The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-10 00:00:00

WHOLESALE SYSTEM OF SWINDLING.

In the Erprete of Monday were given some
details respecting three persons, passing in Plymouth under
the names of Rudwell, Palmer, and Widdecombe, by whom I
a system of swindling, upon a large scale, had been or-
ganised. As the development of the cues of these men
may be of great use in putting manufacturers and dealers
upon their guard, we append the report of the adjourned I
examination before the Plymouth magistrates on Wednes-
day :
Rudwell, Palmer, and Widdecombe, were again placed
at the dock. ltudwell was exceedingly weak, and was
obliged to be carried in the arms of a couple of officers.
lie looked very emaciated, and was evidently in a very
bad state of health. His arm was in a sling, and one of ,
his legs bandaged. Ile is suffering under a very severe
attack of rheumatic gout. A temporary couch was made
fur him of two chairs. lie was asked if he felt too ill to
undertake the fatigue of the hearing, and said be would
rather the case should be gone into
Mr. John Ayall was the first witness called, who said
—I live at Peterville Works, St. Agnes, Cornwall. I
am a smith, in partnership with my brother William,
under the firm of J. and W. Ayall, Peterville, St.
Agnes. On the 18th of September last I received a
letter, now produced, dated and headed as follows:
" Sutton-wharf, Plymouth, Sept. 17, 18.31. Ship stores
warehouse, general outfitter, army and navy contractor,
itc. Gentlemen,— In looking through the Exhibition,
I observed your cooking apparatus. If you have one
on hand, I should like to have it forwarded to me. Say
the lowest price you could do them at. I will remit you
the money order, on receipt of same, any way you may re-
quest. I am, gentlemen, yours respectfully, Rider. Reo-
weLt." Address, Messrs. J. and W. Ayall, St.
Agnes, Cornwall. I received this letter by the
post. My brother answered this letter on the
19th Sept., by my directions. The letter produced
by Thomas is the one he wrote. It is dated Peters ille, St.
Agnes, Cornwall. [This letter stated that Messrs. J. and
W. Ayall had no cooking apparatus like the Exhibition
one, but had several others, and should soon have some.]
On the 23rd we received the folks ...inn letter in answer to
ours. It is dated " Sutton Wharf, Plymouth, 22nd Sept.,
18.11,"with the same heading as in the other one, and it is as
follows :—Gentlemen, I have your letter of the 19th, Yuu
may forward three of your cooking apparatus four feet fitted
with copper fountain, &c., also a price list and pattern if you
keep them, as I often require the description of goods in my
business. I could have disposed of cue four feet six the same
as you exhibit in London, if I could have got it by Wednes-
day next, as tho vessel sails on Thursday morning from this.
Ilowever, you maysend the one as soon as you can get it com-
pleted, four feet six, the same as you have exhibited. I ant,
gentlemen, yours respectfully, Riiht. ltudwell.—Addressed
Messrs. J. and W. Ayall. On the day after I received the
letter, I wrote an answer to it. I also received a letter on the
27th, the '26th. It is headed " Sutton Wharf, 26th
Sept., 18.51.—Ship's Store Warehouse, General Outfitter,
Army and Navy Contractor, &c.—Gentlemen, I received
yours this morning. In reply you had better forward me
the one you have ready per steamer, for Plymouth, upon
receipt of this, end forward the others as you can get them
completed. No doubt 1 have:customerafor one or two, if
I had them here. Your attention will oblige yours res.
pectfully, ltobt. Rudwell.—Addressed Messrs. J. and Wm.
Ayall, Peterville Cornwall.—The other two letters were
