Monmouthshire Merlin

DOMESTIC NEWS. -î BRISTOL SCGAR MARKET, NOV. 8, 1843.—The demand i is moderate; prices keep up tor good and fine, but are I somewhat lower for brown kinds. The stock of all kinds I available for home consumption in the United Kingdom is 3,000 tons more than last year: the delivery and con- sumption, however, exceeds that of last year. THE DEFAMATION AND LIBEL ACT.—On the 1st of November, the New Defamation and Libel Act canie into operation. It extends to England, Wales, and Ireland; the only exclusion being Scotland. There are short clauses in the Act carrying out the preamble, which de dares that it was framed" for the better protection of private character, and for more effectually securing the liberty of the press, and for better preventing abuses in exercising the saId liberty." In luture cases a defendant in action for defamation, may prove that he had made an apology before or after action, which evidence will be con- sidered in mitigation of damages. In an action against a newspaper for libel, the defendant may plead that it was inserted without malice and without neglect, and may pay money inio Court by w&y of amends, in the same manner with regard to the pleading and costs as in a personal action. By the third section it is enacted, that the pub- lishing or threatening to publish a libel, or proposing to abstain from publishing anything with intent to extoit money, shall be punished by Imprisonment aud hard labor I for any period, not exceeding three years. In the two fol- lowing provisions, maliciously publishing a defamatory I bbe)," knowing it to be false," shall subject the offender on conviction, to both fine and imprisonment in a com- mon jailor house of correction for two years and far ma- liciously publishing a defamatory libel (without knowledge of its falsity), to fine or imprisonment, or both for a pe- riod not exceeding one year. The houseof correction is omitted in the second clause. Upon the trial of an in- dictment or information, the defendant having pleaded a plea similar to the plea of "justification," the truth of the matters charged may be inquired into, but shall not amount to a defence unless the publication was for the public be- nefit. The prosecutor may deny the plea, and, on convic- tion, the Court in awaiding punishment shall consider whether the offence has been aggravated or mitigated by the plea. A defendant may rebut a prima faci case of pnblication, and show that it was made without his know- ledge, and that the said publication did not arise from the want of due care or caution on his part. On a prosecution for a private libel, a defendant, on acquittal, shall be en- titled to his costsfrom the prosecutor an -MI a special plea of "justification," if theissue be found ior the prosecutor be shall recovei the costs incurred by such plea, to be taxed by the proper officer. The other two clauses relate to the interpietation of certain words, and the operation of the Act on the 1st of November. The Bishop of Worcester has written a pastoral letter to the Hev: W. Smith, vicar of Overbury, informing him that articles are not intended to be filed against him under the Church Discipline Act, and that he may consider the proceedings against him as terminated. But he reminds him that the commissioners reported that therewas ground for further proceedings with regard to seven of the charges brought against him, and his lordship strongly urges him to adopt, for the future, a conciliatory behaviour towards his parishioners. POSTAGE STAMPS.—Persons who find a difficulty in at- taching the adhesive stamps firmly to their letters are re- commended to wet the letter, in preference to applying the moisture directly to the gum; as the latter plan involves some danger of washing the gum off the stamp. Fuither it is advisable to wet the face of the stamp slightly, in order to prevent the stamp from curling at its edges, which without this precaution, it has a tendency to do; for when the gum imbibes the moisture, it immediately expands, and thereby renders the gummed side of the stamp somewhat the longest, but by wetting the printed side also, both are equalised. Or the stamp may be dipped wholly into water, instead of wetting the letter, provided the surplus water be shaken off immediately. When the stamp is put on, it should be pressed gently wilt a piece of clean blot- ting paper. In consequence of the heavy pecuniary punishment the Dover Tories have inflicted on their representative, Sir John Rae Reid, he has withdrawn his subscription from the Dover Charity-school, and other charities of the place. Dover Chronicle. We understand that a requisition will, in all probability be shortly presented to the High-Sheriff of this county, re- questing him to call a county meeting on the subject of the corn-laws, and to hear the arguments of Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright.— Gloucester Journal. CONTEMPLATED STRIKE OF THE IRON WORKERS OF SCOTLAND.