The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-01 00:00:00

CAPTAIN RICHARDSON'S CASE.

The extraordinary case of Captain Itichardson, who
is charged with an extensive forgery on Messrs. Coon's',
bank, has been this day under investigation at the Mansion.
house. Captain Richardson was some time since in the East
India Company's service, and subsequently resided in Char.
lotte-street, Bedford-square. He has been connected with a
vast number of companies (especially railroad companies)
both as a provisional committeeman and an allottee, and is
reported to have speculated to an enormous extent. He was
not only chairman of the Tenby,Worecster, and Ludlow Rail-
wny,butbe was deputy-chairman of another railway compeny,
and director of a great many, amongst which were the Wex-
ford, Valenti..., and Waterford, and the Harwich and Eastern
Counties Rahway Company, and it is confidently believed
that if parliament had been dissolved he would have come in
for the representation of Harwich, with the assistance of Mr.
Attwood, who had the highest respect fur him. Indeed, no
man connected with the heavy speculations of last year could
reckon amongst his friends a more substantial commercial
man. The examination of Captain Richardson commenced
this day at 2 o'cice:k. Messrs. Bush and Mullen. appeared
for the pteeccution, and Mr. Woolfe, from the office of Mr.
Flower, for the defence. On the case being opened, Mr.
Bush stated the circumstances connected with the autho-
rising of the cheque by the Board, as gathered from
the minutes of the company; and said that he
would now: trace the proceedings of the prisoner.
Robert Hare examined : Was clerk and cashier to Messrs.
Celan'. On the 20th of July paid that cheque (pointing to
it) for 6,000/. in five notes of 1,000!. each The numbers
were 96,087, 96,091, 96,002, 96,093, and 90,091; and the
dates of each the 13th of February. Could not
identify the person to whom he paid the notes. The
money was paid to the account of William Richardson,
William Lechmere Whitmore, John Williams, Thomas
Stephenson, and Henry Whittall. Knew the handwriting
of all the parties. Bleu cheque was required to be signed
by three persons, of whom the prisoner must be one.
The principal partner of the house of Coutts and Co. was
Edward Mejoribunks. [The witness was then referred to the
original order by which the payment of the cheque of the
company was authorised. Did not know the prisoner per-
sonally at the time when the account with the bank was opened.
Cross-examined b: Mr. Wolfe. The account was opened in
April of the present year. He cashed the cheque unhesi-
tatingly, because he bad cashed similar ones before. Did
not remember acing the prisoner until last Saturday. The
account was a capital one, andathere was still a balance
eight or nine hundred pounds bed onging to the company
William Pulsford examined: Had been secretary to the
Worcester, Tenbury, and Ludlow Railway Company ever
since its formation. The offices of the company were at 5,
New Palace-yard, Westminster. A meeting of the
directors was held on the 7th of July last. (The
witness here referred to the minute book of the
board.) The minute of July 7 contained a correct account
of the proceedings of the board on that day. It was verified
by the signature of the Chairman and the Directors present.
Found an entry in the cheque-book in Captain Richardson's
hand-writing. The book had been in his possession from
the 7th of July till within the last week, when it was
given up to the solicitor. (The witness referred to
an entry in the minute which speke of • cheque
for 101. to be given to Mr. Howell's messenger, for his ser-
vices. The signature "W. It." was in the margin.] After-
wards receisid a cheque for 101. from Capt. Richardson,
dated the 7th of July, and signed only by Capt. Richardson.
' The figures at the corner were also for 101. ; he was quite
sure of that. On being shown a cheque for 6,0001., witness
said it was identical with the former one referred to, with
the difference of "5,0031. " instead of " 101." being written
upon it. Was asked by Cspthin Richardson to obtain two
other signatures. There were three cheques, one for 1001.,
one for 201., and one for 101., which were enclosed to Mr.
Whitmore for his signature. There wee an alteration in
dite—a figure " 1" being put before the " 7," in he cheque
for 15,0001. There was no "1" in the original cheque.
The witness then rad 'a letter to Mr. Whitmore, which

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