The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-09 00:00:00

POLICE.

MANSION-HOUSE. Toe Coiszoi or FORGERY
AGAINAT CAPT. RICIIAIIEnON.—This we of Capt Richard.
son, charged with altering • cheque for 101. to 5,6001., in his
capacity of Chairman to the Tenby, Worcester, and Lud-
low Railway Company, and thereby committing a forgery
upon the banking house of Masses. Coutts and Co., having
been postponed until this morning, the prisoner was re-
called, and placed before the Lord Mayor, at half-past twelve
o'clock. A full account of the prisoner's examination hay-
ing already appeared, it cannot be necessary to remind our
readers of the principal features of the case. It appeared in
evidence on the last ocean:in, that of five notes for
1,0001. each, obtained at Mean. Coutts's' three were
subsequently changed for gold at the Bank of England,
and it was also stated by the secretary of the company that
the cheque originally drawn for 101. had not been altered
when it was returned to him with the signatures of Mr.
Whitmore and of Mr. Stephenson subjoined to that of Capt.
Richardson. It was further alleged that, in the course of an
interview held for the purpose of taking steps to discover the
perpetrator of the fraud, Capt. Richardson stated, in reply
to a question, that he had paid away the cheque to a person
emploj ed in the Stock Exchange.—Mr. Coulthurst, a partner
in the house of Coutts and Co., who attended yesterday week,
was again present this morning, and was accommodated
with a chair by the aide of the sitting magistrate.—Mr.
Clarkson appeared on behalf of the prisoner. In addition
to the Lord Mayor. Aldermen Wilson and Gibbs sat up n
the bench.—Mr. Bash, on behalf of the prosecution, stated
that he proposed first to trace the remainder of the money
drawn at Blears. Coutts's to the prisoner's possession, and
then to call Mr. Stephenson.—Mr. Henry Skinner examined:
Lived at 113, Great Dever-street; was clerk to the Wexford,
Waterford, and Wicklow Railway Company, of which Capt.
Richardson is a director. Had known Capt. Richardson
since October last. Sometimes went fur him to the Bank of
England. On a day in August received a note from Captain
Richardson for 1,000/., and went with it to the bank; that
was the only note with which witness went there. Wit-
nees's name was written on the note before-mentioned. [A
bank note was here shown to witness.] Believed
that note to be the one which he took. Captain
Richardson directed him to change the note for
5001. in sovertiges and 5001. in notes, which direc-
tion he followed. Delivered the money to Capt. Richardson
in the Board-room, at No. 3, Exchange-buildings.—Mr.
Cruse, a clerk in the issue department of the Bank of Eng-
land, examined: Remembered the last witness coming to
him on the 18th of August with a note for 1,0001., for which
he wanted 5001. in gold, and the rest in notes. The name
was upon the note. Could not tell whether the note pro-
duced was the same as that for which he paid the money.
He gave a cheque for the none, and paid Mr. Skinner 500
sovereigns—Mr. G. Brown, • clerk in the London and
County Bank, examined : K new Capt. Richards on, but had not
known him previously to the 19th August. On that day lie
came to the bank and went into the manager's private room.
On coming out, he asked for notes for 8001. in gold. He gave
the gold to witness. The notes produced were given to
Capt. Richardson by witness in exchange for the gold. Wit-
ness asked the prisoner whether the manager had given per-
mission to exchange the gold for notes, and he replied
that he had.—Mr. William Abbott, a messenger at 26, Corn-
hill, knew the prisoner, and had occasionally been employed
by him. About the 20th of August Captain Richardson
gave him a bog ootaining eight hundred sivereigns, and
directed him to take it to the Bank of England, to get notes in
exchange. Witness went, and on presenting the bag to
the clerk, received five 1001. notes, and six 501. On being
asked for the address, he gave the name " William Richard-
son, Esq., Railway Office, Exchange-buildings " Delivered
the notes to Captain Richardson on the north side of the Ex-
change, having met him corning towardsthe bank.—Mr. Thee.
Ager, a clerk in the Bank of England, said he had an entry
of 800 eovereiFns on the 19th of August, in the name of
" William Richardson, 3, Exchange-buildings." Had
seen the person who brought them on previous occasions.—
Mr. Archibald Griffiths, a clerk in the issue department of
the Bank of England, stated that on the 26th of Aug. applica-
tion had been made for notes for 2001. in gold, when the
name of Captain Richardson was given. [The witness identi-
