The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-22 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

THE GERMAN WOOL TRADE. —BE RUN, MARCH 12.
Purchases of different qualities of wool continue to be
made, almost every day, by our inland manufacturers;
and prices are remarkably firm. A large parcel of
Austrian fleeces, between 500 and 600 cwt., sent hither
for sale, has been taken, soon after its arrival, by a
Leipsic Yarn Spinning Company. The price is believed
to be about Is. I Id. Money is plentiful on change, espe-
cially for long periods.
FOREIGN WOOL TRADE, LEEDS, MARCH 19.—Busi-
ness has been generally inactive during the past week,
and may be accounted for chiefly by the present de-
pressed state of the money market. Stocks of all de-
scriptions of wool of a desirable character are unusually
low in the German markets, and below an average with
us, which is likely to check any downward tendency in
prices.

ENGLISH WOOL MARKET, LEEDS, MARCH 19.—We
have not any alteration to notice in this branch of trade
during the present week. The manufacturers confine
their purchases to their immediate wants, and although
prices have a downward tendency, there is not any
material reduction during the last fortnight. The woollen
markets at the cloth halls, both this day week and on
Tuesday were very dull. There continues to be a com-
plete absence of speculation for the spring trade. The
demand is confined to low-priced blues and wool-blacks
for the transatlantic markets, whilst fine qualities con-
lune to be exceedingly dull. Prices are without any
alteration, and notwithstanding the continued dull state
of the market, from the circumstance of a great number
of manufacturers being engaged for some months past
in making goods for the eastern markets, and which are
delivered direct to the merchants, the stocks in the halls
continue in moderate compass. The country drapers
are moving more freely, but the Lon lon houses continue
to buy cautiously. On the whole, however, there has
been a little improvement in business in the warehouses
this week.

BRADFORD MARKET, THURSDAY.—The purchases of
combing wool were more extensive, and prices (except
for particular sorts) a little higher on account of the
supply being scant. The spinners purchase more freely.
There was more business done in yarns, both for the ex-
port and home trade, and as the production is at present
below the consumption, higher prices were obtained.
Owing in part to the fineness of the weather, there was
a very great number of merchants in the market, and a
great number of pieces were purchased for the American
market, principally plain Orleans.
MAeCHESTER, THURSDAY EVENING.—We have had
on the whole only a very dull market for cloth this week;
though on Tuesday and to-day rather more goods have
changed hands than of late; but as this has been effected
by the manufacturers giving way in price, it is doubtful
whether the increased demand can be deemed an im-
provement. Large orders are in town from the United
States, and a large business is sure to be done this sea-
son with that country. Our home merchants complain
heavily of the country trade. The silk trade is, if any-
thing, improving. Yarns are readier sale, bat the prices
are miserably heavy.

