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March 17, 1849. THE NORTHERN STAR.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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March 17, 1849. The Northern Star.
March 17 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Moxday, March 12. " House Op Lords.—The ...
MOXDAY , March 12 . " HOUSE OP LORDS . —The Petty Sessions BUI was read a second , and the Larceny Acts Amendment . Bill a third time and passed . lord Beaumost , after detailing the circumstances raider which Mr . Cotter had been arrested at Madrid , in September last , and subsequently trans ported by the Sp anish 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 taken to obtain satisfaction for the injury which had been done him .
Lord Eddisbckt , in reply , stated that Mr . Cotter had been arrested in March , 1848 , charged with being concerned in a conspiracy , and subsequently a second time , OU suspicion of having been concerned in a conspiracy against Xarvaez . I * . appeared that Mr : Cotter had orig inally served in the British legion , then became a captain in the regular Spanish armv , and was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen . Concha , and was afterwards appomted comptroller of customs in a Spanish port . Mr . Cotter
was not , therefore , a British subject , owing allegiance to the Queen of England , nor had he claimed to be so either on his first or second imprisonment . On the motion of Earl Waldegraye , an address was a « Teed to for a copy of the instructions given tothe ^ captainofthe Scourge , as to the treatment of the convict Mitchel on his voyage to Bermuda . Their lordships then adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Navigation Bill was resumed bv
Mr . Gladstone , 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 laws were concerned , than previously to our so doing . Tbiswas . of itself , a complete answer to those who held that further progress in the cause of relaxation 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 this were a proper time 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 who 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 hy Mr . Huskisson and others , that we could safely depart from the system of navigation which we had so long pursued , and which had been for centuries interwoven with our national policy . There were several demands which the shipowncE-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 p ^ uhar burden by which he was now hampered . Ifwc exposed him to unrestricted competition with foreigners , we should give him a
drawback , or a remission of the duties upon the timber winch he used in the construction of his ships . He should also , in the next place , be relieved from the restraint under which belaboured with respect to the manning ofhis ships . There was still another compensation to which the shipowner was entitled . By the repeal of the Navigation 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 fi-om which he was now excluded , as a compensation for the entrance permitted to tbe 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 wc 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 give 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 much 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 would 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 upon which we now practically acted with regard to many ofthe maritime natious ofthe 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 be found ineffectual 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 that country . He did not believe that we 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 believe 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 in this , that by proceeding conditionally , they mi g ht at once effect a final parliamentary settlement of this great question . He was aware that there was one fact which might be adduced in the form of an argument against the plan which he ventured to suggest . It might he urged that it would not suit the views or meet the wishes ofthe 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 , cither wholly or partially , should that system be reverted to by the mother country , either in whole or in part , by the exercise ofthe power of refcukition . 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 , tbe 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 mtcr-colonial trade and the direct trade between the colonies and foreign states should not be removed from beyond the jurisdiction of parliament . The government hhl 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 inignt be offered of correcting what he conceived to be material defects in it .
Mr . G . Robinson contended that one effect of the abrogation ofthe Navigation Laws would be to increase the shipping of America , and todecrcase that of Great Britain ; and what security would there be that when the change was effected , that the British shipowner would be released from the disabilities snder which he at present laboured in foreign countries . The project doubtless was put forward by the government because they had entered on the path of ftec 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 lie exposed both the commercial interest and the British navy to the danger with which they were threatened by this measure .
Mr . Clay , Mr . J . Hornby , Mr . W . Wawn , Mr . C . Bruce , Mr . "Wilcox , Mr . R . C Hildyard , and Admiral Bowles , spoke against the measure ; which was supported b y Mr . Mitchell and Mr . Ricahbo . Mr . Drummosd made a speech which excited considerable amusement , and from which we take a few passages : —He must agree that much of the debate on this occasion had been not so much on the princi p le as on the details of the bill ; hut at the same time he must say there was this excuse for hon . members—that the principle of the hill was nowhere to be found in it . ( Laughter . ) The bill in its first words said that it was a bill to amend certain things : and the way in which it proposed to
amend them was by abrogating them . Now , he must say that was the most extraordinary way of mending he had ever heard of . ( Hear , hear . ) It might be all very rig ht and proper to alter eighteen statutes of Parliament , but he could not consider that question in the present stage ofthe bill . To find out what was the princip le ofthe bill they must look to the speeches which had been delivered , not only in that legislative assembly , bntinmany assemblies of an illegitimate character . In all past times the object of every statesman , whatever his political opinions might have been , was i » prevent capital foing out of this country , because if it did our laourers could not be employed , 2 fpw , ihe object oftbis bill—and most ingeniously conJnred it had been—wgs to keep capital in the country , but fitill
Moxday, March 12. " House Op Lords.—The ...
