property, and u such,
the Mexicans would have to respect it. The best way
of proceeding, be thought, would be to appoint a com-
mittee, empowering the members of it to act for the
general body of the shareholders, both with the British
and Mexican Governments. He felt not a little satis-
faction at the house of Baring and Co. being selected to
manage affairs between the Mexicans and their English
creditors.

Mr. BA anfa, after returning thanks for the manner
in which his name bad been introduced, stated that the
house of which he was a member had had no connexion
with the loan at first, that it was only subsequently that
they undertook the payment of the dividends for the
Mexican Government. At that period, the account of
their resources left him no doubt as to the capabilities of
that government to perform their engagements ; had the
case been otherwise, he begged leave to assure the meet-
ing that he would have declined acting as their agent.—
It was certainly obvious that great disorder prevailed in
Mexico; yet, nevertheless, he thought it was proper to
remind that country of the sense which we entertained of
the non-performance of their engagements. It had been
indicated to him that the Mexican Government had a de-
sire to be allowed to fund the arrears of interest; his an-
swer was, that unless they could show that they had the
means of fulfilling such new contracts, he should not for
one enter into them. Such proceedings might have ex-
cited hopes in the public, which the first quarter might
falsify. As to the delay with regard to the announcement
of the receipt of the Mexican Minister's commu-
nication, it was but justice to M. Gorostisa to say, that
it was most satisfactorily accounted for, and that no
person could have behaved in a more honourable manner
than M. Goroetiza had done. Gentlemen must be aware
how delicate a matter it is to give an opinion in a case
like this : at the same time, he (Mr. Baring) could not
but express his fears that they were carrying their hopes
rather too far. No doubt the Mexican Government was
desirous of doing their duty ; but at present the soldier
was abroad. Though it was to be hoped the Mexicans
would form themselves into a state of order, and then,
perhaps, the sanguine expectations of some might be rea-
lized. However, the gentlemen present could judge for
themselves, as he knew no more about the matter than
they did. The communication from M. Alaman certainly
bore the appearance of honesty, and he conceived the cre-
ditors would best consult their own interests by complying
with his proposals. The bondholders must feel deeply
obliged to the Earl of Aberdeen for his ready acquiescence
with Sir Robert Wilson's plans. There was something
official about a consul which would ensure protection for
their rights. Mr. Baring concluded by declaring his per-
fect readiness at any time to render all the service in his
power to the holders of Mexican stock.
Sir R. WI LsoN said nothing could be more fair and
candid than the statement of his friend Mr. Baring : at
the same time he hoped he might be allowed to put one
question to him—whether he thought the Mexican Go-
vernment had sums sufficient—he meant resources—to
fulfil their promises ?
Mr. BARING.—I dare say they have ten times as
much, were they only made applicable.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolutions severally, and
they were carried unanimously.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT.-FIFTEEN LIVES

LOST!

LANCASTER, MAY 25.—1 t becomes our painful duty
to lay before our readers the particulars of a most dis-
tressing event, which occurred on Sunday last on the
coast off Sunderland, in the River Lune. The news
reached here at midnight, and at a very early hour was
quickly spread throughout the whole town, producing a
scene almost indescribable. Numbers hastened towards
the quay, and pale and agitated made the most anxious
enquiries of every one likely to afford the least intelli-
gence of the dire event. There were parents seeking
information as to the fate of their sons—sisters of bro-
thers—and friends of their friends; but, alas, within one
fatal hour, a wife and two children had been deprived of
a husband and father !

The following are all the particulars we have been able
to collect, and which, we believe, will be correct :—A
pleasure boat, built last summer by John Simpson, a
whitesmith of this town, assisted by his eldest son, called
the John's, sailed from Lancaster last Sabbath morn
with about twenty passengers on board, for Sunder-
land. The vessel arrived safe at that point in the
latter part of the day ; near the ebb of the tide a ves-
sel called the Lima Packet, from Trinidad, belonging to
this port, anchored off the coast, and then the resolution of
those belonging to the pleasure boat and several others,
expecting to hear of or see their friends, was formed of
going to the packet. This they firmly persisted in, not-
withstanding the violence of a tremendous sea presented
itself before them, and the remonstrance of the pilots,
Gerrald and Dickenson, the former of whom, when the
party were about to sail, begged of them, if they would
go, not to carry full sail, an admonition totally unheeded.
The boat set sail, with sixteen persons on board, at two
o'clock ; it had not proceeded far when she got on a
sand bank, and it was not without some difficulty that she
was pushed off by the elder Simpson, and immediately
carried, at a rapid rate, before the wind and tide, which
6,_Swell.the curled oaten' 'bove the main,"

