The Sun.
London, England, 1825-07-07 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'S BENCH; Jun. 6,

CONSPIRACY.
THE KING v. GODFEEY AND OTHERS.

This was an indictment against Sophia Saunders, otherwise
Cooke, whose name has been frequently before the public, and
three persons,named Godfrey, Parke, and Gravest, for conspir-
ing to defraud certain tradesmen named of goods, and also
generally for conspiring to defraud the subjects of his Majesty.
Mr. GURNEY, with whom were Mr. A sruiteews and. Mr.
BRODRICK, stated the case for the prosecution. He charged
all the defendants as engaged in one combination to obtain
naoney by fraudulent representations, and as designing to share
in the spoil. The scheme was to represent Mrs. Saunders,
who had also passed by the name of Mrs. Stamp Sutton Cooke,
as a lady of fortune, having large possessions in the West
Indies, and well able to pay for all the goods which she pro-
posed to purchase. At the time when these representations
were made, Mrs. Saunders was nominally a prisoner in the
custody of the Marshal, but having obtained the liberty of the
rules, she set all bounds at defiance, and commenced her career
as if she had been entirely free from embarrassment or restraint.
To further the scheme, a house was taken for her at Hamm_
stead, where she hired first a carriage, and afterwards a gig,.
and was attended by a servant in livery. Here Godfrey ap-
peared as the master; and became the main instrument in
ordering goods, which were largely procured from credulous
tradesmen. Gravett, who sometimes went by the' name of Tur-
ner, acted as servant; and 'Mr. Thomas Josiah Parke, who
lived in Westbourn-place, Chelsea, contributed his services as
general referee, and vouched for the respectability and the for-
tune of Mrs-. Saunders: Orders were accordingly given ; Mr.
Parke represented Mrs. Saunders as entitled to property which
would enable her to pay ; the goods were supplied—harps,
pianofortes, and other articles, which could never be intended
for use ; and which found their way, in due course, to the
pawnbroker's or the broker's. 'The same system was pursued
at Bayswater, whither Mrs. Saunders removed, and was conti-
nued until she was discOvered, and safely lodged within the
walls of the King's Bench Prison. This was the outline of
the case, which it was wholly unnecessary to pursue into de.
tail ; and if, on the whole evidence, the jury should be of opi-
nion that the defendants, taking the several parts allotted to
them, had combined for one unlawful purpose, though pursu-
ing it by various means, they would discharge their duty by
returning against all a verdict of guilty.
Ambrose Parish, a clerk in the King's Bench prison, proved
that William Godfrey was committed to the prison on the 22d
of June, 1822, and continued till the 7th of January, 1823.
Sophia ooke was committed on the 7th of July, 1822, and
was discharged the 20th of March, 1823. She was again com-
mitted on the 13th of May, 1824, under ths name of Sophia
Saunders, and remained in prison at present. Thomas Josiah
Parke was committed 30th January, 1824, and remained till
the 24th March, 1824. 11
Daniel Flight said, in December, 1823, he was hired by Mrs.
Saunders, then living at Spring-cottage, Hampstead, as a foot-
boy. From Hampstead she removed, to Bayswater. He ap-
peared in a livery, a blue jacket and laced hat. At Hampstead,
she went by the name of Saunders ; at Bayswater, by the name
of Cooke. Mr. Godfrey and Mrs. Turner lived with her at
Spring-cottage ; Mrs. Turner went by the name of Gravett ;
and her brother, the defendant, came to see her under that
name. Mr. Parke came, but not often, four or five times, and
once slept there. She kept a gig, and used to visit the Clare..
most Hotel. She also had a glass-coach when at Hampstead.
Parke once lived in Pulteney-street, afterwards at Westbourn.
place, and at both Mrs. Saunders went to see him. The wit-
ness used to be sent out of the way, and on his return found
that goods had been left—once a piano, four harps, and a quan-
tity of wine; the harps were left three or four days or a week,
one in the place of another. He left Mrs. Cooke at Cra'ven-
cottage, but did not get his wages, which amounted to 21. 4s.
but he afterwards received them..
The AT TORNEY.GENERAL stated, that he appeared for
Parke; that Mr. ADOLPHUS appeared for Mrs. Saunders;
and Mr. UNIACKE for the other defendants.
On cross-examination, the witness said, that Parke kept the
Claremont Hotel, and that Mrs. Saunders bought wine there.
Mrs. Saunders used to play on the musical instrument; Gra-
vett used to come to the house to visit his sister.
Sophie Lewis proved that Mrs. Saunders, having lodged at
her house in April 1823, left it without paying a small balance
of rent, for which her boxes were detained.
Mr. John Dance proved that in November 1823, Mrs. Saun-
ders hired a glass coach of him at Hampstead, which she kept
till April, 1824, and that soon after a horse and gig came from
London, of which Godfrey appeared to be the master. The
whole of his bill amounted to 1301., 'but he obtained 401. on ac-
count at different times. Mr. Godfrey, when the witness pres-
sed for money, said that Mrs. Saunders, to whose account every
thing was to be placed, had large property in the West Indies.
John Slack, the coachman who drove Mrs. Saunders, proved
occaasenal visits to Mr. Parke in Viresth ou r n -place, and that she
was sometimes accompanied by Godfrey.

