The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-09 00:00:00

THE GREAT ROBBERY ON BANK PAPER.

(castinued from yesterday's lzpre.)

Br. Sbenton Wenger, one of the miassiss partnere at
the mills at Laventoke, depend that the krVYer of the
*saner Brewer had been the principal mould maker in the
establishment for ten years, and the primmer Richard
Brewer came into the service in 1856, and wee employed to
smut his brother in making the moulds for the Bank note
peper. The prisoner formerly lived et Whitchurch, but in
1860 be ranee to live in the cottage that appeared
1 anon the plan before the court. The witless
then gave a minute description of the mill pee-
mixes, and explained to the court which portions the
prisoner Brewer would have a right to go to in the proper
performance
taisneciniiilii.hwisedreuty..t
work upon
onn I..oFmttat 'nkJnuly.
ote
paper. upon which notes of any denomination might be
I printed, and upon rupee paper. The key that bed been
alluded to during the trial ca having been lint was a muter
key, and it would open nearly all the doors in the mills,
and among them the north door, which would give somas to
the packing room, where the Bank note paper was kept.
The prisoner Richard Brewer had no right to have such a
key in his possesses. After mill boar. the gates were
locked, and he remembered upon one occasion that the
prisoner asked him to lend him his key, and he once caked
for permission to remain in the mould mom after the mill
wee locked up. Witness told him that if be did so be
should stop with him. When the prisoner asked him to
lend him his key he went with him to the mould man, and
came hack with him and locked thedoor after him. In the
working of the mills there was always some deficiency of the
paper from tearing and carelessness, but in 1862 the defi-
ciency increased no much that it led to an inquiry, and the
result was the discovery that a very considerable quantity
of Bask note perm had been stolen from the premises. The
model of a small machine found at the boon of the ppreitsosonoeerr
was shown to the witness, and he said that it was oslculated
to perform some procru connected with paper making upon
paper of the size of Bank note paper.

In answer to questions put by Serjeant Sallantine, the
'vitae= said that Brewer wee always oossidered a very clever
sad • very respectable man, and he had suggested several
improvements in paper making. He believed that if he
had been eo minded he could easily have have made • key
himself, without taking the trouble of eanding up to Loudon
to have one made like it.

—B7ll;.Pater—Wiiness never heard of any of the Bank
note paper or the rupee paper being found concealed in any
part of the mill premises during the year 1861.
Mr. E. Dusantoy, another partner in the firm, proved
that he lost the key that had been alluded to in 1868. It
was, master key, and would open almost every door apes
the premises. Nothing more was heard of the missing key
until September, 1862, when it was found in the engine-
room door. _ .

6;v-e-Wamined—The carpeeter Brown would only be
entitled to have one key in ltia pomession to open his air-
penter's shop. The nester key would open this shop, and
he had heard that Brown's key would open the north door,
and when that door was open a person could readily ob-
tain access to the paper. The older Brown was not dismiased
immediately the key wee found, but an investigation took
place, and the result of that inveatigatios was that he was
discharged from the service. The prisoner Brown complied
a very small home under Mr. Portal!, for which he paid 101.
• year.
Roexammed —At the time old Brown was discharged
there was not the elighteet suspicion entertained of the pri-
mmer Brewer. He believed that when the investigation
took place about the key, Hoary Brown was suspected, and
on amount of his connection with his father it was thought
that the latter might have had something to do with the
loss of the key, and he was discharged.
Arthur Ilatithetece, an engineer employed at the mills,
proved that dor* the year 1862 he had seen Brewer upon
the premises after all the workpeople had left, and when
all the premises were locked up.
In cross-examination this witness mid that Henry Brown
and hie father nod frequently $o atop in the carpenter's
ahop for 110610 time after the Wier wcrkpeople had left.
Two or three other withers* were then called, who also
deposed to the prisoner Brewer having been seen by them
several those upon the premises so late as half-past eight
o'clock in the evening, and the court adjourned.
The jury were taken, as on the previous day, to the Lon-
don Coffee-home, and they will not be allowed to espacate
until the trial is concluded. The cuss for the prosecution is
not yet dosed, but there are not many mere witamees to be
examined.