similarly addressed. Un the 30th of September wrote
the letter now produced by James Thomas, of which
the following is a copy:—" Peterville, St. Agnes, Corn-
wall, Sep. 28, 1831. Sir, We have forwarded to-day to
Falmouth for the first steamer to Plymouth, one four-feet
cooking apparatus, copper fountain, wind-up fire.plue, dica
one iron tirieplecc, and two baking ovens. We remain, sir,
your most obedient servants, Job and Wm. ltyall. The rest
you will receive very shortly." Addressed, Robert Red-
well, Esq., Sutton IS. harf, Plymouth. On the same day, I
packed the cooking apparatus, and the ovens in a cart to
Falmouth, with directions on them, MM. Rudwell, Esq.,
Sutton Wharf, l'lymouth. Two of the ovens were not I
ordered. 1 have seen the same cooking apparatus this morn-
ing, in the possession of I'. C. Ricks, with the address still
on it. We sent a cooking apparatus to the Exhibition.
The price of the cooking apparatus is nine guineas. I
never received any money from Robert ltudwell, ur any
other person, in payment, or on account of the cooking ap-
paratus, and have not heard of them since.
Mr. Francis Hicks was then sworn, and said-1 know the
prisoner ltudwell. Ile came to me on the 2nd of Sep-
tember, at my offici in Bilbury-street. Ile inquired of me
the terms of a loft that was vacant and leased by me on
Sutton-wharf We agreed on the terns-141. per annum.
It was a large loft over a store that we occupy. After the
terms were agreed on, I asked him fur a reference. Ile said
he knew no one in Plymouth that he could refer me to.
lie was quite a stranger. Ile said he intended to carry on
a business in canvas and other things fur general ships'
stores. lie told me where he was living. I did not give
my word that he should have the loft, but he was to cull
again in the afternoon._ !did nut see him again nor have 1
since until the other day. 1 found in the afternoon it was
said that the key of the store had been taken away, and he
had taken the store. I did not see him again until NVeilites-
day, Oct. 1, at the Guildhall. Ile was quite alone. About a
week alter I let the loft, I went to my own stores, and then
found against the left door the words, " Itudwell's Store,
No. 2. On the door of the store above was " ltudweilb
Store, No. 1." It was simply a loft without any fittings,
but with is division. It sees scarcely calculated to carry
on any business iu it without any accessories. It ie GO feet
long.
Wm. Aldrich—l am a herbalist, and lived in Tin-stmt
prior to the 29th September last. A month ago last Thurs.
day (Sept. 4), Mr. ltudwell and that gentleman (Palmer)
came to my house. ltudwell asked if I had a lower room
to let for a counting house. I showed them a small front
room on the ground floor, and they said it would do very
well. They asked me what rent I wanted. I told them
half-a-crown a week, and ltudwell paid la earnest. They
told me to get it ready by tosmorrew, which I did. The
next day they both caste. I asked Painter if they wanted
their name put up. lle said, no. They were
agents for government and were well known. They
bought two chairs and a desk of me fur Bs. I put them
into the room, and a porter brought another mull desk.
That was all the furniture in the room the whole time.
About a week or ten dna afterwards I first saw Mr. Wid-
decombe. lie acted as clerk. I understood him to be so.
I heard him called clerk. I heard ltudwell or Palmer soy
he was their clerk. Widdecombe paid the balance of the
first week's rent, and ltudwell aid it afterwards. They
occupied the room fur about three weeks. I never saw
anybody call upon them there. lam not aware that the
othce was cleaned out the whole time.

