The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-16 00:00:00

THE GREAT SILK FRAUDS.

Smite Werner, a respectable looking man, described in
the calendar as being thirtyseven years of age and by
ferias an as agent, surrendered in discharge of his bail to
answer an indictment charging him with unlawfully con-
spiring with one thestart Sherman and one Lucien Inotow,
and by false pretence* obtaining from Nicolas Tanco
Armco and others, his partners, divers large quantities of
silk and other moods to the value of 25,000 i., with intent to
defraud. At last session the accused /animas and Flotow
pleaded guilty to the indictment, sad sentence upon them
was respited to the present session. The defendant
Werner pleaded not guilty, and was remanded on NW cull
this day.
Mr. Giffard, with whom was Mr. F. H. Lewis, conducted
the pro...rutin'', instructed by Mr. Ware n, the manager of
the Universal Mercantile Assocation, 73, Cheapside ; and
the defendant was defended by Mr. Metcalfe and Mr.
Orridge, instructed by Mr. Wontuer, juar.

From the opening statement of Mr. Ciffard, it appeared
that the prosecutors were bankers and general merchants,
carrying on their business in the Rue &Lifer, in Paris, and
that the defeodut bad early in the month of May in the
last year been engaged by the promeentors to come to Lon-
don to open a branch establishment is this metropolis as
their agent, at a salary equal to 2001. per annum, together
with a certain oommisioo on the sales he effected. He had
very extensive opportunities put into his hands by the pro-
secutors ; and, availing himself of those opportunities. be
effected ostensible sales of their goods to the amount in
value of between 30,000/. and 40,01104 The question which
was involved in the case would be whether or sot the jury,
after hearing the evidence, should be of opinion that the de-
Umlaut had combined and conspired with other persons to
let them have the goods of his employers, for which the
mimed purchasers never intended to pay, and that they
should divide their booty between them. The evidence
would necessarily be of a circumstantial character; for of
course no petson was present but themselves when
the conspiracy was concocted, and the arrange-
ments finally made ; and therefore the plunder could
sot be traced. It would, however, be found by
the jury that the defendant had dealt with his em-
ployers' property in a that was inconsistent with
hottest,- of purpose. It would be shown that the defendant
on entering the service had received written instructions as
to the manner in which he was to manage the affairs of the
London branch ; sod amoapt these instructions the de-
' fesdant was directed to certain firms to whom he was intro-
&used, including Messrs. Isaac sad Samuels, the London
backers of the prosecutors; Messrs. Beviogtou and Sons,
and other eminent City firms, for information as to the
rerponaibility of the parties with whom he had dealiogs, and
In was further required to supply his principals with regular
accounts of males as soon as each transaction had been
arranged. In consequeoce of information which reached
the prosecutors, iodic-ethic some irregularities in the mode
in which their bushier was conducted by the defendant,
be was written to, sod cautioned in writing to adhere to and
strictly observe the written instructions he bed received on
his appointmeet. To these letters of caution be replied by
stating that he had fulfilled all the instructions, and espe-
cially that he had referred in several instances (as directed)
to Messrs. Bevinifton. of Cannon-street, which it was swots
be had done. Two of the parties charged with being
impleinted with the defendant bad pleaded guilty, and ware
now awaiting sentence in ; the third, a person
name Allen, had abscooded. It would be established in
evidencethat the defendant bad bad consigned to him
by the prosecutors goods to the amount in value of
44000/. between May, 1863, whenhe was engaged, up
to his dismissal, is June, 1864, and that the pro-
secutors were sufferers to the extent mentioned in the
indictment.