THE GREAT FRAUDS UPON rHs UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT.

(From the New York tenting Express of Dec. 26, 1862.)
The recent heavy frauds by contractors who fur-
nished rations to the soldiers in this city, led to the ap-
poiotment of Mr. Oleo= as a speciil commissioner to tans-
tigate the circumstamen otimseeted with each on,, in whizli
the government was swindled. The commission was merely
intended to collect evidence to bring the guilty to punishment
, in the ordinary courts, if civilians. The military officers who
are involved in the frauds an .to be the subjects ot court-
martiaL Com IllialliODOT Olcott haying kindly invited the mere-
ben of the press to his office this afternoon, to note the
prog,ess made in the investigation, furnished each reporter
present with the basis of the following report —" The nom.
mission wu opened on the let of November. since which
time nearly two hundred witonmes have been examined.
The interpreters, • Secretary who has take. notes of the
examination in short hand, several e wiles and detectives
have been employed. The Mlle examined were those pre-
sented ostensibly for the board sad lodging cif troops
cuirs to their being sworn into the United
service, and formed into companies. For
this object 20.000,000 dole. were appropriated under
the heading, for recruiting, organising, and drilling
soldier, into the United States services." The frauds
which Yr. Olcott succeeded in bringing into public light
are of • startling character, which thew that there was •
coespiracy C0'1,1;410 the government be several of its sworn
agents, who may be numbered by hundreds. It was not
*Mil after the oommeseement of the present year that the
frauds which are the subject of the present investigation
°centred. In the spring of ibis year the swindling was ex-
tensive, se at that time there were numerous squads
of troops scattered over the city who were not
mustered into the service of the United States for some
time. There are two classes of contractors—one who buy
se agreement with the State authorities or United States,
by proposals, to furnish soldiers with rations—the other,
the special contractors, who provide squads of men newly
rerouted, and not organised into companies or mustered
late the United States services, with board and lodging.
The !mods belong to the latter class and their abettors.
As soon as the comminios was opened, Mr. Otrott met to
the Disbursing odies and obtained all bills over 100 dole.
for lodging and subsisting troops. The commialooer
then had the contractors brought before him, when
in many instances the startling discovery was
made that the names of many of this elam had
been foiled on the necessary tepese to obtain the amount of
the fraudulent bills. In may instances the names of pri-
vate citizens who were in no way connected with '
for the troops were placed on the necessary pipers ;ad
the amounts thus fortified were at once paid. The =Testi-
gatiou, so far, has disclosed the fact that the frauds can-
mowed in the following manner. A large number
of ccetnickes, who waited in vain for weeks and
=oaths at the Disbursing-office to receive the amount of
their bills, were compelled to sell them to broken. This
eireuesstassee opened a sew avenue for the thrift of the
LINT elms, and they soon employed agents to run round
the small contractors of this city and pnrchase their bills
at about 25 per cent. discount The claimant' way
principally lager beer saloon-keepers, with whom the
soldiers had boarded. When one of the German con-
tractors would endeavour to get his bill =shed by •
broker, the broker would state there were anent infor-
malities in it, tear it up, and prepare • new one. If
the amount was, say, 25 dollars, the Molter would alter
it to 2.500 dollars, and having the contractor's signature,
obtain the amount without any questions being asked at the
Disbursing-office. Over 1,000 pavans ere at present im-
plicated, and the innetigatios hie not yet hew closed.
Over 50 per cont. of the six millions of dollars which has
alrendy bees spout oat of the fund of 20,000,000 dollars is
supposed to have been paid cu fraudulent claims throughout
the country.

