The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 27, 185 3.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MARYLEBONE. Sarah. Minchin, a girl in the
service of Mr. Smith, a grocer, residing at 17, Cam-
bridge-street, Hyde-park, was placed at the bar before
the sitting magistrate, Mr. Long, charged with having
attempted to murder her master's son, Frederick, only
thirteen years old, with a long and sharp-pointed carving
knife.

The court was much crowded during the inquiry, to
which a painful degree of interest was attached.
The first witness called was Charles Qushen, who, on
being sworn, said—l am assistant to lir. Smith. At
about seven o'clock this morning I was awoke by the
cries of my employer's son, who slept in a room on the
same floor as mine, and who called out "Sarah, oh
Sarah," several times. I jumped up and rushed into
the apartment, when I beheld the prisoner struggling
with the boy, who was in bed. She had a knife in
her hand, and I saw her strike it at the youth,
who seized hold of it, and in consequence thereof
he was much cut upon the hands. I wrested the knife
from the grasp of the prisoner, and she then threw her-
self upon the bed as if she were in a state of insensibility.
Her back was towards me when I got possession of the
knife, and I attribute her fright to her turning round and
noticing that I was the person who interfered in the
matter. The boy ran down stairs, bleeding profusely
from his throat and hands, and soon afterwards a sur-
geon was in attendance.

Mr. Long—Where did the prisoner sleep ?—Witness--
In a small room between mine and the boy's.
Mr. Fell (the chief clerk)—Do you happen to know if
there has been any quarrel which would be likely to
cause the prisoner to be revenged ?—Witness—Since this
unhappy affair I have heard that, a short time ago, there
were some unpleasant words about a small knife, but I
am not aware of the particulars in reference thereto.
Police constable Fordham, 272 D—At a quarter past
seven this morning I was called to the house, and on
Mr. Smith taking me into an apartment up-stairs, I saw
the prisoner lying on a bed which was covered with
blood. Prisoner's hands and face were also bloody. I
was shown to another room, and there saw the boy in
bed. A surgeon was present and was dressing the
wounds. I took the prisoner into custody, and con-
veyed her in a cab to the station house. Witness here
produced the carving knife, the greater part of the blade
of which had blood upon it.
Mr. Long—When you took the prisoner did she make
any observation to you ?—Witness : None, sir.
A certificate from Mr. Brown, surgeon, Connaught-
square, was produced and handed to the magistrate.
The document set forth that there were wounds upon
the throat, the wrist, and several fingers ; the boy had
lost a great deal of blood, and as his nervous system
had been very much upset it was impossible to consider
him free from danger.
The prisoner, who had nothing to say in answer to so
serious a charge, was remanded till next Thursday, upon
which day the surgeon and the wounded boy's father
will be examined in the case ; it is also hoped that the
boy will be sufficiently well to appear.

THAMES.—William Whitbread, 44 H, was charged
with being concerned with two other constables in a
gross and unprovoked assault on Mrs. Honora Jennett,
a respectable married woman, residing in New Com-
mercial-street, Whitechapel.
Mr. Daniels appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Pelham for the defence.

Immediately on the charge being preferred Middle-
ditch, 104 11, absconded, ano6er constable of the same
division, named Hawkes, who was alleged to have as-
saulted her, was discharged from this court on Saturday,
his identity not having been established to the magis-
trate's satisfaction, and another summons was to be
heard against a constable of the same division.

The irosecutrix stated that at twelve o'clock on the
night of Saturday week she was returning home after an
unsuccessful search for her husband. In passing by
Lemon-street station-house, at the door of which some
persons were assembled, the defendant and two other
constables—one 104 H, and another whose number she
did not know=came arm and arm, and pushed against
her. She remonstrated ; on which one of them said,
" You are very particular, you -- ;" to which the pri-
soner added, " Yes, she is ab— w---." The middle
one, who was then in court, rushed forward and struck
her on the nose, blacking her eye and making the blood
flow copiously. She went in to complain to the inspec-
tor, but whilst sitting on the steps leading to his office
the man Hawkes, who was discharged on Saturday,
" bundled" her out. She reported the circumstances at
the station-house on Sunday and Monday to Inspectors
Miller and Kendall, and the present proceedings were
the result.

