Star.
London, England, 1827-03-27 00:00:00

AWFUL EXPLOSION OF TEE COMMERCE TRADES".

About ten minutes before three o'clock this afternoon,

the inhabitants of this town were dreadfully alarmed
by a violent tremor of the earth, which extended from
the. south western direction to the northward. The'
Cat indication of this shock, the effects of which }►e'
have to detail, was a slight motion of the earth, which
increased for about ten seconds, and terminated by a
tremendous concussion, which was felt everywhere, but
without the least perceptible sound. The termination of
this, which was imagined to be a visitation of that awful
phenomena, an earthquake struck terror in every direc-
tion. By the arrival of the Ulverston over-land coach on
sturday night, the cause of this alarming sensation
was correctly and positively stated. and we are now
enab:ei to lay before our readers the calamitous cir-
cumstance of it. A vessel, trading coastwise from the
port of Lanca.ter to Liverpool, called'the Commerce,
Haddock, Master, of Laacaster. in pursuing its voyage,
laden with cloths, was wind•bound at Poulton for some

days, and only got out on Wednesday night last, and
took in about tea ton of gunpowder, in bags and bar-
tels, at Brackborongh Mills. The ship proceeded on her
voyage very heavily laden, and was off Peel Castle on
the Lancashire coast,where the accident happened, when
shortly after two o'clock m the day one of the crew
observed a smoke ascending from the main hatchway.
The circumstance was communicated throughout the
•

vessel, and the tarpaulings were immediately raised, WO
through some crevices of the stowage a thick stnokt
was observed forcing its way. The Master ordered
the tiers in the hold to be deluged ; but in a few
minutes the horrible fact of the cottons being on
fire close to the gunpowder was discovered, and the
crew found that the opposition of the two eletnemts
would be useless. Toe boat was lowered instantly, and
the ship being scuttled, and the water admitted through
her lower tier, the crew departed, being then about sax
miles from the shore. A strong easterly breeze pr‘i
•ailing. the ship veered round, and, losing the direction
of the helm, sailed before the wind for about two mi-
nutes, when a sudden thickness of smoke arising from
her, announced that the awful blowing up was at hand.
bhe blew up momentarily afterwards with a most ter-
rific explosion. The shock they experienced they de-
scribe as dreadful; their boat was lifted out of the
water, and but for the circumstance of the ship being
to leeward, they must all have perished. They made
for the shore, which was lined by hundreds, who had
mitnessed the accident from the land. The vessel was
blown almost to atoms, scarcely a vestige of her tim-
bers or cargn being recovered ; and it appears from the
circumstance of there being but one explosion, that the
powder must have ignited is several places at once.
The noise at Peel is described as most appalling, and
to have exceeded any thing ever imagined. In detailing
this account, it is gratifying to have to state that no
lives were lost ; and it was indeed a providential cir-
cumstance that the fire was discovered so early in the
day: had it been in the time of night, in all human
probability every person en board would have perished.
The damage done to the houses at Peel Castle,
. Brackborough, anclasking the immediate vicinity of the
Mast, is very great ; several have been blown down,
4nd the mischief is generally experienced.
• By the Arrivals from the South, the shock, it is said,
Was felt very forcibly at Liverpool and other places
adjacent. It was there attributed to the partial shock
of an earthquake.

. A final answer has been given by the Board of Trade
to the applications of the Shipowners' Societies, who state in their
tnernoriAs several plans, by which the shipping interests, in their
opinion, could be relieved. We believe' among the suggestions
Were, the reduction of the duty so timber from British North Ame-
r
Ica sad a provision that all supplies for his Majesty's Dock-yards
should be brought by British ships; a reduction of duty on sea.
policy, stamps, &c. &e. The answer from the Board Is quite clear
and decisive. The suggestions are peremptorily rejected.
In the Gardens of New College. Oxford, two large