Tex Bnufnwo or 'MR PLYMOUTH MIAMI. —A
survey of the Plymouth Theatre, Aasembly Rooms, sod
Royal Hotel was made on Wednesday by the town surveyor
in behalf of the corporation. The damage caused by the
fire is estimated at 5,5001. The grand entrance is., indeed,
as has already been stated, one mass of debris. But though
the entranos, ladies' dressing room. refreshment room, and
other rooms immediately concocted areal! goes, the intericr
of the theatre remains to a very large extent uninjured.
The premevation of the building is to be ascribed to the
good genius of Pouhoton, the architect. He designed
an iron roof, which the trial hex proved to be
capable of bidding defiance to the ravages of a eosin.
gration. It is formed of hoop iron, arranged 'is a honey-
comb form, sod of surprising strength. Though the
flames were on all sides, it stood the Met. and was mainly
instrumental in stopping the flames from spreading over the
other parte. The seats in the gallery were all destroyed,
but here again the wrought-iron girders did good service.
Mr. Elliott, builder, who had au intimate knowledge re-
vmtiog the cooetructiou of the theatre, knowing these
facts, directed the efforts of the enginemen in a manser
which very materially helped to save the place from farther
destruction. The upper and lower boxes are not injund,
and the seats which were removed from the latter are
nearly as good al ever. The pit and stalls only
want cleaning to be again ready for occupants.
It was at first supposed that the fire and water
together bad so damaged the mosses, and other
stage properties bad been so completely spoiled, that
eves if the theatre was repaired is time for performanme
divine the present mum a reproduction of the Christmas
pantomime would be an imp... Ohio feat Mr. Newcombe
finds that by employing all his resources he will be able to
ones MOTS afford the public an opportunity of main it. and
that in as almost inoredibly short apace of time. Ibe
hes positively ansoitaced his intentioa ot aerie opening the
theatre oa Monday amt. He has chosen—bovine referee°,
to the calamity—se the first piece Su/udder throwgh the
Muds,— Western Nov sing News.
OATMEAL PALAO3...--ONI SHILLUIO DAY.—THUSI-
DAT, Jax. B.—Admieskisa es pelymmet, 4,070 ; by
seem What; Iv7BB ; MIA 5,4511.

tab) Intdligmte.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.—JAN. 8.
(Before Mr. Commission(' Conlimns.)
IN EN JOISZPH VIM&

The bankrupt was an auctioneer, of Clapham. This was
the adjourned sitting for discharge. The unsecured debts
are 20 39/. ; assets sufficient for a dividend of 4s. in the
pound.
Mr. bargood supported ; Mr. It. Griffiths opposed for the
and Mr. Laurasia for creditors.
The bankrupt, in examination, admitted that be had re-
ceived 280/.. the proceeds of a sale of property which be-
longed to Mr. Thomas Evans, another auctioneer. The
money had been paid into his own account at Messrs.
Currie's ; afterwards it had gone into the hands of Mr.
White, the bankrupt's accountant, with a view to an
arrangement with his creditors ; but proceedings in bank.
lanky having been taken at the same time, the money was
handed over to the official assignee.
Mr. Griffiths submitted that the case was one of great
hardship on Mr. Evaos, the assignee, who had been ruined
by the proceedings of the bankrupt. andhad been compelled
to pass through the court. He had however,. obtained his
order of discharge without the slightest opposition.
His Honour doubted whether this conduct on the part of
the bankrupt came within any of the offence* specified in
the act.

--itrTorillitlis submitted that it wee a cane of obtaining
money without probable means of repaying it. Bankrupt was
alsoopen to the charge of extravagant expenditure, having
spent upwards of 1,4001. in the two years preceding his
bankruptcy. The assignees hoped that the court would
exercise its power of imprisoning the bankrupt for twelve
months.