Jane Brown, who lived servant with Mr. Parke in Clarges-
street till January 1824, said that Alr,. Saunders took a first
floor in the same house, but did not sleep there.
Captain Sweetman, the proprietor of Spring-cottage, proved
that he let it furnished to Mrs. Saunders at 1201. a-year. She
gave a reference to Mr. Clarke, No. 4, Bengal-place. She af-
terwards gave a reference Mr. Mather, whom she represented
as her agent, at the East India Chambers : he went. and found
a nian who answered to the name ; but .afterwards that man

could not he found. Mr. Godfrey Used to come arid make
eaKuserefor the non-payment of the rent, hut declined to make
himielf personally liable.
Mr. Labee, ;In auctioneer, proved that in. July, 1823, Mrs.
Saunders took a house of itt Beatinont-street, and re-
ferred to Mr. Parke. He calletf,on --FArke, who first ex-
pressed his wonder that she shoUld refer to tiini h.en Said she
had occupied as house of his in Clarge-s-street, and haepaidliiin
very punctually s thht lie regretted !,he had left the hi tisi:-:.
that he believed her to be a very respectable woman, and had
no doubt that she would perforr:-: her -engagements. In answer
to ,an inquiryrespecting her property, he said she had .honst
'property in Jamaica, which yielded her- 5(l07. per annum,
anti -tbat'She had two children, who were _separately pro-
vided -for. Pending the )legw:i 'at i if)(1 fro, c3lieti
times with`her, and sometimes without her. and she took;
the !mese, where she-remained about two 1)7 tbs. lle acted as
agent for Miss Heathcote,.the owner of the house, and ' neye r
received any rent. •
William Mills, a butcher, at Bayswater: - hr supplied
11r..'. Saunders, who went by ate name,..of Cooke, with meats
'and not obtaining his money, threatened to arrest (1,,,i-
-frcy came about the money, and said he wis veer trouble-
some;

