The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-31 00:00:00

THE FREEMEN'S LANDS BILL.

It is generally conceded that though the Act for the
" Reform of Municipal Corporations in England and
Wales" brought about a radical reform in these cor-
porations, by introducing a new and wholesome system,
and which previously were mere hotbeds of corruption,
yet that that important Act made no provision for the
management of "strays," waste, and common lands, and
for the protection of the interests of all having an
interest in them. To obviate this glaring defect the
above-named Bill has been introduced 'into the House
of Lords by the Earl of Carlisle with every prospect of
success. It owes its origin to Mr. Leeman, the well-
known solicitor of York, who for some time past has
carried on a correspondence with the authorities of the
principal towns in the kingdom, with the view of ex-
hibiting the necessity for such a measure, and the
framing of suitable provisions. At a numerous meeting
of the freemen of York, presided over by the Lord
Mayor, the Bill was approved of. The enthusiasm of
Mr. Leeman is most commendable, because he had
pledged himself that if the freemen did not approve of
the Bill that it should not cost them one single farthing.
Every one who has paid the slightest attention to the
management of these important lands must admit that
the present system is defective in the extreme, and
be glad to see the probability of a panacea being
applied to the existing evils. The York Herald thus
defines the leading principles of the Bill and urges upon
freemen the necessity to bestir themselves to promote its
success:—
" The Bill is so perfectly unobjectionable in its nature,
that no person can possibly offer any opposition to it, ex-
cept for the sake of factious annoyance. The freemen,
not only of York, but also those of England at large, are
deeply indebted to Mr. Leeman, for the great amount of
trouble he has thus voluntarily taken for their welfare,
and for the care which he has bestowed to secure them
all their rights and privileges by an Act of Parliament.
The provisions of the Bill enact that the town clerk shall
make out a list of freemen, who shall elect their own
land wardens, or pasture masters, but that the treasurer
of the borough shall also be the treasurer of the freemen.
It likewise contains powers to authorise the exchange or
sale of any lands which a majority of the freemen may
decide upon, but only provided such exchange or sale
shall meet with the sanction of the town council, and the
Lords of the Treasury. The bye-laws for the govern-
ment of the strays, are left to be drawn up by the free-
men themselves; and thus, it will be evident to all, that
they will possess full and unrestricted power. As we
know there will be some opposition offered by interested
and designing parties, whose only object is to serve their
own mean purposes, we call upon the freemen of every
town who are interested in strays, to be up and doing—
to hold public meetings to discuss the Bill—to petition
in its favour, and, by every means in their power, to
assist the Noble Earl in his kind and disinterested exer-
tions to serve a numerous class of individuals, whose in-
terests, we regret to say, have not hitherto had that at-
tention which, in our opinion, they have hilly deserved."

