The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-23 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,--This day,

—viz., Free-trade and Non-intervention. Upon the im-
portance of free trade he did not think it necessary for him
to enter, as all parties were now agreed that it was the great
means of promoting the material wealth and prosperity of
the mass of the nation. Non-intervention, however, re-
quired explanation and support. National sympathy
almost invariably went with the weak against the strong;
and the masses of the people reasoned by the heart
instead of by the head. They were like the schoolboy
who was ale aye ready to fight with his fists for the
weak side, or for his own district or parish. The policy
of a great nation, however, should be manlike—not
boyish. They should be guided by sense, and not by
sympathy, and should never go to war unless a clear sense
of duty obliged them to resort to the swcrd. Ho did not
mean to lay down any absolute theory on the subject, for
absolute theories were not always the safest things ; and if
mathematicians could not calculate the movements of three
bodies unless by an approximation, it was not to be expected
that any absolute theory could be formed for the regulation
of arrangements so complicated as the policy:of nations. To
do the right thing at the right time, and put the right man
in the right place, were worth to a statesman all the theories
in the world. Non-intervention, he was glad to say, is
now the policy of this great nation. Europe has on two
occasions recently been breught to the brink of war by fol-
lowing the antiquated policy of " meddle and muddle"
which has so long characterised the Foreign Offices; but
war has been prevented by the peoples of England and
France, who in this matter, he could safely say, had shown
themselves to be wiser than their respective Governments.
When diplomatists were penning notes and, bringing
the country to the brink of war, we were all convinced
of the absurdity of going to war with sixty millions of
Russians for a commercial King of Poland, or with forty-
five millions of Germans to settle the question whether
the Danish or the German language shall be taught in
the schools of Schleswig or Holstein. He cid not believe
the Government were altogether to blame, as they were
perhaps forced by circumstances into the line of action
which they pursued—but he gave them credit for having
decided rightly upon three most important questions—not
to go to war for Poland or Denmark, nor to interfere in the
civil war in America. If those great questions could occur
again, he believed that the Government would not only
come to the same decision, but would do so without hesita-
tion, whether that Government were Liberal or Conserva-
tive; and the consequences of their hesitation manifested
upon two of these occasions should prove a lesson and a
warning to all politicians to make non-intervention a car
dinal rule of British policy. Mr Laing, after paying a
warm tribute to the memory of Sir R. Peel, to whose policy
in public aff tirs, he said, Britain was mainly indebted for
the high position which she occupies among the nations of
the earth, proceeded to the consideration of the trade of the
country. The imports and exports, he said, amounted in
1863 to £444,000,000 ; while 10 years before that period it
was only £263,000,C00; and 10 years before that again,
£150,000,000 ; showing an average yearly increase for the
20 years of X 15,000,000. He then quoted a long array of
figures showing how this immense sum was• made up
of £240,000,000 of imports and £195,000,000 of exports,
enumerating the different articles and their value. He then
proceeded to analyse this trade, and stated—first, that cur
own possessions were our best customers, giving us one-
third of our imports, and taking one-half of our exports,
India, which was first on the list, gave us 50 millions, and
took 20, and he believed the current year would far exceed
these amounts. Australia sent us 7 millions, and took 13.
Our North American colonies sent us eight millions, and
we gave them five in return. This was sufficient, he thought,
_ to refute die shallow theory that we should abandon our
colonial possessions as useless encumbrances. Notwith-
. standing the fact that there was no forced monopole, and
that they were left to sell their goods in the dearest market
and buy in the heapest, the tendency of the trade was al-
ways towards the mother country. On turning to the foreign
trade of the country, Mr Laing said that it was gratifying
for him to state that France stood at the head of our foreign
customers. It was gratifying to him personally, because he
had taken a humble part under Mr Gladstone in negotiating
the French treaty, and it was further gratifying to him as
a friend of peace to find so firm an alliance existing between
the two most powerful nations in Europe. The average
imports and exports from and to France previous to the
existence of the treaty was only 24 millions, while for the
last three years it reached 42 millions. Our trade with the
United States, which previous to the present insane and
suicidal war reached 60 millions, has now decreased to 40
millions. Our trade with Egypt ten years ago amounted
to only 4i millions, while it is now 20 millions. Mr Laing
then proceeded to the financial part of his address. The
national debt of France, he said, had in ten years decreased
£150,000,000, while Austria and Italy had increased
£68,000,000. Spain was its wits' end to make both ends
meet, while Turkey was knocking at the door of every
bankr in Europe ready to accept anything from anybody
who was able to lend them on any terms. The United States
have made the di,covery that they are the biggest people
in creation, and they seem therefore to have come to the
conclusion that they should have the biggest national debt.