targets are filed for the use of its members in the practice of lir.
thery. These targets are placed 100 yards asunder, and the party
using them stand before one target and shoot into the other, and
thou, having collected their arrows, they shoot them back again
into the target they have left. The bows they use are long bows,
about four feet in length, used*" of yew, of the thickness of a
nun's wrist, and from these, arrows of a yard Song are discharged
With sufficient strength to kill at 100 yards distance. The person
shooting has a plastron of thick leather buckled on his left arm,
' which extends from the wrist to the elbow. This is to prevent the
arm from being hurt by the discharge of the arrow from the bow.
Tis manly pastime appears to be much in favour with the mem-
bers of the College, and it frequently happens that one may see a
gYave Doctor in Divinity trying his skill against the Bachelor of
Arts, or the College Tutor patting off his solemnity, and contend-
ing, in sport, with the commoner or the scholar.
MANNeR OF GIVINO EVIDENCit IN AMBRICAii—AI a
late Court held in a neighbouring county, In New Jersey, a prose-
cution was trying against a Methodist Preacher, Mr. D. for assault
and battery upon a young man, who was prosecuted by the preacher
for having disturbed his congregation at one of their religious
`meetings. In the course of the trial it appeared that at the time the
alleged disturbance took place, the preacher laid hold of the youth'
man, and shook him pretty roughly, which was the assault com-
plained of. The Gaulemen of the law, concerned in the cease,
seemed very anxious to know the extent and 'severity, and so forth,
of this same slashing. and interrogated the witnesses as to this out-
ter a long den. One of the ceases, a most, athletic man, was
asked,' How did be shake bins? slid be duke his herd ? How
hard did be shake him r &c. and not having sated Mr. H.
one of tilt Counsel, as to the extent, Ste. Mr. H. again mum.
ing the matter by raying, " Well, now. can't you tall bow be sisook
him, and in what way he did it r The witness thereupon laid bold
of the Counsel by the collar," suiting the action to the word, and
the word to the action," and having given him some half dozen most
terrible shakes, observed very coolly, " He shook him that way,
Sir"—to the no small amusement of the Judges, spectators, Etc,
who were corral ed with laughter.—Easton (Pa.) Arms.
The d rye rs of three dust-cans were on Friday morning amusing
themselves in Holborn by rattling the duet from their carts into the
eye• and upon the clothes of every decent person who met them.
Unfortunately for themselves, they set up a huge laugh after per-
petrating this outrage upon two individuals who were driving a gig
up Holborn-bill. One of the parties, who found himself thus unex-
peacd4 covered with dirt and detison, leaped out of the gig, col-
. lazed the driver of the last cart, and before he could call for assist-
_ ance laid him sprawling in the middle of the street. The fellow, an
• ennovtring his feet, immediately began to show fight ; but before
he was well aware of the means by which it was effected, found bins-
- self again in contact with his mother earth. His brother drivers,
who tap .cted , that their comrade, a man of bulky stature,
would soon overpower the spirited individuals who had attacked
him, on finding that he had got a very awkward customer to
Neal with, rushed forward to his support, when, to the sor-
rier of the spectators, they were both immediately fiaisred
y the person whom they bad insuhed. Ooe would
have, thought that not even Hercules himself could have withstood
this triple alliance; but such was the skill and activity of the Gen-
tleman in the gig, that in a few moments he reduced every one of
. Ms assailants to bite once and again the articles in which they dealt'
Though defeated in two rounds, they were still thinking of a Wird,
when the cry of " Well done, Cy. Davis," reached their ears, and
upped them, when too late, of the pugilistic prowess of their an-
tagonist. instead of repeating their attack, they quietly took up
the whir, which they had thrown on their carts at the commence--
anent of the scuffle, and proceeded on their 'ourney amid the scoffs
and hootinp of the rabble which this cooffict soon attracted.
then Cy. Davis remounted his gig and rve off without waking
anei
to receive the applause to whichhe had entitled himself by the se-
vere castigation he bestowed upon these three bullying and boister-
ous blackguards, .