—We understand that a meeting of delegates connected with the iron works of Scotland, took place this week at Coathbridge, to take into consideration the pro- priety of petitioning their employers for an advance of ,vages. Delegates from most of the works having attended the propriety of a general strike was taken into consider- I ation, when, after considerable discussion, it was thought most prudent, in the meantime, that each work should give their employers fourteen days' notice, and that a meeting after they had got their answers, should take place to consider what other steps it might he necessary to take. It was likewise taken into consideration the propriety of all iron masters paying similar rates of wages. There was generally uniformity in the price of iron, it was urged, and there could be nothing unfair in asking a uniformity of wa^es.— Glusgow Saturday Post. Loss OF THE FRANCIS, OF LONDON, AND RESCUE OF THE CREW, BY THE ESK, CAPT. MOODY.—Berwick, Nov. 1, 1843.-0n the 29th ult. the brig Francis, of London, Joseph Parker, master, 135 tons, register, and six men, at four, p na., was found to be in a sinking state, about thirty flv" miles off Tynemouth, the greater part of her ballast washed away, and pumps choked. At seven, a.m., got a pump down the fort-hatcb, but owing to so much ballast washing about the hold, it would not work. At nine, a.m., the brig Esk, ot Newcastle, Joseph Moody, master, hove in sight to leeward. At ten, a.m., hoisted 11 signal ol dis- tress in the main-rigging, got the long boat out, and the whole of the crew, at great risk of life, went on board the bsk, Capt. bloody rendering every assistance, and for his kindness the master and crew of the Francis desire to re- turn their grateful thanks for rescuing them from their perilous situation. The Francis shortly afterwards went down in fifty fathoms of water, every effort to save her having failed. The Esk was struck by a heavy sea, which washed overboard part of a parcel of vitrol. Several ol the crew got burnt,and it did some damage to the running urging. The vessel not being able to proceed, made for Holy Island, and arrived there yesterday, where she will refit. Mem.—Another account states that the Francis had been towed into Sunderland. THE LATE JAMFS WOOD, ESQ. BANKEn, AND THE CORPORA- TION or GLorcESTER.—In the Vice. chancellor's Court on Sa- tuiday, his Honour, Judge Wigram, gave his decision in this case, which was a bill filed by thd corporation of Gloucester, to recover from the executors of the late Mr James Wood, tne wealthy banker of that city, the amount of two legacies, one for £160,000, the other for £40,000, amounting to £200,000, which was bequeathed to the corporation by codicils in a will made by the testator in July, 1825. His Honour remarked on the wording of the will and codicils, and concluded his observ- ations by saying, it was his clear opinion that he must dismiss the bill filed by the corporation to recover the legacy of £:2.00,000. With respect to costs, as there would probably be an appeal from the decision of a 3ingle judge, the point mwst be reserved.—Bill dismissed, without coats. It has. for the last fortnight, been rumoured that her Majesty intends to have a marine villa erected at Cowes, Isle of Wight, as an occasional residence duriog the summer and autumnal months. The Woods and Forests have, it is said, caused the Osborne and Norris properties at East Cowes, to be surveyed and inspected as a preliminary, and that the agent was there last week to carry out his inslrucllons from that department of the government. The Queen, it will be recollected, when Princess, resided foi some time at Noriis Castle, and has always manifested considerable partiality to that spot, as it combines beautiful marine scenery with a privacy not to be generally met wllh at watering places. SALE OF SHIPS OF WAR.—Yesterday, at two o'clock, the Lords Comrmssioners of the Admiralty, Sir G. Seymour, bart., Hon. H. Corry, Captain Gordon, and Sir S. Symonds. attended at their office, Somer?ei-place, Somerset-house, for the purpose of superintending the sale of the following ships of war, which have been wofn out in the service:—The Semiramis frigate, 42 guns, 944 Ions; the Jaseur, 16 guns, 307 tons; the Forester, Buzzard, Lyra, l\10,quito, and Leverel brigs. 10 guns each, and varying in tonnage from 231 to 236 each the Charybdis, 236 tons, brisk, ditto (both brigantines), and Hind cutter, 150 tons. They were sold by Dutch auction, namely, each ship was put up at a certain value, and abatement was made by the auc- tioneer, in sums of £10, from the sum named, till accepted, or the commissioner did not think proper to make further abate- ment, and the person accepting was considered the purchaser. There were four of the vessels bought by a gentleman from Ply- mouth, the Buzzard, for £520, Mosquito and Leveret for £510 each, and the Brisk for £500. The Semiiamis was unbought at £ 1,500, the Forester at £500, the Jaseur at £510, the Lyra at £.500, the Charybdis at £490, and the Hind at £250. The original cost of the Semiramis was about £13,000, the value being taken at about £14 per ton, this being for the hulk only without Its fittings.

