The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-04 00:00:00

Hargreaves, and until he met Mr. Hargreaves in
the street on the 18th of October, he was not aware
that Stansfield had borrowed any money from the
plaintiff. Had -frequently met Hargreaves at
Briggs's office and at Tyson's chop-house, within a
month or two of that time. While they had an
account at Andrews's bank he endorsed a few, per-
haps half-a-dozen, of Andrews's drafts. Had no
knowledge that money was taken from their cash-
box and paid into Andrews's bank by Stansfield.
Had known Briggs for several years, and had had
large dealings with him in the way of their busi-
new,. They had been in the• habit of borrowing
money of him for a day or two. They were not
entered in the books, but a memorandum was put
in the cash-box and destroyed when the loan was
repaid. Remembered only one occasion when in-
terest was paid to Briggs at the rate of five per
cent. and half the bank commission. We are not
aware that Stansfield was borrowing large sums of
money from Briggs, paying large interest and giv-
ing City Bank drafts and I 0 U's. Never autho-
rised Briggs to make an offer to Hargreaves of
£3OO in settlement. Briggs said the plaintiff would
settle the matter for £5OO, and asked him if he
would make an offer for £3OO. Told Briggs that
he was not to make an offer to Hargreaves on his
(Giti's) account.

from September to October in last year. -
Stansfield, the confidential clerk and cashier to the
defendants, called upon the plaintiff, re ei esented
that his employers were in need of the sans asked
for to meet certain li.bilities, and that by their re-
quest he had come to borrow the amounts.
Mr. Hargreaves, the plaintiff, gave = idence cor-
roborative of the foregoing. In crossexaminatiou
by Mr. Temple, Q.C., the plaintiff acknowledged
that he considered the interest he was to be paid
for the loan of the money, for a day or two, very
large. On one occasion he had received £24 for
the loan of £4OO for 21 days, and on another £8 for
the like sum for the same time. Stansfield never
said that he was borrowing money on his own ac-
count.
By Mr. James—One or two of the procuration
drafts are endorsed by the defendants. Stansfield
said that defendants were in the habit of buying
goods from parties who were " hard up" and on
;he verge of insolvency at very low prices, and by
which they made large profits; and ilas it was
they could efford to pay good interest for loans.
Prior to the three transactions now in question
plaintiff said he had lent defendants £1,600 for a
brief period, for which he (plaintiff) received £57.
Mr. Freeman, clerk in Sewell's Bank, Manches-
, ter, proved that £464 odd had been paid into that
bank by Stansfield to the credit of the defendants at
the time the money was lent by the plaintiff, and
which included three cheques handed to him (Stuns-
field) by the plaintiff.
Mr. James Briggs, merchant, Manchester, said
he had known the defendants six or seven years, and
on several occasions had lent them money (from
£lOO to £800) on the application of and through
Stansfield, for which he (witness) received "We
O U's," signed " Jonathan Gill Brothers, pro G. W.
Stansfield," and the loans were paid with the inte-
rest, generally by Stansfield, but sometimes by the
defendants. Messrs. Gill Brothers had told witness
that they would pay the plaintiff £300; but witness
told them that was ridiculous, and he was sure the
plaintiff would not receive it.
Cross-examined by Mr. Temple—When he lent
the money nothing was said about interest ; there
was a perfect understanding between him and
Messrs. Gill and Stansfield. Mr. Gill said he would
not find in his books any such sums due to the
plaintiff as he represented as being owing to him.
James B. Cruikshank, iu the employ of Mr.
Crompton, of Manchester, said he had lent money
to the defendants under precisely similar circum-
stances to those described in the preceding cases;
that Messrs. Gill never repudiated the authority of
Stansfield to borrow on their account; and that
Messrs. Gill had repaid him on one or two occa-
sions, but were now in his debt.
Cross-examined by Mr. Temple—Had borrowed
money from Mr. Gill. Had advanced money to
Messrs. Gill that belonged to his employer, and
witf out his knowledge. Saw Mr. Booth, the de-
fendant's attorney ; told him the defendants owed
him (witness) a sum of money, that his employer
was threatening him with proceedings, and that
Messre. Gill had better give him £2OO to set him
right and enable him to pay his employer. He
might have said also that they (Messrs. Gill)
had better pay the amount, that he might not state
all he knew in reference to the transaction. Wit-
ness was not paid, and in consequence of not being
able to refund the amount due to his employer, he
had been dismissed.
