The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-11-01 00:00:00

MR. FAUNTLFROY.

Almost immediately atter this unfiestinate gentleman was cep.
prehended, he expressed to his friends his firm opinion the! any dr.
fence would be unavailing, and his aSIIIOIOI desire, by pleading
Sluilty, to spare himself the pain and mortificathei of bee I ex-
pfted for hour* to the gaze of a crowded court, and compelled to
hear the narrative of his delinquencies; and he stated that it would
be more congenial to his feelings to adopt this course, because the
prosecutors' Counsel would then be compelled to shut up their
briefs, and thus all further publicity would he avoided ; in defe.
rence, wever, to the advice of his friende, he platted himself in
the hands of legal advisers, but he still wished it to be understood,
that if his Counsel should consider his case as hopeless, lie should
be allowed to follow Ilia original intention of pleading guilty. Ilia
Counsel met in consultation, and were unanimously of opinion that
he had no prospect, or even possible chance of escape, if the in.
dietments were framed as they hail reason to expect, from the in-
telligence and caution of the Bank Agents, they would he; but
they very properly declined giving tiny advice to Mr. Feu:oh:toy as
to the course be Should adopt, and left him to be guided entirely. by
his own feelings. as 'II whether or not he could take his trial, or
plead guilty. The result of this conference was partially commu-
nicated to 3lr. Feuntlemy on Tuesday last, and more distinctly on
the following day, by his brother, and hie Solicitors, Messrs.
Forbes and Harmer. and also by lie. Mayhew, a respectable soli.
citnr, who, as a private friend has intro kindly and zealously,
throughout 31r. l'auntlerny's defence, afforded his professional aid
and advice, and it was expected that Mr. F. would decline putting
himself upon his trial; on this point, however, nothing decisive
was elicited firma him until Wednesday evening, when lie addressed
to Mr. Forbes the hallowing letter :
" IMY DEA* Mr. Fonmes--.lotin and myself have been a long
time talking upon this melancholy subject, and we have finally
agreed to plead Not Guilty. As, no doubt, the strongest Calla
would be brought forward tint, and things may come out in exte-
nuation, (though perhaps, it may not avail), and may place toe
in a better view towards the public eye--so pray be preparing de-
fence.—Ever yours, ate.,
" HI:NRY FAI7NTI.I;ItOY."
It should be remarked, that itlr. Feuntieroy was daily annoyed
by seeing the unfounded slanders propagates! respecting him in the
public prints; end lie was dreadfully distressed and nervous on find-
, leg his name frequently associated with that of the relit-blooded
murderer, Thurtell. These attacks unsettled his resolves, and in-
duces! hioi to put himself apron his trial, if it was only to have the
opportunity of wavering the numerous calumnies propagated against
him, as appears by the following letter, which he addressed to
Messrs. Forbes, Mayhew. and Harmer:—
" My DlL•ii Silts—Ever since my imprisonment, the utmost
irgenuity has been exercises) in inventing, and the greatest pains
taker: in propagating the moat unfounded and calumnious reports
respecting me. L daily hoped that the fallen fortunes, the distress.
ing and appalling situation of an unfortunate and wretched man,
would excite commiseeration in the heart of the most unfeeling and
obdurate, and that these cruel slanders would crave on the slightest I
reflection ; in this expectation, honever, I was elitisppointed, mud
each sue-aiding day I was doomed to find myself accused of crimes
I never committed, and with a course of profligacy and vice for
which there was no foundation. Indeed, !have been depicted in such
odious colours, that it would be painful to any one hereafter to ec.
knowledge any relationship or acquaintance with me • and if these im-
putations minims! uncononclicted, and were credited, no one could
think of my memory without sensations of indignation and of
horror. Had my unfeeling assailants confined themselves to &WC.
meats and animadversions on the magnitude and atrocity of the
offences fur which I was to take my trial, I should i:ot have com-
plained : there are, however, but few ctimew in the catalogue of hu.
Mill depravity, which have not been imputed to me. The dis.
tress and anguish of mind which I have naturally felt at these re-
iterateu slanders have been rendered additionately acute by the pain
which 1 knew they would inflict oat those who aredearer tonic than
life itself: so far, however, as I uto cone-tined, they will shortly be
of little consequence; but I cannot bear the reflection, that the
sting should remain to torture die dear relatives and friends who
will survive me. It is this coisidetation, and not any hope of
ayertinkruz:ntr, that has induced nie to undergo the distressing
and d fel ordeal of a public trial, as the only means by
which I shall have the opportunity of proving to the world that
the immense sums which it was supposed and asserted that / atone
had acquired and squandered away, were really never in my null-
video! possession ; tie.t every shilling was pineed to the hems° an-
count, and appropriated generally to the concerns of Marsh and
iksiiipsny ; and that although / have been criminal, (eels are
not hilidlible ; and I owe it as a debt of gratitude to those dear
connections who have not deserted rue in my great and anxious
tribulations, to rescue m memory, as far as I am able, from on.
1 founded calumny ; tied I do hope, that alien al! the cireunistan-
ces of my unfortunate can are reviewed, it will appear to every
impartial and liberal.ininded man, that 1 have been a victim tb the
peculiar circumstances in which 1 had unfortunately been placed;
and, although by the existing laws of my country I may be justly
doomed to stiffer the heaviest puniehment those laws can inflict,
still that L Ana not altogether undeserving the commiseration and
I the pity of my fellow-creturee.
" The detailed statement 1 hare already handed to you relates
the history of my misferiunes, at least so far as they led to the con.
mission of the offences with which I sin charged, and the aliens-
, priation of the motley. I shall no, therefore, here trouble you with
a repetition, but shall confine myself to short and general observe.
tines on the reproachful and slanderous reports ninth have been so
widely circulated regarding the incidents, or the imagined oc...ur.
moires of my private life.