PRESENT STATE OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE IRON TRADE. Stu,—The furnaces slated in the enclosed paper have been blown in since the 25th Sept., and if about six more are added to this number, it will include all that are likely to be put in operation in this district, until some further and considerable improvement take place in the price of iron. It will be no slight temptation that wilI Induce parties to incur the expense of opening the mines which the recent pressure on the trade has had the effect of shutting up. The make of iron in South Staffordshire is not likely, therefore, to be mateiially increased. The late advance is well supported, and the demand appears ioundand free from any Ipeculative character; indeed, some of the stocks which have recently been purchased with this ob- ject, are being re-totd for consumpuon. Edgbasion, near Birmingham, Oct. 24. Furnaces in SOILth Staffordshire, blown in since Michaelmas. Name of Work. Firm. No. Weekly make Shut End James Foster 1 80 Ditto B. Gibbons 1 90 Brettell Lane W. and J. Wheely -.1 70 ,%V oods' de Braniali & Cochrane.. I 80 W'ithymoor Best and Barre 2 160 Crook hay T. Davis 1 70 Wednesbury .Lloyds and Foster.I 70 Darlaston E. Addenbrook I 70 Total* 9 90 —CorrMpoadent of tha Mining Journal,

PRINCIPALITY. REBECCAISM. COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (From the Times reporter.) Carmarthen, Saturday, Nov. 4. On my return from the Special Commission at Cardiff I thought it my duty to wait upon the Commissioners appointed by her Majesty to inquire into the grievances complained of in South Wales, who are now prosecuting that inquiry at the town- hall, in this town, for the purpose of ascertaining how far the investigation would be open to the public. I was politely in- formed by Mr. Frankland Lewis, the chairman, on the part of the Commissioners, that having no desire whatever to make their inquiry a secret one, but rather to court publicity, the Commis- sioners yet thought they would best arrive at information and at the truth without the presence of reporters for the public press, as in some cases parties would be deterred by the fear of pub- licity from giving full information, whilst In others persons would be prompted to make inconsiderate statements in the hope and expectation of seeing them in the newspapers. This was, at present, the opinion of the Commissioners. The Commissioners sit in a large room in the court-house, and, with their secretary, Mr. Gurney, the short-hand writer, and a clerk, there are usually six persons present at the exami. nations, which the Commissioners informed me they thought was an audience sufficiently formidable to examine the country people before, without further increasing its numbers by the presence of the representatives of the press. The Commis. sioners also informed me, that the evidence given before them, and their report, will be printed and laid on the table of the House of Commons, only so far condensed as to be reduced to a readable form. I send you this as the result of my interview, and of the present opinion of the Commissioners. A deputation of faimers, amongst whom were some relatives and friends of the prisoners Hugh aod Lewis, tried at the late Cardiff special commission, last night waited upon Mr. Cham. bers, jun., of Llanelly, and expressed their anxiety for a resto- ration of tranquillity to the country, and as an earnest of their feeling, offered to be sworn in as special constables to preserve the peace. I understand Mr. Chambers has appointed to be in attendance on Tuesday next at Llanon, for the purpose of sweating in as special constables those who thus tendered their services. The Government has sent down a gentleman, Col. Hankey, to act as a police magistrate in those districts where there are now no resident magistrates. Colonel Hankey will, accord- ingly; as soon as possible, be swoin in of the commission of the peace, to act for the three counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan. A rumour is current that another special commission, for the trial of the Carmarthenshire prisoners, will be sent down after term into this county. It appears to have arisen from the fact of the county gaol being quite full of Rebecca prisoners, and from one Mr. Maule, the treasury solicitor's clerks, being in the town arranging the evidence against the prisoners. In many parts of the county the lale verdict against the I, Rebecca" prisoner Hughes, at Cardiff, has excited intense animosity against the jury who tried him. I have been told that some farmers from the more disturbed districts have affected even to be incredulous that such a verdict was ever returned by a Welsh jury. So far as an opinion can be formed at present, however, the severity of the sentence appears to have had a sa- lutary effect, whilst it has at the same time excited universal commisseration for the culprit. Two toll. bars were destroyed on Monday night, near Cwm Ammon.

IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE BRIDGEND TURNPIKE TRUSTEES. On Saturday last, a meeting of these trustees was held at the Wyndham Arms Ion, Bridgend, the Right Honble. John Nichol, DCL, MP, in the chair. Mr Rees Jenkins, solicitor, of Bridgend, presented the fol- lowing memorial:— To the Commissioners of Roads in the Bridgend District, in the county of Glamorgan. Gentlemen,- We, the undersigned, being parishioners of the seyeral parishes of Coychurch, Llanillid, and adjacent pa- rishes, thought it expedient to address to you observations in respect to the turnpike gates within the said district, and do humbly implore for the removal of those obnoxious gates, toll- bars, and chains, within the several parishes of Coity and Coy. church. "There have been existing eastward from Ogmore river to the upper end of Brynagwynon fourteen bars, gates, and chains, within the short distance of six miles. We most hum- bly complain of these grievances, and hope that some will be eady removed. Every bye-road is almost muzzled with a trap-gate. The times are depressed, as your worships must be aware, yet the tolls are exacted from farmers for carrying their lime in order to manure their land and also for coal carrying for farmers to make such manure and one farmer cannot help another with- out passing a turnpike-gate. Also we most humbly complain of a certain wall that has been erected across one of the parish roads in the lower end of the village of Coychurch. And one of the turnpike-gates of Coychurch aforesaid having been erected on the parish road. We deprecate, in the most solemn manner, the conduct of Rebecca and her atrocious satellites. Peace is our watchword and legal justice is ollr chim." Dated 2nd of November, 1843." Mr. Jeliosophat Powell, of Margam, then presented the pe- tion agreed to at the meeting at Kenfig, and the following statement of The grievances of the farmers and labouring cottagers. "There are a great many fields in the neighbourhood of Aberavon, and Taibach, let out to cottagers to set potatoes in; therefore, when the said cottagers draw their potatoes, they have no way whatever to bring them home, but go to the far- mer and borrow a horse and cart to bring them- Then six or seven bags are put into the cart. Some are compelled to go through two gates, namely, Aberavon, east and west and be- fore they are allowed to pass, they are compelled to pay six- pence for each bag—each bag belonging to separate people. When they have occasion to pass through the other gate, they must pay there also, The same horse and cart passes five or six times a day but only loaded with different people's pota- toes, and is charged every time. The gate keeper is occasion- ally in the potatoe field watching and reckoning how many bags belong to each person. The above can be verified on oath. "An empty waggon going from Llanvihangel to Neath, in the morning, pays toll at Taibach. When it returns they are compelled to pay at Pyle gate—the two gates being within five miles of each other. Several farmers are served in the same manner. Upon another occasion, when the waggon was full, returning, the gatekeeper at the several places of Aberavon east west, and Taibach, stopped the horses and demanded toll • the toll of the said gate having been Daid in the morning. This also can be verfied on oath. There are other great grievances which the farmer, &c., labour under. The following are a few When a farmer has a heavy loaded waggon going to mar- ket, he is stopped at the gate in order to have the waggon and its contents weighed in the weigh-machine. It the load is too heavy by only a few hundied weights, he must pay. A farmer cannot say how much weight he has in his waggon before it is weighed. There have been waggons carrying iron passing through the same gate every day and which are generally loaded about a ton more than they are allowed to carry but there is no notice taken ot it. This is also another gnevance-the railing across the pa- rish road, joining Pyle gate, (by whose authority it has been put there we know not,) to prevent parishioners going over it and compelling them to go through the gate. ° Again, if a poor take a donkey for a pannier of coals, which are not worth more than three-pence, he charge in tolls ts two-pence-atthough the place where he gets coat is not more than five hundred yards from his home." The Chairman If the statement is true, it is a most gross imposition. They cannot legally make a charge for each bag. The Rev. Robert Knight: I have heard that three and six- pence was charged tor one horse, drawing one cart, because the cart was lent to seven poor people, who took their potatoes out of the tarmer s field. Mr Powell handed some gate tickets to the chairman, which Mr Powell said fully corroborated his statement, with regard to the amount ot tolls charged at the gates which were enume- rated in 'he statement. The commissioners seemed quite astonished at the disclosures made hy Mr Powell in his statement, and for some time could scarcely believe it possible such wholesale imposition should ever have been committed in this county but the accuracy of the statement in this particular was vouched for by several par- ties present of respectability. After some conversation, The Chairman said Gentlemen, the question raised is this, as fat as I can understand it—if six people join in loading one waggon, that waggon pays six times over for one passage through the gate. That is what I understand Ihe statement to mean. If the same cart go again through the gate six times the same day, and is loaded with potatoes belonging to six dif- ferent people, they must pay six times over, every time they pass! alA Farmer said it was the case. The Chairman conceived the toll collector was acting most illegally, if his conduct had been fairly and truly represented. Those petitions having been presented containing—whether rightfully or wrongfully, he knew not—statements of alleged grievances, it was their duty as trustees, acting on behalf of the public, to take those matters up, and to give them their most patient attention. He would therefore propose,—That this meeting, at its rising, adjourn to Thursday, the 23rd inst, at eleven o'clock, and that in the meantime a committee should be appointed to take all the several matters and things contained in the petitions into their caieful consideration, and report thereon fully to the adjouined meeting. This suggestion was adopted and after some discussion, in which the people were advised to apply to the magistrates for redress, and to punish the loll keepers for imposition, the meeting separated.

THE SWANSEA TURNPIKE TRUST. On Thursday week, the monthly meeting of the turnpike trustees of the Swansea district of roads was held in the town. hall, there being present— J.H.Vivian,EM.MP.in the chair. Mr. 1 nomas Urove, '"1 Air. LN]. Iloggridge, I Mr. C. James, Mr. Smilh. Rev. D. Jones, Nir. Thomas Walters. 1.. I I Ihe ondiui uiinea the meeting that this was the day Ihe ondiui uiinea the meeting that this was the day appointed for letting the tolls collected at the several gates of the district by public auction. At the last letting, those tolls produced the sum Of £ ,3,325, at which sum, according to Act I of Parliament, they must be again put up. Several gates and bars had been other removed or abdndoned by the tiustees, so it was not probable the tolls would produce so great an amount as they did last year. Mr James said, alterations had also been made with respect to tolls on horses drawing coals. A conversation then ensued with rejpect to certain alter- ations which it had been thoughi expedient to make in the scale of charges. 1 he subject was ultimately refeired to a committee. Mr James was of opinion, arge sums of money had been misapplied in 'his trust. Mr Mansell Phillips said that as far as he was concerned no money had been misappbed in this trual,at least, he had no consciousness of it. Mr Grove said (with respect to the charges on horses draw- ing coal) the trustees could not charge less than ljd for one horse drawing coal.'—'1° ^u"en • What do you charge foi two horses 1 Mr Bullen I have not charged more tiaeg I was fiDed Ibln lid each horse, I used to charge • shilling. Mr James thought Mr Bullen might tegaoy nave cnarged a shilling for two horses drawing coal, as the toll board did not slate that the charge for each horse drawing coal was 1 Jd, but merely that for one horse drawing, &c, the sum of lId was payable, and consequently, if more than one horse was attached to a cart of coal, Mr Bullen might exercise his discretion, and if he thought proper, the full tolls allowed by the Act of Par- liament. He thought Mr Bullen was right. Mr Mansell Phillips did not know whether he was right or not, but he (Mr. P.) liked good roads better than reo duced tolls. Mr Bullen said, that by the Act of Parliament, every ar. ticle should be charged the same,—that there should be no distinction. Mr Phillips said the trustees had no right to exempt lime from payment of toll. After further conversation, the tolls were formally put up by auction, but no offers were made, although Messrs. Bullen and Lewis were present. The following is a copy of the minute entered on the book. The tolls of this district were put up at auction, agreeably with the notice given, but there were no bidders,"— It is resolved, That the same be advertised again, to be let at the next monthly meeting, and be put up at such sum as the trustees may think fit; and that Messrs Vivian, Grove, James, Smith and Phillips, be appointed a committee to revise the scale of tolls, and to give notice thereof by advertisement." The late Rebecca outrages having become the subject of con- versation, Mr M. Phillips said The expenses incident to this insurrec- tion, will be, to those who took part in it, more expensive than the amount of tolls paid in ten years.