The two next witnesses proved nothing.
Mr. Erat, a harp manufacturer, proveit that he sold a harpto
Mrs. Saunders, for which he had never been paid ; and Mr.
Smith. a pawnbroker,• proved that the same harp had been
first pledged, and then sold to hint by Godfrey.
A person in the Employ of Messrs. Erat proved, that be
called on Mr. Parke, to inquire art to the circumstances-of Mrs.
Saunders, and that Mr. Parke said she had West. India ..pro.
perry, consisting.of cottons and plantations,' and was a lady of
great respectability.
Thomas Butcher stated, that in March, 10'.2.1. Mrs. Saunders
.hired a piano-forte of his employers, and afterwards proposed-
to buy it for a niece, who had taken a fancy to the instrument ;
Godfrey and Mrs. Saunders afterwards came, and she pressed*.
for it; proposing to pay 101., and give a bill for the remainder
of the price, which was about 46/., payable when the dividends
should become due. To this he assented, and she drew a bill,
becoming due the 24th of July: The bill was never paid, nor
the instrument returned. The day before the hill became due,
Godfrey called and said Mrs. Saunders was in some diffi-
culties, bitt had house's in Kingston, Jainaiea, and if the hill
was not paid when it became due, it would be shortly. He
stated that Mrs. Saunders was in prison. The witness closed
the door on him, and asked who he,was. After some time lie
said his name was Godfrey, and named some street in Parton.
ville, where he lived.
James Finn, a clerk from the Bank of England, proved-that
Illrs.'Saunders had no dividends payable in July, 1824, nor any,
stock whatever.
Mr. W. Bevan, of 130, Piccadilly, a paper-hanger and house-
decorator, said, in February, 1824, Mrs. Saunders called at his
house in a carriage, with Mr. 'Parke, Godfrey, and another
!person whom' he had not seen since; He went out and saw
Mrs. Saunders, who said she was a stranger and a West-Indian
--she was about taking a house in Weatbourn-place, and be.
fore she did so, wanted the opinion of a respectable tradesman.
She asked him to go in the carriage, and he accompanied them
to No. 2, Westbourn-place.. Parke, Godfrey, Mrs. Smolders,
and the witness went over the house, which Mrs. Saunders pro-
posed to paint and decorate, which he engaged to do. He pro.
.ceeded .to the extent of 1281. or 1301.; but never -was paid.—
While the work was going on, he saw Parke and Godfrey in the
house. - -

Charles Bevan proved, that while the work was going or) in
Westbourn-place, he frequently saw Mr. Parke there, who did
not direct any thing. Some-paper yeas brought in,and not put
up, and Dlr. Parke interfered to prevent it from being taken
awa►.

• John Carpenter, partner of Mr. Leak, of Oxford-street, said
that in June Godfrey came to him, and applied for a horse and
cabriolet, for a lady who was a lady of property, residing at
Bayswater ; and he agreed to let her have. them for a month.--.
Turner used to come for them as groom, and they were used
five weeks. He could not obtain his money. In answer to a
remark of the witness, Turner said he was very lately come
into Mrs. Cooke's service, and did not know much of her. The
whole hire of the gig was 151.
Thomas Ruckerings proved that he arrested Turner, who
said his name was Gravett, and Wished he had never known the
party.
Mr. Nutting, a pianoforte-maker, in Oxford-street, said; in
August last Godfrey called and said a lady had taken a fancy
to one of his pianos, and wished to buy it at six months' credit.
He represented her as a lady of considerable Vest India pro.
perty ; her remittances would come over in six months, and
then she would positively pay for it. He -gave her address—.
" Mrs. Saunders, No. 9, Beaumont-street, Devonshire-place,"
on an engraved card. He gave 'a referenCe, " Mr. Parke,
builder, No. 2, Westbourn-place, Chelsea." Godfrey called
again, and asked if 'he had been ; he replied in the negative,
on which Godfrey offered to give him a lift in his gig. This
offer was accepted, and the witness went to Westbourn-place.
There he saw Mr. Parke, who expressed his surprise at being
called " builder," as he was only building a new wing to his
house. He stated that Mrs. Saunders was a very respectable
lady ; that she had rented a house of him in Clarges-street,
Piccadilly; that he had taken her bills for wine to the amount
of 1661., which were always paid. The Witness expressed his'
satisfaction. The next day Mrs. Saunders and Godfrey. came
and selected a piano for 601., and Mrs. Saunders gave a bill.
He afterwards saw his piano at-Mr. Reeves's, a pawnbroker,
on Snow-hill. -

