The Express.
London, England, 1864-09-09 00:00:00

[Stamped, ld. Additional.]

THE CAPTURE OF MULLER.

Me following additional particulars of the capture of
Muller are from She American papers•]

On arriving at New York on the btli of August
Inspector Tanner put himself in communication
with the British Consul, and was by him intro-
duced to the Chief of the Metropolitan Police—
Superintendent Kennedy—and to Inspector Car-
pernter, who gladly promised him all the assistance
in their power, and detailed officer Tieman, of the
detective police, to assist in making the arrest.
The legal formalities were confided by the Consul
to Mr. Marbery, attorney, who found that it was
necessary, there being no extradition treaty with
the State of New York, the arrest should be made
by the United States Marshal (Marshal Murray),
or somebody deputed and authorised by him.
The little difficulty which here threatened to
arise from the jealousy of the State and Federal
officers was averted by Marshal Murray authoris-
ing officer Tiernan, who bad already been selected
by Superintendent Kennedy, to act as his deputy.
All possible steps were taken to insure prompt
notice of the arrival of the Victoria, and to prevent
any knowledge of the state of things reaching her
before being boarded by the arresting party.
For this purpose the Sandy Book Telegraph Com-
pany were instructed immediately to forward in-
formation of the arrival of the vessel off Sandy
Hook to the police bead-quarters, and to the
Quarantine station, on Staten laland, where officer
Tiernan and Sergeant Clarke, with the cabman,
Matthews, were awaiting to bawd her with the
health officer, who is the first person allowed to
communicate with ships from foreign parts on
their arrival here.

The secretary of the pilot office was also com-
municated with, and by his means a circular was
distributed among the pilots of the port, asking
them to keep a sharp look out for the Victoria, and
offering a reward 51. to the one boarding her ;
asking them also to be careful not to distri-
bute any newspapers containing an ac-'
count of the affair among the passengers,
but quietly to inform the captain, Captain
Champion, of the true state of the case as regarded
Muller, leaving it to his discretionwhetherhe would
put him in irons or not, but at any rate to keep his
eye on him, and see that he did not escape. Con-
aiderable fear was felt that all these plans might be
deranged when the news came of the operations of
the pirate Tallahassee, and the burning of the
Adriatic, belonging to the same line and owners,
and which left London a week after the Victoria ;
bat the statement of her owners, that she was not
expected to make the passage in less than forty
days, and perhaps even sixty, and the subsequent
safe arrival of the Villafranca, somewhat tran-
quillised the fears of the police that the Victoria
might have met the fate of the Adriatic, and her
passengers been landed at some other port.
These fears were at last set at rest by a telegram
from Sandy Hook on Wednesday evening, the 24th
instant, about six o'clock, announcing that the
Victoria was then entering the lower bay. The
detectives were immediately on the alert, and
finally their patience was rewarded by the appear-
ance of the vessel off the quarantine station at
Staten Island. The health officer, Dr. Swinbonrne,
immediately went on board, accompanied by
officers Tieman and Clark, Inspectors Tanner and
Kerrissey remaining on shore. As soon as the
officers were introduced to Captain Champion, he
said he knew what was their object, and that they
wanted to get a man of the name of Muller ; and
added, " I am very glad that you have come on
board ; it has been a great burden on my mind,
but now you are here you can take charge of him."
Captain Champion then, as a ruse, ordered the
steerage passengers to come aft to be examined by
the doctor ; and after several names had been
called and duly answered, Franz Muller's name
was called. He came forward, and was told to go
down into the cabin, where he was imuiediately
seized by the officer, who at once commenced to
search him. He seemed greatly agitated, and said,
" What is it ? what is it 1" and on being told that
be was arrested on the charge of having murdered
Mr. Briggs, turned a ghastly white. Soon, how-
ever, he recovered himself, and said, " I did not
do it, and I can prove that I was not there at all."
It seems that immediately on the pilot reaching
the vessel, he informed Captain Champion of the
supposed identity of Muller with the murderer of
Mr. Briggs, and, as instructed, desired him to see
that be did not escape. Thereupon the captain
detailed the second mate of the vessel to keep
Muller under his immediate surveillance, though
without, if possible, exciting his suspicions that
such was the case. This the mate did, but as the
vessel came near the light ship an excursion boat
came alongside, and, seeing the name of the vessel,
some person shouted out, " How are you, Muller,
the murderer 1" Fortunately, however, none but
some of the cabin passengers seem to have heard
this at the stern of the vessel, and as for Muller
be at the time was on the gangway in the act of
going below, and appeared to have been in complete
Ignorance of what was said.
The captain, however, to guard against the possi-
bility of his having beard it, and in consequence
jumping overboard, bad the boat got ready
to be lowered instantly should be attempt to es-
' cape in this way. At the quarantine station there
was some little delay in the appearance of the
boarding party ; and so anxious bad Captain
Champion become, and so fearful of the possible
escape of his prisoner, that he determined to put
him in irons at once, and putting • revolver in his
pocket, he called the mate, and was giving orders
for Muller's seizure, when the health officer and
the detectives came on board.
As soon as the arrest and search were finished,
his trunk was opened, and in it, sewed up in a
piece of chamois leather, was the missing watch of
Mr. Briggs, with the crystal broken, and also a
black silk bat marked " Digance, batter," proving
conclusively that it was the one once worn by Mr.
Briggs. These things were seized by Sergeant
Clarke, who asked Muller how long he had had the
hat, and he replied, " Twelve months," and in
reply to • similar question about the watch, " Two
years." This hat had evidently been worn by him
during the voyage when on deck, as he bad no
other—not even a cap, and one was borrowed for
him by the officer to go on shore in. He was kept
on board the whole night, during the first part of
which he seemed somewhat agitated and in deep
thought, frequently rising suddenly and pacing the
cabin,. but during the latter part of it be slept
soundly.
In the morning, when off Castle Garden, the
ship was boarded by Inspector Tanner, who asked
Muller what had become of the ring he received with
the chain from Mr. Death, and be replied that it
had been taken from him. Tanner then asked if
the stone was a red one, and he said " No, white."
A number of steerage passengers were then called
down iu to the cabin and Muller placed in their midst,
and Mr. Death, the jeweller, who had accompanied
Tenser, was brought down into the cabin and asked
to point out the man who had come to his shop.
This be did, fixing on Mullet without the slightest
hesitation.