CONFESSION OF THE CONVICTS UNDER THE SPECIAL COMMISSION. To the public generally, and to our neighbours in particular: We, John Hughes, David Jones, and John Hugh, now lying in Cardiff gaol, convicted of an attack on Pontardulais turnpike gate, and the police stationed there to protect it, being now sentenced for transportation, beg earnestly to call on others to take warning by our fate, and to stop in their mad course be- fore they fall into our condemnation. We are guilty, and doomed to suffer, while hundreds have escaped. Let them and every one take care not to be deluded again to attack public or private property, and resist the power of the law, for it will overtake them with vengeance, and bring them down to destruction. We are only in prison now, but in a week or two shall be banished as rogues, to be slaves to strangers in a strange land. We must go in the prime of life from our dear homes, to live and labour with the wotst of villains, looked upon as thieves. Friends, neighbours, all-but especially young men-keep from night meetings, fear to do wrong, and dread the terrors of the judge. Think of what we must, and you may, suffer, before you dare to do as we have done. If you will be peaceable, and live again like honest men, by the blessing of God you may expect to prosper, and we—poor outcast wretches—may have to thank you for the mercy of the Crown—for on no other teims than your good conduct will any pity be shown to us or others, who may fall into our almost hopeless situation. Signed, JOHN HUGHES, DAVID JONES, The mark of JOHN HUGH. Cardiff gaol, Nov. 1st, 1843. Witness, JOHN B. WOODS, Governor.

BRISTOL BANKRUPTCY COURT. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2. Before Mr. Serjeant Stephens. RE HARFORD, DAVIS, AND CO. Mr. George Cooke appeared in the court this morning at II o'clock. and on the arrival of the learned Sergeant, said In consequence of your Honour having declined to make an order for the revision of the taxation of our costs, I beg to make an application to ihe court, which I feel satisfied will be at once granted, namely, to direct the Registrar to alter the certificate which he has issued, by substituting for the sum of £ 518 10s 8d that of £480 12s 5d. As the application is for a reduction of the amount, 1 assume it will be at once granted. The grounds upon which I make the application are these :—Your Honour no doubt remembers that you directed me to insert in the public papeis an advertisement for the creditors to send to us particu- lars of their claims, in order that they might be investiga ed previously to the meetings for the proof of debts, with a view to expedite the business and save numerous meetings. Although this was quite an unusual proceeding, and, except in the ca^es of bankruptcies of bankers, I believe quite unprecedented, yet having your Honour's directions to do so, I, of course, inserted the advertisement. At that time and until the appointment of Assignees, we acted altogether in an official capacity, as solici- tors to the fiat under your Honour's jurisdiction, and having re. ceived such directions, we felt bound to comply with them, as- suming as a matter of course, that we should be allowed our costs for fulfilling your Honour's directions. Acting upon this conviction, we proceeded with great assiduity, care, and atteo tion, to investigate the claims sent to us the extreme difficulties of the cases involved us in labour, exenion, and sacrifices known only to those who personally witnessed and experienced them. The Court might not, and as your Honour says you did not, say anything to lead us to believe the costs would be allowed, I must assume it to be so; but when the point was expressly mentioned both by my brother and Mr. Stone, and was acqui- esced in by the opposing parties, ancr the Court expressed no opinion or decision to the contrary, I leave it to your Honour to say whether, coupling this with all that had preceded, we were not most naturally led to believe that the point would not be questioned. We most assuredly entertained no doubt whatever upon the subject, and we acted accordingly. If the Court felt that such costs could not be allowed, with all respect I may say that it would have been but fair and candid towards us to have so stated, and not to have allowed us to proceed upon the ma. nifest beliet to the contrary. His Honour: It appears to me that you are going over ground which your counsel took yesterday. 1 cannot allow the matter to be re-agitated. I have already stated the reason why I felt at liberty to reduce the taxation- What you are now stating is in reference to what has already passed before the Court, and I cannot allow statements to be made, as far as regards myself at least, without contradicting them. I cannot see what object you aim at by going over the ground which we went over yes. terday and I wish to know the grounds of your present appli- cation. Mr. G. Cooke Having the conviction on our minds that we 1 were to be paid, under the direction of your Honour we did our utmost to comply with your Honour's wishes to expedite the business and having actually paid out of our own pockets the sum of £480 12s 5d in this matter, we think that we should be compromising our professional character were we to accept of the taxed bill, or more tban the £480 12s 5d. His Honour: This is a motion which I shall accede to with- out any further statement, being your own motion for the re- duction of your bill of costs. It is material that it should be understood, in order that no misapprehension may arise in the minds of the public on a subject like this, that when Messrs. Cooke state that they have paid £480 12s 5d in money out of their own pockets, I understand from the Registrar that the sum is composed in a great part of counsel's fees—expenses incurred in contesting the solicitorship to the fiat. After a good deal of discussion between the Commissioner snd Mr. Cooke, His Honour said I wish it to be understood that I reduce the bill of costs to £480 12s 5d, not on the ground that it is money out of pocket, but because the application is made to the Court by yourself.