In this they have been pretty successful, for in three years
they hays managed to accumulate something like
£300,000,000. Now it may be asked, how has this rate of
expenditure been arrived at ? The answer is—Bella horridce
belle. Curing the last ton years there had been an extra
expenditure of £300,000,000 sterling incurred by two great
European wars, and £300,000,000 more by minor wars and
an armed peace; and if this is added the American butchers'
bill, we have an expenditure on war in ten years of little
short of .£1,000,000 000. How far this was necessary he
would not attempt to say; but owing co wars and rumours
of wars, there had been puffed away in these ten years
something like £1,000,000,000 in gunpowder, Enfield rifles,
and plated ships; and Governments had got into that track
that they must choose between disarming and national
bankruptcy. Great Britain has not altogether escaped
in this matter. Her expenditure has increased consider-
ably, which has been caused by the increase in her army
and navy establishments ; but when contrasted with other
States, her finances were in a highly favourable condition.
We were able annually for the past few years to reduce the
taxes, and yet make both ends meet. These results,
which were so gratifying in themselves, were brought
about partly by the general prosperity of the country,
partly by the stimulus given to trade by the gold dis-
coveries, and last though not least, by the Free-trade
measures heralded by Mr Cobden, inaugurated by Sir R.
Peel, and carried out by Mr Gladstone. The lecturer
then proceeded to point out the sources from which the
income of the country was derived, which he characterised
as a simple and equitable mode of raising the revenue. The
upper and middle classes, he said, took upon themselves 20
years ago the burden of the income tax in order to equalise
the taxation, and in thus raising the condition of the masses
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of the world, and concluded by drawing a glowing picture
of the increasing prosperity of the British Empire. It rests,
said he, with the rising generation whether this prosperity
shall be maintained and still greater heights attained. lie
had no fear himself so long as the national spirit remained
intact, but that the star of England would still remain in
the ascendant, and if it ever decayed it would be from in-
ward and not from outward attack. The lecturer was fre-
quently applauded in the course of remarks by a large and
attentive audience.

During the last few days there has been very
little business transacted in the market for Foreign
and Colonial Produce. Tea has declined about Id
per lb„ while sugar and coffee have barely sustained
former quotations. In rice there have been a few
transactions reported at steady prices, while the
tallow market has continued inactive without any
material change to report in values for either
present or former delivery.
About £32,000 in bar gold was taken into the
Bank yesterday, but 35,000 sovereigns were with.
drawn for shipment to Portugal.
The bar silver by the Shannon has been sold at
58 111 per ez.
Advices received this morning from India and
China report that at Calcutta, on August 30, Ex-
change on London was quoted 2s lid, and that the
' rate of discount had been advanced 2 per cent. by
the Bank of Bengal. At Canton, Aug. 12, Exchange
en Lonclon was 4s ;Id, and at SlLanghai, Aug, 6,
13s 111,d.

BOW-STREET.
EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF OBTAINING MONEY BY
FALSE PRETENCES.—Augustine Wm. Beauclerk Butler,
was brought up on remand, charged with obtaining £2.)
by false pretences.
The prosecutor, it will be recollected, deposited £2O with
the prisoner, as security, on his taking the service of clerk
to the prisoner, he representing himself to be a clergyman
and secretary to the Calvery Mission. The prosecutor said
he had been entirely deceived, and that as he could not
get back his £2O he had given the prisoner into custody.
Mr Vaughan asked if there was any evidence to prove
the falsi.y of the prisoner's representations.
Police Sergeant Di u6covich, 36 A, said—l took the pri-
soner into custody on the 1•5-th, at the corner a Vige-street.
I told him N% ho I was, and the nature of the charge. Ile
said, " Very well, I'll go with you, but I can't see that Mr
Wharton has any cause to complain." Since the last exa-
mination I made inquiries, and I find there are several
persons whom he has victimised.
Mr V .ughan—llave you made any inquiries about his
being a c!ergyman ?
Witness—l have searched the clergy List, and I cannot
find such a narae as Beauclerk Butler.
Mr Vaughan—Could you find such a place as the Jeru-
salem University or the Calvery Mission?
Witness—No, sir, I could not. The circular I produce
relative to it was given to me by a gentleman now in court.
' Prisonet—That is an old one,
of three years' date.
Mr Vaughan—Did you find out the residence of the
prisoner ?
Witness—Yes, sir; No. 7, Belgrave-street, South. I
also discovered that he had been living at 5, Great College •
street, Westminster, and also at No. 90, Gloucester-street,
Queen's-square, from which he went away £5O in debt. I
have obtained the returns I now produce from the pri-
soner's " office."
The letters were here opened by Mr Burnaby, the chief
clerk, and read. One was from a clergyman of the Church
of England to subscribe to the Jerusalem Mission, and the
others were principally from young men offering their
services as clerk and under secretaries.