11;.fiargood denied that there was in reality any charge
agaisetibe bankrupt. He could not be accused of contract-
ing debts without the probability of payment when he was
carrying on a business which brought hun in 1,7001. a year
gross profits. Being pressed in other quarters, be had celled
a meeting of creditors with a view to decide whether be
should repay Mr. Evanes money ; but before this could be
done Mr. Evans had obtained an adjudication, and the bank-
rupt could then do nothing. He had taken counsel's
opinion as to the °nurse he nlit tors puue.
His Honour reserved his judgment.

The bankrupt was a merchant and shipowner of Nicholas.
lane and of Hull. This was the adjourned examination
sitting, but the accoanta have not yet been filed. The
liabilities are in round numbers 600,000!. Another adjourn-
ment was taken by consent.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

NEW COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice Keating.)

Upon the application of Mr. fierjeast Bollantine, with
whom was Mr. Sleigh, the cues of George Hutton, a ship-
owner at Liverpool, and Jansen Berta', mariner, who were
indicted for conspiring to defraud the Universal Marino A...-
sonnee Company of the sum of 8001., were postponed until
the next sessions.
After some remarks from Mr. Britt, Q.C., with whom
was Mr. M'Culloch, and also from Mr. Giffard, who ac-
peered for the prisoner Herds, it was arranod that the
accused parties should be admitted to bail to meat the
charge, and his lordship consented, the primmer Sortie's
friend being in Liverpool, to the boil being taken therm
William Collier, shoemaker, who yesterday pleaded
guilty to an indictment for an smelt upon Mary Bsisabetb,
his wife, and also to another charging him with attempting
to cut his own throat, was brought up for sentence.
His lordship, after remarking upon the groaner of the
teem sentenced him to one month 'a imprisonment for the
attempt.upon his own life, and eight month. for the as-
sault upon his wife • the second imprisonment to com-
mence at the termination of the first ; and also to And sure-
ties, himself in 1001. and two is 501. each, to keep the
peace, end in the event of set being able to And the
sureties to be further imprisoned for three months.

Reedit' Stone, 22, seaman, Louie Late. 26. IMIJOSII, and
Henry rancia, 22, seaman, were indicted foe feloniously
killing sad slaving William Curti'.
Mr. Daly conducted the prosecution, and the prisoners
were defended by Mr. Sleigh.
The particulars of this case have been vm7 recently given,
and it would appear that the deceased bad hem shipped as
cook and steward, at Belize, Honduras, on board • vessel
boned to London, and of which the prisoner Randall Stows
was the captain. The vessel had a short complement of
hands, and it appeared that on her peerage borne she
esoonntered some very rough weather, and wee in to leaky
• condition that all heads were compelled to work at
the pumps, and amongst them the deceased, who was
in • every weak sod feeble state. It was also stated that
in consequence of the deceased being unable to perform
the duties required, the captain and the other two pri-
soners had ill-treated him, and frequently flagged him
with a piece of cow-hide. This, together with expontre to
the cold, and the feeble state in which the deceased was,
had tendered him so ill that he only lived a fortnight
after the vessel's arrival io Loudon, and from the state-
merits which he made an inquiry was instituted. A post
mortem examination of the body was then held, when it was
I found that the deceased bad been suffering from pleurisy :
there were also marks of ill-usage about the body, but none
of very recent date, and some appearing to have been caused
zosetchlenttin fte4tlriog, together with exposure to the air and