NEWPORT TOWN COUNCIL-ELECTION OF MAYOR. On Thursday last, a meeting of the Council took place at the Town Hall, for the purpose of electing the Mayor and committees for the ensuing year. J. S. Allfrey, Esq., was proposed by William Williams, Esq., seconded by Thomas Hvghes, Esq., and elected Mayor, without opposition. 1 hanks were voted to Richard Mullock, Esq., the late Mayor, for the able manner in which lie had discharged the duties of chief magistrate. We shall give full particulars of the proceedings in our next.

KENDAL ELECTION. TRIUMPH OF FREE TRADE PRINCIPLES. On Wednesday this election took place, on which oc- casion the strength of the Free Trade and Monopolist par- ties was again tested, which, we are happy to announce, ended in the triumph of the former, and the signal defeat of the latter. This triumph comes opportunely to corroborate the opinion recently expressed by the electors of London, that Monopoly is prostrate and overthrown, and that the cause of truth and justice must in the end prevail. Mr.Warburton, the Free Trade candidate, was returned by an overwhelming majority over his opponent, Mr. Ben tick, the champion of Conservatism and Monopoly.

To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin, SIR,-Will you be pleased, through the columns of your journal, to intimate to the conlractorlor the postage stamps, the necessity of putting on the backs sufficient gum to make them stick to the letters-I presume that is part of the contract. I remain, sir, your obedient servant, Newport, November 8. MERCATOR.

TURNPIKE TOLLS. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Merlin. SIR,-On the subject of turnpike gates there is great cause of complaint, and I think if every case that seems to bear hard upon the public was made known through the medium of such impartial journals as the MERUN, a reform would speedily take place. I beg to notice one if you go from Biynmawr to Tredegar, a distance of four miles, with a horse and four- wheeled car, you have to pay 6d. at Wain-y-orrest, and 6d at Rhyd-y-blew but if you put two horses to the same car you have to pay a shilling at each gate (why charge more than id. for the extra horse?) thus in a distance of four miles there is two shillings demanded for gates. Perhaps the excuse is that the gates are at the extremities of the two counties of Brecon and Monmouth, but ought they not to clear each other. I can- not help admiring the piety of our law-makers as evinced in having a clause inserted in turnpike acts to prevent sab- bath breaking, by travelling on that day, wherein it is enacted that Sunday travellers shall pay double toll. Is itnot as much as to say give us an extra penny and you shall have permission of us, and it shall be lawful for you to break the Sabbath, as many of you as are able to pav, and as often as you please, even to every Sabbath in the year ?—thus selling the Lord's day. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, Brynmawr, Nov. 4, 1843. JUSTlANA. P.S. Since writing the above, I have seen in some of the Couservative journals a deal of praise lavished upon thejudget for the milaness (save the mark!) of their sentences upon tbf Rebeccaites at Cardiff—one being twenty years transportation* I would ask, did there or did there not exist a real grievance which excited them to the committal of the act? if there did the punishment is excessive, and that a grievance did exist evident, for since these men have been in custody, the trust a certain piece of road directed the renter of a pte to let liØle as manure pass fres, but he refused, saying that he lented LbO ■' gate with power to charge the toll thereon, and it would caUat- a serious loss to him. The trust then, as a compensation, lowed him thirty pounds out of the rent. Thus while soøaf persons are reaping the benefit of Rebeccaism, the Rebeccaitef are to be transported. Justice is represented as being blind.

