Star.
London, England, 1826-12-12 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

Paris Papers to the 11th inst. contain some intelli-
gence respecting the hostile proceedings of the Portu-
guese Rebels, from which it appears that eight hundred
of them who were quartered at Palencia had been armed
with muskets destined if for the Spanish Royal Guard,"
and then marched to Zamora, where they had joined
the Marquis de Chaves previously to his entrance into
Portugal. The same article then states, that the Con-
stitutional garrison of Braganza had retired at the ap-
proach of the invaders, but that having received a rein-
forcement of 600 men, it had re-entered the place, and
even gene a league beyond it to meet the Royalists,
who were twice more numerous. On the 23d of Nov.
the two parties engaged, and the action lasted the whole
day. The next morning some of the Provincial Militia
having joined the Rebels, the Constitutionalists were
forced to fall back, and the town of Braganca was pos-
sessed and plundered for two hours by the enemy, On
the 261 the Marquis de Chaves became master of the'
citadel of Braganza, but whether by capitulation or
assault is not mentioned. Meanwhile another division
of Royalists, organized and armed in Spanish Estrama-
dura, had entered the Portuguese province of Beira,
and maneuvred to compel the Constitutionalists to
divide their forces, so that on every side the Royalists
appeared to gain ground, though the people were in
favour of the Constitution: The Journal des Debuts, in
a long article, in which the French Ministers are charged
with having occasioned the present explosive state of
the Peninsula, puts the following case:—"" Let us sup-
pose that the English land on the banks of the Tagus
to support the Constitutional Throne, and the benefits
which it has conferred ; that in pursuit of conquered
parties, they ascend that river, as it were against their
own will ; that a conflagration should kindle before
them, and that war should reach the cities which we
occupy,—shall Europe see us choose that moment to
fold up our banners and to declare that the campaign
of the Trocadero is terminated ?" The question is cer-
tainly become one of considerable interest and im-
portance.
The s-ime Paper gives some itrelligence received by
express from Constantinople, and coming down to the
17th of last month. It states that since the 22d of
October, when the discovery of the last conspiracy had
taken. place, " more than 6000 men had been decapi-
rated, and several thousands had been drowned." The
capital was at last tranquil, but, the accounts justly add,
you may imagine the nature of tranquillity produced
by such menus:" The Divan met every day to discuss,
it was generally supposed, the propositions made by
Mr. Stratford Canning respecting the affairs of Greece.
Though no resolution was yet known to have been
finally adopted by the Porte, its disposition to concede
Was inferred from the fact, that the British 'Minister had
obtained public and ample satisfaction for an insult
offered to the guard of his hotel by the populace. Such
a concession on the part of the Reiss Effendi to any
Annbassddor, was not remembered to have been ever
made. The Captain Pacha had returned to the Dar-
danelles, and Ibrahim abandoned to himself in the
Morea, and dissatisfied with the Porte for having made
no effort to assist him, remained on the defensive in the
Morea, unable or unwilling to undertake any fresh
operations.
Fssncns Futsos.—Five per Cents. 991. 90e.—Three per Cents.
60f. 95c.—Bank Actions, 2070 E—Neapolitan Rents., 751. 10e.—
Spanish ditto, 10f.

Extract of a letter from Lloyd's agents, dated Monte-
Video, Oct. 1 A violent gale of wind was experi-
enced here on the night of the 443 th ult. It commenced
at 11 o'clock p.m. and continued till one A.M. from N.W.
to S.W. The English brig Coquito, detained and sent
in here, lost htr foremast and bowsprit. The Danish
brig Cattsei Me Maria lost her foremast and bowsprit;,
her stern was completely stove in, and she sustained
much damage in her hull and rigging. The French ship
Genoa, and Danish brig San, lost their bowsprits. The
IVithred American brig, bound to ltio de :knelt% was
d,iven on Sr. Joze rocks, and bilged; four' carer Ame-
rican brigs upset an i sunk ; four others were dismasted
and stranded, And :ix lost torrmaits, b.oyisprits, rftc. 12
launeres and boats stra•Aled no tlicbia,ch. o damage
AS YCI. ASCCitii.Wd on as:: cpa.t.."