The cook of the vessel, who either slept with
Muller or in the next berth, voluntarily stated to
the captain that Muller during the voyage seemed
to sleep very unsoundly, often awaking with a start,
or talking in his sleep, exclaiming, " Who's there?
Take your hands off, and similar expressions, de-
noting a very perturbed mind.
The party were landed in the Custom-house barge,
and Muller was conveyed to police head-quarters,
Mulberry-street.. He seemed quite cool and col-
lected, though somewhat downcast, and made •
hearty meal of the food offered him on his arrival.
About noon be was taken under the guard of three
police officers to the photographic gallery just
above Blacker-street to have bia likeness taken.

Be underwent the operation with the most per-
fect oompcnure, maintaining all the sullen indife-

(TWOPENCE

rence he had exhibited during the morning, and
here it may not be amiss to state that his general
appearance is decidedly unprepossessing. He is
apparently about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches in height,
compactly built, and about 240 r 25 years of age. His
forehead is full developed, hair light, no whiskers
or moustache, and eyed blue, but very small and
very deeply set in his head, while his mouth is
decidedly repulsive from its extreme width and
protruberance, impressing one with the idea of
dogged obstinacy and vindictive relentlessness.

THE LATE !BAUM ON THE CITY BANKERS.

This cue, which about this period in last year
caused so much excitement in the City of London, and a
which a person named Sigmund Dietriebetein wee said to
have defrauded two firms in the City of bonds and securi-
ties amounting in the aggregate to about 9,0001. or 10,0004,
will of course still be in the recollection of the public. A
warrant was obtained at the time for his Gnat, but be
contrived to escape from the country before the warrant
could be executed. and was followed to Hungary by Sergeant
Moss, accompanied by Mr. Pollaky, and that °nicer suc-
ceeded in apprehending him, but the Austrian government
would not allow him to be brought back to England. The
CYO hem latterly not been much before the public, but
dories the last few days that part of the commercial com-
munity of the City represented by foreigners bas been in a
state of excitement, owing to a rumour that Dietricbstein
was to be brought up to the Maouoo•bouse upon the out-
standing warrant. Yesterday the expectation was brought
to a chinas, and Dietrichstain, the man who has been so
long looked after, made ►is appearance at the bar, in the
custody of detective officers Webb and ?does. The court
was crowded to excess with persons for the most part
foreigners, who appeared to watch with great eagerness the
course of the proceedings. Mr. Alderman Waterlow, by
whom the warrant was signed, pnmided on the beach.
Mr. Sleigh appeared on the part of Idessra. Hutchinson
and Co. and Means. Borthwick and Co., the Irma which
bad been defrauded ; and Mr. George appeared for the