USK TOLLS. To the Editor of the Monmouthshire Aferlin. SIR,-As the unjust and illegal exaction of Tolls is now ac. knowledged to have been one of the principal causes of the uø- happy state of South Wales, it is incumbent on us toendeavo0* by all legal means, to remove any impositions which may practised in this regardon the inhabitants of this county, anJ tf prevent the introduction and establishment of any new on«5? in order that Monmouthshire may be spared the inflictions?' similar evils to these which afflict the principality. With tb>* view, 1 think it my duty to inform you, that heretofore the habitants of Usk were not charged toll upon the produce °f their potatoe fields beyond the turnpise gates, when hauling1^ same home. A new system is now about to be euforccd, poor people residing in the town will be obliged to pay toll all the produce of their potatoe fields, situated outside the gates, on hauling them totheir residences in the town. has naturally given rise to considereble excitement, and so"^ I have been informed, have refused to pay the toll, one 0 whom Iras been summoned, as I have heard, to appear bef0*? the magistrates at Petty Sessions, when it will be decid^ whether the people will be forced to submit to this new tion. These are not times, sir, to add to the burthens of 'j" poor, more particularly in the shape of this odious impost, j extortionate exaction of which has produced all but public reb* lion in counties bordering upon Monmouthshire. I am. sir, your obedient servant, Usk, 7th November, 1843. HONEST AS.

MONEY MARKET AND CITY NEWS. 4 City, Wednesday evening*^ English Stocks maintained their value very firmly up t° close. Consols were 96f J for Money and Account. Eacbeql1 Bills were 63s to 65s premium. The Foreign Bonds were not well supported. Spanish f1* per Cents, were 22 to J, and the Three per Cents., 31f W while Mexican dropped to 31 and 30!. Dutch Fife per Ceølt were firm. Thursday EVENING". There is an improving market foi Consols; for Account,

IRELAND. STATE PROSECUTIONS. 011 w £ ran^ jufy concluded the examination of Wednesday afternoon, at half-past five o'clock, when thejf journed till 11 o'clock on the following day. Their dec#, had not transpired up to post hour, but it was the general lief that there was a majority of the jury in favour of a B»' w_-

FRIDAY'S LONDON GAZETTE, NOV. 3. BANKRUPTS. G. Lawes, Southampton, tailor. J. Smith, Liverpool, draper. T. H. Giles. Bow, omnibus proprietor. W. Warren, Pownall Fee, Cheshire, blacksmith. G. Muir, Newcastle upon-Tyne, draper. H. Griffiths, Chelford, Cheshire, inkeeper. up J. H. Tipple, Wymondham, Norfolk, bombasine turer. TUESDAY'S LONDON GAZETTE, NOV. 6. BANKRUPTS..trei* J. M'Lean, statuary mason, Sun-street, £ ishoj>g'(*' without. C. W. Davies, upholsterer, Holborn. G. Nettleton, tailor, Brorapton Kent. W. B. Cockerill, horse-dealer, Reedham, Norfolk. J. Willis, ale and porter merchant, Osborne-street, chapel. A. H. Wagstaff, apothecary Leigbton Buzzard, ™ shiie.(#» D. Aomonier, jeweller, Wgmore street, Cavendish j J. Phillips, tailor, Pinn-rs' hall court, Old Broad •»'•* < D. Fraser, ship-owne* Little Tower street, city. G. Cbtrlw, brickmsJer, Rtdipolc, Doruuhire.

