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Leader (1850-1860), 7th September 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 556, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      There was no look-out at the bows . In steering they steered by the compass when hazy . They took , their courses from the officer in charge of the watch . The land was visible all the way between Dunman-head and the Mull of Galloway . John Kelly , a seaman , took the helm from Walker , the former witness . The night was calm , and observed no fog The vessel was to the south of Dunman-head when he took the helm , at ten minutes past twelve o ' clock . The vessel was close to land at the time ; particularly so . Never was so close before . The captain came on deck about ten minutes after witness took the helm , and looked at the compass . The captain remained on deck about five minutes after . The captain gave

      witness no course while he was on deck ; but the second mate gave witness a course after the captain went forward . The second mate had changed the course before the captain came on deck N . W . 4 West . The second mate changed it again before the captain came * up , telling him to keep herN . by W ., which was more in-shore . He changed it again to North half-west , a point nearer shore . All this was before the captain came on deck . The captain examined the compass , but said nothing . The captain said something to the second mate , but the witness could not say what . Did not see the captain again before the vessel struck . The wheel was about a third over when the vessel struck . The vessel went straight over when she struck . Witness did not let go the helm . "

      Several persons belonging to Portpatrick were next examined . Their evidence went to show that they had seen the vessel passing close to Portpatrick just before the wreck . They thought she was coming into the harbour , as she was so close to the shore , and as they had never seen any large vessel so close in before . They expected her to strike on the rocks from the course she was steering , and ran out of their houses to give the alarm in the event of their fears being realized . On finding she had struck , they put off a boat for the wreck to render assistance .

      Captain Edward Hawse , R . N ., said it was neither safe nor proper to have the lifeboat covered , as was the case in the Orion . It was also more safe to have plugs in the holes of the boat , or fastened by a lanyard , and also to have the oars in the boat . In the naval service , when a vessel was running along the coast , it was the duty of the captain to be on deck along with the second mate . The Solicitor-General , having withdrawn the charge against the first mate , Langlands , the jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty" against him . Exculpatory evidence for Captain Henderson was given , which was favourable to his character and aV « £ 1 * tZ * +. r * Tt ^ V \ sv vivi ^ m aanofl Vt nnfAvav /\ nl vr oil ftf % tmt \ &f \ abilitiesThe witnesseshoweveronlsucceeded

      . , , y in proving that it was the opinion of several of the Clyde and Mersey captains of steamers , that he was not responsible for what took place when he was down below . Officers of the navy , masters of merchantmen , captains of steamers , sailing between London and the Frith of Forth , concurred in de- » daring that on such a voyage as the greater part of that from Liverpool to Glasgow it was the captain ' s duty to be constantly on deck . The evidence respecting the condition in which the boats of the Orion were found when the ship struck , also goes to prove the existence of culpable , customary , and systematic negligence . The boats were not in a condition for immediate use : the plugs to the holes in

      their bottoms could not be found ; the covers of the lifeboats were so stiff that they could not be removed by ordinary means ; the boats had been allowed to lumber the deck so long without being moved , that it was scarcely possible to hoist them out . The trial , which lasted three days , was brought to a close on Saturday . The Lord Chief Justice Clerk having summed up , the jury retired for about half an hour , and returned into court with a verdict , finding , by a majority , Thomas Henderson ( the captain ) " Guilty of culpable neglect of duty , and John Williams ( the second mate ) unanimously " Guilty . " The Lord Justice Clerk then , in an impressive address , sentenced John Williams , the second mate , to Bcvcn years' transportation , and Thomas Henderson , the captain , to eighteen months' imprisonment .

      Untitled Article

      THE TEXAN QUESTION . The news from America by the last mail is not calculated to allay the apprehensions entertained regarding the dispute between Texas and the United States Congress . Telegraphic despatches , dated Galveston , August 18 th , had brought reports of an unpleasant nature from Texas relative to the policy of that state towards New Mexico . The substance of the despatches was to the following effect : — " The Legislature met on the 12 th . The Governor ' s messnge was received . It proceeds to speak of the unwarrantable assumption of power of the Federal Executive , by direct interference with the municipal affairs of

