cornwall england newspaper

1848 NEWS

FEBRUARY

4 FEBRUARY 1848, Friday

[Missing from microfilm]

11 FEBRUARY 1848, Friday

THE LATE REVEREND DARELL STEPHENS - Last week it was our painful duty to record the death of the Reverend Darell Stephens, at a very advanced age. His loss will be felt by an extensive circle of acquaintance. Full of kindly feelings towards all, the genial spirit of his nature was reflected upon those with whom he was brought into connection, and every acquaintance feels that in leaving him they have lost a friend. He was one of those men who have gone through the world without ever making an enemy. In his position as a minister of the Church of England, while loved and respected by the members of his own church, he was equally loved and respected by those parishioners who dissented from her doctrines, and he had the truly liberal feeling which respected the honest scruples of men of all shades of opinion. Mr. Stephens was one of the small and energetic band of reformers who struggled through the dark days before public opinion was fully formed, and sought to instil into their countrymen those great political truths which at that time were treated with contumely and scorn, but which have since become the accepted creed of the nation. He was one of the last remaining of those who fought the battles of the people before the people themselves were roused to the full understanding of their rights, and who sought to maintain the great prime plea of Civil and Religious Liberty. His name will be associated with those of RASHLEIGH, GLYNN, WALKER, GWATKIN and others, who in this county took the lead in the great struggle for parliamentary reform, and in fact who set the example to all England; under their guidance Cornwall was the first county, as we believe, which publicly assembled to petition in favour of this great movement. If the Reverend Darell Stephens did not make any pretensions to the gifts of oratory by which so many of his fellow labourers were distinguished, there was seldom a meeting held at which some short but pithy saying of his did not make a strong impression, some saying, which came from the heart, and went to the heart. He was a sincere and earnest man, and lived and died in Christian love and charity with all men.

ECCLESIASTICAL - On the 20th ult., the Rev. C.A. ELISE[?], assistant curate of Towednack was elected a fellow of Sydney Sussex College, on the Blundell Foundation.

ST. AGNES CHURCH - In consequence of the dilapidated state of the parish church at St. Agnes, it has been determined to pull down the building, and erect a new one on the same site. Sufficient funds for the work are already at the command of the vicar, the Rev. A. A. VAWDREY. The new edifice will be commenced early in the ensuing spring.

COMMERCIAL - The vessel "George Canning", KING, master, arrived at Truro from Terpetra[?] with a cargo of oranges for Mr. CUMING, experienced very severe weather on her outward passage, and was thrown on her beam ends three times. The water casks were stove in, and the crew, consisting of five men, had only a plat of water per day for five weeks, to make use of. The vessel was fifty-four days on her outward bound passage.

SCILLY - On the 30th ult., the French brig, "Eagle," of Marseilles, from the coast of Africa, laden with palm oil, wax, elephant's teeth, gold dust, &c., anchored to the east of St. Martin's, the master having mistaken the land for the Start. The crew were quite exhausted, and the ship in a very bad state. On the following morning, the wind suddenly blew a gale from the S.W., to the N.E., where the French brig, riding with both her anchors down, was driven some distance towards the shore, which is an "iron bound" coast, and would evidently have been lost but for the assistance of St. Martin's boatmen, who had got on board the vessel, slipped her cable and anchors, and piloted her for safety on the St. Martin's flats. The vessel has since been brought along side St. Mary's pier, where her cargo is being discharged.

DINNER TO SHIPBUILDERS - On the 4th instant, a dinner was given by the owners of the brig "Prince," of Scilly, to the tradesmen who had been employed about the vessel, when about eighty persons sat down to a good dinner, consisting of roast and boiled beef and plum puddings. Mr. THOMAS EDWARDS, the builder, presided on the occasion.

HAYLE - Last week a girl stole a loaf of bread from a shop at Copperhouse, but the shopkeeper, on making inquiry, found that her family were in extreme distress, and consequently not only declined to prosecute the girl, but most humanely and liberally relieved the whole of the family.

On Tuesday a party of Miners from the neighbourhood of Gwennap, went from Hayle to Bristol in the "Cornwall" steamer, whence they will proceed to Swansea, and be conveyed from that port in the barque "Jenny Jones" to Valparaiso.

A MAN DROWNED - On Friday last, at Falmouth, as a steamer was passing down the roads from the coal depot, a ship's boat with three men came in contact. Two of the men jumped overboard, and one seizing a chain over the bow was saved, but the other was drowned. The one that remained in the boat was also saved.

A SMUGGLER CAPTURED - On Saturday last, at two p.m., the revenue cutter "Eagle," Lieutenant ALLEN, on the Penzance station, fell in with the French cutter "Diana," of Cherbourg, about forty tons burthen, off the Longships, and after an hour's chase, boarded her. She had a crew of seven Frenchmen and two Englishmen, and it is believed that her contraband cargo was thrown overboard during the chase. The captured vessel was brought into Penzance, and on Monday last, the crew were examined at the custom house, before the borough magistrates, and remanded until Saturday next to away the decision of the Commissioners of Customs.

LUDGVAN - On Saturday last, a young fellow, of shabby appearance, calling himself JOHN ANDERSON, and pretending to be a sailor recently shipwrecked on the coast of Padstow, went about the village soliciting charity. After visiting several houses in the neighbourhood, and using the most insolent language to all who refused him their benevolence, he entered the shop of Mr. JOHN WARREN, grocer, constable of the parish. Being denied any assistance he broke out into the most violent and abusive language to Mr. Warren, and threatened to break every window in his shop. Mr. Warren, however, soon made the imposter aware that he had completely missed his mark, by taking him before the Rev. H. E. GRAHAM, rector of the parish, who committed him to Bodmin for one month's hard labour. It was afterwards proved that he was a native of Penzance, who had been on the tramp for the last twelve years.

TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, JAMES MARTIN, retail brewer of Kenwyn street, Truro, was fined 20s. and costs, for allowing beer to be consumed in his house at a quarter before two in the morning of the 3rd instant.