After some further evidence,
Mr. Temple addressed the jury for the defendants,
and said the only question for the jury was whether
Stansfield had the authority of the defendants for
borrowing the sums in question and signing the
procuration pipers.
G. W. Stansfield examined by Mr. Quain—l en-
tered the employ of the defendants in 1856. In May
1861, I opened an account at the City Bank with
Jonah Andrews on my own account. Soon after I
got the drafts of that bank discounted. In 1862 I
borrowed money from Mr. Briggs from time to time
on behalf of Messrs. Gill. I subsequently became
acquainted with plaintiff. In August, 1862, I asked
the plaintiff to discount me £4OO of the City Bank
drafts, which he did, giving me £3BO, keeping the
balance for the discount. I paid the £3BO into my
account at Andrews' bank. I gave plaintiff the pro-
curation "We 0 U's," but not with the knowledge ,
or sanction of the defendants. Plaintiffsubequently
discounted a second amount for £4OO on the same
Temes.—From time to time we have announced
terms, and I gave him (plaintiff) alike acknowledg- the progress towards completion of the little fleet
ment, without the knowledge of my employers (the now fitting out for the service of the Government of
defendants). Oa the third occasion I borrowed £72 China. Three ships have already sailed—the Pekin,
from the plaintiff, and got a cheque for £62, which the China, and the Amoy; the first two despatch
I took to Mr. Waterhouse, who refused to cash it vessels, and the third a gunboat of little draught.
unless it was endorsed by Messrs. Gill Brothers. I These three are now making the best of their way
went to Mr. Gill, who endorsed it, and Waterhouse to the Cape of Good Hope. Three others, of which
then cashed it. Mr. Gill did not ask me any ques- one is a despatch vessel and two are gunboats, will
tions, being under the belief that it was taken in the almost immediately be completed by the contractors;
usual course of business. On Oct. 3d I asked the and, as we may be sure that Capt. Osborn's duck-
plaintiff if he could lend me £4OO or £5OO on ac- Hugs will be turned into the waterassoon as hatched,
count of Gill Brothers, and I got £370 and three the English portion of this China Expedition may
cheques, which latter I paid into Sewell's bank to be practically considered as afloat. Some other
the credit of Gill Brothers ; took a corresponding vessels are being buitt in America ; but all are
amount in cash from Gill Brothers' cash-box ; £2OO heavily armed, sea-going craft, able to buffet with
to the City Bank on my own account, and gave the tempests of either of the stormy Capes. There
Cruikshank the remainder. Another similar trans- are others of a lighter draught and more tender
action took place on Oct. 18th, on which day An- construction, intended for the narrower and shal-
drews's City Bank stopped payment. Mr. Her. lower of the inland waters, which are to be con-
greaves (the plaintiff) subsequently ascertained the structed at Whampoa. When united, these vessels,
truth, and I told him I would make it " all right" of which the largest is a despatch vessel, and the
with him. I left Messrs. Gill's employ immediately smallest will be a tiny river steamer, will form a
after this became known. very respectable mosquito fleet. They are not
Cross-examined ty Mr. E. James—l assisted Mr. Warriors, and they are not armed with guns to
Gill in making up his books at his house, during a pierce Warrior targets, but they are sufficient for
fortnight after this, but my wages were paid by Mr the purpose in hand, They have been all built and
Cruikshank. I know what in England they call armed under the immediate eye of Capt, Osborn,
writing my masters' name on a document without who best of all knows the exigencies of the service
their authority—it is forgery ; but Ido not consider to which they are to be put, and who can also ap.
I was guilty of forgery. (Laughter.) Putting my preciate every advantage offered by the latest dis-
hand into my master's drawer and taking their coveries in naval gunnery and shipbuilding. The
money without authority amounts to stealing—but force will be as efficient as the means at command
I do not say I was guilty of stealing. (Renewed and the necessity of sailing half round the world
laughter.) I had no authority from my employers to allow. It will certainly be strong enough to sweep
do either. I was at the Theatre Royal one night before it any sea or river enemies it may find in
since I left my situation, not in company with Mr. China. If it does not number a cupola ship or a
Gill, but with a gentleman exceedingly like Mr. steam ram among its constituent vessels, it is at
Gill. Mr. Gill has spoken to me since, but he merely least a very good example of what can be done with
inquired whether I had a situation—nothing care, skill, and economy towards forming a fleet for
further. (Laughter.) about half the money cost by one of our Ironclads.