Mr Vaughan—Do you wish to ask the witness any ques-
tions ?

Prisoner —No, sir, as I most likely shall have to appear
elsewhere, I shall reserve my defence:
Edward Wildair, clerk to Mr Beresford, of 2, Pump'
court, Temple, said—About the middle of July the prisoner
came and asked if we had a room to let, as he waned one
for the office of the Jerusalem College. He told me he was
a clergyman of the Church of England.
Prisoner—That I distinctly deny. I never said such a
thing.
Witness continued—He took possession of the room a
few days after (about the 23d July), and the only furniture
it contained was a table, the circulars, and some ink. His
name was painted up on the 29th of July.
Inspector Mitchell, of the City Police, here said—The
witness Wharton is a friend of mine, and I went with him
to Mr. Lee's chambers, at Lincoln's Inn—the place ap-
pointed by the prisoner for the payment of the £2O---and
there I saw a gentleman whom, however, now I don't
believe to have been Mr. Lee; and from the manner
in which the prisoner acted on that occasion, I was
so entirely deceived, that I advised my friend to
accept the situation, which he did. The agreement was
then signed, and the prisoner took the two £lO-notes from
out of my hand and gave them to the gentleman present,
and told him to place them to the account of the Jerusalem
College.
Mr Vaughan—That does not carry the case any further,
and therefore it need not be added to the depositions. Are
there any other cases ?
The police-sergeant said he had a number of persons
present who had been deceived by the prisoner.
A gentleman said he had let the prisoner a house on the
representation Chat he was secretary to the Bishop of Lou-
den. After he had occupied it for some time he wont away,
leaving the rent unpaid. Various tradesmen at the time
supplied him with articles on the belief that he was the per-
son he had said, but had never been paid for their goods.
Mr Vaughan—This is matter far a civil tribunal. Have
you anything else.
A foreigner said he had entrusted the prisoner with a
quantity of valuable cameos for disposal, on his represent-
ing himself to be the secretary of Jerusalem College. but
he had never received the money for those he had dis-
posed of.
Mr Vaughan--That also may stand aside as a debt.
The ()Bowing additional charge was entered into :
Mr. Thomas Williams, of Church row, Stoke Newington,
said—l am a managing clerk to Messrs Wright and Bolder,
15, London-street, Fenchurch-street. In 1854, the prisoner
was engaged as an office-boy by our firm, at a salary of Bs.
per week. He remained there about four years. On the
Ist of March, 1861, I met him in the Temple,
and he then told nee he was under secretary to the
Bishop of London, special messenger to Cardinal Wiseman,
and he then handed me his card. Ile asked me to lend him
£3 103. He toll me he had married a lady of fortune, the
daughter of Colonel Phillips. That Colonel Phillips was
an attendant on her Majesty at Buckingham Palace and
Windsor Castle.
Prisoner—l em perfectly astonished at your representa-
tions and your attendance here.
Witness—No doubt you are. He further told me that
his wife had presented him with a living at Normanby in
Yorkshire ; that he frequently had to attend to his duty
there, and that he was then looking out for a curate. I
believed his representations and lent him various sums
amounting in all to £l5.
Mr Vaughan—Was it upon the representations that he
made that you lent him the money ?
Witness—Decidedly. 1 believed all he told me, and
I felt glad that such a fortunate change had taken place in
his affairs. I wrote to him repeatedly for the money I had
lent him, but I only got 10s. back.
Prisoner—l shall not ask any questions et present.
Sorgeant Druscovich said—l have made inquiries at the
secretary's office of the Bishop of London—Messrs Bruder
and Dunning, Parliament-street--and the prisoner is alto-
gether unknown there.
This evidence completed that ease,
Mr Itosaspim, tailor, 11,
Harrington-street, Pimlico,
said about May 30 the prisoner represented himself to be
a clergyman of the Church of England—that he belonged
to the East-end division, and was one of the Bishop of
London's men. He ordered a loose coat—the one he is
at present wearing—such an one that he could throw off
after attending to the poor people in the alleys and courts.
I supplied him with the coat mainly on the supposition
that the representations made by the prisoner were true.
I have never been paid for the article.
Mr Vaughan—That will make out three cases against
the prisoner. Have you anything to say before I commit
you for trial on these charges?
Prisoner—No, sir ; I reserve my defence. I shall be
able satisfactorily to prove the inaccuracy of the charges
against me at my trial, and until that time I shall say
nothing.
Mr Vaughan—Before I close the case I may as well in-
form you that letters have been recceived from Messrs.
Foster, of Oxford, asking for certain information relative to
you, and the handwriting of the letters ordering the articles
exactly corresponds with yours, and information to that
effect will be forwarded to them.
The prisoner was then fully committed to take his trial
on three charges.