not to employ our labourers . ( "Hear and a laugh . ) The promoters of it did not send capital away ; but they keptit here for the purpose ofemploying foreign labourers . They had all heard of ygaiShool ofpoetry . in ^ fKolitSs * the was such a thing as a Satanic schoolm politics , the authors of tins bill certainly belonged to it . (« E hear " and a laug h . It was a very remarSie p ^ nomenon that . at the present day it " elntd t ^ be the fate of every statesman , no matter to what partv he b elonged , or on what side ofthe House he sat ; to be doomed to eat every word he hid ever uttered on any one occasion—( a laughand to go against every princip le which he had ever endeavoured to establish . If , therefore , any hon . mntlemnn 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 . ) In 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 been 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 sort of myth of a force which bound them down , while Chancellors ofthe Exchequer pecked at their livers ad libitum . ( Cheers and laughter . ) The alterations in our svstcm had not been earned to any
dangerous extent . The changes introduced by Lord Wallace 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 mig ht be apparent presumption in him to say so , but one expression in 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 celebrated is
statesmen of antiquity declared that ' ^ there in maritime states a comiption and instability of morals , for they import not only merchandise , but morals—so that nothing can remain entire in the institutions of then country —( hear , hear )—for they who inhabit those states do not remain quiet in their places , but are hurried away from their homes by an overwinged 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 his work 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 their 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 ofthe happiness of mankind by the rate of exchange . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now , 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 riot 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 . Drummond ) 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 manufacturers' ) 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 ofthe 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 Enghsh 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 , " says the hon . gentleman opposite , " at Manchester there are a thousand of them . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Itfot content ( continued the 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 have 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 . fimc was when we had 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 destmies 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 Labouchere 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 full y persuaded tbat It was advantageous on strictly British 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 ri g ht hon . gentleman implored the House to agree to the second reading of the bill , confessing that he should be greatl y disappointed if it were not carried by a large majority . '
Mr . Muntz thought that hardly any one who had heard the ri ght hon . gentleman could fail to perceive that he was doubtful of the policy ofthe measure which he recommended the Houfe to adopt . ( Hear . l He ( Mr . Muntz ) was about to do what he supposed would be called speaking on one side and voting on tho 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 always thought of Goldsmith ' s line in which he connected the " loud laugh" with the " vacant mind . " Since other classes had been deprived of protection , he thought it ought not to be 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 be removed , ( Laughter . ) The hon . member for Liverpool said we could com-Eete with all the countries in the world , because we ad the largest capital . He ( Mi * . Muntz ) believed that that capital consisted in our land , houses , and shi p s—( 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 Lad 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 tbe 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 Midland and Birmingham Advertiser , and pointed out an advertisement in it from a respectable ironmonger in Birmingham . It was headed " The Effects of Free Trade , " and stated tbat 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 be made in Birmingham . ( Hear , hear . ) It struck him tbat 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 forei gn market with the merchants o 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 60 reduced by competition with the foreig ner that it WaS n m worth keeping , and he was going to give it up- . ( Hear , hear . ) It was said that they should ^ . "l . ^ c cheapest market and seU in the dearest , inat ma not consist in the abstract price . ( Hear , near . ) They mi ght get an article that was manufactured in England ten per cent , cheaper on the continent . It did not follow that that was the cheapest market . Take iron . It might be £ 10 a ton here , and onl y ; £ 8 on the continent ; but if it were bought there the labour here would be unemployed , andmsteadof buying itin the cheapest market it mig ht m the end prove the dearest . ( Hear , hear . ) He expected to see the produce of this country as lo \ f as foreign produce—hear , hear)—and he knew
Moxday, March 12. " House Op Lords.—The ...
that that price could not pay the taxes and liabilities of the country . ( Hear , hear \) If they had a fixed amount of revenue to make up , and they lowered the price 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 iu the dearest ; but he did not call it a good bargain , although they got an article at a lower price from a foreign 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
then- 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 . Scholefield , 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 in the repeal of the Navigation Laws , by which there was no doubt they would be considerably benefitted . The House
divided—For Mi " . Hemes amendment 210 Against it 260 Majority in favour of the bill ... 56 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 . —This House sat only a few minutes , and the business was confined to the presentation of petitions .
