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Northern Star (1837-1852), 17th March 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      MONDAY , March 12 . HOUSE OF LORDS . —The Petty Sessions Bill iras read a second , and the Larceny Acts Amendment Bill a third time and passed . Lord Beatoioxt , after detailin g the circumstances under-which Mr . Cotter nadoeen arrested at iladrid , in Septemhor last , and subsequently transported by the Spanish authorities to Manilla , Begged to ask whether government had taken any steps to ascertain if Mr . Cotter -was a British subject , and , if so , "whether any means had been token to obtain satisfaction for the injury which had been done Mm .

      Lord Eddisbcrt , in reply , stated that Mr . Cotter had been arrested hi March , 1848 , charged with being concerned is a conspiracy , and subsequently a second time , on suspicion of having been concerned in a conspiracy against 2 farvaez . It , appeared thai Mr . Cotter had originally served in the British Xe « ion , then became a captr . in in the regular Spanish armv , and was appointed aide ^ nip to Gen . Concha , and was afterwards appointed comp-* iv » Hi » r of customs in a Spanish port . Mr . totter

      ira 3 BOt , therefore , a British subject , owing allegiance to the Queen of England , nor had he claimed tb be so either on his first or second imprisonment . On the motion of Earl Waldegrave , an address was agreed to for a copy of the instructions given to the captain of the Scomge , as to the treatment © f the convict Jlitchel on his royage to Bermuda . Their lordships then adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Navigation Bill was resumed by

      Mr . Gladstoxe , who sustained an elaborate argument in favour of a departure from our present system by a series of comparisons which went to show that our tonnage , both foreign and colonial , had increased at a far more rapid ratio since we embarked on a system of relaxation , so far as the Navigation Iiaws were concerned , than previously to our so doing . Thiswas , of itself , a complete answer to those whoneld that further progress in the cause of relax ation would be destructive to the shipping interests of this country . He would not then enter into the question of time , his conviction being that , on commercial and other grounds , this was a fitting season for effecting a large change in our navigation system . If tliis were a proper tune for making such

      a change , the question was in what manner it could be best effected . Here he must say that he differed from many ^ riio supported the present- measure His doctrine was , that they should not abandon the path of experience . In his opinion , it was only on principles analogous to those acted on by Mr . Huskisson and others , that we could safely depart from the system of navigation which we had so long _ pursued , and whieh had been for centuries interwoven with our national policy . There were several demands which the shipowner might fairly make upon the Legislature , when it was about to deprive him of protection . In the first place , he was entitled to the removal of every peculiar burden by which he was now hampered . If we exposed him to unrestricted competition with foreigners , we should give him a

      drawback , or a remission of the duties upon the timber whieh he used hi the construction of his ships . He should also , in the next place , he relieved from the restraint under which he laboured with respect to the manning of Ids ships . There was still another compensation to whieh the shipowner was entitled . By the repeal of the Jsavigation Laws he would have to undergo a competition from the Baltic , sharp , as far as it went , and from the United States , all over the world . He was , therefore , entitled to ask that we should secure for him , if possible , an entrance into those fields of employment from which he was now excluded , as a compensation for the entrance permitted to the foreigner to those fields of employment of which he had now a monopoly . The policy pointed out to them by experience was that- of conditional relaxation . He had never entertained the notion

      that we should proceed by treaties of reciprocity with foreign powers . There were difficulties in the way of so doing , which it became a prudent Legislature to avoid . The American system , so far as it went , was that to which he would look as a model . By adopting that of conditional relaxation , they would avoid the difficulties inseparable from the system of reciprocity treaties . The immediate effect of conditional relaxation would be to jnve to the vessels of such states as conferred privileges upon our shipping corresponding advantages in our ports . Such a course would be in accordance with precedent and experience , whilst it was that which was demanded by justice , and which would be found muck more easy of execution than the plan

      proposed by her Majesty ' s government . There was one feature of that plan to which he had an insuperable objection . Every word said by Mr . "Wilson , on Friday night , against the system of reciprocity , told with augmented force against those of retaliation . He Trould join readily with those who might endeavour to get rid of that feature , regarding it , as he did , as a material defect in the government plan . If the government would not consent to leg islate on the subject conditionally , he would advise it to do so directly , without the accompaniment of retaliation . Indeed , the conditional system was that npon wlueh we now practically acted with regard to many of the maritime nations of the world . The plan which he thus proposed would do more

      for the general liberty of commerce than that which had emanated from the Treasury bench . There was another feature in the government proposition which he regarded as defective . He was of opinion that the mode in which it proposed to deal with the coasting trade would he found iucffectpal for the purpose in view . Before we could expect to get the boon of the American coasting trade , we must throw our coasting trade unreservedly open to tuat country . He did not Oelieve thatwe would secure the coasting trade of America by proceeding on the principle of unconditional legislation . On the other hand , by proceeding on the conditional principle , they had every reason to believc that they would secure that trade . If his plan wanted another recommendation to entitle it to the

      favourable consideration of the House , it would be found hi this , that by proceeding conditionally , they might at once effect a final parliamentary settlement Of this great question . lie was aware thai there was onelfact which might be adduced hi the form of an argument against the plan which he ventured to suggest . It might be urged that It would not suit thc \ ic \ rs or meet the wishes of the colonies . What they wanted was supposed to be an unconditional repeal of the Navigation Laws . But he begged to remind the House that what they wanted was not such a repeal with a reserved power of retaliation . Having once tasted the sweets of unrestrained commercial intercourse with the whole world , the colonies would not be very ready to return to the system of restriction , either wholly or partially , should that system be reverted to by the mother country , either hi whole or in part , by the exercise of the power of

      retaliation . So far as regarded the colonies , the exercise of the power in question would be unwise and impolitic . On this and on the other grounds , he would submit , in all earnestness , to the government , the propriety of erasing this feature from its plan , if it was resolved to proceed upon the principle of unconditional legislation . The right hon . gentleman then proceeded to detail his reasons for thinking that the mter-colonial trade and the direct trade between the colonies and foreign states should not be removed from beyond the jurisdiction of parliament . The government bill contemplated such removal , which he regarded as another flaw in its construction . Imperfect , however , as the measure was , he could . not refuse his assent to the proposition for its second reading , as in committee opportunities might be offered of correcting what he conceived to be material defects in it .

      Mr . G . Bonissox contended that one effect of the abrogation of the Navigation Laws would be to increase the shipping of America , and to decrease that of Great Britain ; and what security would there he that when the change was effected , that the British shipowner would be released from the disabilities under whieh he at present laboured hi foreign countries . The project doubtless was put forward by the ffovernment because they had entered on the path of free trade , but notwithstanding all the advantages which had been promised to resultfrom that system , it had not been successful , all its results proving that directly the contrary was the case . He entreated the noble lord at the head of the government to pause before he exposed both the commercial interest and the British navy to the danger with which they were threatened by this measure .

