The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-17 00:00:00

commodation he could give, but beyond that the committee
would not go.
Mr. Alderman EVANS said there was another view in
which to put the case of a steamer. A steamer might interest
a hundred individuals or more, a little coaster would in-
terest only one.
Mr. CHAPMAN observed that th rogh the stagnation of trade
all the docks were crammed with shipping, and that would be
the case for the next six or eight months. If Clarence and
Trafalgar• Docks were kept at such a time exclusively for
steamers it was unjust to the port at large ; and if the Comy
mittee once admitted that that description of vessels had an
exclusive right to them,—they did not know when the de-
mands upon them would cease. He recommended the subject
to be deferred till next week, by which time every member of
the Committee would have the opportunity of considering a
motion of which he had given notice, with the view of pro-
viding for the inconvenience which wouldtrise from the tem-
porary closing of Canning and Salthouse Docks.
The CHAIRMAN observed that there were other parts of
Trafalgar Dock where the steamers could be accommodated.
Mr. CHAPMAN said that was so, bat sheds had been erected
for their use on their usual side.
Mr. MARTIN admitted that coasters had quite as good a
right to all the accommodations they might require as steam-
ers had, but at present the great inconvenience to steamers in
Trafalgar Dock, was the presence of large ships, not coasters.
Coasters took up but little room, but these vessels occupied
a great deal.
Mr. HORSFALL said the Harbour Master ought to have
reported that difficulty and removed it if lie had the means.
Mr. MARTIN said the Harbour-master had the means if
he had only done his duty.
The CHAIRMAN wished when Mr. Martin went down to
the docks, he would report every case of neglect of duty.
Mr. CHAPMAN said when he was down at the docks yes-
terday, the Harbour-master referred his► to some old order
in council as his authority.
Mr. MARTIN said it had already been well understood by
the committee that Clarence and Trafalgar Docks were
steam docks ; and he begged to say that next week there
would be many additional vessels in the basin.
Mr. CHAPMAN called attention to his notice of motion for
next Thursday, urging that unless something of the sort were
adopted, the committee would' have difficulties of every kind
put into their way, and they would be inundated with peti-
tions for exclusive rights, just as they were about closing
Canning and Salthouse docks.
The CHAIRMAN.—Tbe committee can only say that we
will give all the accommodation we can.
Mr. CHAPMAN said his notice would include that circum-
stance, and on that ground he wished for members to come
prepared to discuss it. lie desired the Chairman to read it.
The CHAIRMAN then read Mr. Chapman's notice, of
which the following is a copy :
" 1. That in consequence of the unusual and unexpected
depression of the genci-al trade of the port, and, especially of,
the shipping interest, it will be inexpedient to close the
Canning and Salthouse Docks until equivalent accommoda-
tion is provided by the opening of the south boundary basin and
the erection of sheds on the north sides of the Waterloo and
Victoria Ducks, in addition to the south side of the Trafalgar
Dock already thrown open to the public.
" 2. That if the proposed accommodation is afforded the
public service will not be materially impeded by closing the
Canning and Salthouse Docks, which will allow of the pro-
posed alterations being carried on simultaneously as proposed
by the sub-committee of works, and be the means of effect-
ing a saving of £lO,OOO to the dock trust as estimated by the
dock surveyor."
Mr. G. flora said if he understood the notice right, Mr.
Chapman wanted to ensure the opening of the south basin
before the new works were commenced ?
Mr. CHAPMAN replied in the affirmative.
Mr. G. Hour said it would be most injurious for the com-
mittee to pledge itself to that proposition.
Mr. CHAPMAN was quite sure accommodation could not
be given to the shipping unless the committee adopted his
motion, for all the docks were now full, and would be for
some time.
Mr. Alderman EVANS said Mr. Chapman's argument
would go so far as not to close the two docks at all.
Mr. CHAPMAN said his sole object was to provide the
requisite accommodation.
Mr. MIDDLETON observed that as this was only a notice,
any discussion upon it was premature.
Mr. CHAPMAN said lie only wanted the surveyor to report
upon the plan he had suggested in the notice ; but lie could
not enter further on the subject to-day.
