The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-08-27 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

On Saturday William Laidler, who stated that he had
been a seaman on board the ship John Campbell, of Li-
verpool, a vessel of 600 tons, in the palm-oil trade, ap-
peared before Sir J. Pirie, at the Mansion-house Police-
office, London, for the purpose of making a declaration
relative to a mutiny on board that vessel, and a series of
cruelties which, he stated, had been crowned with murder.
After some hesitation from Sir John Pirie as to the pos-
sibility of the complaint being founded on facts, the sea-
man solemnly pledged himself to the truth of the state-
ment, which was to the following effect:—The ship John
Campbell left the Liverpool Docks on the 21st of October
last, bound for Old Calabar, on the African coast, in the
palm-oil trade. Two weeks after the ship sailed the skip.
per (Robert Nelson) died off Madeira; when the super-
cargo assumed the command, as is alleged wrongfully.
About a month after our skipper died, the supercargo
reduced our daily rations to a very serious extent.
We had now gained our destination, working hard
under an African sun unloading the ship, but find-
ing ourselves oppressed with heat, and languishing
for the want of food, we con ulted, went aft, and
respectfully complained to the proper officer, the first
mate, that in consequence of the reduction of our rations
we felt weak and unable to do our work. The officer re-
ferred us to the supercargo. We then addressed ourselves
to that personage, who also refused our request, on the
ground that the ship's provisions were short, and should
be reserved for the homeward passage. The application
was denied, and the supercargo went on shore, and a mes-
senger soon after announced that we might look to our-
selves, as the war canoes were nrenaritn: to come off.
Shortly afterwards we saw about 50 armed war canoes
put ofl, with from 18 to 20 natives in each, chanting their
war songs of blood and slaughter, with the supercargo at
their head. They soon drew up in a circle round the ship,
and swept her decks with vollies of shot and poisoned ar-
row.- Being astonished at such an extraordinary attack,
and shuddering at the idea of instant death, we stood
on the defensive with such weapons as came to hand;
but becoming weak from wounds and loss of blood,
the ship was easily boarded, and nine of us tied with
cords, and thrown, covered with gore, into the ca-
noes, and taken ashore and paraded through King
Yambo's town, where every species of cruelty and insult
was also inflicted upon us. The natives turned upon the
supercargo, and plundered the vessel of her gear, and
every moveable article upon which they could lay their
hands." The paper of the applicant, after some particu-
lar details of severities alleged to have been practised by
the supercargo, states, " On the 10th of May the French
brig-of-war Alloinella arrived, when we were all put on
board of her, and landed at Gambia on the 11th of June,
and lodged in gaol, but were instantly liberated as soon
as the magistrates had examined the case, no crime being
recorded." The statement concludes with the expression
of a determination to bring the supercargo to public
justice upon the arrival of the other injured parties, and
gives the names of the men who were ironed (being eight)
and of those murdered, (being two.)
The statement, which is dated " Gambia, Ist July,
1844," is signed by William Laidler and William Hall.
Sir John Pirie, who appeared to doubt the truth of the
statement throughout. stated that he should write to the
owner, Sir Joseph Sharp, in Liverpool, and in the mean
time sent the seamen to a place of refuge. We feel bound
to add that we know of no such name in Liverpool,
although the John Campbell is well known.
[Since the above was in type we have learned that the owner of
this vessel is Mr. William Sharp, of Drury-lane.]

