Isaac Looker, charged with sending a threatening letter. Paper was found in his bureau corresponding to that on which the letter was written, account books, in similar writing, were found in his possession, and three witnesses gave it as their opinion that the handwriting of the letter was his-it was stated that he approved of some of the riots. The prisoner strongly maintained his innocence; eleven witnesses swore the writing was not his, but Looker was found guilty. Mr. Justice Alderson said it was fortunate the prisoner was found out; he would "leave the country without pity or commiseration," he would go "abhorred by almost every one." Immediately on his being sentenced to transportation for life, his son, aged seventeen, came forward, confessed having written the letter, and gave the most satis factory proof of this statement. On a subsequent day the father was tried again upon a second indictment and acquitted; the son was afterwards placed at the bar, pleaded guilty, and received sentence of transportation for seven years. Counsel on behalf of Peter Withers, who had been convicted of wounding a special constable with a sledge hammer, objected to the form of the indictment, and the objection is to be considered. Sentence of death was passed on twenty-five other prisoners. On their leaving the Court, the lamentations of their friends created a most distressing scene, the prisoners wept like infants. The number of prisoners tried at Salisbury has been rather fewer than in the other counties, but the offences were in some instances of a more serious character. The Special Commissions have now terminated; and whether the measure was called for or otherwise, whether it is to be considered efficacious or the contrary, there is no doubt that the spirit which gave rise to the disturbances has abated. The following precis of the convictions and acquittals constitutes a summary of what is more fully detailed above, and supplies an enumeration of those cases in which it is deficient. BERKSHIRE, at Reading.-Number for trial, 138; executed, 1 (William Winterborne); 2 others respited; death recorded, 23; transportation for 14 years, 12; for 7,14; 18 months' imprisonment, 7; 12 ditto, 13; 9 ditto, 1; 6 ditto, 5; 4 ditto, 4; 3 ditto, 1; acquitted 19; discharged non pros, 14. At Abingdon: Death recorded, 1; imprisonment for 18 months, 3; twelve ditto, 10; 9 ditto 11; 6 ditto, 5; 3 ditto, 6; 2 ditto, 3. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, at Aylesbury. For trial, 126; death, 2, still left for execution (Thomas Blizzard and John Sarney); death recorded 19; transportation for 7 years, 3; various terms of imprisonment, from 2 years to 6 weeks, 26; discharged on recog nizances, 64; acquitted, 20; on proclamation, 13. DORSETSHIRE, at Dorchester. For trial, 50; no capital conviction; death recorded, 5; transportation for 7 years, 7; imprisoned 2 years, 1; 18 months, 1; 1 year, 5; 4 months, 1; 3 ditto, 2; acquitted, 14; discharged, 9. HAMPSHIRE, at Winchester. For trial, 355; 2 (Cooper and Cooke,) executed; 4 respited; death recorded, 98; transported for life, 6; 7 years, 32; various terms of imprisonment, 58; fined, 3; discharged on recognizances, 46; acquitted 68; not prosecuted 15; bills thrown out, 3; traversed till March assizes, 3; no trial, 3. Winter Assizes, Home Circuit.-HERTFORDSHIRE: None for this description of offence. - ESSEX: One, forarson, (Ewen,) executed; 2, for the same offence, acquitted; transported for 7 years, 16; imprisoned for different terms, 23.-KENT: Three for arson, (Dyke and Packmans, brothers,) executed; death recorded, for arson, 1 (a female); transported for 7 years, 8; imprisonment, for various periods, 9.-SUSSEX: Executed, for arson, 1 (Edmund Bushby); 1, for the same offence, respited; death recorded, 4; transported for life, 1; for seven years, 4; imprisonment of various durations, 28.SURREY: One, (James Warner,) for arson, executed; two, for arson, acquitted; 6, for rioting, convicted; 2 for 18, 1 for 12, and 3 for 6 months' imprisonment; 3 others acquitted. The Revenue.--By the quarterly returns of the produce of the different branches of the Revenue for the last year, there appears upon the whole year, as compared with the preceding one, a deficiency of 640,4501. and upon the last quarter, made up to the 5th of January, 1831, as compared with the corresponding period of the last year, of 29,480l. The great falling off occurs in the Customs and Excise, which alone show a loss of 120,000l. in the last quarter. This is to be accounted for by the beer and leather duties ceasing. Against this decrease is, however, to be set off an increase in other matters of 90,5031. for the same quarterwhich makes the net deficiency 29,4801. The Post-office exhibits an increase for the last quarter of 9,005l. but a decrease on the year of 17,9891.; Stamps, an increase on the quarter of 27,110l. but a falling off for the year of 39,3441.; taxes, off 44,9551. for the quarter, and of 116,8391.2 for the year; and miscellaneous, of 