Mr. Pelham, for the defence, contended that the
statement of the prosecutrix, who he said was well
drilled by three inquiries, was a mere fabrication ; if
there was any truth in it, the facts were, that some con-
stables, who had a few hours leave of absence, might
have pushed against her in their eagerness to force
through the crowd, for the purpose of reporting them-
selves, as it was a few minutes past twelve o'clock.
He called

Lyne, 216 H, who said he was one of the constables
who had to report himself on the occasion, and as he
got to the station-house door he saw a brother officer
following at about ten yards distance. He believed it
was the defendant, by whom he was immediately joined,
and they both proceeded to the inspector's room to re-
port themselves. He did not seem in any way ruffled,
or as if he had been recently in any affray.
Mr. Daniels was about to make some observations,
but

Mr. Ingham said it was wholly unnecessary. The
prosecutrix swore positively that the defendant was one
of the three who pushed against her, and that he used
the offensive phrase, a . In the three statements
made by her, namely, the two to the inspectors and the
one before the court, he could see no discrepancy of any
consequence. If any person but a constable was charged
with the offence it would not be of so much consequence.
Mr. Pelham—He was not on duty.
Mr. Ingham—No matter. It is the duty of a con-
stable always to set an example. I do not say what
punishment I should pass on the man who inflicted the
blow, but the defendant must pay a fine of 108. and
costs.

This sentence involves dismissal from the force.
James W. Pearce, 97 H, who had been in the court
a few minutes before, was then called, but though mes-
sengers were sent in every direction he was nowhere to
be found. He is said to be the person who struck the
blow, but when he saw the turn the case was taking
against Whitbread he hurried away.
On the application of Mr. Daniels a warrant for his
apprehension was immediately issued.

HAMMERSMITH.—John Yates, a stout, portly-
looking man, about 50 years of age, who was described
in the police sheet as being in no occupation, was
brought up before Mr. Paynter and placed in the dock
on the serious charge of feloniously attempting to dis-
charge a loaded pistol at his wife, Frances Yates, with
intent to murder her.

The first witness examined was the wife, and she ap-
peared to feel most keenly the painful position in which
she was placed. Her age is about the same as her hus-
band's, and she is also stout and has a very matronly
look. She stated that she was a laundress, and resided
at York Cottage, Kensall New Town. Between nine
and ten o'clock on the previous night she went to the
tap to draw some beer, when the prisoner came up to
her and put the barrel of a pistol in her face. She was
very much alarmed, and screamed out loudly for as-
sistance. She immediately caught hold of the barrel,
and held it down from her by main force. A
female came to her assistance, and she also held the pis-
tol down, and he then desisted and went away. She was
terribly frightened, and she fully believed that he in-
tended to do her some mischief.
Mr. Paynter—What is the cause of his acting in this
manner ? The wife—l don't know, sir ;he has repeatedly
told me he would do for me.
Mr. Paynter—How long have you been married to
him ? The Complainant--Upwards of twenty-six years.
Mr. Paynter—What trade does he follow ? The com-
plainant—He does nothing, your worship ; I have kept
him for some time past.
Mr. Paynter—Have you ever complained of his con-
duct ? The wife—No, sir ; I have kept it to myself, in
the hope that he would behave better.
Mr. Paynter—Where was he in the habit of keeping
the pistol ? The wife—ln his desk, sir. He has fre-
quently carried it about him in his bosom.
Sergeant Warren, 27 D, produced a loaded pistol, and
said the complainant had told him that when her hus-
band presented the pistol at her, she heard it snap twice.
The Wife— Oh, yes, sir ; when my husband put the
barrel in my face, I distinctly heard it snap, as if it had
missed fire. I believe the pistol snapped twice. When
the pistol was presented at my face, I was in such a
position that I could not move, so I had to use all my
strength to keep the barrel down.
Sergeant Warren said he was called in soon after the
occurrence, and he found the prisoner in the garden. He
told him that he must take him into custody for attempt-
ing to discharge a loaded pistol at his wife, and asked
him where it was. The prisoner began laughing, and said
he could not shoot his wife, as he had no pistol. Wit-
Bess told him that he had a pistol, and that he must find
it. The prisoner then said he had left it in the garden,
and that he had placed it under a tile near the pig-
stye. Witness went to the place where the prisoner
had mentioned, and there he had found a double-barrel
pistol. On examining it he found the left barrel loaded,
and the other barrel was unloaded. The barrel that was
loaded was charged with a marble and powder. The
lock of the pistol was pulled back, and was quite ready
to be fired off. There was powder in the pan, and if
the flint had been a good one the wife must have been
shot, as there was no doubt the prisoner had pulled the
trigger, which accounted for the snapping of the pistol.
The flint was a very bad one, and he believed that the
flint would never go off while it had the flint then
upon it.
_ _