MERCURIAL PLEASANTRY.-OUr contemporary of
Friday, in reply to a correspondent who is " grateful" for
some very sage counsel derived from his columns, suggests
that such correspondent may in return " remember him
while he is on the moors, or even when on lower lands
next month"—or, in other words, he may forward him a
present of game. The following is his exquisite reason
for being in want of such a commodity :—" We have no
time ourselves for pursuing any game but such as we can
occasionally make of our brother editors or bungling
statesmen." The Mercury make game of either " brother
editors" or " bungling statesmen." We rather imagine
that, if his table was to be supplied only with game of his
own manufacture, the poor dear gentleman would some of
these days be found feeding upon himself, with bread
sauce and other appurtenances, as his shot against what-
ever object directed, most frequently comes home to his
own shop. The Mercury " making game" would be an
exhibition of the ridiculous, beyond the powers of human
endurance to look upon.
THE FUNDS: SATURDAY NIGHT.—The market for
English stocks was steady to-day, but in the present state
of affairs the jobbers seem little inclined to operate.
Without much fluctuation, Consols for money and the
account left off 984; Bank Stock, 1981 to 1991; Three
per Cents. Reduced. 994 to ; Three-and-a-Half per
Cents. Reduced, 102/ to 4; New Three-and-a-Half per
Cents., 1014 to 4 : Long Annuities, 121 to 9-16 ; Exche-
quer-bills, 735. to 755. premium ; South Sea New Annu-
ities, 984; and India Stock, 281 to 283. In the foreign
market there was no great change, the limited amount of
business usually transacted on a Saturday being one cause
for the sameness of prices. Spanish Five per Cents. left
off 224 to 8 ; the Three per Cents., 334 to 4; Portuguese,
43/ to 441; Peruvian, 23 to 25 ; Mexican, 354 to 8 ; the
Deferred, 1514 to 4,; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents.,
614 to ; the Five per Cents., 1001 to I ; Danish, 881 to
891 ; Colombian, 13a to 4 ; Chilian, 103 to 105 ; Buenos
Ayres, 34 to 36; Brazilian, 831 to 841 ; and Belgian,
1024 to 1031.
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.—The lectures on the
British poets, now in course of delivery at this institution,
by James Montgomery, Esq., continue to attract a nume-
rous and respectable auditory, who evince the liveliest_in-
terest in this truly English course of lectures, and pay the
greatest attention to the valuable observations which the
lecturer makes on the style and character of the poetry of
the several poets, as they come under review. That this
subject at all times should be attractive is not surprising—
that it should be doubly so is what we should anticipate,
when we find that the lect rer himself is a poet of acknow-
ledged celebrity, and one of the most distinguished literary
characters of the present age. He has reviewed the
poetry of Langdale, Chaucer, Spenser, Skelton, Shak-
speare, Butler, Milton, Dryden, &c. ; and this evening
his sketches will embrace the names of Pope, Thomson,
Addison, Prior, and others—all of whom are poets of the
first standard ; and we have no doubt the lecturer will do
ample justice to the characters and talents of each. We
trust our readers will not allow so favourable an oppor-
tunity to pass without going and listening to the remarks
of this justly celebrated poetic lecturer.
police,
e P
superintendenceoLi c
Royal Navy, has just been established (says a corres.-
duties will be confined to the tracing out
mated by this branch of the revenue
E.—Anewof a detective
ofth the
and will also co-
'revenue, and
the officers of
pondent) by the Commissioners of Customs,
fsr,aaundds
com-
mitted
operate, when occasion may require, with d
systema lieut e no f
many fraudulent tra
succeed in bringing
whose cases stand over for hearing at the next sittings of
excise. This arrangement has been alredaerys
tfoou.unsdticteo
the Commissioners of Excise and Customs.— Observer.

VISIT TO LIVERPOOL OF THE PRINCE
ROYAL OF PRUSSIA.

