The Sun.
London, England, 1837-10-28 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM AND LIVERPOOL

BANK SWINDLERS.

BIRMINGHAM, OCT. 27.

The final examination of Palmer (who was remanded yes-
terday week), closed this evening—it occupied nearly the
whole of yesterday and to-day. A mass of evidence was
brought forward, evidently proving his connection with the
four persons in custody in Manchester. Yesterday, a Solicitor
residing at Sheerness, stated that W. C. Abrams, who consti-
tuted the " Banking Company" at that place, hard con-
sulted him relative to his establishing a Bank for the purpose
of discounting, in which there would be four partners, but their
names did not transpire. At a subsequent meeting he men-
tioned to Abrams the circumstance of a gentleman from Bir-
mingham (Mr. Lloyd, of the National and Provincial Bank),
making enquiries relative to bills of the Sheerness and Queens -
borough Bank, signed by him, and his surprise that he should
have issued bills before opening any establishment, to which
Abrams replied that be had got into a " scrape ;" that he
certainly had signed such bills, but had sent them to a friend in
London to negociate ; that he was afraid they had got into
bad hands, and rather than be mixed with such a " lot," he
would go to London and meet them before they wore due.
From that day Abrams had not been seen in Sheerness, to
which place an officer from Birmingham bad been dispatched
on Tuesday ; he traced him to between Chatham and Dover,
but could hear nothing more of him.
Mr. Thomas, of the Manchester Police, produced the
plates which had been found in the possession of Kinnear,
from which the bills of the " Flintshire District Banking Com-
pany" were printed, and those tendered by Palmer were proved
to have been worked from the same ; that was also proved by
the engraver of the plate, residing at Manchester, who recog-
nised " Jones" in custody there, as being the person who em-
ployed him to engrave the plate, which he subsequently altered,
taking out the words, " Kent, Surrey, and Sussex," and in-
serting " London and Westminster Banking Company ;" he
deposed also to having printed the bills.
A Widow who keeps a Huxter's shop at Flint, also recog-
nized Jones and Donaldson, alias Kinnear, the former as
having in May last engaged a bed and sitting room at her
house ;that a short time after they both came, but stayed but a
day or two ; they stated that they should occupy the parlour
as an office, but she never saw any business transacted, nor
were there ever any books ; letters did not come addressed to
either of them, but in the name of Watkins. and Co. (the name
which appeared in the Flintshire District Banking Company's
bills) ; that they left ready directed covers to put all letters in,
which the postman was to take and forward ; she had sonic
recollection of one of those covers being addressed to some one
at a cottage near Cheltenham.
The Postman deposed to the same effect; such a cover has
been found on Palmer, together with a bill-book, cheque-book,
small ledgers, in which is a regular entry of transactions with
Kinnear ; a letter also from Manchester, with no signature,
in which the various banks and persons were alluded to by
figures, to which the key was produced. The production of
these papers leave no doubt as to his connection with the
party, although he will have no knowledge of them. He was
committed for " obtaining money under false pretences," and
will be indicted with the others for a conspiracy to defraud, &c.
Palmer, it is ascertained, was known in London about three
years ago as a bill broker, and has been in a solicitor's office.
He is evidently well versed in the law, as well as in the bank-
ing business.

The committing magistrates were Richard Spooner, and
Francis Lloyd, Esqrs., both bankers. Messrs. Spurrier and
Haines were employed by the prosecutors, and at the close of
the examination Mr. Spooner complimented Mr. Joh❑ Suck-
ling upon the creditable and talented manner in which he con-
ducted the defence. During the proceedings the prisoner was
continually in corrultfttion with his solicitor, and at times made
objections upon legal points, in which he was generally cor-
rect. He made application for bail to be taken, which was
allowed in 2,000/. (double the amount of the liabilities), two
persons in 1,0001. each, or four in 5001. with seven days' no-
tice. Having understood in error that he was committed to
take his trial at the quarter sessions, he stated that he preferred
a Judge at the assizes, and that he would try what could be
done at the QUCCIfe. Bench, where the matter couldbe decided
in an hour.

A " Flintshire Bill" he paid has been dishonoured, and ono
of the " Sheerness" becomes due to-morrow.

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE
PARTIES CHARGED WITH SWINDLING.

MANCHESTER, FRIDAY.-This morning the prisoners were
again brought up for examination. The Court was again
crowded to excess. Mr. Potter, salesman to Messrs. Mars-
land and Co., of Manchester, deposed that on the 16th of Oc-
tober he sold to the prisoner Dawes woollen goods to the
amount of 451. 11s., which were sent on the following evening
to Messrs. Howell and Jones, College Lane, Liverpool. Mr.
George Croppes, cashier to Messrs. Marsden, stated that the
prisoner Dawes paid for these goods by a bill for 901., drawn
by the Sheerness and Queenhorough Bank, receiving the ba-
lance in cash and Bank of England notes. Mrs. Mary Par-
kinson, Seymour-street, Liverpool, deposed to the fact of the
prisoner Kinnear having lodged at her house in Seymour_
street, and passing under the assumed name of Donaldson. The
lodgings were taken by the prisoner Jones. Kinnear left on
Friday week. Witness delivered a trunk which had been
placed in the sitting-room by the prisoner Kinnear, to Mr.
Whitty, Superintendent of the Liverpool Police. Mr. Tho-
mas, Superintendent of the Manchester Police, deposed to con-
versations which had taken place between himself and the
prisoners Dawes and Wood, in which Dawes stated that he
had received the 901. bill from Wood, and she admitted such
to be the case, explaining that he (Wood) had received it from
Kinnear. Mr. Whitty, of Liverpool, produced a number of
letters, signed by Wood, (whose handwriting was identified),
and the prisoner Dawes, addressed to Kinnear, under the as-
sumed name of Donaldron. The letters were not read, but
were understood to relate to the bill transactions, and impli-
cated other parties not yet in custody. Mr. Thomas produced
an envelope and letter, enclosing some Sheerness and Queens-
borough bills, and a memoranda describing the bills paid to
the South Lancashire Bank. This letter was found in Kin-
near's trunk, and identified as the hand-writing of the prisoner
Wood. These were the only additional facts elicited, and
the prisoners were again remanded until Wednesday, when
it is probable they will be finally committed. Mr. Foster, the
Magistrate, informed them that in the meantime every facility
Would be afforded to them to consult with and receive the
advice of their professional friends. He also placed at their
disposal copies of the depositions taken against Palmer at
Birmingham. An application was made to admit them to
bail, which was refused.