Mr. Nicolas Teoco Armee°, one of the proeeeutora, was
then called, and, in hie examination by Mr. F. H. Lewis,
stated that he wee a banker and general merchant. in Paris,
and having a branch establishment at No. 117, Chespaide,
London. In May last year the prisoner bad been intro-
duced and strongly recommended to him, and he was
accordingly engaged to open and conduct the London
breech of the concern ; and accordingly the defendant left
Paris for London on the 26th of May, last year. His salary
and commission were arranged, and be was supplied with
written instructions as to his course of proceedings in the
conduct of the concern. From May, 1863, to December of
the same year, the defendant did very little Waives. ; but
in the latter end of that month he presented himself in
Paris, and told his employers that the business was
beginning to promise well, that he had begun to make
a good connection, and that the only thing he re-
quired to et lure success was to be supplied with a
stock of goods for the then forthcoming spring trade. He
added that be had brought two buyers with him, but that
they were too busy to spare time to be introduced to the
prosecutors. In consequence of this and other similar state-
meets, he (witness) instructed the defendant to go to Lyons
' to perchers silks, which be did to the amount of 16,0001.
Acting on the same authority, he bought in Switzerland
printed goods to the amount a 6,0001., in Paris he bought
silk plush to the value of 2,0001.. and patent leather to
the amount of 2,000/.. and these with other goods
amounting altogether to 30,000/. were forwarded direct to
the London branch, and in February the defendant
returned to London. In consequence of intelligence
that reached him from various quarters, and also
of the irregularities which existed in the defend-
sot's communications, the witness came to London,
to institute inquiries into the state of affairs, and these led
to the discovery that the prisoner Lheman had been supplied
by the defendant with goods belonging to the prosecutors
to the amouot of 13,000'.. to the absconded conspirator,
11,5004 ; and to Flatow, who already steeds coovicted,
goods to a very large amount. About 2,000 f. worth of pro-
perty has, however, been secured as Manchester. A volu-
minous mass of correspondence, all in the French language,
between the defendant and the prosecutors, was translated
by Mr. Albert, the interpreter. The accounts kept by the
defendant were also put is, and were described by the wit-
ness to be so unsatistzetory that he had been obliged to
employ a practical accountant to (mangers them and clear up
the mystery by which they appeared to be enveloped. Al
that examination the defendant was himself assisted by ea
accountant selected by himself. It further transpired, in the
comae of • long examination of the witness, that at the
various interviews which had taken place between
him, the defendant, and the prisoner Lheman,
the defendant always represented the latter to be a
man of the highest character and respectability, whereas it
turned out that be was not worth 300 i. io the world. The
witness further alleged against the defendant that, though
he had been expressly instructed and directed not to let
Lheman and the others have soy more goods until the
standing account was settled, he persisted in allowing them
a farther supply to a large amount.
The witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr.
Metcalfe as to the date of the accounts by the defendant
and the firm, but • detail of the figures would scarcely be
understood by our readers. The cross-examination con-
tianed during the remainder of the sitting of the court,
which adjourned at half-past 5 o'clock until to-morrow (this
morning).
The Common Serjeent told the jury that this be,og merely
• ease of misdemeanour he was enabled to remit them to
their homes, bet he earnestly advised them not to hold con-
verse is the interne with any persons in relation to the in-
eeetigatioe in which they were now engaged.
On the epplicatioa of Mr. Metcalfe the defendant was
allowed to go at large on a renewal of his own recognisance
is 1,8001., with two sureties of 500/. each, to appear at the
sitting of the court further to answer the indietmeot me
which he stood charged.