ASSIZE INTELLI(ENCE.
WATERFORD SUMMER ASSIZES, yawn SO..
FATAL DVfL.
In this case Daniel Connor. Esq. of Manch House, in
the county of Coik, and Bernard Bearnieh, Esq. of
Palace Anne, in the same county, stood indicted for the
wilful murder of Captain Joseph Daunt; the former
having been a principal, and the latter having acted as
second. in a duel, fought on the Slst of May, 1828,
near Youghal, within the bounds of the county. of
WaterfordAnd which terminated fatally to the deceased.
This important trial, which had excited so much in-
terest, was opened by Mr. DOHERTY, who briefly ob-
served, that the prosecution had been instituted by the
family of the deceased, in order that the melancholy
ilevent might receive a full and solemn investiga-
tion ; that Mr. Connor and Captain Daunt were
friends and relatives; that a misunderstanding having
1 taken place between t eat, (in consequence of a
case in which a person of the name of Haly, was
plaintiff, and the unit's-innate Gentleman whose death
'has produced this trial, was the defendant, came
on for hearing in the month of January, 1826,
before the Ballyreen Bench of Magistrates, of which
Daniel Connor was one of the Magistrates), it became
aecessary fur Mr. Connor to..demarid satisfaction ; that
a meeting took place, and, that the prosecution was in-
duced chiefly on the ground that three shots had been
interchanged between the parties, and that the most
anxious efforts were made by many of the bystanders
after the second shot was fired, to accommodate the
affair; that Mr. Arkinii, the friend of the deceased, pub.l
tidy said, he was quite willing every thins should be
done that could be done by a man of honour, but that
a refusal of accommodation was most unfottunately
made, and persisted in on the part of the prisoners.—
Several witn sses were examined on both sides.
Mr. Connor, after the evidence for the prosecution
was closed, delivered an address from a written paper,
in a manner so feeling and becoming as to make a deep
impression on all who heard it.
The Learned Jonas charged the Jury in a clear and
perspicuous manner, commenting on particular parts of
the evidence adduced, in the course of which he spoke
of the language used by the unfortunate Captain Daunt
as most unwarrantable and uncalled tor, and after ex-
plaining the law of the case to the Jury, in about ten
minutes, they returned a verdict of Not Guilty against
both the prisoners, who were instantly discharged, to the
entire satisfaction of & most crowded Court.

A vast number of Gentlemen, of the highest rank
and respectability, from the County of Cork, ansious to
witness the progress and result of this trial, were pre-
sent during the whole of its proceedings: amongst whom
we noticed Richard B. Adderly, Esq. brother•in-law
and Secretary to the Right Hon. Frederick Robinson,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had come solely
from England to testify as to the character of Mr.
Beamisb, formerly an Officer in the 84th Regiment.—
Waterford Mail.
LANCASTER, bliscr 95.

CROWN SIDIL.-TAIAL AND CONVICTIII 011 TWO GAWP

lESSPIERS, FOR SHOOTING A POACHER.

