The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-25 00:00:00

THIRD COURT.

(Before Russel Gurney, Esq., Q.C.)
William Buckingham, a gentlemanly, well-dressed
'man, a dissenting minister, surrendered to take his trial
♦upon an indictment, charging him with having obtained
from William Samuel Burton and two other persons
'small sums of money by false pretences, with intent to
defraud.

Mr. Payne appeared for the prosecution which had
been instituted by the Mendicity society ; Mr. Robinson
'defended.

William Samuel Burton, an ironmonger, in Oxford-
street, stated thatsome time in February last defendant
called upon him, and said, " I have called for your sub-
scription." Witness had been a subscriber to the Lon-
don Sailors' Mission, and gave defendant, whom he be-
lieved to be the accredited collector, the sum of 10s., but
witness being called away, he did not give him a receipt.
He called again in May, when witness recalled it to his
memory, and defendant said he had best give another.
Other evidence w'as given 'to show that defendant had
obtained other sums from different persons for the Lon-
don Sailors' Mission.

Henry Major, an officer of the Mendicity Society,
said that having received information that defendant was
going round collecting subscriptions for a society that
had ceased to exist, he went upon the 30th of Tune last,
to No. 4, Emily-place, Leytonstone•road, Essex. He
told defendant he took him into custody for obtaining
money in aid of the London Sailors' Mission, which had
ceased to exist. Defendant said there had been such a
society. Witness said, "I am aware of that ; but it
has not been in existence for two years. I have seen
Mr. Rayner, who was originally the treasurer. There
is no such society in existence." When the defendant
was before the magistrate the first time he pressed for a
summary conviction, admitting the charge.
Mr. Robinson—We shall see about that. What did
he say ?

Witness— He pressed for a summary conviction, and
so did his solicitor, Mr. Lewis, who is sitting there.
Mr. Lewis, of Ely-place, said he did not do anything
of the kind.

The officer again persisted that it was so ; stating that
at the first examination he was undefended, but that
upon the second time of hearing the charge, Mr. Lewi,,
who appeared, said that the case would give Mr. Barton
much trouble, and pressed for it to be settled by the
magistrate.
Mr. Lewis again denied that he had done so.
Mr. Robinson—Why, did not Mr. Lewis say that if
the decision of the magistrate was against the prisoner,
he would request it to be sent before a jury ?
The witness still persisted that defendant pressed for
the magistrate to decide the charge summarily.
Mr. Gurney—What did he say ?
Witness—He said that if he had done anything wrong
he was willing to abide the decision of the law.
Mr. Gurney—That is quite a different thing from an
admission of guilt by the defendant.
It was stated that defendant bad said the London

Sailors' Mission was held at Messrs. Sharp and Rickett's
Regent's Dock, Limehouse ; and a clerk from that firm
was called to show that no such mission was held there,
neither had any letters to prisoner been taken in there.
Cross-examined—Had seen the defendant about two
years ago preaching to- sailors in the ships.
The receipts given by the defendant were on behalf of
the London Sailors Mission.
Several missionaries from the different societies for the
diffusion of religious instruction amongst seamen were
called to prove that no such society as the London
Sailors' Mission was known to them, but about two
years ago there was a London Sailors' Society.
Mr. William Rayner, formerly treasurer to the Lon-
don Sailors' Society, said that defendant had been
strongly recommended to that society to preach for it.
Witness was not now connected with it, but heard it
had changed its name.
Mr. Robinson—To the London Sailors' Mission'
Witness—Yes.
Thomas Young was secretary to the London Sailors'
Society, which he believed still to be in existence under
the name of the London Sailor's Mission. It has a vice-
president, a Mr. Habershon, the architect, and several
noble patrons. The vice-president had said that defend-
ant was recognised as an agent to the society.
Mr. Gurney said after that statement it would be use-
less to go on ; there was no charge against the defendant.
Mr. Robinson said his client was a gentleman of the
highest respectability, and possessing some little for=
tune, which he expended in religious works for seamen.
There were a number of gentlemen of high standing to
speak to defendant's respectability.
Mf. Payne expressed his doubts about the existence
of the society.
Mr. Gurney—No doubts ought to be expressed after
the breaking down of the case by the witnesses for the
prosecution.
Mr. Robinson—lt is the jealousy of one society
against another.
Mr. Gurney—Before a powerful society like the Men-
dicity Society take such steps as these a proper inquiry
should have been made.
Mr. Payne—No evidence of this nature Wa9 brought
before the magistrate.
Mr. Robinson—We had them present.
Mr. Payne—No.
The defendant, who seemed considerably bewildered
at his position, said he could assure the jury be had no
dishonest intention.
The Foreman said he bad no occasion to tell them that.
Mr. Gurney said the expenses of the prosecution would
not be allowed.
Mr. Payne (with some warmtb)—The society do not
take their expenses.
Mr. Gurney—They are not allowed. Let the defend-
ant leave the dock.
He did so, and upon getting outside the court was
greeted with considerable cheering, apparently from a
number of seamen.