      the Sovereign State . It pronounces disunion useless ; no reliance must be placed on the delusive hope of justice to Texas , but wo must assert and maintain our rights at all hazards and to the last extremity . The only course left is the immediate adoption of necessary measures for the occupation of Santa Fe , with ample force to repel the arrogant and rebellious spirit existing . Should such measures produce a conflict with the present authorities , unlawfully established , and shake the confederacy to its centre , Texns will stand exonerated before the world . Authority is asked to raise supplies for two mounted regiments for the occupancy of Santa Fe , also for a military force sufficient to enable the civil authorities to executo the laws . It says , however willing Texas

      may be to dispose of a portion of her north-western tern * tory , no respectable party could accept of the propositions embraced in the Compromise Bill ; but , if a proposition had been offered to purchase that part north of 34 deg . latitude , with proper guarantees and observance of the rules of annexation , it would have been satisfactory . The news of the engrossment of Fearce ' s Senate Bill , with the President ' s message respecting Governor Bell ' s letter , was received at Galveston on the 17 th , and produced great dissatisfaction . The papers say the message will arouse feelings of indignation throughout the States not easily allayed . " It ought to be understood , however , that , at the date of the Governor ' s message , the Senate had not passed the 10 , 000 , 000 Dollars Indemnity Bill to recompense Texas for the country surrendered to New Mexico .

      Untitled Article

      AUSTRALASIAN INDEPENDENCE . Earl Grey ' s contemptuous treatment of the Reverend Dr . Lang has produced the result which might have been apprehended . The Australian papers which have come to hand by the India mail bring intelligence of his having commenced an agitation for the severance of the Australian colonies from the mother country . Dr . Lang , as most of our readers are aware , is a Presbyterian ^ minister , and was formerly a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales . Previous to his departure from London he published a strongly-written letter to the Colonial Secretary regarding the misusage of their colonies by the Colonial-office . He is the leader of an active section of the New South Wales public .

      He has delivered a long lecture on the subject at Melbourne , breathing respect for the Queen and general good-will to England , yet strongly advocating separation and independence . He recapitulates the leading instances of misusage under which the colonies have suffered , and likewise puts forward other reasons of a cogent description for the adoption of that step , to which he believes Great Britain will assent , " on a proper representation of the case . " While in England he had consulted men of eminence in the political world , and received from them

      assurances to that effect . His idea of forming a great political league , in order to bring about the desired release , was cordially approved by the friends of colonial reform , and they informed him that England was now fully prepared for such a movement on the part of her colonies generally , those of them especially that were able and willing to govern themselves , and to offer proper terms for the future , and that the day for sending forth British troops to put down insurtheir will

      gent colonies , and to hold them against , was past for ever . Dr . Lang goes on to recommend the immediate formation of an ' Australian League , " to consist of all colonists who pay an entrance fee of five shillings , with a yearly subscription of not less than ten shillings . The executive powers of this body , he proposes , shall be entrusted to a president , vice-president , one or more secretaries , and a council of fifteen , who will pursue the objects set forth in the four following resolutions : —

      1 . To unite , in one grand political league for mutual protection and defence , and for general advancement , the five Australian colonies of New South Wales , Van Diemen ' s Land , South Australia , Port Phillip , and Cooksland , or the Moreton Bay country ; that the inhabitants of these colonies may henceforth feel and know that they are no longer isolated and detached communities—to be governed and oppressed separately and independently by ukases from Downing-street , with none to interfere for them from without—but one people , having common interests and common objects , the nucleus and elements of one great Australian nation .

      2 . To prevent the degradation of any one of these colonies into a mere receptacle for the convicted felons of Great Britain and Ireland ; and to remedy , as far as may be practicable , the enormous evils that have already resulted from the prevalence and abuse of the transportation system in certain of these colonies . 3 . To encourage and promote , by every legitimate means , the influx of an industrious , virtuous , and thoroughly British population into these colonies , that their vast and inexhaustible resources may be duly and fully

      developed , and that they may be fitted as speedily as possible for taking the high and influential place which they are evidently destined to hold in the civilized world , as the great leading power of the southern hemisphere . 4 . To achieve , by moral means exclusively , and with the full approbation and concurrence of Great Britain , the entire freedom and independence of these colonies , and their erection into sovereign and independent states ; to be incorporated into one great political federation , like the Swiss cantons of Europe , or the United States of America , under the style and title of " The United Provinces of Australia . "

      Assuming that England will agree to the erection of the proposed republic , Dr . Lang ' s scheme descends to the minor arrangements for its government , which he would commit to the hands of a president , with a salary of £ 3000 per annum . A general legislature would assist and control the president , whose functions it is designed to assimilate to those of the American chief magistrate . On all matters of internal legislation , education , religion , police , public works , and so forth , Dr . Lang recommends that the respective states of the federation should be left perfectly free . Dr . Lang entered into the details of the scheme at great length , which

      was received with great approbation by the large au dience assembled to hear him .

