Page:The Annals of Our Time - Volume 1.djvu/77

DECEMBER putting an end to British trade. Last servant of East India Company leaves.

9.—The President, Atlantic iron steamship, launched at Limehouse.

10.—Special Commission opened at Monmouth, for the trial of the rioters in South Wales. Three hundred and fifteen special jurors were summoned, and twenty-four gentlemen of station sworn on the grand jury; thirty-eight prisoners awaited trial. The jury found a true bill for high treason against John Frost and thirteen others. The court adjourned to the 31st instant.

11.—The Court of Directors of the East India Company unanimously pass votes of thanks to Lord Auckland, "for the sagacity and promptitude with which he had planned" the expedition against Affghanistan [sic], and the "zeal and vigour which he had displayed in preparing the troops for the field;" to Sir John Keane, for his "great and eminent services, and for the invincible intrepidity and spirit manifested by him in the command of the army serving in Affghanistan;" to the general, field, and other officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, and privates, European and native, for their "gallant and meritorious conduct, zeal, discipline, and bravery," during the expedition. At the Quarterly Court Sir Charles Forbes objected to the vote, and quoted the opinion of the Duke of Wellington, that they should wait till they saw the troops safely out of Affghanistan.

— The Commission of the General Assembly pronounce another decision, which again brings it into collision with the civil courts. In 1837, a presentation of the Rev. Mr. Edwards to the living of Mamoch had been sustained by the Presbytery of Strathbogie. In 1838, the General Assembly determined to enforce the Veto law, and "remitted" to the Presbytery to reject Mr. Edwards; but, in 1839, the General Assembly again expressly enjoined the Presbytery not to take any steps towards admitting Mr. Edwards. The Presbytery, however, preferring to obey the decision of the Court of Session and of the House of Lords, as given in the Auchterarder case, admitted Mr. Edwards to the living at Marnoch, by a majority of 7 to 4. Mr. Candlish, after stating the facts at length, now submitted a motion to the Assembly to suspend the seven ministers forming the majority from "the exercise of any of their functions," and to authorize the "remanent and unsuspended" members to "repone" any of their suspended brethren, who should "compear personally and subscribe an assurance that they will submit themselves to the judicataries of the Church in this and in all other matters, but not otherwise;" and, in the meanwhile, to procure a supply of stated ministerial services for the parishes under the care of the suspended clergy- men. The motion was supported by the Lord Provost of Glasgow; Dr. Brown, of Aberdeen; Dr. Burns, of Paisley; and Dr. Chalmers.—Dr. Lee denied that there was any law authorizing the Assembly to suspend the ministers.—Dr. Bryce said the Presbytery of Strathbogie had only obeyed the law of the land; and he moved an amendment—that the Commission approve of the conduct of the Presbytery, and refer the matter to the next General Assembly.—Dr. Muir proposed another amendment, expressing disapproval of the conduct of the Presbytery, appointing a Committee to confer with the Presbytery, and postponing all proceedings to the meeting of the General Assembly. It was decided, by a vote of 15 to 9, that the question should be taken on Dr. Muir's motion and Mr. Candlish's; when there appeared: For Dr. Muir's, 14; for Mr. Candlish's, 121. The announcement of numbers was received with loud cheers and clapping of hands by persons in the body and galleries of the Tolbooth Church, where the Commission sat. Protests against the decision were presented on behalf of the Strathbogie Presbytery, and by six members of the Assembly; also by the agent of the Presbytery: the latter declaring that each and all of the parties accessory to the vote just recorded should be held liable for the damage inflicted on the suspended ministers, by proceedings "arbitrary, illegal, oppressive, and in evident contempt of the law of the land."

17.—At a meeting of the Court of Aldermen, one of the Sheriffs intimates that a writ had been served upon him while sitting on the Bench, intimating they would be held liable if they executed the process against Hansard.

20.—Indian promotions gazetted: Lord Auckland to be Earl; Sir John Keane, Baron of Ghuznee; and Macnaghten and Pottinger, Baronets. Several others were created Knights and C.B.'s.

— The Home Secretary writes to the Mayor of Birmingham acquitting the magistrates of any wilful neglect of duty during the riots of July.

22.—Strathbogie case. The Court of Session having granted an interdict on the application of the Rev. J. Cruickshank, and the six other ministers, members of the Strathbogie Presbytery, suspended by the Commission of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the ministers who were appointed in conformity with the Assembly's order were thereby formally prohibited from entering the churches, churchyards, or school-houses, or in any manner interfering with the legal rights of the suspended ministers. In defiance, however, of this injunction, an exciting attempt was made this day (Sunday) to execute the sentence of suspension pronounced by the Commission of the General Assembly against two members of the Strathbogie presbytery, the ministers of Mortlach and Keith.

23.—The republic of Hayti accedes to the conventions of November 30th, 1831, and