It was proved that the piano was bought by Mr. Reeves of
Godfrey, on the 20th October, f0r.361., and that he had before
pledged articles at the shop.
James Walsall, a piano-forte maker, in Howland-street,
proved that in September Godfrey called and proposed to buy
a harp for 40 guineas for Mrs. Saunders, who wanted about
four months' credit, as her dividends would not become due
till January. A bill was accordingly drawn for its price. Mrs.
Saunders called to look at the harp, but she obviously could not
play a note; she desired it to be sent home, and accepted the
bill. The harp was sent, but the bill was never paid. God-
frey,was to have two guineas for commission. On the witness
calling for his money, Gravett said Mrs. Saunders was out of
; town. He afterwards saw his harp in the possession of Miss
Rachel Nathan, in Blackfriars road.
John Flower,' in the service of Mr. Cotterell, a pawnbroker,
of 99, Shoe-lane, proved that on the 13th of September God-
frey pledged the harp with his master for IN. in the name of
John Thomas, and that it was redeemed afterwards.
It was proved that Miss Nathan purchased the duplicate of
Godfrey, and obtained the harp.
John Smith, who was in the employ of Messrs. Kelley, in
Oxford-street, in December, 1823, and Mrs. Saunders came to
purchase goods,. and gave a reference to Mr. Parke, who said
she was a very respectable lady, possessed of Westlndia pro-
perty to the amount of 500/. a-year ; that he might safely give
her credit, as her property was in houses.
Mr. Dodd, of Oxford-street, proved that a piano was hired
of him for Mrs. Saunders, which was delivered-on representa-
tions that she was a lady of fortune ; but the piano never was
returned, nor had he received its value. -

Alr.Jaines Delbw, a musical instrument rn;ker in Conduit_
street, proved that he sent a harp to Mrs. Sanders, at [lamp.
stead, on hire, and that Godfrey afterwards applied to him to
sell it, but that he refused. He never received the harp nor its
value. This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Citt-rry, in the absence of the Attorney-General, ad.
dressed the Jury for Mr. Parke. He contended that there was
not the slightest evidence tending to impute any corrupt motive
to this defendant, or the least desire to participate in what had
been called "the spoils" of the enterprize. Air. Parke was a
man engaged in extensive concerns—a builder of capital and
credit ; to whom it was absurd to impute a desire to share in.
the miserable gains which might be derived from the hire of -a
carriage and the sale of a few musical instruments, out of
which, according to the case for the prosecution, Mrs. Saun-
ders's expences must be paid. The truth was, that if Mrs.
Saunders was not possessed of the property which she claimed,
Mr. Parke was deceived, for he would prove that, on
her application to rent apartments of him, he made in-
quiries, and that on these inquiries he let the rooms,
and supplied her with wine. Even during her transactions
he allowed her to increase her debt to him ; and could it be
believed that he would have done this had he known • her
to be insolvent ? She was a lady of fascinating manners and
accomplishments ; appearances were entirely in her favour ;
and it was obvious that if she had deceived others, which was
not prOved, she had also deceived Mr. Parke, and that he was
wholly innocent of any, fraudulent purp<:aie or interested object
in the answers which he had given to the inquiries of tradesmen.
It could not be forgotten that, in the case of " Ilaycraft v.
Creasey," where a young lady named Robertson practised an ex- •
tensive fraud, the defendant was holden not even liable to a civil
action, though he had untruly asserted that he knew her to be cr.-

PRICE SI3VENPENCE.

Fitled,to the property . Which She elaimcd, hecaii;e. !he .
zc ?iv
believed she had such claim ; and how trittrli„less "as Mr.
Parke the subject of an indictment,,who lia.d.made no•assertion
persoual knowledge, and had,onl7 said what _he belicv=d to be true, without the least motive. for deception.
4poLp.tf us addressed the Jury fer Airs. '....!4unders, whom
he describcd a.s a W017)411 who had been unfj-Atnnate without any
Criminality; having married Mr. Cooke under the belief that
she would breArne his lawful .wife, and finding .that Marriage
invalid% She might have acted incautiously. and Mdiscreetlf,
c•=rtairil-47 not with an intention t" defraud, for she. hf.li,tv,i
that she had ru'operty in the West Indies; and it would app, nr
that this was true, though she might be mistaken in
She ceri:linly could not .r.,Torci to.livs in a house at a rent of
150/: or 12W. a yell without assistance ; bait she ptopos,,.+ to
take hoarders. for whose benefit . the musical instruMents
intended.' Ilshe was extravagant and fickle, or finding'he't.
self involved, she improperly disposed of thegcods; this wouf.d., fro.-arld ought not to subject her to a participation in the
soiracy, of:Which there was not the slightest proof To
the Learned Counsel entreated the jury not to convict the,
tendants or, strained inferences, hut to look fairly and caniftili,
at the rasa, at,-,11 decide in their favour, unless the chatge was
substantialltrtroved against them.
.111 r. CruACRE, on the part of Gtavett, submitted that there
eras no case to go to the jury.
The LoRD Crimp JUSTICE said, that the ease against this

