The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-05-07 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL GAS BILL

A T a MEETING of GAS CONSUMERS, held at the
Adelphi Hotel, on the Evening of Wednesday last, the
sth May instant,

It was unanimously Resolved,

That it is the opinion of this Meeting, that the Liverpool
Gas Bill, as amended by the House of Commons, and now
before the House of Lords, will be beneficial to the Conn-
mem of Gas ; and this Meeting pledges itself to support it.
GEORGE WALKER, Chairman.

COMMITTAL OF THE REV,

On Monday the R
Wiley, were b
charged with us
terrify Doll)]
Wiley.
The fc

T. D. GREGG

T. D. Gregg, William and Thomas
e magistrates of Dublin,
;e, so as to alarm and
ulting Ruth Hanna

t bofor

be nature of tl

A letter, by t

,and I

sutra

under thi

and the other t

age, who t

fanaticism, no

They came to
to how they sl

person order
She was in ti

had been so sue(

their vile anti-CI
her to feel an in

wish f

a visit with the u

after some sho
her tender age

guardians held suc
received as an inn]

House, on Geor

you the anguish and r
which this discovery a

Fficiently exp:

RIGHT

1.31., on the late

illig City

NI by two gentlemen

—One was the brother,
lady of sixteen years of
from her family—other-

utnbug, of error and

rn our country

e, and advise with me as
It appears that the young

r mother, a widow' lady

inploying popish servants, and these
instilling into her daughter's mind
principles, that they first of all led
to popish ell or, and secondly, to
lonastic life. Having been on
ntioned, she was missed ; and
s discovered that, notwithstanding
horrence in which all her natural
tions of darkness, she had been
) the Convent, Nunnery, or Loretto

I cannot 'Clescribe to

the grief and indignation with
her connex'ons—being all Pro-

testants. On my advice, armed with the authority of the
young lady's mother, we proceeded to the convent, and after
some delay, the superioress and another elderly person drew
near with much air, great state, and in full pontificalibus. 1
think it right that the public should be put in possession of
the sort of priestcraft which, in these places, blinds the eyes
and bewitches the souls of the simple. Nothing can be more
dramatic or imposing than the dress of these kidnappers—
the hood, the veil, the lappet, the holy cross, the holy beads,
and other trumpery to keep up the idea of superhuman piety,
are all in requisition. We very unceremoniously informed
the popish pair that we had come to remove Miss W
from that synagogue of satan, as it was contrary to the wish
of her friends that she should be brought up a votary of anti-
christ and of the devil. This plain language threw the mother
abbess into a violent passion; she broke out into a Billings-
gate abuse of me, and solemnly denied that the young lady
was on the premises at all, although the servant a few mi-
nutes before stated the contrary. We charged the lie home
upon her, and peremptorily demanded the surrender of her
victim. To make a long story short, she was at length forth-
coming ; her brother whom we had left to communicate with
_ _
the young lady alone
ing herself warranter'
he constrained het
and she was brougli
her to renounce the

'ler disposed to remain ;' but feel-
landate of her natural gOardian,
'bode of fanaticism,
Here I besought
herself to the church

Le' street
achir

of the devil, which the popish church is. The infuriated
mob, however, wrested her from the arms of her brother,
and reconsigned her to the tender mercies of the mother ab-
bess and her companions ! I was furiously assailed by the
multitude, several times struck, and pelted with stones and