he would send for the jack in the course of the day. I have
heard nothing further about the clothes.
Nahum Combloom wu then put in the witness box, and,
after considerable difficulty, sworn. Ile said—l live at No.
3, Raleigh-street. I am everything. I buy and sell. I
am a general dealer.
I know them—Which did you ace first ?—'Pon my word
Give me Lae
mversubDto
.cyno.u._kAnonw.weeirththerc egflkseset
question
Let! persoesA.
agothey ;
—Whenco
About
ea
shuot th
t o a
fgoAertt:
1; I first
the
In 1
t o.
dt three
rlai.ewc
of
wtheoeltudwellkdsaday.—(low
r
spoke to you ? Both. What did they tell you?
They tell me they wanted money. Speak low's:. ;
you know I can't hear ; I can't speak good English
lam not a solicitor. (Laughter.)—l asked you who spoke
first ? That is what I don't know.—What did you say ?
I say I have plenty of money when I can get it. (Laugh-
ter.)—What did they say? They said they should be very
happy to take it. (Laughter.)
Mr. Phillips: Who said that ? They could not both say
so atonce. Oh, yes ! both alike. (Laughter.)
Mr. Lavers: Did you know who they were? I know.—
Did you ask them ? Yes ; I said, who arc you, shentie-
man. (Laughter.)—Did you ask them iuside ? Certainly.
I did not ask them who they were till they were in the
parlour. Itudwell said, " I keep a warehouse on Sutton
wharf." I asked the other shentleman's name. He said
his name was Palmer. I asked Islet what 1:e hail to do
with it. I said, " who recommended you to me ? "
rner said he know me for fife and t srenty years, and was
one of this town. He said he served his time with a
grocer's, but had been away some years front here.—Give
us as near as you can what passed. I said, I don't
know you shentlemen. You say you keep a ware-
, house—l must go and see where it is. (Laughter.)
Of cour-h you think I trust any mans! word ?
I have known many shentlemen come into my house, and
I would not take their words. I went and Fee. I told
them to call in three hours time. 1 went to the ptiee
where they told me it is; 1 saw Itudwell's letter-box.
There was two letter-box therm—The door was painted
bright, I suppose ? It look very dirty now.—Well, what
then ? I went home.—\]-as the store open ? I think the
store door was open.—lf the door had been open, I suppose
you would have walked in i I don't take such liberties as
some people does. (Laughter.)—Well, what then? They
come again at the time appointed.—Well ? When they
come in, I asked them how long they keep that warehouse,
because a man may put up his name to-slay, and to-morrow
they are gone. (Laughter.)—Well They told me ..... ro
than two months or three months, I won't swear which.
They asked Inc if I was a purchaser. I said, " Yes, it' I
can buy cheap and sell dear, I buy whates, r I
can." (Laughter.) They see my plate, " General
Dealer." I said, "If you are storekeeper, I buy
anything of you." (Laughter.) NVell, what more
passed between you? Only the money. (Renewed
laughter).—But you did not bit them have any money with-
out goods? Oh, no, no; I not sash fool as that, tank vim.
—What did you get from them ? They produced ten Atha
of foreign leather. Let me tell you. I give you every in-
formation. It was Letnel hither. It conic from Russia.
I tell you I give you every information I can —ls it glazed
leather? No, sera I shall send and show you if his
worship like. I asked how many they had. They said
two dozen. I them' if they leave the two in my
possession, I would go and make inquiries what they are
worth. They went awns-' of course. I went to several
shopkeepers and respectable tradesmen in these three towns.
I will give you their names it' you wish it, sir, with
pleeshure. They (prisoners) went away, of course. I
, would not buy a tiling I don't understand. If I can get
ris. out of pound, I will buy anything—show me the man
who won't. I went to Mr. Luke, to Mr. Trebilcoek, sea..,
and to Mr. Swansom • I asked them what they would
give me a dozen. They told me. I come back stud
told them (prisoners) that it won't suit my purpose,
it is not a saleable article. I was only offered 31. for two
dozen. I believe 1 saw them on the following day. I said
to them, show me the bill of parcel for 51. for two skins. I
hare been to several tradesmen, and they tell me they can
be bought for 3s. or 35. fid. a skin outside' at any earner's
in the town. I told them I was offered 31. fur the two
dozen. I said, if you like to take V. los. for the two do-
zen, I will buy it of you. If 1 can make 10s. I will lie
(ltudwell) said, " Well, it is a great sacrifice ; they charge
me 5/. for it." Well, I said, if you don't like it I shall give
no more. I have hawked them all about the three towns.
Itudwell said, well, I am short of money, and must make
my payments in a day or two, and I will take your offer.—
How aid you pay him? In cash.--When were the skins
brought ? What ! you not think I pay the money till the
skies was in my house ? Mr. Palmer brought the skins
there. Mr. Rueiwell had rheumatic in his hand, and could
not carry them. Ile gave them to kin to carry.—When (lid
you see them again ? Why, the fact is, I sometimes go and
have a glass of refreshments, and I saw theist again at the
waults.—What conversatian hail you together? !indwell
said, " Are you n purchaser of horse nags ? " I told hint
yes. Ile said, " What you give each tor them ? " I told
him I tell him to-morrow. They gave me a sample (point-
ing to one produced). I will send fin it if you like.
Mr. Phillips—l think you had better send for the whole
of the things you have. A. 1 take very good care of that.
(Laughter.) I went to u respectable tradesman who livid
in Deconpurt, and asked him what he could afford to give
me fur therm—Who did you go W ? Ihs you wish to luiow,
sae?—Yes, if you will tell use. I skin t, sir.—Now, an-
swer; this is only wasting time. Ah! it will keep from
your dinner • I have none to wait for.
Mr. Hawker—Well, don't keep me out of mine. I serve
to them as they serves to me. (Then after much fencing.)
It was Mr. Maynard. Ile (Ruilwell) gave me a price, and
I brought him to my price (laughter).—What did he ask ?
I think he asked me nine pounds or guineas for theta ail.—
Did you get them all ? Yes ; every one. 1 salted him for
the invoices, the bill of parcel, and where they (the gee!)
came from. Ile showed me a letter from the muutitacturer.
Mr. Phillips—What was his name ? I can't say tlrtt,
tar. I.gave 6/. for the lot. It cost 10/.

