In a leading article, this morning, the Tiorres arraigns the
conduct of LOI+1 John Russell, in con:nutting the punishment of William Smith, sentenced to Seven years' transportation at the Nurthanaitooshire Qoarter.sessions in April, to three months' imprieurinient in Maui,: Peoitentiary. Smith's offence was stealing and destroying his father's svi!!. When the commutation of punishment became known, Mr. Wairins, the committing Alegistrare, wrote to I r. Curt wright, the (.1.,:irman of tl:e Northamptonshire Magistrates, on the subject ; Mr. hatwright applied to the Home Office, to know why the sentence had been altered without nay communication with the Magistrate.'? aIr. Fox Ilaule, iii teply, ecet an extract from a letter of a Dr. Watson to Lord John Russell, to the effect that the prisoner had committed the utforree "irfahe tortured heat of the moment ;" that he had evinced great car:nil-ion, and was suffering severely in health rind spirits; and that he, Dr. Watson, concurred with the prosecutor in wishing the punishment to he alleviated. A letter from Mr. Wilkins is published in the Times, contradicting these statements : Dr. Watson, it is said, had nothing whatever to do with the prosecution ; the offence was proved to have been premeditated and concerted with two of the prisoners' brothers; very unhappy consequences have been occasioned by the Smiths' cooduct ; the prisoner's health was not suffering. There is also a letter from John Green, the prosecutor, stating distinctly, that, when applied to, he pfimed to sign it petition in favour of Smith. Under these citcumstances, the Magistrates, at the October Sessions, thotight right to pass a resolution expressive of surprise at the conduct of Lord John Russell, in acting upon the commtnrication of Dr. Watson without consulting them. A statement of the whole case was also sent to the Home Office ; but no further notice of tire affair has beea taken by Lord Juba Russell.
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