HOUSE OF GOMMOSS . — After disposing of some private bills , Lord Palueustox , in answer to Mr . G . Sandars , stated , with reference to the affairs of Schloswig-Holstein , that it was true the Danish government had given notice of the fact of the termination of the armistice on the 26 th 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 . No effort would be wanting on the part of 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 tho 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 au alteration ofthe law m this respect ? Sir G . Gret 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 which tbey could give their support . . Since then a deputation from Scotland had arrived , and -represented that there was a society in Belfast supported by
voluntary contributions , by whose instrumentality paupers who had been legally removed to frelana were illegally removed back again to Scotland , their fares being paid with that object . Abolition of Church Rates . —Mr . Tkeiawky , pursuant to notice , moved a resolution , "that effectual measures should be 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 ; tbe hardship and oppression which flowed from this source ; and 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 Eublic good , it should be repealed ; and when a law ecame 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 clrapel , 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 the altered condition of the country , induced him to think that some measure—not the abolition of church-rates , as proposed by Mr . Trclawny—for placing this question on a more satisfactory footing was absolutely necessary . The hon . member then proceeded to say that he had embodied his views in the shape of an amendment , which was to the following effect : — " That it is the opinion ofthe 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 . Rice , Mr . Home , and Mr . Cobden , supported Mr . Wood ' s amendment . Col . Thompson , Lord D . Stuart , Mr . Martin , Sir W . Clay , Mr . Bright , Mr . Osborne , and Mr . G . Thompson , spoke in support of the original resolution . Mr . Goulburn , Sir R . 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 of church-rates without providing any substitute for the building and repair of churches , he should not aorree to the proposition of Mi " . Trelawny . He
believed that the House had not come to such a conelusion . 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 . Neither did he think that the 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 religion . The same argument against church-rates would begoodagainst
tithes . If any member would propose , m 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 . Henlet 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 . Cobden , after replying to the observations of the previous speaker , and referring to the Iteehdale 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 the hon . member for Oxford , whoso 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 tho 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 35—the numbers being 84 to 119 . Mr , Ahbtey rose to submit a motion on the subject of Van Diemen ' s Land , when the House was counted out at twenty-five minutes past ten o ' clock .
WEDNESDAY , March 14 . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The " Count-Out" or Tuesday . —Mr . Anstey complained with reference to the count-out of the previous night , that the officers of the House had not rung the bells 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 of 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 SiBfHORP moved the postponement ofthe second reading for six months , considering that the bill would create dissatisfaction and disputes between landlord and tenant ; and this amendment was seconded by .. i .-rx * Sir Harry Verney , who observed that if tenant farmers had leases , which it ought to be the object
Moxday, March 12. " House Op Lords.—The ...
pf all .-mends of the" agricultural ' interest to procure them , they _ would provide , a better remedy for the grievances against which this bill was directed . A debate of some length ensued , in which ¦ Mr . Robert Palmer , Mr . Packe , Mr , Henley , ' Mr . Sidney Herbert , and Mr . New-debate spoke in favour of the principle of the measure , and Mr . Ciuiistopheu arid Mi ' . Mcllikos against it ; the latter suggesting some practical difficulties and injurious effects in the working of the bill . Tho Attorney-General saw tho force of most of the objections suggested by Mr .: Mcllings , but as they went to the details they were no ground for rejecting the bill . Upon a division , tho second reading of the bill was carried by 147 to II .