Thorson lowlife:me, aged 41, and 'homes Stone, aged
67, two gamekeepers to Robert Fletcher Bradshaw,,
Esq. of Halton-hill, in this county, were indicted for
maliciously shooting at William Caton, with an intent,
to murder him. There were other counts in the indict-
ment, varying the offence.
Mr. COURTRAI', with whom was Mr. BROWN, stated
the case for the prosecution, and remarking upon the
nature of the ease, said, that, although the prosecutor
was, unfortunately, at the time he was shot, out for an
unlawful purpose, the law did not allow persons to
abuse him in the manner he had been by the prisoners
at the bar.
William Caton, the prosecutor, was first called and
examined by Mr. Balsam—He stated, that he was out
on the night of the 13th January, on Mr. Bradshaw's
grounds in Halton, with two persons of the names of
Townson and Parkinson, they got there about eleven
o'clock, and intendeJ to take some pheasants. Witness
had a gun, as also one of his companions. Witness
discharged his gun about a dozen times in the course of
the night. Witness and his associates went into a wood
near Halton Hall, where they fired two or three shssts,
and they had got out of the wood into the footpath,
intending to go hone, and bad got within five or six
yards from a hull (a shed for the shelter of game-
keepers), when some men rushed out, and sang out.
" Hurrah, hurrah." Witness and his patty on seeing
them, turned round, and run away. Witness, in jump-
ing met a hedge, fell down on the other side, and while
in the set of rising, he was shot in the back, and in fall.
ing, be received a second shot, which levelled him to the
earth, where he lay for some considerable time. When the
shot was fired, he was about seven or eight yards off.
There was no other cry made to him, but the one lie
bad stated " Hurrah." After they had shot him, he
beard some of them talking together, but could not bear
what they were conversing about ; does not know what
became of his companions. After this there was a third
shot fired. Witness was then n arer the hull, and was
certain that it was neither Parkinson nor Townson that
fiied. He had seen three persons pass him, and the shot
was fired in the direction of his companions. Witness
laid about an hour, in a very bad state, bleeding at the
mouth, when a man came up to him, and said to another
pe• son that was w ith hi m, " He dead, by G—D, Tom."
Witness could not ri cognise the men. They staid about
five minutes. and then went away down the wood to-
wards the Hall. Witness went out of the wood as well
as he was able, and thought of getting to the hull,
which, with a great deal of diffiz.ulty, he reached, but
found the door fastened. He then supported himself
by leaning against a hedge. While in that situation,
two men came up to him, and held some conversation,
but he could not tell what they said. They then went
away in the direction of Halton Hall. Witness cannot
tell whether they saw him or not, but they h id
their faces towards him, and it was light enough for
them to see him. He then got through) a gate into the
field next the road, and fell into a ditch through es-
haustio", where he lay in the most excruciating agony
for two hours, before any person came to him. Thomas
Marge-son, and Thomas Caton his uncle, were the first
persons who found him. Witness and his party had not
(,ffered the least resistance. He had had some words
with Tomlinson, previous to the transaction, and be
thought, if the men bad seen him, they must have looked
very sharp.
Cross-examined by Mr. STARICIII--W2ll never in the
ground of Mr. Bradshaw, at Halton, before; but has
killed game in the parish of Bulk, and elsewhere.
Mr. STANKIe—How many nights have you been out
poaching ?
Witness—l cannot say, I do not guess at the time I
have been a poacher.
Mr. Ri-hardson, surgeon, examined by Mr. 13nown,

stated, that he resides in the market-plate of Lancaster
He attended William Caton, at &stk. Township, on the
15th January. He examined his back, and discovered
that he had been very badly wounded on the left side
of the loins and back, by gun shot, which had spread
six or seven inches. The wounds were violently
in-
flamed, and the shots were extracted by poultices; the

shots were of small quality, cud about one hatothed and
fifty were extracted. The inflammation might have
increased by laying out in the cold all night. •
Br the Jonas—From the nature of the wounds the
witnns thought whoever filed the gun could 110 C hale
been above twenty yards from Caton when be fired ;
the shots were deeply buried in the flesh. The inflow.

minion would Nisi been increased by the
satin along with it any part of the osaa's
The wounds were not in a particular dangerous
the body. Witness thought the wound as re
gerous when the shot fiibt entered.
John TOWIISOR corroborated the evideace of Caton.

rt 'of
dab-

Other witnesses were called to substant:ate the case.
The prisoners declined saying any thing in their de-
fence, but called respectable witnesses to character.
Mr. Justice Bavt.tv, in his chatgl to the Jury; saiJ,
he distinctly laid down the law. that no gamekeeper
bid any right whatever to carry fi,e-arms, or to_fire at.
or against, any poacher whatever. No prooletor of
game had any earthly power to give such authority to
his keepers, who might certainly put into custody eny
poacher, but it was at his peril to nse fire-arms.' There
was no doubt Caton bad been oat for an unlawful pur-
pose, but that did ace alter the offence, and the poi-
wirers were properly charged soder this indictment.•..
wirpuld be for the Jaiy -to take the circa's:mamma of
the case into consideration, and also the high charm*
the prisoners had received, bdt that charisma' toad
only treigh in doubtful evidence. and they were bosspd
tcs recollect that it was clearly and distinctly mantled
that they had Lied and shot the prosecutor; If ibis
believed such was the case, the law warranted a oils]
dicer of guilty, and justice called for it, because the me+
try must know, that an illegal • and dangerous peeler,
has been ezeicised by keepers of game, witch no longer
could be tolerated, and which must be checked by.ll
arm of the law.
The Jury retired from Court, and in half an hoar,
returned into Court.

