The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-27 00:00:00

EVENING, JANUARY 27, 1864.

directed to withdraw, and the usual orders were given that
he should not be allowed to communicate with any one.
Considerable merriment, howev4r, was excited by the dis-
covery that the place chosen for isolating the witness was a
small room immediately behind the magisterial bench, from
which he commanded a fulhfie 'of all that passed in court.
When this anomaly had b4n ctifled and the discussion
terminated, the witness was r dmitted. and stated that
after the conversation with the entleman at Calais he went
on board the Rappahannock. e asked for employment as
a boiler-maker, and got it. Mr,Ramsay was present, also a
lady, and Jinno was not far,off. ' Witness was on board in
all from the 9th November till the 25th December, in two
separate engagements. He cause away because they wanted
him every day to sign articles, end he did not wish to do so.
There was something about the colour of the flag he did not
like—it was an American one., Believed it to be the Con-
federate, but did not know 'much about the difference.
Would swear that he did not know it at the time to be a
Confederate flag.

Mr. Gifford objected to the counsel for the prosecution
cross-examining his own witness.

Mr. Twopenny said that, in the unanimous opinion of
the Bench, the manner in which the witness had given his
answers was such as to make them regard him as an adverse
witness.

The witness, in continuation, said he had been offered
two a notes if he would sign articles, but refused to do so.
The captain read over articles to three of them—they wanted
him to fight, he supposed. Having heard the articles would
still swear that he did not know to which nation the vessel
belonged ; forgot what the captain said at the time; he did
not pencil it down. If he wanted to fight he would do so
in the English service, net the American. It would put his
head together again to say how long ago the articles were
read over to all hands. Witness would have nothing to do
with their Government, and persuaded all the others to
refuse to sign.
In cross-examination the witness manifested even greater
reluctance to give direct answers to Mr. Giffard, who ob-
served that witness had at least shown his impartiality.
Was first asked to give evidence in Woolwich on Thursday
week, by one who went in the name ot O'Kelly. The Soli-
citor to the Treasury took down his statement on Tuesday
last. Had previously spoken to several persons; could not
say to whom, for he had been drinking lately. Where he
got the drink from was his own business; he got no money,
but Mr. O'Kelly gave him drink. O'Kelly was a shipping-
master, Who told him to stop from his vessel, a coal screw,
which was to sail from London, and he would be paid for
his time. Did not ask what he was to be paid ; but O'Kelly
lent him small sums-7s. in all. He also got half a sove-
reign and a piece of paper in his hand, when he was told to
remain. Expected ss. a day and something a night for so
long as he remained. O'Kelly took him into the Mitre
and gave him as much drink as he liked, and 'bacca ; and
he was happy to receive it. (Laughter.) Also went with
him to Genoa's, a beershop ; to 26, Minories, London, where
he had ale and soup, not at his own expense ; to Poplar and
other places. Was not aware whether he went to any office
or place to see the American authorities. Had served for,
four years in her Majesty's ship Brisk as fireman.
James Mulowny said he had been engaged as fireman on
board the Scylla by Mr. Rumble. The first payment of 3s
was made by Mr. Rowe, and for the next week £1 Is. was
paid him by Mr. Rumble at his own house. When the
vessel left Sheerness she was not in a seaworthy state;
every tube in the boiler was bursting. The rigging was not
complete, and no sails were bent. There were some new
hammocks on board. After leaving Sheerness the Confede.
rate flag was hoisted, and the captain came aboard and read
articles, but tone of the crew would join. Witness left two
days after the ship arrived in Calais. Saw Mr. Rumble
on Calais-quay, and witness and Brooks asked him for
a job at boiler-making, and he said, " Yes, go and work
on board the ship with the boilermakers." That was the
same ship. Remained on board 14 days. The captain only
paid him for eight days' work, and witness applied to Mr.
Rumble for the balance; but he denied having hired him
in the country. On returning to England witness applied
at Mr. Rumble's house and said he would summon him for
the rest of the money. Mr. Rumble appointed to meet
him at the Fountain at 12 o'clock, but did not keep his
word. The same atternoon he went to his house, and Mrs.
Rumble gave him a sovereign in the presence of her hus-
band. In consequence of what he heard witness afterwards
went to Mr. Howe and received from him the sum of £lBs
Bd, and then took back to Mr. Rumble the sovereign he had
advanced him until he received his wages. Mr. Howe was
landlord of the Fountain.