and so quickly, that Simpson was unable to get on board.
The boat was then hurled at an amazing pace for a con-
siderable distance, when she came in contact with, the
first buoy from land (there being four placed for the pur-
pose of guiding vessels into the river) against which she
was driven with such violence, that the keel had started
from her garbon strokes. The peak and mainsail were
instantly lowered (she being schooner rigged) and she
was turned round and set in for Sunderland Bunks, in
which state she continued beating against wind and tide
for about twenty minutes, when a Captain, who was
watching her through a telescope, says he took his eye
off for a moment, and on looking again saw her with her
keel uppermost, and three or four of her crew swimming
about ; in a short time fifteen persons disappeared.
An inquest was held on the bodies of Caton, Simpson,
and Duddon, this afternoon, before J. Gardner, FAq. Co-
roner, when a verdict of " Accidentally Drowned" was
returned.
The unfortunate individuals all belonged to this town.
Up to ten o'clock no more bodies had been found. It is
very probable they are washed out to sea.

On Saturday last a wretch of the name of Sims, and
some other men, returned home to Winthorpe very late.
Sims taxed his wife with not feeding some birds. She
stated she had : upon which he pulled her from her bed
by the hair of her head ; and upon her escape from him,
he followed her with a knife, and in almost a state of
nudity she ran to some relation who lived close by ; and
just as she reached the door the inhuman monster kicked
her in the abdomen, and very dangerously hurt her, she
being, far advanced in pregnancy. A man of the saw
of Marshall went to interfere, when he also received a
violent kick, by which be is now prevented leaving hews.
We trust some immediate measures will be adopted to
punish the monster.—Newark Times.

..... ,
...
jilt

.1.
POST-OFFICE FRAUD.

The Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry, just
printed by order of the House of Commons, has brought
to light a regottliable and remarkably extensive system
of frauds pitctised eight years ago in the Scotch Post-
office ; and the wonder is that by some chance the syste-
matic peculation could have been kept au secret so long.
It appears that forty-one clerks and letter-carriers in
the Post-okce of Edinburgh confederated to defraud the
Government, and that they succeeded—that the system
of the office pqrmitted them, for at least twelve years un-
checked, to carry on their system of theft, to the amount,
of about twenty pounds daily ! The discovery, it now
appears, was made in 1822, when a particular postage
was detected. The thief, having been seized, and
imprisoned alone, became alarmed, had some compunc-
tious visitings, and gave information respecting others
that was of the greatest importance, and led to the
complete knowledge of the frauds that had been, and
were then, in progress of being practised. The de-
Ipredators were separated and sworn; but—little know-
ing what the one who had been seized with remorse
had divulged—they aggravated their daring acts of
positive and regular theft by the most determined
perjury. Ultimately thirty-five out of the forty-
one confessed their crimes. Such a scene of profligate
robbery, it is described, can scarcely find a parallel in the
history of persons removed, by the comfortable situations
and salaries which they possessed, from the pressure or
prospect of want. According to the report, not one of
these desperate, wholesale, and official delinquents was
brought to justice.—They were—it is positively so as-
serted—merely dismissed from their situations ; a punish-
ment, no doubt, quite severe enough, as far as their
families and connections were concerned. To adopt
the language now extended to the transaction, the affair
was " hushed up ;" nay, so completely smothered, that
eight years elapsed before the particulars transpired ;
and then, in a Report of the Commissioners of In-
quiry (to publish whose Report and the names of the par-
ties might nevertheless subject the daring publishers
to the kindly notice of the Attorney-General, or the pro-
fitable distinction of actions at law,) the fraud is detailed,
but the extent of it is unknown ; but, from what is
known, the lowest possible conjecture fixes the sum frau-
dulently obtained by such official individuals at upwards
of seventy thousand pounds ! After this statement, to
those who may require further particulars, perhaps, it may
be requisite to add only--vide the Report.

