with this new and unexpected freight, for the destination, as was given out, of Havre de Grace. The dissolution of the Congress was followed by the dismissal of the existing Ministry, and the appointment of a new one, the members of which are characterized as likely to be subservient to the Prince. The object of these violent and summary proceedings are yet involved in mystery. One inference is, that the Emperor of Brazil is desirous to invest himself with absolute power; another, that he wishes to throw back his dominions under the au thority of Portugal. All that is known, meanwhile, is, that he has dismissed and banished several of his Ministers, because, he says, "they were led away by pride and ambition." And the following sentence, from a proclamation addressed to the Brazilians, seems to prove that he suspected them of disaffection : "The arrests which have taken place will be considered by the enemies of the empire as despotic. They are not so. You see that they are measures of policy, calculated to avoid anarchy, and to save the unfortunate persons themselves that they may enjoy theirs in tranquil lity, and that we may enjoy ours in se curity." As this proclamation forms a part of the latest intelligence that has been received, it of course throws all the light upon the recent changes which they have yet received.

Letters from Rio de Janeiro state, that the Emperor of Brazil has confirmed to Lord Cochrane the rank of Marquis, and has presented him with a valuable estate, as an appendage to his title. It is said, too, that his Lordship has been offered the appointment of Governor of Bahia.

Some serious disturbances broke out in Para on the 15th of October, where, it appears, the Brazilian soldiers had form ed a conspiracy to massacre the Euro pean residents there. Their rallying cry was, "Long live the Emperor Don Pedro," and, "Down with the Europeans." The English and other foreigners, however, aided by Captain Grenfell of the Maranham brig of war, then in the har bour, successfully opposed, and finally defeated the soldiers, many of whom were taken prisoners, and conveyed on board the brig. On the 20th, according to a private letter, the following horrid catas trophe took place:

"About ten P. M., a loud discharge of musketry being heard, it was discovered that the prisoners, to the number of 256, on board a vessel in the harbour, had attempted to escape, and that the guard placed over them had, in consequence, fired upon them. On the hatches being

VOL. XIV.

opened early the next morning, only four of the 256 were found alive!! As marks of violence, particularly strangulation, were found upon the dead bodies, it was supposed they had destroyed each other in a state of insanity, or desperation. Many were also found hanging to the beams. This most horrible catastrophe has much inflamed the minds of the lower and ignorant order of the people, and they are now more than ever incensed at the English; as they think, be cause Grenfell is an Englishman, that they (the English) must be concerned in the affair. Indeed, reports very prejudicial to the English have already been carried into the interior by runaway-soldiers, which are, that we had taken pos session of the city, that our flag flew on the forts, and that bodies of armed seamen paraded the streets."

PERU. The Intelligence from Lima, which is to the 20th of September, seems decisive as to the result of the campaign in Peru. All the late accounts of the progress of the independent armies, and the defeat of the royalist divisions opposed to them, are confirmed. The united forces of the patriots, amounting to upwards of 20,000 men, are now in possession of every stronghold of any importance, and the remnant of the royalist troops, driven back among the mountains, must be either soon entirely dispersed, or made prisoners. The three small corps of the Spanish army, one of 3000 men under Canterac, another of 1500 under Laserna, and the third of 1200 under Olaneta, were completely cut off from each other by the advance of the independent divisions, which were marching in great force in the different directions of Guancavelica, Pomato, and Oruro. There seemed to be no doubt of the speedy termination of the campaign.

WEST INDIES.--According to the latest accounts from Jamaica, that island continues to be agitated on the slave question. In the House of Assembly, a series of resolutions was passed on the 11th of December, the language of which indicates resistance of the legislative au thority of Great Britain. These resolutions are accompanied with a memorial and petition to his Majesty. In the course of the debate, clauses were moved, as amendments, directly censuring Ministers, and praying especially for the dismissal of Earl Bathurst from his Majesty's Councils. They were, however, negatived, and the memorial and petition passed the House in their original form. Mr Mais, the senior member for St. Andrew's, in moving the resolutions, branded the advocates for emancipation

Hh

as a powerful party, which had been long seeking their destruction, and pursuing it with "the ardour of a well-trained blood-hound." Speaking of the intentions of the abolitionists, he says" Villainy points out the victim, and prejudice pursues it." On the subject of legislative independence, Mr Mais observes

"It is no new thing for the British Parliament to assume the right of legislating for the colonies, nor will it be a novelty if they should be foiled in the present attempt." This is so perfectly intelligible, that it has at least the merit of plain dealing. Mr Burke followed in a speech of similar tendency. He says "The abolitionists are of a fanatical party, and Mr Wilberforce the arch-foe of the colonies."

Some discoveries have been made of conspiracies among the negroes, in several parts of the island, which have been checked in the bud; and a number of the slaves, who were principally concerned in these plots, have been tried and executed.

MARTINIQUE.-In this island, also, a projected revolt of the negroes has been

defeated, and the ringleaders have suffer. ed the punishment of death.