Clergy Relief Bill . —Mr . Juacy moved that the second reading of this bill be postponed for six months , contending that the bill afforded facilities for clergymen to escape improperl y from their vows , and that it would offer a premium upon insincerity . Mr . Bouverie said , under the existing law a clergyman could not get rid of his orders at all . Mr . Hume thought . that nothing could be more tyrannical than to prevent a person from leaving the church who conscientiously differed from it and desired to do so . Mr . Stafford 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 . Spooxer viewed this as an objection to the details of the bill , the second reading of which he supported ; as did Mr . Wawn . "
Mr . Drummond considered this bill was an act separating tho Church from the State , which would be the onl y party prejudiced ; the church would be the gainer . Sir G . Grey said , it appeared him that tho bill was calculated to remed y a great practical griev ^ ance , inasmuch as , by the existing law , a clergyman once ordained could not release himself , but continued subject to the jurisdiction ofthe church during his whole life , though he might hecome a professed member of another religious denomination . Was there anything unreasonable in exempting , under due limitations , from a process which might be instituted against them at any time , individuals once in hol y orders , who were honestly exercising their talents elsewhere than in the church . After " some further , discussion , Mr . Lacy withdrewhis amendment , andthe bill was read a second time . ¦
Burdens on Land and Real Properiy . —The adjourned debate on Mr . Disraeli ' s resolutions , and Mr , Hume ' s amendment was then resumed by The Chancellor op . the Exchequer , who rose to state the coursa 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 tho defence of the country , and which proposition had been fairly discussed on the motion of Mr . Cobden afortnight ago ; andhe called upon the House to negative Mr . Hume ' s amendment , and to affirm its recent decision . With respect to the other proposition , ho agreed in much that had fallen from Mr . Disraeli . Rejoined him in the tribute he had paid to the gentry and farmers of the country ; he agreed with him that the local taxation to which ho 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 ofthe country , having taken the income derived from veal property at £ 67 , 000 , 000 and the aggregate income of the country at £ 249 , 000 , 000 . But ho would find that the annual income of property rateable to the poor was not £ 67 , 000 , 000 , but £ 105 , 000 , 000 ; so that the burden fell not upon one-fourth , but upon two-fifths , of the annual income of the country . Then the effect ofthe change proposed by Mr . Disraeli would not make a fair and equal distribution of benefit . Ofthe property subject to the exclusive
burden of local taxation , not one half consisted of land , the 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 tbat 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 ho 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 maintaining the poor , 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 . Ho then touched upon the items of local taxation , and , with reference to Mr . Disraeli ' s complaint of the misery inflicted by manufactures upon agricultural counties , ho 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 the special burdens upon land , Mr . Disraeli had overlooked its special exemptions ; and in asserting tbat nothing had been done for the landed and agricultural interest , he had forgotten that since 1815 Excise duties affecting agriculture had been repealed to the amount of £ 6 , 835 , 000 . The burdens 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 real property . To the local taxation referred to by the hon . member for Buckingham ( Mr . Disraeli ) , must be added £ 2 , 000 , 000 for municipal taxation ; this would make £ 14 , 000 , 000 , half of which was to be 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 then proceeded at great length to show that the proposal before the House , if successful , would be of no benefit whatever to the tenant farmers , the proprietors being the only class who would benefit by it ; and they had 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 that rate , whereas now their proportion did not exceed forty per cent . Complaint was made that the whole cost ofthe roads fell upon the owners of real property . But this complaint was not very well founded , seeing that it was land that was chiefly benefitted by the great majority of the roads sustained . But the whole cost did not fall upon the landlords , many ofthe roads being supported by tolls , from the payment of which , manure , so extensively used . in husbandry , was exempted . Nor did the burden of church rates fall exclusively upon the land , inasmuch as all tho householders of the
p arish were rateable for the maintenance of the fabric of the church . Nor could they , in considering this whole question , leave out of si g ht 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 tho latter , the 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 he had already said , the burden proposed to bo 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 the burden from off his own shoulders , to transfer it to those ofthe
tenant-farmers and others . He had serious objections also to saddling the consolidated fund with the millions proposed to be spared to the landlords . How could the siim bo raised from the community generally without resorting to an increase of the income tax ? Were the House and country prepared for such an increase ? Were the tenant-farmers prepared for it ? Or were they really the friends of tho 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 was by 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 Mr . 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 masses was essential to that ofthe higher 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 the owners of the soil . The right hon . 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 proposition , which was offered as one of conciliation and policy . Theland . it was admitted , was unequall y burdened ; by the law of England every person should be rated to the poor according to his ability , and the fundholder having
Moxday, March 12. " House Op Lords.—The ...