Mr. Paynter having ascertained that the next session
of the Central Criminal Court was not before June next,
said he should remand the prisoner for a few days, to
have some inquiries made, as it was a very serious
charge, for which the prisoner was liable to transporta-
tion for life. The sergeant would ascertain what the
prisoner had been doing during the day, and whether he
had purchased any fresh powder.
Sergeant Warren said he would make the necessary
inquiries, and

The prisoner was accordingly remanded.
It was afterwards stated that while the prisoner was
left in the charge of a constable before he was brought
to the court, he said that he intended to shoot his wife,
and afterwards to drown himself. At present the police
have not been able to discover the motive the prisoner
had in wishing for his wife's death, as it would appear
that he was entirely supported by her. The police, how-
ever, bad been informed that the prisoner had been
drinking to excess for some time past, but he was per-
fectly sober when be presented the loaded pistol at his
wife.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, MA.T 26.

The Royal yacht Fairy will embark the Queen and
Court to-morrow, and convey them from the Isle of
Wight to Gosport en route to London.
The Vesuvius 6, paddle steam-sloop, in charge of
Commander Gardner, of the Blenheim, returned from
her temporary troop service to ordinary in the steam-
reserve this afternoon.

The Vulcan, 6, screw troop frigate, Commander Von
Donop, was swung to-day for the adjustment of her
compasses.

Mr. Chamberlain, clerk in charge of the Porcupine,
has been promoted to the rank of paymaster ; and Mr.
Saunders, late acting clerk of the Swift, to the rank of
clerk.

Spithead is now in charge of the little dispatch
steamer Banshee, Lieutenant Hosken, commander.
To-day she is doing duty as guard-ship. She is rated as
two guns.

CHATHAM, MAY 26.
The President, 50, sailing frigate, is ordered to be
brought forward for commission immediately, it is sup-
posed to supersede the Portland, 50, as flag-ship on the
South Pacific station. The President is at Chatham.
The Nerbudda, 12, Commander Boyd, was undocked
yesterday. She has entered her full complement of crew,
and went out of dock fully rigged and stowed.
The Cressy, 80, screw two•decker, is rapidly approach-
ing to a fit state for launching, which is expected to
take place at the latter end of July next.
The Royal George, 120, fitting for a screw, is com-
pleted by the dockyard, and is now in the hands of the
engineers from Messrs. Penn's.
The Majestic, 80, screw two-decker, will be launched
the latter part of the year.

