The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-10-08 00:00:00


_
Ts, rem EUITORibr res STATEsMAN.
•a • •
Sis,—,llaciolt invariably found the columns of
your independent Paper open for the insertion
of any occurrence that is interesting to the naval ser-
vice, I aim induced to solicit your favourable atten-
tion to the melancholy circumstance of a Petty
Officer, of the name of ANTHONY lIENRY WILSON,•
who was found,suffocated, or burnt to death, on the
sop of a brick-kiln in Spa-fields, on Saturday, the
26th ult.—From the papers, shoat twenty in num-
ber, which were found in the pockets of the deceased,
and were read to the Inquest, by Mr. STIRLING, the
coroner. it appeared, " That the unfortunate Wile
WN had been for many years during the first part of
his siovices, a Schoul-master in several of his Ma-
jesty's ships; and a number of those Officers who
are now, or have been, an ornament to their pro-
fession. received their education n the branches of
astronomy and navigation f him, arid that he had
served with tho late Admiral Sir R__,ORERT Cacnse, sit
secrclary, and as 11ir1shipman with the present Lord
raentioE, then a Captain (Lord ALGERNON PER-
CY); and finally, that he had been twenty years in
the service."
Some other papers explained, that the last office
the deceased had filled was ichnol.master in a King's
ship, and, that he had been paid off, after a period
of 20 years' service, without a pension ; and that lie
bad applied to the Admiralty to be made a Purser,
but had not succeeded. •
Now, Mr. Enema, what suhjvct of his Majesty in
the British empire can read the above accoont without
deeply deploring the fate of the said unhappy man,
or execrating the policy of a Government, 6b 'tuned
mith their judicious prunisig•knif.. of economy," who
can dismiips a public ser want •fter a faithful discharge of
20 years' service, without promotion, pension, money,
Of friends, to become a wanderer in the wide world—
to seek protection against the midnight storm amidst
the pestiferous exhalations of a brick•kilio ! The
case of WILcON should be clearly (Mold by those
whose duty it is so to do:—it is a national disgrace
as it now stands upon record.
If there exists a regulation excluding a Petty
Officer of the quarterdeck from receiving a pension,
however extended his services, slid to which he con-
tributes whilst in commission, the sooner it was
abrogated the better ; and if the deceased was foiled
in his exertions for promotion as a Purser by the
Order of Council of the 233 of July, 1814, in re-
spect to those Officers of his Majesty's Fleet, it would
be well if that Order shared the VI Me fate ; but it is
strongly suspected, that poor Wilson's numerous
letters of tecommendstion, and certificates of ability
Pad talent, were laid " prostrate" when brought in
competition with the snore magical note of a Parlia-
mentary Automaton—a disgusting Borouglimonger.
Lnudito, 6. 1618. 11. S. W.

. A Correspeedeat hove Southampton informs us,
That hlr. Aldermaw Sures, of that town, has been
elected Mayor of Christcherch, and adds, that this I
Mr. Same was the indefatigable agent, canvasser,
end counsellor, for the discomfited lordly Candidate
at our late election. It was never doubted that hle
ilaorriship's prospect of success in this town was twang!,
.the Ross., interest!—Alas ! the season of Ross; is
boar with us, we prefer flawers 14 better stamina;
but the Rose-tree appears to have been deeper
.planted at Christchurch, and although withered here,
has blossomed and produced a Major. bud there
in
Abe person, of our townsman. 'Fhb phenomenon has
engaged our notice and enquiry, mid we learn that
for the space of twenty-eight years last past, no resi-
dent Buree‘s has been chosen Mayor of that 80.
inufkb, all this time under the controul of the late
Right lion. Rosa. This is a specimen of the
lioroughmongering system, infamous and hateful as
.unconstitutional. It is a specimen of Scotch policy
and English servility ; and we think there is scarcely
another instance in the kingdom where a patron or
•is precarious interest would dare to domineer in this
way, and we hope and trust that the Public spirit,
• 'which blighted the Roag-buds at Southampton, will
ere long extend its influence to the hard-ridden Bo-
rough of Christchurch.
Extract of a private letter from St. Helena, dated
August 17.—" The Governor and Council, in a
.Meeting with the inhabitants last Thursday, proposed
the gradual abolition of the Sieve Trade, and for the
honour of St. Helena it has been warmly followed
up; a Committee was instantly formed, whose Re-
solutions have gone to Council, and go home in the
General !fortis to the Court,of Directors. The most
important feature of their proceedings is, that none
are to he horn slaves after Chriiimaa.tlay next; that
the proprietors of such female slaves who may bear
Children after that date shall be at the espence of
rearing them in their childhood, and to be reimbursed
by their being bound or considered apprentices to
them until the age of eighteen for boys and sixteen
for gifts. This is striking the sae at.the root of the
evil, and I am heartily glad that ithes been adopted.
Proposals hate also been Made this day for letters of
condolence to the Pitlncc It mirttsT'• and Prince
Leoeotn, and unanimously carried, and a subscrip-
tion for the iutentled.rhurch also entered into."
The Duke of DEVONSHIRE left town, yesterday
morning, for his seat, Chatsworth, Derbyshire,
where his Grace expects a large party of fashionables.
The Duchess of Devoeseinr. is expected to leave
town shortly, for the Continent.
The M AToitEss lies issued cards for a graml
ball end supper to be given to the Members of the
Corporation of London, and their familie., at the
Mansion.lletrae, on the 2,2,d of this month.—The
X4oßo MAYOR will entertain his Royal Highness the
Duke of YoitiLt with a select party, 'to dinner on
the same day.
AsYLEY's.—Last night this Theatre closed for
the season, when the following Farewell Address
was delivered by Mr. GomensAt :
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.-1 am deputed by the Proprie-
tors of this Theatre to return, in their names. those thanks
which naturally result from a grateful sense of the liberal Pa-
tronage they have received during a long season of nine-and-
twenty weeks, in is hick their exertions to please have not only
been hononed with e appobation of a generoos and isce
•ing Poblic, r
hut alsoth
of then first Personages in this coudntryrn-
Flattering themselves that they have completed the promise they
made last sewn!) of improvement, both bet% 're and behind the
curtain, the Proprietors empower me to say. that during the
recess no es pence or evertions will he spared to render the en-
suing summer seasou *MI more deserving of that favour which it
will ever he their pride and stud. to deserve.—They. as well as
the Performers in general, most respectfully bid you farewell
fot the pre,seut scam."