South Wales Daily News

IHrfhs, jtoriages, and deaths. v- Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths are inserted in the SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS at a charge of One Shilling each, which must be prepaid. MARRIAGE. STACEY—FORD.— On March 6, at St. Mary's Church, Cardiff, by the Rev. J. W. Osman, Mr. James Stacey, of Cardiff, to Miss Agnes Ford, of Slirewton, Wiltshire.

NOTICE. Letters and other communications intended for publication in this journal should be authenticated by the name of the writer, and addressed to the EDITOR. Rejected MS. cannot be returned. Orders for advertisements or copies of the paper, and other strictly business communications, should be addressed to the MANAGER, SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS Office, Cardiff. Post Office Orders should be made payable to MESSRS. DUNCAN AND JTONS, 11, St. Mary-street, Cardiff.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Letters to ensure insertion must be concisely written, and upon one side of the paper only. We desire to impress upon our representatives and friends the absolute necessity of sending in their reports immediately, so that they may appear upon the morning of the day following that on which the events transpire.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1872. THE question has yet to be answered, who is to blame for the misinterpretation and break-down of the Washington Treaty >. The indignant language made use of by Ministers on the first night of the session, and the temper which was exhibited on that occasion, would almost lead one to imagine that there was a consciousness of error on the part of those who are immediately concerned in the negotiation. It is too soon to condemn. We must hear all sides before we venture to give judgment in such a case. Most persons admit that the indirect claims themselves are unreason- able, and that the Americans have made a great mistake in preferring them. But, whether this be so or not, it will be necessary soon to know how it was that such an important element in the Treaty escaped the notice of our Commissioners, and how it was that the knowledge of this element came upon us like a surprise. The negotiators sent over were men of standing. Two of them were statesmen of considerable mark the others were shrewd and intelligent, if not decidedly learned. No one would class them as diplomatists of the CASTLEREAGH school, yet no one would, for a moment, have thought them incapable of detecting double entendre, or of checking every effort at over-reaching. To put the circumstances in the most charitable light, it must be urged against them that they trusted with too implicit a confidence in the honour of those with whom they had to deal. Above reproach them- selves, they overlooked the possibility of its existence on the other side. It is another proof that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. Even between brothers it is desirable to have everything straightforward. How much more be- tween nations which regard each other, to some extent, as rivals! Yet loose phraseology and loop-holes were undetected by the honest though unwary negotiators, who thought they had achieved a great diplomatic triumph for their country. Granting, however, the possibility of the Com- missioners being deceived, what is to be said on behalf of the accredited Minister at Wash- ington, who not only knew the particulars of the Treaty as it was being prepared, but was after- wards on the spot, and therefore able to watch every movement respecting it ? What of Lord LYONS 1 We have already said that we are un- willing to condemn until we know more of the details of the case. Yet, assuredly, if our Minister at Washington failed to communicate what was brewing against the Treaty to our Government, he is much to blame. It is possible, of course, that he kept the Foreign Office well informed from the first of everything that transpired. But, then, how was it that the indirect claims fell like a thunder- bolt amongst our politicians ? What we know seems incompatible with common sense as well as with public duty. Are we to imagine that the surprise and indignation shown by Ministers were feigned 1 That they had been put into possession of the facts long before the news burst upon the country ? These are mysteries the nation wants to have explained, and the replies, we hesi- tate not to anticipate, will reflect very little credit on those concerned in the negotiation. How- ever much we may be in the right, our national character in a diplomatic sense will be injured in the estimation of the world. On points known to be vital to those we were negotiating with, we dis- j played a carelessness and bungling which would have been inexcusable in the merest tyros of state- craft. The mistake imperils the relationship of the two countries, and tears open afresh a wound which we had all looked upon as half healed. How- ever patriotic we may feel in the matter, we are all convinced that mistakes have been made, and that the blame must be fastened on those who have been guilty of committing them. Honour was not withheld, neither should blame be and if punishment is to be measured by the consequences it will go hard in deed with the culpable parties.