a'
la I rode were broken, and

mud ; t

the carman, under the pretence of further danger to his ve-
hicle, discharged me into the midst of my assailants. The
police displayed the most philosophic indifference to the dan-
gers of the moment, and were not of the slightest service in
repressing tumult. Ido not think it proper to detain you by
a lengthened recital of all the particulars of the affair, and
so hasten to a few observations.
" I.—ls it to be wondered at that the simple Protestant
should be drawn aside from the truth of her religion, when
she sees popery countenanced as it is in high places? Idol
temples rear themselves in all directions ; idol priests are the
favourite guests at state banquets ; idol bishops the
bishops of antichrist, are treated as brethren, and taken into
councils of the bishops of Christ ; they regulate the educa-
tion of the people; they are pensioned as bishops of Christ
in our colonies ; their subordinates are viewed as ministers of
religion ; idolatrous judges crowd the bench, and idolatrous
magistrates dispense the laws ; in fact idolatry is treated as
religion, and the apostacy of antichrist recognised as a form
of Christianity. I repeat, is it to be wondered at that our
simple people should join the ranks of an apostate church so
countenanced and upheld ? Not in the least. If the popish
church were not the church of antichrist, the Protestants of
Ireland would do right to join it. When, then, any of our
rulers and our nobles treat it as a Christian church, they are
guilty of the blood of the souls whom their unfaithfulness
causes to be seduced, and will be held responsible for the
heavy curse which the spread of idolatry entails upon the
land.
9

,-.—ls it not a monstrous evil that those sinks of supersti
tion, the monastries and the nunneries, should be suffered to
increase and multiply without hindrance given—that no ef-
fort should be made by the state to counteract their progress ?
Why have not a board of commissioners to cry them down?
Why not state proclamations to expose their true character?
Why not insist on their doors being always open for the pub-
lic to walk in, and the inmates to walk out ? Is it proper to
permit the existence at all of dark receptacles, in which to
stow away the kidnapped children of Protestant parents

against their consent ?
" 3.—ls it not a solemn mockery, a contemptible humbug,
to employ a popish police to protect the lives and persons of
Protestants? Where were the popish policemen yesterday,
when hundreds of infuriated people wrested a young girl
from her own brother and consigned her to a popish bas-
tile ? When they crowded round and assaulted me ? The
police generally congregate in numbers at the slightest con-
tention in the streets—here, when thousands, perhaps, were
collected, two policemen alone made their appearance, and
they did not act. The Protestants of Ireland are prettily
served when the powers of the state are so used as to facili-
tate the seduction of their children to popery ; and when
their own persons are given up to the tender mercies of
popish bigotry, with no other protection than that afforded by
popish policemen. It must be admitted that we have fallen
upon evil times.
It is at the w
the attention of the

ish of the friends of the party that I call
Protestant public to this afflicting case
I am, brethren, your most hum-
T. D. GREGG.

of wrong and aggre

Me servant in Ch
" Dublin, Ma

I have iust seen the account of this affair given
in the Morning Register and Freeman's Journal. They are
both mixed up with gross falsehoods. That I told the mother
abbess that her church was of the devil, her house the syna-
gogue of satan, and her proceeding, in allowing a young
• •
creature to abondon h

Trent's home, most infamous, is
true—to have said any thing less than this would have been to
compromise truth. But she suffered no violence at our
hands, as may be conjectured, although the repeated lies she
told, stating that the young lady was not in the place, excited
our indignation." _ _

Severtil witnesses were then called, who attributed lan-
guage and conduct to Mr. Gregg, which he emphatically de-
nied, and declared himself incapable of using. The bench,
however, decided that each party should give bail in his own
recognizance of £2O.
Mr. Gregg then stated that he would not enter into any
recognizance, and that he had been found guilty because
there was an idolatrous judge upon the bench. Dr. Kelly
said that they could not suffer such an insult upon their
brother magistrate, (Mr. Duffy,) and they therefore called
upon Mr. Gregg to give security to keep the peace towards
Mr. Duffy. Mr. Cregg, however, said he would prefer going
to prison to entering into any recogniza:,ce: He was glad of
the opportunity of hearing testimony to the fact that a popish
magistrate should not be allowed to sit upon the bench.
Mr. Gregg was then committed to Richmond Bridewell,
being told that he could obtain his discharge the moment he
entered into the recognizance. The Messrs. Wiley complied
with the decision of the magistrates, and were, of course, li-
berated.