This was an action of Assumpsit, to recover the
amount of two bills of exchange, and other demands.
The plaintiff was a cheesemonger, and had supplied the
Idefendant with a considerable quantity of cheese, eggs,
and butter, from his house near the Regent's Park.—
For the demand thus accruing, a bill of exchange for
11001. and another for 501. were given by the defendant.
Besides this amount, there was a claim of 321. for com-
modities supplied since the bills were given. The ac-
ceptance of the defendant and non-payment were then
proved. There being no defence set up, the Jury
found a yes dict for the plaintiff, inclusive of the interest,
for 1771. Costs 40s.

SHERIFFS COURT, RID LION SWAZI, Dtc. 11.
IHiRWOOD V. ST. NAITHILAINZ DOCK COMPANY.

In • this case a Special Jury was impannelled, so
award compensation from the St. Katherine Dock Com-
pany to Messrs. James and William Sherwood, the
eminent gun lock manufacturers, in East Smithfield,
for their leasehold premises, fixtures, and *good=will of
their trade. The total amount of claim sought to be
recovered was 69001. ss.
Mr. Doman and Mr. Tamara were for the claimants, and
Messrs. Apex and PLATT represented the Dock Company.
The plaintiffs' chief reliance was on the annual returns of their
trade, which were stated to have been—in 1824, 3,9971. 145. 9d.-1
in 1825, 4,4701. Is. sd.—and in 1826, 4,6291. Os. 6d.—and the
profits on their returns 30 per cent. The defendants rested on the
actual value of the premises, lease, and fixtures, as the trade would
not be lost by removal.
After considerable pains had been taken by the Counsel on both
sides, to elicit facts favourable to the contending parties, the Jury
awarded 1,0171. 55. 4d. for the leasehold interest ; 2711. 3s. 4d. for
the fixtures; and 1,9161. 18s. 4d. for good-will of trade; making a
total of 3,2051. being 3,6951. ss. less than the sum claimed.

SECONDARIES' OFFICE, DIODOINIM 11.
SPICER V. TILE HON. AND ILEVOVIN. CAPE'.
This was an action for the recovery of the value of
two asses, or donkies, which had been seized on the high-
way, by the Rev. defendant, and sold by him without
any legal right ; and also for compensation for the loss
of the services of the aforesaid asses or donkies, from
the period of the seizure. The defendant had allowed
judgment to go by default.
Mr. ADOLPHUS, for the plaintiff, stated the case as
follows : A boy was driving the plaintiffs two asses,
and three asses the property of another person, along the
high road, and was accosted by the Rev, defendant,
who desired him to stop. This command the boy did
not think proper to obey ; upon which, the Rev. de-
fendant seized him, and ordered a man to take away
the asses. This was speedily put into execution, One
of the plaintiff's family afterwards questioned the de-
fendant as to what was intended to be done with the
asses, which had been so nawarrantably taken possession
of, but a very unfatisfactory answer was returned; and
the following notice was sent to the plaintiff.
" Watford, June 4, ISM

" I hereby give you notice, tbat I have some of your donkies in
pound, for damage done to my hedges, &c.; and that I shall tell
them, on Monday next, unless the damage, amounting to one pound,
be paid. " Yours,
" Spicer." " WILLIAM CAPEL."