The Clerk of the Crown—Jiro qou agreed in your
verdict, Gentlemen ?
Foteman—Oh, yes, we have all agreed.
Clerk of the Crown--How say you then, is the, trii.
toner, John Tomlinson, guilty of the felony with *lot
be is charged, or nos guilty ?
Foreman—Guilty, but—
Clerk—Stop, Sir ; is Thomas Stone guilty or not
guilty ?
Foreman—Guilty. My Lord, it is with iket'sge of
regret that the Jury have come to this conclusion; but,
my Lord, we did so because it is our duty, and we
.thought-so; and we earnestly hope your Loeds,tip will
*stead mercy to them, in coniideration of their
character. lam also desired, my Lord, by the
to eapress their great disapprobation and reprehessioul
of the conduct of Gentlemen suffering their game.
keepers to go oat in the nig_bt with isM us •ms.
Mr. Justice BAYLEY—Gentlemen, your verdict is
proper. I perfectly concur in opinion with you, and I
hope Mr. Bradshaw will take notice.
The prisoners were called up to receive judgment.
Mr. Justice BAYLEY—Prisoners, your offence is of •
very serious. description. You are both gamekeepers,
and your mister ought to have taught you your duty.
Yo bad a right to prevent persons trespassing; but
you had no sight to use deadly weapons. You might
bays attempted to secure them ; but to have 6red,l
when death was liktly to ensue, was going further, and
to greater lengths, than is allowed by law. Had those
men died, your live; would hare been forfeited, most
certainly. Your ignorance of the law may tend to,
mitigate your sentence, and your good character will]
be in your favour. Ido not promise that your lives
will be spared ; but your case shall be represented to
his Majesty favourably, because there are (atourable
circum tai.ces connected with it. Let judgment of
Death be recorded.

STAFFORD.
ATTILUPT TO MullDM AND Rosv—At these Assizes.
on Wednesday last, a young man, named Ilemjastix
Hedges, was tried on an indictment charging him with
cutting and maiming, w.th intent to kill and rob, Jacob
Levi, at Wednesbury, on the 26th of December last.
From the voluminous testimonies offered in the case,
it appeared that bath prosecutor and prisoner were resi•
dents in Mer street, Birmingham. The prosecutor
is a Jew pedlar, and carries a pack, which the prisoner
ascertained contained jewellery and other articles, of
the value of one bandied pounds. Levi set out with'
his boa to pursue his business, and on the evening
is question, after his day's labour, took up his quarters
at :the Fountain Inn, in Wednesbury. The prisoner
there joined him, and after a good deal of persuasion,
induced him to accompany. him with his pack, under
pretense of sheaving some jewellery to two Ladies, who,-
he said, would make purchases, and who were about a.
mile from the town. On the way, the prisoner led his
victim into a bye road, leading to ass old coal pit,
where, with a razor, he attempted to cut his throat.—
Levi Made a courageous and manly resistance, and cried
Murder! He succeeded in depriving the prisoner of
one razor, but he produced another, which Levi also
got possession of; and became the antitrust in turn, in-
flicting several deep wounds, and being himself severely
cut ; at last, persons approached and secured both, con.
ducted ihem to an inn, and had their wounds dressed.
Hodges assigned jealousy as the motive of the attack;
but for this there did not seem to be the slightest pre.
'ence, and he was found Godley, and left for erneutiost,
without the hope of mercy. He was borne from the
dock fainting.

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other blemishes of the shin, and sahaselegthe 'gavial= bylaw.
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-1 114)114 KALT Dna to the algid of peldie midesidges assi secured its
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The haat of a Lady high he nalt =an bed the misigrame belly
to got severely scalded. a= there nut bake St the mums my
=oleo specifac at the salsas make, with telidegal pre.
seme amine*. seised niggly a bade grilowsemes Xmases. mici
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