17 FEBRUARY 1844, Page 8

Zbe .ftletropolis.

A Court of Common Council was held on Thursday, for the despatch of business. A report was presented, stating that the purchase of Bank Buildings had been completed. Mr. R. L. Jones also said that negotia- tions had been entered into with Government to cooperate in throwing the East end of the Royal Exchange more open to view. Alderman Humphery was unanimously elected Governor, and Mr. William Jones Deputy-Governor, of the Irish Society,

Mr. Richard Oastler waS liberated l'rOns prison on Monday, after an incarceration of three years and three months. His liabilities, con- sisting of his debt to Mr. Thornhill, with 600/. for interest and law-ex- penses, amounted to 3,300/ ; a public subscription in his behalf had realized 2,5001.; twelve gentlemen, including Lord Feversham, Mr. Walter, and Mr. Ferrand, had made themselves answerable for the balance ; and the whole sum was paid. A committee repaired to the Queen's Prison with the order for liberation, and escorted Mr. Oastler to the British Coffeehouse in Cockspur Street ; where he was received by a meeting of his friends. A general distribution of thanks took place ; and Mr. Oastler averred that he went forth a free man, with a determination to prove that he was worth the dear purchase which had been paid for his liberty.

In the Court of Common Pleas, on Monday, Mr. Manta, M.P., ob- tained a verdict in a long-pending action against Mr. Foster and others, for infringement of his patent in the making of metal sheathing for ships. The Jury returned the pro forma verdict of 40s. damages ; the object being to decide the question of right.

In the Court of Queen's Bench, on Thursday, Mr. Coppock, the well- known Parliamentary agent, obtained 2501. damages, in an action against Mr. Southee, a surgeon, and some other persons, who had vio- lently assaulted him at Cambridge, while collecting evidence in support of the petition against Mr. Fitzroy Kelly's return.

In the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, Lieutenant Duncan Trevor Grant stood a trial under an indictment for aiding and abetting Alexander Thompson Munro in the wilful murder of David Lynar Fawcett, on the 1st July last. The statement of the case and the evi- dence were precisely similar to what has been familiarized to the public in the proceedings at the Coroner's inquest, the Police-court, and the trials of Mr. Gulliver and Captain Cuddy. In the interval, Mr. Grant had shaved off his mustachios, which made some of the witnesses doubtful as to his identity ; but that was fully proved by Mr. Gulliver and others. His counsel, Mr. Wilkins, contended that there was no evidence to support the charge, or to show more than that he had been seen on the ground, possibly as a mediator. Mr. Wilkins, hinting that his own services were gratuitous, stated that Mr. Grant had lost a va- luable Government situation, and had been deserted by his friends; and so far had he been reduced, that but for the kindness of a true friend he would not that day have worn a decent coat. After consulting for a few minutes in their box, the Jury returned a verdict of " Not guilty."

At the Mansionhouse, yesterday, Barber and the other prisoners in the eases of the will-forgeries, were again examined, and again re- manded for a fortnight.