The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-20 00:00:00

Extraordinary Charge of Using Threats.

William Cooper, the secretary to the London Engineering
and Iron Shipbuilding Company, was yesterday placed at
the bar of the Mansion house, before the Lord Mayor,
having been apprehended by Detective-sergeant Funnel!,
upon a warrant signed by his lordship, charging him with
having used towards Capt. Symonds threatening language,
and causing him to go in bodily fear.
Mr. Wainowright appeared for the complainant, and Mr.
Wontner appeared for the defendant.
Mr. Wainowright stated that the defendant was the
secretary of the London Engineering and Iron Ship-build-
ing Company, of which the complainant was the chairman.
The defendant had unfortunately latterly given way to
intemperance to such a degree as to call for some remon-
strance on the part of Mr. Symonds. Since then the de-
fendant had behaved in a very extraordinary manner—
carrying horse-pistols about with him, and sharpening
knives and daggers, which ho said he was going to use
against different people. On the 13th instant Mr. Sy:fiends
wrote to Mr. Cooper a letter of remonstrance, and received
in reply the following letter :—" My dear Sir,—l have re
ceived your letter of tho 13th instant ; the contents of it I
do not understand. lam not aware of anything terrible
in my conduct. I have warned you, not once but twice,
before not to cross me. I now beg to say that I intend
summoning a special meeting of directors on Tuesday
next, the 16th instant, as I consider the contents of
your letter so.deeply involve the interests of the com-
pany of which I have the great honour to bo the secre-
tary, that. I must have these charges investigated, and
that, too, sans peur, sans reproche. —I have the honour
to be, sir, your most obedient, Wm. COOPER.'
On Saturday night last the defendant called at Mr.
Symonds'house, and wished to see him, and on being told

that ho was out he said if be saw him ho would do for him.
In fact, the defendant's conduct had become so peculiar
that the only conclusion to bo arrived at was that his mind
was deranged.
Mr. Edward Symonds was examined, and said he was a
captain in the Royal navy, and was the chairman of the
London Engineering and Iron Ship-building Company, of
GO, Fenchurch-street, of which the defendant was secretary.
He had known the defendant about 15 years, having been
during that time intimately associated with him. Ho in-
troduced him to the company of which he was secretary.
About three weeks ago he observed the defendant to be
very excited in his manner, and noticed certain irregulari-
ties in his attendance at the office; and although he had
previously received any remarks from witness in perfect
good humour, ho appeared latterly to become excited upon
the least possible:difference of opinion. The letter produced,
and which had been read by Mr.Wainewright, was in the de-
fondant's handwriting, and he received it in answer to one he
wrote the defendant on the morning of the 13th. On the
night of that day, about half-past ten, the defendant, with
his wife, called at witness's house, in Adam-street, Adelphi,
and asked to see him. By his instructions the housekeeper
denied him, and defendant said he would write him a letter.
He then went into witness's office, and remained there about
an hour, and he hoard him leave the office and call the
housekeeper to tell her to give that letter to that fellow,
and tell him it was his last chance. (The letter which had
boon produced was the same.) He heard defendant stamping
and knocking his stick on the floor, telling the housekeeper
not to be afraid him, nor to be afraid to give him the let-
ter, and said it was lucky for the - that ho was not at
home, or he would knock him down and do for him. Wit-
ness said he was not actuated by any malicious motive, but
rather the contrary ; but ho must say he was afraid his life
was in danger from defendant's conduct.
Sergeant Funnell said he apprehended the prisoner on the
previous evening about five o'clock. He and Sergeant
Scott_saw him in a cab, and got in after him. He (witness)

caught hold of his hands and told him he could not let him
go as ho had firearms about him. Defendant said he had a
loaded pistol, and ho took from his trousers pocket a small
seven-chamber revolver, loaded and capped. He told the
defendant ho could not loose him yet as he believed he had
a dagger strapped to his leg. Defendant said ho had not,
and would show him. Witness, however, caught hold of
his leg, but ho only found the sheath of a dagger buckled
on his leg. The dagger he afterwards found had been
taken away for safety. In defendant's pocket ho found a
purse full of cartridges.
The Lord Mayor said ho could not think of allowing the
defendant to be at largo after what he had heard.
Mr. Wontner suggested that an early day should bo fixed
The defendant was accordingly remanded until this day
(Saturday).

The Poonah has arrived from Alexandria with
£22,876.

Leotard, the accomplished performer on the
trapeze, has at length performed once too often. Ho has
had a bad fall at Madrid and broken his leg.
THE CHARGE AGAINST PRESIDENT DAVIS. —We
shall not be so forgetful of our honour—we shall not so in-
sult our readers—as to point out how baseless is this scan-
dalous charge against the gallant gentleman, who, under
the most fearful provocation, would not and did not reta-
liate on the Federals for their atrocities. We hope that
President Davis will not fall into the hands of his enemies.
If he does he will doubtless be murdered. President John-
, son will not care for the protests of England and France,
if such protests have been sent to Washington. If Presi-
dent Davis is to suffer a felon's death at the North sure we
are that he will meet his fate with the calmness, fortitudle,
and dignity that becomes a pure patriot, a bravo gent e-
m murder
JdeffaerdseevnoputaviCsh_rttiillanm.
uPrdreersidhienmt
ifJohhnesohnasmthaye
mua
opportunity, but ho cannot foul the great and glorious
name of his victim.—lndex.
THE ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT BY A RAILWAY
SECRETARY.—Since the shocking death of Mr.
Whelon, the late secretary of the North Western Railway,
an examination of the accounts of the various charities and
concerns of which he was treasurer, or of which he had
the management, has been made, and it appears that,
though the books hay° not been kept in a systematic
manner, no deficiency has yet been found in any of them,
except the North Western accounts, in which defalcations
have been discovered to the extent of £39,000, for which
the company are responsible. It is thought that a further
deficiency may still appear. The deceased was unfortunate
in his speculation as a shipowner. Just previous to the
break out of the war in America ho embarked in the cotton
trade, being part owner of some mills in Preston, and this
speculation has proved an unprofitable one. It is stated
that in addition to these he had speculated largely in the
Confederate Loan, and has been a sufferer to a very large
amount. Great anxiety is felt by some of the holders of
securities as to the genuineness of the signatures attached
to the debentures deposited with them. Mr. Alcock, the
chairman of the company, is at present on the Continent,
and nothing will be known until he has been communi-
cated with.—Manchver Courier.