tosi, and was now within twenty leagues of the capital, Santana raised the siege on the 6th of November, and marched to meet him, while the army of Montezuma was pressing him from behind.

The Mexican Congress terminated its sittings after investing the executive with full powers to ter

minate the war in the manner most favourable for the public interests -so completely were these republican legislators the mere sport of military chiefs. The exiled Pedrazza, for whose restoration the war had ostensibly been undertaken, arrived at Vera Cruz from New Orleans on the 5th of November.

1.

OLICE.-The number of persons apprehended by the New Police in London, on different charges, during the year ending 1st January 1832, amounted by official returns to 72,824; viz. 45,907 males, and 26,917 females. Out of this number 2,955 were committed for trial; 21,843 were summarily convicted before the magistrates; 24,239 were discharged by the magistrates; and 23,787 who had been taken into custody while drunken, were discharged by the superintendents of police at the station-house, after they became sober. The number of persons charged before the magistrates for being drunk were 7,566; of this number 3,187 were discharged, and 4,379 were fined 5s. each, which would amount to 1,094l. 15s.; of the number fined 3,187 were males, and 1,194 were females. The greatest number of persons were apprehended for drunkenness in the months of December and July, and the least number in February,-viz. July 1,419 males, and 810 females; December 1,418 males, and 931 females; February 923 males, and 678 females. From these statements it further appears that setting aside cases of mere drunkenness, 24,798 were summarily convicted by the magistrates or committed for trial, while no fewer than 21,052 were discharged.

VOL. LXXIV.

2. SINGULAR CASE OF MALICIOUS MISCHIEF.-CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH SESSIONS.-The King, on the prosecution of C. Brown, v. Henry Braine.

The defendant was chargedwith having introduced into the letter box of the post-office of Cambridge, a case containing gunpowder, and by means of a slip of paper, prepared with wet gunpowder, with having attempted to ignite the same with a lighted cigar. In several counts of the indictment this was alleged to have been with a view to destroy the letterbox and letters; in others, to destroy the post-office, and the house of the post-master, Mr. Brown. It was proved, that, on the night of the 10th of December, about 7 o'clock, the defendant was close to the post office; and, in consequence of some suspicions, was watched by two constables and the son of Mr. Brown. One constable was inside, who, when any thing particular was dropped into the box, was to break a pane of glass. Whilst the prisoner was in the act of putting the combustibles into the letter-box, as he stooped. to disguise the touch-paper, the two persons outside came up behind him; the signal was given at that instant from within; and he was taken into custody and conveyed before the mayor. From the examination of Mr. Deck, the chymist, B

it appeared that, although the case of pasteboard, which was produced as found in the letter-box, would contain six or eight ounces, yet it contained in fact only an ounce and a half. No assignable motive for the defendant's conduct came out in evidence; on the contrary, the postmaster, on his cross-examination, said he never knew the defendant before, personally, or by name. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty of an attempt to destroy the letters only.

Mr. Serjeant Storks sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, a fine of 5l., and to find two sureties of 50l. each to keep the peace towards Mr. Brown.

4. BRISTOL SPECIAL COMMIS SION.-Thomas EvansBendall,aged 19, and James Sims, aged 18, were put to the bar, upon an indictment, charging them with having, along with others, on Sunday, the 30th of October, riotously and tumultously assembled, and pulled down, and destroyed, a certain dwelling-house, the property of Robert Gray, lord bishop of Bristol. There was another indictment for arson.

William Jones-was butler to the bishop of Bristol in October. His lordship was residing in the palace at the end of October. He left at 3 o'clock on the Sunday afternoon. Nothing occurred at the palace until 8 o'clock. Witness never stirred out the whole day. The mob broke in about 8 o'clock. There were large gates between Lower and Upper College-green. Those gates were about twenty yards from the palace, and led to the cloisters on the left, and the bishop's door on the right. No part of the palace, except the door, abutted on the court. The gates were attacked by a violent hammering, and, in about seven or eight minutes gave

way. The mob then approached the door and knocked out the panels. There were about 100 men and boys. On the breaking of the gates, witness went into the palace door, and closed it. About 100 persons came into the court-yard before the witness retreated and fastened the door. After going in heard a dreadful knocking at the door of the palace with hammers. The mob asked him to open the door, and witness refused: a man said "Peg away;" the door was struck, and the two lower panels were knocked out in a very few minutes. On the panels flying out the mob came in: he saw but three men, and then he retreated through a side window of the palace into the churchyard, and went over a high wall into Trinity-street from the churchyard, and came round again as fast as he could to the front door. There were a great many persons outside and inside the palace, some quiet and some otherwise. Remained until the soldiers came, and asked the commanding officer for three or four of his men, whom witness offered to lead; but he would not allow them to dismount. Remained until late, when nearly all the mob went away, and witness attacked some of them who were carrying away his lordship's property. The mob dispersed, the soldiers remained, and witness then entered the palace. The furniture, china, and glass, were destroyed, and four beds in different rooms, were found on fire. The ticken had been cut and coals put inside. The mob returned in about twenty minutes. The soldiers had in the mean time gone away. The mob caught witness in the pantry: a great many entered. They had hammers and iron bars in their hands. Witness had a scuffle

with them, when they threw several bars at him. He then retreated through the back staircase and dining room into the churchyard and Trinity-street as before. Came round a second time to the front door, and missed the soldiers. The palace was in flames in a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. Some of the mob entered the chapter-house and chapterroom, and he saw them come through the window. Saw books burned from the chapter-room, and saw many brought out of the room. The people within handed them through the window, and the books were carried across the churchyard and thrown by them into a dressing room of the palace, then in flames. Witness remained in the churchyard till half-past 5 o'clock in the morning. The mob continued there all the time. Bendall, the prisoner, was one of them. Saw him first about 1 o'clock in the morning. Prisoner was employed in going to the window of the chapter room, taking the books and chucking them into the flames.