Shortly after ten o'clock on Sunday night, the Prince
Royal of Prussia and suite, arrived at the Adelphi Hotel
in this town, en route from Scotland for the south. His
Royal Highness was at Glasgow on Friday, and slept at
Carlisle on Saturday night. On Monday he proceeded in
one of his own carriages, to Lancaster, and, after having
taken a view of the castle and the localities generally, he
came by railway to Parkside, and from thence to Liver-
pool. On arriving at the station in Lime-street, he was
met by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. Bramley Moore (Al-
derman), and Mr. Burchart, the Prussian Consul in this
port—the last in the full costume of his " order." Mr.
Wilkinson, Church-Warden, was also present. A large
crowd awaited the arrival of the train, and evinced much
anxiety to see the prince, who is a good looking and
youngish man, apparently about at least six feet in height,
of rather light complexion, wearing, according to the
fashion of his country, somewhat bushy mustachioes,—a
custom also honoured amongst his suite. His Royal
Highness, accompanied by the Mayor and two of the suite,
proceeded to the Adelphi, in the municipal state carriage,
Mr. Bramley Moore, and the others in attendance, follow-
ing in other carriages. The royal party partook of an ex-
cellent dinner (or rather supper), provided by Mr. Rad-
ley, and on their sitting down the bells of St. Peter's
Church rang a merry peal. The President Van Garlach,
a Prussian Judge, supped with the royal party. The suite
consisted of seven Prussian gentlemen, including Count
Konigsmark, the Chevalier Bunsen, &c. In all, so far as
we could learn, beds were engaged for fifteen gentlemen of
the royal party.
Yesterday morning, his Royal Highness and suite made
a tour through the...town and along the docks, to view
such objects of interest as his short stay would permit,
his time being limited to eleven o'clock in the forenoon.
His Royal Highness appointed the early hour of half-past
seven for starting on this object, and shortly before that
time, Mr. Burchart, Prussian Consul, and the Mayor
and Mr. Alderman Bramley-Moore, were in attendance
upon him—the two latter arriving at the hotel in the cor-
poration coach. Punctual to his appointment, the Prince
was down stairs at the time fixed, and, after he and his
suite had partaken of a cup of coffee, the whole proceeded
on their route, at twenty minutes to eight. The Prince
was accompanied by Chevalier Bunsen, the Mayor, and
the Prussian Consul. Six of the suite. together with
Mr. Moore, followed in two other carriages, the whole
greeted by loud acclamations from the bystanders. They
drove down Ranelagh-street, and along Church-street,
Lord-street, and South Castle-street, to the Custom-
house, where the Prince alighted, and walked through the
Long-Room, stopping to admire the dome in the centre.
As none of the clerks were astir at so early an hour, the
room did not exhibit any of that bustling appearance
which his royal highness might have witnessed had his
visit been a few hours later in the day. From the long-
room the Prince was shown into Mr. Arnaud's, the col-
lector's offisi from the windows of which he obtained a
view, nece ily imperfect, of the large warehouses and
other buildings surrounding that neighbourhood, and of
the docks which stretch away to the southward. He was
then accompanied, amongst others, by Mr. Arnaud, whom
he recognised as having seen somewhere before, and it
turned out that the Prince had met with him at Ports-
mouth (in, we believe, 1815) at a grand ball given to the
Allied Sovereigns, which Mr. A., along with his family,
was invited to attend by his late Majesty then Duke of
Clarence, who on several occasions shewed the same
kind attention to Mr. Arnaud. The recognition was
mutual, and most friendly. The Prince, on coming out,
admired the massive columns and the building generally,
and made inquiries as to the cost.
After re-entering the carriage, the Prince was driven to
the Coburg Dock. and went on board the royal mail steam
ship " Britannia," where he remained about half-an-hour,
inspecting and admiring the engines and cabins of that
powerful vessel. A body of police, of perhaps 200 in
number, under command of Mr. Miller, the active and
intelligent head constable, were here stationed, and, filing
off to form an avenue; the Prince and suite rode through
their ranks. The Prince expressing himself highly de-
lighted with their fine appearance, order, and discipline.
Had, indeed, the high encomiums which his Royal High-
ness passed upon this truly efficient and constitutional
force reached the ears of Capt. Miller, who heads them,
they must have been highly gratifying to his feelings, as
well as to those of his predecessor Mr. W bitty, who so
long trained and commanded them. This testimonial of
respect from a foreign Prince is not less honourable to
the men themselves, and we trust they will ever aspire to
deserve it. The ship was in apple-pie order, as clean in
every point as a new pin; and, to add to the imposing
effect, her yards were, in honour of the royal visiter,
fully manned by the whole complement of her " jolly
tars," neatly dressed in blue jackets and white trousers.
This was, in fact, one of the finest displays of the day ;
and, had the pu'llic been apprised of it, would have been
witnessed by as many thousands as it was by hundreds
of our townsmen and fair townswomen. The Prince was
received on board with the greatest politeness by Captain
Hewitt, the commander, and Captain Bevis, R.N., who
escorted him through the engine-house and cabins, and
pointed out everything of interest in the ship. His Royal
Highness walked through the sleeping apartments, and
asked a variety of questions as to the average number of
passengers, the general length of the voyages to the United
States, the tonnage of the vessel, and the weight of the
engines, to all of which prompt and satisfactory answers
were returned by Captain Hewitt. His Royal Highness
obtained from the quarter-deck a good view of the ship-
ping in the Brunswick, the Union, and other docks ; and
here we may remark, that the whole of the shipping in
the het buuL thcit ,vivule On the occasion in
honour of the royal visit, and presented an exceedingly
gay and brilliant appearance. The whole of the public
buildings were also decorated with national and other
flags. The Britannia, in compliment, displayed the
Prussian ensign at the fore. Mr. Stubbs's Harmonic
Band was also on board, (engaged by the gallant Captain
Hewitt himself,) and played the national and other airs.
On landing from the vessel the Prince and all his suite
shook Captain Hewitt cordially by the hand, and thanked
him, in the most affable and complimentary terms, for his
trouble and attention.

Accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. Moore, and the royal
suite, His royal Highness then embarked, at the Coburg-
pier, on boardherMajesty's steamer Redwing, which wasin
waiting, with the view to steam down the harbour, and
thus enable his Royal Highness to obtain something like
a cursory view of the extent of the docks. He was re-
ceived on board by Captain Bevis R.N., and Lieut.Ladd,
R. N., a strong detachment of the poPce, under Mr. Mil-
ler, giling him three hearty cheers as he reached the deck.
His Royal Highness acknowledged the compliment paid
him
by the constabulary by raising his bat and politely
bowing.