The further consideration of the subject was then post-
poned until Thursday next ; and the committee separated
after the transaction of some financial affairs.

- - - --- -
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN OF
THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.

On Wednesday last, an investigation took place at the
White Lion Inn, in the village of Halton, near Lancaster.
before five commissioners appointed by the lord bishop of
the diocese, into certain charges preferred against the Rev.
Robinson Shuttleworth Barton, rector of Heysham, near
Lancaster, preferred by Thomas John Knowlys. Esq., of
Heysham Hall. The proceedings were taken under the 3d
and 4th Victoria, chap. 86, the Church Discipline Act re-
cently passed, iich gives power to the bishop to appoint
commissioners to make inquiry into the grounds of the
charge alleged against the party, which commissioners are to
report to the bishop, whether upon bearing the whole evi-
donee, there shall be sufficient prima facie case established,
to warrant further proceedings, in. the way lof reprimand,
suspension, or exclusion ; and the alleged offence must have
been committed within two years from the date of the com-
plaint to the bishop.
The commissioners named by the bishop were the Rev.
Thomas Mackreth, rector of Halton, and rural dean, the
Rev. William Carus Wilson, rector of Whittington, the Rev.
Edward 'Disraeli, incumbent of Caton, the Rev. Edward
Scott, incumbent of Poulton-le-Sands, and the Rev. David
Umpleby, of Lancaster. The case, on he part of Mr.
Knowlvs, was conducted by Mr. Buck, attorney of Preston ;
the defence, by Mr. Brandt, barrister of Manchester, and
Mr. Shuttleworth, attorney of Preston. Mr. Barton, the
accused, was present during the whole of the proceedings.
Mr. MACICRETH opened the Court by reading the com-
mission which alleged " that the Rev. Robinson Shuttleworth
Barton, Rector of the Rectory and Parish Church of Hey-
sham, a clerk in holy orders of the united Church of England
nwl Ireland, bath been guilty of profane and lewd converse-
uun, intemperance and intoxication, to wit between the 18th
and 27th days of December last, past, and on other days and
times past, against the laws ecclesiastical. And further, that
by reason of the unholy life and conversation of the said
Robinson Shuttleworth Barton, there exists scandal and evil
report that the said Robinson Shuttleworth. Barton bath
offended against the said laws.
Mr. KNOWLYS then proceeded to open the case. He
commenced by saying that it was with no common feelings
he appeared before the commissioners to make the charges
mentioned in the commission ; but he considered himself
bound to do so upon many accounts, the principal of which
was that he had the honour of occupying the position of one
of her Majesty's justices of the peace. The commissioners,
no doubt. bad frequently heard her Majesty's proclamation
against vice, profaneness, and immorality, which she com-
manded to be read at all assizes and quarter sessions. There
was one passage in that proclamation which was his justifi-
, cation for coming forward with the present charges. It was
as follows :—" We most seriously and religiously consider-
ing that it is an indispensable duty upon us to be careful
above all other things to observe and advance the honour
and service of Almighty God, and to discountenance and sup-
press vice, profaneness. and immorality, which are so highly
displeasing to God—"
Mr. BRANDT here objected to Mr. Knowlys opening the
case, when he had his legal adviser with him. A long argu-
ment followed, at the end of which the commissioners inti-
mated that Mr. Knowlys might be allowed to explain his
motives for making the charge, but without entering into a
statement of facts.
Mr. KNOWLYS said he was sorry the commissionersshould
have been delayed so long upon such a point as that they bad
been discussing, but he would on his part endeavour to be
very concise. Her majesty's royal proclamation went on to
say—" We have thought fit by the advice of our privy coun-
cil to issue this our royal proclamation, and we do hereby
declare our royal purpose and resolution to discountenance
and punish all manner of vice, profaneness, and immorality
in all persons of whatsoever degree or quality within this our
realm." Again, it is said—" And we do expect and require
that all persons in honour or in place of authority will give
good example by their own virtue and piety, and to their
utmost contribute to the discountenancing of persons of (Hsi-
solute and debauched lives, that they being reduced by that
means to shame and contempt for their loose and evil actions
and behaviour, may be thereby also enforced the sooner to
reform their idle habits and practises, and that the visible
displeaure of good men towards them may (as far as it is pos-
sible) supply what the laws probably cannot altogether
prevent. * * * * * * * *
Aud for the more effectual reforming all such persons who,
by reason of their dissolute lives and conversations, are a
scandal to our kingdom ; our further pleasure is, and we do
hereby strictly charge and command all our judges, mayors.
