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agricultural petitions was resumed. After the appointment of the committee it was moved by Mr Robinson that their inquiries should be limited to the actual mode of striking the averages, which was carried by

a majority of 143. By this decision the only point which will engage the attention of the committee will be, whether the provisions of the act of 1818 have been duly and fairly executed.

MAY.

BRITISH CHRONICLE.

EMIGRATION. The depression of trade in this country has of late driven thousands of our artisans to seek the means of subsistence in distant climes. Upwards of 600 individuals embarked in the course of last month at Liverpool for the Cape of Good Hope and more than double that number have in the same period sailed from the ports of Leith, Greenock, and Dumfries, for Canada. Various emigrating societies in the west of Scotland are also, under the auspices of government, preparing to embark for Quebec; where, as soon as they arrive, they will receive the government allowance in the following way:-L. 2 to defray the expences of their journey to their own particular part; L. 3 when they arrive; other L. 3 in three months afterwards; and the remaining L. 2 in other six months. The government also furnishes the emigrants with a portion of land gratis, and with agricultural implements and seed, at prime cost.

3. Union of the Secession Church. The public will scarcely require to be reminded of that proposal for union betwixt the two great branches of the Secession, which we had the pleasure of announcing last year about this time. Aroused as if by an instinctive impulse of fraternal affection, the people belonging to those two bodies proceeded to petition their respective synods, to devise the means of reunion. The number of petitions presented on this subject to the two synods was altogether unprecedented. These petitions were met with a kindred spirit on the part of the courts. They entered instantly and cordially upon the business, and appointed large and respectable committees to meet together, to confer on the interesting subject, and to devise the best means of accomplishing this most desirable object. At the meeting of both synods, held last week, these important papers were laid upon the table of the respective courts, and were read as introductory to the discussion. Ministers and elders, belonging to the two bodies, from all parts of the country, crowded to the scene of deliberation, and not a few, who had no seat in the deliberative assemblies, attended to watch the developement of this important process. Never was either court so full, and the deliberations were conduct

ed with much solemuity and candour, with, at the same time, an enlightened and conscientious regard to the interests of truth. Alterations of the basis were proposed, modified, or adopted on both sides with the utmost liberality and pious vigilance. Even those who felt themselves constrained occasionally to take different views from their brethren, showed that they were actuated by principle, and stated their objections with all the love of brethren, and all the calmness of men who had truth for their object. The basis was finally approved and sanctioned by both Synods, on the evening of Friday week; the union, of course, is effected, and nothing remains but certain subordinate arrangements, preparatory to the formal junction of the two courts, which will take place at their next meeting in September. As full liberty of exoneration has been allowed to those who have not gone along in all points with their brethren, it may be presumed that they will feel it to be their duty to acquiesce in the decision. The committees have been re-appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the formal incorporation of the two Synods, and the future operations of the united churches. Thus have two great portions of the religious community, which had been separated for more than 70 years, been happily re-united; and a laudable example has been exhibited, which, it is hoped, will influence the feelings and the conduct of other denominations of professing Christians.

Circuit Intelligence.-Southern Circuit. Dumfries.-15th April.-Michael and Daniel Gallocher, for stealing, were sentenced, the former to seven years transportation, and the latter to twelve months imprisonment. George Brown and James Dougherty were sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, for breaking into an outhouse at Laneside and stealing wearing apparel. Dougherty, on receiving sentence, cried aloud, "It's a d-'d good thing the hemp is so dear." John Hegin was next brought to the bar. He was accused of an assault, with intent to commit a rape, on the 5th September last, on Jean Michael, wife of William Hunter, blacksmith, at Creetown, at a place on the public road between Creetown and Knockains. He was found guilty on the clearest evidence. Before the

breaking, was sentenced to be imprisoned for six months in the jail of Campbeltown. Lachlan M Millan, from South Knapdale, for hamesucken and assault, to twelve months' imprisonment.

Roderick Boyd and George White, for theft, were ordered to be imprisoned for six months in the jail of Inverary.