The steamer proceeded southward to the upper end of
the Harrington Docks, and then crossed over to the
Sloyne, where her Majesty's mail steamers, Medusa and
Merlin, were lying at anchor. Those fine steamers dis-
played an immense number of flags, and had their yards
fully manned. The Redwing then steamed along the
Cheshire shore, against a strong N. W. wind, and the
Prince and party obtained a fine view of the town and
docks. The principal objects of interest on both sides of
our noble river were pointed out to them, and the Prince
was amazed when told by Mr. Moore the extent of water
and quay-space afforded by our docks.. His Royal High-
ness seemed particularly interested in witnessing the novel
mode in which "The Queen," Woodside steamer, (noticed
in another column,) which was crossing at the time, was
co strutted, and put several questions not only as to the
ingenious manner in which the rudders—one at each end
—were constructed and operated, but also as to the power
and capability of such steam-vessels and others on our
waters for the purposes of war, in the event of a contest
with belligerent powers ; on which subject he made many
inquiries, which were very intelligently answered by Mr.
Moore. After reaching Seacombe, the Redwing steamed
across to George's Pier, where it was at first intended to
disembark ; but she afterwards proceeded to the Albert
Dock Basin, where the whole:party landed. Here the
Prince was met by Mr. Hartley, the marine surveyor, who
pointed out the mode by which the dock is being deepen-
ed, the warehouses erected, and the mortar made by steam.
After walking along the western quay of the dock, and
through one of the large fire-proof warehouses now in
course of completion, the Prince entered the state car-
riage,
and was driven to the Prince's Dock, and thence
through Chapel-street to the Town-hall. He there
walked through the beautiful suite of rooms, and ad-
mired the several busts, statues, and pictures as he
proceeded. On first entering the suite of rooms his
Royal Highness could not refrain from exclaiming " mag-
nificent."

From the Town-hall the Prince went to the Exchange
News-room, where be was received with loud demonstra-
tions of respect. He next visited the Underwriters'
Room, inspected Nelson's Monument, and was afterwards
introduced to the Lord Chief Baron (Pollock) on the
bench of the Crown Court, now sitting, and expressed
himself as being much interested and even affected by the
solemn, considerate' yet firm procedure of our higher
courts of justice. Fr3m the Town-hall he again entered
the Mayor's carriage, and followed by two other carriages
with his entertainers and suite, was driven to St. John's
s st
their
ei
r speaks
carriages
repast En-
glish
his
Royal
i s
Market, through which he walked. He next viewed the
Fish Market, and it was expected would visit the New
ue ut bl e , stated
ou d
freelyth a t Hisc conversed Royal,ersed I l
with the Mayor and
ghe Highness e
the Assize Courts, but time not permitting consistently with
his other arrangements, the whole party returned to the
Adelphi, where they sat down to breakfast about half-past
ten, after a somewhat early and active tour for a Prince.
It
shouldfluently,
y
Mr. Moore (whom he invited to breakfast with him)
throughout the whole route. He made many inquiries as
to the education of the people, and seemed much interested
with fromlo
u d one of the
cheers—for
here, as in the highlands of Scotland, (in the kindly
balconies,
in the subject. An immense crowd occupied the
in
c
and
after
f re-enteredt
areano ya
l Highness
a n d w
a showed
received
himselfed
spirit of British feeling) " stranger is a holy name." Mr.y
Stubb's band, which had been previously playing in front,
at the same time, struck up the national anthem. Soot;
afterwards the Prince and suite
and proceeded to the railway station, en route for War-
wick Castle. The Prince and immediate friends occupied
seats in the middle part of the mail carriage,
learned, a special train. His two carriages of, as we
with the re-
mainder of his retinue were next in the train, mounted on
appropriate machines. One of these—his own private
carriage—much resembles a comm
on plain gentleman's
coach of this country, and presented
embellishment, saving a simple no royal insignia or
crown
each of the doors, without any on the panel of
motto.
The train started at five minutes before
es before eleven o'clock,
and reached the Edge-hill st • atton in four minutes. It
would, we learn, proceed •
Birmingham in two hours with such rapidity as to reach
and a half. The Prince would
probably only lunch at Warwick Castle, as he was under
promise to dine the same day (yesterday) with Sir R.
Peel, at
Drayton
Manor. His Royal Highness will dine
with her Majesty the Queen on Saturday next.