Mr. James—Where did the £5BB come from that It is manned also with a picked force—chosen as
you say you placed in your employer's drawer ? a force which is to show an example of dis-
Witness—l got from Mr. Fielding between £3OO cipline as well as of valour ought to be chosen.
and £4OO, and the remainder by discounting bills ; The Order in Council in England and the permis-
£2so 1 got from Briggs. sion of the Foreign Minister in Paris have practi-
Will you swear you got one farthing of that rally placed the naval services of England and
money from Briggs ?—Yes. France before Capt. Osborn for selection—for this
Will yon swear that £5BB was found in the is an adventure in which every professional seaman
drawer ?—Yes. possessing youth and health and ambition would be
His Lordship—l cannot understand how you ac- anxious to take part; and not only have the officers
count for the £583. been selected with the greatest care, but the crews
Witness—l cannot give any further explanation have been picked like yachtsmen. Mr. Lay is sl-
at present from memory; I am so confused that I ready gone, and so soon as Capt. Osborn has pushed
hardly recollect anything. - e- his last ship from the shore he also will travel over-
The witness underwent a most' severe' further land to meet his flagship, now preparing to depart
cross-examination, but his answers were generally towards the rendezvous on the other side. From
" I don't recollect." this small but carefully equipped force we expect
Mr. Jonathan Gill, one of the defendants, said he great achievements. It is a curious proof of our
had the principal management of the business car- confidence in the appliances of civilisation and in
ried on under the style of Jonathan Gill and the skill of our countrymen, and it is a pleasant
Brothers. Stansfield entered their employment in token of the improvement in public morals, that
1856, and having been clerk for some time was ap- while we send out six small ships and a little band
pointed cashier. Was in the habit of balancing of men to take part in the civil war and intestine
Stansfield's cash book, generally at intervals of not commotions of a conglomerate of mankind number-
more than a week. For some time they had been ing one third of the human race, we never ask our-
doing an extensive business; they had an account at selves whether it is possible that so small a force
Messrs. Sewell's bank ; they had also for some time can have any effect upon such a vast Empire, but
an account at Jonah Andrews's City Bank; it was only whether the cause in which they go is a good
closed in June, and had been open for only about cause, and whether the use they will make of their
nine months. Was not aware that they had power will be such as may be creditable to a Chris-
any transactions with Mr. Hargreaves except tian people. Reiterated wars and continual layers
for a sum of £8 or £10; no other transactions of Income Tax have forced upon our public some
appeared in their books. Met. Hargreaves on the slight study of Chinese matters, and, although the
morning of the 18th Oct., when he asked, " Are you popular notions of China are still somewhat
responsible for your cashier's I 0 U?" Replied vague, there are a few ideas which have become
that they were not except they authorised him, and tolerably fixed in the mind even of a London
inquired whylhoe asked that question. Hargreaves elector. We have all, for instance, come to the
U's for £6O in his pocket, and conclusion that the marauders who are called
said he had
Re-
showed them._ Said, " I don't know anything about bell, or Taepings, or Tu Fei—which last designs-
circumstance that came to my tion, although Colonel Sykes gravely states it as a
them, but f palyna"thioignhalwpayarmtyen, "highwaymen"—
having knowledge lastrom naighettilonbseliweviteh SAtanndsfireewldehsasbabneken; name of aarepboeliltliiocnal, mpeaarntys simply
with me, and we'll see Stuns- simply a social disease. We know that they are
having
however, come along
Stansfield, " Weii, George, only the idle, the destitute, and the ignorant, con-
field." Plaintiff said to
some transit
told me the money was gregated upon an enormous scale and plundering in
you have deceived nee ;
"Well, I can't help it; great multitudes; and we know that there is no-
I'll make it thing to be said in their favour, except that they
for Gills." Stansfield saYir
Said, "Well,
may occasionally aid the least scrupulous and re-
As I enlist look to yon for
Galelorrgige,ht on Monday.' Haargfroeraythese
spectable of our merchants to smuggle in goods
money, what sort of a Sunday Will I piss?"
field said he could not help it, but if the City Bank duty free. Sometimes, indeed, as at this moment,
plundering the
and selling their booty,
was right plaintiff would be right. At that tSsiinaanenssi.t they
_ma. y lessen
districtsthe price of silk at Shanghai by
was rumoured that the bank was stopping.
field said £2OO and some odd pounds
Briggs,s
askedai
d
witnessalluding
e o ald
nor
give
t hi een
theere and by driving all the up country stocks into that
to a place of safety. Mr. Bruce has,
promisef difference-d iannhytitosh
idHbnregaai r°wgarjerbgreoe, audvat entisdot.