Mr. Sleigh stated that he had been instructed by Meows.
Mullins and Mullins in reference to • case in which Sig-
mind Dietrichstem, the person who stood at the bar, had
surrendered to • warrant which was issued against him oa
the lst of September in last year which charged the de-
fendant with having unlawfully obtained from the prcee-
caters &quantity of Turkish, Bohemian, Consolidated, and
other bonds and securities to the amount of 9,0001., with in-
tent to cheat and defraud. The defendant, who wee an
Austrian, had been in business in this country, had engaged
himself in certain transactions with stockbrokers to • con.
doable amount shortly before the 29th of August last year,
and oa that day, haviog secured the credit and confidence of
the prosecutors, obtained from these gentlemen bonds and
other valuable securities by means of • othique
on the City Bank. There being in that bank only
• trifling amount of mosey the cheques were
dishonoured. The defendant absconded, aod Information was
laid upon which the warrant was granted. The defendant
was traced to Hungary, and was arrested there, sod trans-
mitted to Vienna, but to consequence of there being no
extradition treaty in existence that government declined to
newel' the defendant to England. By the Austrian
laws, however, the authorities have the power to try in
that country an Austrian subject for any offence which he
may have committed in any other part of the world, and
accordingly proceedings were instituted against the de-
fendant, Messrs. Mullins and Mullins, the soliciton ea.
pied in the case, furnishing all the necessary information.
The proceedings had extended over a very leagtheoed period,
and finally the court at Vienna expressed an opinion that the
evidence easiest the defendant was not sufficient to place
him on hie final trial and to secure his conviction,
and he was set at large. flat being the case, Mr. Sleigh
said be trusted be should have the genetical of the worthy
alderman for the course which was about to be adopted.
The prisoner had pot himself in communication with the
gentlemen representing the prosecute's, mad had ultimately
written • letter to the prosecutors. The letter' which was
dated from Vienna, 11th April, 1864, and was addressed to
Mews. Hutchinson and Co. and Messrs. Borthwick and
Co., was signed by the defendant, and ran as follows:
"No one can regret more thee myself the disastrous ter-
mination to my transactions with your firms, but I am
now willing to do all that lies to my power to repair the
wrong that was committed. I have been informed that
• considerable sum has been recovered or received by you
towards the liquidation of my debt to you, but that way of
the bank Dotes obtained by me by pledging your hoods
are still outstanding. lam ready to assist you io the re-
covery of those notes, and authorise you to retain awl apply
the same in further liquidation of your claim. Whatever
balance shall remain due to you respectively alter crediting
what has been or is yet to be received I do most solemnly
promise you that I will pay as soon es my pecuniary
circumstances will enable me to do so." Mr. Bleach thought
it right to say that through the prisoner's assistance about
6,0001. of the amount had been recovered and restored to
the prosecutors. On its becoming known to the solicitors
for the prosecution and the prosecutors that the prisoner
might possibly return to England, Masers. Mullins Lid the
whole of the facts before en eminent Queen's counsel, Mr.
and himself, sad they had received their
most earnest consideration and attention for some time past,
with • view to determine whether, after that which was sub-
stantially a discharge in Vienna. they would be justified in
recommending that the criminal law should be pot in force
against the prisoner on his arrival in this country ; and with
all due consideration for the interests of the commercial com-
munity they had arrived at the following conclusion, which
they had expressed in writing in the following words :—" That
after the failure of the proceedings in Vaasa, sod is all the
circumstances which have occurred, we think if Dietrichstein
be prosecuted the prosecution would probably fall, sod
upon the whole, we are of opioion that the brokers •
ought
not now to prosecute. (Signed)—W. BOFILL sad W. C.
SLILIGH." In conclusion, Mr. Sleigh said it was thought
their duty, out of respect to that court and the commer-
cial community, to appear there and state these fade, sod
ask the swathe of the court to the coarse which had been
Ideated, sad to discharge the prisoner.
Mr. George, on the part of the prisoner, said he would like
to say a few words.
Mr. Alderman Waterlow said he could say anything be
wished, but the prisoner would be discharged.
Mr. George said be was placed in a little difficulty, be-
came be was instructed by the prisoner that he was entirely
guiltless, and that he had never defrauded or intended to
defraud the proeecntors, sod he was prepared with wit•
messes to show, as far as be was concerned, that he had
bees the victim, and sot the offender. He had acted as the
defendant's solicitor for many years. and had an opporthnity
of watching his conduct, and he himself believed that he
was entirely inothabLe of the serious charge that had been
brought against bun. The letter which had been referred
to as having been signed by the defendant he should like to
have prodood.
Mr. Sleigh opposed this, and said if the prisoner were sot
satisfied the we could be gone thoroughly into.
Mr. Alderman Waterlow said he felt it right to allow Mr.
George to make any remarks on behalf of his client, because
be thought that when gentlemen made an application for •
warrant, and it was granted, if the evidence afterwards was
not sufficient, he thought the mem against whom it was
issued should have an opportunity to show that, had all
the circumstances been known at the time, the warrant
would not have been applied for. He did not man to say
that the application for the warrant in the present cam
was not • both fide ooe.