9,4331 for the quarter, but a decrease of 165,7111 for the whole year. The Customs show ar increase upon the year of 319,7011. but decrease upon the quarter of 82,1811.; bu the Excise a decrease upon the whole yea of 853,946l.; and upon the quarter o 37,8071. Under the head of "Charge The upon the Consolidated Fund, some savings appear to be made; but the amount of the naval and military pensions, and the Civil List, not being yet fixed, the tables are necessarily imperfect. In Exchequer Annuities, about one seventh has been struck off. To the South Sea Company we pay some 3000l. or 4000l. less than last year. dividends appear to be 300,000l. less, but they are transferred to the next item; and pensions are 15,000l. less than last year. The amount of the unfunded debt, which is to be re-issued, is stated at 4,354,706l. The Sinking Fund. The commissioners for the reduction of the national debt have issued a notice that, as the actual surplus revenue of the country, beyond the expenditure, in the year ending the 10th of October 1830, amounts to 2,979,5231. 15s. 11 d., during the quarter ending the 5th of April next, one-fourth part of such surplus-viz. 744,8801. 18s. 11 d. will be applied in aid of the redemption of the debt, together with 27201. 9s. 9d. in donations and bequests. The total amount to be invested in stock in the current quarter will be 747,6011. 8s. 8d. In the quarter just ended, the purchases of stock by the commissioners, on each transfer day, were 12,290l. making a total laid out in the quarter, in the redemption of stock, of 577,6541. 9s. 11d. The Lord-Lieutenants of the different counties have been officially informed, that the same allowances, wherever they are demanded, will be granted by Government to the corps of yeomanry now forming, as were formerly enjoyed by the old corps viz. 30s. per man annually for clothing, and the like sum to cover incidental expenses. Militia. The Lords-Lieutenants of the counties of Stafford, Warwick, and Worcester, have received instructions respectively to embody the militia of their counties by the beginning of March, at the farthest. Form of Prayer. - A Supplement to the Gazette of the 24th of December, contained an order in Council, that the Archbishop of Canterbury do prepare Forms of Prayer to Almighty God, on account of the troubled state of certain parts of the United Kingdom; and another for reading the same in all the Episcopal Churches and Chapels in England and Scotland. In consequence of this order, a Form of Prayer has been issued. It is used immediately before the Litany; and when the Litany is not to be read, before the Prayer for all Conditions of Men; in all Cathedral, Collegiate, and Parochial Churches and Chapels in England and Ireland. The agitation of the Anti-Union question has proceeded briskly since Mr. O'Connell's return to Ireland. The Castle has been equally active in the adoption of measures of suppression. Meetings, under various pretexts of political discussion, or public amusement, having taken place, or been expected to take place in different cities and counties, an official circular was addressed by the new Secretary, immediately on his arrival in Ireland, to all the magistrates of that part of the United Kingdom. The declared object of this Circular was to convey the wish of Government that no fair and peaceable expression of public opinion, at constitutional assemblies, legally convened, should be checked. But, at the same time, it announced the determination of the Lord Lieutenant to discharge his duty of guarding against any abuse of the exercise of constitutional rights leading to a violation of the law, or to a breach of the public peace. All magistrates were by this Circular required to use every lawful means in their power to prevent, suppress, and disperse assemblies of an illegal nature within their respective jurisdictions; and, in case the peace of the country should be disturbed, to exercise their authority with firmness, temper, and discretion. The Secretary emphatically stated, that "while his Excellency would not fail to visit with his severest displeasure any magistrates who might shrink from the due performance of functions so vitally important-so, on the other hand, their efforts for the suppression of acts of outrage, or of illegality, would be duly appreciated or acknowledged."