      Mr . Clay , Mr . J . Hobxbt , Mr . W . Wawx , Mr . C . Bbcce , Mr . Wilcox , Mr . R , C . Hildtard , and Admiral Bowies , spoke against the measure ; which was supported by Mr . Mitchell and Mr . KicARno . -J \? m 3 Qt 0 SB made a speech which excited considerable amusement , and from which we take a ? 1 ™ «? e S : ~ H ? ^ * S « e that much of the defcate on this occasion had been not so much on the pnncinle as on the details of the billTmTt at Se same time he mustsay there was this excuse for Ion . members—that the principle of the hill was nowhere to be found in it . ( Laughter . ) The bill in its first worfs said that it was a bill to amend certain things ; and the way in which it proposed to

      amend them was by abrogating them . Jfow , he must say that was the most extraordinary way of mending he had ever ieard of . ( Hear , hear . ) it might be all very right and proper to alter eighteen statutes of ' Parliament , hut he could not consider that question in the present stage of the bill . To find out what was the principle of the bill they must look to the speeches which had been delivered , not Only in that legislative assembly , butinmany assemblies of an illegitimate character . In all past times the object of every statesman , whatever his political opinions might have been , was to prevent capital going out of tMs country , because if it did out labourers could not be employed . Now , the object of this bill—and most ingeniously contrived it had tees—was to keep capital in , the country , but stDl

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      not to employ our labourers . ( " Hear , " and a laugh . ) The promoters of it did not send capital away , but they kept it here for the purpose of employing foreign labourers . They had all heard of the Satanic school of poetry in literature . If there was such a thing as a Satanic school in politics , the authors of this bill certainly belonged to it . ( "Hear , hear , " and a laugh . ) It was a very remarkable phenomenon that at the present day it seemed to be the fate of every statesman , no matter to what party he belonged , or on what side of the House he sat , to he doomed to eat every word ho had ever uttered on any one occasion —( a lau <* hand to go against every principle which he had ever endeavoured to establish ! If , therefore , any hon .

      gentlemen were at a loss to meet the arguments of the government and its supporters , they had only to go back to the speeches of those very gentlemen , and to appeal from the drunken Philips of the day to the sober Philips of ten years ago . ( Hear , hear . ) Li fact , the best speech against the measure of Earl Grey was the speech delivered not long ago by Lord Howick . ( A laugh . ) For years past the country had been under an evil genius . It had teen well described by the hon . member for Buckingham ( Mr . Disraeli ) , as a fate from which no Minister could liberate himself—it seemed , as it were , a sorj ; of myth of a force which bound them down , while Chancellors of the Exchequer pecked at their livers ad libitum . ( Cheers and lauriiter . ) The

      alterations in our system had not been carried to any dangerous extent . The changes introduced by Lord Waflace and Mr . Huskinson had been wise and prudent . Not so the conduct of Ministers now . He spoke not of any particular government , but of all those who had sat on the Treasury benches for many years back . It might be apparent presumption in him to say so , out one expression hi the right hon . member ' s ( Mr . Gladstone ' s ) speech had been worth attending to—that in which the right hon . member said the evil of our school was that we did not attend to the lessons of experience , but dashed boldly into ways unknown on the faith of theories untried . ( Hear , hear . ) He called on them not altogether to disregard the teaching of the past ,

      and the lessons of experience . The most celebra **^ statesmen of antiquity declared that " there is in maritime states a corruption and instability of morals , for they import not only merchandise , but morals—so that coining can remain entire in the institutions of their country—( hear , hear )—for they wllO Inhabit those states do not remain quiet in their places , but are hurried away from their homes by an oyerwinged hope of thought , and , even if they remain bodily , they still run about and wander in spirit ; nor did anything tend more to the destruction of Corinth and Carthage , long in a declining state—than the vagrancy and dissipation of their citizens , who through their greediness of trade and navigation relinquished the culture of their lands

      and their training to arms , " ( Hear , hear . ) He might quote the opinions of Lord Chatham and of Mr . Canning to a similar effect , and of late days they had an eminent writer , who , in Ms werk on Germany , speaking of Frankfort , said , " in . consequence , of her commercial relations , she was so thoroughly under foreign influence , and so polluted by a mixture of all foreign manners , that her population could be hardly said to have a character of then- own . " "What had fitted them to be citizens of the world had unfitted them to be citizens of the Country to which they belonged , for " they judged of the happiness of mankind by the rate of exchange . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Kow , all that was applicable to the Manchester school . The

      grand fault of these gentlemen was , that they could not form a conception how anything which was not good for cotton spinning could be good for anything else . ( Renewed laughter . ) "But , " said the same writer , "let no one blame them for forgetting , in the pursuit of the money speculator and merchant , the interest of their country , or at least before doing so let him visit the ports of London , Liverpool , or Bristol , and discover—if he can—a purer foundation for English patriotism . " 'Hear , hear . ) But he had one more authority for hon . gentlemen opposite — then * darling Adam Smith . The only quarrel he ( Mr , Druminond ) had with hon . gentlemen with respect to Adam Smith was that they never would read beyond one page of him . ( A laugh . ) Let them attend to this : — " As their ( the maniifacturers' ) thoughts , however , are commonly exercised rather about the interests of their particular branch of business than about that

      of society , their judgment , even when given with the greatest candour ( which it has not been on every Occasion ) , is much more to be depended upon on the former than on the latter . The interest of the dealers in any particular branch of trade or manufacture is always in some respects different from or even opposite to that of the public . " ( Hear , hear . ) Yet it was for such men as these that the Legislature had acted for many years back , and acted still . The manufacturer sent to America for his cotton , grown by the American labourer ; having employed the American labourer and shipowner , he would take it home and spin it into cotton ; then it was put on board a French vessel and exchanged for French silks or wines , so that from beginning to end not one English labourer would be employed . ( Ironical cheers from the Ministerial benches . ) When the poet , glowing with a fine enthusiasm , exclaims : — " Breathes there a man with soul so dead , " Who never to himself hath said .