THE REVOLTING MURDER AT
CHESTERFIELD.
TRIAL OF THE MURDERER. -
DERBY, SATURDAY MORNING.—The trial of John
Plaits, for the inhuman murder and mutilation of
George Collis, in the butcher shambles at Chesterfield,
last December twelve months, commenced yesterday
in the Crown Court, before Mr. Justice Patteson.
The prisoner is not more than twenty years of age,
and his youthful appearance, and the awful character
of the crime imputed to him, created a painful feeling.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Humfrey and
Mr. Mellor ; Mr. Macauley for the prisoner.
The circumstances connected with the murder, as
stated by thirty-two witnesses, can only be equalled by
those atrocious deeds for which the notorious Greenacre
and Good suffered.
It appeared that early in the morning of the last Fri-
day in August, 1846, some men were employed in emp-
tying a remote cesspool attached to the premises of a
Mr. Bunting, a flour dealer, living in Low Pavement, in
the town of Chesterfield, when their attention was drawn
to what seemed to be the remains of a carcase of a
sheep. A further search showed the mass to consist of
two legs and thigh bones, and a quantity of entrails. On
the soil being removed to a field for which it was in-
tended at Halsham, a mile from the town, part of a
coat, a pair of trowsers, a hat, two silk handkerchiefs,
and portions of a pair of braces and stockings were dis-
covered. One of the handkerchiefs was marked "G. C."
and when picked up was tied as if for the neck, and on
the leg bones were garters, apparently two odd ones,
one red and the other white. This led to a move minute
search of the cesspool, and at the bottom was found a
human skull with a fracture over the right eye.
On the wearing apparel being exhibited publicly, the
handkerchief bearing the initials of "G. C. was iden-
tified by a young female named Ellen Beresford, as
having belonged to George Collis. This person
(Collis), it is proper to mention, was in partnership
with the prisoner Platts, in the butchering line, in
the preceding year (1845). and opened a shop in the
miserable place called the " Shambles," adjacent to the
market-place in Chesterfield. Since Sunday night, the
7th of December, in that year (1845), Collis had not
been seen, and the belief gained ground that it was his
remains that were discovered, and suspicions at the
same time were entertained that the prisoner was the
party who had taken away his life. The fact of the
prisoner having sent a man named Knight to pledge a
watch belonging to Collis, a few days after the disap-
pearance of the latter, gave strength to this suspicion.
This led to the prisoner's apprehension. In addition to
Ellen Beresford (who had been enceinte by the de-
ceased) identifying the silk handkerchief; she spoke to
the watch produced being in deceased's possession on
the 7th of December, 184.5, on the eve:ling of which
day he told her he was obliged to leave her, having
promised to meet John Platts at half-past six o'clock. 1
lie said Platts had promised several times to settle with
him, for ho Ras greatly in his debt, and he was deter-
mined to get something on account. She never saw him
after. When Collis left her she distinctly saw he had
the watch in his pocket. He was dressed in a black
surtout coat. The witness identified the red worst.
garter found on the leg bones when taken out of the
cesspool. She said the deceased took it from her in
return for one of his.
The mother of the deceased said that the prisoner,
after the disappearance of the deceased, was asked if he
had seen anything of him? Ho replied Collis had told
him he intended to go to Manchester to get clear of the
female Beresford, who was in the family- way by him,
and he believed he had gone; in fact, he knew he had,
for another persoa told him he had seen him in Man-
chester.
John Holbrook, an eatinghouse-keeper near the
but. hers' shambles, stated he remembered Collis coming
to his shop on the night of the 7th of December. He
recollected the night perfectly from circumstances that
transpired. Collis came into his shop about a quarter
to seven o'clock, saying to witness he had to meet
Platts at the shop in the Shambles to get some money
from him, and he wanted witness to meet him afterwards
at a public house in the neighbourhood. Collis said he
would meet him at twelve o'clock. Witness went to the
public-house and waited for Platts till past one in the
morning, but he never came. Witness never saw him
after. When Collis left the shop he saw him go in the
direction of the prisoner's shop in the Shambles. It
was a corner shop on the right hand side, passing
through the Shambles from the market-place. He knew
the cesspool where the body was discovered. It is
situated within one hundred yards of the prisoner's shop.
The cesspool is down a narrow passage among a quan-
tity of stables, and is made use of by most of the inha-
bitants round about. There is no thoroughfare down
the passage. It was possible for a man to fall into it,
and there remain six or eight months before discovered.
The cesspool is a very large one. It is made use of
by the butchers in the shambles as a receptacle for un-
whelesome meat.
Thomas Harvey's evidence was most important. He
said he was a shoemaker living at Chesterfield. On the
night of the 7th of December, 1845, at about twenty
minut->s or a quarter to seven o'clock, he was standing
near Platt's shop, and heard two or three blows struck
in the shop. They appeared as if by a clever on a soft
substance. After the first blow he distinctly heard the
groans of a human being. It alarmed him, and he made
all haste to his friends at home, and told them he was
I sine some murder was going on in Platt's shop, telling
them what he had heard. His wife and sisterreturned with
him to the shambles, and tried to get into the shop, but the
door was secured, and all was dark within. Before there
was a light in the shop. No one could see into it, for
the shutters were up, and a sheet was hung up inside to
prevent observation. His wife and sister knocked at the
door, and asked Platts what he was doing, and who he
had in the shop. The prisoner answered, "No one."
His sister then said, "Oh yes, you have." Prisoner
said, "No he had not, it was him that was
making the noise ; he had been taking some
rum, was sick, and intended to lie down. "
Witness said he had better open the door and let them
in, and they would get him some water, but he refused.
Tho females then charged Platts with having a woman
inside with him, and pushed against the door to force it
open. Plates told them he had no one with him, but
would not open the door to satisfy them. They then
left the shop. Shortly afterwards Platts came into the
house where witness and his wife and sister were. One
of his hands were covered with blood. He said he had
cut them, and asked for water to wash them, which was
given to him. He appeared confused, and seemed to
have been kneeling, as one of his knees were covered
with dirt. The women taxed him with having been ill-
using
a female in the shop. He said he had been doing
nothing of the kind, or anybody else.
Mrs. Harvey and her sister corroborated Harvey's
evidence in every particular.
Mary Randall said she met the prisoner in January,
1845. He offered to sell her a watch. After the dis-
covery of the skull in the cesspool, she asked the pri-
soner if he had heard of the rumours that Collis was
supposed to have been murdered ? He said he had.
George Knight deposed to having bought a pair of
boots of the prisoner for ss. (They were produced, and
were identified as belonging to the deceased. His mo-
ther believed they were the same he had on the night he
lent home )
Mr. H. E. Walker, surgeon, of Chesterfield, stated
that the bons found in the cesspool were those of a man
23 or 24 years of age. He was of opinion that the frac-
tiiri es on the skull had been the cause of death. There
three fractures, and they had evidently been in-
werecleaver.bYY some heavy instrument, such as a butcher's

