1844. General, and Mr. F. Thesiger Solicitor- 10. Came on for trial at the Central Criminal Court the great conspiracy and willforgery case, in which William Henry Barber, solicitor, Joshua Fletcher, surgeon, and three others, were charged with attempting to defraud the Commissioners of the National Debt, by forging wills and personating individuals, in whose names stock was invested in the Funds. The jury acquitted Barber in the first case. At the termination of the second case, charging them with uttering and publishing a testamentary writing purporting to be the will of Ann Slack, and thereby obtaining possession of 3,500/. in the Three-and-a-half per Cents., the jury returned a verdict of Guilty. Barber, who seemed greatly astonished, then declared his innocence, and said Fletcher knew quite well he was innocent. These two were sentenced to transportation for life. The female prisoner, Dorey, who personated the sister of Ann Slack, taking lodgings in that name, and obtaining extracts of her pretended sister's death, and another, Lydia Sanders, were each sentenced to ten years' transportation. 11.-Died at Tweedmouth, aged 116, James Stuart, an old soldier who had seen the battles of Prestonpans and Culloden. 15.-Dr. Wolffe writes from Merve, 230 miles from Bokhara, that the prospects of finding Stoddart and Conolly alive are getting dimmer and dimmer, as he gets nearer the capital of the Khan. On the 19th he had an interview with Nayeb Samut, the chief of artillery to the King of Bokhara. By the King's command he was then informed of the fate of Conolly and Stoddart. The Nayeb said: "During the stay of Conolly and Stoddart they took every opportunity of despatching, in the most stealthy manner, letters to Cabul; and on this account his Majesty became displeased [in June 1842]. Both were brought, with their hands tied, behind the palace. They kissed each other, and Stoddart said: 'Tell the Queen I die a disbeliever in Mahommed, but a believer in Jesus-that I am a Christian, and die a Christian.' Conolly said; 'We shall see each other in Paradise.' Then Saadat gave the order first to cut off the head of Stoddart, which was done; in the same manner the head of Conolly was cut off." (See May 23, 1842.) 16.-Mr. Hume moves a resolution for giving effect to the recommendation of the Committee of 1841 upon National Monuments, that the public should be admitted more freely into Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, and other cathedrals throughout the country. Experience, he said, had now proved what had long been denied, that Englishmen may be admitted to places containing works of art without hazard to these works from misbehaviour. Sir Robert Peel admitted the justice of the plea, but at present the control of these buildings belonged entirely to the ecclesiastical bodies, and while that right continued the House ought not to interfere by resolution. APRIL The motion was ultimately withdrawn, Mr. Hume expressing a wish that the sentiment now expressed would have its effect in the proper quarter. 22.-Scene in the House of Commons with Mr. Ferrand, M.P. Mr. Roebuck first taunted him with having stated that Sir J. Graham had used his power as a Minister of the Crown to procure a false return relative to the Keighley Union rates, for the purpose of crushing him. Mr. Hume also drew attention to another statement publicly made by Mr. Ferrand, to the effect that Sir James Graham had made use of his official influence to make Mr. Hogg, the member for Beverley, commit perjury as chairman of an election committee, by delivering an opinion contrary to his own feelings. Mr. Ferrand denied using the last expression but re-affirmed the truth of the first. Sir James Graham: "I think it impossible, considering the nature of the assertion, and the position which I hold by the favour of her Majesty, that the matter can rest here; and I trust therefore that he is prepared to take the proper course for substantiating so grave a charge.' Mr. Ferrand appeared in his place next night, and repeated that what he had affirmed about the false return was quite true. He was proceeding to state that if he had in any way wounded the personal honour of any memberwhen he was interrupted by a loud burst of laughter and ironical cheering, in the midst of which he took up his hat and hurried out of the House, Sir James Graham indicating by gestures his amazement at the proceeding. Sir Robert Peel said he would venture to say, that since the time when a public performer, undertook to compress himself into the limits of a quart bottle there had been no case which had given rise to more disappointment to the audience than this.-Mr. Disraeli said: "I cannot take on myself to decide, but this I do know, that no attempt by this House, whether right or wrong in the beginning, from the time of Sacheverell to our friend Mr. Stockdale, to run down an individual has ever succeeded, or has ever terminated to their advantage or the increase of their favour in public opinion. Remember, what another Sir Robert-not a greater man than our Sir Robert, but still a most distinguished one-said with respect to the case of Dr. Sacheverell. He said, 'he had had enough of roasting a parson;' and I must say, having differed from the right honourable gentleman on subjects analogous to the present, and after the experience he has had of parliamentary privilege--although he was assisted on these occasions by the noble lord the member for London, who I observe has rather withdrawn his support of late from her Majesty's Government-I think the right honourable gentleman, taking as he does the great historical view of the case, the bottle conjuror' view of the case, might really after what has occurred allow the matter to drop." On the 24th it was agreed that Mr. Ferrand should have another opportunity of acknow. 