defendant would probably appear.asvery slight one, but that he
could not wirthdraw it from the cousideration of the jury.
.Mr. UNIACKE then addressed the jury for Gravettand fied-
frey.. As to the first, he merely came te visit his sister, and at
most was a servant to Mrs. Saunders, and could not be irnoh-
cated in her designs. The Learned Course' -then took a review
of the' evidence as affectiizg Gedfrey, and contended that
'had never represented Mrs. Sanders :is solvent--as he had
never become responsible for her-- it was clear that he &el eel
become a partaker alio design which such conduct mieLi
have promoted. He argued that the conduct of ' the perfiss
could not. be distinguithed' from that of any ptreors who cor-
tracted debts without the means of paving them, and which:
though immoral, was never yet regarded as the Subject of penal
visitation.
Mr. CHITTY, .then, for Parke, called the. following vita •
neases : •
' George Kenning, a builder, at Horton. 'had 'clown M.
Parke about 18 years. Went with him ih September, 182';5% to
inquire at Mr. Parkinson's Greek-street, Soho, respecting the
character of Mrs. Saunders. Witness got out of the cig ill
which they went, and upon inquiry was told that sheharaa a
spectable person, and had property in -the West Indies. ' ita
ness told Mr. Piste, who seas satisfies'.
William Hayes, --a linenoilraper, of Bercsferd-etreet,
worth, had been formerly a ehopman to Jr. Morton, in Oa-
ford-streeta In the• beginning of November, 1823, he wa. at-.
the houseof Mr. Parke, when he saw Mrs. Saunders, whom he
knew before by the name of Cooke. • She :got out art camas re,
and went up stairs. He.told Mr. Parke that she had dealt with
Mr. Morton. Witness believed she was air-0118r of propertii.
He sold her some goods, for which he paid him, and he told
Mr. Parke what he thought of her. • •-- . • ,
Mrs. Baker lived as housekeeper with Mr. Parke dories!
Mrs. Parke's life. Mm. Parke was confined to her bed.for 18 •
years before her death, which took place a year and'a half since.
Mr. Parke had fbr lodgers two gentlemen .-and Mrs, Sanndtrs. -`
A bill was,put in the window before -Mrs,. Seueders took the'
lodgings, which was in pctober, 1823. • Witne6,:received money
fr.!`to her on several occasions for wine furnished by Mr. Pee ke,
and Saw her pay three guineas to Mr. Parke on Accbmt, of the •
lodgings. Witness had lived in Mr. Parke's family three yeilrts'
before Mrs. Saunders came, buthad never, durnig that peritel,
heard or seen any thing of her. She understood Mrs. tiaehde:a
intended to keep a•school.
Cross-exarnined.—Alrs. Saunders was a lodger of Mr. Perke's
two months, during which time she never slept in the house;
she had hollowed money of the witness; Witucte'dirl' not kuo t.
by whom Mrs. Saunders WAS introduced to lir. Parke. mi..
Parke was in confinement four months in the'. year 1823 wit-
mess did not know that Mrs. Saunders vies introdlice:ei to• Parke,
in order to purchase goods which she and Perke-and Godfrey
were to share; she might have said so ; witnesaslever said that -
it was arranged Parke should have a.share in the produce of •
the fraudulent purchaser, to be made by means of hi r.oa-iii-
tnendation, but that he was to appear as little as pooahlte
the affair; she might have said. that Go thy bed told hee. ae.
Godfrey and Mrs. Saunders used to go out in the rayriak:
and in the gig. Parke was sometimes with them. Diti.aot
say that upon those occasions Parke used to get out of the ea...t-
riage, and walk to the place where it was intended to obtainthe goods, as if to. meet Mrs. Saunders, always representing
her as a lady of large 7eVest India property. Did not heete
what object Mr. Parke.had in letting her the house• *.Vest- •
bourn-place. Never said it was to assist in the fraudoi.eet
scheme, and to get the house, which was dilapidated, ,rt paired.
Never said that Mr.. Parke wished witness to say that s.l7e
knew Mrs. Saunders, and that 'she had lived at the Clare-
mont Hotel when witness Was there. Witness went to a mas-
querade with Mr. P. and Mrs. Saunders ; they dressed at the
Covent-garden Chambers. where witness lived, and went thence
to the masquerade. At this time Mrs. Saunders lived at Down-
shire-hill, and Mr. Godfrey was living there also. None .of
the goods bought by Mrs. Saunders came to the 'Chambers.
where witness lived. She had seen goods brought to the cot-
tage. Mr. Smallwood, in whose service she lived, did not turn
her away bemuse the neighbours had remarked upon the quail-
Cities of goods brought into his Chambers.
Re-examined.—lt was in 1822, not in 1823, that Mr. Parke
was in Coldbath-fields prison. Witness was at variance with
Mr. Parke, and had appliedao him for payment of -thernoney
she had lent to Mrs. Saunders.
W. a'Beckett had been attorney for Mr. Petite; was so it:
1823. Knew that Parke purchased some property in West-
bourn-place for 2,2801., of which 800/. was left on mortgag,
and the rest was settled by means of an exchange of other pr
perty. . _ _