PLYMOUTH, MAY 26.
His Netherlands Majesty's paddle-wheel steam-sloop,
Seoubin, 4, Captain Fabius, four days from the Texel,
bound to the Mediterranean, put in here yesterday
forenoon. On landing her commander, in company with
the Netherlands Consul, Mr. John Luscombe, paid a
complimentary visit to the Port-Admiral Sir John Om-
manney, at Mount Wise. This is the first voyage of
the sloop, which was recently built at Amsterdam. She
has been supplied with coal during the night, and will
proceed on her destination to-day.
Her Majesty's ship Hogue, 60, Captain W. Ramsay,
returned yesterday afternoon from a week's cruise in the
Channel, and went tip harbour this morning.
The Australian Company's new screw steam-ship Vic-
toria, Captain Champion, stood in towards the break-
water about H o'clock yesterday morning, and having
made her signal to Mr. J. B. Wilcocks, the company's
agent here, stood off again.
Wind E.N.E., strong. The Victoria is on a trial
trip.

A Court-martial assembled yesterday morning on
board her Majesty's ship Impregnable, 104, Captain A.
Lowe, in Hamoaze, to try Dr. James Henry Hail, on a
charge of drunkenness, while on duty in the brig Star, 8,
Commander Warren. The court consisted of Admiral
Corry, President ; Captain Mitchell, of the Queen ;
Captain Nias, St. George ; Captain Buckle, Valorous ;
and the Captains of the Prince Regent, Sanspareil,
Magicienne, Impdrieuse, Amphion, and Leopard. The
charge having been proved, the court sentenced the pri-
soner to be dismissed from her Majesty's service.

THE CHANNEL SQUADRON.
In the afternoon Admiral Corry made signal for the
sternmost and leewardmost ships of his squadron to get
ready for sea. Wind light from south-east, veering to-
wards the south ; high water at 6.30 p.m. The Lon-
don, 90, Captain Charles Eden, which lay to the west,
first let fall, and was quickly under canvass. She
broke ground at 5.20 p.m. and was cast of to-
wards the south under topsails, topgallant sails, and
royals. This fine ship sits easy on the water, and bore
a very noble appearance when she had dropped her
courses and was leaving the Sound. The flag-ship Prince
Regent, 92, Captain Hutton, which lay about three
quarters of a mile inside the middle of the breakwater,
let fall at 5.30, broke ground at 5.45, and casting inshore
passed to the leeward of the red buoy as she followed
the London. The Sanspareil screw steam-ship, 81, Capt.
S. C. Dacres, which was to the north-east of the Ad-
miral, let fall topsails at 5.50, and, when they were set,
let fall topgallantsails and royals, broke ground at 6, and
cast towards the southward under canvass only. The
wind being light she drifted towards Drake's Island, and
it was feared that the island buoy would get under her
bottom. To prevent this a warp was carried to a mer-
chant schooner at anchor in the Sound, and two of
the ship's boats got hold of her bow ; they were joined
by three from the Queen, and four from other other ships
belonging to the squadron, and she was cleared from the
buoy. The Leopard steamer, having been signalised,
came to assist, but owing to her connection with the
schooner, the Leopard went round the Sanspareil three
times, and an hour elapsed before she could safely
hook on.

The Imptirieuse, 50, screw, Captain R. B. Watson ;
the Amphion, 34, screw, Captain S. G. E. Patey ; the
Highflyer, 21, screw, Captain J. More ; and the Leo-
pard, 12, paddle-wheel, Captain G. Giffard, got under
weigh with steam only. Owing to the wind dying
away it was nearly eight o'clock before the squadron
cleared the Sound. At nightfall the London, under her
topsails, was observed several miles outside the break-
water, in a south-easterly direction ; the Prince Re-
gent, in tow of the Highflyer, was half•a-mile outside
the west end of the breakwater ; the Leopard was tow-
ing the Sanspareil towards the London, and the Lnp6-
riquse and Amphion were following astern.

MAY 25.
Admiral Corry's squadron is reported to have been
observed three leagues west of the Eddystone, at 4
o'clock this morning, in a dead calm.

NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO EMIGRANTS.
We are much pleased to find that the Colonial Land
and Engration Commissioners have made a grateful
acknowledgment of the services of the late Dr. Carey,
of the Hercules, by presenting his heirs with the sum
of 1501.