      Untitled Article

      THE WIESBADEN CONGRESS . A letter has appeared in the Univers stating that the Count de Chambord , after having received at private audiences the Frenchmen who had lately arrived , and whom he had not before been able to see , signified that at four o ' clock he would hold a reception for the last time before his departure . No one failed to be present , and the Prince , after having gone to every part of the room , conversing with the persons around him , suddenly stopped and addressed those before him as follows : —

      " Come forward , gentlemen , come close to me , that I may once more grasp your hands , and take my leave of you , and thank you for having quitted your families and business to visit me . I have informed many of you of my wishes and intentions , of the line of conduct which I conceive ought to be followed , and what men possess my confidence . I desire to once more repeat to you that if you wish to bring about the triumph of our noble and

      holy cause , which is that of France , union and discipline are necessary . Be immoveable as to principles , but moderate and conciliating as to persons . He whom you regard as your head , as your King * who , I can affirm , is also the best of your friends , will always set you an example of conduct ; and if society , if France , should ever be in danger—ah ! say to all your friends , bow happy and proud I should be to fly with you to her defence !" The Count de Chambord passed through Frankfort on Saturday last on his way to Wurzburgh .

      Untitled Article

      COPENHAGEN COURT GOSSIP . The marriage of the King with the Countess Danner , the ci-devant Court milliner , has given great offence . The solemnity was performed in the Palace Chapel , and two Countesses were commanded to attend—the Countess Von Ahlefeld ( the lady of the Chief Clerk of the Closet ) and the Countess " Knuth . The youthful bride was led to the altar by Baron Lewetzan , Marshal of the Royal Household . The ceremony was performed in the presence of the whole Court , who were attired in Court dresses . After the marriage there was a grand dinner at the Palace . The Hereditary Prince Ferdinand led the Countess Danner to the table , and the King the Countess Yon

      Ahlefeld . A few days after the King and the Countess Von Danner paid an unexpected visit to his stepmother , the Queen Caroline Amelia . The Queen Dowager , the widow of Frederick VI ., forbade the visit that the King and the Countess intended to pay her . The ladies who attend Court , and who are highly indignant at this marriage , are under great apprehensions lest they should receive commands to wait upon the Countess Von Danner . This apprehension is the greater because it is known that the lady in question has declared that nothing will give her more satisfaction than to see the ladies upon whom she waited as their dressmaker now come and pay their court to her .

      Untitled Article

      ANOTHER INDIAN DISTURBANCE . The Overland Mail brings intelligence of an unpleasant kind regarding the Affreedies , that wild mountain tribe who have lately been threatening to give John Coompany" some trouble . Besides preparing traps to waylay Lieutenant Pollock , they are said to have committed several open acts of general plunder . Some of the Indian papers call for prompt measures to put the rebellious highlanders down ; some even

      go the length of invoking military execution upon them . The following statement , however , which has appeared in the Delhi Gazette , suggests a suspicion that the Affreedies are not altogether in the wrong . Their first outbreak was attributed b y some to the raising of the price of the salt they obtained from the mines in the salt range upon them b y our Government . If this were true , the smuggling of salt on their part was a very natural and not a very heinous offence : —

      " We understand that a large party of Affreedies , consisting mainly of women and children , have been captured by Captain Coke , whilst engaged in smuggling salt in the Kohat country . As a matter of course , this has roused the marauding tribes into activity , and they threaten an outbreak which it may cost much trouble to subdue . The time will come when we shall have to choose between the adoption of stringent measures with regard to these reBtless neighbours of ours—for they cannot be called subjects—or failing the employment of force , to retire from a contest which , as matters are carried on , bids fair to become perpetual . "

      Untitled Article

      THE GOLD DIGGINGS . The latest accounts from San Francisco , which come down to July 17 , state that emigration to California is still on the increase . Hundreds were daily flocking to the diggings by way of Panama and across the plains from the southern states of America . At the beginning of the dry season in May dams were commenced across the different rivers , with the intention to turn them completely from their course ; but the dams « s soon as formed were washed away .

      Untitled Article

      556 SEtl * U , $ ap $ t . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 7, 1850, page 556, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1852/page/4/