The Daily Times. — 1860-11-24 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

HENRY HATCHWAY. What say the Coroner and the Head Constable ? Nearly two weeks have elapsed since the perpetration of the foul offence, and about eleven days since the sailing of the ship on board which it ocented: The *hole population was considerably excited by the tinsailifiadit nattire or the coroner's inquiry. About a week ago we dispas; sionately reviewed the evidence, and were conipolled to eXpreis Mir fears as to the miscarriage of justice. The question Edrttinlied tb egeiie much attention ; and the press throughout the Coin* becomes louder and more explicit in its denunciation of the conduct 'of our local authorities. Even had our deliberately expressed opinion as to the impropriety of the course followed in this case been Wfi ih nriisbfi *ith the pdptilar *ieW of the. matter, we should have deettieti it oni: thity to urge upon the proper parties the propriety of offering some explanation, were it only in, order: to counteract the prevailing idea that under cer-, taro circumstances justiceeven British justice— may eettaiiilk and sttrely be eluded; er at. 'all events that in the present instaneecrinie lids been committed with inipiinity. The existence of such a notion; whether well or ill founded, cannot: but be seriously prejudicial to the interests of order and lunnanity. In ,proportion as the public may have b'een Misled, a sufficient vindication ought, to be all the more easy, and its being withheld is. the more culpable and insufferable. On the other hand, in so far as the balance of probabilities may be supposed to be in favour :of the general conviction, the demand is the more justifiable and imperative that the truth, the Whole truth, and nothing but the truth shall be made as far as possible patent to all. In any case the public have a right to be satisfied, and there can be no doubt that satisfied they shall be before the matter is dropped. The sooner some attempt is made by the persons concerned to satisfy this demand, so much the better and easier will be its success. Any assumption of dignified silence or utter contempt of public anxiety would only more surely seal the doom of the authorities implicated _the moment that fair chance is opened for retributive justice. One thing is certain, the people or Liverpool and the maritime population of the', country generally will not rest satisfied with the present state of the investigation into the murder on board the Jeremiah Thompson ; and we believe they will not be baffled in their righteoue  purpose. A murder was committed, as proved by the medical and other evidence. The body was clandestinely sent ashore in a box to avoid detection The mate and boatswain were both implicated in this horrible transaction. No attempt was made to secure KEEGAN, the reputed murderer, and in all probability he now walks the decks of the Jeremiah Thompson in mid Atlantic. No inquiry was made as to the complicity of those men who brought the horrid box ashore. No attempt has been made to ascertain the truth of the pretended suicide. The mate, whose guilty knowledge was proved, was set free ; and amid all the obscurity and uncertainty of this tragic event, no effort was made to detain the vessel until further enquiry ! Is it not yet possible to forward orders for a proper investigation at New York ? Might it not be possible yet to mete out justice to the mate and the boatswain, if the latter be alive ? Ought any stone to remain unturned to ascertain the real facts of the case ? Are our authorities so blind or indifferent that they will not make every possible exertion to relieve themselves from the opprobrious charges brought against them ? If any or all of these steps are deemed unnecessary, or impracticable, surely it is due to the public mind that some unequivocal and exhaustive statement should be laid before it calculated, as far as possible, to allay the growing suspicion against the authorities of utter incapacity or gross culpability. It is due to the honour and interests of a great port like Liverpool, and to the fair fame of England among foreign nations, that no stain should even seem to- rest upon her glorious reputation, as being no respecter of persons in the equal administration of her laws, and in her sacred regard for the lives of all who look to her for protection. The blood of poor HENRY HATCHWAY still calls loudly for justice. Shall it call in vain ?