      This is my own , my native land ?" " Oh , yes , " sa 3 * s the hon . gentleman opposite , " at Manchester there are a thousand of them . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Not content ( continued thfe hon . gentleman ) with resorting to bribery to get up accusations against your sailors—not satisfied with assailing them and your naval officers with taunts , you now say we nave a superstitious reverence " for the navy . It may be true we have a superstitious reverence for that gallant service . It may remain among us yet- Time "was "when "we liad a . "veneration for it . There was indeed a time when we had a national faith—when we venerated , ay , worshipped , if you like , the statesmen who guided the destinies of this country—when we respected the

      magistrates who administered her laws , and admired the seamen and soldiers who devoted their lives to her service—a time when our national creed was "Rule Britannia , " and the finest anthem in our ritual was " God save the Queen . " ( Cheers . ) Mr Labocchere in reply proceeded to repel the accusation that he was disposed to base his support of the present measure upon the principle of cosmopolitan patriotism , as , on the contrary , if he were not inlfy persuaded that it was advantageous on strictl y Bwiish grounds , he should never have taken a part in its introduction . After referring to the policy of Mr . Huskisson , and to the objections raised to the details of the measure , the right hon . gentleman implored the House to agree to the second

      reading of the hill , confessing that he should be greatly disappointed if it were not carried by a large majority . Mr . JIuxtz thought that hardly any one who had heard the right hon . gentleman could fail to perceive that he was doubtful of the policy of the measure which he recommended the Houf e to adopt . ( Hear . ) He ( Mr . Muntz ) was about to do what he supposed would be called speaking on one side and voting on the other . ( A laugh . ) The object of the present measure was to reduce the freights and profits of the English shipowner , and give them to the foreigner . ( Cheers from the Opposition . ) He had yet to learn that any of these changes were productive of national advantage . ( Renewed cheers . ) He had voted for the repeal of all protection . ( A laugh ) When he heard that laughter he alwavs thousrht of

      Goldsmith ' s line hi which he connected the " loud laugh" with the " vacant mind . " Since other classes had been deprived of protection , ho thought it ought not to he enjoyed exclusively by the shipowner . Besides , this advantage would result from the repeal of the Navigation Laws , that the standing excuse for the failure of all the free trade measures of the last two years would he removed . ( Laughter . ) The hon . member for Liverpool said we could compete with all the countries in the world , because we had the largest capital . He ( Mr . Muntz ) believed that that capital consisted in our land , houses , and ships —( hear)—but if we reduced the value of them , he was not sure we should have the largest capital in the world . ( Hear and laughter . ) They ought to consider what had been the success of the measures

      they had taken . He would mention the effect of them on the article of zinc , ia which he had been a large dealer . Xo zinc was now made in this country . Why ? Because the price of foreign zinc was only £ 13 or £ 14 a ton , while in this country it could not be made under £ 18 . But what had been the effect of free trade on the town he represented ? A few days ago a person handed to him a newspaper published there , called the Mdland and Birmingham Advertiser , and pointed out an advertisement hi it from a respectable ironmonger in Birmingham . It was headed " The Effects of Free Trade , " and stated that the advertiser had just imported from Germany a stock of superior tools , which , although the duty was ten per cent ., he could sell at from thirty to sixty per cent , under the price at which they could he made in Birmingham . ( Hear , hear . ) It struck him that every day they were getting out of the fryingpan into the fire . ( Laughter . ) For

      the last twenty-five years he had been competing in the foreign market with the merchants of his own town . By care , industry , and economy , the whole Of them had ceased to compete with him ; but although he had the whole trade , he found himself so reduced by competition with the foreigner that it was not worth keeping , and he was going to give it jj p . . ( Hear , hear . ) It was said that they should Sy . ^^ heapest market and sell in the dearest , w \ m consist m the abstract price . ( Hear , * w ,, '; Li - W get an article that was manu-S 2 t ^§^ tefl W ^ nt . cheaper on the S ^ V ! f ^ J ^ " <>* that that was the &K ic Take iron . It might be £ 10 a ton here , and only £ 8 on the continent ; but if it were SStXf £ ^ M * ™> uld be unemployed , ADdjoatoadAf buymg lt m the cheapest inarketit nnght jn the end prove the dearest . YHeaThear . He expected to see the produce of this country as low as foreign produce—bear , hear )—and he knew

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      that that price could not pay the taxes and liabilities ot the country . ( Hear , hear . ) If they had a fixed amount of revenue to make up , and they lowered the pnee of produce , they increased the pressure of that taxation on the industrious classes —( hear , hear)—and by so doing prevented the possibility of their competing with foreign labour . They were told that they must buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest ; but he did not call it a good bargain , although they got an article at a lower price from a forei gn country , when at the same time all the different trades dependent upon the manufacture of the same article at home were injured and depressed by their employment being given over to the foreigner . ( Protectionist cheers . ) Let the Government only continue its present policy , and they would soon find , when they had thrown the lands out of cultivation , rendered trade profitless , and destroyed the sources of their revenue , that there was something else wanting besides experiments upon mere abstract theories . ( Protectionist cheers . )

      Mr . Scholefieuj , in opposition to his hon . colleague , contended that the inhabitants of Birmingham , who had long carried on a flourishing colonial trade , which was now declining , were very much interested hi tho repeal of the Navigation Laws , by which there was no doubt they would bo considerably benefitted . The House divided—For Mr . Homes' amendment 210 Against it 266 Majority in favour of the billi .. -50 The announcement of the numbers was received with great opposition cheering . The bill was then read a second time without further division . The House then adjourned at a quarter to one o ' clock .

      TUESDAY , March 13 . HOUSE OF LORDS . —Thia House sat only a few minutes , and the business was confined to the presentation of petitions . HOUSE OF COMMON .-AiV disposing of some private ollis , Jord Palmebston , in answer to Mr . G . Saxdaks , stated , with reference to the affairs of Schleswig-Holstcin , that it was true the Danish government had given notice of the fact of the termination of the armistice on the 2 Cth inst ., but , in so doing , had announced that it was not done with the intention of recommencing hostilities , but with a view to some provisional arrangement . Ifo effort would be wanting on the part ot the British government to bring the two parties to an understanding , looking to the vast magnitude of the interests concerned , with a view to a final arrangement for a permanent peace . Irish Paupers . —Mr . H . Herbert asked the Homo

      Secretary whether a deputation had waited on him representing that 12 , 000 Irish paupers had been landed at Belfast from this country , and whether the governmennt contemplated an alteration of the law in this respect ? Sir G . Gbey replied that such a statement had been made to him . He thought , however , the number exaggerated ; but whatever the number really was , they were paupers removed from Glasgow , having no legal settlement there , but in Ireland . The deputation had been told that the government would be happy to hear any proposal for altering the law , but none had been made to whieh they could give their support . Since then a deputation from Scotland had arrived , and represented that there was a society ia Belfast supported by voluntary contributions , by whose instrumentality paupers who had been legally removed to Ireland were illegally removed back again to Scotland , thenfares being paid with that object .