-In conclusion, Mr. Stanley said, "The Government will perform their part, affording you the fullest protection in the responsible exercise of your authority, and in supporting the civil force whenever it may be necessary for the preservation of the public peace." On Christmas-day, the Lord Lieutenant published a proclamation, prohibiting a meeting of "the Trades of Dublin," announced for the 27th to meet at Phibsborough, a village about half a mile from the city, and thence proceed in regular array, with orange and green banners, through the streets of Dublin, as calculated to lead to a disturbance of the public peace. This * The Right Hon. E. G. Stanley, in consequence of this step, received from the Agitator the ludicrous epithet of shave-beggar." It was, however, to Lord F. L. Gower, and in the House of Commons, that Mr. O'Connell first applied the expression. The phrase is taken from the custom of Irish barbers, who teach their apprentices their trade by setting them to practise on beggars-a custom which bears a humorous analogy to that of the English Government, which has uniformly used Ireland as a school for her stripling politicians to learn the trade of Ministers. meeting had been convened by Mr. O'Connell, for the purpose, as he said, of repealing the Union. In consequence of this proclamation, the "Trades" met on Sunday, at two o'clock, in Stephen-street, when Mr. O'Connell, from one of the windows of the Parliamentary Intelligence Office, addressed the multitude, and proposed that a deputation should meet him in the room. This was acceded to; and the Agitator advised them " to work for themselves to agitate in peace and union!" The Government, however, has evinced very little disposition to enter into the views of the repealers. Every new scheme of agitation has been met by a new proclamation to suppress it. The Society for prevent ing secret associations and protecting the right of petitioning;" the political breakfasts at Home's the Meetings at the Parliamentary Intelligence Office, have been successively the objects of the interference of the Government. The proclamation, prohibitory of the last-named meetings, was so expressed as to comprehend-such at least was its design-all other similar assem AFRICA. blages, and thus save Lord Anglesey and E. G. Stanley the trouble of issuing a fresh proclamation every morning. Mr. O'Connell, on the other hand, has been equally strenuous. "The Society for suppressing secret associations," &c. he proposed to concentre entirely in his own person; his next project was the formation of election clubs throughout Ireland, communicating all with a central club in Dublin; as to the breakfasts at Home's they were simply turned into breakfasts at Haye's. The first of these, however, was the last, owing to the interruption of two magistrates, acting under the proclamation, who dispersed it the moment tea and coffee gave way to political discussion. A more decided step has since been taken by the Castle. On the 18th, Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Steele, and Mr. Lawless were arrested on warrants charging them with conspiring with others to evade the laws, and holding meetings in defiance of the various proclamations issued by the Lord Lieutenant. They were severally held to bail. THE COLONIES. Cape of Good Hope papers, of a late date, have been received. A public meet ing had been called for the purpose of determining on framing a petition to Parliament against the renewal of the East India Company's monopoly of the China trade. The whale fisheries on the coast have again proved successful. In all, thirty-eight fish have been taken, which were valued at upwards of 100,000 rix dollars. Fifteen were taken in Algoa Bay, eight in Mossel Bay, nine in Fish-hook Bay, three in Kalk Bay, and three in Table Bay. It was expected, from the prosecution of this fishery, that, independently of its immediate effect on the commerce of that colony, it would lead to a correct knowledge of the bays, harbours, and the coast generally. Cultivation of the Tea Plant at the Cape of Good Hope. The colonists at the Cape have been for some time speculating on the cultivation of the tea plant. The "South African Advertiser" states, that Mr. Rhenius, one of the Governors of the Cape, raised tea sufficient for his own consumption. It states that the tea plant is hardy and vigorous, and will grow anywhere, from the Equator to the 45th deg. of latitude; but that the best tea is produced between 25 and 32 deg. of latitude. It is supposed, if Chinese acquainted with the cultivation could be induced to come to the Cape, even for a time, that under their instruction it might be brought to perfection; but the great difficulty appears to be, how to induce such Chinese to come amongst them; for which they seem to build their hope on the effect of opening the trade between England and China, which they suppose will cause a much greater number of Chinese than heretofore to visit England and the colonies, in the line of voyage. EAST INDIES. Calcutta papers, to as late a date as the 5th of September, have reached this country. The only article of intelligence they contain worth extracting is an account of the death of Colonel Sir J. Macdonald, the British Ambassador at Tabreez, who died on the 11th of June. Captain Campbell, of the Madras Cavalry, was acting as " Chargé d'Affaires." These papers are filled with an atrocious case of slave-dealing, which has been discovered at Bombay, and which is stated to have been carried to a great extent. The present case is the imputed supply of the Indian navy by forcing these poor creatures on board ship. A lieutenant and some others have