'• fiun diaird with haring been a Rambler. My answer la,
that 1 was :Rorer in a gaining-tows.: in my hie. Although a mem-
ber of two clubp—the Albion and the rttrattiml, I nee. r played at
Cards or dice at tither, no: did 1 yet, ploy at any toll(' gaunt or
chance.

" I have hem accused of having ruined a lady, and refused
to make reparation until threatened by her brother to call me out
and it was added, that I had deserted her the moment she had the
greatest ()aim to my protection. Delicacy forbids toe entering into
an esplenation on this subject, further than to declare, that what 1
did was perfectly voluntary. ant with the moat tau !able and ho.
nourable motive;; Alia far front the lady's brother having inter.
fend, he was at the tittle niluded to in the Nest Indio'. Could all
the circumstances lie exposed, and my otinduct and motives duly
appreciated, I feel etii.vieced that every liheral.minded man would
rather applaud than censure diem I and 1 fed pleasure in stating
that the lady in question has always been, and now is, actuated
by the best feelings bowatits
" 1 ant repronctied with a dishonourable seduction in France.
net fr teas aro!' the Cotitinetit but one night in my life e.
('alais), and therefore cook, Lot have seduced any young woman
front u convent. which has been falsely attributed to me.
" I ant accused of keeping many expensive establishments for
my amours—This I yosnively deny; I never kept any one such
establishment. I had one house at Lambeth, and one at Brighton.
The one at I amtbeitt was my house—as my children were there; at
this no extravagance was permitted, for I was living there in perfect
retirement after my !mama business. The expense of the Brighton
establishment I have before described in my other remarks, as alto-
gether not exceeding 3401. a year.
"1 am accused of carrying on an intimacy with Mrs. Bertram
coal by that means squandering away money. My only knowledgC
of this woman I have already described to you, and which will ap-
pear to have been a mere temporary and slight acquaintance, which
ceased many years ago.
" I ant charged with having prodigally, or at least inadvertently,
lent money to persons of loose character : this I also deny. J never
lent to any such persons, nor did 1 advance any aunts without re-
eel v ing a security.