Eipostulation proved unavailing. The reverend de-
fendant said, that the plaintiff must pay the 11. for each
donkey, increasing his demand as he increased the
injury to the poor man, acknowledging, at the same
time, that no damage was sustained by him, but de-
claring his determination not to allow any more asses
to shew their faces in the county—(A laugh). Since
the days of Salaam never was there such ado about the
dived ! Never, from the moment of the seizure, had the
plaintiff obtained restitutition of his property. At last
he was induced to apply to the highly respectable
attorneys who, now conducted the suit. Those Gentle-
men wrote the following letter to the Rev. Mr. Capel:—
.I Hollowed and Reverend Sir—We have been applied to by Mr.
Spicer, of Watford, respecting the seizure and detention by you of
two asses, his property. From the statement made to us, we cannot
see any legal ground for you so doing, and request that you will
either restore the Uses to Mr. Spicer, or pay him the value thereof,
together with some reasonable compensation for the loss he has
sustained by their detention, or favour us with the name of your
professional adviser. " We are Reverend Sir,
" Your obedient humble Servants,
" ASHLEY and GOODMAN."

The Hon. and Rev. W. Capel, Watford, Hens."
To this application the following answer was returned:—
" Sir—l thank you for your civil letter. If it is necessary, Mr.
Fellows, of Rickmanswurth, will attend you; but I should hope,
al I hive done nothing towards the parties, but with the greatest
forbearance, for injuries and annoyances innumerable, that they will
not be foolish enough to drive me to ruin them, which I could do.
I think, by your writing in the way you have done, they bare got
into ttiure respectable hands than 1 feared they might; and, there.
fore, I will add, that supposing I had done any thing unjust (which
Gob forbid), their going to law seems to be a joke, and that you
have very unprobtable clients. When I come to town, I will, if
necessary, call upon you and convince you, I trust, I have not done
wrung. .6 Your obedient Servant, W. CAPEL."
" Y.S. If nothing, however, will satisfy these Gentlemen, but
, law, pray communicate with Mr. Fellows."
Sctiveuer deposed that, as he was driving
two or. the plaintiff's and three of another person s
cionkies, in the public way at Coney Butts, Mr. Capel

Cross-examined by Mr. Tatromen.—Used to drive the donklet
ever since he was able to do anything. Al r. Capel had a small farm
near the spot where the donkies were pas-ing, and a new quick
hedge. The donkies had not been an hour it the lane when Mr.
Capel seized them ; not one of the donkies are a bit of the hedge.
Thomas Fidi:r deposed that I e 6A seen the asses;
the value of each of the plaintiff's asses was 21. They
were employed in carrying sand, and ought not to work
under a shilling or Eteen pence a day.
Ann Uzzell deposed, that she met Mr. Capel aft.?
the seizure of the asses, and he said, " Well, Mother
Uzzell, I have got your asses." " Well, Sir," replied
ihe, "and what have they done?" N, thing," replied
he, " but I'll sell them—l mean to send all the asses out
of the county." They worked at the rate of Is. per day.
Cross-examined—Mr. Spicer's donkies never did Mr. Caper'
grounds a hap'orth of,harm; never beard that Spicer had been
advised by any one to bring this action.
• • Mi. TattPotnin said, 'the action should have keen
checked in the commencement t but Mr. Cape), as iwaS
the case with many country Gentlerilen, neglected the
matter until it Was too late. He, however, determined
chit the plaintiff iheruld incur as little expense as possi.
ble, and, therefore, he allowed it to gall Lao that Cohrt.
where the value of the asses would, no doubt, be given;
but where, he begged leave to say, nothing could be
awarded for the loss of the asses' services, as the action
was an action amour. The plaintiff sought, in fact,
to recover ten times as much as he was entitled to. It
had been said, that an ass ought not to work for less
than a shilling a day. He was sorry to say, that many
a poor man in England laboured for leis; but, had it
been proved that the plaintiff could get no other asset ?
Were there no others in Hertfordshire? Mr. Ta gourd
concluded, by condemning the air of importance with
which this case was introduced, and declaring, that his
client, who had certainly committed a mistake, was not
at all deserving of any reproach that bad been cut
upon him.
The SICONDAar admitted that Mr. Talfourd's objection was geed
The &COI/DART, in summing up, said, that even if such an action
bad been brought as would warrant a verdict fur recompense for
loss of services, the plaintiff could recover nothing like the sum of
a shilling a day.
The Jury assessed the damages at .e. 4, the value of the two asses.