Mr. George said be was guile satisfied with the muss
which had hats takes.

Mr. Aklercsin Waterlow said he thought Mr. George had
tter oot say anything about say 000J110 he intended
to take hereafter ; •ad he should teromoste the proceedings
by disohassiag the piaoose.
The meow was dweisrpd aosordinld7•

Cnitures HOMPITAI.-011 the 2let instant, being
St. Matthew's-day, the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and shiriffs
will attend divine service at Christ Church, Navigate.
street, when a sermon will be preached by the Rev. W.
Haig Brown, LLD., head-master of the Cliarterbouse, late
fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge. After which they
will proceed to the great hall of Christ's Horpital to hear
the °canoes delivered by the senior echelon according to
annual cistern. The following is the programme : —Pro-
logos, Latin lambics W. J. Ferrer, 3rd Grecian ; Greek
Oration ea The inmate of the Royal Hospitals," A. 80.
will. 4th Grecian ; Latin Grittier' on the same subject, A.
R. Dawson, 9th Grecian ; English Oration on the same sub.
Piot, L. L. Sharkey, Ist Greeks ; French Oration on the
same subject, R. H. Hughes, sth Grecian. After which
the following translations from English posts will be re-
cited :—Greek Sapphire, "Isles of Greece," J. E. Fans&
gth Grecian ; Latin Elegiacs, " The Pauper's Death-bed,"
B. Lee, 10th Greeiaa ; Greek lambics, from Heald, D.
L. Scott, Bth Grecian ; Latin Alcaics, " The Rocky Diet,"
A. E. Magee*, 11th Grecian ; Greek Hexameters, from
" Paradise lost," J. B. Hewhoe, 7th Grecian. There will
▪ he two original poems in Latin and in English sot yet
▪ judged.
PRESENTATION BY THE BOARD OF TRADE TO A
MERCHANT CAPTAlN.—Yesterday Captain IliUer, of the
Liverpool ship William Chandler, was presented (through
the Local Mario' Board at Liverpool) with a very doe tell-
▪ she gift of the British government, as • reward for his
pantry and kindness displayed is the reecne of the captain
and crew of the 'hip Almeria, of Belfast. when that vessel
wee in a sinking and disabled condition off the Cape of Good
Hops. Canticle Miller, in order to carry out his inteotiees,
was cosegilled to pet his own new on short allover,' as far
ea
St. Hales.

—iusticartaos or SCARBOILOUGH.—This valuable
church liriel6 which Lobes wham some time Woos by the
death et the Rev. Dr. Whiteside, has been costarred by
Lord Hotham, M.P., who is the petroy, oaths Rev. R. F. L.
Bleak associate of Bisg'sCollege, London, late curate cf
fit. Luke's Church, Chokes.