"Before J. Deane, Esq.
"Hawking Without A License.—Michael Derley was brought up in custody, charged with selling mats without a license. The accused did not deny the charge, but contended that he had a right to do so, as he manufactured the articles himself. He had done the same thing in hundreds of towns, and had never before been interrupted; he had his mother and brother to support, both of whom were deaf and dumb.
"Mr. Deane inquired if the prisoner had been cautioned, and on receiving a reply in the affirmative (from P. C. Morgan) intimated that he could not allow the statement of the prisoner to influence his decision. The tradesmen of the town, as well as persons taking out licenses for hawking, must be protected, and he (the prisoner) must pay a fine of £10, or go to prison for seven days.
"The prisoner requested Mr. Deane to inform him under what Act he was committed.
"Mr. Deane declined to give the information.
"The Clerk to the prisoner—You can find that out when you get to gaol."
Is there any mistake here? Was it for stealing mats that the prisoner was committed instead of being sent to gaol for selling them? If not, does there exist a law so atrocious as to warrant his committal?—if there is no such law, breathes there such a magistrate as Mr. Deane? And does Mr. Deane continue to hold a place on the Bench?
The poor man appears to have had a judge, as well as a mother and a brother, afflicted with deafness, if not dumb. Mr. Deane was deaf to his appeal for mercy, and dumb when challenged to justify his punishment. We cannot say, we hope that Derley obtained the information which he was so kindly informed that he might seek for in gaol. If no Act existed to warrant his incarceration, he would have a legal remedy for what morally, at any rate, was a false imprisonment.
DEBATE ON THE HUDSON QUESTION.
(By slight Anticipation.)
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT—Monday, 13th February, 1854.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships met at 5, but rose immediately, in order to afford various Peers an opportunity of hearing what was going on elsewhere.