The witness was cross-examined at length concerning
what passed when the sovereign was advanced, but per-
sisted in representing that the, transaction was not a loan.
Mr. Rumble told him it was a pity he had not seen Mr.
Brown, the owner of the ship, but he said Mr. Rumble had
employed him, and to him he should look for payment. The
witness at first stated that no one had been aware what evi•
donee he was to give that day, but afterwards modified that
assertion, limiting his statement to the details of the pecu-
niary transaction. Had served in the British navy, and was
dismissed the service for taking leave. Was three years
on board the Emerald.

George Bailey, boilermaker, went from Sheerness to Ca-
lais to work upon the Rappahannock, in consequence of two
fellow-workmen named Joseph Williams and Thos. Giffard
asking him to do so. A Mr. Bagshaw took them all three to
Mr. Rumble's house, and they waited outside while he went
in. When he came out he gave Giffard three £5. notes, and
told them they had 14 days' leave to do a 10 dbys' job. They
went to Calais next day, eight in all. Mr. Rumble was on
board the packet in which they crossed, and he imagined he
went to Calais also ; at least the boat did not stop till it got
there. (Laughter.) The boilers Niue in a very bad state. It
would have taken two months to repair them with the
quickest and best tools.
Mr. Giffard objected to this line of examination as quite
irrelevant to the present inquiry, though it might be in-
tended to shield her Majesty's
state in which vessels had been sold by them.
Mr. Harcourt denied that he was influenced by any
Government by showing the
ulterior motives in putting the questions.
The witness said that the job not being satisfactory to
him he returned to Dover, when he was sent for into the
waiting room of the railway, and found Mr. Rumble and a
lady sitting at the fire. Mr. Rumble asked what made him
leave the ship, and he replied that the job was not word-
ing to the agreement made with him at Sheerness, and also
because the provisions were not satisfactory to him. Mr.
Rumble said if he did not like living on board he could live
iotffneersesd
rheimf
wit 0 to go back by the night boat
to do so, having a ticket for
onto Ca haloaries. and
W
Sheerness, and wishing to see his wife. He asked Mr.
Rumble whether his leave at the dockyard was all right,
and he said he knew nothing at all about it.
In cross-examination the witness said O'Kelly had come
to the dockyard after him last Tuesday, but he refused to
give him any information about Calais. He had only seen
O'Kelly three times in all.
William Ellis, John Good, and Joseph Williams, boiler-
makers, who had also gone to Calais, gave evidence of a like
character. They concurred in the assertion that for the first
few days the ship had not any flag flying
after that the
Confederate flag was hoisted.