FRANCES LETCHER and HARRIET NINNIS were charged with being common prostitutes wandering in the streets and behaving in an indecent manner. Letcher was committed to the House of Correction for one month, with hard labour, and Ninnis was committed for three calendar months to hard labour, she having been convicted of the same offence on the 27th of December.

JOHN SAUNDERS, one of the casual poor at St. Mary's workhouse, was committed for fourteen days to hard labour, for refusing to work in return for his food and lodging.

ROBBERIES AT ST. DENNIS - On Monday week, one of the abettors in the late depredations at St. Dennis, gave information to Mr. RICHARDS, of Trerice, of a robbery in which the accused party made a full disclosure of four robberies of beer, three of geese, one of fowls, one of stealing one hundredweight of steel from a mine, two of young goats, and several orchard robberies. On account of this disclosure four of the gang have taken the precaution to decamp in order to evade justice, while another, it is feared, will also escape apprehension.

CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before W. HICHENS, Esq., coroner. On the 3rd instant, in the parish of St. Hilary, on the body of Walter Curtis, whose death was occasioned by his falling into a shaft on the 1st instant, the deceased who was about 19 years of age, went with another lad about his own age on the night of the 31st of January, into the plantation of Lady CARRINGTON, in Perranuthnoe, in pursuit of birds, they having with them a lanthern, and such a stick to knock down the birds as they flew out of the bushes. Whilst there they saw some person coming towards them with a light and fearing it might be the gamekeeper they immediately put out their own - the person coming towards them thinking that the light so put out was that of a person who had accompanied him to the plantation, called to him by name, who the deceased knowing the voice answered him and asked him to give him a light again, and whilst they were proceeding towards each other for that purpose the deceased walked into a shaft, falling a depth of seven fathoms or more - and the person coming towards him also fell across the shaft, but fortunately saved himself from going in by taking hold of the bush-wood by the side of it. The light was quite sufficient for the deceased to have seen the shaft had it not been so grown over as to hide it from view; the deceased was soon taken up but he was speechless and senseless, and remained in that state will his death on the following morning; his skull was dreadfully fractured by the fall. Verdict, accidental death.

On the 7th instant, in the parish of Wendron, on the body of THOMAS PEARCE, aged about three years. The father of the deceased is a farm labourer, having a family of several children and his wages being very low, his wife who is an exceedingly industrious woman, has been in the habit of going out as a charwoman to the houses of the neighbouring farmers. She did so on the 3rd instant, leaving the deceased and other young children in charge of a little girl her daughter, about ten years, and whilst this girl was out of the house, having gone to the furze rick at the end of it for some fuel the deceased's clothes caught fire, he ran out and the sister met him at the door with his clothes burning, and immediately put him into a pool of water, and thus extinguished the fire, he was however, so much burnt that he died thereof on the 5th instant. Verdict, accidental death.

On Friday last, an inquest was held before GILBERT HAMLEY, Esq., at Bodmin, on view of the body of an old man called JOSEPH DREW, who died under the following melancholy circumstances. There could be no doubt from the evidence of many respectable persons, that the deceased died from being in want of the common necessaries of life, although his wife had a considerable sum of money hoarded up. The evening before his death he expressed a wish to have a little wine which she refused to give him, and had it not been for the great kindness of a neighbour called Mrs. TUCKER, who brought him some meals now and then, the poor old man would not have lived as long as he did. The deceased a short time since, complained to a neighbour called LANGEFORD that he had not sufficient food, but begged him not to say anything to ANNE (meaning his wife); in fact he was so afraid of her that he scarcely ever mentioned to any one the treatment he received from her. On another occasion he said "I ought not to want for anything as there is plenty of gold and silver in the house." On the night of his death, deceased was obliged to get out of bed about three o'clock in the morning, when he immediately expired. The jury were unanimously of opinion that deceased had not sufficient or proper food, although his wife was so well able to give it him. They returned a verdict of "died from natural causes," and severely censured the wife for her treatment towards deceased.

On Monday an inquest was held before Mr. HAMLEY, on the body of an illegitimate child of EMMA BULLEN's, who was found dead in the union house at St. Austell. Mr. ROBINSON stated, that he delivered the mother on Monday last, and that the child did not appear to have come to its time, but still it was able to cry and appeared tolerably strong. He saw the child ever day excepting Friday; and on Saturday when he came to the house, he was informed the child was dead. He immediately examined the child and found it looking very yellow, and there was a black mark on the right arm. The child did not appear as if it had been laid on, the lungs not being in a collapsed state. On the body being opened, it was discovered that the bowels were much inflamed and that an inflammation gave rise to convulsions which he had no doubt was the cause of the child's death. The two nurses stated that the mother had paid every attention to the child from the moment it was born. Verdict, "death from natural causes."

EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT (Before Mr. Commissioner Bere.) Re:- ABEL UGLOW, of Town Mills near Launceston, miller, adjourned last examination. Mr. LAIDMAN stated that the bankrupt was very poor and had not been able to file the amended balance sheet. He therefore applied to have the case adjourned for a few days, as the bankrupt's friends would assist him. Application granted.

COUNTY COURTS - Bodmin - At this court on Wednesday the 2nd instant, in the insolvent petition of ELIZABETH EDWARDS, widow of JOHN EDWARDS, late of Trevaskes, in Gwinear. Mr. BENNETT supported the insolvent, and Mr. RICHARD MILLETT appeared. The schedule showed debts GBP218. 14s., and credits GBP3. 16s. 6d. The insolvent was arrested and sent to prison in November last for GBP198. 9s., the amount of damaged and costs awarded against her at the suit of her landlord, P.C. VEALE, Esq., before the Under-sheriff and a Jury at the Union Hotel, Penzance, on the 15th of September last. The examination and inquiry occupied the court nearly four house, when the insolvent was remanded to amend her schedule, and leave was obtained to continue the opposition at the next court.