DEMERARA. The whole of this colony, according to the last accounts, was tranquil, with the exception of the eastern part, where the insurrection first broke out, and where it is said the negroes, in consequence of being forbidden to dance during the Christmas holidays, were riotous and disorderly. Mr Smith the missionary, it is now stated, was condemned on an ex post facto law; but in bringing him in guilty of the charge of knowing the intention of the negroes, and withholding the information from Government, he was recommended to mercy, on the score of the error being one of judgment only, and not of design. The whole proceedings and the sentence had been transmitted to the government at home.

The Cato transport, with 200 men of the 93d Regiment, arrived at Demerara on the 18th December; but, contrary to expectation generally entertained, were only to remain there until the expiration of the Christmas holidays, when they were to proceed to Barbadoes.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-Feb. 3.—This day the Session of Parliament was opened by commission. His Majesty had intended to open it in person, but was unable, in consequence of an attack of the gout. The Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Westmoreland, and the Earl of Shaftsbury.

a diffusion of comfort among the great body of the people.

"Agriculture is recovering from the depression under which it laboured, and, by the steady operation of natural causes, is gradually re-assuming the station to which its importance entitles it, among the great interests of the nation.

"At no former period has there pre

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

We are commanded by his Majesty to express to you his Majesty's deep regret, that, in consequence of indisposition, he is prevented from meeting you in Parliament upon the present occasion.

"It would have been a peculiar satis faction to his Majesty to be enabled, in person, to congratulate you on the prosperous condition of the country.

"Trade and commerce are extending themselves both at home and abroad. "An increasing activity pervades almost every branch of manufacture.

"The growth of the revenue is such as not only to sustain public credit, and to prove the unimpaired productiveness of our resources, but (what is yet more gratifying to his Majesty's feelings) to evince

munity in this island a more cheerful spirit of order, or a more just sense of the advantages which, under the blessing of Providence, they enjoy.

"In Ireland, which has for some time past been the object of his Majesty's particular solicitude, there are many indications of amendment, and his Majesty relies upon your continued endeavours to secure the welfare and happines of that part of the kingdom.

"His Majesty commanded us further to inform you, that he has every reason to believe, that the progress of our internal prosperity and improvement will not be disturbed by any interruption of tranquillity abroad.

"His Majesty continues to receive from the Powers his Allies, and, generally, from all Princes and States, assurances of their earnest desire to maintain and culti

HOUSE OF COMMONS. — Feb. 3. After the Speech from the throne was read, Mr Rowland Hill and Mr Daly seconded the Address, the mover direct ing his observations to topics of general policy; the seconder bestowing particular attention upon the affairs of Ireland. The same ground taken by Lords Lansdowne and Holland in the other House was assumed by Mr Brougham, who was replied to at length by Mr Canning. No amendment was moved.

Feb. 4-On bringing up the Address in answer to the King's Speech, Mr Hobhouse took occasion to express his disapprobation of the Royal Speech, and his abhorrence of the policy observed by Ministers with respect to Spain. He asked the Right Hon. Secretary for Foreign Af fairs what hope could be entertained that the French Government would withdraw its troops from Spain? And how, if it should not withdraw them, King Ferdinand could be regarded as a free and uncontrolled agent to negotiate, or to go to war with the South American Republics?

He also adverted with asperity to Sir Thomas Maitland's late proclamation. Mr Canning replied, that no friend of humanity could wish to see the French troops withdrawn from Spain in the present state of that miserable country. He explained that the Government would not permit to France any interference with the South American States direct or indirect; and proceeded to justify, at some length, the measures of Sir Thomas Maitland. Colonel Palmer warmly condemned Mr Canning's expression of a wish that the French troops should remain in Spain, and delivered a very strong invective against the foreign policy pursued by Ministers. Mr Hume repeated the charge against Sir Thomas Maitland. Sir Thomas Lethbridge bore testimony to the rapid recovery of the agricultural interest, and expressed great satisfaction at the obvious proofs to be found in the state of the country, that that recovery was owing to causes which promised that it would be permanent. He warmly applauded the conduct of Ministers.

DECEMBER.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.-On the 22d, John Wilson and Duncan Fraser were found Guilty of housebreaking and theft on their own confession. The Lord Advocate stated his determination not to restrict the libel in this case; and the unhappy men were repeatedly warned not to look for mercy on account of their confession; but they persisted in their plea. They were in consequence sentenced to be executed at Edinburgh on the 28th of January.

23. Christian Paterson, a woman of bad fame, was tried for the murder of Margaret Baird, or Dunlop, keeper of an infamous house in Edinburgh. It appeared from the evidence, that the prisoner entered Baird's house in the night of the 11th August, in a state of intoxication, and in the course of a quarrel, and other violent proceedings, struck the deceased on the head with a smoothing iron, which laid open her skull. She lived notwithstanding till the 14th of October following; and the opinion of two surgeons examined was, that if the wound had been properly treated, it might have been healed in a fortnight. It appeared, also, that the woman was frequently drunk in the interval, and ten days before her death had a ball in her house, at which she danced, and was in a state of intoxication. It was after this that the wound assumed

a dangerous appearance, and inflammation and death followed. In consequence of this evidence, the Lord Advocate departed from the charge of murder; and the jury found Paterson Guilty on the minor charge of the indictment, namely, assaulting Baird, and striking, maiming, and wounding her, to the great effusion of her blood, and imminent danger of her life. The prisoner was then sentenced to seven years' transportation.