Mr. Trireme was anxious to explain the meaning of his client's
-letter; but the Secondary objected.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Dec. 11.
John Gouge Wilkinson, a land waiter, in his Ma-
jesty's Customs, enjoying a salary of 500/. a year, sought
to be discharged from debts am tinting to 1,1491.
Mr. Cooxa appeared against the insolvent on behalf of Mr.
Smart, and several other creditors appeared in prpriepersona.'
The insolvent stated, in his examination by Mr.
Carte, that he had been for many years in his present
employment, and has been father of twenty children,
one of whom was discharged by this Court on Saturday
last, and the other six seniors are depeudant upon him ;
some of the juniors have been employed in the mei chant
service, and other respectable situations, but at present
they are out of situations; is connected with some an-
nuity transactions at a great interest, and that is the
principal cause of his present application.
Mr. Coons said, that the only object of his client was
that the Court should order a portion of his salary- en-
jofed in his civil capacity should be appropriated to the
liquidation of his debts, which. amounted to very li.tle
more than two years' income.• The insolvent had been
engaged in an annuity transaction at an enormous in-
terest, and he (Mr. Cooke) blamed him not for sec king
to be absolved from the con.equences; nevertheless, this
circumstance was no reason why the bonaftde cteditors
should not be paid their claims.
The COURT would obsnve, that, on many occasions,
they had recommended Naval and Military Officers to
live within their income of 1001. a year, therefore it
' appeared reasonable, that some considerable deflation
should be made from the 500/. salary, paid by Govern-
, went to an officer in a civil capacity.
In his examination by Mr. HEATH, the insolvent
stated, that, in the year 1821, he raised money orpan-
nuity to pay his then existipg debts, and that he had
paid from 17f to 20 per cent. interest, and considerable
expenses connected with the loan. •
Several other creditors were then asked by the Cuurt what they
bad to object to the Insolvent's discharge ? They all 44=44
they preferred payment to imprisonment.
Mr. /11111TH said, the only question was, what amount
should be deducted from the insolvent's income ? He
hoped the Court would remember the number of per-
sons dependant upon his client for support, and he (Mr.
Heath) could not help regretting, that, as the law stood,
no distinction could be made between an annuity credi-
tor, who had taken exorbitant interest, and those trades-
men, who had bona fide supplied the insolvent with
necessary articles.
After a short consultation, the Carty Commission= said, that
the Court would recommend to the proper authorities, that 1251.
should be applied for the purpose prayed, and that the deduction
commence on the sth of April, 1827. •
Upon this condition the petitiener was ordered to be di,charged.

Recent letters from Madrid state that Capital to be
deeply agitated. Numerous arrests had taken place,
and the-Monks and Clergy were in furious activity.
Many of the latter, like the valorous Trappist, were
potting on the Armour of Faith, and becoming Military
Partisans. They are said to be employed in enlisting
troops, and making purchases of gunpowder. The ob-
ject of this new Crusade is plain; but a few British
regiments will soon damp their ardour..
CORPORATION 01 WARIVICILA writ of mandamus,
from the Court of King's Bench, directed to the Mayor,
Aldermen, and Burgesses of this borough, commanding
them to meet and elect a Mayor, was served upon Johu
Wilmshurst, Esq. on Saturday morning last, by Mr.
Joseph Parkes, Solicitor, of Birmingham; and public
notices, appointing the meeting to be held at the Shire
Hall, for. that purpose, on Monday nest, were after-
wards affixed to the door of the Court-house, and posted
up in different parts of the borough.
What with the numerous Election Petitions, and the
various important matters which are to come before
Parliament after the recess, the approaching season
may be expected to be the fullest which has been expe-
rienced in London for some years.
Trim. Gois. cases are becoming-frequent in the Pari-
sian Courts; but the result is not the same as in England. If the
wife be found guilty ;be is sent to prison ; and the paramour has to
pay a fine, according to his pecuniary resources, and balsa confuted.
for a renal) *ember of mouths.