ST. AUSTELL - At this court on Thursday, the 3rd instant, before G. G. KEKEWICH, Esq., there were about fifty cases entered for trial, the hearing of which was not concluded until ten in the evening. Mr. B. D. JULYAN, of St. Austell, Clay Agent, was appointed High-Bailiff of the Court, in the room of Mr. JOSEPH WOOD, who had resigned.

STANNARIES COURT - This court was opened at Truro on Saturday last, before J. L. DAMPIER, Esq., Vice-Warden, when the following motions were made:- THOMAS v. CRADOCK - This was a creditor's petition against Truro Consols mine. Mr. BENNALLACK for defendant, moved that the petition be dismissed with costs, for want of prosecution. Mr. CHILCOTT, for plaintiff, consenting, a rule absolute was granted.

VIVIAN v. FEGAN - In this case the plaintiff was captain of Wheal Curtis, and claimed a certain sum for salary. Mr. STOKES moved for an order to produce the books, and to examine the defendant at the hearing. The Vice-Warden said the Court had ruled that tributers and tutwork-men have a right to the inspection of mine books, but there had never before been an application from a captain for that purpose. He then ordered that the books should be in court at the hearing of the case, in order to be examined if he should so decide. At present the rule should be framed so that the proceeding might not be made a precedent.

CRASE v. FEGAN - A similar application and order were made in this case as in the preceding.

TIPPET v. MANLEY and ANOTHER - This was a purser's petition for arrears of costs in Saint Michael Penkivel mine. Mr. CHILCOTT, for defendant, obtained an order for examination of the plaintiff.

TYACKE and OTHERS, versus TEAGUE and MICHELL - In this case the plaintiff Tyacke was the confidential adviser and solicitor of the defendant Michell on which ground Mr. SIMMONS applied for an order to examine the former, stating that his evidence would be essential in the case. The Vice-Warden observed that the case was nothing more than a common law debt, and no court of common law could compel a plaintiff to give evidence against himself. He must refuse the application.

NORWAY v. RUNNALLS - Mr. STOKES stated that this was an action on a promissory note. Interlocutory Judgment had been signed, and a rule nisi obtained before his Honor in London, to compute principal and interest. He now moved, on affidavit of service, to make the rule absolute. Rule made absolute.

TIPPET v. WILLIAMS - Mr. STOKES appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. JOHN TIPPET, auctioneer, of Truro, and Mr. CHILCOTT for the defendant, Mr. JOHN WILLIAMS, who formerly lived at Chevelah, near Truro. The plaintiff was employed by the defendant, about Michaelmas, 1846, to sell by auction, at the Red Lion Hotel, Truro, an estate for him at Chevelah. The sale was not effected, the biddings being low, so that the estate was bought in for GBP1,300. About a week after there was a meeting of parties at the Bear Inn, at Truro, the plaintiff, defendant, a person named OLIVER, who wished to buy the estate, and others being present. There was a good deal of haggling for about two hours, when eventually Oliver agreed to purchase the estate for GBP1,240, and the writings were thereupon drawn up. This contract however was never completed, as a defect was discovered in the title, so that Mr. Williams could not sell the property. On the part of the plaintiff, a witness called THOMAS stated that he was at the Bear Inn on the occasion in question; before he went there he heard Mr. Oliver tell Mr. Tippet they were going to meet at the Bear; he did not hear Oliver ask Tippet to attend, but he heard the latter say he must attend, and at the sale he heard Mr. Williams promise to pay Mr. Tippet his fee. Mrs. JANE OLIVER, who was also present, stated that she heard the plaintiff ask the defendant who was to pay him? The latter replied that he would pay him, and asked what was his fee, to which Mr. JOHN TIPPET replied, GBP15, being 1 1/4 per cent. on the purchase-money. This witness stated, on cross-examination, that she did not know of any quarrel between her husband and Mr. Williams, nor that the latter had recently put an execution into her house. Mr. EDSALL stated that 1 1/4 per cent. would be the usual auctioneer's commission on an estate selling for GBP1,200; it was the general practice for the purchaser to pay this commission, but if the property were not sold the auctioneer would only be paid one or two guineas. The sum claimed by the plaintiff on a balance of account, including the GBP15 commission, amounted to GBP18. 11s. 3d.; but against this Mr. Chilcott, for the defendant, produced another statement of accounts, shewing plaintiff to be indebted to the defendant GBP3 or GBP4. Mr. Chilcott also called to give evidence JOSEPH CARNE and JOHN HANGER, who stated that Mrs. Oliver was aware of Mr. Williams having an execution against her husband. The Vice-Warden, in summing up said he thought it might be assumed that the sale at the Bear Inn was in consequence of Mr. Tippet having the week before put up the estate for sale by auction. Then the jury must consider whether the promise made by plaintiff at the Inn to pay defendant, extended to the paying the 1 1/4 commission, or merely meant the fee for his trouble at an unsuccessful auction. They would also have to consider the different statements of accounts between the parties. The jury after some deliberation returned a verdict for the plaintiff for GBP5.

HICKS v. SHARP - Mr. STOKES appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. RICHARD HICKS, of Plymouth; and Mr. BENNALLACK for the defendant, Mr. PETER SHARP, of Falmouth. The plaintiff sought to recover GBP24. 19s., being the amount of a bill of exchange accepted by the defendant on the 1st of September, 1842, and payable at two months after date, so that it became due on the 4th of November, 1842. In addition to this amount, the plaintiff claimed for interest due on the bill up to the present time GBP6. 10s. WILLIAM HENRY EARLE, of Falmouth, was called to prove that the acceptance of the bill was in the hand-writing of the defendant, and the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff for GBP31. 10s.

WILLYAMS and ANOTHER v. MANLEY and ANOTHER - Mr. STOKES, for the plaintiffs stated that this was an action on promises. The declaration set out a promissory note for the sum of GBP100, and Mr. CHILCOTT, for the defendants, had agreed to consent to a verdict for the sum claimed, with GBP15. 13s. 5d. interest on the amount. Verdict for the plaintiffs for GBP115. 13. 5d.