tot bis money sub ject to this law , could not complam of being called upon to pay his prSJofi Agriculture alone was subjected to the uiiUn ™" d operation of free trade ; manufacturers were ™ -o tooted by import duties ; the landed interest therefore , had a right to look to othorromedies ; and unless some remedy were given , the Ministers would iind all the leading interests against thorn , and it would be 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
non . gentlemen opposite . It was now only six weeks since that tax was taken off , and yet hon . gentlemen opposite , under these 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 pro-!» ose as a compensation that there should be a duty or twenty years on home-grown corn , in order to increase the quantity of corn brought from abroad ? ( " Hear , hear , " and laughter . ) It 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 fully 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 hear the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer state that the distress in the agricultural districts was of a partial nature . He , on the contrary , believed that throughout the agricultural districts there existed the greatest and deepest 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 ns well off as with high prices ; but , by a paper before tho House , he would prove that a greater amount was levied for the poor rates when corn was low than
when it was high . From the appendix of the report ofthe Poor Law Commissioners , it appeared that there were expended for the relief of the poor , in the seven years when tho price of wheat was lowest , , £ 34 , 466 , 810 , and in the seven years when the price of wheat was highest , only £ 34 , 259 , 454 , being a difference of £ 207 , 362 . But the difference 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 thirty per cent , greater than at the other period , no less a sum than . £ 10 , 000 , 000 ought to be added to the difference of £ 207 , 362 , in order to show the real comparison between the two periods . The Chancellor
of the Exchequcr . had stated that the experiment of feeding cattle with malt was an entire failure . ( The Chancellor ofthe Exchequer . —I said I thought 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 the improvement of land . ( Hear , hear . ) With reference to what had fallen from tho 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-year paying for poor rates , land tax , income tax , assessed rates on his house in London , < fec , about £ 1 , 123 a-year , while an
individual with a similar income from the funds or annuities , and living iu a similar house in London , would only have to pay for income tax and assessed rates on his house £ 210 . As a proof of the existing distress , lie could state that , since the present poor law had been in existence , the union of West Ilampnet 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 now get scarcely any price for it at all . He was surprised that the Chancellor of the Exchequer , in reply to the statement of the hon . member for Buckinghamshire , that the fanners had not boon 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 better by that repeal . ( Hear , hear . ) With respect to the 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 the proposition of Mr . H \ raie , because the hon . member , in his amendment , implied a doubt whether there were any burdens pressing ; unduly 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 p laced on them . In consequence of the withdrawal of protection , their burdens had now become intolerable ; and he trusted the House was not prepared to leave them tho victims of mischievous and reckless legislation . ( Hear . ) On the motion of Mr . M . Gibson the debate was then adjourned till Thursday . The House adjourned at a few minutes before six o ' clock .
Interesting Discover*.—The Picturesque V...
Interesting Discover * . —The picturesque valley of the river Maun , so long celebrated as the scene of some ofthe most jovial exploits of " Robin Hood and his merrie 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 the discovery of an urn filled with Roman silver coin , in a beautiful state of preservation . Our readers are aware , from previous announcements , that the 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 the occupation of Mr . Adlinston , the worthy
modern representative of the redoubted " miller of Mansfield , aud Sir John Cockle . During the process of levelling one of these fields on Saturday morning last , one of tho workmen struck his axe against a hard g lobular 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 bo a beautiful Roman urn , and presented to then 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 ofthe greatness and glory of the " Eternal City , " although at first encrusted with a strong coating of acetate of copper , proved , on
being cleaned , to be m a most beautiful state of preservation , sonic , indeed , of the Emperor Severus as much so , to all appearance , as the day they were first issued from the imperial mint . The majority of them arc about three-quarters of an inch in diameter , and somewhat thicker than a sixpence , and include fine specimens of the following raiwis , viz .: —Octavius Augustus Caesar , Vespasian , iEluis Hadrianus , Antoninus Pius , Aurelius , Commodus , Septimus Severus , Septimus Geta , Julia Augusta , and several others . It is impossible accurately to describe the 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 tho coins were eagerl y bought up , and it has been almost an impossibility to obtain one since Saturday for cither love or money . — Notts Gtiardian .
A Navai , Exgacemext . —On Wednesday last a sanguinary conflict took place at Marseilles " on board a Spanish vessel called tho 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 the attack , whereupon the Spaniards assailed them with knives and hatchets ; and a struggle ensued which lasted a quarter of an hour . A p icket of National Guards and troops went on board , and succeeded in separating the combatants . Two of the Enghsh were then found ly ing 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 . The 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 tho sea . Ho was so much injured that he was conveyed to the hospital . — QaliyivMU . Califorman Quicksilver . —The Remittance , arrived at Liverpool from Mazatlan , has brought a quantity of quicksilver ore . which , had been shipped from California . Two ; specimens were exhibited in the Liverpool ' Change News-room on Tuesday .