Charles Newton, a witness, betraying symptoms of un-
steadiness, and to whom intervals of reflection were twice
afforded
a o
torhim to elect between being
sworn
n
deposed that he went with the
Scylla read the ship's articles to
i by
going the
Calais.bench,
into
custody,
The t o enable
captain
him, and told him she was a Confederate man-of-war--he
w
country,
and the crew for money.
Wahse to fight
leaving
y f
by h of h
oathe shipo £3 8 os
were put on the table, he
could n
witness was told to put it in
his pocket. The vessel was not fit for sea when witness left
loe
ta s r love
w md c
her ; the yard was top on end, and dry stores were stowed
away in the magazine and shell room.
Cross-examined—Never was in a man-of-war in his life.
Did not know what a " magazine and shell room" were.
The dry goods were milk and such like. (Laughter.)
Richard Spendrift had shipped on board the Scylla the
day she left Sheerness, and before doing asked Mr. Rumble
for a character, which he gave in a note to the mate of the
vessel. Afterwards he saw Mr. Rumble on board looking
after the Government stores. The name of the vessel was
changed on the passage to Calais. The boilers were very bad,
only three of the six were in working order, and the vessel
was not in a fit state to go to sea. There were what wit-
ness understood to be fighting boilers on board the Scylla ;
at first ho stated these not to have been in fighting order,
but afterwards reversed this statement. Had been 17 years
and seven months in the navy. In the Scylla hammock-
hooks were in their places for swinging about 150 hammocks.
Did not see any hammocks but those the men slept in going
over. A new captain came on board at Calais, ordered up all
hands, and told them it was a Confederate man-of-war. Ho
informed the crew that the prize money was to go forward.
He did not say what the ship was to do, or where it was to
cruise ; but told them he had been chief mato of the
Alabama. Witness left in five or six days afterwards.
Wm. O'R elly was the next witness. He described him-
self as an American shipping agent, whose business it was
to procure seamen for American vessels. Last November,
understanding that there was a vessel at Sheerness requir-
ing his services he went there, bat found she had gone. Ho
accosted Mr. Rumble, saying that he knew soma good men
who wanted to go in the Scylla. Mr. Rumble said he was
too late, but asked could the witness get good men, adding
that about 20 would be required. lie referred witness to Mr.
Coleman's office, 9, Clement's-lane, Lombard -street, for par-
ticulars, and on the Saturday following saw him there. Mr
Rumble said, "There is nothing doing at present, but if
you call again Mr. Pearson will let you know." On the
Tuesday after ho again saw him, and said, " Mr. Rumble,
I understand you are sending men over—there are some
went on last night," to which Mr. Rumble replied, " I
have nothing to do with the ship now, it was bought
by Mr. Coleman from Mr. Pearson. Mr. Pearson is a bank-
rupt, and cannot make a purchase, but as they are brothers,

in-law, Mr. Coleman purchased this ship for him." Wit-
ness then asked who had to do with the ship. He said,
" Capt. Campbell, then in Calais." Witness said, "I have
a good mind to go over and see Captain Campbell," and Mr.
Rumble replied, " Well, I would go if I were you"—rather
in a bantering tone, Witness rejoined, "I will go if I can
raise the money," and defendant said, "Why don't you
go ?" They then parted. Witness went that night to
Calais, and next morning went alongside the ship Rappa-
hannock; she had no colours hoisted then, as it was before
o'clock—she had no colours hoisted that day. At 11
o'clock the same day alongside the Rappahannock witness
met Mr. Rumble in company with Mr. Ramsay, the chief
officer of the ship. He asked me (said the witness) what I
was doing there, I said I came according to his advice.
He said, " Now, are you honest ?" I said, " Certainly."
He observed, pointing to Mr. Ramsay, " This is the man
who got me into all this trouble." I said, " There is no
more trouble now; she is in a French port." He said,
"Right ; now we don't care who knows it." He then said
to Mr. Ramsay, "This is the man that can find us a crew.
Mr. Ramsay said, "He had better see the first lieutenant."
I said, " No, I want to see Captain Campbell himself."
The witness described his meeting with Captain Campbell,
who told him he should not want a crew for six weeks; and
next deposed to the following conversation as having been
originated by Mr. Rumble:— He said, "Now, can I depend
upon you ?" I said, "Certainly." He said, "We thought
you belonged to the other party." I told him, " No, I be-
long to no party." He then said, " She will want 40 men."
I said, "More like 100." He remarked, "This is a money-
making affair." I said, " I know it is, if it is properly
worked." He said, "We will work together." 1 said,
" Certainly ; share and share alike." He then inquired,
"What are you going to do now?" I said, "I am going
to London. by the next boat, as I consider my business here
as done." He said, "It is done; leave everything else to
me." And he proposed to meet me at Pearson's office at
10 o'clock on Saturday. I went to Mr. Pearson's office,
but I did not see Mr. Rumble there or again till to -day. I
was taken ill on the following Sunday and continued very
ill for three weeks. He gave me a sovereign just before I
left Calais.

