The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-20 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE--March 11

MANSION-HOUSE. INVEIGLING GOVER-
NESSES TO PARIS.—At the conclusion of the busi-
ness of the (I,y, Alderman Sir Robert Carden re-
ferred to an application made to him on Wednesday
on behalf of the London Society for the Protection
which were being made by a man named Robertson
to
of Ydeocuonygyoung Women as to certain sys'ematic attempts
f
governesses, to Paris,
pro-
viding them with desirable situations, but in reality,
women,
on
the principally
alleged
pretence of
ol class s o
as beliehvee,
Efoardimthmatormaloprnuirnpgoses
HeAasldreeramsoan to
said
re-
ceived a letter from John Blanshard, the manager
there(thew
of extensive premises at 90, Lower Thames-street,
stating that letters in the handwriting of ladies had
of late been addressed to this Mr. Robertson, to the
care of a Mr. Weiman, who had an office there, in
answer to an advertisement in the limes; that
Weiman requested him to take in letters so ad-
dressed, and that he did so, suspecting nothing
wrong, until he found that a number of young
ladies came there to visit Robertson on his arrival
from Paris,-whieh aroused his suspicion. Enclosed in
that communication were six letters, addressed by
ladies to Robertson at the office of eiman ; and,
judging from the handwriting, they were evidently
from women of superior education. He could
not open them, but under the circumstances he
would hand them over to the police, to be detained
for the present. He remembered, some years ago,
being instrumental in punishing a man named
Flynn, who was concerned in inveigling young go-
vernesses over to Paris under circumstances similar
to-the present ; and he should like to have Mr.
Robertson and Mr. Wieman before him, for in that
case he would assist in giving them their deserts.
"A Poor Governess" had written to him (Sir
Robert) enclosing a letter she had received from
this Mr. Robertson, and urging him to use his best
exertions "to prevent any of her weak sex being
deceived." Sir Robert read the enclosure, which
was as follows :—lt was dated "London, March 13,'
and in the corner were the words, " Agence de F.
Robertson, 32, Rue de Paridis-Poissoniere."
Miss,—In answer to your honoured letter of February
the 24th, I herewith inform you that I can introduce you
as a governess in a highly respectable French family,
where it would be your business to instruct two young
ladies about 13 and 15 years old. If you can send me
good references you are certain of being accepted upon my
introducing you; I therefcre send you the conditions, £72
per annum, with your washing put out, and you are
privileged to use your employer's carriage (a laugh), and a
separate apartment ; your travelling expenses paid in a first
class department; an engagement for three years certain,
and you are always expected to speak English to your
pupils. (A laugh.) The conditions of our firm are as
follows—commission £4, to be paid in four months, or £1 a
month; and in order to pay our first advances, and as
security for both parties, you are expected to send imme-
diately with your references the first month's commission
of £1 by a post-office order. It is understood that in case
you decline to accept the situation for serious reasons, your
first fee will be returned.—l remain, Miss, yours respect-
fully, "F. ROBERTSON.
" Business of importance obligee me to be in London for
a few days. Therefore, to avoid all delay, write me 'Mr.
Robertson, Office Weiman, first floor, 90, Lower Thames-
street, City, London.'"
The services of the public press were invaluable
ostt in exposing schemes calculated to delude unsuspect-
ing people, and to it be appealed to defeat the one
put the letters to which he bad alluded into the
e In
a thee this
ma meantimetter,
hands of the police, with instructions to use their
exertionsbuensdtercon
investigate andhe reportwould
I the result to him.

TIIE CONDEMNED CONVICTS AT DORCHESTER.—
It is stated that the two prisoners left for death at
the Dorset Assizes will be executed by Calcraft on Friday,
the 27th inst. Preedy, who murdered the warder at Port•
land Convict Pt ison, has since his condemnation continued
to behave in the most violent and outrageous manner, in-
sulting almost every one who comes near him, and it was
with difficulty he was even persuaded to see his mother and
aunt before they left Dorchester after the trial. He is
attended by three men at night and two in the daytime,
notwithstanding that he is still in irons. Upon being put
under further restraint he said he supposed he h.td letter
" draw in his horns," but he has repulsed the clergyman to
whom he had previously been very attentive, stating that
he does not want to see him any more. He is, however,
perfectly conscious of the nature of his actions, and says
the sooner they hang him out of the way the better, as, if
he gets back to Portland or anywhere else, ho will be sure
to murder others. Unless he alters very much, there is
every reason to believe it will be necessary to bang him in
irons. The other convict, Fooke, condemned for the mur-
der of his cousin, a neighbouring farmer, at Walditch, near
Bridport, appears to be preparing himself for the change
that awaits him. A petition is, however, being got up for
a reprieve in his favour.