Mr. Lavers then produces' an invoice, which Cornbloom
said lie could not read. Ile said he should have sold the
lionwelotlu last Saturday if he bud not promised the chief
magistrate to keep them.
Much discussion and beating about the bush followed,
and the bench told Inns ho had begun by pi-Messing to give
every information, and was now shirking. He mid he had
paid for tho goods and hu had a receipt for the money in
his pocket, but which he would not show. lle was
warned of the consequences of his conduct, and was usked
if Mrs. Cornbloom or any one else was not present when ho
paid the money. He then got into a violent passion. He
std the case was being treated like a criminal one. Ile
asked Mr. Lavers if he doubted his word. Ile said tic.t
Palmer was present, and in his parlour ; he then continual,
do you think to try me like a common fellow? (Laughter.)
I don't know what that invoice means ; I would like you,
Mr. Lavers, to read it for me. Mr. Lavers here read the
invoice, the purport of which was that the writer, who
signed himself as "J. Whitworth," begged to inform
Messrs. 'lndwell and Co., merchants, Sutton Wharf, to
%horn it was addressed, that the enclosed specimens were
the only cloths made by him, but that he had some of a
much lighter weight. I remember the figures on the i11•'
voice, lot, ads. Od. 1 have bought nothing more—oh, yes,
they offered me a jack for sale-1 didn't know what •
jack was, 'cept the name Jack. I remember nothing
else ; I tell you again that I bought nothing else ; oh!
yes, I remember sonic oil cakes now. (Great laughter.)
I took a specimen of the oil cakes and showed them to dd.-
Arent parties. They asked 71. 10s. a ton, and I agreed to
give them 71 for two tonses is., 3/. 10s. a ton. This is the
receipt. I don't know why it states that I paid 11. do. I
paid only 21. 10s. of the money. Somebody wrote out tho
receipt, and 'indwell gave it ate. The witness here used..
a long story, which was unintelligible to anybody.
When the deposition was being read, Cornb.dsim int:r-
immed, and said he should not sign the document unless
something was inserted, which in the opinion uf the bench
and the advocates was out considered evidence. clause
of the law touching upoa the question was about to be read
to him, showing that he was liable to severe consequences
if he refused, when Mr. Hawker interposed, and having
made use of a few observations, the obstinate Jew because
reconciled, aud intimated that he was willing to submit.