CHINA, INDIA, AND EGI PT

(From the Times of yesterday.)

By an extraordinary express, in anticipation of the over-
land mail, we were enabled yesterday (Wednesday) to lay
before the public, in an early second edition, the heads of
the intelligence, which we repeat at greater length to-day.
The dates of our despatches are, from Macao to the 12th
of February, Calcutta to the 27th of March, Bombay to the
Ist, and Alexandria to the 2nd of April.
The news, although not of striking interest, is of high
importance. The leading points are China, the Punjaub,
Affghanistan, Persia, and the Provinces of Scinde.

The state of Persia is alarming. The present schah is

The intelligence from China, reaching to the 12th of Fe-
bruary, represents Captain Elliot and Keshen as continuing
their negotiations, but private accounts state that the Chi-
nese authorities, from the emperor downwards, were not dis-
posed to act with sincerity. Captain Elliot has ordered pos-
session to be taken of Hongkong, in her Majesty's name.
Troops are to be sent off from Bombay immediately to take
their station on that island. Great fears continue to prevail
lest all Keshen's negotiations should turn out to be mere
humbug. The commodore still refused to allow the trade of
foreigners with Canton, as the blockade has not been de-
clared removed.
In the Punjaub all Is confusion, for the soldiers are masters
under their mock rajah, Shere Singh. The European offi-
cers are detained there by force. The Governor-General of
India is preparing a large force on the frontiers ; for it ap-
pears merely a question of time whether the British army
is to enter that country. The season is now too far advanced ;
so that it is probable nothing will be done until October.
The commander-in-chief of the Bengal presidency is about
to go to the north-west provinces; but it is not known if it
be to take the command of the army on its going into Lahore.
The Ranee, widow of Kurruk Singh, had her paramour
murdered before her eyes. She was wounded in the attempt
to save him.

The settlement of Affghanistan is progressing, notwith-
standing various petty conflicts. Schah Soojah, like other
politicians, is looking out for future prospects. While some
describe him as anxious to get rid of his foreign auxiliaries,
there are others who fancy that he is desirous of again annex-
ing the Pesbawur to his dominions—a highly peobable event
in case the British authorities interfere in the concerns of the
Sikhs. Peshawur is considered as necessary for the con-
solidation of the Affghan monarchy. Two British officers—
viz., Captain Douglas and Lieutenant Pigou, were killed in
one of the actions.

The British authorities in the midst of all the struggle do
not neglect making preparations for futurity. Attock will,
it is said, be speedily fortified, and also the mountain passes
of Kyher, the Bolan, and Gundawa. The news from Khiva
is satisfactory. Captain Conolly. who was surprised to hear
the Khan expatiate on the British expedition against China,
has gone to Kokhan, in order to make peace between the go-
vernments of Khiva and Kokhan. British influence will
thereby become considerable in Central Asia, and even from
the north we shall soon control the King of Bokhara. The
British agents, Abbott and Shakespeare, who have gone to
St. Petersburgh, via Orenburg, will be able to give correct
statements about these important countries, as well as the
probabilities of the movements of the Russians in that direc-
tion. Nothing appears to be feared now from their approach
there.