Cross. examined—When he gave me the sovereign I told
him that I had nice children. I also told him I was very
poor. I have been a shipping master for American ships
since 1853. I am of Irish extraction, but I hail from London
—oan I swear where I was born ? I believe I was born in
Limerick, but have no recollection of my mother country. I
live at No, 6, Havering-street, London—place of business,
No. 5, High-street, Shadwell. Before 1853 I was a master
tailor, carrying on business at 15, Banks-place, Now-road,
for three or four years, under the same name. I never had
any other. Before this I was for seven years a journeyman
tailor, working at Stultz's, Hujee's, and Cartwright's. For
three years I was manager and head foreman of Dunn's
Tailor Labour Agency, Newington..causeway, London. Be-
fore that I was a little boy, (Laughter.) lam now about
48 years of age. After seeing Mr. Rumble I stayed in Sheer-
ness till 2 o'clock; during the interval I telegraphed. I
should not know the place again, nor yet the name of the
person to whom I telegraphed ; I believe it was to a Mr.
Gifford. I got no answer. I was accompanied by a friend, a
London pilot. Ido not remember his name. In speaking to
Mr. Rumble I did not give my own name. I gave him that
of Williams. I never previously passed by any other false
name. I saw they were using shams, and I thought I
might as well use a sham as another. I borrowed the money
to go to Calais from a friend, and am not obliged to give his
name. Suppose it was from "my uncle."
Being pressed on this point, the witness said he would not
answer. Being directed to do so by the Bench, he said it
was "a Mr. Nunn, a clerk in the City living in West-
boume-square."

Mr. Giffird—When first, if ever, did you have any con-
versation with personsconnected with the United States of
America.

The witness fenced with this question, and the evasive
answer which he returned was taken down. The question
being repeated, he said he had been in constant communica-
tion with the authorities of the United States since 1553;
the nature of his business was such as to require it. He
was not connected with the United States Consul, or
any of the American authorities, when he went on his mis-
sion to Sheerness. He went simply as a shipper of seamen
for American ships, and not in any way in relation to a sup-
posed equipping of a Confederate ship. First got into com-
munication with the members of her Majesty's Government
on that day fortnight. Mr. Knight sent for him on that
day. A telegraphic message reached him in the West India
Dock. Would not swear horn whom the message came.
Still carried on the business of a tailor, as well as that of
slalpping-master at his homo, 41, Smith-street, Mile-end-
road, Stepney.
The prosecution closed at this point, and

Mr. Giffard addressed the Bench for the defence, contend-
ing that no infringement of the Foreign Enlistment Act had
been committed by his client, and on the contrary that all at-
tempts to fix him with a guilty intention had failed. His
learned friend conveniently overlooked the fact that the
Government had sold the vessel to the very parties to whom
Mr. Rumble, in perfect good faith, was giving such slight
assistance as was habitually afforded in every one of the
great shipping ports. And it must be borne in mind that
everything done towards getting out the vessel prior to her
departure from Sheerness was done under the eyes of all
the Government officials in the dockyard. After the vessel
reached France it had, indeed, been shown that lair. Rumble
still took an interest in her ; but this was intelligible as
soon as it was mentioned that, from considerations of per-
sonal friendship towards the owner of the Scylla, Mr.
Rumble bad become guarantee for the payment of trades-
men in Sheerness, with whom that owner had been deal-
ing. His object in proceeding to Calais was simply to pro-
cure the money for which he had thus made himself liable.
At the outside all that could be entertained against his
clientwas suspicion,and he asked the bench to set against con-
siderations of that nature the high reputation Mr. Rumble
had always maintained.
Mr. Rumble read an explanatory statement of the circum-
stances involved in his connexion with the Scylla; and ex-
pressly contradicted many statements of the witness for the
prosecution, more particularly those made by O'Kelly.
After a few minutes consultation in their own room, the
Chairman announced the decisiyn of the Bench, which was
to send the case for trial.

At the request of Mr. Giffard, who pointed out that the
requisite power existed under the 4th section of the Act,
their Worships committed the defendant for trial before the
Court of Queen's Bench. Bail was again accepted in the
same amount as before.
The proceedings lasted till a very late hour.