      Abolition of Chubcii Hates . — Mr . Tbe&awnt , pursuant to notice , moved a resolution , " that effectual measures should bo immediately taken for the abolition of Church Rates . After noticing the opinions expressed by Lord John Russell , Sir C . Wood , and others upon this subject , and expressing surprise that nothing had yet been done to settle this question , he adverted to the law , and to the authority under which the payment of these rates was held to be of universal obligation . He then stated the abuses to which litigation upon this matter had led- ; the hardship ana oppression which flowed from this source ; ana he argued "that the present moment , when there existed little angry agitation upon this subject , was the fittest time to ' deal with

      it . If a tax produced more private mischief than public good , it should be repealed ; and when a law became impracticable , it ought to be abolished . Mr . Wood gave full credit to those who opposed these rates on conscientious grounds for really entertaining such scruples ; though , if he had held property charged with a rate to a Roman Catholic chapel , he should not think that his conscience stood in the way of paying such rate . But although the law imposed these rates upon all property , there were many ways of evading it ; and this and other considerations , connected with tho altered condition

      of the country , induced him to think that some measure—not the abolition of church-rates , as proposed by Mr . Trelawny—for placing this question on a more satisfactory footing was absolutely necessary . The hon . member then proceeded to say that he had embodied Ms views in the shape of an amendment , which was to the following effect : — " That it is the opinion of the House that effectual measures should be taken for discharging persons dissenting from the church as by law established from contributing to church rates , and from taking any part in the levying , assessing , or administering , of the same . "

      The motion and amendment led to a lengthened debate . Mr . Headlam , Mr . Eice , Mr . ncjre , and Mr . Cobdex , supported Mr , "Wood ' s amendment . Col . Thompson , Lord D . Stuart , Mr . Martin , Sir W . Clay , Mr . Bright , Mr . Osbouse , and Mr . G . Thompson , spoke in support of the original resolution , iir . Goramnui , Sir H . Peel , and Mr . Gladstone , opposed both resolution and amendment . Lord J . Russell said , unless the House had made

      up its mind that there should be a total abolition ot church-rates without providing any substitute for the building and repair of churches , lie should not agree to tho proposition of Mr . Trelawny . He believed that the House had not come to such a conclusion . He agreed that there were evils in the collection of church-rates : but he could not agree with Sir William Clay that the Church should be ashamed to collect those rates from Dissenters ; there could be no shame in collecting a charge originally laid upon the land , or allowed as reduction in rent . Neithm * did lie think thnt . thn

      Established Church was to be regarded as a benefit solely for those who belonged to it . The general ground upon which church-rates stood was that it was a great tribute and homage to reli g ion . The same argument against church-rates would he good against tithes . If any member would propose , in the form of a bill , a fair substitute for church-rates , he should not oppose the introduction of it , but he thought this resolution dangerous in principle and pregnant with mischievous consequences . Mr . G . Thompson told the noble lord , after the discouraging speech which he had delivered , that the dissenters would bide their time , and watch for the opportunity which the government could not , or would not make for relievingthe Church of England from the reproach of perpetuating so great- a scandal , as exacting rates from persons not belonging to that establishment .

      Mr . Heioet thanked the noble lord for his noble speech , and said that the scruple of conscience as to the payment of church rates , was more an allegation than a reality . Mr . Cobdex , after replying to the obserrations of the previous speaker , and referring to the Rochdale case , said , all the dissenters wanted was that they should not be compelled to pay two rates . The great difficulty in the matter had been to find a substitute for this impost , but that problem had been solved by tho hon . member for Oxford , whose plan was not only consistent but just . The noble lord had said if a substitute were proposed , he would give it his consideration , but that had already been done , because the hon . member for Oxford proposed to exempt dissenters from the payment of church rates ,

      leaving their payment to members of the church . After repudiating the charge that persons would pass themselves off as dissenters in order to escape the payment of church rates , the hon . gentleman concluded by expressing his intention as a churchman , anxious to show his desire to prevent dissenters paying the rates of the church to which he belonged , of giving his cordial support to the amendment . The House then divided on the original motion , which was negatived by a majority of 163- ~ the numbers being , 20 to 183 . A second division followed on the amendment , which was negatived by a majority of So—the numbers being 84 to 119 . Mr . Asstey rose to submit a motion on the subject of Van Diemen ' s Land , when tho House was counted out at twenty-five minutes past ten o'clock .

      WEDNESDAY , March 14 . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The " Count-Out" of Tuesday . —Mr . Asstey complained with reference to the count-oufof the previous night , that the officers of the House had not rung the hells which communicated with the smoking-room and library , or else a sufficient number of members would have been in attendance to keep a House , but entirely acquitted the government , inasmuch as they had exerted themselves to keep forty members present . As his motion was now a dropped order , he should

      move it as an amendment on the question ot going into committee of supply on Friday . Landlord and Tenants Bill . —The second reading of this bill was moved by Mr . Pusey , who said it was strictly in conformity with the report of the committee of last year . Colonel Sibthorp moved the postponement of the second reading for six months , considering that the bill would create dissatisfaction and disputes between landlord and tenant ; and this amendment ^ SSy vL ney , who observed that if tenant finaenbri lease s , which it ought to fee the object

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      of all friends of the agricultural interest ; to procure them , they would provide a better remedy for the grievances ngainst which this bill was directed . A uebnte of some length ensued , in which Mi ' . Robert Vxamn , Mr . Acke , Mr . Henley , Mr . Sn » n HEBBEitT , and Mr . Nevtdeoate spoko in nZ ^' Jl ° I lrinciplc of tho measure , and Mr . Christopher and Mr . Mcllixos against it ; the Jattei- suggesting some practical difficulties and injurious ehects in the working of the bill .

      ti . ; f ni , m f . OMM-OfiM » " s ™ the force of most of fhLS ?" , ^' cstC ( 1 by Mr . Mmlixgs , but as tnpy went to the details they were no ground . for rejecting the bill . ° Upon a division , the second reading of the bill was carried by 147 to 11 . Clergy Relief Bill . —Mr . Lacy moved that the second reading of this bill \> e postponed for six months , contending that the bill afforded facilities tor clergymen to escape improperly from their vows , and that it would offer a premium unon insincerity .