INCENDIARY FIRES IN NORTH WALES. It has seldom devolved on a journalist to record such a acene of devastation, involving destruction of life and property to an immense amount, as has occurred this week in a portion of the principality hitherto entirely free from outrage, and only re- markable for its majestic scenery, and the quiet behaviour of its inhabitants. On Wednesday night, the district of country around Cerrig. y-Druidion, on the great road from Shrewsbury to Holyhead was found to be in one continued blaze of fire-the chief part of the farm buildings, extending over a district of six or seven miles, being in flames. It was soon discovered, that on both sides of .he Holyhead road, for many miles, the stackyards and outbuildings had been w.lfully SE, 00 FIRE> and were in one uni- versal blaze, consuming as well the cattle and the houses, as the nckyards, and even human life, and involving all outlying pro. perty in one general ruin. 6 R The first efforts were used to extinguish the flames, and pre- vent them spreading to the dwelling-houses around. But the isolated nature of the dwellings, where vast distances intervened between the residences of ntighbours, left each family to use their exertions in their own behalf, and, when thirteen different stackyards and farm-buildings were found to be blazing at one time, within a distance of seven miles, the efforts of the people were paralysed, and the fire in many cases was permitted to ake its course. On the approach of morning, the attention of the inhabitants became directed to the discovery of the incendiary. It was manifest from the tracks that only one person had been engaged in the horrible outrage, and the singular footmark which he bad made, rendered it easy to trace his progress from house to house, in his destructive route. The whole population gathered in the morning in pursuit, headed by Mr. Denman, the chief officer of the Denbighshire potice.and late on Thursday night the wretched man was discovered in a field near Bala, concealing himself, whilst suffering the pangs of starvation, having tasted no food from the previous morning. The name of the man thus secured is Charles Ellis, alias Jones, a natural grandson, it is said, of the person whosa house was first set in names and nearly all the other properties des- troyed are held by his relations. He has lately been discharged f from prison, and has repeatedly been in custody.—Shrewsbury News.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER—SITTINGS IN BANCO. NOVEMBER 2. EDWAHDS V. J. AND T. LOCKET. Mr. Whateley was instructed to move in this cause, which was tried by Mr Justice Maule, at Monmouth, for a new that, on the ground that the verdict for the plaintiff, was perverse. It appeared that the action was brought to recover from the de. fendaOts the value of certain articles supplied to a vessel, and ihe question at the trial was whether they were jointly liable. At theetose of the plaintiff's case, it was submitted by the de. fendant's counsel that there was no evidence whatever against one of the defendants, and that the action had therefore failed. The learned judge being of that opinion, proposed to nonsuit the plaintiff, but his counsel insisted on the case going to the jury; on which Mr Justice Maule proceeded to sum up in a strain which clearly convinced the learned gentleman there was no chance of a verdict, and he very soon begged leave to with. draw his client, and submit to the course previously suggested. His Lordship, however, then refused to allow that favour to the plaintiff, and concluded his address to the jury by a distinct direction, in point of law, to find a verdict for the defendants. At the close of the summtng up, the jury immediately found for Ihe plaintiff, with full damages, much to the surprise of all present; and on being remonstrated with by the Judge, they emphatically persevered in the veidict so pronounced by them, and the plaintiff won the day, in spite of the law. This, Mr, Whateley contended, might really be called a perverse verdict, and he hoped that their Lordships would give him a rule to let it aside as such. Lord Abinger > You may okrjevr rule*

MERTHYR. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY MEETINGS.—On Mon- day, the 6th inst., the anniversary of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society was held in the English chapel, which was crowded to excess. William James, Esq., the treasurer, occu- pied the chair. The report was read by the secretary, the Rev. G. Greenwood it showed that there are central or principal stations, called circuits, occupied by the society in various parts of the world, to the number of 277 missionaries and assistant missionaries, 370; other paid agents, as catechists, interpreters, day school teachers, &c., 327 unpaid agents, as Sabbath school teachers, &c., 4558. Full and accredited church mem* bers, 95,198 on trial for church membership, as far as can be ascertained, 3,617 scholars, deducting for those who attend both the day and Sabbath schools, 60,404 printing presses, 7. Total receipts, £98.093 4s lOd, of which £184 15s 4d wit raised in the English Merthyr circuit, being an advance in this circuit on the preceding year of more than £30. The speakers were tbe Rev. Messrs. James Straton and James Smath, a mis. tionary recently returned from South Africa E. Griffiths (In- dependent), John Davies (Welsh), and W. North. The con- gregation remained three hours and a half, and listened with unabated interest to the speeches delivered, especially the con- trast drawn by the missionary between the converted and un- converted Africans—showing that "if any man be in Christ," whatever he had been before, he is a new creature," &c.- The collections at the meeting and at the sermons preached the preceding day by the missionary, amounted to f 11 3s 4d. Meetings similar to the above were held on the succeeding days at Tredegar, Nantyglo, and Ebbw Vale, in which places suitable sermons were preached on Sunday last. There is no political news of any public interest from this town. The three parties, as far as public meetings are concerned, seem lifeless. It is rumoured that the committee of the Anti-Corn-Law League are about having a public meet- ing, but when, we are not informed. It is evident that some- thing ought to be done in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people, as well as to enlighten them on public affairs. Acting legally and constitutionally, much, without doubt, might be done before Parliament re-assembles. It is to be deplored that we have been either indifferent, or proceedtng illegally, in seeking the rights to which we are entitled by the ancient constitution of the country. It is true we had better do nothing than do anything wrong let as, however, this time do things rightly. THE IRON TRADE.—We have nothing new to report respecting this important branch of manufacture. AI. though the works are kept steadily going, we hear of no signa of any advance likely to take place soon in the wages, which are at present very low.

DIVISION OF BEDWELLTY PETTY SES- SIONS.- Withiu the last fortnight, a pamphlet of a very dis- gusting nature, written in the Welsh language, and entitled Breuddwyd Fra Hynod," has been extensively circulated in this division, and the object of which seems to be to bring into ridicule several respectable dissenting ministers of the gospel. The matter has, however, been warmly taken up, and several parties were summoned to the Rock Inn, on Wednesday last, to answer charges for dispersing the same contrary to the provi- sions of the statute 39, Geo. 3. c. 79, when, fortunately for the offenders, it was discovered that by a recent statute passed in the reign of her present Majesty, the informations should have been at the instance of the Attorney or Solicitor-General. The informations were therefore wthdrawn, and iu the course of a few days fresh ones will be prepared and pressed. The disper- sion of papers of this description is not of rare occurrence in this district.-( From a Correspondent.)