" 1 tin charged with having settled upon various females annui-
ties of the yearly value of 2,2a0t ; and it has been sold that I have
fraudulently invested ninnies in the funds to answer the payment u:
such annuities. This, like all the others, is a gross fabrication.
•• I am charged whit having invested monies in my name, or in
that of trustees, in the Foreign Funds, or with having deposited mums
of great inagnitutio with confidantes Tins I positively deny : I have
no investment whatever in any foreign or other funds, neither have
I deposited with any pillion, or in any way concealed, one single
guinea. I have always felt too much interest and devotion for the
welfare and keeping up the credit of the banking-house to think,
for one moment, of making the least provision for myself: as the
sacrilbs: s I have made for years past, in sleepless nights and anxious
data', and my present unhappy situation, must too truly testily.
• I dinbitt cunclude without offering my grateful thanks to those
dear frierda, who, notwithstanding the calumnies that have been
heaped upon me. have still consoled me by their hltiti attentions;
to all of them I give at, humble, brat, sincere blessing, and bid
them a last adieu. " I remain, dear Sint,
" Your ever sincere and affectionate.
" II ENItY

In ott,tlience to Mr. FauntleroyCS4ititeO,tliestibstTiaii of his
statement wits put into fortis, es a defence, and the draft was on
Friday evening submitted to his inspection. Ile rend and approved
it. aid promised, not only to copy it by the following alarming, but
to reed it to the Juty ; and at ten o'clock at night Mi. Mayhew and
his .31;,iturs left him.

In the eirly part of the last week the mind of Mr. Fauntlevoy
appeared to he more distressed than it any previous time of his lin-
p.isomitent : this prohahly arose from the conflict iu his mind as to
the e.ninia he should take respecting his trial, the anxiety he was
under to wind up MI his worldly affairs, sod the anguish he felt at
finding himself, even too nearly the era of kis ortleal, stigrnansed
and traduce:l in almost every direction. But what appeared t.•
incest to utreet and unnerve him, was the information he received,
that one individual, in particular. was ived..thig in the pro-
pagation of slantlers against him, front whom, ef all others, he
had a right to expect sympathy. and the most unremitting and
anxious attention. Thli conduct, trout a man who was bound
to him be ',mutter lieu, was, as the unfortunate gentleman ex-
pressed hiesatia; •
" The unkindest blow of all,"
_ _

and his mind wail witollyuTitir,Tamito meet it ; and the unfeel-
ing conduct of this individual. it believed, more than any other
emssitievatinii. induced Mr. Fauldkvoy to stand his trial. When
Mr. Fr tuaderoy's solicitors and friends endeavoured to vaathe and

comfort him, his feelings frequently overpowered him—his grate-
ful heart appeared to swell, as if ready to burst from his bosom—
he endea,oured to speak, but his utterance was choked, and ern-
, bracing alternately all those around him, lie been: into tears, and
sunk exhausted under the ebullition of his feelings r as the time of
trial, however, approached, he becan:e more calm • and when his
concerr.s were finally settled and arranged, lie assumed his wonted
composure and resignation.
A good deal of scrambling, it is stated, has taken place to obtain
the customers of the banking.house in Berners-street : two new
establishments have been formed with this view. Sir Claude Scott,
id conjunction with Messrs. Williams and Co. of Heinlein-lane,
have opened a house in llolles-street, and have offered, it is said,
to place a aunt, equal to ten shillings in the pound. on the amount
of their debt', due from Marsh and Co., to the credit of those who
may open accounts with them. Another house, at the west end of
the town, has engaged two of the clerks of Marsh and Co. ; and,
having obtained a hat of their connexions, has proceeded to canvass
wort actively.
The demeanour or Mr. Fauntleroy was evidently changed by
the near approach of the trial. Ile was on Friday night greatly
depressed, and the efforts of his friends to amass hint were wholly
vain. Many persons went to see him, but his most particular'
friends only were admitted. In reply to their efforts to ameliorate
his depression and anxiety, Mr. Faunderor's chief remark was, that
" he wished ill was over ; all he felt afflicted at was the public
exposure r that lie knew could not be avoided, but that gave him ,
pato ; however, it would all soon be over." Ile slept very indifre-
rently, and rose soon after day-light, manifesting an air of settled 11
depression. He scarcely spoke.
The following is from a Sunday paper:—
Many curious traits in the character of Mr. Fauntleroy are at
present In circulation ; but where the anxiety to obtain them is so
great, se% eral tar likely to he fictitious. A singular Proof,
however,
of the self-posses.sion with which he went through his work of de-
ception, has been related to us on umpiesdonobte authority. line
day he called at the flank of Etgland, and handed over to the
clerks a forged power of attorney for the transferal' stock, which
was held in his name and that of another person, whose signature
be had counterfeited. While the clerk was glancing over the paper,
the very
person whose name had been abused, happened to enter
the flank. The moment Faundemy perceived him, lie, with AMU.
ing presence of mind. turned towards the clerk, and saying that he
had forgot to insert something in the power of attorney, begged ft
to be given bark to him. The request was complied with. After-
wards advancing towards his friend, he shook hands with him in
the most cordial manner, and walked with him out of the Bank.
As to instance of the utter Indifference with which he looked upon
the victims of his guilt, it fa said that he was in habits ofintimacy
with almost all the parties whom he rubbed ; and thatlrg after
he hail squandered all their money, and while he was paying their
dividend., he used frequently to attend companies at them
and to in% de than to his own hi return.

