The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-04 00:00:00

TIIE CITY FUNDS.

Mr. Farr. Lt. presented a report from the Finance Committer,
stating that an offer had been made to them through one of their
31entbcrs (Alderman %rood) to advance a sum at 4 per cent. in-
terest, to pay off all the City debts, which tow amounted to
545,1,001., and upon which the City wax now paying 5 per cent. in.
tereq. The report stated the Committee had considered the pro.
penal with great attrition. anti they recommended the Court to ac-
cept it. and to ave to Parliament to seemre the payment or 4 per
mt. on the 'one. Mr. Fart II said this was an offer of the most im-
portant nature to the Corporation, na the saving which would tuke
play., if it were accepted, would amount to 6,0001. per annum.
And it was probable that the Orplvin's Fund debt, which now took
11.0001. per annum from the revenue, would be extinguished within
the lives of the present Members.
Mr. 11 i• wrote's! seconded the motion for agreeing with the
report. The condition of the bonds was, that the Corporation
ovglic pay them wheLever they pleased, on giving six months'
no ice.

Mr. JUrP and Mr. OILMAN observed, that the Corporation
might pay off the bonds without applying to Parliament.
Alderman BROWX expressed his opinion, that in point of ho-
nour the Court ought to continue to pay the bondholders 6 per cent.
uutil they were able to pay them off themselves.
Alderman IJvwTwn, Mr. Dixox, and Mr. JAMES, were for
the postponement of the question.
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, he was aware, in bringing forward
this proposition, he should meet with considerable opposition from
numbers in the Court who were bondholders, and considerably in-
terested, but such opposition dill not daunt him. He had brought
forward the measure as a matter of public duty, and felt that the
Corporation, as trustees of the public money, were bound to accept
the proposition, (Hear.) if the landholders were willing he would
consent to take the reduced interest; that would be another matter
but he denial that they would listen to such a proposition. This
would be a sari .g of 120001. to the public, and he was sure the
Court would do their duty without hesitation. He felt confident
that his own motives for bringing forward this proposition would
not be considered as in any way personal or interested. Hear.l
The motion tor agreeing with the report, and that fin carrying it
Into execution, ware put and carried by a large majority.

POLICE.

BOW,STREET.

FORGERY ow CRELSEA HOSPlTAL.—lfilliam Clarke,
Lnaam, and Cakeley, were yesterday exaudncel, on a charge
preferred against them by the Governors of Chelsea Hospital, for
eorging two certain cheques for the payment of prize money ; also
with fraudulently personating two soldiers, with intent to defraud ;
and also with defrauding the said charity.
Clarke had written to Captain Stewart, confessing his guilt, and
excnlpating the others ; and after expressing his gratitude for for.
mer favours, imploring mercy for his wife and family.
Mr. Bicqart.t. attended fur the Hospital, and Mr. Haunts
for the prisoners. The latter Gentleman objected to the production
of the letter, winch Captain Stewart also wished to decline handing
in, considering it to be cor.fldential.
Sir R. BIINIE said, if it had rime from a prism of equal rank
with the gallant Captain he should not have thought it right to call
for it, but he could not think of a letter from a private soldier to
his officer being taken in the same light. The letter was then put
in and read.

Captain Stewart was then examined, and stated Clarke to have
been in his office as • clerk. 'the body of the forged certificates
were his handwriting, but he would not swear to the signature.
Clarke had access to the printed forms in his office, but he never
gave bim liberty to fill them up ; in fact, he titre. had been con.
suited respecting them.
M. Bic KNELL said he should not call any further evidence, and
the names of the whole of the witnesses haveing been called over,
they were bound over to prosecute ; Clarke for forgery, and I,,,gan
and Cokeley for pernonating, were fully committed to Newgate tor
trial on both charges.