-- -
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. MAcitmEr ad-
dressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, calling a num-
ber of witnesses to character.
Mr. Justice PA.rrzsort having summed up,
The jury retired to consider
their verdict. At three
the p against
o'clock they
risoner. retued a verdict of "Wilful Murder"
rn
Sentence of death was passed, but no day fixed for his
execution.

(From the London Gazette.)
An Account, pursuant to the Act seventh and eighth
7ictoria, 32, of the Average Amount of Bank
Notes, of the several Banks of Issue in England and
Wales, in Circulation daring the Week ending Satur-
day, the 6th day of March, 1847 :-
Average
PRIVATE BANKS. Amount.
Abingdon Bank, Abingdon-knapp and Co 24,501
Andover Bank, Andover-Heath and Ca 15,183
Ashford Bank, Ashford--Jemmitt and Pomfret 1C,501
Aylsha,n Bank, Aylaham-R. and E. Copeman 6,361
Aylesbury Old Bank, Aylesbury-Rickford
and Hunt ... 41,005
Balilock Bank and BaMock and Biggleswade
Bank, Baldock-Wells, Hogg, and Lindsell... 35,096
Barnstaple Bank, Barnstaple-Brake and Co. 13,125
Basingstoke and Odihaze. Bank, Basingstoke--
Cole, Seymour, and Co. 24,271
Bedfrod !tank, Bedford-T. Barnard
Bedford and Bedfordshire Bank, Bedford-
Trapp, Halfhead, and Co.
fiewdley Bank, Bewdley-Nichols, Baker, and
Crane
Bicester and Oxfordshire Bank and Oxford
Bank, Bicester-Tubb, Wootten, and Co 25,976
tlirmingham Bank, Birmingham-Attwoods,
Spooner, and Co 24,161
Birmirgham and Warwickshire Bank, Birming-
hani---Lewis, Moilliett, and Co 16,243
Blandford Bank, Blandford-Bastard and Oak 8,211
Boston Bank, Boston-Garfit and Co 64,752
Boston Bank, Boston-Gee and Co 10,533
Britlg .eater Bank, Bridgwater-E. &J. Sealey 9,744
Bristol Bank, Bristol-Miles, Harford, and Ca 37,792
Broseley and Bridgnorth, and Bridgnorth and
Broseley Bank, Broseley-Messrs. Pritchard 22,037
Backing ham Bank, Buckingham -Bartlett,
l'arrott, and Co.
Bury and Suffolk Bank, Sudbury Bank, Market
Bank, Bury-Oakes, Bevan, and Co 76,495
Bald ury Bank, Banbury-Gillett and Tawney 40,180
Banbury Old Bank, Banbury-Messrs. Cobb... 49,015
Batt-. City Bank, Bath-Moger and Son . 3,950
Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard Bank, Leighton
Buzzard-Bassett and Grant 36,452
Birmingham Bank, Birmingham-Taylor and
Lloyds
Bradtord Old Bank, Bradford, Yorkshire-H
and A. Harris
Brecon Old Bank, Brecon-Wilkins and Co 59,410
Bridport Bank, Bridport-S. and W. E. Gundry 23,882
Brighton Union Bank, Brighton-Hall, West,
and Borrer
Burlington and Driffield Bank, Burlington-
Harding, Smith, and Co 11,760
Bury St. Edmunds Bank, Bury St. Edmunds-
.J. and Co.
Bromsgrove Bank and Stourbridge and Broms-
grove Bank, Bromsgrove-Rufford, Biggs,
and Co. 16,341,
Cambridge Bank, Cambridge-Mortlock and
Sons
Cambridge and Cambridgeshire Bank, Cam-
