The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-01 00:00:00

UNION-HALL.

Wm. Jones, a well-dressed young man, was committed for
trial for entering the counting-house of Mr. Baxter, of Mon-
tagu-place, Southwark, during the temperary absence of the
clerk, and stealing a bag, containing 51. in copper money.

EXTENSIVE SMUGGLING.

CONVICTION OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW
OF THE PRINCE REGENT.

On Saturday the captain, mate, two seamen, and a boy,
forming the crew of the.sloots Prince Regent, were brought
before Mr. BALT.ANTIN and Mr. BRODISRIP, at the Thames
Pollee Office, for re-examination, charged with smuggling
618 tubs of foreign Brandy and Geneva, in the vessel.
James Bennett, the master and part owner of the Prince
Regent, was first put to the bar. The information preferred
by the Board of Customs charged that he, being a subject of
her Majesty, and as being on board a certain vessel liable to
seizure within the port of London, not being driven therein
by stress of weather and other unavoidable causes, did ille-
gally import 116 gallons of brandy, 987 gallons of spirits of
brandy, and 411 gallons of Geneva, the same being in cases
less than the size and dimensions by which such spirits might
be legally imported into the United Kingdom, by which
James Bennett had incurred a penalty of 1001.
The prisoner pleaded " Not guilty," and said it was quite
unknown to him how the spirits came into his ship, and lie was
quite ignorant of the transaction until the tubs were shown to
hint by the officer.
Mr. Benjamin Donne, inspector of the River, repeated the
evidence given on Wednesday last of his going on board the
Prince Regent a mile eastward of Tilbury Fort, as she was
coming up the River; of his making the discovery of the kegs,
which were concealed under a cargo of staves and eighty
casks; and also of the master declaring at the time that he
was sot aware that any smuggled property was secreted be-
neath his cargo, and that it was put there during his absence.
Mr. Donne added that the vessel was very deep in the water,
and that the casks and staves were so well placed over the
kegs of smuggled liquor, that it was some time before he and
his men discovered the kegs. When the captain denied all
knowledge of the transaction, he did not appear at all angry
with his men.

Mr. Beverley submitted that so many kegs of liquor could
not have been stowed away in the hold without the captain's
knowledge and consent, and that he was clearly liable under
the Act of Psrliawent.

Mr. BALLANTTNE-We find you guilty of the offence laid in
the information, and you will pay a fine of 100/. to the Queen
and be imprisoned until such fine is paid. You can make your
appeal to the Commissioners of Customs, and if they find you
arc an honest man, and that the crew have got to windward of
you in this matter, they will be merciful.
Mr. Hodgson—lle has been master of a vessel for fifty
years, and bears an excellent character.
James Parker, the mate of the sloop, was next arraigned,
and pleaded guilty to the information in a loud voice.
Mr. BRODERIP--Yoll know you are liable to a fine of 100/.
Parker—Yes, Sir, I know all about it. lam guilty.
Mr. BALLANTINg—We should have attempted to prevail
upon you to withdraw that plea, only we know the facts arc so
clear there is not a chance for you. You will pay a fine of
1001. to the Queen, and be imprisoned in default.
Charles Leversuch also pleaded guilty on the information
being read, and treated the affair with great indiffirence.
James Saunders, 'mother seaman, also pleaded guilty.
Mr. BRODERIP—DO you plead that advisedly ?—Saunders
Ili, hi, Sir; I know what I am about.

Mr. BALLANTINF—The Act of Parliament says that you
must pay a fine of 1001. to the Queen, and be imprisoned until
it is paid.
Saunders—Very well, Sir; its all right.—( Laughter. )
George Bennett, a youth, the son of the Captain, was next
charged upon a similar information, and pleaded not guilty.
The boy was fined 1001., and sentenced to be imprisoned
until it was paid.
The prisoners were then removed to the Essex county
gaol at Chelmsford, in the custody of the principal surveyor
and other officers of the Thames Police. The sloop and her
stores have been already condemned, and the brandy and
Geneva, in all 1,354 gallons, a great portion of which is
above proof, will be sold for the benefit of the officers who made
the seizure.