Glasgow.-May 4.-The business before the Circuit here closed late on Tuesday evening, (the 2d inst.) The length of the sittings of the Court, six days, twelve hours

trial began, the Court was ordered to be cleared. Hugh Kerr, of Annan, painter, was found guilty on an indictment for a violent assault upon Mr Thom, Surgeon, of the same place, in February last. Verdict damages L. 25, and expences. Jedburgh.-April 20.-John Renwick, horse-dealer at Bewcastle, in the county of Cumberland, was placed at the bar, accused of the crime of stealing a horse belonging to Hugh Goodfellow, baker in Hawick, on the 22d day of September last. The pannel pleaded not guilty, and at-a-day, is unprecedented. The increase of tempted in his defence to prove, that he purchased the horse from a stranger, and likewise to prove an alibi. After the Judge summed up the evidence, the Jury retired for a few minutes, and upon their return, unanimously found by a viva voce verdict the prisoner guilty. The Court having met the next day, sentence of transportation for 14 years was pronounced upon the prisoner.

West Circuit. Stirling.- April 22.William Hamilton, labourer at Balfron, county of Stirling, accused of mobbing and rioting, and obstructing the officers of justice in the execution of their duty, and forcibly rescuing from them a person of the name of John Maitland, whom they were conducting to the jail of Stirling, in virtue of a warrant of the Justices of the Peace, in an Excise Court held at Drymen on the 10th day of September last. The prisoner pleaded Guilty, and his counsel having stated that he had already suffered an imprisonment of nearly five months, he was, after a suitable admonition from Lord Gillies, sentenced to six months' farther imprisonment in the jail of Stirling.

James Smith, also residing in Balfron, accused of the same crime, was outlawed for not appearing.

The Court next proceeded to try Joseph Bowles, corporal in the rifle brigade, accused of murder, by stabbing John Macgregor, in the parish of Killermont, on the 27th day of December last. He was found not guilty.

Dugald Leitch, accused of stealing a watch from John Gilchrist, watchmaker in Kilsyth, and of being habit and repute a thief, pled Guilty to the theft, and was sentenced to seven years' transportation.

Andrew Dunn, for theft, sheep-stealing, and housebreaking, was sentenced to transportation for life.

Inverary-April 17 and 18.-Malcolm M'Taggart, accused of murder, pleaded Not Guilty; and, after a proof was led, the Advocate-depute, in summing up the evidence, passed from the charge of murder, and limited the libel to culpable homicide; the jury found a verdict of Guilty; and the pannel was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment in the jail of Inverary.

Daniel Campbell, for theft and house

VOL. VI.

crime in the Western District of Scotland, when compared with former times, is alarming in the extreme. In the Autumn Circuit of the year 1796, not one trial took place at all the Western Circuit, which includes many counties: how melancholy then is the change when, at this time, at the Circuit here alone, 47 cases came before the Court, which included no less than 72 individuals.

The case which excited most interest was that of Richard Smith, alias Curly, accused of breaking into the house of Lewis M'Lellan, candlemaker, Charlotte Street, on the 3d February, and stealing a dressing-glass, two pair of blankets, a bedcover, a printed gown, and various other articles, and of being habit and repute a thief, pleaded Not Guilty. This pannel was tried at Edinburgh with Woodness, who was lately executed at Linlithgow. He is only about sixteen years of age. The crime having been clearly proven, Mr Hope addressed the Jury very shortly for the Crown, and declared that he could not, consistently with his duty, and taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, restrict the libel. Mr Millar addressed the Jury for the prisoner. The Jury found the prisoner Guilty; but on account of the youth of the pannel, unanimously recommended him to mercy. After a most impressive address from Lord Gillies, the prisoner was sentenced to be executed on the 31st May. While the Jury were consulting, the poor boy showed in his expressive countenance the violence of the contending passions of fear and hope. The former, however, appeared to predominate, his under jaw was extended unnaturally, his teeth chattered, he had slight flushings with a leaden paleness intervening, and when the awful decision of Guilty was given, his chin sunk on his breast, and he was the very picture of despair. He paid very great attention during a long trial, and this, added to his mental anguish, rendered him almost unable to retire from the bar, which he did slowly, while the tears rolled down his cheeks. He, however, did not speak. [Smith was executed at Glasgow on the 31st May, and behaved with fortitude, penitence, and resignation. ]

Two other men, Park and McGuire, 4 c

were sentenced to death for housebreaking and theft, but have been since respited.

Two men were sentenced to seven years' transportation, for assaulting the military during the late disturbances; and two others, for the same offence, to 12 months imprisonment.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.-Inverness. April 2.-The Court was opened by Lord Pitmilly. The cases which came before his Lordship were chiefly those of assault and deforcement, in which the parties were severally sentenced to ten or six months' imprisonment.