Mr. 6siy; as the conclusion of his address, said that he
did sot think there were any fade in the came to warrant
him in pressing it spied the prisoners Law and Francis,
and an acquittal was thereupon taken.
The case against the captain was then proceeded with,
and the medical evidence, which was given at some length,
did not prove that the appearance of the body was such
as to warrant the concludes that the unfortunate lad had
suffered any further privations than seamen are generally
exposed to, and those hardships, acting upon a debditated
frame, had hastened his end.
The medial gentlemen examioed were Drs. Edmuade and
Bristow, and his lordship, after hearing the evidence of the
latter gentleman, said be did not thick it would be thew.
Nary for the counsel for the defence to address the jury, and
in add/easing them himself, he said that the case was a
very proper one for inquiry, and had been well conducted,
sad in the case of the other two prisoners the indictments
had been very properly withdrawn. With regard to the
captain, he thought that after what the medical gentlemen
had stated, it would be difficult for them to say that it was
the 111-usage of the prisoner which had caused the death.
Deceased had no doubt been exposed to the inclemency
ci the weather by the captain's ceders, and such
an exposure upon land would have been, in
the deceased's state of health, altogether unjus-
tifiable ; but at sea it was different, and it would not
be possible to judge of a person's conduct at sea by the mea-
-1 net in which he might act on shore. It was evident that in
this case the vessel was short-handed, and they were, there-
' fore, in great defter of going to the bottom had sot all
hands been called to the pumps. Under these circumstances
be thought that the prisoner should be acquitted, but if the
1 jury wished it the learned counsel for the prisoner should
address them.

The jury, however, expressed themielee► perfectly satis-
fied, aed returned ► verdict of Acquittal.
THIRD COURT.
(Before the Common Serjeant.)

Ahem Coe, 19, labourer, and another man, were loaded
for dealing two mate, one waistood, one hat, a gold ring,
and other articles, also the sum of 154., the property of
Robed Elliott.

The jury having found both prisoners Guilty, they were
each sentenced to 18 months impriaonment with hard
labour.

Janes Rem, 42, servant. and Aferancier Reeve, 38,
teacher, were indicted for feloniously stealiig a watch of
the value of 61., together with 255. is mosey, from the me-
mo of William Hughes.
The jury found both primmer. Crafty, sad Hines protested
that he was innocent.
. _

The Common Sorrjeant. however, rid there was no
doubt m to his guilt, sad they were each sentenced to
twelve months' imprisoement.
FOURTH COURT.
(Before the Recorder.)

Arthur Newman, 42, dealer, was indicted for unlawfully
conspiring, together with one Richard Pearson, to defraud
Jeremiah Walton by obtaining from him goods to the value
of 1,0001.
Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Begley conducted the prosecution ;
and Mr. Kemp and Mr. Montague Williams defended the
primmer.
The cireumstaimes of this came have very recently been
tally detailed, so that it will be unnecessary to do more them
refer to the principal features. ft appeals that the •
bad been carrying on a eystem of fraud with several of the
Wass woollen manufactories in the north of Yorkshire.
He bad been in the habit of calling upon them, Pearson
boring preceded him, and representing him as a man of sub.
stases, and in this way they had obtained woollen goods to
the amount of upwar cf 4,0001. from nearly all the prig-
oipal woollen manufactories..

The jury, without hantatioe, found the prisoner Guilty,
and he woe then spin indicted for obtainiog. by false pre.
teem, the sum of IW. from Mr. Reginald Chummy, and
dives other mune, with intent to defend. la this Indenee,
the promentor is a retired officer of the Rise labs Oom-
peay's service, having a plea, of badness is the Opera
fjoloyeade. The prisoner represented to him that he use
empowered to sell the secret of makisg the oslebrated J. K.
Farina's eau-de-colopse, and he introduced an a/lamellae
whom he represeeted as a partner in the Ann of Farina
mod Co._ _

111ojory foood the prisooor Guilty, and he was ontrowed
to pond aervitudo for throe years.

[Advertieement.i— Elouovrar's OINTSDN'T AND
luxe.—Bad legs, bad resets, altars, abseessat, yeasts. and
sores of all kinds may be thoroughly healed W the appals:apes d
this Ointment 10 the puts ellseled after Owl have been deli
fonsseted with raven water. The discharge should not be
abashed at once, bat rather wouraged, for such sadden check
nest of coarse be always dangsrone. Nature is the noblest of
physicians, and roost net be but seconded. All sores
ass ler a thee the islet, valves the owlitalass, and should
net's eland or healed nagjeVarmas a tieslthfer character.
Under the action of this Olnistiswil, together with the
11lk the Milani 11111111111111 et We WOWS Irr MAO* removed