24. Wm. Johnston Millar was found Guilty, in terms of his own confession, of theft, aggravated by being habit and repute a thief; as was likewise Alexander Philip, who was accused of eight several acts of theft. Both prisoners were sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. John Douglas was next tried for robbing James Anderson of his watch and some silver money, on the 1st of November last, in a lane leading from Portobello to the sea-side. He was found guilty on clear evidence, but the jury recommended him to mercy, on account that he had not used any personal violence to the old man. He was sentenced to be hanged on the 28th of January, which he heard without being moved. It was stated in the addresses delivered by the Judges, that he had been tried in 1821 for highway robbery, convicted, and sentenced, but afterwards pardoned, in consequence of an informality in the verdict;

and that, though the recommendation of the Jury should be duly forwarded, their Lordships were unable to discover any thing in the evidence which entitled Douglas to a repetition of royal clemency, and saw no prospect of its being obtained. [Douglas has, notwithstanding this opinion of their Lordships, been since respited; and his sentence will most likely be changed to transportation for life.] JANUARY 1824.

Water. A meeting was held early last week, by a number of gentlemen, on a sub ject of some public interest. Complaints have, it seems, been made against the charges of the Edinburgh Water Company as too high, and the meeting alluded to (at which Mr Downie, M. P. presided) was held to consider the practicability of bringing in a supply by pipes from Duddingston Loch. The general depth of the loch is about five or six feet, and its greatest depth little more than nine. It is thought, therefore, that it might be entirely drained for a moderate sum, and the waters of the copious spring, which chiefly feeds it, might then be obtained at the point where they issue from the ground, perfectly free of muddy sediment, and, being raised to the necessary height by a steam-engine, might be conveyed to town. As nothing could be done, however, without the consent of the proprietor of Prestonfield, Sir R. K. Dick, it was resolved to communicate with him on the subject. We undersand it does not enter into the view of the gentlemen who met to bring in a supply for the whole town, but merely for the southern districts, and the less distant parts of the old city generally.

Atrocious case of Murder.-On the 24th of October last, a murder was committed in an obscure place, called GillsHill-Lane, about six miles from the town of Watford, in Hertfordshire, which has excited a greater sensation in the public mind, and has occupied a greater portion of the periodical press, than any similar circumstance we ever recollect of. This was partly owing to the horrid and treacherous manner in which the murder was perpetrated, and partly on account of the character and situation in life of the murderer and his associates. On the night of the 25th, certain voices were heard in the lane, and in the morning, a pistol and penknife were found in it, and such marks observed, as left no doubt that a murder had been committed. The county magistrates investigated all the circumstances, and applied to Bow-street Office, London, for assistance, where suspicion immediately rested on a person named Probert, who had a country-house near

the lane, and three of his gambling associates, namely Thomas and John Thurtell, sons of a very respectable gentleman, Mr Alderman Thurtell of Norwich, and a singing companion of theirs, named Joseph Hunt, at one time keeper of a low tavern or chop-house in London. The Thurtells had been lately bombazinemanufacturers, and Probert a wine-merchant there; but they were now known to live chiefly by gambling. Upon these four being apprehended, Hunt, under a promise from his solicitor that he would be admitted king's evidence, made a long confession, implicating John Thurtell as the principal in the murder of a Mr Weare, of Lyon's Inn, Strand, a person well known in the gambling circles, and an intimate acquaintance of the Thurtells. Probert and Hunt, according to the confession of the latter, were so far accessories, as to have a guilty knowledge of the design, and to have assisted in throwing the body into a pond near the place. To this pond Hunt was carried by the officers, and pointing out the spot, the body of Mr Weare was dragged out, the head shockingly mangled by a pistol bullet, and the throat cut. After various examinations, Thomas Thurtell was acquitted of having any share in the murder, and the other three were committed for trial. In the meantime, for certain reasons which came out in the investigation, it was determined to try Thurtell and Hunt for the murder, and admit Probert as king's evidence. The trial came on at Hertford on the 6th instant, and lasted two days, when they were both found guilty. The evidence disclosed a case of the blackest and cold-blooded treachery on the part of Thurtell, whose motives seem to have been revenge for some considerable sums Weare had won from him at the gamingtable, and a design to possess himself of Weare's money, of which he was known to have always a great sum concealed about his person. For this purpose, he enticed him to the country, on pretence of enjoying a few days shooting, and drove him down, late in the evening in question, in a gig ; and when in the lane, out of hearing of any human inhabitant, fired a pistol at his head, while conver sing socially with him in the gig. The shot, however, was not mortal, and Weare jumped out, and struggled on the ground with his assassin, who coolly took out a pen-knife, and finished the murder by cutting his throat. He then went to Probert's cottage, and, with the assistance of him and Hunt, dragged the body to the pond in which it was found. The assas sins afterwards spent part of the night carousing in Probert's cottage. Thurtell