Had a

perfect opportunity of seeing the prisoner, and is sure he was the man. Witness was then afraid, and spoke only to one of the mob. There were several taking the books. When the mob arrived, the door from the cloisters to the burial ground was locked; it was subsequently forced open, though he did not see it done. Suspected that he was known to be the bishop's servant by the mob. Every body was too much alarmed to interfere to save the books. Some were saved for the dean and chapter.

Henry William Fedden went from Queen's-square, where several houses were on fire, to the burying

ground, and saw the bishop's palace on fire. There were between twenty and thirty persons in the buryingground, who conducted themselves in a very riotous manner. Saw books lying about. The prisoner Bendall was one of them. Saw him take the books from the chapter-room window, and throw them into the fire. He took one large book, stamped upon it, tore out the leaves, and threw it into the fire. Witness stayed there about three quarters of an hour, and then went to Queen's-square, where the fires were still burning. Saw Bendall in Queen's-square, opposite Mr. Miles's counting-house, which at that time was on fire. Bendall was destroying some books and furniture in the square. Had seen Bendall before that day. He had, when in the square, a bludgeon or hammer in his hand. seen the prisoner standing in the old market with a petition several times, for several days. Is certain he is the person he saw in the square and in the burying ground.

Had

John Otton took Bendall into custody, who said that he had not set any house on fire. Did not persuade him to confess. He had tape round his hat and arm, and a staff like a constable. He wasin bed when taken, and had these things on after he was dressed. There were five more young men in bed in the same room. He said he belonged to the Union, and that he had 4s. a week allowed him. Witness did not state on examination before the magistrate any conversation with the prisoner about the bishop's palace. Did not ask any thing of the prisoner about the bishop's palace. Sent him in handcuffs from his house.

John Robins. The prisoner

James Simms was at the bishop's palace about twelve o'clock, and had a stick or bar in his hand. He stood on the burial ground near the chapter-house window. The opposite windows of the palace were all burned, and the fire was blazing. Simms broke the windows of the chapter-house with either a crow bar or a bludgeon. Saw books brought out of these windows and thrown towards the fire. Remained there until the mob came. Witness said to Simms, 6c you are hard-hearted." The prisoner laughed. Did not see Simms strike any one. Witness left him at the palace. Met Simms again in Redcliffe-street, where he expressed a wish that he had had some person with him, that he might either have won 10l. or lost 107. He had nothing in his hand. Some witnesses were examined on behalf of Bendall, to show that he was a person of weak intellect. The Jury found both prisoners Guilty. They were transported for life.

On the 11th and 12th, the commission was occupied with the trial of Christopher Davis, charged with having, with others, riotously and tumultuously assembled on Sunday the 30th of October, and demolished and destroyed the new gaol. The prisoner seemed to be greatly affected by his situation, and wept much, while the jury were sworn in. His appearance and manner were those of a respectable man. He was considered a sort of ringleader in the riot. He had absconded, and was discovered, concealed in Somersetshire, only after the commission had begun its proceedings.-Edward Culliford, a grocer in Bristol, was in Queen-square from half-past

eight o'clock on the Sunday morning until half-past two. There was a great number of persons riotously assembled, heaving stones and bottles at the Mansionhouse. Saw the prisoner there about one o'clock. He was standing opposite the Mansion-house, in the red path inside the railing of the square. Then the mob was rather quiet. Heard the prisoner abusing the corporation, the bishops, and the parsons, as loud as he could speak. Prisoner also wished that hell might open and swallow up all the churches and bishops. He had an umbrella in his hand, and was waving his hat.-John Gilbert was in Queen-square, on the Sunday of the riots, about one o'clock in the afternoon, under the piazzas of the Custom-house. There was a multitude of people there. Saw prisoner Davis, who addressed witness Had known him before. He said "This is the end of your d-d magistrates and bishops, and we'll send them all to hell." He said this in an angry tone of voice, and loud enough for every one near to hear. He also called them d-d robbers, and that he would have them in chains in Queen-square, if he had his will.

Thomas Davey kept a public house, about a quarter of a mile from the Bridewell. Remembered the Sunday it was destroyed; the prisoner was at his house, between two and three o'clock that day and had a glass of beer. John Cross was with witness in his parlour. Prisoner said there were pretty works, or fine works, going on. He said he had expected such for a good many years. Prisoner appeared to be fresh in liquor; he said that he was almost tipsy, that he had been up all night, and had