[ Advertisement . ]— Homowat ' s Piixs a scbe remedy for Coughs , Colds , and Oppbesbio . vs of the Chest . —These complaints being accompanied more or less b y fever , the most prompt measures should be adopted to reduce the febrile action ofthe system , and allay the irritation of the affected parts , for which purposes nothing can equal Hoiloway ' s Pills . Let the sufferer have immediate recourse to a few doses of this inestimable medicine ; which wiU speedily remove aU weight or pain in the head or chest when the most troublesome cough or cold will immediately yield to the influence of this wonderful medicine . For asthma and all affections of the lungs it is equaUs efficacious ,
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Chelmsford , March 10 . Grout si * ™ ^ » bv its MoniKB . —Sarah James & a * x " uhctc ( l f ° r tho wilful muvdm-of ment \ 4 £ t ZT = T , MWo ™ * ^™* indictdaughter Mai-v Ann »^ ^* the m « r , lor ot her tbat ° shc C 3 , KSS , of ? ; r E ,, mia ClTck dored WestTh „ ,. KVearfonH b 0 Um ' ' ™ ^ dcdal ; « oner and hShjSit " togfiffi * ? . thc ** boy seven years old tho L ''l iree cW"h-ch , a yearsold . andalittlogJl mTT ' Ji ? > fou 1 ' On the morning of tile 8 th « Pj n ( ? ¦ about ^ o . the oldest boy came into wiW sfot , ' ***!** ' her that his mother Iwd mur ^ ffi t ° ' , , ^ and had nearl y cut their bffiS ^ fbife She immediately went to tho house aceomSnK ' a person named Isaac Moss , and on S S prisoner ' s room , she saw the bov f-im « c i , the ground with his head S ^ n ? ff £ little girl was lying upon the bed iSS in a Similar manner . Tbe prisoner was standin ^ ov thn
uv--auuuu . es win a om-nooi ; m her hand , which was covered with blood and she repeatedly exclaimed 'I have murdered my children . " Mr Moss inn * the bill-hook from he ? , and she then safdown t the bedside , and began to wring her hands andcrv bitterly Before this time th e prisoner had ahvavs appeared very fond ofthe children ; but for n . ! 2 or two before August she had obser ' vecI \ S y sEe ways about the prisoner , and she seemed uK woman deranged m her mind . —Bv Mr fhnJu , The prisoner Wentiy used to ^ tv ^ a vlU extraordinary manner . Upon one occasion sheTaw her putting a quantity of china into an old S and she said the reason she did so was thft gentleman was coming to take it , » ,, T * another occasion the prisoner told tor 2 , ' v , LpM i know what would hoS rfttl ^^ iiS ^ f aim
luuuy , it was with flrear riiffinntt ,, = i VI indoors , and put her toll AftShfi ^ from this paroxysm she inquired eageX Se £ fnvo 7 thIm , or nd ' Shed t know ifSue hadhmi any oi tliem , or any one e so . Witness had ai ™ dcaTiW temto * she wSed she was dead , and that the only thing s she should grieve to leave were hortwo children . _ By the " court Tim prisoner had three children but a this iLel e seemed unconscious of the truth , and « ^ Talked fn ? - tl F ^ Wren .-Re-examined : About a fortnight before this occurrence took place , the ' pri soner told her that she had attempted to hang herself , and when witness asked her why she had done so , she said that her children wo / o so undutiful flX , £° * S 0 t kl T how t 0 bear herself . Conhrmatory testimony havmar been addii ^ d . Mr p
U . Jordison , a surgeon , on being asked by Mr . ' 2 JXS & m bflr ^ * HfiWfl « t « t the time sue killed the children she was aware she was committing a crime m so doing , replied he was ofopi-TnVlfJf ^ ?" j «*—M r . Chambers ; was fii * « S T J J V , ' thc P risoner ' whc » 1 » S «» fc i u , them lf the r flight itwasnecessai y he should do so , after tho statement of the surgeon and the other evidence in the case . Tho foreman ot the jury said they did not consider it necessary . They had made up their minds to acquit the prisoner on account of her being insane . The same verdict was entered upon the second indictment , and the prisoner was then removed .