delicate health, and is incapable of managing his troops, who
are unruly from want of pay. Russia has guaranteed the
succession to the throne ; and, notwithstanding, two of the
schah's uncles are ready to dispute it with his children and
with each other, one of them is stationed near Bagdad, and
the other on the frontiers of Affghanistan.
Considerable anxiety has arisen respecting the proceedings
of Yar Mahomed at Herat. This crafty vizier, who governs
that country for his besotted chief, Kamrana, being eager to
get a large sum of money, persuaded Major Todd, the British
agent, that the Persians were going to attack Herat. He
sent a mission to Meshed. Major Todd being alarmed, and
after having excited alarm by his reports in India, got leave
to retire in all haste to Ghirisk, whence he entered into a
parley with Yar Mahomed, who seized all the friends of the
British and put theta to the torture in order to force them to
surrender their money. Major Todd's negotiations and his
fears have called down the displeasure of Lord Auckland,
who has displaced that officer, and sent him to do
forward in
nitih
his regiment. Preparations are, however, going
order to teach Yar Mahomed that his tricks will not avail
him.
The Bombay army in Scinde has made a partial movement
into the provinces around Quotta. Five thousand have passed
through the Bolan, and four thousand remain in the Scinde
provinces. In a late attack on the fort of Selobee, belong-
ing to the Kujjuks, the folly of despising the enemy cost the
lives of three European officers and of fifty sepovs. The
officers were Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson and Lieutenants
Shaw and Falconer. Notwithstanding this event, the paci-
fication of the hill tribes of Beloochistain is advancing. The
Murrees and other tribes have come in, and willingly made
terms under the care of Captain Brown, well known for the

Elie Etherpool atlanbarb.

FRIDAY

MORNING, MAY 7, 1841

We received at a late hour last night papers from
Jamaica to the 31st March, and from Guiana to the

22d March. It will be perceived that our space is pre-
occupied, or we would have given the intelligence con-
tained in the papers. No mention is made of the
President; but, according to Captain Fayrer's calcula-
tion, she could not have reached any of the West India
Islands prior to the departure of the packet on the 31st
March.

Lord Melbourne has described the consequences of
opening the corn question in parliament in a manner
so racy and terse that the warmest friend of his coun-
try's peace could desire nothing better. The picture
was drawn last year, when his lordship was in a fa-
vourable position and state of mind for doing justice
to the task. The question was then attempted to be
agitated by a third party; and the Premier, acting and
speaking in the capacity of an impartial umpire, de-
clared, " that whether the object was to have a fixed
duty, or a diminution of the present ascending and
descending scale, he saw clearly and distinctly that that
object would not be carried without a most violent
struggle (hear, hear) without causing much ill-
blood, and a deep sense of grievance—(hear, hear)—
without stirring society to its foundations (hear,
hear)—and leaving behind every sort of bitterness and
animosity—(hear, hear)—and he did not think that the
advantages to be gained by the change were worth the
evils of the struggle, by which, they might depend on
it, the change could alone be effected. (Hear, hear.)"
Such was the tableau sketched by his lordship last
year, when his interest seemed to consist in telling the
truth; but this year another string has to be pulled,
and the same noble lord, standing as chief showman,
will, doubtless, tell us to look to the right, and then to
the left—to the foreground, and the back—and behold
the very reverse of all this : instead of a " violent con-.
test," just an amicable rivalry to see who will be first
in offices of kindness ; instead of " society stirred to
its foundations," society gently refreshed by a health-
ful agitation ; and, instead of " bitterness or animosity
left behind," nothing, in fact, remaining, but affection
and esteem between the adverse parties that win and
lose—between those who suffer and those who inflict
the suffering—the conquerers and the conquered.
Nobody doubts his lordship's ability at that inesti-
mable and profitable game which men call humbug ;
but he labours at present, unfortunately for himself and
party, under the disadvantage of being suspected.
The cry of " black-leg " has gone forth; and we are
inclined to think that, with all his admirable skill in
taking in the soft-horns, he stands just now in a pre-
dicament out of which he will find it indeed very diffi-
cult to escape.

The corn-bill is the newest humbug, and is taken up
for the benefit of the English mob—that which was
raised touching a f 5 franchise specially for the Irish
being worn out and duly shelved. It will beremarked
that our scientific ministry, like all " adepts," live not
upon the strength of -what they have done, or are do-
ing, but upon something that remains behind, and
which they are to do -when time and opportunity shall
concur in their favour. Thus they came into office
under pretence of carrying a certain appropriation of
church property, and the pretence served their purpose
extremely well; but, having got into power, no other
appropriation seemed to give them any concern, but
the due appropriation of the emoluments of office to
their own use and khoof. They at last coolly aban-