Cross-examined.—These transactions took place about tll.-
end of 1823. Parke had made a composition with hit creditors;
witness thought, a year before the exchange alluded to.
By the COURT—Parke was confined in the House of Coo-
rection at Coldbatit-fields, from Trinity TerM, 18(22, for four
months.

Jarnes.Bayley, clerk to Phipps, an attorney, believed
that Mrs. Saunders was possessed of property in the Vest In-
dies, under the will of her husband. He did not know that ft
produced any thing.
' Rir. Farren, a Qnaker, one of the trustees under the will,
was called, but refused to take the oath. He ...id he had a cf.,-
trustee, who had been subpcenaed, and who was not a Qualtcr.
4 builder was called, and Mr. CHITTY was about to exa-
mine hirn respecting Parke's prope,t7, but, upon the suggc, -
tion of the Lord ChitlJustice, lie declined to do so, and stated •~
that his case was closed.

I Mr. °HANEY then called Wethrell, clerk to 14. ko.
gers, attorney for the prosecution, who was asked if 'he had
taken down from the lips of Mrs. Baker, the contents of .4 paper
now produced, and from which Mr. Gurney had pre iously ex..
atnined her. The witness said he had written it Or the inornine,
following a conversation with Mrs. Baker. He then stated
(refreshing his memory by reference to this paper), the sub.
stance of that conversation, which was to the elect directly ne-
gatived, by Mrs. Baker in her examination.
Cross.examined.—This conversation took place in the even..
ing, and the writing was made in the morning.
Mr. Smallwood, in whose service Mrs. Baker lived at en.
vent-garden Chambers, dismissed her in consequence of her
connexion with Parke and Mrs. Saunders, and b:ea'ise goods
were brought into his chambers of which the neighbours com-
plained. He assigned theSe as his reasons to Mrs. Baker wheel
he dismissed her.
Cross-examinetl.-..lVitness had frequently aeon pate is of
linen drapery and grocery goods; and upon inquiry v.* told
they were sent there for Mrs. Saunders, who was a-lady of Mrs.
Baker's acquaintance, and who came •there freeplenely•-iti
carriage. -
Mr. CHITTY replied upon the additional•evicleetce;-satd.'
tributed the statements- alleged to have been made- by Mrs: •
Baker to her resentment, and having lost the money site had
lent Mrs. Saunders; and contended that it ought net 'to be
taken in contradiction of her evidence to-day. - - -
Mr. GURNEY replied shortly.
The Loup CHIEF JUSTICE then summed up; and -after' •
recapitulating the facts of the case, told the jtiry that het.therisght
there' was no evidence sufficient to connect the defend-ant :Tie-
tier, alias Graven, with the frauds alleged to have been tolrft:1;"
mitted by the other defendants. With respect to the tatter,
left it to Jury
.to say whether they had -been guilty-Of conspitatY
as defraud perisons of their goods for the purpose of:shatino the
profits of such fraud between them....-The Jury irerctedtately
found Turner, alias Gravest, Not Guilty, and Parke, Godfrey,
and Sirs. Saunders, Guilty. . • • • -
The Court sat till nearly seven o'clock upon this trial.- --