Star.
London, England, 1826-03-30 00:00:00

MR. PEEL'S CRIMINAL LAW BILL.

Mr. Peel's Bill for amending the administration of
the Criminal Law has been printed, and now appears
with the amendments made in it by the Committee.—
That the measure in question is calculated to promote
the easier, more impartial, and more effectual adminis-
tration of criminal justice, is very evident. The pre-
amble asserts only the expediency of defining under
" what circumstances persons may be admitted to bail
in cases of felony, and of making better provision for
taking examinations, informations, bailments, and re-
cognizances, and returning the same to the proper Tr i-
bunals." This is a modest and unpretending preface to
a most extensive work. The prevailing characteristics'
of the measure are, science and consistency, in place of
the grossest incongruity ; and practical simplicity, where
every thing before was confusion. The result, we have
no hesitation in saying, It likely to be a mote effectual
punishment of crimes, and of course a diminution of
their frequency.
One of the good purposes announced in the early part
of the Bill, is to relax, in favour of substantial justice,
the technical pedantry of the proceedings and Written
instruments, whereby the guilty are saved, and the
defence of innocence is perhaps often almost as much
clogged as assisted. Among the chief provisions of the
measure are, that where, in the opinion of one Justice,
a strong presumption of felony shall have been made
out against a party, no bail shall be taken, but the party
shall be committed to gaol. And where, in the opinion
of two Justi: es. a strong presumption of felony shall not
have been raised, but still ground enough be established
for a judicial inquiry into the case, the party may be
bailed, under a clause, which amends the Ist and 2d
Philip and Mary, c 13, and the 2d and 3d of the same
reign, c. 10, that bef ire any two Justices shall bail, or
any one Justice iasprison, all the examinations, informa-
tion:, &c. shall be written down, certified, and signed,
the witnesses bound over, and the whole of the pre-
liminary proceedings returned into Court at its open-
ing. The same in cases of misdemeanor. Similar
powers are given, and duties prescribed, to Coroners
as to Justices of the Peace; and both are subject
to a discretionary fine by the Court, for failing to
observe the above regulations. Felonies without be-
nefit of clergy, are ousted of that benefit under all
circumstances consequent on the indictment. Clergyable
felonies shall be punished in cases of confession, of
malicious refusal to plead, of challenging peremptorily
above 20 of the jury, as it a verdict of guilty had passed.'
Accessories may be tried in any Court which has jui is- ,
diction to try the principal, although the act whereby
they become accessories may have been committed
beyond that jurisdiction. An accessory may be tried
where the principal has heen convicted, although he
may not have been attainted, or may have been p sr-
doned, or allowed his Clergy. A large tribe of technical
absurdities, by which justice had been materially ob-
structed, are swept away by the two last provi-
sions. So, offences committed on the boundaries
of two counties may be tried in either. Offences
committed in a stage-coach, or on board a vessel
employed in inland navigation, may be tried in any
county through which the coach or vessel passed.—
The property of partners is better secured, by its being
unnecessary to mention the name of more than one of
the firm. In trials for robberies of public property of
any sort, the property may be laid in the inhabitants of
counties, the overseers of the poor, the surveyors of
highways or turnpike trustees, respectively, without
spec;fying any individual names. No technical defects
of indictments shall be allowed to reverse a judgment
once obtained. One most important amelioration of
the law is, that prosecutors ;and witnesses shall be al-
lowed their expenses in all cases of felony. So in most
cases of misdemeanor ; likewise in prosecutions in the
Court of Admiralty ; and, what is of equal moment, all
who have been activain the pursuit and apprehension of
offenders, may be recompensed at the discretion of the
,Court, without their claims to indemnification in the
separate character of prosecutors or witnesses being
thereby defeated. If men lose their lives in the coarse of
such endeavours to promote the ends of public justice,
their wives, children, or parents, as the case may be,
are entitled to adecoate compensation. It is difficult
to calculate the additional security given by such
a measure to the administration of justice, if due
mite be exercised to prevent its becoming a temptation
to conspiracy against innocrnt men. Such are the prin-
cipal clauses of this most important simplification of
our Criminal Law, which embraces within sixteen pages
matter more effectual and valuable than was previously
dispersed through several hundred; and substitutes one
short and consistent act of Parliament for about thirty
bad ones which it repeals.