absconded. Steam communication with India. Mr. Waghorn, of the Bengal pilot service, who went overland to India, with despatches from the Government and the East India Company, arrived in London on the 12th of St December. He describes the whole journey as plain, easy, and simple, and feels convinced that a steam communication, if undertaken by either of the above public authorities, can reach Bombay, via Egypt and the Red Sea, in forty-five days, and expresses his willingness to go again whenever called upon to do so. The Indian public appear to take great interest in this matter, and have voted Mr. Waghorn their thanks for his exertions. The present GovernorGeneral, Lord William Bentinck, and Sir John Malcolm, the Governor of Bombay, have afforded him their kind protection; in fact, if steam-boats are established, the power of communicating with India in the short period before-mentioned is indisputable. Mr. Waghorn is preparing to lay before his Majesty's Government, and the East India Company, the particulars of his late journey. VAN DIEMAN'S LAND. The Hobart Town Courier states, that very favourable accounts have been received of the success of the expedition sent by government, under Mr. Robinson, to conciliate the native tribes. "It appears, that after making his way from Port Davey to Macquarie Harbour, from which latter place the last accounts of him were received, and where he obtained a reinforcement of supplies, he had arrived within thirty miles of Circular-head. During this journey he had frequent intercourse with several tribes, all of them of the most friendly nature. On one AMERICA. FOREIGN The President's Message. The President's Message to the Congress of the United States of America has been received. In this document the late changes in the Government of France are spoken of in terms of the highest exultation. In respect to the intercourse between the United States and the West India Colonies, the President states that an arrangement has been effected with Great Britain relative to that intercourse, which had produced six negotiations, the point of contention being the restriction of the Americans from becoming the carriers of British West India produce to any other place than America. This however, he states, has been abandoned in a manner most frank and friendly on the part of Great Britain, "which spirit," sers the President, to reciprocate to the fullest extent, shall be a duty which I shall deem it a privilege to discharge." The President announces that the relations with Russia are on the most stable footing; and speaking generally of foreign relations, he says, " our country, by the blessing of God, is not in a situation to invite aggression; and it will be our fault if ever she becomes so." The Message, upon the whole, is very satisfactory, both as respects the external and internal feeling of America-its views, in the former respect, are quite amicable, and its relations perfectly friendly; and, in the latter, the finances are declared as most or two occasions he passed several days and nights alone amongst them, finding it prudent to send his companions apart to avoid a little jealousy which some of them appeared to have when several whites were collected together. We consider this as one of the most fortunate circumstances that could have occurred in the island, leading, as we trust it will do, to the most happy results, in finally putting a period to the late sanguinary and mistaken attacks of this unhappy people. Great praise is due to the skill and unwearied perseverance displayed by Mr. Robinson and all his enterprising party on the occasion, the spirit of which must be kept up with energy; while it admonishes us more than ever to co-operate as much as we possibly can in other parts of the island, by catching and gaining them over to civilization, or else effectually to deter them from continuing their ravages on the confines of the settled districts. An attempt is now making to introduce Chinese labourers amongst us, but it is by no means impossible or hopeless that we shall be ultimately enabled to tame and instruct these poor people to habits of useful industry." STATES. flourishing, its resources availing in the most extensive sense, and its establishments progressing, in consequence of the spirit of enterprise which characterizes the nation. AUSTRIA. The Hungarian Diet closed its sitting at Presburg on the 20th ult. The Archduke Charles, as the royal commissioner, delivered an address in Latin, which was answered in the same language by Prince Plumall. The Chancellor's address was spoken in the Hungarian language. The gracious concessions of the Emperor relative to the coronation and the levy of Hungarian recruits were the subject of an address of thanks. Austria concentrates troops in the province nearest to Poland. BELGIUM. The independence of Belgium as a kingdom distinct from and independent of Holland is officially announced in the Brussels papers. It only remains now for Belgium to consolidate its