Aberdeen.-May 2, 3, 4.-The business here occupied the Court for three days.— The first and second days there was no case of importance. The third day, the Court was occupied in the trial of John Bowrie and William Scarf, soldiers in the 80th regiment, accused of murder, or culpable homicide, by having, while assisting some Excise Officers in the seizure of a quantity of whisky, in the neighbourhood of Banff, in November last, mortally wounded one of the smugglers, who soon after died. The trial lasted upwards of four hours, when both were acquitted and dismissed from the bar, after a suitable address from the Lord Justice Clerk, expressive of his approbation of their conduct, from a sense of their having done their duty.

Perth. May 9.-The Circuit Court was opened here on Saturday last by the Right Hon. Lords Justice Clerk and Pitmilly. The first case that came before the Court was that of Alexander Reid, accused of sheep-stealing, who was found guilty, and adjudged to be executed at Perth, on Friday the 23d June,

Alexander Thomson, from the county of Forfar, accused of forging a bill, in December last, for L. 197, which he afterwards presented to a banker's clerk, in Montrose, and received payment of its contents, pleaded Guilty, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly; but, on account of his candid confession and former good character, unanimously recommended him to mercy. After an impressive address from Lord Pitmilly, he was sentenced to be executed at Perth, on Friday the 23d June. Thomson has since been respited.

Peter Garland was next brought to the bar, accused of assaulting and robbing John Ells or Else, an English china hawker, of a pocket-book, containing L. 200 sterling, on the evening of the 5th April last, at Auchtermuchty. The prisoner pleaded Guilty, and the Public Prosecutor having restricted the libel to an arbitrary punishment, Garland was sentenced to transportation beyond seas for the space of

14 years

Three prisoners pleaded Guilty to the charges of coining and uttering base money,

and a number of others were convicted on their own confessions of thefts, assaults, and other petty offences.

11. Edinburgh Jury Court. This day, the case of the Paisley Bank versus James M'Caul or Moffat was tried before this Court. The defender, in this case, has occupied a considerable share of the public notice for eight or nine years past in this place, having been engaged in our principal courts during all that time, in actions and counter actions, arising out of the original accusation against him, of having robbed, or being accessory to the robbery of, the Paisley Bank. Had our limits allowed, we would have given a full report of this singular trial, which was rendered interesting, not only by the notoriety of the parties, and of the case, but by the wonderful exertions which seem to have been made to bring forward a body of circumstantial evidence, more complete than any thing of the kind that ever came under our notice. We can only mention the general nature and result of the case. The issues remitted from the Court of Session were,

1st, Was the defender guilty of stealing, or abstracting away from the premises of the said Banking Company, the property charged?

2d, Whether he received the money, or any part of it?

3d, Whether the notes found on his person, or traced to his possession, are the same that were stolen from the said Banking House?

Mr Cockburn opened the case for the pursuers, and, in a speech of great distinctness and ability, stated the nature of the case, and the points they would be in a condition to prove; mentioning, that the evidence to be adduced was only circumstantial, but of so clear and distinct a nature, that it could not fail of being, if possible, more conclusive than direct testimony. The witnesses called proved that Moffat, in company with Huffey White, (since executed,) and French, (a transported felon,) after residing in Glasgow for six weeks, were seen, on the morning of the 14th July 1811, when the Paisley Bank was robbed, sitting on a wall in Glasgow, counting notes: That they afterwards hired a chaise for Edinburgh, pretending that Moffat's brother was at the point of death: That they posted from Edinburgh to London, having bundles with them that looked like packages of notes: That Moffat had employed an English smith to make false keys, to be transmitted to Glasgow, which were produced in Court: That 12,000 of the money was lodged in the hands of a person of the name of Gibbons, to be restored, in order to save the life of White, who had been apprehended: That Moffat had acknowledged to White's wife, and to his attorney, that he had been concerned in

the robbery of the Paisley Bank. The celebrated Bow Street officers, Lavender and Viccary, were examined, and a great many circumstances disclosed in evidence, which we cannot now notice. After it was closed, Mr Grant was heard shortly for the defender. It was not considered necessary to say much on the part of the pursuers; and after the Judge had summed up the evidence, the Jury, after deliberating for twenty minutes, returned a verdict for the pursuers on all the issues, but finding the defender liable in no damages.