George Bonham, a brass-founder, residing in Hanover-
lane, has been committed to Newgate, Dublin, on a
charge of causing the death of his own child, a little
girl nine years of age, by throwing her down stairs, on
St. Patrick's Day. It is stated, that be debited the child
to go for rate whisky, which she hesitating to do, as he
was in a state of intoxication, be conimitted the violence
which caused her death.
The King of FRANCE has ord:red a silver st4tue of
the Virgin, of the natural Wee, to be made for the 'Metropolitan
Church of Pals, the expense of which will be defrayed uut of hi.
Flint purse.

REVOLOTIOI4 AT TUCUNIAST.
•
:FROM THE BUENOS AIRES KENIAGERO.
The foll(')wint circular has been, addressed by. the
National Executive Power to the Government of all
:he Provinces of the Republic:
AVM, Dec. 20, 182 g.
" The Government intrusted with the national executive autho-
rity has learned with surprise and indignation the events of the
province of Tucuman, which have terminated in the deposition of
the Governor. I)on Xavier lavez, and the occupation of the seat
of Governnient by Don Gregorio Araoz de la Madrid, the author
of the revolution, which was effected while he was intrusted by the
General Government to convey the contingents of the provinces to
the army of Uruguay.
" This unlooked-for event is the more alarming, because, in our
present critical circumstances, it cannot fail to excite ha the public
mind a feeling injurious in its tendency to the order and prosperity
of the Republic. The national Government, in thus addressing the
Governor of the Province of —, feels assured that he will be
fully convinced how necessary it is fur the maintenance of the order,
stability, and good organization of the State, that the existing
Authorities should he respected, and measures:adopted to prevent
those disorders which keep the Government and the people iu a
state of insecurity.
" Penetrated with these sentiments, the National Congress, to
which an account of this event has been communicated, declared in
the Sitting of the 13th instant—
"' Ist. That the cunduct of Colonel La Madrid is tumultuous
and •anarchical.

" 2d. That the Hon. Representative Junta of the Province of
Tucuman cannot feel itself free to_deliberate and elect under the cir-
cumstance of disorder in which they have been forced to assemble.
" ' And lastly, the Representative Junta fully authorises the
National Executive l'ower to adopt whatever measures may be
deemed most suitable fur re-establishing order in your Province,
and (or correcting the mischievous effects which the late event is
calculated to produce on the national honour and security.'
"The Government has deprived Colonel La Madrid of the
commission he held, and has ordered him immediately to appear
and answer for his conduct, and the lion. Junta of the Province is
direeted to adopt all consequent measures and resolutions agreeable
to legal forms.
" 'the undersigned transmits this Resolution to the GovernoX of
the Province of -, in the confidence that he will employ oil
the means in his power for carrying it into erect ; and that a `Mea-
sure, which is essentially necessary for the maintenance of the
constituted authorities, will not fail to be executed by the above-
mentioned Governor in a way that may ensure the fulfilment of the
important objects which the National Government has in view.
" The undersigned salutes the Governor of the Province of
with his acsustomed respect,
" fIIANURf. JOSE GARCIA.
" To his Excellency the Governor and Captain-
General of the Province of --.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH MARCH 2!.
APPEAL CASE-TRIAL BY JURY.

