The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-18 00:00:00

GUILD HALL.

CIIARGE OF FORGERY.—•-Mr. Nun. LaihtMl, an ex-
tensive draper, residing at Halifax, in the county of
York, was brought up by Inspector Harrison, of the
city police, before Aldermen Pirie and Farebrother, to
answer a charge of having forged the acceptance to a
bill of exchange for 173/. 135., and with uttering the
same, knowing the instrument to be forged. Mr. Lloyd,
a solicitor in Cheapiide, appeared for Messrs. Leaf and
Co., the prosecutors, and the senior clerk of Mr. Hum-
p..ireys was in attendance for the prisoner.
Before the w'tnesies were examined the bill was put
in. It was dated Sept. 15th, 1840, drawn by the
prisoner for 173/. 135., at three months after date, and
purported to be accepted by Thomas Pearson. The
prisoner as the maker of the bill, was also the first
indorser.

John Wesley Barrett deposed that he is clerk to
Messrs. Leaf, Smith, and Co., extensive silk mercers
in Wood-street, Cheapside. He took the bill now pro-
duced from the prisoner several months back, in liquida-
tion of a debt of more than 300/., which was owing to
the firm. It is drawn on a ss. stawip, and is in the
same state now as when he took it, excepting the addi-
tional indorse and the notary's ticket. The body of
the bill and the indorsetuent were doabless in the
prisoner's hand-writing, but lie was not prepared to say
that the name " Thomas Pearson" (the acceptor) was his.
Mr. Alderman PIRIE-1s not the charge that he has
forged the acceptance ?—ls the acceptor here ? If not,
how are we to proceed ?
Mr. Lloyd said that the prisoner was only given into
custody on Friday night, and owing to distance they were
not prepared to get the acceptor, but he (Mr. Lloyd)
had some letters, which he put in.
Alderman FAREBROTHER—You must get Pearson
the acceptor up here, and then he will be bound to
swear whether it be his acceptance or not, oil that the
charge hinges.
.The prisoner (who was allowed to stand at the table)
sand he hoped that he should be admitted to bail, with
which lie was quite prepared ; he requested it, because
he had an extensive business which required his atten-
tion.—The Magistrates could nut agree to the request.

Mr. Inspector Harrison said he had 30/. in bank-notes !
and a gold watch which he had taken from the prisoner,,
and he requested to know whether he was at liberty to
return the property.

Mr. Lloyd said he had no objection, when the watch
and notes were given to the prisoner.

The Inspector then said he had a pocket-book which
contained a great nun•Aber of bilis of exchange, and va-
rioui memoranda. He was requested to hand them
to the Bench, where the papers were closely examined,
and appeared to be of some importance, particularly as
there were sow, other bills over due, which were ac-
cepted by Thomas Bennett, and which appeared not to
have been negotiated.

The prisoner declared the acceptance to be genuine,
and said that he had given 300/. in good cash for them,
and others of a similar description. He said that Mr.
Lloyd presented an assignment of his (prisoner's) estate
and effects to the prosecutors for the benefit of his cre-
ditors, and because he did not sign it, the threat which
had been held out was carried into execution, and he
was dragged to a police station. Had he signed an in-
struu►ent he had not read or was prepared to expect,
this charge would not have been made. He considered
that he had been harshly dealt by.
Mr. Lloyd denied that the prisoner was menaced, but
he admitted that an assignment was requested, and that
proceedings had been instituted against Yea► son.
Mr. Alderman FAREBILOTHER said that being the
case, he thought that if the prisoner was committed
without stronger proof, no jury would convict him.
Prisoner—Mr. Lloyd said, " Unless you sign this
paper, I'll give you in charge of an alien.," and one of
the Mr. Nevilleg, of Carey-street, was present at the
time. He proceeded to state that he had been in busi-
ness at Halifax nineteen years, and that his stock in
trade at this moment exceeded -1,000/., beyond a large
sum in book debts. One of his objects in coming to
town vas to request a little time, but to ask no favour
by offer of compromise.
It was finally arranged for the case to stand over till
Thursday next, in case Pearson arrived in London by
that day.
Mr. Borridale, attorney, whose office is at No 20,
King's Arms-yard, Coleman-street, came into the office
with his face discoloured, and said he had been violently
assaulted a few minutes ago in his own office, and he
expected that his assailant was forthcoming to answer
the charge.

Mr. Nlortimore, and several gentlemen connected wish
the London Lila-stock Bank Company, soon made their
appearance.