WEST v. COOKE and OTHERS - This was a creditor's petition by Mr. WILLIAM WEST, civil engineer, of St. Blazey, who alleged that the adventurers of Harrow-barrow mine, in the parish of Calstock, were indebted to him GBP360[?], for repairing the pumping engine of the mine, and converting it into a stamping engine. This work was completed in November last, but the petitioner had not been paid, and he had received a letter from Mr. CARNE, the purser, informing him that the engine had since been sold to the Torbay Steam Flour Mills Company. The petition alleged that the purchase had not been completed, nor the purchase-money paid, nor the engine removed from the mine. Mr. ROBERTS read the petition, and moved for an injunction to restrain the sale and the removal of the engine and mining materials.

TIPPET v. BENNETT - On the motion of Mr. STOKES, the Registrar's report in this case was also confirmed.

SYMONS v. DAVEY - In this case the court had divested an account to be taken, as between mortgagor and mortgagee, before the Registrar, who had reported a balance due to the plaintiff of GBP104. 6s. No exceptions had been taken to the report, which on the motion of Mr. Chilcott was confirmed. Mr. Chilcott, however, appended to his motion, that the defendant pay to the plaintiff the sum found to be due, and also the costs of the suit. The Vice-Warden said he would refer to the subject on another day.

COOMBE v. BICE - (Equity) - Mr. CHILCOTT appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. JAMES COOMBE; and Mr. HOCKIN watched the case on the part of the defendant, Mr. JAMES BICE. This was a creditor's petition against Rocks mine, in the parish of St. Austell. The petition stated that James Bice was the principal agent manager, and purser of the mine; that from July 1846 to February 1847, the plaintiff was employed by the defendant with his horses and carts in doing work for the mine; and that there was now due to plaintiff for this work GBP21. 18s. 4d. The answer of the defendant to the petition denied all the allegations. THOMAS VERCOE and CHRISTOPHER COOMBE were then called to prove that the plaintiff was employed by Mr. Bice to work at the mine with his horses and carts in working the whim, drawing stones, coals, &c. The latter witness said he went with the plaintiff in December 1846 to Captain Bice, who then looked at an account, and told plaintiff there was owing to him up to the middle of November, GBP17. 18s. 4d. WALTER PEARCE, engine man at Wheal Rocks, deposed that plaintiff had continued to work at the mine from November 1846 to February 1847, and should think he had done GBP5 worth of work or more. The Vice-Warden said he would estimate the amount of damages, and then give his decision.

RETALLACK and ANOTHER v. TURNER. - In this case Mr. ROGERS yesterday moved to set aside the verdict for GBP19, and enter a non-suit. His Honor took time to consider, and now refused the application.

18 FEBRUARY 1848, Friday

FATAL ACCIDENT - We regret to learn, that by the upsetting of a boat at Rio de Janeiro on the 23rd of October last, a Cornishman, named WILLIAM TYRRELL, was unfortunately drowned. He had been for many years employed at the Congo Soco Mines, and was on his way home. We believe he was a native of Blackwater, but that he had for several years resided at Penryn. He was a very sober and well-behaved man, and was greatly esteemed by his former employers.

SHIPWRECKS - On Saturday, the 5th instant, at two a.m., the weather being very thick, the "Ann," RICHARDS, master, of and from It. Ives, for Cardiff, struck on the west side of Lundy Island. Three of the crew took to the boat, which was immediately driven out to sea and the master and boy leaped overboard with the intention of gaining her, leaving a passenger on board who did not see them afterwards. The passenger was a boy called HURSE, of Bridgwater, who took to the rigging till three p.m., when he managed to get on the island, and reached the lighthouse very much bruised. On the Tuesday following, he was landed at Ilfracombe by a skiff.

On Thursday the 10th instant, at daybreak, the masts of a vessel were discovered in the entrance of Bory[?] river, which, at low water, was found to be the "Lady Louisa," DYER, of Fowey, from Falmouth for Cardiff quite a wreck. One man was found on board, drowned, about forty years of age; and it is supposed that all hands have perished.

CONVICTIONS OF SMUGGLERS - On Monday last, seven Frenchmen and two Englishmen, the crew of the French sloop "Anna," captured off the Longships by the "Eagle," revenue cutter, on the Penzance station, were charged before the magistrates at Penzance, with offending against the act for the prevention of ?smuggling. Mr. ROSCORLA was retained for the crown, in connection with Mr. BULLOCKS, of London; Mr. PASCOE appeared for the Frenchmen; Mr. LAVARS, of Plymouth, for the Englishmen; and Mr. R. MILLETT acted as legal adviser to the magistrates. EDOUARD POULAIN, a Frenchman, was first put on his trial. Mr. Roscorla said the information was to the effect that the prisoner was discovered on the high seas within one league of the coast of Cornwall, on board a certain vessel liable to forfeiture, under an act for the prevention of smuggling - the vessel not being square rigged, and having on board one of her Majesty's subjects, within eight leagues of the coast of Cornwall, being other than that part of the United Kingdom which is between the North Foreland on the coast of Kent, and Beachy heard, on the coast of Sussex, and from which vessel, part of the lading had been thrown overboard to prevent seizure. For the first such offence, every offender was liable to not less than six months' imprisonment with hard labour; for the second, nine months; and for the third twelve months. Several witnesses were then called. RICHARD BARNES, boatswain of the "Eagle," said - on the 5th instant, we were cruising off the Land's-end, at 2.30 p.m., and saw the "Anna," about a mile from the "Longships." The cutter made [Wall?], and I took the helm. The sloop altered her course from N.W. by "keeping away" and "luffing" - she did this three times to my knowledge. The revenue and custom house pendant were hoisted. We fired thirty muskets and two cannons, six pounders, to bring her to; she hove-to about the time the second gun was fired. Before the first time the sloop "luffed," we had been in chase about twenty minutes; and between the other "luffings," there was a lapse of about ten minutes. I was on board the "Anna" on the day of her capture, and found two pieces of bark on board; they appeared to have been fresh. I went on board in about an hour after her capture, and smelt a strong smell of liquor; the hatches were off, and the platform of the hold was quite wet - I should say by water having been thrown down. ROBERT GIBBS, a boy who was at the mast-head of the "Eagle" when in chase of the "Anna," said he saw the crew of the latter vessel amidships, close to the main-hatchway, stooping and rising for a quarter of an hour. The pump was near, but by their motions they could not have been pumping. When she luffed up, he saw a man heave something over the "lee quarter," and the water splash up - a tub thrown over for the purpose of taking up water, would not have produced the effect upon the water - it must have been something bulky. Directly afterwards the sloop "kept away" again. HENRY RICHARDS, a seaman on board the "Eagle," saw the crew of the "Anna" busily engaged. When he boarded the sloop he observed one man with the skin knocked off his hand, and the others were perspiring a good deal. WILLIAM NORRIS and HENRY HARDEY corroborated the preceding witnesses. JOHN ALLEN, Lieutenant of H.M. cutter "Eagle," deposed that the "Anna" was a mile from the Longships, and not more than two miles from the main-land. GEORGE KERKIN[?] another of the crew of the "Anna," was then tried, it being intended that the decision on the two cases should be taken as upon the whole. The other Frenchmen, however, refused to be convicted without a trial, so that the proceedings on all the cases lasted about eleven hours. The nine prisoners were eventually convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, in the borough prison.