[A few days after the result of this trial, Moffat was apprehended, and lodged in Edinburgh jail for a small debt, where he was immediately after served with a criminal indictment, to stand trial for the above robbery.]

15. Sentence on Hunt and others. The celebrated Mr Hunt and his associates, found guilty of sedition, committed at Manchester in August last year, were this day brought before the Judges of the Court of King's Bench, London, for judgment. The sentence was, that Henry Hunt should be imprisoned in his Majesty's jail at Ilchester for two years and a half; and at the expiration of that time to find security for five years, himself in L. 1000, and two sureties in L. 500 each. The other three defendants, Johnson, Healey, and Bamford, were sentenced to be imprisoned in Lincoln Castle for one year, and to find security for five years, themselves in L. 200, and two sureties for L. 100 each.

Sir Charles Wolseley, Bart. and Parson Harrison, for seditious language, &c. were then sentenced, the former to eighteen months' imprisonment in Abingdon jail, and to find security for five years, himself in L. 1000, and two sureties in L. 500 each, and Harrison to be imprisoned in Chester jail for one year and a half, and to find security for five years, himself in L. 200, and two sureties in L. 100 each.

17. Edinburgh Magistrates.-This day, the Second Division of the Court of Session, after hearing counsel, unanimously refused the petition of the Magistrates of Edinburgh, for setting aside the verdict of the jury, in the case of Lawrie v. the Magistrates, and for granting a new trial in

that cause.

Improvement in the Communication between Leith and the Fife Coast.-By an arrangement made between the Tug and Dumbarton Castle, two of the finest steam boats on the Frith of Forth, which run, between Leith and Grangemouth, one of these vessels is in future to make a trip between Leith and Kirkaldy every morning, before she goes to Grangemouth; and the other, after performing her Grangemouth voyage, will run over to Kirkaldy, and return again every evening. The trustees for the Kinghorn ferry have also resolved to adopt the

important improvement of steam-boats, for the purpose of insuring certain and expeditious passage across. By this new plan the communication will be greatly facilitated, as passengers may always calculate on crossing from one shore to another in the course of an hour.

22. Justiciary Court.-Trial for Murder.-This morning came on the trial of P. Lawrie, at Loanhead, for the murder of his wife, by having, on the 22d of December last, inflicted on her head a severe wound with an axe. The jury returned a verdict, finding the slaughter to have been committed by the prisoner, but that he was at the time of its commission in a state of mental derangement. The Court then decreed that the prisoner should be confined as a lunatic for the remainder of his life, or at least till such time as his family and friends should give security that they would keep him in custody so as to prevent him from doing harm.

29. General Assembly.-On Thursday the 18th instant, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met at Edinburgh, the Right Honourable the Earl of Morton being his Majesty's Lord High Commissioner.

On Tuesday the 23d, the Assembly had under consideration a case from the parish of Golspie, the circumstances of which are briefly these:-In the end of September last, at a pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery of Dornoch, called by the Moderator, at the request of Mr M'Pherson, minister of Golspie; a letter was produced from that gentleman, giving in his resignation of the living, and stating that he had previously intimated his intention to the patron and parish. The Presbytery order. ed the letter of resignation to lie on their table till next meeting, and in the meantime appointed a committee of their number to wait on Mr M Pherson, and use their endeavours to dissuade him from his purpose. The Presbytery met again in the end of November, and it appearing by the report of the committee, and by a second letter from Mr M Pherson himself, that he persisted in his resolution, the Presbytery accepted of his resignation, and declared the parish vacant in the usual form. In the month of January following, a presentation to the parish of Golspie, by the Marquis of Strafford, in favour of Mr Donald Ross, minister of Kilmuir, was given in, and sustained by the Presbytery; and after going through the usual steps of a translation, appointed the 26th of April for the admission of Mr Ross. On that day, Mr M'Pherson appeared, and offered a petition to the Presbytery, praying that farther procedure might be sisted, and he himself restored to his situation as minister of the parish, on the ground that his resignation had been given in whilst he laboured under