Worcester , March 10 . Revolting Case . — Elizabeth Pritchard alias Betsy Pugh , aged 24 , married , was indicted with ono J . Smith ( not in custod y ) , with having aided ia violently assaulting one Eleanor Ewens , and in committing a rape upon her . The prosecutrix is an old woman 5 G years of age . She stated that about midnight on the 17 th of Jul y last she was returning home up Copenhagen-street , and was met by the prisoner , thc man Smith , and several other persons . The prisoner wished her to conic to her lodgings , but she refused . But sho was forced there ; the prisoner and Smith took her to a bedroom . Smith .
who was described as a stout and strongman , threw the old woman upon the bed , the prisoner holding her down while he effected his purpose . They then beat the old woman , dragged her across the room by the hair of her head , and then the man threw her down stairs . Smith afterwards dragged her ' into the street , threw her down , and left her . The crime was witnessed b y two persons who lodged in an adjoining room , who being disturbed by the noise , got up and saw what was going on through the cracks hi the partition , but were afraid to interfere . The old woman was found at her own lodcins-s the next
day , but how she got there has never been 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 oftbneo had been committed , and that the prisoner took the part in it for which she was indicted . After a careful summing up by the learned Judge , the jury almost immediately returned a verdict of " Guilty , " and the prisoner was sentenced to be transported for fifteen years . The prisoner , addressing tho judgo , esud . . " Thank you , that won't hurt mo . "
Charge op Manslaughter 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 boon 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 . The question for the jury " was , whether the prisoner had been guilty of the negli gence alleged . —Tho jury found her " Not Guilty . "
Bedford , March 10 . Shooting at Policemen . —Malicious Wounding . / -T . Dockerill , G . White , and W . White , were charged with having , on thc 25 th January , in the parisLof Stanbridge , to prevent their lawful apprehension , maliciously shot and wounded James l'arrott , and also maliciously wounded William Clough , police-constable . —James Parrott deposed that on thc evening of the 24 th January he accompanied Clough to DockeriU ' s house . Soon after they saw three persons . Clough and witness came out on them , and Clough seized William White . The men threw down some bags they had , and Dockerill said .
"Now , my lads , go to work , " aud pointed his gvm to Clough . Witness immediately presented a pistol at him , and told him if he made any resistance he ( witness ) would shoot him . Dockerill turned away and then levelled his gun at Clough , when witness again threatened to shoot him , and levelled the pistol at him . Clough said : " Parrott , look out , or you will be knocked down in a moment . " Witness turned round , and saw George 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 the gun at him , and was shot in the shoulder . Witness staggered some distance and fell , and Dockerill 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
L-lOUgh 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 tho jury , who returned a verdict of '' Guil ty" against all the prisoners but recommended William White to mercy , on account of his not being armed . The learned Jud ge , in passing sentence , remarked upon the narrow escape Clough had of his life ; if he had died , the prisoners would have been guilty of murder ; and his life was despaired of for ten days . Doekoi'ill 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 \\ mte was not present .
York , March 10 . Charge of Poisoning a Wife . —James Holdswo , 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 Holdsworth , partook and died . Five years ago tho prisoner was married to deceased , who was his third wife . He was then fifty-five , and she only twentyfive years of age . On thc 12 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 lingered
until the loth , and then died , having been attended by a surgeon . Apost mortem examination was made , and the 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 arfeenic . The deceased had made a dying declaration . Witnesses having been examined as to consciousness and belief , on the part ofthe deceased a s to her speedy dissolution , with a view to his lordship deciding whether her dying declaration was admissible ; it turned out that the original deposition was not in court , but only a copy , a circumstance which proved fat al to the prosecution . His lordship directed 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 gross piece of carelessness . The prisoner was also charged with the murder , on the coroner ' s inquisition ; and he was ordered to stand down for the present . Mr . Hardy , for the prosecution , made an application that the trial on the coroner ' s inquisition might be P 0 StPP , ™ Monday . His lordship was disposed to grant Mr . Hardy ' s application , but he di < f that wrthou ; prejudice to any application ht then be made to withdraw his plea of " autrefois acquit . " [
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 17, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_17031849/page/7/
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