1844. ledging or denying the accuracy of his repeated charges, and if he admitted their accuracy he was to be allowed to take proof before a select committee. On the 26th Mr. Ferrand made another attempt at explanation, but the House almost unanimously adopted the resolution of Sir Robert Peel, that the charges against Sir James Graham and Mr. Hogg were unfounded and calumnious. 25.-Amended articles against duelling issued from the War Office. They declare that it is suitable to the character of honourable men to apologize and offer redress for wrong or insult committed, and equally so for the party aggrieved to accept frankly and cordially explanation and apologies for the same. Treaty signed at Madrid, in terms of which Chili was recognised by Spain as an independent Power. 26. Sir Robert Peel, in answer to Mr. Macaulay, said the Court of Directors had exercised the power which the law gave them to recall the Governor-General of India. Lord Ellenborough was succeeded by Sir H. Hardinge. Dr. Lushington delivers judgment in the suit for restitution of conjugal rights by the Earl of Dysart against his wife, who by way of answer pleaded cruelty on his part and prayed for a separation. The learned judge having gone over the main points of the case, thought they did not prove any risk of personal violence if Lady Dysart had conducted herself with prudence and submission. He therefore pronounced for the prayer of Lord Dysart. Parliamentary Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the colony of New Zealand, and the proceedings of the New Zealand Company. 29.-Augustus Dalmas, a French chemist, murders Mrs. Sarah M'Farlane on Batterseabridge, about 11 o'clock at night, by cutting her throat. He afterwards delivered himself up to justice, and was convicted at the Central Criminal Court; but being considered of unsound mind the extreme sentence of the law was departed from, and he was ordered to be confined for life as a criminal lunatic. The Chancellor of (Goulburn) introduces the annual Budget. the Exchequer For the present year the gross surplus had reached 4,165,000l. instead of only 700,000l. as originally estimated, enabling Government not only to clear off a deficiency of 2,749,000l. on last year's estimate, but to have 1,400,000l. still in reserve. For the ensuing year he estimated the revenue at 51,790,000/., and the expenditure at 48,643,170., leaving a surplus of 3,146,000l. With this he proposed to reduce the duties on flint glass, vinegar, dried currants, coffee, foreign wool, and marine insurance. 30.--Anti-State Church Conference assembles in London. (154) MAY May 1.-The London police make a simul taneous attack on the West-end gaming-houses, and seize a quantity of gaming implements, about 3,000l. in cash, besides I.O.U.s, and capture seventy-three people, who are fined in sums varying from 17. to 60%. 2.-Died at Bath, aged 84, William Beckford, author of "Vathek." 6.-Sir Robert Peel introduces his new Bank Charter and banking regulations. In the course of one of his addresses he said: "I propose with respect to the Bank of England that there should be an actual separation of the two departments of issue and banking, that there should be different officers to each, and a different system of accounts. I likewise pro pose, that to the issue department should be transferred the whole amount of bullion now in the possession of the Bank, and that the issue of bank-notes should hereafter take place on two foundations, and two foundations only -first, on a definite amount of securities, and after that, exclusively upon bullion; so that the action of the public would, in this latter respect, govern the amount of the circulation, There will be no power in the Bank to issue notes on deposits and discount of bills, and the issue department will have to place to the credit of the banking department the amount of notes which the issue department by law will be entitled to issue. With respect to the banking business of the Bank, I propose that it should be governed on precisely the same principles as would regulate any other body dealing with Bank of England notes. The fixed amount of securities on which I propose that the Bank of England should issue notes is 14,000,000l., and the whole of the remainder of the circulation is to be issued exclusively on the foundation of bullion. I propose that there should be a complete and periodical publication of the accounts of the Bank of England, both of the banking and issue departments, as tending to increase the credit of the Bank, and to prevent panic and needless alarm. fore enact by law, that there should be returned I would thereto the Government a weekly account of the issue of notes by the Bank of England-of the amount of bullion-of the fluctuation of the bullion-of the amount of deposits-in short. an account of every transaction both in the issue department and the banking department of the Bank of England; and that the Government should forthwith publish unreservedly and weekly a full account of the circulation of the Bank." The measure passed through both Houses during the session. Commenced a series of riots at Philadelphia, between the Roman Catholic Irish and a party known as "Native Americans." During the four days over which the disturbance was protracted, two churches and above fifty houses were burnt, and about twenty people lost their lives. The rioting was renewed in July, when the military were brought out, and a considerable number killed on both sides. 