a depression of spirits, as rendered him unfit for appreciating properly the consequences of his conduct. The Presbytery refused to receive this petition, and against which sentence Mr M Pherson appealed to the Assembly. Dr Cook moved, "That the Assembly find that the Presbytery of Dornoch acted irregularly, in accepting the demission of Mr M'Pherson before they had taken means to ascertain the state of his mind, and before they had called upon the people to appear for their interest; and when, as it appears from the record, that the Presbytery considered his reasons of demission as insufficient: disapprove of the conduct of the Presbytery in proceeding to induct Mr Ross, the presentee, in the face of an appeal by Mr M Pherson: Sustain the appeal: Set aside the whole proceedings of the Presbytery in the matter: Declare that Mr M Pherson is minister of Golspie: And instruct the members of the Presbytery of Dornoch to do what lies in them to contribute to his comfort, and to promote his usefulness." This motion was opposed by Dr Nicoll, who submitted to the house the following deliverance: "That the General Assembly do sympathise with the situation of Mr M Pherson in this case; but in respect that a resignation was given in by him, and accepted of by the Presbytery, and the parish declared vacant: That a presentation was thereafter issued by the patron in favour of Mr Donald Ross, and sustained by the Presbytery, and that all the subsequent steps towards the settlement of Mr Ross had been taken without a challenge: Find that it was not competent for Mr M Pherson to offer any objections on the day of admission. Dismiss the appeal, and affirm the sentence of the Presbytery of Dornoch." An interesting discussion took place, and the principal speakers in favour of the first motion were, Dis Singers, M'Lean, and Lee, Messrs Donald M'Kenzie, William Inglis, Esq. James Gibson, Esq. and Walter Cook, Esq. In favour of the second motion, the Procurator, Drs M'Farlane, and Wilson, Messrs Fleming, Andrew Thomson, and Milne. The first motion was carried on a division, there being for it 103, against it 42. On Wednesday, the 24th, upon a motion being made and seconded, the Assembly called for the order of his Majesty in Council, transmitted by Government to the Moderator of last General Assembly, and communicated by the said Moderator to the members of the Church of Scotland by the medium of the newspapers. Dr MacFarlane accordingly laid before the Assembly the said order in Council, together with a letter which accompanied the said order from the Clerk of Council, which order was read, and also the letter. The deliberations of the Assembly upon this subject were opened by the following motion, which was inade by the Rev. Mr Andrew

Thomson, and seconded by James Mon creiff, Esq. advocate, viz.“That it be declared by the General Assembly, that no civil authority can constitutionally prescribe either forms or heads of prayer to the ministers and preachers of this church, and that the orders in council, which have been issued from time to time respecting prayers for the royal family, are inconsistent with the rights and privileges secured by law to our ecclesiastical establishment; but that, as these orders appear to have originated in mistake or inadvertency, and not in any intention to interfere with our modes of worship, the General Assembly do not consider it to be necessary to proceed farther in this matter at present. And the General Assembly embrace this opportunity of declaring the cordial and steady attachment of the Church of Scotland to their most gracious Sovereign, and to all. the royal family, and of farther expressing their unqualified conf lence that, actuated by the same principles of loyalty and religion which have hitherto guided them, her ministers and preachers will never cease to offer up, along with their people, their fervent supplications to Almighty God in behalf of a family to whom, under Providence, we are indebted for so many distinguished blessings, both sacred and civil." Another motion was made and seconded, "That whereas the independence of the Church of Scotland in all matters of faith, worship, and discipline, is fully established by law, the General Assembly finds it unnecessary and inexpedient to adopt any declaration with regard to the late or any former orders in Council, relative to prayers for his Majesty and the Royal Family." A very long and interesting debate took place, in which a number of members spoke, among whom were Mr Andrew Thomson, James Moncreiff, Esq. Dr Cook, the Solicitor General, Dr Nicoll, the Lord Justice-Clerk, Lord Hermand, Dr Wilson, Mr Fleming, William Inglis, Esq. John A. Murray, Esq. Walter Cook, Esq. &c.. A vote was called for the first or second motion, and the roll being called and votes marked, there appeared for the second motion, 126-for the first motion, 53-majority, 73. Against this decision Mr Andrew Thomson, and several other members, entered their dissent.

The doors of the Assembly were crowd. ed for hours before the time of meeting, and there never was a fuller audience in the Aisle than on this occasion among whom were a number of well dressed ladies and gentlemen.

This day, the 29th, the Assembly proceeded to the discussion of an overture of Dr Bryce of Calcutta, respecting certain calumnious passages that had appeared in a number of a periodical work, entitled The Christian Instructor.

The following are the strictures which

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