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
William Wiggins, a man who resides in Sun-square,
Bishopsgate, was brought before Sir John Pirie,
charged with having cruelly•treated his child, a poor
half-starved, meagre-looking girl, who appeared to
be about eight years old.
A policeman, to whom a neighbour had complained
that the child frequently alarmed the vicinity with
cries of murder, took the defendant into custody, and
collected the necessary evidence, from which it ap-
peared that the accused had given the poor little
creature a desperate beating all over the back with
a thick leather strap, to which was attached a steel
buckle; that the step-mother of the girl was aware of
this cruel usage, and that the defendant, upon being
expostulated with, and told that he was violating the
law by such conduct, said he did'nt care one for
the law, and that it was a mercy he did not throw
the girl out of the window, as he had a right to do
what he liked with his own child. It also appeared
that the defendant had been in the habit of beating
his daughter with horsewhips. Her neck and shoul-
ders bore marks of severe punishment, and her general
appearance testified to the truth of the statement of
the neighbours that her belly as well as her back was
punished without measure.
The child said she believed she was about 10 years
old, that yesterday morning her father beat her
dreadfully with a strap on the back, because she had
been telling some stories, that she screamed out
murder, and a gentleman came to her, and her father
swore at him because he meddled with the matter.
A Mrs. Harris, who lives in Sun-square, said the
child yesterday morning came to her house and
complained of being very ill, and of being so sore
that she could not sit down. Witness examined the
lower part of her person and found it as black as a
shoe, and because she took care of the little suf-
ferer, the defendant's wife, who was the child's step-
mother, came over and abused and threatened her
very much.
The defendant said his daughter had been desired
to stay at home, as her stepmother had some valuable
work to do which required to be looked after ; that the
girl had, notwithstanding the order, gone into the
square to play with other children, and that then, in
great excitement, he took off his belt and walloped
her. He was ready to swear that all that had been
said against him was false.
Sir JOHN PiRIE—I believe it to be all true.
The defendant—Very well; you may enjoy your
own opinion.
Sir JOHN PIRIE—I shall act upon it, and require
you to find good bail to appear to answer at the
sessions.
The defendant—That girl shall never enter my
doors again. I shall never have anything more to do
with her.
Sir JOHN PIRIE—She shall not be subject to your
brutal conduct; but you shall pay for her support.
The daughter of the defendant's present wife by a
former husband was immediately afterwards put to
the bar, and charged with having used threatening
language to one of the witnesses. She was bound
over to keep the peace.
Several boys were committed for picking pockets.
GUILDHALL.
Mrs. Catherine Stultz was brought up for further
examination before Sir William Magnay and Alder-
man Carden, on the charge of commissioning Mr.
William Barton, of No. 10, Throgmorton-street,
stockbroker, to purchase 1,0001. London and North-
Western stock, which stock had been purchased, and
which she refused to pay for, or the loss thereon,
amounting to 371. 18s.
During the examination the court was crowded by
parties who had been victims, or who were interested
in the result.
Mr. Huddlestone, the barrister, attended by Mr.
Hobler, the solicitor, appeared to prosecute.
Mrs. Stultz expressed a wish that the case might
be adjourned, as her solicitor, Mr. Wontner, had net
arrived.
Mr. Huddlestone said that being obliged to attend
elsewhere, he had sent word to Mr. Wontner that
the case would not be entered into until half-past
one o'clock, by the courtesy of the Alderman, and
that gentleman sent a reply back, that he should not
attend, as he was not instructed to defend the prisoner
by any one.
Sir W. MAGNAT said she had had plenty of time to
engage a solicitor since the previous Tuesday, and
therefore the case must proceed.
The evidence taken on the former occasion was
then read over at the request of Mr. Huddlestone,
from which it appeared, that on the 23d of April
the prisoner called on Mr. Barton, and presented a
card from a- Mr. Stone, of Warwick-street,
Regent-street, with whom he had done busi-
ness for some years, at the same time
saying, she bad some money to lay out and wished
to purchase 1,0001. worth of London and North-
Western Railway Stock. Believing her representa-
tionsoob ufu t:
tgaabl
mtsuootebelhn a
notd utr
auceot,n he did so, and then, after making
inquiries, discovered that she had no money to lay
layl
Manchester. y
withthe
beenecarrying
tnameo
eknr
stockbrokers
sh
posted ei
n sameo
nu
London,
no
innrt,
H
the Stock Exchange,ffie,shea
c sand when next she called at
gwiaysendeintationcedusutonityil, anan
d oofficercon-
veyed
forward
and
n a last
said examination
stating
thetthat
w
at
e her
were
ir. Barton
arrived, when o '
she w
several
lt o the
gentlement station-house. a
stepped-hous fo r
e .At w
imposed upon in a similar way.
Mr. Huddlestone commenced by
appeared to prosecute on behalf of a number of gen-
tlemen connected with the Stock Exchange, and it
became a matter of great importance to ascertain
whether such kind of frauds as those complained of
should not be stopped by bringing the party or parties
within the meshes of the law; and he apprehended
that in the present instance the law appliedotttreomltahpwet
to commit a misdemeanour was a misdemeanour; and
now by the statute
It
ca wasrr a
arneciorgnayisneed)ptrhiantciapnl ea
.I.ln,anwdhlio2h Vhiec.htande
not gbi
es tf
or ar
et et
(Rexpri on
ve r's
:Martin,case.
had power given to hir
to commit for trial
in every case of indict-
able misdemeanour, or indictable offence whatsoever.
permanen
r married of t -
In this case the hadprisoneerwaaa
wusieddowv, aarnioduws
asfalisne
pretences, such as that sh
such good circumstances as to mak
in-
vestments, when in fact she was a peord w noomp
perty, and was not a widow, but a e
mrsaraon
living apart from her husband. She might have
had two objects in view. First,
w
was practicable or probable or not, she mihgehtthehraviet
thought she could by some chance, without paying