Mr. Borridale stated that he and the defendant were
shareholders in the London Joint-stock Company Bank,
and Mr. Mortimore came into his office this morning,
and closed the door after him, and then coming up to
witness, said, " Now, Sir, I shall punish you for in-
sulting me." I said, " You don't mean to assault me ;"
and he said, " Yes, I do ;" and he gave me me two,
three, or four violent blows on the nose and mouth (the
marks were apparent). I grappled with him, until my
clerk came to my assistance.
By Mr. Baker, solicitor for the defendant—He did
not come and demand an apology. I remember meet-
ing him and a Mr. Nicholson some time since, when
they solicited my vote for the election of a director to
the bank company alluded to. I remember putting
some questions as to whether be (defendant) had written
a letter (anonymous) reflecting on a Mr. Philpotts, a
candidate ; and whether it was him who had brought
forward a Mr. Farrant to succeed the director who was
going out by rotation ? He replied in the affirmative ;
and then 1 said, " It's dirty, shabby conduct, and VII
have nothing to do with those who are a party to it."
I did not say, " You are a dirty, shabby fellow, and I'll
not associate with you." I never had an apology de-
manded, directly or indirectly. Farrant, whose cause
Mr. Mortimore espoused, was the successful candidate ;
so, after " licking " me at the election, he must come
and lick me at my own office.
Thomas Collison, clerk to the prosecutor, stated that
he obeyed his master's call, and when he entered the
private office he saw the two gentlemen scuffling, but
he saw no blow struck. He could not tell who struck
the first blow. He heard Mr. Mortimore say, after he
(witness) went into the room, " I'll teach you to call
me a dirty fellow."
Mr. H. Nicholson, of No. 7, Shoreditch, was called
on the part of the defendant. lie stated that they were
out canvassing for Mr. Farrant, and happened to meet
Mr. Borridab; in the street ; and, knowing him to be
a large shareholder, they solicited his vote. Some
questions were put and answered (as already stated),
and Mr. Borridale said to Mr. Mortimore, " You are
a dirty, shabby, shuffling fellow, and I will not associate
with you publicly or privately." I afterwards saw Mr.
Borridale, and besought him to retract the words, as
Mr. Mortimore I know to be a high-minded and inde-
pendent man ; and I expressed a fear that something
unpleasant would occur after the election was over.
By the defendant—At the election he (Mr. Borri-
dale) used similar expressions in a general way, and
threw out insinuations.

Mr. Mortimore begged to state that be did not deny
the charge ; but he telt himself grossly insulted, and as
he had waited long enough for an apology, lie went tins
►corning and had an interview, which led to the ren•.
contre. Ile said that when he found Mr. Borridale
he (Mr. Borridale) put up hi►s arm as if to strike.
He (Mr. Mortimore) knocked away his guard, and then
some blows followed, in which Mr. Borridale was
worsted, but had he (Mr. Mortimore) been vanquished,
the Magistrates rould have had no trouble.

Alderman PlatE said that if the blows bad been
struck in the street when the words (which were,
to say the least, ungentlemanly) were spoken,
the case would have been different ; but here four-
teen days had elapsed, and one gentleman goes to
the house of another, and takes the law into his own
hands ; as he had done so he must take the conse-
quences, but it was a pity they did not meet together
before, and mutually explain what had been inadvertently
said in the effervescence of an election contest. Ile
(Alderman Pirie) wished to know whether the defen-
dant would like to go to the Sessions ? Mr. Mortimore
—l'd rather it should be disposed of at once in a sem-
►nary way.
A second Alderman was sent for for that purpuo,
but ere his arrival, Mr. Alderman Pixie (always a
peace-maker), said he gaped it would meet the ..--
b4tigq of both if ontlemou that Mr, iNifs.'
to iotue charity. ...anore pay 2/.

The defendP.'at bower] miont, and the prosecutor
elected :
that suou,, uo given to the fund for the
houseless poor,.
11.1 P ii*ilclant.'s solicitor said as there bad been no
eciAviOitm, Mr, 130; riddle, perhaps, would bring his ac-
-41" for as‘7,ault and battery.
Alderman no, no.

Mr. liorridale—Certainly not, that I pledge, and
take care not to meet Mr. Alortimorc again except
on " dividend day."—(Laughter.)

IJO TV-STREET.

William Smelling, a young man, was charged with
forging a cheque for 501., with intent to defraud the
trustees of the London and Westminster Bank.
Mr. Pecinger, of the firm of Westmacott and Co.,
solicitor's, Gray's-inn, stated that the prisoner had been
clerk to the firm for about two years. The cheque
produced, which was signed W. Peninger, was not in
the hand-writing of witness. He had never authorised
the prisoner to sign his name to a cheque.
Mr. Scholfield, one of the cashiers at the Lon-
don and Westminster Branch Bink in Holborn,
stated that on the Ist instant, the cheque in question
was presented for payment by the prisoner, and witness
cashed it for him, giving him a 20/. note and thirty
sovereigns.

The prisoner, who protested his innocence, was re-
manded for further examination.

Lewis Frcd. Ilavegit was charged with stealing a 20/,
note, two 51. notes, a gold watch, a gold chain, and
other articles, the property of his master, Mr. Rosseau,
a trunk-maker, in the Strand.

The prisoner had been some time in the service of the
prosecwor, but absconded about a month since, taking
with him the above property. The robbery was men-
tioned in the Police Gazelle, and a description given of
the prisoner's person, which led to his apprehension at
Portsmouth, when 12/. only was found in his possession.
The prisoner was committed for trial.