bridge-Messrs. Forsters
Canterbury Bank, Canterbury-Hammond and
Co
Carmarthen Bank, Carmarthen-Morris and
Sons
Chertsey Bank, Chertsey-Messrs. La Coste 3,298
Colchester Bank, Colchester-Round, Green,
and Co. 22,993
Colchester and Essex Bank, Witham and Essex
Bank, and Hadleigh Bank, Suffolk, Colchester
-Mills, Bawtree, and Co
Cornish Bank, Truro-Tweedy and Co
Coventry Bank, Coventry-Little and Wood-
cock
City Bank, Exeter-Milford and Co
Craven Bank, Settle-Birkbecks and Co.
Christchurch Bank, Christchurch-Tice, Welsh,
and Co
Cardiff Bank, Cardiff-Towgood and Co
Chepstow Old Bank, Chepstow Bank, Mon-
mouth Old Bank, Monmc nth Bank, Brecon
Bank, and Ross and Herefordshire Bank,
Chepstow-Bromage, Snead, and Co.
Derby Bank, Derby-Messrs. Evans
Derby Bank, Derby-Smith and Co.
Derby Old Bank and Scarsdale and High Peak
Bank, Derby-Crompton, Newton, and Co
Devizes and Wiltshire Bank, Devizea-Hughes,
Locke, and Co
Diss Bank, Diss-Oakes, Fincham, and Co
Doncaster Bank, Doncaster--Leatham, Tew,
and Co.
Doncaster Bank and Retford Bank, Doncaster-
Cook and Co.
Dover Union Bank, Dover-Latham, and Co
Darlington Bank, Durham Bank, and Stockton-
on-Tees Bank, Darlington-Backhouse, and
Co
Devonport Bank, Devonport-Hodge and Nor-
man
Dorchester Old Bank and Dorsetshire Bank,
Dorchester-Williams and Co.
East Cornwall Bank, Liskeard-Robins, Foster,
and Co. 109,066
East Riding Bank, Beverley-Bower, Hutton,
and Co. 50,586
Essex Bank and Bishops Stortford Bank,
Chelmsford-Walford. and Co. 61,510
Exeter Bank, Exeter-Sanders and Co. 32,529
Fakenham Bank, Fakenham-Gurneys, Birk-
beck, and Co.
'arringdon Bank and Bank of Wantage, Far-
ringdon-Barnes and Medley 8,761
Farnham Bank, Farnham-Messrs. Knight 13,582
Faversham Bank, Faversham-Hilton and Co 6,402
Godalming Bank, Godahning-Mellersh and
Keen
6,494
Grantham Bank, Gran tham-Kewney and King 18,036
Guildford Bank, Guildford-Messrs. Hayden... 12.350
Grantham Batik, Grantham-Hardy and C 0.... 26,627
Hastings Old Bank, Hastings-Smith, Hilder,
and Co. 31,657
Hereti)rd City and County Bank, Hereford-
Matthews and Co.
Hertfordshire Bank and Ware Bank, Ware-
s. Adams and Co.
Hull Bank and Kingston-upon-Hull Bank, Hull
-Smith, Brothers, and Co.
Huntingdon Town and County Bank, Hunting-
don-Rust and Veasey
Irarwich Bank, Harwich-Cox, Cobbold, and Co 5,561
Hemel Hempstead Bank, Hemel Hempstead-
Smith, and Whittingstall
Honiton Bank, Honiton-Flood and Co. 15,964
Hertfordshire, Hitchen Bank, Hitchen-Sharples
and Co.
Reroford Ross, and Archenfield Bank, and Ross
and Archenfield Bank, Hereford-Morgan,.
Hoskins, and Co 22,997
Ipswich Bank, Ipswich-Bacon and Co.
frwich and Needham Market Bank, Suffolk,
Hadleigh Bank, Manningtree and Mistley
Bank, and Woodbridge Bank, Ipswich-
Alexanders and Co.
Kentish Bank, Maidstone-Mercer, Randall,
and Mercer
17,664