SHARP V. DUNCAN, PItOCURATOIt•RISCAL 01 PRRTSHIRIL
The decision in this case deserves to be noticed, as it goes to pro-
tect and extend the constitutional privilege of trial by jury.
The suspender, Grace Sharp or M.Ewan, wife of
Alexander M•Ewan, carter in Perth, was, on the 2d
February last, convened before the Sheriff subAitute of
Perthshire, upon a criminal liberat the instance of the
Procurator-fiscal of that county, charging her with
having stolen from the person of William Whyte,
&slier in Kinross, a red leather pocket-book, contain-
ing bank-notes to the amount of 141. 7s. The libel con•
eluded, that she " ought and should be punished by
tine, imprisonment, and banishment from the country, or,
all or any of the said punishments." The suspender
pleaded Not Guilty to the charge; and several witnesses
were examined for the prosecutor; after which the
Sheriff pronounced judgment, findilvg the libel proven,
and adjudging the suspepder to he imprisoned within
the Tolbodth of Perth for the space of six months, and
to be banished from the county of Perth for life.
Of this sentence the suspender complained to the
Court of Justiciary,by the Bill of Suspension and Libera-
tion, upon several grounds; but she insisted particu-
larly, that the case ought to have been tried by a Jury ;
and founded, in support of this plea, in various cases,
particularly that of Michael M'Millan, 14th December,
1818. The Court, upon advising the bill, and hearing
Counsel for the parties (27th February, 1826), " Or.
dain them to give in minutes of debate upon the sub-
ject matter of the said bill. with a view to the case
being thereafter determined by a full Bench." The
case again came before the Court today, when the
Judges present (Lords Justice Clerk, Gillies, Pitmilly,
and Mackenzie), unanimously delivered an opinion,
that the charge in the libel before the Sheriff was of that
nature that ought to have been tried by a Jury. The
following interlocutor was thereupon pronounced :
" The Lords, in respect of the nature of the crime
charged against the complainer, find that the Sheriff
ought to have proceeded in the trial of this case with
the asssstance of a Jury; therefore, suspend the sentence
complained of, simpliciter, and grant a warrant for set-
, Ling the complainer at liberty."

Monday evening, immediately after Mr. MATHEWa
had finished his appalling and heart-rending description
ef the gambler, in his Entertainment, at the English
Opera-house, a young gentleman was so violently
affected, that he fell back senseless in an hysteric fit.—
Mr. MATHEWS immediately hastened to procure assist-
ance, and the servants of the theatre lifted the gentleman
from the pit, through the orchestra door, to the private
box lobby, where medical assistance was instantly pro-
cured. lkle. Ma.Triews remained until the gentleman 'I
was recovered, and then returned, and relieved the
audience from the anxiety they felt for the sufferer.
At a general meeting of the creditors of Messrs.
WILLDAY and Co. bankers, of Atherstone, on Monday,
it appeared that after all demands upon them are liqui-
dated, there will remain a considerable surplus in their
favour, and in consequence thereof it was then agreed
that the holders of their 11. notes should immediately
receive 15s. in the pound, and the remainder on the
final settlement of their affairs. The liabilities of the
firm were stated at 67,7881. Hs. Id. and the available
assets at 8719291, leaving a surplus bf 20,1401.65. 11d.
At the Northumberland Assizes, in the case of Rich-
ardson v. Loftus, respecting personal injury from the
overturning of a stage-coach, Mr. Justice Havr.ar said,
after the verdict had been given for the plaintiff, that
drivers should have it perpetually before their eyes, that
in case of their horses running off from their wilful nee
gligence, and destroying life, they are liable to be tried
for manslaughter, and in some cases for murder.
The Welsh hills were covered with snow to a great'
depth on Friday morning, which bad fallen during the
preceding night. 10 the North, and in Yorkshire, there
WAS also a considerable fall the same night.
A man named Patrick Magary, says the Southern`
Herm-ter, has been murdered in the most cruel manner,
in the neighbourhood of Mallow, and near to wheie the
unfortunate She.:han recently met his untimely end.
Tuesday evening, a decent looking young woman, at
Green arch, was thrown, from one of those dangerous
swinging cars, from which so many accidents have ari-
a n, and was taken up in a state of total Insensibility.
She was Conveyed to a neighbouring surgeon's, where
it was discovered th tt several ribs were broken.

srorma INTELLIGENCE.
. .

DONCASTER. HUNT RACBS,-(Ca+ccut♦a}
TV LIDA T.
The weather today has been very favourable. ind the company
equally, if not more nUtiterous, than yesterday. The sport was very
fine, and was not starred by any accidents. Ur. Foljambe and the
lion. E. Petre have promised Cups for the next year.
Match, Fifty Sovereigns. One mile.
Mr. Cross's br. h. by Young Guildford, 6 yrs 71b. .
Mr. Prart's b. m. Rate Kearney, 6 yrs llst. 71b. . • 2
The horse took the lead, kept it, and won in a canter ; rude by
W. )(Itching-5 to 4on the wiener.