fied the notes.]—Mr. Samuel Fry, on of the solicitors of
the company, residing in Chespside, having been called, for
the purpose of being examined in reference to what had taken
place at Coutts'e, in the presence of Captain Richard-eon,
Mr. Clarkson objected to the question, as not admissible in
point of law, The objection having been suspended, the
withal said he was present at the board when the fraud was
discovered ; it was on the 2Sth of August —Cross-examined
by Mr. Clarkson: Was then acting as solicitor for the com-
pany, of which Capt. Richardsonwas chairman.—Mr. Clark-
son objected on this ground to any further progress.—Mr.
Bush maintained that lie had a right to examine, contending
that if such evidence were to be shut out, it would be in the
power of directors to perpetrate the greatest frauds with
impunity. It was his intention to call every one of the
directors, and it was necessary for the ends of justice that
that course should be pursued.—Mr. Clarkson again urged
the inadmissibility of the evidence. As attorney of the com-
pany, the witness could not possibly be examined against his
client.—Mr. Bush said he adnatted that the learned coun-
sel's argument would be valid as respected what passed at the
board, but not in refirence to what passed at Coutt's and
Co's.—The objection was swtained. Mr. Robinson, a clerk
in the issue department of the Bank of England, deposed
that on the 20th of August, 200/. in gold was presented'
to him, and notes were demanded in exchange.
Gave two notes for 501. and one for 1001. The name at
Richardson was given. Witness believed the notes produced
to be those which he paid.—Mr. Bush here stated that a
communication had been received from the manager of the
Bank of Ireland, stating that he was willing to give evidence
with respect to the bank post bills found in pee:anon of the
prisoner, and also a communication from Liverpool with
respect to the fifth non.—Mr. B. 8. Willis, clerk in the bank-
ing house of Smith, Payne, and Co., deposed to a letter
received from Captain Richardson, enclosing three pest
bank bills for 1001., and requesting that they
might be placed to his account. The letter was dated
" Dublin, July 30." Mr. Clarkson objected to this course of
examination, and Mr. Bush contended that it was quite re-
gular.—Mr. Thomas Stephenson, a director of )the Tenby,
Worcester, & Ludlow Railway Co , examined. Had come from
Scotland to attend the examination. Attended several board
meetings in June and July. Did not recollect being present
at a board meeting when three cheques, respectively for
1001., 2 N
0/., and I, were drawn. Believed he was not
present. Had examined the minute-honk of the company
yesterday. Was present at a board meeting on the 13th of''
July. [Witness was referred to the minute book.) On that
day there was no minute regarding cheques ; the day was
Monday. They e was no payment ordered in the minutes.
Was not present at the next me. ting, held on 15th July. His
belief arose from his having no prnowledge of the business
transacted, and his not having seen Sir William Young, who
appeared to have been present. Clogs-examined by Mr. Clark-
son: Was prepared to swear that he was not present. Re-
examined by Mr. Bush : A draft of the minutes was kept,
and the directors were in the habit of signing. it. Found
his own name in the minute of the 15th of July, in the hand-
writing of Mr. Palsford : his name was also in the presence-
book; nevertheless, he said that be was not present. IA
letter was here shown to witness, who said it was in his
handwriting.)—Mr. Pulsford, secretary to the cooping, was
then called. He said he received the letter produced from
Mr. Stephenson on the 16th of July. In reply to a question
from Mr. Clarkson, the witness read from the presence-book
the names of the directors present on the 15th of July,
including that of Mr. Stephenson.—By Mr. Bush : Entered
Mr. Stephenson's name in the ce book before leaving
the bond-mom on the day ofPreeameeting. The ink in
which Mr. Stephenson's name was written appeared to
ear from that of the others.—Witneas did not take his
paw at the board table. Mr. Stephenson came into the
taloa very 1-te. [ML Clarkson here suggested that It
amid be better that Air • Stephenson should leave the
rat ; and, Mr. Buellsainnurring, Mr. Stephenson retired.)
all add not take to say how long Mr. Stephenson
ilipd. Did nee ediegnes before him to irin.—Creas-
animiessi by. Mr. : Could not tell whether M.
illenelneen rano is er late.—By Mr. Bush: Mr. Ste-
pa==teutil 16411 ; but ou that day
hin. produced. The same Of
ML 1119111matMIOMIS marel la the presence book on the
. ; .iroqults, ;., 1. • L .•

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