7.-Theatre Royal, Manchester, destroyed by fire. The dressing-rooms only were saved, and a part of their furniture. 13.-Lord Ashley's amendment to introduce a ten hours' clause in the new Factory Bill, rejected by 297 to 159 votes. 15.-Sir Henry Hardinge sworn in as Governor-General of India. On the same evening the East India Company gave their customary dinner to Sir Henry on his appointment. 18.-Fire at Naworth Castle, one of the seats of the Earl of Carlisle. The building itself, and a large collection of ancient furniture and pictures, were destroyed, with the exception of the tower of "Belted Will," where there was a series of apartments kept furnished as they had been left by that border chief. The Vice-Chancellor and heads of colleges at Cambridge resolve to discommune tradesmen summoning persons in statu pupillari without first giving notice of claim to tutors. 22. It is announced in the Scotch Free Assembly that 70,000l. had been collected for the Sustentation Fund, 50,000l. for schools, 32,000/. for missions; and that 230,000l. had been expended, or was expending, in the building of churches. The "Derby" won by Running Rein, a horse said to be over age, and the stakes claimed in consequence by Colonel Peel, owner of the second horse, Orlando. (See July 1.) 23.-The House of Lords sits as a Committee of Privileges, to consider the claims of Sir Augustus Frederick D'Este to succeed his father as Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow. At Rome, in 1792, the deceased Duke had met with Lady Augusta Murray, daughter of the Countess of Dunmore, and falling violently in love with her, they were after some delay married there by an English clergyman. On returning to this country they were married by banns in St. George's, Hanoversquare, which marriage, however, was admitted to be legally invalid. The openly manifested repugnance of the King to the match led to a separation after the birth of two children--the present claimant and a daughter. The chief points of the claim were submitted to the common-law judges in the form of a case. After due deliberation the judges came to a unanimous opinion that the Royal Marriage Act was in force in foreign countries as well as in England; and that a marriage at Rome, if otherwise valid, when contracted between individuals who did not come within the scope of the Royal Marriage Act, became of no effect if one of the contracting parties was included within the provisions of that Act, and had married without the consent of the King. A decision was therefore recorded that the claims of Sir Augustus D'Este had not been established. affirm the conviction of the traversers, except so far as the Rev. William Tierney was concerned. Sentence was pronounced on the 29th. With respect to the principal traverser the sentence of the court was, that he be imprisoned for twelve months, pay a fine of 2,000l., and enter into security and recognizances for his future good behaviour for the term of seven years in the sum of 5,000l. The other traversers were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, a fine of 50l., and to find securities for the same time in the sum of 1,000l. Mr. O'Connell, on entering to take his place in the traversers' box was received with a shout of enthusiasm by the bar and the audience. The utmost consternation and amazement was shown at the severity of the sentence. Mr. O'Connell said: "I will not do anything so irregular as reply to the court, but I am entitled to remind Mr. Justice Barton that we each of us have sworn positively, and that I in particular have sworn positively, I was not engaged in any conspiracy whatever. I am sorry to say that I feel it my imperative duty to add, that justice has not been done to me." Shortly after the sentence the traversers, in custody of the sheriff, took their departure for Richmond Bridewell, the prison selected by the traversers themselves. O'Connell immediately issued a proclamation headed "Peace and Quiet," urging the people to show their regard for him by their obedience to the law, and their total avoidance of any riot or violence. 26.-Died, aged 77, Jacques Lafitte, a prominent French banker and financier. 28. The election for South Lancashire terminated to-day in favour of the Conservative candidate, Mr. Entwistle polling 7,571 votes, and Mr. Brown, a free trader, 6,973. June 1.-The Emperor of Russia visits London. He at first took up his quarters at the Russian Embassy, but, on the pressing invitation of the Queen, removed to Buckingham Palace as the guest of her Majesty. During his visit the Emperor had several conversations with the Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Aberdeen, and Sir Robert l'eel, relative to the state of Turkey, and the events that might be expected to follow in case of the dissolution of that empire, which in the opinion of the Czar was an event not far distant. Their conversation ultimately took the form of a memorandum, deposited originally in the secret archives of the Foreign Office, but brought to light in after years, when the Emperor pleaded a common understanding with England in defence of his proceedings against Turkey. "Russia and England" (so runs the memorandum) "are mutually penetrated with the conviction that it is for their common interest that