A Sweepstakes of Ten Soya. each, and Ten added by the Corpora-
tion. Gentlemen riders. Two miles.
Mr. Clarke 's ch. h. Harlequin, aged . 1
. .
Mr. P. D. Couke's.ch. h. Sr. Patrick, aged . . . 2
Mr. Boomer's b. h. George, aged . . 3
6to 4 against Harlequin' and 2to l against George. The horses
went off well together, and kept abreast three parts of the ground,
when George declined, after which Harlequin made all the running,
and won in a canter.

The Hon. E. Petre's Cup, value Fifty Guineas, fur four-year-olds
- and upwards. Two miles.
Mr. W. Tote's ch. h. Pomfret Cake, 6 yrs . • . 1
Mr. G. Hall's ch. b. by Caliban, 5 yrs . . . 2
Mr. We's br. m. by Canon 4 yrs . • . 3
The ;ace was truly fun till' towards the end, when Pomfret Cake
came out and won very cleverly.
The Sandbeck Hunt Stakes of 5 soy. each, and 20 added by the
Town, for horses hunted with- Earl Scarborough's hounds.—
Gentlemen riders. Two-mile buts.
Mr. Clarke's ro. m. Chilton [ASS, 4 yrs old . • 3 1 1
Mr. A. Gordon's gr. h. Sir Harry 5 yrs old . . 1 2 2
Mr. Broomer's b. m. Maltby Lass, aged . . . 2 4 3
Mr. Cross's br. h. by Young Guildford, 6 yrs old . 6 3 dia
Mr. Foljambe's ch. g. The Fiddler, 5 yrs old . . 4 dis
Mr. H. Woodcock's gr. m. Phoebe, 5 yrs old . . 5 dis
The heats were each well contested at the first, but it was evident
that the winner had decidedly the race at command.
A Handicap of 5 sov. each. Onsmile.
Mr. Wood's b. m. by Young Orville, 5 yrs (di, lOst. 71b. . 1
Mr. C. Brown's ch. Is. Woodpecker, aged, 13st. . . 2
Captain Ilinton's gr. h. Nuncio, 5 yrs Old, 10st. 121 b. . . 3
Mr. Watson's br. m. by Capsicum, 4 yrs old, 9st. 71b. . 4
Mr. Brookfield's ch. h. Chance, 6 yrs old, 1 ist: . . .5
Mr. J. Birk's b. m. The Duchess, 6 year. old, 10st. 81b: . 6
Mr. Lumley's b. m. Georgians, 6 yrs old, lOst. 81b. . • 7
Mr. Foster's Diana, 6yn 6141, 12st. . . . . . $

A good race, but won cleverly.
FOOT RACE ON CLAPHAM COMMON.
The above neighbourhood was crowded yesterday afternoon by
some thousands, to witness the performance of a pedestrian match
for one hundred sovereigns; the runnel being a crack Yorkshire-
mans a protege of Josh. Hudson. The time appointed was three
o'clock,ck, but the parties were not on the ground till five, when the
pedestrian appeared ready for the start. The distance to be run
was ten miles, a mile being measured from opposite the Plough, on
the road leading to Wandsworth, which necessarily occasioned nine
turns, and for which V seconds were added to the hour, the tiise
in which the tan miles were to be accomplished. Rawls two sails
were run as follows :--- •
lit 2 miles . 11 min. 33 see. 4th E miles . 11 min. 37 sec.
Ed do. . 11 32 sth do. . 11 40
Sd do. . 11 SE
Total, 57 minutes and 58 seconds; winning by 2 minutes and Ys
seconds;including the allowed 27 seconds. The pedestrian is abort,
but very muscular; carried himself in true running style, if we ex-
cept his going rather wide. He appears capable of great things, and
his backer offered to run him for 100 guineas, ten miles- against any
man in England. Betting was against time.