Kington and Radnorshire Bank, Kington-J
Davies and Co
.136
Knighton Bank, Knighton-J. Davies and Co. 25,578
Knaresborough Old Bank and Ripon Old Bank,
Kna:esborough-Terry and Co
Kendal Bank, Kendal-Wakefield, Crewdson,
and Co.
45,116
Kettering Bank, Kettering-Gotch and Sons 8,944
Lane End Staffordshire Bank, Lane End-C
llarv.:y and Son
5,475
Leeds Bank, Leeds-Beckett and Co 53,742
tieeds Union Bank, Leeds-W, Williams, Brown,
and C i. 35,568
Leek and Staffordshire Bank, and Leek and
Congleton Bank,Leek-Fowler,Gaunt, ander). 521
Lon;ester Bank, Leicester-Pagets and Kirby 27,540
Lewes Old Bank, Lewes-Molineux and Co 39,277
LiAFeld Bank, Lichfield-Palmer and Green lB,BBl
Lincuin Bank, Lincoln--Smith and Co 81,332
Lls,ndovery Bank and Llandilo Bank, Llando-
very-David Jones and Co.
our:hborough Bank, Loughborough-Middle-
tons and Cradock
Lymington Bank, Lymington-C. and S. St.
Barba
4,428
Lynn Regis and Lincolnshire Bank, Lynn Regis
-Gurneys and Co. 43,125
Lynn Regis and Norfolk Bank, Lynn Regis-
Massey and Co.
Macclesfield Bank, Macclesfield-Brocklehurst
and Co
11,835
‘lanningtree Bank,Manningtree-Nunn and Co. 6,660
Marlborough Bank, Marlborough and Wilts
Old Bank, Marlborough Old Bank, Marl-
borough Old Bank and Hungerford Bank,
and Hungerford Bank, Marlborough-Tanner
and Pinckney
14,585
Marlborough and North Wiltshire New Bank,
Marlborough-Ward, Merriman, and Hillier 10,986
Merionethshire Bank, Dolgelly-Jones and
Wiliiams
Miners' Bank, Truro-Willyums and Co 16,320
Monmouthshire Agricultural and Commercial
Bank, Abergavenny-Baileys and Co 25,122
Monmouth Old Bank, Monmouth Bank, Brecon
Bank, Chepstow Bank, Chepstow Old Bank,
and Ross and Herefordshire Bank, Monmouth
-Bromage and Snead 16,015
Monmouthshire Newport Old Bank, Newport
-W. Williams and Sons 8,468
Newark Bank, Newark-Godfreys and Hutton 26,880
Newark and Sleaford Bank, and Sleaford and
Newark Bank, Newark-Handley, Peacock,
and Co
Newbury Bank, Newbury-Bunny and Slocock 34,166
Newmarket Bank, Newmarket-Eaton, Ham-
mond, and Son
20,794
Norfolk and Suffolk Bank, Diss-Taylor and
r _Dyson 2,871
Norwich Crown Bank, Norwich-Harveys and
llndsons 44,094
Norwich and Norfolk Bank, Norwich-Gur-
neys end Co 70,135
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, Not-
tingham-Hart, Fellows, and Co 8,498
Nuneaton Bank, Nuneaton-Craddcock and
Co
Naval Bank, Plymouth-Harris, Mudge, and
Co
New Sarum Bank, Sarum-Hetley, Everett, and
13,911
Nottingham Bank, Nottingham-Smith and Co 27,220
Oswestry Bank and Oswestry Old Bank, Os-
westry-Croxon and Co 15,234
Oxford Bank, Oxford-J. and R. Morrell 13,220
Oxford 31d Bank, Oxford-Robinson, Parsons,
sad Thompson 33,807
Old Bank Tonbridge, Tonbridge and Tonbridge
Wells-Old Bank, Tonbridge and Tonbridge
Wells-and Sevenoaks Bank, Tonbridge-
Boeching 59113..• .................. 10,141