      Mr . Bouverie said , under the existing law a n r gyraan could not # rid of his ordejls at a 11 - Mi . Hume thought that nothing could be more tyrannical than to prevent a person from leaving tho church who conscientiously differed from it and desired to do so . Mv . SxA * i ? onD objected that , by this bill , any clergyman who offended against the discipline of the church , and became liable to penalties , might go before a magistrate , call himself a dissenter , and escape them . Mr . SroosEn viewed this as an objection to the details of the bill , the second reading of which he supported ; as did Mr . Wawjj . Mr . Dni'MMOKD considered this bill was an act separating the Church from the Stato , which would be the only party prejudiced ; the church would be the gainer .

      waf cScutted t ? tt 2 ppeavcd ^ ¦ - ' thebiU was calculated to re ! » ^ . ^ practl - caI iev . atice , inasmuch as , by the existing law , a clergvman once ordained could not release himself , but continued sub ject to the jurisdiction of the church during his whole life , though he might become a professed member of another religious denomination . Was there anything unreasonable in exempting , under due limitations , from a process which might be instituted against thorn at any time , individuals once in holy orders , who wor e honestly exercising their talents elsewhere than in the church . After some further discussion , Mr . Lacy withdrew his amendment , and the . Dill was read a second time .

      ' BcriiDEN's on Land and Real Propem ! . —The adjourned debate on Mr . Disraeli ' s resolutions , and Mi-. Hume ' s amendment was then resumed by Tiie Chancellor op the Exchequer , who rose to state the course which the government recommended the House to adopt with reference to the two propositions before it . He ' dealt first with the amendment of Mr . Hume , which was connected with the proposition for reducing ten-elevenths of the expenditure necessary for the defence of the country , and which proposition had been fairly discussed on the motion of Mr . Cobden afovtnight ago ; and he called upon the House to negative Mr . Hume's amendment , and to affirm its recent decision . With respect to the other proposition , he agreed hi much

      that had . fallen from Mr . Disraeli . He joined him in the tribute he had paid to the gentry and farmers of the country ; he agreed with him that tho local taxation to which he had referred was a burden more especially pressing upon real property , and that the amount of that taxation came near £ 12 , 000 , 000 . But here his acquiescence ended . Mr . Disraeli had calculated that this local taxation pressed upon one-fourth only of the property of the country , having taken the income derived from real property at £ 67 , 000 , 000 and the aggregate income of the country at £ 249 , 000 , 000 . But he would find that the annual income of property rateable to the poor was not £ 07 , 000 , 000 , but £ 105 , 000 , 000 ; so thai the burden fell not upon one-fourth , but upon iwo

      -nnns , oi the annual income of the country . Then the effect of the change proposed by Mr . Disraeli would not make a fair and cojial distribution of benefit . Of tho property subject to the exclusive burden of local taxation , not one half consisted of land , tho rest being railways and other descriptions of rateable property ; so that ho would throw a heavy burden upon one class to confer a boon upon another that did not ask it . Mr . Disraeli had sometimes spoken of this burden as pressing upon the occupiers of land ; but they had no interest , or next to none , in his proposition , the rates being always calculated by a tenant before he took a farm , and deducted from its value . There was another point he had lost sight of—namely , the diminishing proportion of the expense of mciuitaininar the noor .

      paid by landed property , as distinguished from other property . Ho showed by statistics that the poor rate was diminishing in its proportion upon land , and increasing upon other property . He then touched upon the items of local taxation , . and , with reference to Mi . Disraeli ' s complaint of the misery inflicted by manufactures upon agricultural counties , he asserted that , even in the county he represented ( Bucks ) , the introduction of manufactures had relieved the surplus population and diminished poor rates . In dwelling upon tho special burdens upon land , Mr . Disraeli had overlooked its special exemptions ; and in assorting that nothing had been done for the landed and agricultural interest , ho had forgotten that since 1815 Excise duties affecting agriculture had been repealed to the amount of

      £ 6 , 835 , 000 . The Durdons of the landowners of this country had been described in pathetic terms by Mr . Disraeli ; whereas there was scarcely a country in Europe in which a heavier portion of the national taxation did not fall upon land and veal property . To the local taxation referred to by tho hon . member for Buckingham ( Mi . Disraeli ) , must be added £ 2 , 000 000 for municipal taxation ; this would make £ 1-1 , 000 , 000 , half of which was to he transferred to the Consolidated Fund ; and , assessing it in the proportion of the income tax , £ 3 , 233 , 000 would fall upon those in schedule A , and a heavy share upon the tenant farmers . He thon proceeded at si'eat length to show that ± he proposal before the House , it ' successful , would be of no benefit whatever to the tenant farmers , the

      proprietors being the only class who would benefit by it ; and they nad no right to look for such a boon at the expense of every other interest in the country . The proportion of poor rates now paid by the owners of real property was not so great as formerly . In 1833 they paid no less than sixty-nine per cent , of thatvate , whereas now their proportion did not exceed forty per cent . Complaint was made that the whole cost of the roads fell upon the owners of real property . But this complaint was not very well founded , seeing that it was land tbat was chiefly benefitted by the great majority of the roads sustained . . But tho whole cost did not fall upon the landlords , many of the roads being supported by tolls , from the payment of which , manure , so

      extensively used m husbandry , was exempted . Nor did the burden of church rates falloxclusivoly upon the land , inasmuch as all the householders of the parish were rateable for the maintenance of the fabric of the church . Ror could they , in considering this whole question , leave out of sight the fact that there were some burdens , from which the land was exempted , such as the probate and legacy duties . He agreed with Mr . Disraeli , that as regarded the latter , tho land was but partially exempted . As to the malt tax , he could not consent to its repeal , unless an equivalent were offered him . But , as ho had already said , the burden proposed to be dealt with by the honourable member for Buckinghamshire was one by the removal of which the

      landlords alone would be benefitted . He objected , as a landlord , to take tho burden from off his own shoulders , to transfer it to those of the tenant-farmers and others . He had serious objections also to saddling the consolidated fund with tho millions proposed to be spared to the landlords . How could the sum be raised from the community generally without resorting to an increase of the income tax ? Were the House and country prepared for such an increase 1 Were the tenant-iarmers prepared for it ? Or were they really the friends of the tenantfarmers who would make such a proposition ? What Mr . Disraeli proposed would not simply be a transfer of a burden , but , to a considerable extent , a clear addition to the general burdens of the country .

