The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-11-01 00:00:00

street, St. James's. I sou there introduced to the prisoner
by two pumps- That introduction was followed by going to
Mbar boom of the same description. I saw Johnson there. Ap-
platten was mode to him to procure cancelled checks for any
antoust of respectable houses who kept accounts with the banking
house, and also blank-checks, which were to be iodated. I asked
..Berger tontine to brioltiast with me. Jones was there ; it was in
the month of J ave last ; we merely took breakfast; but formerly
I wait irked by the prisoner in a gambling-house to put bills in
his hood, to negotiate, s kWh were to be dated prior to the bank-
raptey of my father (the firm of Peckham and Co.). I did not
agree to that proposal. Bet in June I lettered to that pmposition,
mid said to him that he could act with more safety with the seve-
ral forged cheeks which I had, and which a clerk would pay. 9e.
venal forged checks were shown to likes, and this one among the
number. I told him that the check was forged, and that the
tied' would destroy it assoon as it was paid. He said that he
would melte titter, but that lie theta like to know the clerk
tint.
Ties witness Johnson was here ordered nut of Court by Mr. JUII.
tree
One the Jury said that the prisoner could not hear the wit.
arm
The prisoner hod been stretching over the dock towards the
niftier, sod taking very intense interest in what was going on.
Jones, myself, and the prisoner, vivo to the Spread Eagle, where
is vote was written, and sent to Johnson to joint wt. The banking.
hewn of Bantam and Co. is in Lornbsonstrcet. Johnson came and
raw Ilentee, but was not introduced to him. The check was given
to tho primate either by myself or Jones. He wore a blue frock.
And a dark blue waistcoat. Ile wore a lady's watch and gold
chair, which had been intrusted to me by a lady. 1n going along,
the prisoner paid that if lie wore the chain there would be less sus.
pinto', as he would look more respectable. After the prisoner hail
left the meter-house, he came back with the check open in his band,
saying that he had found it in the water closet. I asked Jones, •
oiler prisoner had gone, what could be the prisoner's motive for
saying so (but the answer was not allowed to be given, as the pri-
mmer was not present at the time.) Jones and I went to the Swan
Fula* beerie, where Berger joined us. Wc went into the back
llenhen, Med asked Berger if all was right ? He said "'Yes," and
to* lie money out of his pocket. Johnson hod come down to the
filissam, hot was not with us at the Swan. We had some gin and
moor, a biscuit, he. Berger produced sonic notes, all fives,
pinched up together, and said that on counting them he found two.
fives missing. He said that he wasso flurried when producing the
check, that he euppostei he had dropped then,. We said that we
-doubted him, and would deduct them from what he had to receive.
We asked him why he did not go to the Bank, and get sovereigns,
and be replied that the notes could be changed at any of the gamb.
hag homes. We then salted him how much he expected to receive
for his share. He paid that we could afford 401. Jones said my
that the whole was to be divided into tire shares, and that forty
.would bete" much. We then gave him 17!. in addition to the 101.
he hod lost. Jones said that he must make that do, as he wools'
hairs sane heavier sums to receive. He got three tires and two so-
I oar Berge• nfterwards at the gambling houses, and at
theeO:o node. I met Johnson also at the gambling house at Pall.
omit and at the Saloon, but I ant not sure.
&Noss-examined by Mr. Bs opts tc x—i was taken into custody
for the forgery on Smith, Payne. and Smitin, in August last.
was a bankrupt in November, 1824. I have never applied for a
certifkate nor hive ever been charged with perjury roe conspiracy.
I have been in Dover gaol for three or four days, charged with an
alleged assault. i believe that Mr. Harmer is employed against
me, but no attorney has told me of any charge of perjury. I titan
began this pander of getting forged checks, about two days pre-
vious to this Clive. It might be proposed about a fortnight before.
I do not recollect the identical day, but it might be probably about
the month of May or June. It was proposed by Jones. It was all
• the same what person the cancelled checks were drawn upon, so
that he had money in the house. Jones was to have three shares
(two for executing the check). Johnson was to have one, and I
another share, out of the payment of the forgery. I was to have a
ti oh for being connected with them. Is was not my scheme.
Mr. Justice PARK—It is useless to ask him for what he got the
shore. By his own evidence he has made himself out as great •
semindrel as ever existed. That is sufficient.
Mr. BRODKIITCK now raked, whether he committed any forgery
on the banking-house of South and Co. ?
Mr. Justice Pane said, that he could not permit any such
-question. because it had no connexion with the present
r. BRODERMI satin-hoed that it was material.
r. Baton tioanow speed with Mr. Justice Park, that
it:MO the witness was committed for forgery upon the house
of-Smith, Payne, sent Smith, yet they could not ask him any
questions touching that fact, as he might be hereafter tried for it.
Cross-examination renamed—l have known Johnson some time
henue March last. I lever passed a forged check in my life. I
lust spoke to Johnson about March last, but not about forging
check. Deft Smith, Payne, and Smiths, either in 1121 or 1822,
but I think it was in Iftni
By Mr. JUiti 7C Pass—l was corning down stairs at the
41pres4 Eagle shin Johmon carne there. He came up stain to
am first. Into • parlour that was open. I called him in to com-
moor:hate respecting the cheek. I don't recollect if JOttee came up.