the Ottoman Porte should maintain itself in a state of independence and of territorial possession which at present constitutes that empire, as that political combination is the one which is most compatible with the general interest and the maintenance of peace. Being agreed on this principle, Russia and England have an equal interest in uniting their efforts in order to keep up the existence of the Ottoman Empire, and to avert all the dangers which can place in jeopardy its safety. With this object, the essential point is to suffer the Porte to live in repose, without needlessly disturbing it by diplomatic bickerings, and without interfering, without absolute necessity, in its internal affairs. In order to carry out skilfully this system of forbearance, with a view to the well-understood interest of the Porte, two things must not be lost sight of. They are these In the first place, the Porte has a constant tendency to extricate itself from the engagements imposed upon it by the treaties which it has concluded with other Powers. It hopes to do so with impunity, because it reckons on the mutual jealousy of the Cabinets. It thinks that if it fails in its engagements towards one of them, the rest will espouse its quarrel, and will screen it from all responsibility. It is essential not to confirm the Porte in this delusion. Every time that it fails in its obligations towards one of the great Powers, it is the interest of all the rest to make it sensible of its error, and seriously to exhort it to act rightly towards the Cabinet which demands just reparation. The object for which Russia and England will have to come to an understanding may be expressed in the following manner :1. To seek to maintain the existence of the Ottoman Empire in its present state, so long as that political combination shall be possible. 2. If we foresee that it must crumble to pieces, to enter into previous concert as to everything relating to the establishment of a new order of things, intended to replace that which now exists, and, in conjunction with each other, to see that the change which may have occurred in the internal situation of that empire shall not injuriously affect either the security of their own States, and the rights which the treaties assure to them respectively, or the maintenance of the balance of power in Europe. For the purpose thus stated, the policy of Russia and of Austria, as we have already said, is closely united by the principle of perfect identity. If England, as the principal maritime power, acts in concert with them, it is to be supposed that France will find herself obliged to act in conformity with the course agreed upon between St. Petersburg, London, and Vienna. Conflict between the great Powers being thus obviated, it is to be hoped that the peace of Europe will be maintained even in the midst of such serious circumstances." 3. At the weekly meeting of the Repeal Association, Smith O'Brien stated he had deliberately and solemnly come to the conclusion that not one drop of intoxicating liquor should pass his lips until the Union was repealed. -The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes his resolutions on the sugar duties. Colonial to continue as at present, 24s. per cwt.; China, Java, Manilla, and other countries, when not the produce of slave labour, at 345.; Brazil and slave-labour States to continue at 635. On a division, the Government proposal was carried by 197 to 128, the minority supporting Lord John Russell's amendment for fixing 345. per cwt. as the duty leviable on all foreign sugars. A bill founded on the resolutions was prepared and brought in. 3.-Insurrection in the island of Dominica, in consequence of a misapprehension on the part of the negroes that the taking of the census was part of a plan for reducing them once more to a state of slavery. The Dissenters' Chapel Bill, sent down from the House of Lords, read a second time in the House of Commons by a majority of 307 to 117 votes. The motion for the second reading was made by the Attorney-General, Sir W. Follett, who appeared in the House to-night for the first time after a sudden attack of illness in the House of Lords. Mr. Macaulay supported the measure, and complimented Ministers upon its introduction. 10. The Repeal rent for the week announced as amounting to 3,2297., being the largest sum yet collected. 11. The private bankers memorialize Sir Robert Peel regarding the clause in the New Bank Act restricting the issue to 14,000,000!. upon securities. "We respectfully submit that the effect of such an absolute limitation will be to restrict the business of the country, by leading to a general withdrawal of legitimate accommodation, unless some power be reserved by the bill for extending the issue, with the sanction of the authorities above alluded to, in cases of emergency to be made apparent to such authorities." Sir Robert Peel, in reply, refused to allow of any other extension than that provided for in the bill. 14. The Government defeated in committee on the Sugar Duties Bill. An amendment on the first clause, proposed by Mr. Miles, lowering the duties on both British and foreign grown sugar not the produce of slave labour, was carried by a majority of 20 in a House of 462. Opening private letters at the Post Office. Mr. T. Duncombe presents a petition from M. Mazzini and three others, complaining that during the past month a number of their letters passing through the General Post Office, written for no political purpose, and containing no treasonable or libellous matter, had been regularly detained and opened.