      If the principle of local taxation , accompanied as it > vas » y local administration , was " an unjust one , it would be unjust if retained in part , as well as if retained in its present extent . He himself was not prepared to give up the principle of local taxation , because he would not abandon that of local administration , which had so greatly contributed to the safety and stability of the country . The two were inseparably connected , and if they abandoned the one , they could not with justice insist on the retention of the other . He admitted the existence of agricultural distress , but he did not admit its existence to the extent alleged by Sir . Disraeli . The distress was chiefly confined to the southern counties , and there was no good ground for saying that it had generally prevailed amongst the agricultural population . He deprecated the ill-advised language , on this subject , -which had been used , as tending to lower the price of produce , and to spread ,

      nstead . of alleviating ., the distress complained of . The Chancellor concluded his speech by expressing his belief that the well-being of the maBses was essential to thatofthehigher classes , and that if that well-being could be secured by the sacrifice of some of the luxuries to -which hitherto the higher classes had been accustomed , the sacrifice should be freely and fully made . There was no class so strongly and immediately interested in the well-doing of the great body of the people , as that which enjoyed the permanent and inalienable interest of being tho ownevs of the soil . The ri ght lion , baronet was immensely cheered on resuming his seat . Mr . Christopher supported the motion of Mr . Disraeli , contending that Sir Charles Wood had not dealt fairly with that pvoposition , Avhieh was offered as one of conciliation and policy . The land , ifc was admitted , was unequally burdened ; by the law of England every porson should be rated to the poor according to his ability , and the fimdMder haying

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      lent his money subject to this law , could not complain of being called upon to pay his proportion . Agriculture alone was subjected to the unlimited operation of free trade ; manufacturers were protected by import duties ; the landed interest , therefore , had a right to look to other remedies ; and unless some remedy wove given , the Ministers would find all the leading interests against them , and it would bo impossible to carry on the government of the country . Col . Thompson said , it was but a very short time ago since there existed in this country a tax which pressed very hard on the interests of many hon . gentlemen on that ( the Ministerial ) side of the House , and which was supposed to operate in favour of the

      hon . gentlemen opposite . It was now only six weeks since that tax was taken off , and yet hon . gentlemen opposite , under those circumstances , came forward and complained of suffering interests . Now , he wanted to know what compensation those hon . gentlemen intended to give in return for the advantage they had so long enjoyed ? Did they mean to propose as a compensation that there should be a duty for twenty years on home-grown corn , in order to increase the quantity of corn brought from abroad ? ( " Hear , hear , " and laughter . ) II it should be said that that would be an injury to the country , he would commute the tax-willingly for an equivalent charge on rent —( laughter , '—and then he should be prepared full y to consider any allegation of theirs , that

      they were excessively taxed in respect to certain items , and to remove the grievance whenever found to exist . ( Hear , hear . ) The Earl of March said , he was surprised to hoar the Chancellor of the Exchequer state that tho distress in the agricultural districts was of a partial nature . He , on the contrary , bolieyod thafctW" - }; . out the agricultural districts there existed the greatest » r , u ueepest distress . ( Hear , hear . ) They were told when the corn , laws were repealed—a measure which no one regretted more than himself —that with low prices the labourers would be as well off as with high prices ; but , by a paper before the House , he would prove that a greater amount was levied for tho poor rates when corn was low than when it was high . From the appendix of the report

      of the Poor Law Commissioners , it appeared that there were expended for the relief of the poor , in the seven years when the price of wheat was lo ^ YCSt , £ 34 , 4 G 6 , $ 10 , and in the seven years when the price of wheat was highest , only £ 34 , 259 , 454 , being a difference of £ 207 , 362 . But the difterence in the value of corn during the two periods , he believed , might be correctly estimated at thirty per cent ., and if , consequently , the amount of pauperism at the time when wheat was lowest was tlu ' rty per cent , greater than at the other poriod , no iess a sum than £ 10 , 000 , 000 ought to be added to tho difference of £ 207 , 362 , in order to show the real comparison between the two periods . The Chancellor of the Exchequer had stated that tho experiment of

      feeding cattle with malt was an entire failure . ( The Chancellor of the Exchequer . —I said Ithought there was no great advantage in it . ) ^ Nevertheless agricultural witnesses , examined before the Burdens on Land Committee , complained of their being restricted from using malt for that purpose , and the committee reported that the malt duty was a restriction on cultivation , and an impediment to tho improvement of land . ( Hear , hear . ) With referenco to-what had fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reference to roads , he could say that in the Isle of Wight , where there were no turnpikes , or but very few , the highway rates were Is . in the pound for the repair of roads , not required only for agricultural purposes , but for the benefit , too . of

      those who , in great numbers , visit that district . He , therefore , thought that that should not fall on the agricultural interest . Land had burdens to bear not borne by other interests , and what he wanted was that all classes should be put upon the same footing . He knew the case of a man with an entailed estate of £ 5 , 000 a-ycar paying for poor rates , land tax , income tax , assessed rates on his house in London , &c , about £ 1 , 123 a-ycar , while an individual with a similar income from the funds or annuities , and living in a similar house in London , would only have to pay for income taxand assessed rates on his house £ 210 . As a proof of the existing distress , he could state that , since tho present poor Itsr had been in existence , tho union of West

      HamPnex never was so full as at present , and it was necessary to give out-door relief . The farmers of Sussex , when they took their wheat to market , could how get scarcely any price for it at all . He wus surprised that the Chancellor of tho Exchequer , in reply to the statement of the hon . member for Buckinghamshire , that the farmers had not been fairly dealt with , inasmuch ^ as the removal of the burdens on argiculture , which ought to have accompanied the withdrawal of protection , had not been effected , should have referred to the repeal of the duties on hides and skins , as if the occupier of land was the bettor by that repeal . ( Hear , hear . ) With respect to tho malt tax , he thought it unjust , and the greatest possible feeling existed for its repeal : but ,

      although he was prepared to vote for its removal , he was not prepared to vote for tho proposition of Mr . Hume , because the hon . member , in his amendment , implied a doubt whether there were any burdens pressing imduly on land . The occupiers of land did not require any unfair exemption from taxation , but objected to have more than a fair share of taxation placed on them . In consequence of tho withdrawal of protection , their burdens had now become intolerable ; and ho trusted the House was not prepared to leave them the victims of mischievous and reckless legislation . ( Hear . ) On the motion of Mr . M . Gibsox the debate was then adjourned till Thursday . The House adjourned at a few minutes before six o ' clock .