OLD BAILEY SESSIONS, May 27.
0117M1—.TRT.

These Sessions commenced this morning, before the
Right Hon. the LORD MAYOR, Mr. Justice LITTLE-
'mut, and Mr. Baron VAUGHAN.
Madame Vestris, accompanied by a gentleman, on the
opening of the Court, took her seat in the Jurors' wait-
ing box. The trial of the Garlands for her robbery was
fixed to come on first, as her presence was required at
rehearsal.

Immediately on their Lordships' taking their seats,
Thomas Garland, aged 17, and Charles Garland,
aged 20, were indicted for stealing in the dwelling house
of Eliza Lucy Vestris, 211. in monies, two rings, and
other property ; and Charles Garland for receiving the
same, well knowing them to be stolen. There were no
Counsel either for the prosecution or defence.—The facts
of the case have been already before the public in the
Police Reports.—The Jury consulted a few minutes, and
returned a verdict of guilty against Thomas Garland ;
and acquitted Charles Garland.
The prisoners were then put on their trial on a second
indictment, charging the one with stealing a black lace
veil, value 61. and the other with receiving it, the pro-
perty of Eliza Lucy Vestris.
The Jury returned a similar verdict, finding the pri-
soner T. Garland guilty of stealing, but acquitting his
brother Charles.

_______
Amelia Anderson, aged 16, was capitally indicted for
breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Sarah Ann
Harris, and stealing 10 silver spoons and other articles,
value 101. her property.
The prisoner, agood-looking young woman, was found
Guilty of stealing in a dwelling-house, under the value
of 51. which removes the capital part of the charge.
Robert Gardiner was charged with breaking into the
dwelling-house of Mr. Grant, watchmaker, of St. Mar-
tin's-court, St. Martin's-lane.—Not guilty.
James Field was charged with breaking into the house
of Charles Holmes, and stealing two gold rings and other
articles. _ . _

The prisoner called one witness, who swore that both
the prisoner and his wife slept at her house on the
night of the robbery, and the Jury found him Not
guilty.
Thomas Smith was indicted for burglariously entering
the dwelling-house of Thomas Johnson, at Abbey-road,
near St John's Wood, and stealing property to a very
large amount.—Vordict, Guilty—Death.
Thomas Lewis, formerly a clerk to Messrs. Bradberry
and Gregory, was charged with embezzling divers sums
of money, amounting to 1001. and upwards, at various
times. The prisoner pleaded guilty.
The RECORDER endeavoured to persuade him to retract
his plea, as he bad been before convicted of a similar
offence, which would subject him to transportation for
fourteen years, but the prisoner persisted, and his plea
was recorded.

The RECORDER immediately ordered him up for
judgment, and sentenced him to be transported for 14
years.

NEW COURT.

George Fox pleaded guilty of stealing two live tame
fowls, value Bs. the property of Frederick James Inskip,
of St. Martin's-lane, during the night of the 27th of
April.
Mr. C. PHILLIPS observed it was an offence natural
to foxes.—(Laughter.)
William Jones was found guilty of stealing from the
dwelling-house three silver spoons, value 365. the joint
property of Wm. Holmes, Esq. M.P. and Lady Strong,
of Grafton-street, Bond-street, during the evening of the
12th inst.

George Price, late an officer in the army, was found
guilty of stealing a quantity of handkerchiefs from the
shop of Mr. Wills, Oxford-street.—Seven years' trans-
portation.
The COURT immediately sentenced the prisoner to
seven years' transportation.
Williwn Williams, aged 21, was indicted for having
feloniously stolen a coat, value 41. the property of Ed-
mund Kean, Esq. the tragedian. The carriage was
standing atCamden Town, and the coat was stolen from
the box. The prisoner, in company with another, was
seen with the coat five minutes afterwards, and was in
custody of the police.
The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and the Jury
found him guilty without hesitation.

A bill has been lately introduced into Parliament,
which enacts that, from the period when it passed, no
ordnance, arms, gunpowder, &c. shall be imported into
lireland, without license from the Lord Lieutenant, under
is heavy penalty.