The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-19 00:00:00

POLICE.

MANSION-HOUSE.
The house of Mr. Gilson, of No. 62, Lower Thames-street, was
broken open on Saturday morning, and a considerable quantity of
plate was stolen. Two men, one of whom, named Ferguson, was a
person of very respectable appearance, were brought before the
Loan 31• Ton, charged with the offence. The name of the other
man was Junta.
From the statement of the circumatar.e.ea, which caused much in-
terest and surprise, it appeared that at a quarter past one o'clock
on Saturday morning, a watchman observed from the street, through
the window of Mr. Gilson's house, some person moving with a light
about the first floor, and mentioned to a second watchman that he
feared all was not right. They consulted and resolved to call a
third watchman to their assistance, but before they did so the pri-
soner Jones put his head out at the door of Mr. Gilson's house, and
a man, whom they afterwards found to be the prisoner Ferguson,
also looked out over the shoulder of his companion. They did not
suspect that they were watched, and turned in again. The third
watchman was called, and they determined to keep as near to the
door as possible. One of them had just caught hold of the bell.
handle, when the two prisoners rushed out. Ferguson knocked
down the watchman who endeavoured to cheek his speed, and both
fled with great rapidity, but were overtaken. Ferguson, who is •
very powerful man, fought desperately, and did not surrender until
the watchman who stopped him had beaten him with great severity.
The watchman who stopped Jones had not to encounter such op-
position. The two prisoners were taken off to the watch-house, Fer.
guson appearing to undergo great mental agony.
A Ward Beadle stated, that he was in the watch-house when the
two prisoners were brought in, and was greatly surprised at seeinA
Mr. 'Ferguson, whom he had long known to be connected with a
respectable house, under a charge of felony. He had cowsidered
the person whom he was then called upon to search as a most
honest and respectable man. The unfortunate man said, upon
being told that he must be searched—•' I'll give you every thirg,
Mr. Davis," and proceeded to empty his pockets of a considerable
quantity of plate. He also produced a crow-bar, a phosphorus box,
• skeleton key, and some other articles in general use amcngot
housebreakers, On the other prisoner was also found a consider-
able quantity of plate. The flight of both prisoners must hove
been greatly impeded by the weight they had to carry. The skeleton
key was applied to the side door of Mr. G.. on's house, and found
to open it without any effort.
61r. Gilson stated, that soon after eleven o'clock on Friday night
he went to bed and left all safe. Between one and two he was
awakened by the ringing of the bell, and upon going down stairs
he found one of the doors open, and was informed by sonic watch-
men that his house had been broken open and robbed, and that the
thieves were in the watch-house. lie dressed himself and went to
the watch-house, where, to his astonishment, who did he are in
Ferguson but his confidential clerk, to whose hands he had entrusted
thousavds, and against whose character lie had never heard a
syllable uttered. Ferguson had lived with him six years, and knew
where the /fey of the strong box in which the money was usually
deposited was kept. This box had been opened, but fortunately
it happened that the cash had that day been taken out, and there
were only two small Guernsey notes in it, and those were found
upon the prisoner. Ferguson's desk was broken open, although he
had the key. This, it is presumed, was done to give the
ap-
pearance of a robbery by common housebreakers to the whole
business. The witness had sent Ferguson, on the day before the
I burglary, to get a check for w considerable amount cashed, and he
had never found him upon any occasion deficient in his accounts.
The prisoner Jones was wholly unknown to the complainant.
The prisoners declined making any answer to this charge, and
were fully committed foe trial at the Peat Old Bailey Sessions.