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      Interesting Discovery . —The picturesque . valley of the river Maun , ao Ions celebrated as the scene of some of the most jovial exploits of " Eobin Hood and his memo men , and also of the humorous interview between " the King and the . miller of Mansfield , " has this week contributed largely to the antiquarian celebrity of the neighbourhood by tho discovery ofan urn filled with lloman silver coin , in a beautiful state of preservation . Our readers are aware , from previous announcements , that tho Mansfield and Pinxton Railway is being altered so as to adapt it to steam-power ; in doing so it has been found necessary to alter the course near to the King ' s Mill , by . cutting through several grass fields belonging to his Grace the Duke of Portland , and in t . ho nfifliimtinn of "Mr . Adlinffton . the wnvfr . hv

      modern representative of the redoubted " miller of Mansfield , " and Sir John Cockle . During tho process of levelling one of these fields on Saturday morning last , one of the workmen struck his axe against a hard globular shaped substance , about two , feet beneath the surface , which he at first supposed to be a piece of lead . A council of navvies being instantly held , the stranger was submitted to a severe and searching cross-examination ; a few gentle blows against a neighbouring block of stone very soon annihilated what proved to be a beautiful Roman urn , and presented to their astonished eyes from 300 to 400 silver coins of the Roman empire , which , after reposing for probably 1 , 000 years , were thus summarily ejected from their resting place by the rude hands of a trio of Irish labourers . These interesting relics of the greatness and glory of tho " Eternal City , " although at first encrusted with a strong coating of acetate of copper , proved , on

      being cleaned , to bo in a most beautuul state of preservation , some , indeed , of the Emperor Severua as much so , to all appearance , as the day they were first issued from the imperial mint . The majority of them are about three-quarters of an inch in diametei' , and somewhat thicker than a sixpence , and include fine specimens of the following reigns , viz .: —Octavius Augustus Cossar , Vespasian , iEhus Hadrianus , Antoninus Pius , Aurclius , Cornmodus , Septimus Soverus , Septimus Getn , Julia . Augusta , and several others , lt is impossible accurately to describe t 5 ie amount of interest excited by this discovery ; suffice it to say , that many anxious purchasers were found , from whom the navvies reaped a rich , although , probably , a very wet harvest . The whole of the coins were eagerly bought up , and it has been almost , an impossibility to obtain one since Saturday for either love or money . — - JYotts Guardian .

      A Naval Engagement . —On Wednesday last a sanguinary conflict tools , place at Marseilles ° on board a Spanish vessel called the Leon . Some English sailors of the Ann Ingat went into the Spanish vessel and insisted on tasting some wine which the Spaniards had on deck . The Spaniards ousted the English , but the latter returned to tho attack , whereupon the Spaniards assailed them with kuives and hatchets , ana a struggle ensued which lasted a quarter of an hour . A picket of National Guards and troops went on board , and succeeded in separating the combatants . Two of the English were then found lying on the deck , one with a terrible stab in his bowels , the other with the back of his

      head cut open . They were both conveyed to the hospital , and the former died shortly after , and the other lies in a precarious position . Tho Spanish crew were arrested . In the course of the conflict a Russian sailor went on board , and the Spaniards thinking that he was coming to assist the English , attacked him , and pitched him into the sea . He was so much injured that he was convoyed to the hospital . —Oalignani . Cauforsian Quicksilver . —The Remittance , arrived at Liverpool from Maiatlan , has brought a quantity of quicksilver ore which had been shipped from California , Two specimens wevo exhibited in the Liverpool 'Change Kerns-room on Tuesday .

      rAdvertisement . ]— Hoixowat ' s Pnxs A sniffi kbmedt fob Coughs , Colds , and Oppbessioks of the CiiEsT .-Thcse co mplaints being accompanied niOrO OV less by fever , the most prompt measures should be adopted to reduce the febrile action of the system , and allay the irritation of the aflected parts , for which purposes nothing can eQual Holloway ' s l'Uls . Let tlie sufferer have immediate recourse to a few doses of this inestimable medicine , which -will speedily remove all weight or pain in the head or chest , when the most troublesome congh or cold will iminediatelv yield to the influence of this wonderful medicine . For asthma and aU affections of the lungs it is eaaallj efficacious , ' *

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      ClIELMSFOKD , MARCH 10 . r ™ ,, * " ^ JIurdkr ud by its Mother . —Sarah Sp T * f indictcd for the wilful murder of niont , « K i ? ' - Th 01 'e was a seecn < 1 in < li « fc " dai 4 tef Mn * l 10 ri ? G Onoi > for * o munler ot her tWK" ^^ r ? T Emin 8 Crceli (| c p ° lTort ThmSLt * dourer , « nd resided at s : nasuEr&se On the morning of MhTfiiS'Af-** - the oldest boy came into witnosfeo age ^ tofd ^ ^ . r ^ . ^^ dored ttoWfifi ? and had rlcut their

      nG , y heads 0 ? Vith . a bill-hook ' She immediately wont to the house accompanied t a person named Isaac Moss , and on going into the prisoners room , she saw the boy Jameslyin p on the ground with his head nearl y cut ofr ; and tne little girl was lying' upon tho bed injured in a similar manner . The prisoner was standing by the dend bodies with a bill-hook in her hand , which was covered with blood , and she repeatedly exclaimed "I have murdered my children . " Mr . Moss took the bill-hook from her , and slio then sat down by the bedside , and beran to wring her hands and cry bitterly . Before this time the prkonei- had al wayx appeared very fond of tho children ; out for a month or two before August sho had ohsovved verv strange

      ways about the prisoner , and she seemed like a woman deranged in hor mind . —By Mr . Chamber- - Tho prisoner frequently used to ! - ' •¦ „ " ° ' nd 5 Sf id tr utity ° " c i iina ta * rxx gentleman was coming to take it away . Upon another occasion tho prisoner told her Id did S know what would become of them , for they were all going to hell ; and the prisoner shook her violently , and it was with great difficulty she got her indoors , and put her to bed . After she recovered irom tins paroxysm sho inquired eagerly where her children wore , and wished to know if she had hurt 5 "I ? L' " lemorany ° &o olse . Witness had also her Si

      . , ' . SraffiiV- hat 8 hc * w «* * c ™ tt I ¥ V t »» ngs she should grieve to leave were her two chUdrcn . —By the court •• Th « pviBonev had three children , bu / at thk hno s e seemed unconscious of the truth , and only talked Ub < mt her two childron . -Re-examined : Jbouf fortnigh before this occurrence took place , the prisoner told her that she had attempted to hang herself , and when witness asked her why she had done I ? ' , ah « Kud that her children were so undutXl that she did not know how to bear herself . Confirmatory testimony having been adduced , Mr . R . B Jordison , a surgeon , on beinff asked bv Mr .

      HimT TT * thought tliat at the time ^ killed tho childre n slio was aware she was com-K it w ^ ? , tok & M&lfed h * ^ as of opinion slie dewdedly was not .-Mr . Chambers was , S f n , thcm lf they th 0 « gM it was necessary he should do so , after the statement of the surgeon and the other evidence in tho case . The foreman of the jury said they did not consider itnecoa-Sn « r hfiy Ti , uptLelr minds to ac < y » 6 tfl 3 pi lsoner on account of her being insane . The same verdict was entered upon the second indictment , and the prisoner was then removed .