James Maddick-1 am a labourer. On the 18th of Sep-
tember I was on Sutton Wharf about nine in the evening.
I then saw the prisoner Widdecombe. I asked him if he
wanted anybody to look after his store. He was standing
at ,the dour of the N. store marked " Itudwell's Stores."
He said he did. He asked me how much I looked for a
week. I told him seven or eight shillings a week. Ile told
me to go in. Ile gave me the key of the store which he
then opened. lie then went away and in an hour or so I
followed him into the store. There were no goods in the
store, and nothing in it hut dirt. The first goods arrived
on the 20th. A small parcel arrived wrapped iu a piece
of canvas. The parcel was about half a cwt. A note
was brought with it. The note and parcel were brought by
Ur. Derry'. waggon. I put them in the store, and about half
an hour afterwards Widdecombe came. I told him a parcel
had been brought, and he said he would go and pay the car-
riage. In half an hour afterwards he came again. I carried
it to the bottom of Pike-street according to his directions in
Tin-street, when I gave it to him. 1 did not sec where he took
It. On the 22,1 or 23d a patent railway jack was brought to
the store by l'ickford's van, and placed into it. I did not
know what was in the first parcel. Mr. Widdecombe had
been at the store several times that day. About so hour after
the jack came he came there again. The jack remained until
the next morning between nine and ten, when it was taken
away by a man called John Langdon. I have since seen
the same jack in the custody of George Hicks, the con-
stable. The prisoner Widdecumbe went away from the
store with Langdon and the jack. The next parcel came
on the 2.5 th. It weighed about half a cwt., and was
i wrapped in canvas. It was brought by Pickfurd's men and
placed in the store. It remained there for two ur three
hours, and then Widdecombe told me to carry it to the bot-
tom of Pike-street. He took it from there and carried it
under his arm. I did not sec which way he went, because
he told me to make haste to the store. On the 22d, a large
trues, apparently of cloth, was brought to the store by
Pickford's waggon. It was placed in the store, where at
remained for an hour or two, and was then carried
away by James Sanders, ander the direction ;of
Widdecombe. During that time no other goods
were brought. I saw Mr. Rudwell at the store
three or tour times since. Mr. Widdecombe told me
his name was Rudwell. Rudwell told me to look after what
came, and take it in. At other times he would ask what
goods had come, and I told him. My master was Widde
comb; and he paid me me wages. I never saw Palmer at
the store. I never knew that they had an office ; but I know
where Aldrich lives, and that is near the store. Plenty of
letters used to come by the postman, and were delivered to
me. I always gave them to Mr. Widdecombe. I call
plenty seven or eight of a morning, and the same in the
evening. Sometimes I should receive two or three, and at
other times seven or eight, twice a day. I never saw Wid- FATAL ACCIDENT OR TUB EAST Nina DOCK
decombe open any letters. He always put them in Isis ! JexcerioN RAILWAY. —Late on Wednesday evening
pocket and went away. I ceased to be their storekeeper last ' n melancholy accident took place on the Beet India
Tuesday. Widdecombe was at the store that morning. On I Dock Junction Railway, whereby an engine driver,
the following day I saw themlall three there. A hole for named William Baker, aged thirty-two years, received
letters was cut in the door, and over it " Rudwell's," and such fearful injuries that he expired shortly alter-
under it " letter box." wards. The train which contained a number of passengers
Charles Shepherd Skardon—l am an auctioneer. I know I left the Camden-town station for tho purpose of proceeding
two persons in court. On Tuesday, the 23rd, Rudwell to the Blackwell terminus, Fenchurch-street, City. The
night was dark, aud when the train approached the K 4.1-
came to our office in Bedford-street. He said he had been
land platform the stoker suddenly missed the engine decor.
The former shut oft' the steam, aud the train was stopped
recommended to us to sell some goods for him. I said we
d Thehim unfortunateo the roof onean wo.f carriagestbhreethui b une:tht toen
him what it should be sold for. He said whatever we could
when the officials and others after searching for the &-
should be very glad to de so. Ile said he had a very I
powerful j day. ack which he wished us to sell at Mr. Drew's ,
I removed to the passengers waiting-room, •?,
hale the following He said the jack cost either eight I c f
pounds or eight guinea, lam not certain which. I asked thoa tender. found
n
a,oining the
get for it. 1 told him that as it was not advertised, I should Kinguland-road station, it was discovered that he had re-
like him to say for what price it should be sold. He re- I ceived an extensive fracture of the skull, severe lacerations
of pasted "whatever you can make it." I eked if it
of the scalp, and other injuries to his body. Mr. Welch,
was to be sold if it only made 21. ? Ho sail, Yes." jun., surgeon, was promptly in attendance, and rendered
He then asked if we advanced money on goods sent to every assistance to the injured man, who died in great
be sold t lle said he ezpected a lot of cloth which he agony in a few minutes after the arrival of the medical gin-
would want an advance on. I then recollected that the Reinert. The body was subsequently carried to the Bull
name had been inquired of before of us, and I said I Tavern, near the Kingsland-gate to await an inquest. The
thought I could manage it. Ile said he would call general opinion is that the deceased must have gone along
again. I saw nothing more of him or any of them fur ten the roof of the carriage to close one of the doors which had
days after. The next, day, at Mr. Drew's house, in Cla- been left open, and thereby met his death by being knocked
mace-street, a railway lilting jack was nut up. The jack down by the archway or tunnel passiug under the Kings-
was not
sold at the sale, and the day after the sale (Thurs. laud-read.
day) I saw Widdecombe in Clarence-street. Ile asked me W
ORCESTER AND HEREFORD ItAILWAV.—Abwit
if it was sold; I told him no. He inquired what expenses 1,000 shares in this undertaking have, it is stated, been sub-
were on it; I told him la Ga., which he paid me. He said scribed for in Worcester.

As this was all the evidence that was to be offered, Mr.
Edmonds spoke in favour of Widdecouthe, contending that
there was no evidence against him to witarant his furil.er
detention.

Mr. Cornish made a long statement in support of Ca,
liberati in of his clients, and quoted the words of Judge
rennefather, at the State Trials of O'Connell, Duffy, uLel
others, all of whom were placed together on a trial of most
serious character, when he said that " a man was not to ho
tried en mere surmise; he was to be considered innocent
until he was criminated by evidence:" and he trusted in
this case the bench would nut abandon such a legal and ctn.
stitutdonal principle.

Mr. Lavers said his friends had been laying a great deal,
as though the ease were finished., but ho could assure the
bench that had not the shadows of evening come over them,
he would have produced more evidence at once. Re wi,bed
fur a remand because the day bud closed, and that he might
get some witnesses from Liverpool, and other parts of the
country.

The Bench thought that, for the purposes of justice, the
prisoner, ought to be remanded, and they were relual,
accordingly.