The libel arose oak of the affairs of Mr. Joseph Cookson,
• patriots, at Hoylaka 31r. Godfrey was the trustee under
• deed by which I,ooof. we. settled upon Mts. Cookson,
and he was upon terms of close intimacy with her and
her husband. Mr. Cookson got iota difficulties, and bor-
rowed money of various parties, among others of Mr.
Godfrey, who advanced 117 f. on • bill of sale. Caoksoa
woe Licitly to become bankrupt. Mr. Godfrey put the
bill of sale in force, the goods of the Cookson' were
I seized and sold. Cookson went into lbw Court of Bank.
ruptcy. Mr. Tyrer was the solicitor who examined Mr.
1 Godfrey in the court, and there was much personal feeling
between them, which resulted in a letter, still unopened,
sod in Mr. Tyrer's handwriting, being removed by Mr.
Godfrey thus addressed :—" Mr. Godfrey, solicitor, dares-
' don-rooms, Liverpool,* and on the outside " I shall print
and publish our correspondence as to Cook:one in the news-
papers, as you think proper to return my letters notopened."
This was on the 11th April. When Mr. Godfrey went to
Ccoksou's with the bailiff Webster to make • seizure after
the lint baihffs had bees got out, he got a printed circular
containing some of the correspondence. At the Bank-
ruptcy Court' Mr. Godfrey showed this to Mr. Tyree, and
said, " What do you cell this! Is not this orbiting and
publishing! la this bow you vilify my character ? You
liken hem more of this at the next ageism." Mr. Tyrer
said be did print sod publish it, and he would do it apie,
for Mr. Godfrey deserved it. The letter was as follows :
" North John-street, Liverpool, April 11, 1861. Sir,—You
are wholly misinformed as to the cloning • bead of eonspi-
rater; assaoltit fie. I have berm gulag at the Royal
Hotel, Hoylaks, for some days, with one of m children,
for his health, and as I rude my horse pest Cao 's door
on Friday suede& I was asked by Cookson to alight. He
did not say what he wasted, and ea I was wet I did not
stop. Late, ea ia the waning. Cookson and his wife came
to me in great distress, sad told me SOON bailiffs, at your
suit, were in pommies of their goods, and that he (Cookson)
had not been caned with any proem whatever. At their
Ramat request I walked down in the vein to their house. A
man, mid to be a bailiff, produced • document which he mid
was • hill of Islet* secure you 1301. advanced to Joseph Cook-
son. He (Cookson) declared be had not had the money from
you, and had not signed the document produced. I left,
telling him I could not interfere in may way. I wee not
in his house two minuted. He and his wife called on me
the twat day, sad on their statement I considered tne ac-
count you had rendered could not be sustained, sod that
there ought to be a bakes* owing from you ; I therefore
took Cookson to two gentlemen of high standing in the
profession, and they sod I advised him on his statements,
and oe his assume*, that he bad sot had the money or
signed the bill of sale, to put your bailiffs out and test the
validity of the billed sale. I do not, bows ver, know how, when,
where, or by whom they were put out. Oooksoo says they
will be put out if they go agaio. I repeat, while uegotia--
lions wire going forward to refer your conduct, and
remove you from • self-assumed trust, your miring the
effects of these poor Cookson", and so ruining their
credit, was most ligartlem and cruel, considering
the terms of intimacy, ' yours faithfully, John
Godfrey,' appears to have bees on with 'my dear Mrs.
Cooker:ie.' I will sot give you the names of the two gentle-
men 1 consulted, and as to the latter part of your letter, I
treat it with this contempt it deserves. I have reed what
occurred at York —' Renaud' r.Godfrey.' Will you refer all
questions between you and Cookson to anyone attorney of
standing io Liverpool, or any one of the gentlemen I have
named ! I will not advise Cookson to refer to three persons,
and to show you I do sot desire to pet toque, to expense, 1
offer to forego all my charges incident to a refereOCVl if you
will do so likewise. With me it is not a money ileestioo,
although I sir Cooksoes until the last few icy., and
may see them agaia. I em actuated by a desire to
place the,, poor people mid their accounts with you on a
right footing, to invest their true money is the has& of
trustees who will not charge them exorbitant and usurious CLERK EN WELL.
interest for loans, and on being asked for accounts, i A rough-looking fellow, who gave the name of Wilisan
pot bailiffs is possession of their bads sad bedding, ! Leonard, aJed 33, • costermonger, residing at 16, Elder.
ad try testae the man from earryiort no his emu- : walk, lalingtoo, we. charged before Mr. Barker with felon'.
patios by laying as embargo on his bone and cart. Gusty stabbing his wife, Jane, at Islingtoo, on Saturday
Pray say to-day if you will refer all questioes between you night last.
end Cookies's to any core motional' is Liverpool, or, say, to lt being rumoured that the unfortunate woman was dead
Mr. Marshall, barrister-at law, on the terms that no Wahl the court and its approaches were crowded.
of reference am to be asked for by you or myself. lam ' Police-sergeant Andrew M'lntyre, 23 N, said that from
remedies with the petition to tax your bills and instruc- informatiou he had received be went to the residence of
this for bill to remove you from the trust, bat I shall stay the pr'sorer, and fouud a woman there saturated with
ea your epodes to a reference to an, one gentleman on the blood. He sent for a surgeon, who found a wound be.
terms proposed.— I am Your obedient servant, W. K. tweee the nu about au inch and a half in length. The
TTRIIL Mr. Godfrey, "elicitor. Co oksno says be intends surgeon, who said that the wound was very clangorous, had
to address you through the papera." The part which was given him the following certificate : '5, Church-row,
particularly depended on by, the plaintiff as libellous was 'shogun, August 15, IS6I. I certify that the
the sentence commencing, '1 am actuated by a desire to patient. Jane Leonard, is labouring under • stab
place theme poor people," bra. ' wound is the chest, front which the patient is steadily int•
In moswexamiution by the Attorney•Cmoeral, the plain- proving. " Pro HURT BILLINGIICHST, M.D., W. DTMON."
tiff swore positively that be got the paper from a man at Sergeant M'lntyre said that the woman was too unwell to
Ho Like, acid did not obtain it somewhere himself. When attend. On the way to the poliorstatioe he had a kelte in
is the Bankruptcy court be we. not threatened to be cram- his had, which he showed to the miscue, who said, " I
stated forth* way he answered lloastioss. He did practise did not do it wilfully • it was done in a lark.'
M beekreptcy mate years ego, but the Almighty thought Mr. Barker—Was As primonerdruak or sober!
It to &abet Lim. As to the action at York, it we. alleged
1 The witness replied that be might have been drinking •tobe a libel, in his own bill of costa, "guest a lady at ' little, but be was sober. The injured woman appeared to
Liverpool ; the broke op his happy home for him. The be very much in liquor.
lentice we. tot called oe for trial ; 100/. was paid as um- ; The prisoner said—We were all at upper. We were Leh-
i portion because the pleas did not cover the declandaon, ' iag. 1 had • knife is my hand, and an my wife was rug
red the f sage caisplieested him. I out I just toadied her. She said. "What have you does ?'
The Atemerry•Geteeral—Did she judge say that he certi• and I said, " What have 1 done?" sad then I saw blood. I
6dfor • special jury, amnia' that it was well for the had so intention to stab her, and am very sorry that it has
defendant that tb plaintiff bad consented to deal so occurred. It was not done wilfully. We had all berm
leniently with him ? I drinking • little. I hope she will soon get better.
Witness said thou were not his lordship's words ; Kr. Nary Am Dickinson mid the primmer was lass brother.

THE POLICE COURTS.