Dr. Stewart, the assistant-surgeon of the Hercules,
has also received 601. from the Commissioners in consi-
deration of his labours while the emigrants on board that
vessel were afflicted with the scourges of small pox and
typhus fever in a severe form.

The board have, we understand, signified their inten-
tion of carrying out this just and proper system of
reward for important services, by adequately remune-
rating the other medical officers who were engaged in
this perilous service, through the Commander-in-Chief at
Cork—Rear-Admiral Purvis.

No one who has the slightest idea of the amount of
harassing labour and responsibility incurred by the naval
medical officers at Cork, can be otherwise than gratified
by the spirit of just liberality displayed by the board on
the present occasion.

BANE RETURNS.

(From the London Gazette of Tuesday.)

An Account, pursuant to the Act seventh and eighth
Victoria, cap. 32, of the Average Amount of Bank
Notes of the several Banks of Issue in England and
Wales, in Circulation during the Week ending Satur-
day, the 7th day of May, 2853 : Average
PRIVATE BANKS. Amount.
Andover Bank, Andover—Heath and Co
Ashford Bank, Ashford—Jemmitt and Pomfret 11,948
Aylsham Bank, Aylsham—G. and T. Copeman 4,459
Aylesbury Old Bank, Aylesbury—Z. D. Hunt 29,126
Baldock Bank and Baldock and Biggleswade
Bank, Baldock—Wells, Hogge, and Co
Barnstaple Bank, Barnstaple—Marshall and Co
Basingstoke and Odiham Bank, Basingstoke--
Seymour, Lamb, and Co.
Bedford Bank, Bedford—T. Barnard and Sons
Bewdley Bank, Bewdley Nichols, Baker,
and Co
Bicester and Oxfordshire Bank and Oxford
Bank, Bicester—H. M. and G. Tubb
Birmingham Bank, Birmingham --Attwoods,
Spooner, and Co
Birmingham and Warwickshire Bank, Bir-
mingham—J. L. Moilliet and Sons
Blandford Bank, Blandford—Oak and Co.
Boston Bank, Boston—Garfit and Co
Boston Bank, Boston—H. and T. Gee and Co
Bridgwater Bank, Bridgwater—J. and J. L
Sealey
Bristol Bank, Bristol—Miles, Miles, and Co
Broseley and Bridgnorth and Bridgnorth and
Broseley Bank, Broseley—Pritchards, Boy-
cott, and Co.
Buckingham Bank, Buckingham—Bartlett, Par-
rott, and Co.
Bury and Suffolk Bank, Sudbury Bank, and
Stowmarket Bank, Bury St. Edmunds—
Oakes, Bevan, and Co.
Banbury Bank, Banbury Gillet, Tawney,
and Co.
Banbury Old Bank, Banbury—Cobb and Son
Bath City Bank, Bath— G. Moger and Son
Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard Bank, Leighton
Buzzard—Bassett, Grant, and Co
Birmingham Bank, Birmingham—Taylor and
Lloyds
Bradford Old Bank, Bradford, Yorkshire—H
A. and W. M. Harris and Co.
Brecon Old Bank, Brecon—Wilkins and Co
Brighton Union Bank, Brighton—Hall, West,
and Borrer
Burlington and Driffield Bank, Burlington—
Harding, Smith, and Co
Bury St. Edmunds Bank, Bury St. Edmunds—
J. Worlledge
Cambridge Bank, Cambridge—Mortlock & Co
Cambridge and Cambridgeshire Bank, Cam-
bridge—Messrs. Fosters
Canterbury Bank, Canterbury—Hammond and
Co

25,154
12,184

17,341
32,078

12,085

16,023

24,142

11,119
6,993
70,650
17,306

.. 6,472
34,950

17,03

24,848

69,703

37,988
29,852
3,195

34,636

37,237

12,120
67,597

27,975

12,479

2,131
14,636

42,948