REDRUTH COUNTY COURT - BUDGE v. GRAY - In this case it appeared that WILLIAM GRAY, shopkeeper of St. Day, having, in the early part of December, found himself insolvent, sold his stock and furniture by public auction, and forthwith called a meeting of his creditors for the purpose of laying before them a statement of his circumstances. A majority of the creditors attended and advised him to assign his estate for the benefit of his two creditors; to which proposition he consented. Two of the creditors having been appointed trustees, they were put in possession of the proceeds of the sale, book debts, &c. The creditors not present at the meeting were informed of the assignment, and most of them agreed to sign the insolvent's release. Mr. JAMES BUDGE, of Camborne, however, refused to accept the compromise, and prosecuted the insolvent in the local court, and obtained a verdict for the amount claimed, to be paid in six weeks. Failing to pay, an execution was issued but the whole of the estate being in the possession of the trustees no levy could be made. Mr. Budge, in consequence, summoned the insolvent to the court at Redruth, on the 11th inst., to show cause why he should not be punished by imprisonment. The whole of the preceding facts were stated to the court, upon which the judge said, he considered it would be unjust to punish any insolvent who had met the wishes of his creditors by surrendering the whole of his effects to trustees for their benefit; and that he must therefore refuse the application for the imprisonment of the defendant.

ROBBERIES - Some time of the night between Thursday and Friday last, the barn belonging to Mr. WALTER POUND, of Polgrain, in the parish of St. Michael Carhayes, was broken into and robbed of four bushels of wheat; and on the Saturday night last, about two bushels of potatoes were stolen from an outhouse belonging to Mr. WILLIAM JEWEL, of Vestanveth[?], in the parish of Veryan. On Sunday evening last, between six and eight o'clock, while Mrs. LIBBY, shopkeeper, of Veryan Green, was at the Wesleyan Chapel, her house was entered by some person, and the till robbed of about five shillings in pence and halfpence, together with a great many farthings. Mrs. Libby has been in the habit of dropping her farthings into a separate division of the till, in order to have them at immediate [.........?] in which division lay a quantity of small waste papers pulled together, which were also taken away. This is thought to be a very fortunate circumstance, for the thief having no light, in all probability thought the papers to be the richest part of his bounty, and the farthings to be made of metal far superior to copper, and therefore decamped without making any further search. Had he proceeded up stairs, he might have found, without the least difficulty, case to a much larger amount. The robber has not yet been detected.

ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - We are glad to find that petitions to parliament are in course of signature at Falmouth, for the abolition of capital punishments.

CHARGE OF MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS - On Monday last, a young man named MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, eighteen years of age, belonging to the brig "Sibron," of Blyth, was brought before J. B. COX, Esq., mayor and J. HILL, Esq., magistrate, at the town-hall, Falmouth, charged with stabbing WALTER JENKINS. The first witness deposed to the following effect:- On the 24th of December last, as the ship was on her voyage from Kerich, in Russia, laden with rape seed, in the morning about eight o'clock, I was on the forecastle on deck, when I heard a noise of some persons quarrelling. I went below a few minutes after, and as I was descending the ladder, I met Walter Jenkins, who was trying to come up, and I heard some one say - "I will have your life, and so I will, if you touch me again." It was the voice of Michael Fitzpatrick, the prisoner. Walter Jenkins said "you will, will you?" Prisoner then turned round, and I saw a knife in his hand. Jenkins was going to strike prisoner, when he pushed at him with the knife, and stuck at the lower part of the abdomen. I was standing on the ladder at the time. Jenkins immediately cried out "I am killed," or "I am ruined," or words to that effect. He then unbuttoned his trowsers and drawers and showed the cut; it was on the right side of the abdomen, and there was a small portion of the entrails protruding. He went on deck, and soon after I went up and saw him in the cabin, where he was lying on his back. The captain and others tried to put back the entrails, but the cut being small, we could not do it. We then put him in the carpenter's berth in the steerage, till we could get into a port. The captain ordered Fitzpatrick to be secured; the course was then altered, and we reached Tunis, after two or three days, where Jenkins was landed and put in the military hospital on the 27th of December. The prisoner and Jenkins were both apprentices, and often quarrelled about a panniken, which being left dirty was the cause of the quarrel. Prisoner had before threatened if he touched him he would have his life. The knife was like one he usually carried, and I believe it was his own. JAMES WATSON, seaman, a native of Aberdeen, and belonging to the "Sibron," deposed - On the morning of the 24th of December last, while the ship was in the Mediterranean, I was in the forecastle at breakfast, about eight in the morning, where were also Jenkins, Fitzpatrick, NAVIN, and others. Prisoner and Jenkins were quarrelling about a panniken, and the latter was striking prisoner with a rope's end, because he had left some slops in the panniken. Jenkins was going on deck to clean it, when prisoner said, "if you do that again I will run you through with a knife." Jenkins asked him what he was saying, and attempted to strike him, on which prisoner took a knife from his bed-place and stuck Jenkins in the lower part of the stomach, on the right side. Jenkins cried out, "I am ruined," and struck prisoner again. The witness corroborated other parts of the testimony of the preceding witness, and also said, when Jenkins was placed in the hospital at Tunis, he looked much worse and very pale. Jenkins was the better man of the two, and on previous occasions had frequently struck Fitzpatrick. Prisoner, on being called on for his defence, said "he put his arm round my neck and struck me." The prisoner was then committed for trial at the next sitting of the Central Court, Old Bailey, for cutting and maiming with intent to do some bodily harm. Mr. GENN, who was employed by the Admiralty, stated that information had been received in London of the death of the young man Jenkins.

EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT - (Before Mr. Commissioner Bere.) - Thursday, February 10. Re. S. B. SERGEANT, of Callington, attorney. Sitting for choice. - The bankrupt stated that his debts amounted to GBP5,000, and he had some property, which he enumerated, but he had not yet been able to calculate its value. It appeared that an execution had been put in for about GBP2,000, which had caused two of his creditors to join in issuing a fiat against him. His allowance was fixed by the Commissioner at GBP2 a week, and Mr. JOHN PETER, of Callington, mine-agent, was appointed trade-assignee.

SAMUEL PAUL, of Bodmin, grocer, passed his last examination.

CORONERS' INQUESTS - On Saturday last, an inquest was held at Comfort, in the parish of Gwennap, before J. CARLYON, Esq., coroner, on the body of [M.....?] ANDREW, aged 53 years, wife of JAMES ANDREW, veal butcher, who died in a most sudden manner the day before. She rose in the morning apparently in perfect health, and had just finished breakfast and was washing the breakfast things, when she suddenly fell on the floor and almost instantly expired. From the suddenness of the death and other circumstances, there was every reason to supposed that a rupture of one of the large vessels connected with the heart, was the cause of death, and the jury returned a verdict to that effect.

The following inquests have been held before W. HICHENS, Esq.:- On Monday last, at St. Buryan, on the body of MARTIN THOMAS, aged seventy-six years. The deceased came down stairs in the morning of Sunday last, about nine o'clock, apparently in his usual health, and slipping his shoes on his feet at the bottom of the stairs as he was accustomed to do, walking towards the fire place in the kitchen, where he usually seated himself to put them on, and as he was approaching the fire he addressed some conversation to his nephew MARTIN THOMAS, who with his wife was in the room, to the effect that he thought his own wife who was upwards of 90 years of age was failing fast; while thus talking he fell backwards on the floor in a state of insensibility, and died almost immediately. Verdict, natural death.

On the following day, in the parish of Gulval, on the body of WILLIAM LAWRY, aged about thirteen years. The deceased laboured with an elder brother at Wheal Reeth Mine, in the parish of Uny Lelant, and was at the forty fathoms level on the 4th instant, where they had been preparing a hole to blast some rock, and the deceased went to another part of the level for a can of powder. The brother was at some distance from the deceased, when he heard an explosion, and suspecting that the powder had gone off, he went to ascertain the fact. He found it was so, and they both then called loudly for assistance, when one SIMON SEMMENS came to them. The deceased was able to speak, and upon being asked how it happened, he stated that he had the can under his left arm, and a lighted candle in his left hand, and as he stooped to pick up a cartridge the top of the can fell off, and the powder ran out on the candle. The deceased, who was greatly burnt and disfigured, lived until Sunday last. Verdict - accidental death.

25 FEBRUARY 1848, Friday

ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - a petition in favour of the abolition of "Capital Punishment" has been forwarded from Falmouth to J. BRIGHT, Esq., M.P., for presentation to the House of Commons. A correspondent states that a very strong feeling of reprobation prevails at Falmouth against so direful a punishment.

TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, HENRY DAY was committed for trial at the assizes for stealing a pair of doeskin gloves, the property of Mr. PAINE, police inspector.

On Monday last, ELIJAH THOMAS, was fined 5s. for being drunk.

GRACE RUNNALLS, was charged with stealing a quantity of goods, the property of Mrs. GRYLLS, of Richmond Villa. The accused lived as cook with Mrs. Grylls, from last August to the present time. Last week, one of the servants saw her steal a bible, and informed Mrs. Grylls, who in consequence made a search and found that the cook had stolen from her articles to a considerable extent, consisting of silver spoons, wearing apparel, bedding, trinkets, gold beads, feathers, jars, bottles, and a variety of other things. She was committed to take her trial at the next assizes.

On Tuesday last, ELIZABETH BAMPFIELD, was committed to gaol for twelve months, in default of entering into recognizances to keep the peace for twelve months towards ELIZABETH TREZIZE[?], whom she had assaulted with a life preserver.

On Wednesday last, THOMAS LOWRY and WILLIAM MICHELL, were each fined 5s. for being drunk. The latter was also ordered to enter into recognizances to be of good behaviour for four calendar months.

FALMOUTH POLICE - On Friday, at the Guild Hall, Falmouth, before J. BLATCH COX, Esq., mayor, and J. HILL, Esq., JEREMIAH COX, summoned the Captain of the "THOMAS WORTHINGTON," for non-payment of wages. The complainant, stated that he was cook on board the above ship, and had been in her about five months and a half; he shipped for GBP2. 10s. a month, and besides his duties as cook he made himself useful in assisting the crew. On the Wednesday previous, he sold a small lot of "slush," for which he got 2s. 6d.; he believed he had a right to do so, as it was the fat from the men's mess and not from the Captain's. On Thursday, the Captain ordered him into the boat with his things, and on landing at the quay he said "mind you no longer belong to the "Thomas Worthington," and you may summons me if you like, or if not I shall you." The Captain, Mr. ROSS, in his defence, contended that the complainant had forfeited his wages by selling the slush. The magistrates however, on inquiry, found it was removed by day over the ship's side, and it being the general privilege of the cook and there being no special clause in the articles respecting slush, they order that the complainant should be paid his full wages.