THE Tichbome Romance is nearly at an end, the Claimant has come to grief, his bonds are not at a premium in the market, and the great trial will shortly become a mere matter of history. Among the records of judicial proceedings the case will always hold a prominent place, not only on account of the stupendous nature of the deception attempted to be practised, and the magnitude of the interests involved, but as affording an instance of the fluctuating state of public feeling, when once excitement is raised be- yond an ordinary height. At first everybody said that the Claimant must be the real SIMON PURE, that no one could possibly know so much about TICHBORNE without he was really the man, and that he was deserving of the compassion and sym- pathy of all who took an interest in badly-injured and wrongfully-used victims of malignant fortune. With varying effect this condition of things existed for six months, and it was only when the ATTOR- NEY-GENERAL, in January, opened his speech to the jury by emphatically declaring the Claimant to be a liar, a perjurer, a thief, and a villain," that public confidence began to be materially shaken in his claims. The verdict, however, has now gone against him the stake for which lie played has been lost his acceptances and 'promissory notes are, we fear, worth rather less than greenbacks or Pensylvania bonds his friends by this time are beginning to express their conviction of his utter worthlessness; rueful countenances attest the weight of disappointment which greedy usurers feel, and the 'famous Claimant now lies in Newgate awaiting his trial on a charge, of perjury, with the Country for a prosecutor, and the ATTORNEY- GENERAL ready to prepare the indictment! With the confidence which an ascertained fact ever gives to assertion, many will now declare that they had a strong suspicion regarding the integrity of his statements, that grave doubts had always existed in their minds, and that, in point of fact, they never altogether believed him to be the man he represented himself to be. This sort of sagacity is invariably developed by incidents of such a cha- racter, although it cannot be regarded as having a beneficial effect in supplementing the wisdom of a nation. Nevertheless, we shall have nu- merous manifestations of it, in one shape or another, and several of our contemporaries have already, as it were, nodded in imitation of BUR- LEIGH, or shaken their heads significantly in tes- timony of the immense amount of knowledge which they possessed or the tremendous revelations they could have made, if only it had been prudent, with the fear of the Court before their eyes, to do so. No one, however, has come to the front with an avowal of the name of the individual yesterday committed to Newgate. Cannot some of these jour- nalists tell us 1 Is he really CASTRO, or ORTON or "any other man?" Surely something sensational might be strung together on this point. Conjectural evi- dence would gladly be received in the Court of Public Opinion. Let us hope that the thing will not fall flat, and that just at the time when people were beginning to get tired of the trial their curiosity may be aroused and stimulated anew As for Judge, Jury and Bar, they will naturally rejoice. All classes have been much interested in the trial, and owe a debt of gratitude to the officials who played so conspicuous a part in providing excitement for them. We trust that they will enjoy the ease they have earned, and that a special Act of Parliament will be passed exempting the historical Eleven from serving on any jury again. 'Relieved also of an incubus, the Press will be more free to deal with topics of general in- terest, at greater length than of late has been pos- sible, while the juvenile heir, and Mrs. RADCLIFFE, and the various members of the family whom the false Claimant sought to deprive of their own, may rest assured that they have the sympathy of the public in the needless cost of liti- gation, pain, and trouble, enforced upon them, by the action of one who must be regarded as either the most unfortunate of men, or the greatest impos- tor of this or any other age.,

CONTEMPORARY OPINION." Oar contemporary, the Mail, leaving the region of apology, has entered that of contradiction. Having, in the first instance, denied the authority of our statement which it has since been compelled to admit essentially correct, we are now informed that the marriage of the Marquis of BUTE will not take place in the "second" week of April, but on the 16th" of that month. The public will be pleased to learn our contemporary thinks it has at length succeeded in finding out the precise day on which the rite is to be solemnised, and many will doubtless be grateful to us for having galvanised the Mail into activity, respecting a matter which its readers might reasonably suppose would have been brought within its ken, long before we ventured to call attention to the auspicious event. We are also favoured with another vague contradiction. Earl BROWNLOW is not acquainted with the Marquis of BUTE, and has not been appointed one of his Trustees. So says the Mail, in giving contradiction to the rumour" to which, in common with many other people, we gave passing credence. What a pity it is that our contem- porary, who affects to watch over the noble house of which Lord BUTE is the head, should slumber at its post, and fail to keep the public correctly informed upon all points of interest connected with that ancient family! Even now the Mail hesitates to affirm that Earl BEAUCHAMP, and not Earl BROWNLOW, has been nominated to the post of Trustee. With characteristic modesty, it is content with stating that the latter nobleman is not acquainted with the Marquis of BUTE." Surely something more might well be ex- pected of so influential a journal! However, we will do our best to keep the public informed upon subjects which they may justly expect to be made acquainted with; and should we now and then fall into error, or aim wide of the mark, no great harm can accrue to the Daily Newq, if the Mail chooses to exercise the pre- rogative of contradiction in a way which will render supplementary apology needless in its columns.