It Is not true, as some pretend to say, that his future fate ever
seriously occupied his mind during his confinement. In the course
of the day lie was engaged in the disposal and distribution of his
personal effects, and in writing out memoranda of the Bank affairs.
In the evening, when alone, he indulged himself with reading
winks of amusement. A few nights htforc his trial, he told his
I:oitaitel, Mr. Broderick, that he had a strung inclination to plead
guilty. to the indictment; and frankly asked his opinion as to the
propriety of this conduct. Mr. Broderick answered that althousli
he could not bolo out any hopes for him, yet he dissuaded him
from adopting this course, as be wrraid thus lose the benefit of an
technical objections that might arise in the course of the trial.
Fauntleroy *hook his head incredulously, and the conversation
dropped. The vanity of Fauntleroy was excessive. lie had
adopted the foolish ilea that he strongly resembled lkinaparte in
the shape of his face; and the syzopliants who surrounded him
took care to favour this conception. That he might always have
an unege of the great prototype.tiefore him, lie procured a marble
bust of Napoleon, which cost hem an ClOrl»011i sum, and this he
placed in the most conspicuous part of his drawing-nom. On the
opposite side was a bust of himself, which, through the kindness
of the sculptor, who had doubtless got his c ie, was made in stile
of the features, particularly in the brow and the nose, to bear a
striking resembLvice to those of Napoleon.

MARSH, STRA CFI", and GUAR M'J BANKRUPTCV

The final examination under the Commigaion to prove debts
being announced in the Gazelle for nineo'clock no Saturday morn-
ing, at the ConanNsioners' Court, Basinghall-street, the creditors
to the estate attended in great numbers.
. . . . . .

Several depoettions (in addition to those already admitted) in
proof of debt were put in ; the gross amount inuved was, however,
by no means so considerable us had been anticipated.
Very great anxiety seemed to prevail amongst the holders of
cheques on the house, to know what decision had been come to
respecting their claims. This, however, was set at rest by a com-
munication from 111 r. 3lor tague, intimating that they would be
admitted in proof, though nut now, as the precise form in which
they should be put in was not yet agreed on ; but the cheque
holders would have notice of the decision through the medium of
public advertisement in the newspapers. This reply gave very
general satisfaction.
At about half-past ten o'clock, Mr. hloNT•0 l'E addressed ore
Court. and said, " I hold in my hand an order signed by the Lord
Chancellor for adjourning this examination, in the case of the bank-
rupts, Messrs. hlarsh, Sirseey, and linchatn, for forty-nine days
from this day, so that more ample opportunity will be given fur
the investigation of the affairs of the !muse."
Though this enlargement may be treated as mere matter of
mural, and though no specific grounds were mentioned in the order,
yet it is quite clear that there could be no thorough or satisfaramy
investigation of the bankrupts affairs until the fate of one of the
partners (and lie too, the acting partner) be definitively settled.'
lle, of course, could give much important information ; hut at
present, considering 'the delicacy of his own situation, it would be
not only indecorous, but contrary to rule, to press him on a subject
which might possibly shirt himself. lksides. the presence of the
other partners was looked for when this day was named for the ex-
amination, and their compulsory attendance in another Court of
course precluded the possibility of their appearance here.