Star. — 1821-12-20 (London, England)

DEC. 15.—Yesterday, at two o'clock, the lion. Baron M'CnennaN o and the Hon. Justice Mootte, arrived in this city from Dublin. This morning, at eleven o'clock, both the Judges entered the County Court, and after the Lord Lieutenant's direction to hold a Commission for the trial of such persons as were in custody for offences recently committed against the public peace was read the Grand Jury were sworn in. Baron M'CLELLAND addressed the Grand Jury in a luminous and constitutional charge. He took a review of the dangerous and wicked associations which disgrace this county, and cited several Acts; framed for the suppression of Whiteboyism. The first of these Acts was passed in the year 1776, when it was enacted, " that any number of persons asso. eating together, under any particular disguise, with ire-arms, &c. amounted to a high misdemeanour, subjecting them to iamisonment and corporal punishment, under the discretion of the Court; but that when such a party should proceed to any operative acts of violence, each and every one in such an unlawful assembly, was subject to the high penal punishment of death." Also, threatening letters, denunciations, placards of an insurrectionary spirit, against loyal and peaceable subjects, was also capitally penal. The slightest trespass, after sunset, by any such party, though in other occasions but a trespass, yet in this case of a Whitehoy system, is capital. Any one giving countenance or protection to any person or pet sons associated for any illegal purpose, are considered conspirators, and are equally guilty. By another Act, passed in the 27th of his late Majesty, denominated the Riot Act, threatening Magistrates in the performance of their duty, which was too common: and: well known in this County, was capital in the eye of the law. His Lordship then referred to other sections, enabling the Magistrates to call upon any of his Majesty's subjects to aid and assist in putting down all tumultuary proceedings, and that in case of any one refusing, the said refusal was indictable. He then referred to the' prudence of arresting any person or persons who may II be in the secret of the insurgents ; that the Magistrates were bound to swear such person or persons, and in case of refusal, to commit them to prison. All sus-11 picious characters, who may be roving- and strangers in the country, and likely to diffuse the wicked spirit' now afloat, should give bail, and in case of refusal, ought to be committed until the ensuing Assizes. His Lordship then implored the Grand Jury to cooperate with the Police Magistrates; to concert together by Baronial Meetings, and advise upon the most judicious means of. arresting the progress of disaffection ; to stay all other avocations except that of promoting the peace of the county, in, order that a deluded peasantry may be restored to habits of loyalty, peace, and industry; and he sincerely trusted, that the effect of this Special Commission would be salutary in restoring the peace of the county. No Crown prosecutions were entered into this day, but on Monday morning the trials *ill commence. All the Bills exhibited to the Grand Jury, this day were returned as " inte." The (fraud Jury will resume their sitting at ten o'clock on Monday. The number io the county jail yesterday for trial amounted to 49, and are charged as follows :—For murder, four; assembling by night, and breaking into houses, 13 ; robbing on the highway, two ; having arms and gunpowder concealed two ; administering unlawful oaths, two; assaulting crown witnesses, 12; various other offences, 12. The City Calendar contains a list of 24 for trial, eight of them are capitally indicted. The two Copingers, father and son, charged with being concerned in the murder of Major COLLIS, hstvs been appieheuded and committed to prison.