ACCIDENT AT FALMOUTH - On Saturday afternoon last, EDWIN WOOD, a blind boy, ten years of age, whilst playing on Erlsey Terrace, Falmouth, fell over, and was precipated a depth of about fifty feet into a courtlage; but when taken up he was fortunately found to have sustained no injury.

OUTRAGE AT PROBUS - On Monday, the 14th inst., shortly before twelve o'clock at night, a man knocked loudly at the door of RICHARD ANEAR, at Probus church-town, but he having gone to bed, instead of going down to the front door, looked out at the chamber window, and saw a man whom he instantly knew to be CHARLES HUDDY, of Probus, standing about nine paces from the door with a gun in his hand. Mr. Anear called to him by name asking what he did there, but he did not reply. Desiring his son to keep his eyes on Huddy from the window, he was about to dress, but before he could so do so, the son saw Huddy deliberately level towards the window and fire the gun, but no shot came into the room. After firing, Huddy turned his back, re-charged the gun, and fired a second time in the same direction. Mr. Anear by this time was afraid to go to the front door, so he and his brother, who was in the same house, went down in the dark and out at the back door, to call a constable. The brother said he did not wish to peril the constable's life, and they therefore entered by the back door; but before the constable could secure Huddy he had made off, after firing a third time. Mr. Anear immediately proceeded to the public houses in the village, and found that Huddy had left the "Cornish Mount," at a later hour, having then a gun with him. On the next morning Mr. Anear obtained a warrant for the apprehension of Huddy from G. W. F. GREGOR, Esq., county magistrate, and the constables have since been in active search of the offender, but hitherto without success. Huddy had been heard to say on the Saturday night previous, that he would be revenged on the family, Anear having had him put in the lock-up in March last, for being found in his house, although he afterwards forgave him the offence, and did not proceed to prosecution.

TRIAL AT HANGING - On Wednesday evening, the 16th instant, at Idless, in the parish of Kenwyn, HENRY BOWDEN, a miner, commonly called "Doctor," came home to his lodgings a little intoxicated and said he would hang himself. The family tried to persuade him to go to bed, but he refused, and they then all went to bed, leaving him down stairs. In about half an hour afterwards the mistress of the house heard a noise below, and ran down to discover the cause, when she saw Bowden hanging by the neck, he having tied two handkerchiefs together and attached one end to a crook in the beam. He had had two chairs to stand on, and one of them having fallen had made the noise that was heard. The family were much alarmed at the time, but after getting the man down they put him to bed, where he soon fell asleep, and now says he does not know what induced him to try to hang himself.

FATAL ACCIDENT - On Tuesday afternoon last, THOS. TRATHAN, a driver in the employment of the Redruth Brewery Company, was returning to Redruth with a load of empty barrels, when, about the top of the hill on the east of Pool, he slipped off the shaft of the cart, on which he had been standing, and fell to his face on the ground, one of the wheels passing over his leg, in which was an old wound. He was assisted into Wheal Agar account-house, which was near by, and laid on the floor, a quantity of blood issuing from the wound in the leg, but no other injury being apparent, and the man himself appearing quite free from any alarm for himself. After a few minutes it was proposed to seat him in a chair; on raising him for that purpose. He exclaimed with great cheerfulness, "I am not hurt," and died immediately.

ROBBERY AT REDRUTH - On Sunday evening last, the house of Mr. SYMONS, grocer, Redruth, was robbed of money to the amount of upwards of GBP120. The family had left the house at six o'clock for chapel, having, as they thought, made all their doors and windows secure; but, about twenty minutes before seven, a person having occasion to enter a yard in which the premises are situated, discovered a door and window open, and immediately gave an alarm. On the return of the family, and examination of the house, it was discovered that a cash box had been taken out of the shop desk, and, having been ripped open with a chisel, plundered of about GBP50 in notes, from GBP20 to GBP30 in gold, and a cheque for GBP20. The box and chisel were left behind. A great quantity of tea was scattered about the shop, as if the parties had been helping themselves to that article, but, on finding the money, had abstained from further depredation. A dog usually kept by Mr. Symons had been missing from the Friday before, and returned to the house on Tuesday. It is believed that it had been secured by the burglars to prevent any interruption of their operations. A reward of GBP10 has been offered for the discovery of the thieves.

HOUSE-BREAKING - On Monday last, a man named ALLIN was brought before the Rev. J. R. FLETCHER, and committed for breaking into a dwelling-house at Pengorer Green, in the parish of Menheniot, occupied by JOHN SPARKES, and stealing therefrom a quantity of wearing apparel, &c.

ST IVES - JAMES STEVENS, the younger, has been apprehended and committed to the county goal for breaking open the house of JOSEPH BARNET, a rag-merchant, and stealing therefrom GBP4, three watches, and twelve spoons, part of which property has since been recovered.

A MAN DROWNED - A farmer called THOMAS BROAD has been drowned at Treherwith Hayes[?] in the parish of Tintagel, while attempting during a violent ground[?] sea, to secure some timber that was floating on the water.

CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before J. CARLYON, Esq., coroner. On Saturday last, at Crantock, on the body of a man found washed ashore near the Salt Cove, on the eastern side of Crantock beach, the day before. It had evidently been in the water some weeks, and no one present could identify it, but from the fact of there being a piece of rope, with a knot and a loop coiled two or three times around the body, there can be little doubt that it was that of JOSEPH PENN, the man who was drowned in attempting to get ashore by the hawser from the wreck of the "Marchioness of Abercorn," in December last, as it is known that he attached himself to the hawser, by a rope round his person, in this way. Verdict - found drowned.