new institutions, and to choose a King; when she may, as her Minister says, "take her place as a member of the great European family." The Provisional Government are determined not to interfere, but to leave the choice of a Sovereign entirely to the National Congress. The five great powers have acknowledged its independence. FRANCE. The electoral law was promulgated in the Chamber of Deputies on the 30th of De cember. It extends the franchise to 200,000 members, which are to compose the electoral body of France. Property and information are the qualifications. Each arrondissement is separate; each college returns one member, and in some cases a second college is created, so as to return two members for one arrondissement. The payment of taxes, and the possession of knowledge, qualify for an elector. To be a candidate, a man must possess 500 francs a-year, which will treble the present number of the eligible. Prefects, sub-prefects, and military commanders of divisions and departments, are incapable of being elected in colleges, which comprehend the whole or a part of the electors of the departments or arrondissements where they represent the administration. M. Lafayette has resigned the command of the National Guards of France. Count de Lobau was not named successor to the veteran patriot, but Commander of the National Guards of Paris only. The motives of Lafayette's resignation were frankly explained in his speech to the Chamber of Deputies. The office was in itself, as he himself felt, incompatible with a Constitutional Monarchy, and he had long since declared his intention to resign it. The feeling expressed in the Chamber of Deputies quickened his determination; but, besides this, the peace of Paris having been put out of danger, he begins to feel that he is placed in an awkward, and perhaps mischievous, position, in supporting, by his popularity, the party in power (rather in the Chambers, perhaps, than in the Ministry,) who delay the measures which he thinks necessary to the liberty and peace of France. "My conscientious love of public order is satisfied," he says, in allusion to the stop put to the tumults; " but I cannot say the same of my conscientious love of liberty." The retirement of Lafayette has been fol lowed by that of M. Dupont de l'Eure, the Minister of Justice (the most popular and blameless of the Ministers,) and of M. Odillon Barrot, who, though not a Minister, held the important office of Prefect of the Department which includes Paris. Some other members of the same party have also retired. GREECE. Sir P. Malcolm has been obliged to use strong language with the Minister of the Greek Marine, Viaro Capo d'Istrias, and to tell him that he would allow no Greek manof-war to leave Nauplia without being previously informed of her destination, and the object of it. This, it is said, has arisen out of some treacherous conduct on the part of Viaro, and from a Greek corvette having slipped at midnight from under the admiral's stern, with arms and ammunition on board for Candia; and also a number of flags of the three allied sovereigns. It is, moreover, said, that the President has been informed that, if he does not forthwith evacuate Vonizza, force will be used. ITALY. A decree has been published at Naples, remitting one half their term of imprisonment to all captives for political offences. The decree breathes generally a milder and more liberal spirit than usually distinguishes such documents. MEXICO. Advices from Mexico give the particulars of the execution of General Victoria, on the 11th of September. He died with great firmness. He had been taken at Flou, and conducted to Puebla, where, as he had been condemned to death by a Court Martial, he was ordered by the Commandant General to prepare for death in twenty-four hours. He was brought to the place of execution, and the troops were drawn out. A seat was brought him, on which he placed himself, and asked permission to say a few words to the people. This being granted, he rose, and with aloud voice, said, "Countrymen and friends, I am to die, but there will be many to revenge my death, and that speedily." He then sat down with calmness, placed his hands upon his knees with a tranquil countenance, and without any other movement than turning his hands over on his knees. PERSIA. こ Persia is at this moment a prey to a terrible civil war. The eldest son of the Shah has raised the standard of rebellion, and marched against his father. Prince Abbas 2 Mirza hastened to the succour of his father, and is fighting against his brother. A great part of his army is organized and trained upon the European principle. The inhabitants of the Caucasus, habitually impatient of the yoke of Russia, have also risen in insurrection in some parts near the Black and Caspian Seas. A detachment of the Russian army has been attacked on the road to Tiflis, where it lost two pieces of cannon. Marshal Paskewitsch d'Erivan has orders to employ considerable forces, in order to subdue and punish the rebels. |