for them, get possession of the shares, or make money
in some way, if she could get them transferred to
her name ; or, secondly, she might have intended to
obtain a profit, by waiting a little to see if there
was any advance in the market, and if there should
not be, then to saddle the broker with the loss, if any
occurred, by a fall, which was a fraudulent intention
against the broker, who now complained. He thought
the evidence he should produce would be sufficient to
convince the Alderman that the prisoner attempted
to commit a misdemeanour, and then he would be
justified in sending her for trial, when the jury would
decide as to what her intentions were.
Mr. Barton was then examined by Mr. Huddle-
stone, and said, when the prisoner called on me I
looked at her card, and said, " A widow." She re-
plied " Yes," and then continued, " I have money
to lay out." I asked her how much she could spare,
and she said about 1,3001. or 1,4001., and she thought
she should purchase 1,0001. London and North-Wes-
tern Stock, at the same time wishing to know what it
would cost. I told her, and she said yes, I thought
it would be about 1,3001. myself. I then went and
immediately purchased the stock, and having re•
turned made out the contract note and gave it to her.
I waited a little while, expecting to receive the money,
but finding she did not, I asked her if she was not
going to pay, when she replied that she had not got
the money, but would call with Mr. Stone in a day or
two, and settle the matter.
Mr. Huddlestone—And you made the purchase on
her representation that she had the money to invest,
and in the expectation that it was a ready-money
transaction ? Mr. Barton—Most certainly. She was
to call on the 29th of April, but did not do so. 1
afterwards received some letters, in which she re-
gretted that she was disappointed in receiving some
money, and requesting me to keep the contract open ;
but hearing nothing of her, I wrote to the address she
had given me, namely, Edensor, Derbyshire, and • re-
ceived a note in reply, which, however, bore the Lon
don post-mark instead of the country one, although
the note was dated from the country.
Mr. Huddlestone—When did you next see her ?
Mr. Barton—When she came to my office and said
she could not fulfil the contract, but would make my
loss up in commissions amongst her friends.
Mr. Iluddlestene—lf the shares rose in the market,
' would she have gained anything ? Mr. Barton—
Yes. Under the contract note she could have sued
me for whatever balance there might be through a
rise. If such a thing took place, she could sell her
interest to another, and, by milling at my office, I
should be obliged to pay them, and, under those
circumstances, I consider the contract note a valuable
security.
Mr. Huddlestone—And what has been your loss in
the transaction ? Mr. Barton—Exactly 371. 18s.
Mr. Huddlestone—Where was it ascertained the
prisoner had been lodging ? Mr. Barton—On
making inquiries, it was discovered that she was
living at the " Old Friends" coffee-house, Fetter-lane.

Mr. Huddlestone next called
Mr. John Horatio Golding, of the Stock Exchange,
who said, on the 2d of May, I received this letter, en-
closing a piece of paper, by a messenger. I recog-
nised the hand writing on the slip of paper as being
that of Mr. Harrison, my solicitor, in Walbrook, and
unhesitatingly executed the order, keeping the party
waiting until my return. I then wrote a letter,
enclosing the contract note, but was astonished the
next morning when it was brought back again by the
same messenger, unopened, who said that the lady had
left the shop before his return. He then went to Mr.
Harrison, who said she was the wife of the nephew of
Mr. Stultz, the celebrated tailor, and that she called
on him, and during a conversation suddenly said,
" By the by, could you recommend me a stockbroker,
as I wish to invest?" Mr. Harrison accordingly
wrote on the slip of paper, produced, and he (Mr.
Golding) knowing the handwriting, acted upon it.
His loss was 201.
George Henry Tugal, clerk to Mr. Nairne, of the
Stock Exchange, said his employer was favoured with
a correspondence from the neighbourhood of Staines,
in March last, requesting Mr. Nairne to invest 500/.
in London and North-Western shares, which he did,
and lost 421. 11 s. 6d. One of her letters, of 13th
April, was dated from Devonshire House, Piccadilly.
Thomas Gardner, from the firm of Laurence,
Cazenove, and Co., said they received a letter, dated
the 4th of May, from the prisoner, requesting them to
purchase ten Old Midland shares. The letter was
also dated from Devonshire•house.
Mr. George Stockdale, of Throgmorton-street,
stockbroker, said the prisoner wrote to Messrs. Hoy-
land and Co-, of Manchester, requesting them to
purchase stock in the Newcastle and Berwick Line.
They sent instructions to him, and he bought the
stock, and forwarded it to Manchester, and it was
still on hand.