On the same day, at Ruanlanihorne, on the body of JOHN JULIAN, aged two years, who died on Thursday last, from injuries he received on the day before, by accidentally catching his clothes on fire. Verdict - accidental death.

And on Wednesday last, at Perranarworthal, on the body of RICHARD SARA, farmer, aged 65 years, who hung himself on the morning of that day in a stable near his house. It appeared that he had been very melancholy for some weeks past, and from the evidence given at the inquest as to his state of mind, the jury without hesitation returned a verdict of temporary insanity.

The following inquest has been held before W. J. GENN, Esq., coroner, for Falmouth. On Saturday last, at the Crown and Anchor Inn, Falmouth, on the body of Elizabeth, wife of RICHARD HALLIGEY, aged sixty-three. The jury assembled at two o'clock, but on seeing the body and discovering bruises on it, they wished to have a post mortem examination made before hearing evidence. The coroner therefore adjourned the inquest till seven o'clock in the evening, and during the interim a post mortem examination of the body was made by Mr. H. MILLER, surgeon, who on the re-assembling of the jury deposed that the body was much emaciated; there was a marked depression over the right eye on the temple; the skin over the cheeks, nose, and eyes was abraded, particularly over the right eye, which was much swollen; the skin on the right side of the neck, and from the armpit to the lower part of the ribs was livid and bruised; the temporal bone on the right temple was fractured, and a portion of it driven into the brain; the rupture of blood-vessels in the immediate vicinity, and the injury to the brain were sufficient to account for death. He saw some indications of an injury to the back of the skull, but had not had time to examine further. ANN LOBB said she saw the deceased on Wednesday afternoon in bed with a cut on her eye; she complained of her head, and said she had bruises on her arm; she said she had fallen out of the bed, and struck her head against a box; she had been ailing for many years, but was not confined to her bed. CATHERINE WARREN, living in rooms under RICKARD HALLIGEY, stated that deceased and her husband were generally on good terms. The husband of deceased was next examined, being first informed by the coroner that he need not say anything to criminate himself. He stated that his wife had been afflicted some years, and when he came home on Wednesday evening, she told him she had fallen out of bed against a box, her eye being then black and face much swollen. On being asked by the jury why he had not called a surgeon, he said he believed it was an oversight on his part. He sat by her bedside all the night, and she died on Thursday morning; he did not inform the neighbours, and that was also an oversight. (Richard Halligey, the husband, deceased, and a married daughter called DUNN lived in the same house.) In giving their evidence the husband and the woman Lobb appeared to be stupefied with drink, and the coroner represented that fact to the jury, stating that it was useless to attempt an examination of the woman Dunn, who appeared at present to be in the same condition as the others. At the request of the jury the inquest was then adjourned until Monday, the coroner cautioning the witnesses to be sober when they again presented themselves. The surgeon was also requested to proceed further in the interim with his examination of the body.

On Monday, the surgeon stated that he found the depression on the back part of the head of deceased was caused by an irregularity in the formation of the occipital bone, to which there were no corresponding signs on the internal part. It was of long standing, and was not in his opinion the cause of death, which he believed to have taken place some days before the time stated by those in the house, and to have been occasioned in the manner he had described on Saturday. GRACE DUNN, the married daughter of deceased, and other witnesses were then examined, but nothing further of importance in the inquiry was elicited. The coroner afterwards addressed the jury, who then returned the following verdict:- "That the deceased died from the injuries ascertained by the surgeon on the post mortem examination; the jury, however, have no sufficient evidence before them to lead them to a conclusion as to the manner in which such injuries were caused. And the jury desire to record their strong opinion that the husband and daughter of deceased have been highly censurable in having omitted to secure medical aid for the deceased during her last illness." The husband and daughter of deceased were then brought before the coroner, who read the verdict to them, and severally reprimanded them for their drunken habits and disgraceful conduct, hoping they would conduct themselves better in future.

The following inquest has been held before JOSEPH HAMLEY, Esq., coroner, and G. HAMLEY, Esq., deputy coroner:- On Wednesday last, in the parish of Lanhydrock, on view of the body of a young woman called ANN KEAST, who died under the following circumstances. It appeared that the deceased had been courted by a man of the name of JONAS ODGERS, a miner, for nearly two years; that about Christmas last he left her, stating that he was going to work at St. Cleer, and promised to return and marry her in a short time. Deceased saw nothing more of him. On Sunday evening last, she went to chapel with her mistress, and coming out, she complained of a burning pain in her stomach and throat, and shortly after was taken sick. She becoming worse on the following morning, her mistress sent for her father, who in the evening came to see her and finding she was still sick, he went to Mr. WARD and told him this his daughter was sick, and asked for something to relieve her. Mr. Ward gave him some medicine and desired him (if when he got home he found her worse) to come again to him and he would immediately come, on the following morning. Mr. HELE (Mr. Ward's assistant) went to see her, and after some conversation with deceased's mistress, he went to see deceased and suspected that she had taken poison; she positively denied having done so, and declared to him she was no in the family way either; in a short time after she died. It was proved that on the Saturday week previous she went to the shop of Mr. PEARCE, a druggist in Bodmin, and purchased some arsenic for the purpose as she said of poisoning rates. A careful post mortem examination was made by Mr. Ward, who stated that he had no doubt she had died from having taking arsenic, and he also stated that she had been pregnant five months. A respectable jury, consisting of fifteen was summoned, who after two hours' consideration returned the following verdict. We find that Ann Keast destroyed herself by taking arsenic; that after an anxious and careful review of the evidence we seek in vain for any proof of unsoundness of mind, and we therefore return a verdict of falo-de-see[?]. We would also advise Mr. Pearce to use greater caution in the sale of such deadly drugs. We cannot however separate without expressing our utter detestation of the cruel conduct of James Odgers, by whose heartless desertion the poor girl has come to an untimely end, and we regret that he is not punishable by law. Immediately after the verdict, the coroner issued his warrant to the constable for a private internment to take place between the hours of nine and twelve at night, according to the present law.

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