THE AFFAIRS OF ME. BATCHELOR. But for an erroneous statement having been made by our daily contemporary, we should have been content to leave all matters connected with the financial diffi- culties of a highly respected townsman to arise in the natural order of things, and according to the legal pro- cess of action common in such cases. As, however, there is no ground whatever for stating that Mr. BATCHELOR'S failure is due to losses occasioned by reckless trading, or that his estate will go into bank- raptcy, we deem it right, in the interests of all parties, to lay the circumstances before the public, undistorted by prejudice or exaggerated by pique. The fact is that Mr. BATCHELOR, on Tuesday, filed his own petition in the Cardiff County Court, for liquidation of his affairs by arrangement or composition with his creditors. We have no desire to enter fully into particulars, but wo may be permitted to state that his hiends deeply sym- pathise with him in the misfortune which, after pro- digious and unremitting industry, has at length over- taken him, and a feeling of regret exists that lie did not avail himself of the benefit of the Act in 18GG, when, during the fiscal panic which overthrew so many houses, his position was considerably shaken. At that period the firm is alleged to have sustained a clear loss of from X13,000 to £ 14,00:), by reason of the sudden collapse of SAVIN and COMPANY; the Contract Corporation (Limited), and SMITH, KNIGHT and Co. Impressed with the desirability of meeting his liabilities in full, and prompted by motives based upon sterling integrity, Mr. BATCHELOR pursued an uphill and arduous career I in the hope of surmounting his difficulties. That ho has been obliged to succumb at last is by no means surprising, when we call to mind the numerous instances in which indomitable persever- ance and unswerving rectitude, have failed to rescue honest men plunged into difficulties not of their own making. The gross liabilities are set down at about E44,000, of which 919,000 only are due outside his own family. It may be added that at least 1:35,000 j of this amount consists of old debts incurred by the late firm of which Mr. BATCHELOR was a member. No doubt many of his troubles have arisen out of the perplex- ities which ever attend litigation, but nothing can. be attributed either to negligence, rashness, or wild speculation. Indeed, if any proof were required of the truth of what we assert, we might point to the fact that many local firms, whose claims are heavy, occupy tho foremost rank among his warmest friends at this de- pressing juncture of his life. It simply remains to add that the meeting of creditors will be held at the offices of Messrs. BARNARD, THOMAS, CLARKE and Co., Cardiff, on Thursday, the 28th instant, that there are grounds for believing a satisfactory proposal will be made and accepted, and that the inherent vitality of the busines.4 which Mr. BATCHELOR has so long carried on, will be j found to be unimpaired. f

PONTYPRIDD HIGHWAY BOARD, No. 2. The usual monthly meeting of the above Board wag held on Wednesday, in the Board-room, the n.. W. Williams, chairman. TAFF VALE RAILWAY BRIDGE. IF Mr. MADDICKS brought the state of the railway over the road at the Pontypridd station, to the n^10" of the Board. The wet and droppings from the bria^ were a source of much annoyance to the passongerSi y 11 and many complaints had been made respecting thff nuisance. The Clerk had written to the Tail Vale: authorities, and promises had been made to abate the causes of complaint. Nothing of importance had beeU done; and, in fact, to the last letter sent, no reply had as yet been received. • The CHAIRMAN thought the cause of complaint could not be called a nuisance, and suggested that no further notice should be taken of the matter. A woman from Llantrissant made a personal com- plaint about a certain house in that parish. She wa referred to the Vestry. The Surveyor then brought to the notice of the board an encroachment on the road by the Llantwik Main Colliery Company. The Company was also bound to build a wall, separating their works from tW road. The Clerk was ordered to call the attention of! the company to the matter. v BRIDGE AT EFAIL ISAF. On the motion of Mr. Jenkins, Ystradbar-.vig, tlld question of erecting a bridge over the brook at tlO | above place was postponed for inquiry. NEW BRIDGE, HOPKINSTOWN. Major LEE stated that he and Mr. Thomas, Llanl bradoch, purposed erecting a bridge over the Ilhondda at the old Ford, Hopklustown. He was anxious th:1 the old road should be repaired. It was agreed to refe the mattar to the parish vestry. Mr. REYNOLDS considered that the Board had bool treated uncourteously by the Tail Vale Eailwav CotOf panv. Mr. PENN said, the road under the bridge^ aiwi tb bridge itself, in wet weather, was a nuisan&& «} a ver; annoying character. j The Clerk was instructed to request i$na Compad f once more to attend to the matter. f The CHAIRMAN then suggested the ez^adiency of hfl^j I ing a paved footpath for the purpose keeping the* [ feet dry, as the droppings from the bridge affected tbei^ heads. Mr. REYNOLDS could not see the Jorce of the suggef tion, as long as the bridge was in its present condition Mr. PENN thought that a pitching should be laid doWf across the tram-road. Major LEE on entering the Board Room had M • attention called by the Chairman to the proposition J lay a pavement under the bridge. He thought tA most effective step to take would be to line the btido with zinc, a confirmation of Mr. Maddicks' view higbli gratifying to that active guardian. PARISH BALANCES. The following amounts stand to the credit of undermentioned parishes Eglwysilan £ 349: Lla»tr sant, i'283 Llantwit Vardre, £ 526. —

The Committee of the Congregational Union of VIA land and Wales, on Tuesday, unanimously adopted resolution, approving of some of the features in > Scotch Education Bill, but objecting to those provisi015! j of the measure which violate the principles of religi00 I equality.. j.. J