Mr. Huddlestone asked what might be the loss of
that firm? Mr. Stockdale—Why, if sold to-day it
would amount to 114/.
Mr. Stevens said the prisoner applied to him to sell
twenty shares; but -he did not see what sort they were.
On that occasion she wrote her address Mrs. Stultz,
2, Woburn terrace.
Mr. Huddlestone said that was all the evidence, as
it being a very busy day for stockbrokers, a great
number were absent who had been victims.
Sir W. MAGNAY said that as it was ayery

portbnt case, and the first of its kind, he should re-
mand the prisoner until Monday to hear other cases,
before making up his mind whether he should com-
mit her. _ _

The prisoner asked if she might be admitted to
bail ? • - -

• Sir W. MAGiAT said he would take bail, herself
in 1001. and two sureties in 1001, each.
Bail not being forthcoming, she was conveyed back
to the Compter.
BOW-STREET.

A young servant girl named Catherine Henessey,
lately dismissed from service, was placed at the bar
charged with having concealed the birth of an illegi-
timate child.
it appeared from the evidence that about a month
ago the prisoner took up her residence at the lodg-
ings of her father, at 3, King-street, Drury-lane,
having been.discharged from her situation the day
before. Her father, suspecting that she was in the
family way, turned her out of doors, and then she was
received as lodger by a woman named Cain, livieg in
the next house. She was repeatedly accused of being
pregnant; both by Cain and another woman in the
same house, named Taylor ; but she always denied the
imputation with apparent indignation. She seemed to
suffer considerably from indisposition, and one morn-
ing between three and four o'clock, was seen to go
several times to a water-closet, evidently in the
greatest agony. Both the women accused her of
being in labour; but she still denied the charge, and,
at about four o'clock, said she would go into the next
house, and lie down upon her father's bed for a short
time, as he would be gone out to work. She was
afterwards found in her father's lodgings, pale, thin,
and exhausted, but still refused to admit that she had
been delivered of a child. Mrs. Taylor, however,
sent for Mr. Bennet, the surgeon of the parish, and
he corroborated the suspicions which had been enter-
tained respecting the prisoner, who was then induced
to go to the workhouse, where she confesed she had
been prematurely delivered.
Cproved that upon receiv-
ingabove circumstance, he ex-
m cesspool referred to in the course of the
case, and found the body of a full-grown child in the
ai
no
information s t
a abl e Ba s h foofrdt, he 5 F,
soil.
Mr. W. Bennett, surgeon, deposed that the child
was full-grown, and did not exhibit any external
marks of violence; and the matron of the workhouse
gave evidence of the defendant's admission while
under her charge.
The defendant made a long statement to the Court,
in which she corroborated the evidence given by
Cain and Taylor, but denied that her father had done
more than desire her to go and see a doctor, after
which she did not like to return to his house. She
said she was examined by Dr. Harrison, the physician
to the family in which she had lately resided, and he
had reported that she was in the family way, upon
which her mistress desired her to confess, saying that
she would do something for her then. She (the de-
fendant) then confessed everything to her mistress,
who, however, immediately turned her out of her
situation. The reason why she had not confessed to
others was, that she feared being treated in the same
way by them also. She was 18 years of age.
Mr. HENRY committed the prisoner for trial on the
charge of concealing the birth.
WESTMINSTER.
John Davey, a youth about 17 years of age, was
charged before Mr. Burrell with attempting to obtain
a sovereign by means of a forged letter.
Mr. H. I. L. Sly stated he kept the King's Arms,
Great College-street, Westminster. On that morning
a little boy brought a letter to his house, directed to
him, and of which the following is a copy :—" Friend
Sly, can you oblige me with a sovereign till to-
morrow, as I am without any money to go on with,
having paid all away.
Your humble servant (signed)
MICHAEL MoRDEN. He at once knew that it was
an attempt at fraud, and being shown the prisoner by
the boy, gave him in charge.
George Stolen, a boy eleven years of age, stated
that he was going down Abingdon street, on an
errand for his master, Mr. Potter, a musical instru-
ment-maker, No. 2, Bridge street, when the prisoner
stopped hint, and asked him to take the note produced
to. Mr. Sly, and if he was not in to give it to Mrs.
Sly, and if he was asked how Mr. Morden was, to
say very well ;
he further said it was very likely they
would give him a sovereign, which he was to bring
to him, and he would give him something.
Police-constable Miller, of the B division, who ap-
prehended the prisoner, said he admitted having
given the boy the note, but he had himself been sent
with it by a man on the bridge. On searching the
prisoner he found a sheet of the same description of
note paper.
Mr. Michael Morden, of 46, Lambeth-walk, eating-