sheriffs, justices of the peace, and all other our officers and
ministers, both ecclesiastical and civil, and all other our sub-
jects whom it may concern, to be very vigilant and strict in
the discovery, and the effectual prosecution and punishment
of all persons who shall be guilty of excessive drinking,
blasphemy, profane swearing, and cursing, lewdness, profa-
nation of the Lord's day, or other dissolute, immoral, or
disorderly practices." He therefore held that he was bound,
not only as a private individual and as an inhabitant of the
parish of Heysham, but as a justice of the peace, to prose-
cute this inquiry. And the Rev. Robinson Shuttleworth
Barton being a spiritual person, it was a privilege that he
should be prosecuted in a spiritual court. For that purpose
he (Mr. Knowlys) was there. He was there to make certain
charges against Mr. Barton, of excessive drinking, profane
swearing, cursing, lewdness, and other dissolute and immo-
ral practices, and in the words of the information that he
was a man of ungodly iife and conversation.
Thomas Bailey, of Lancaster, slater and plasterer, was the
first witness called. He stated that on the 24th of August,
1839, he was working near Heysham rectory, when he heard
Mr. Barton utter certain oaths, (which he described,) on
three separate occasions, and that lie (Mr. Barton) was
tipsy in the afternoon of that day.
Mr. Thomas Howitt, surgeon, of Lancaster, said, that
about a year and a half ago, he dined at Mr. Hargreave's,
with Mr. Barton, and eight or nine other gentlemen. Mr.
Barton after dinner was not altogether sober. In cross-
examination, the witness admitted that he was " a little
elevated" himself on the occasion.
John Hodgson, George Hodgson, and Thomas Ripley, de-
posed as to Mr. Barton having used the expressions described
by the first witness. They also spoke as to Mr. Barton hav-
ing been in liquor.
Mrs. Jane Rldly, widow of the last rector of Heysham,
described the congregation of the church as having
fallen off very much lately, and added, that she had herself
ceased being a communicant for the last eighteen months,
because she did not feel very comfortable owing to the
reports that were circulated concerning Mr. Barton. On
being cross-examined, Mrs. Ridley said, she had herself
never seen any thing ungentlemanly in the conduct of Mr.
Barton, and that she had never heard him use any improper
language whatever, or seen him in a state of intoxication.
Edward Lamb deposed to having heard profane language
from Mr. Barton.
Robert Summers and Thomas Jackson described certain
indecent expressions as having been uttered by Mr. Barton.
Joseph Lund said he had heard Mr. Barton propose to
toss with Robert Dennison for a pint.
hobert Dennison in his evidence said Joseph Lund pro-
posed to Mr. Barton to toss, but he did not. This witness
further testified to some loose expressions approaching to
swearing.
'OrlineCourtthen adjourned till ten o'clock the following
morning.
Wednesday, the court was opened, when further evi-
dence was produced of swearing, intoxication, and lewd
expressions. The witnesses were Mrs. Dennison, a midwife,
William Swaine, John Stephenson, Mary Dennison, John
Dennison, Edward Edmondson, Thomas Charnock, Edward
Lyon, Thomas Wilson, John Beesley, Robert Fox, and
Robert Young.
Mr. Bucx then applied for an adjournment of the case, on
the ground that one of the witnesses whom he expected to
have been present was ill in bed, and another had not yet
been found.
The COMMISSIONIRS consulted upon the application, and
ultimately they consented to it.
Mr. BRANDT stated, in answer to a .question from the
Commissioners, that he intended to call witnesses on the
part of Mr. Barton.
The court adjourned about. three o'clock. The ease has
excited great interest in the neighbourhood.

WEAVER CHURCHES.—The first stone of another of these
churches was laid last week by John Tollemache, Esq., M.P.
one of the trustees.