Ms mot Meta ao thssoffsnomos. I did not introduce Berger to
4Wen, but he saw him. He must have seen him, in order to know
him wan when he came to the bswleing.house. Jones proposed
.to Joitmon to destroy the cheeks. The clerk that would pay the
chink was the one that would be connected with them. This was
told to the Major (Berger). 1 was never examined before Johnson.
('Phis witness was in partnership with his father-in-law, and
John Poster examined—l am porter at the Spread Eagle. In
the month of June 1 curried a letter which I received up stain,
sildtessed -0 Mr. Johnson, at Messrs. Sansom and Co. Lombard-
i:task- He gave a verbal answer, that he would attend to it. I
do not know the person who gave me the note.
• cathedoe Calansn said, lam servant at the Swan public house,
and remember having seen the prisoner and others there. Mr. Peck-
ham paid me with all. note. end received the change. There were
several bank notes on the table open before them. One of them
said, in the hearing of the others, that it a young man, named
Johnbn, caste, to tell him that they should be there in the
tcrncon.
Cramexamined—They came Mondey, Tuesday, Wednesday, '
and Thursday. Johoson came on a Monday. lum sure that the
•priwase was one of them.
Dane Partridge exammed—l ilve at No. 19, Upper King-
allmonebuty. Mr. Peckham lodged there. I have seen
the prisoner there four or live times. He went by the name of
De Gifford. I lave also seen Johnson there. He came to visit
:sir. Peckham, bat I do not know if he was present with the Major
i Barger).
Mrs. Partridge said, I hare seen the prisoner at my house visiting
Mr. Peckham. There was a lady on the second floor, named',
tyrant, who had a gold watch chain. Thu watch was broken. I
remember teeing Peckham keeping it for a day or two—it was
given to Peckham to be repaired. Mee. Grant is not in this
Joinery; she is in Africa.
George Davis said--I am head waiter at the Colonnade lintel ;
saw the prisoner there in May, June, and July. I also saw Peck-
ham there, and Johnson, once in company, with a short man called
Jones. The prisoner went by the name of De Clifford. lie,
Johnson, and Jones drank tea there, but I did not see Peckhani in
.sompany with the prisoner.
This was the ems for the prosecution.
'lshe prisoner read a written defence, Before he began he begged
to espisin the circumstances of the alias De Clifford (which was his
mother's name), because he had reduced his establlshmenr, and
Herd is humble sphere. He then described that his acquaintance
with these parties (which he very much regretted had ever taken
plum) began by Pecksm representing to him that he was able to
pro him in a way of molting a fortwie in a short time. He had no
knowlege Mogen of the transactions of the parties, and solemnly
dodsred his innocence of having ever received • farthing from
them. It CORM not be supposed that they would have Intrusted him
at once with a circumstance affecting their lives. He then said,
that he had never committed a dishonest act in his life. lie
had several testimonials of character from persons of the greatest
seopeetsbility.
Mr. Justice Pass—l cannot receive them—it has been so de-
cided by the Judges.
7iberrisonce then expressed his perfect innocence of the crime
is; to him ; and begged to call witnesses to character.
I witnesses were then called.
QM K them we an officer in the First Dragooths, and had kneel,
the prisoner fee It years.
Another geatisenan, midis' in Pentonville, had known him
forty years—nearly all his life. He went by the name of John
kergar, and storeys bore a character of the greatest respectability.
other witnesees had known him, some of them in the gambling
houses, and they all said that he bore a good character for honesty
and honourable conduct.
Mr. Justice Pettit, in summing rip, told the Jury that with re-
spect to the charge of forgery they would put it out of their minds
at affectieg the prisoner, because there was no proof of his having
forged the check ; but it was very material to consider whether lie
lemur It to hare been forged at the time of uttering ft. That was
v-e charge against him ; the proof sou difficult, as It depended on
the ceetimeny of accomplices. lie had never in the whole course
of his nightiel capacity seen two more corrupt, infamous, and
wicked witnemea than the two young men, Johnson and Peckham,
who, if they did not stop in their nefarious course, must certainly
end their tires prematurely. If the ease had depended on their
evidence alone, Ste wonld have felt it his duty to have stopped the
it, and told them to acquit the prisoner. But their evidence
was pertly supported by other witnesses, though the main point
depended on their own testimony ; and it would be for the Jury to
.oVether they could believe such infamous young men.
Jury, after haring been absent for nearly three hours, re-
sogoed, ond pronounced a verdict of Not Iltaiiry.
who during the trial appeared little conscious of
-thopilressioas situation in whidi be stood, bowed respectfully to
to theJary and withdrew.
Jaffa Love and Soma! Barris were indicted for breaking Into
sr-d entering the dwallirg.houn of John Young. blacksmith to his
in slaty, at Hampton Court, and stealing therefrom varions
so.des of woofing apparel, his property.
Mr. John Young, the prosecutor, eiamined by Mr. Abu:mows'
—I live alone in • part of the Palma at Hampton Court. I hold
it he virtue of an order from the Lord Chancellor. On Sunday,
trim !3d October, between the hours of 12 and I, my boon was en.
trued. The bell had been previously rang, violently. On looking
out of the window I saw two 'grangers; they rang again, but laid
• rat notice the ringing. I then heard a noise below ; I thought it
was somebody endeavouring to open my outer door. I came away
from the window, an 4 Op the room hi which 11 was. I then bolted ,
thedoorGr the enterbeoifinst the 11411111 die landing place, having
f tit taken net t key, hick. outside, to prevent any one from
~wring cue in theta m door I bad bolted ; I
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