      Worcester , March 10 . Revowixo Case . — Elizabeth Pritchard alias Betsy Pugli aged 24 , married , was indicted with one J . Smith ( not in custody ) , with having aided in violently assaulting one Eleanor Ewens , and in committing a rape upon her . The prosecutrix is an old woman 56 years of age . She stated that about midnight on tho 17 th of July last she was returning homo up Copenhagen-street , and was met by the prisoner , the man Smith , and several other persons . The prisoner wished her to come to her lodgings , but sho refused . But she was forced there * ,- the prisoner and Smith took her to a bedroom . Smith , who was doscribed as a stout and strongman , threw the old woman \ ipon tho bed . the m-isoner holding

      her down while he effected his purpose . They thcrL beat the old woman , dragged hor across tho room by the hair of hor head , and then tho man threw her down stairs . Smith afterwards dragged her into the street , threw her down , and left her . Tho crime was witnessed by two persons who lodged in an adjoining room , who being disturbed by tho noise , gob up and saw what was going on through the cracks in the partition , but were afraid to interfere . The old woman was found at her own lodgings the nexfc day , but how she got there has nevcrbeen ascertained . She was dreadfully beaten , the medical man who attended her describing her to be in a most pitiable state . The evidence clearly proved that the capital offence had been committed , and that the prisoner took the part in it fov which she was indicted . After a careful summing up by the learned Judge . theinrv almost-, iinmmlinhOvi' / itmTia / i

      a verdict of " Guilty , " and the prisoner was sentenced to bo transported for fifteen years . Tha prisoner , addressing the judge , said : " Thank you , that won ' t hurt me . " Charge op Ma ^ siatjgiitek against a Midwife . — Elizabeth Jones , a midwife , aged 42 , surrendered to her bail , upon an indictment charging her with the manslaughter of Ann Hill . The prisoner attended her in her confinement . After a protracted labour , the deceased _ died from exhaustion ; and it was alleged . the prisoner had been guilty of gross negligence in not procuring medical assistance . A surgeon was at length called in when it was too late , and he described the case as being by no means a difficult one , and which , if ordinary care had been taken , would not in all probability have resulted as it did . Tho question for the jury was , whether the prisoner hxid been guilty of the negligence alleged , —The jury found her " Not Guilty . " '

      Bedford , March 10 . Shootixg at Policemen . —Malicious "Woujjdixg . -t . Dockcrili , G . White , and W . White , wore charged with having , on the 2 . 7 th January , Ul tllQ parish of Stanbi-id « e , to prevent theiv lowM apprehension , maliciousl y shot and wounded James Parrott , and also maliciously wounded William Clough , police-constable . —James Parrott deposed that on the evening of the 24 th January he accompanied Clough to Dockerill ' s house . Soon after they saw three persons . Clough . and witness came out on them , and Clough seized William "White . Tho men threw down some bags they had , and Dockerill said , " Now , my lads , go to work , " and pointed his gun to Clough . Witness immediately presented a pistol

      at him , and told him if _ ho made any resistance he ( witness ) would shoot him . Dockenil turned away and then levelled his gun at Clough , when witness again threatened to shoot him , and levelled the pistol at him . Clough said : " TaiTOtt , look out , or you will bo knocked down in a moment . " Witness turned roiuid , and saw ( 3 corge "White in the act of striking him with a stick . Witness then shot at him and missed , when he turned round and saw Dockerill levelling tho gun at him , and was shot in the shoulder . Witness staggered some distance and fell , and DockeviU and . George "White followed him . He was then struck on the head and left arm by both of them . He could not see what happened to Clough at the time , and became insensible . —Afterwards Dockerill ' s house was searched , and . three

      sacks were found , two of which contained undressed barley , and the other sack some peas and meal , and six fowls , dead , but warm . The sacks and fowls were identified . The Judge summed up the case to the jury , who returned a verdict of " Guilty" against all the prisoners but recommended William White to mercy , on account of his not being aimed . Tha learned Jnugo , in passing sentence , remarked upon the narrow escape Clough had of his life ; if lie had died , the prisoners would have boon guilty of murder ; and his life was despaired of for ten days . Dockerill was sentenced to transportation for life , and George and William White for fifteen years each . The two Whites declared their innocence , and Dockerill asserted , after sentence , that George * White was not present .

      York , March 10 . Charge of Poisoxixg a Wife . —James Holdsworth , fifty-nine , was charged with having , on the 12 th of December , put a quantity of arsenic into some porridge , of which his wife , Judith Holdswortli , partook and died . Five years ago the prisoner was married to deceased , who was his third wife . He was then fifty-five , and she only twentyfivo years of ago . On the ] 2 th of December Judith Holdsworth went into a neighbour ' s house , and complained of being very ill , and her friend -went to a druggist ' s shop , got some ipecacuanha and gave it to deceased , who went to bed there . She liRgered until tho 15 th , and then died , having been attended by a surgoon . Apost mortem examination was made ,

      and tho stomach having been submitted to a chemist at Bradford , was found to present such appearances as left no doubt that the woman ' s death had been occasioned by arsenic . The deceased had made a dying declaration . Witnesses having been examined as to consciousness and belief , on the parti of the deceased as to her speedy dissolution , with a view to his lordship deciding whether her d y ing declaration wa 3 admissible ; it turned out that the original deposition was not in court , but only a copy , a circumstance which proved fatal to the prosocution . His lordship dirocted the jury to return , a verdict of " not guilty , " observing that he should

      certainly think it right not to allow the expenses of the prosecution , the not having the necessary documents here was such a grosa piece of carelessness . The prisoner was also _ charged with the murder , oa the coroner ' s inquisition ; and ho was ordered to stand down for tho prosont . Mr . Hardy , for tha prosecution , made an application that the trial on tho coroner ' s inquisition might be postponed until Monday . His lordshi p -was disposed to grant Mr , Hardy ' a application , but he did that without prejudice to any application which mig ht then be mada on the part of the prisoner , tbatho might be allowed to withdraw his plea of " not guilty" and to plead . ' tudrefois acquit .

      .-^-—-^^»^.A Jfcmn. - ^W —Twwwmii. Ii ^ M'Upi P "Wwh.Ib Ftiwije Intelligent.

      .- ^ - — - ^^»^ . a Jfcmn . - ^ w —twwwmii . ii ^ m'upi p "Wwh . ib ftiwije Intelligent .

      Jmgmai Parliament

      Jmgmai parliament

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      ifc »» _ March 17 , 1849 . _____^ =: ^ _ p , TfljE ^^ THERN STAR , 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 17, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1514/page/7/