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

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-
ness. 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 1 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
(Gill's) account.
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.
Rylands, 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 nn-
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

Cross-examined by Mr. Temple—Had borrowed
money from Mr. Gill. Had advanced money to
Messrs. Gill that belonged to his employer, and
without his knowledge. Saw Mr. Booth, the de-
fendant's attorney ; told him the defendants ()wed
him (witness) a sum of money, that his employer
was threatening him with proceedings, and that
Messrs,. 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 amount. 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 deendants. Plaintiff subsequently
discounted a second amount for £4OO on the same TIMES.—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 • lings will be turned into the water assoon 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 built 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. Hate lower of the inland waters, which are to be con-
greaves (the plaintiff) subsequently ascertained the strutted 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 cpveries 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 hills ; The Order in Council in England and the perrnis-
£2so I got from Briggs. sion of the Foreign Minister in Paris have practi-
Will you swear you got one farthing of that tally placed the naval services of England and
money from Briggs ?—Yes. France before Capt. Osborn for selection—for this
Will you 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 £5BB. been selected with the greatest care, but the crews
Witness—l cannot give any further explanation have been picked like yachtsmen. Mr. Lay is al-
at present from memory ; I am so confused that I ready gone, and so soon as Capt. Osborn has pushed
hardly recollect anything. 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 ie 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 forty
Messrs. Seweil'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 ate still somewhat
responsible for your cashier's IOU ?" 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 why he asked that question. Hargreaves elector. We have all, for instance, come to the
said he had I 0 U's for £6O in his pocket,
and conclusion that the marauders who are called Re-
showed them.f e
TOM Said, " I don't know anything about eels, or Taepings, or Tu Fei—which last designa-
them, but circumstance that came to my tion, although Colonel Sykes gravely states it as a
knowledge last night I believe Stansfield has been name of a rebellion, means simply " highwaymen"—
having some transactions with Andrews's bank; are not a political party or a national party, but
with me, and well see Stuns- simply a social disease. We know that they are
however, come along t
Stansfield, "Well, George, only the idle, the destitute, and the ignorant, con-
field." Plaintiff said
me ;0y.0.0 told me the money was gregated upon an enormous scale and plunderin in
you have deceived
no-
for Gills." ‘; Well, I can't help it great multitudes; and we know that there is
da " Hargreaves thing to be said in their favour, except that they
on l ye
to
said, "Well, George, you for the may occasionally aid the least scrupulous and I'll make make itStaalnlsrfiiegihdtsaolidi 'N
pass'" Stuns- spectable of our merchants to smuggle in goods
money, what sort of a Sunday will
field said he could not help it, but if the City .
was right plaintiff would be right.
as I must ookl
At that
was rumoured thatthe bank was stopping. Stuns- p b
they
1
field said £2OO and someoddpounds belonged to and y g
asked witness to give the difference to Hargreaves. Briggs, alluding to £5BB found in his drawer,
timean: , maylessen the price of silk at Shanghai by
plundering the districts and selling their booty,
pdorir:in all the up country stocks into that
tasto a place of safety. Mr. Bruce has,
Earl Russell, attributed the exis-
reaVe.S.
Said he could not then promise t tence of this predatory multitude to three causes—
tillanything about i iriareaatd
Yespatch to
he had made inquiries. Never• dto the
. mentioned
if the amounts were entered they would be all right. Lion plaintiff anything about looking and means of subsistence; secondly, a gradual deteriora-
adense population pressing closely upon the
into his books,
of the military force of the Empire; and,
As Hargreaves was going awaywitness asked him thirdly,
if Stansfield had ever borrowedmoral teaching as a sufficient check on the conduct
money. from
him, and on saying that he had, the influence of an absolute reliance on
him if he allowed him any remuneratiare well assigned, and
Hargreaves said he generally receivedw n. of the people. These causes
' n in producing the perni-
drafts,itcneitssy asked of onfanrhulherass,
had
dd
iatssuoffipecriaentitoguaran tee for the obedience
and was allowed £5 for every £lOO for 14 cions effect we now see. may be the
or 21 days- Said he must have known that the causes the effect is b this time universally under-
money y
was not for them, and that they had no stood. It is agents now in Lon-
need said that there are
to borrow. Hargreaves said he had often don baying
talked the matter over to his wife, and said to her be smuggled into China aßnadt,bawr
up and shipping
•arms and powder to
Tae-
they must get 50 per cent. profit to enable them to pings in exchange gathered in
for the plunder
pay this large interest. Told Hargreaves he knew Hangchow and S h - districts
ooc ow and in the rich
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 illustrate the shrewd
htearteedvetro these
first began to lend to Stansfield, and the plaintiff remark to be found in a des
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
despatch from Lord Elgin,
dente 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 used, it will be

Mr. James replied on the whole case.
His lordship summed up the case with great
minuteness and carefulness, reviewing the whole
body of evidence, and pointing eut its frequent
contradictions. The judge severely censured the
conduct of the witness Cruikshank in offering to
abstain from saying certain things if he 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-
nistration 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.