The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-04 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

LAMBETH.—It will be recollected that about three
weeks ago, a person named Joseph Francis, with many
aliases, was charged at this court, before the Hon. G. C.
Norton, with carrying on a most extensive and successful
system of fraud by quack advertisements. On his second
examination Mr. Norton made the bail as low as 201. for
each surety, and 401. for the prisoner. Bennett, relieving
officer of St. Mary, Newington, and a person named Daniel
Evans, who described himself as a tallow-chandler, carry-
ing on business at No. 217, Blackfriars-road, and who
turaed out to be another brother-in-law of the accused,
became the sureties for the prisoner. On the next day of
examination Francis (lid not make his appearance, but on
the application of the bail for time to find the accused, a
fortnight was granted them. It was now stated that the
bail had used every means in their power to procure the
attendance of the accused, but they had been unable to do
so, and under the peculiar circumstances hoped his worship
would grant a little more time.,
Mr. Norton—lt seems from information which has
reached Mr. Inspector Emerson that this man with the
many names is placed in the same predicament in Scotland
that he is here. In Scotland it seems that he practised
numerous frauds under the assumed name of Dr. Murray,
and for these he was taken up and committed for trial, but
by depositing 1001. as a security for his attending on the
day of trial, he managed to get out of the country and has
not been seen there since, and therefore it is not likely
that he will voluntarily attend here.
Inspector Emerson—From information I have received
it appears that Mr. Bennett, the father of W. Bennett,
now present, and father-in-law to Francis, and also a
brother-in-law of Francis, were summoned to Scotland; in
a great hurry, at the time of that transaction ; and, if I
mistake not, I shall be able to prove that Mr. Evans, one
of the bail, now present, was that man.
Mr. Norton repeated that he should not have thought of
taking bail for the accused, if he had not known that Mr.
Bennett, who offered himself as one of the sureties, held
a most respectable situation. If he (Mr. Bennett), how-
ever, knew anything of what had taken place in Scotland,
he considered he had not acted fairly in putting himself
forward to effect the prisoner's release.
Bennett declared he know nothing about it; 'and Evans °I
said the inspector was mistaken in his supposition, as he
had not been to Scotland on the occasion alluded to.
Inspector Emerson—From the first to the last we have
not received the slightest assistance from Mr. Bennett or
any of the family, but quite the contrary ; and he wished
to add that he had been applied to by the landlord of the
house, who had been defrauded of his rent. Mr. Bennett
must have been quite cognisant of the removal of the goods
as he lived next door.
Mr. Bennett said the landlord might have his key, or
take possession if he thought proper.
Mr. Norton said he should not be responsible for farther
delay. His decision was that the recognisances be
estreated, and if the money was not paid by the following
(this) day, he shoull issue warrants of distress on their
goods.

WESTMINSTER.—Thomas Knellar was charged with
picking a magistrate's pocket in the Court of Exchequer.
Mr. Edward Lacey, a magistrate of the borough of
Gravesend, was in the Court of Exchequer yesterday,
when he suddenly felt a hand upon his person, and on
turning round, his eyes met the prisoner's. The court
was much crowded at the time, and while Mr. Lacey was
looking full in the prisoner's face, the latter put his
hand upon his arm with a cool air of familiarity to 8
disarm suspicion of his having done anything wrong. `;
The accused soon afterwards made for the door. Mr.
Lacey follo..red, watching his movements closely, and
saw him thrust his hand into his pocket hastily, and as
hastily withdraw it. On their nearing the lobby, the 4
prisoner, stooping down and picking up Mr. Lacey's hand-
kerchief, which appeared to have got there by some magic 25
influence, presented it him, observing very coolly, "Here's
a handkerchief." Mr. Lacey took the handkerchief, and
gave the prisoner into custody, when, upon searching his 16
coat pockets, one was found to have no bottom to it, so
that anything thrust clear of the opening would fall to the
ground. 49

Prisoner denied the robbery, and said lie had once been
a person in possession of a large fortune.
He was remanded till Monday.
5/. was received from the " Earl of C." for the poor-bor.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 3..
The Hecla 6, paddlewheel sloop, is ordered to be corn- 21
missioned aethis port to-morrow by Mr. Peter Wellington,
master of the flag-ship Victory, for the purpose of recon-
noitring all the ports of the North Sea. She takes out
Mr. Tucker, Master of the Hecla ; Mr. Stanton, master;
Mr. Hills, second-master ; and other scientific officers of
the fleet, with 12 pilots from the north. This important
expedition could not have been intrusted to more careful
or cautious direction than Mr. Wellington, who was em-
ployed both in China and on the coast on 'Syria in our ex-
peditions to those waters.
The Boscawen, 70, Captain Glanville, flag of Rear-Ad. 1;
miral Fanshawe, arrived at Spithead this morning from the
eastward, to complete her complement.
All the blockships are ordered to complete their crews to
5' 4,
the full war complement, and expedite those ready for sea 2,
service with all despatch.

WOOLWICH, FEB. 3.
APPOINTMENTS.
Lieutenants.—Nelson G. Spencer (1847), to the Blen-
heim, 60, screw steam guard-ship at Portsmouth; Joce-
lyne J. W. Jervis (1850), to the Dauntless, 24, screw
steam-frigate at Portsmouth ; Byron G. Rowles (184:;), to
the Nile, 90, screw steam-ship at Devonport ; Henry
West (1846), recently in command of the Pluto paddle.
wheel steam-vessel on the West Coast of Africa station,
to the Nile; W. F. B. Edwardes (1854), recently pro-
moted from first mate of the Simoom iron screw troon-
ship, to the Nile ; Lord F. N Conyngham (1854), recently
promoted from mate of the Cumberland, 70, flag•ship, on
the West Indies station, to the Caesar, 90, at Portsmouth.
Masters.—Henry B. Yule (1843), from the Comet
paddle-wheel steam surveying vessel on the west coast of
Scotland, to the Fisgard flag-ship at Woolwich ; Wm.
-H. Harris (1853), borne on the books of the Bleheim for
service in the Conflict screw steam-sloop at Portsmouth, to
the Comet vice Yule.
Second Master William Fawckner (1850), from the St.
George, 120, guardship of ordinary at Devonport, to the
Banshee steam vessel on the Mediterranean station, vice H.
St. J. Cook, promoted.
Chaplains Rev. Francis Hannan BA. (1847), from the
Queen, 116, on the Mediterranean' station,' to the Hogue,
60, screw steam guardship at Devonport; Rev. Samuel'K.
Stothert (1853), from the Hogue to the Queen, vice
Hannan.