-Sir James Graham replied, that the Secretary of State had been invested by Parliament with the power, in certain cases, of issuing warrants directing letters to be opened. With respect to three of the petitioners, their statements were false; but so far as one of them was concerned, he had considered it his duty to issue such a warrant, but it was not at present in force. The powers he alluded to had been conferred by Parliament, and he hoped that Parliament would not withdraw its confidence from the Government in this respect. He declined to give any information as to which of the petitioners he referred to, or how long the warrant had remained in force. 15.-Died at Boulogne-sur-Mer, whither he had retired for the benefit of his health, Thomas Campbell, author of "The Pleasures of Hope," aged 67. Thomas Carlyle writes to the Times: "I have had the honour to know M. Mazzini for a series of years; and whatever I may think of his practical insight and skill in worldly affairs, I can with great freedom testify to all men that he, if I have ever seen one such, is a man of genius and virtue, a man of sterling veracity, humanity, and nobleness of mind.. Whether the extraneous Austrian Emperor and miserable old chimera of a Pope shall maintain themselves in Italy, or be obliged to decamp from Italy, is not a question in the least vital to Englishmen. But it is a question vital to us that sealed letters in an English post-office be, as we all fancied they were, respected as things sacred; that opening of men's letters, a practice near of kin to picking men's pockets, and to other still viler and far fataler forms of scoundrelism, be not resorted to in England, except in cases of the very last extremity. When some new Gunpowder Plot may be in the wind, some double-dyed high-treason, or imminent national wreck not avoidable otherwise, then let us open letters: not till then." 16. At a Cabinet Council held this day (Sunday), it was settled that Ministers would resign unless the House accepted the Sugar Duties Bill as originally framed. 17.-Under pressure of a threat of resignation, slightly disguised in an exposition of the policy of Government on the Sugar question, Sir Robert Peel induces the House of Commons, by a majority of 255 to 233, to rescind the vote it had come to on the 14th. In the course of the debate to which the proposal gave rise, it was noticed that Mr. Disraeli commented with unusual severity on the Premier's proceedings. "I think," he said, "the right hon. gentleman should deign to consult the feelings of his supporters a little more. I do not think he ought to drag them unreasonably through the mire... The right hon. gentleman came forward with a detestaton of slavery in every place-except on the benches behind him. If the Anti-Slavery repugnance were only a little more prevalentif the right hon. gentleman did not expect on every division, and at every crisis, that his gang should appear, and the whip should sound with that alacrity which he understood was now prevalent-it would be a little more consistent with the tone which he assumed with respect to the slave trade, and with that which was now the principal subject of discussion. It was better for the House of Commons and for the right hon. baronet that this system should at once terminate. He deserved a better position than one that could only be retained by menacing his friends and cringing to his opponents." 18.-Inauguration of Chantrey's statue of the Duke of Wellington, erected in front of the Royal Exchange. The King of Saxony, presently on a visit to the Queen, was among the crowd, and joined heartily in the cheering. 24. In the course of a debate on PostOffice espionage, Mr. Shiel charged Sir James Graham, an English Secretary, with acting an un-English part in so far as he did, by a clandestine and surreptitious instrumentality, lend himself to the procuration of evidence for foreign Powers against unfortunate exiles, and obtained through such means the revelation of secrets by which their property and their lives might be sacrificed. 25. On a division, Mr. Villiers' annual motion against the Corn Laws is defeated by a majority of 328 to 124. 27.-Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon sect, and his brother, murdered at Carthage, Illinois, by a mob who broke into the debtors' prison where they were confined. July 1.-The Running Rein case heard in the Court of Exchequer. Mr. Cockburn, who conducted the plaintiff's case, gave the pedigree of Running Rein, and what was said to be his true history, from his possession by Mr. Goodman as a foal to his purchase by his client, Mr. Wood. On the conclusion of the evidence for the plaintiff, the Solicitor-General denounced the case as a gross and scandalous fraud. The horse was not Running Rein at all, but a colt by Gladiator out of a dam belonging originally to Sir Charles Ibbotson, and had the name of Running Rein imposed on it. It was originally called Maccabeus, and entered for certain stakes under that designation. His allegations, however, were not against Mr. Wood, but against Mr. Goodman, who had entered into a conspiracy with other persons to run horses above the proper age. On the second day of the trial, Baron Alderson ordered the production of the horse, but the plaintiff then declared it had been taken away without his knowledge, and he was not able therefore to produce it. Mr. Cockburn afterwards stated, on behalf of his client, that he was now convinced he had been deceived, and |