he had made inquiries. Never mentioned to the Treaty
e o
fPor
thist
in a despatch to Earl Russell, attributed the exis-
tencas
sredatory multitude to three causes—
tillplaintiff
amaonuyntthsi
wereng about
enteredlo oktihnegyintohis books, and means of subsistence; secondly, a gradual
first, a dense population pressing closelyduetpeorniotrhae.
ifthewould b
As Hargreaves was going away witness asked thirdly, the influence of an
if Stansfield had ever borrowed money lm
moral teaching as a sufficient check on the conduct
e all right. tion of the military force of the Empire;. and,
him, and on saying that he had, witness askedram of rulers, and a sufficient guarantee for the obedience
him if he allowed him any remuneration, of the eoe. These causes are well assigned, and.
Hargreaves said he generally received City Bank each has had its operation in producing the perm-
drafts and was allowed £5 for every £lOO for 14 cious effect we now see.
e
or 21 'days. Said he must have known that the causes, the effect is b this time under-
moneywas not for them, and that they had no stood. It said there agents now in Lou-
need is that are
to borrow. Hargreaves said he had often don buying
talked the matter over to his wife, and said to her be smuggled into China
and bartered to these Tae-
theypowder must get 50 per cent. profit to enable them to pings in exchange for the plunder gathered in
pay this large interest. Told Hargreaves he knew Hangchow and Soochow and in the rich districts
there was no other person in their trade made half of the silk manufacture. The proceedings of these
of 50 per cent. profit. Asked how it was that he worthies will, however, only illu
first began to lend to Stanefield, and the plaintiff remark to be found in a despatch from Lord Elgin,
replied that he had done it because Briggs had made printed in the last China Blue-book, " The moral
lots of money out of him. Mr. Gill denied the evi- evils of smuggling in China are not redeemed by
deuce given by the man Cruikshank. Never gave any material benefit to the general interests of
Stansfield any authority to borrow money from trade." Whenever those arms are need, it will be

The witness was cross-examined at considerable
length by Mr. James with reference to the circum-
stances under which he found the £5BB in Stuns-
field's drawer. He said that in looking in the
drawer for a stamp, on the 13th of October, he saw
the bags containing that amount. Stansfield said
it had been sent in by Briggs to be deposited in the
safe for security, and he made no further inquiries
respecting it until the claims upon the I 0 U's were
made. The amount of these I 0 U's was £B,OOO,
and not one of these had been paid by him.
Mr. Dobson Gill gave like evidence.
Mr. Reuben Spencer, in the service of Messrs.
Rylunds, Manchester, gave an account of an inter-
view with Hargreaves, who applied to him to assist
him in proving Stansfield was Messrs. Gill's cashier,
and was authorised to borrow money. Hargreaves
said he had been lending money to Stansfield on
the We 0 U of the firm, and that be had never
stepped across the street to ask Messrs. Gill
whether he had any authority to do so. Told
Hargreaves he was a most vicious and improper
person to be in the community of Man-
chester, and that his conduct was calculated to tin-
determine the safety of every firm in Manchester.
Hargreaves replied that he did not say anything so
hard as that, and witness then told him he was a
great fool. The plaintiff stated that he had got into
the mess, and he wanted witness to help him out.
He said if he went in for large profits he must have
great risks ; to which Hargreaves answered that he
had made some money, but he had got into the
mess, he wanted (Mr. Spencer's) advice on the sub-
ject. Witness replied, " Well, if you ask me what
I should do I should be ashamed to show my face in
a court of justice to make the claim; if you ask me
what you should do, I refer you to your legal ad-
viser.' (Laughter.) Witness then told him he
had nothing more to say to him, and bowed him
out of the office. (Laughter.)
Mr. Temple then summed up the case on behalf
of the defendants ; after which

Mr. James replied on the whole case.
His lordship summed up the case with great
mir• uteness and carefulness, reviewing the whole
body of evidence, and pointing eat its frequent
contradictions. The judge severely censured the
conduct of the witness Cruikshank in offering to
abstain from saying certain things if ha was paid
money by the defendants, and said it was a most
shocking and shameful admission on the part of
a witness sworn to tell the whole truth, and one
tending to sap the very foundations of the admi-
aistration of justice. Stansfield was a witness who,
by his own confession was a priori disintitled to
credit; but the law made him a competent witness,
and the jury must exercise their own judgment as
to how far they would believe him.
The jury retired to consider their verdict, and
were a long time in deliberation. Eventually they
returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages
£645 6s.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.