42,243
46,161

9,356
20,551
'4,665

2,109
6,500

8,085
12,945
38,090

27,421

18,087
10,421

2,038

57,522

81,868

.0,344

44,079

7,230

5,073

tenliam .............................. ......... .. ........ 123,549
Carlisle and Cumberland Banking Company
Carlisle
Carlisle City and Districtßank, Car1i51e......... 20 381
i
Dudley and West Bromwich .3anking Company ,
,
Dudley ........... ..... ; ................... 35572
Derby and Derbyshire Banking Company, Derby 20,,064
Darlington District Joint-Stock Banking Com-
pany, Darlington ........... .: ...................... 25,034
East of England Bank, Norwich
Gloucestershire Banking Company, Gloucester. 147,622
Halifax Joint-Stock Bank, Halifax 17,463
Huddersfield Banking Company, Huddersfield 32,219
Hull Banking Company, Hull
Halifax Commercial Banking Company, Halifax 13,567
Halifax and Huddersfield Union Banking, Com-
pany, Halifax . ............. .
. ......
Helston Banking Company, Helston 1,505
Herefordshire Banking Company, Hereford 22,167
Knaresborough and Claro Banking Company,
Knaresborough 25,574
Kingsbridge Joint-Stock Bank, Kingsbridge 4,080
Lancaster Banking Company, Lancaster 60,803
Leeds Banking Company, Leeds
Leicestershire Banking Company, Leicester
Lincoln and Lindsey Banking Company, Lincoln 50,579
Leamington Priors and Warwickshire Banking
Company, Leamington Priors
Leeds and West Riding Banking Company,
Leeds -
Leeds Commercial Banking Company, Leeds 372
Ludlow and Tenbury Bank, Ludlow 9,010
Moore and Robinson's Nottinghamshire Bank-
ing Company, Nottingham... 27,793
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Banking
Company, Nottingham
Newcastle, Shields, and Sunderland Union Joint-
Stock Banking Company, Newcastle 76,700
National Provincial Bank of England, Birming-
ham, Head-office, 119, Bishopsgate-street,
London
North Wilt:. Banking- Company, Melksham ..... 60,865
Northarnpt,mshire Union Bank, Northampton.. 77,045
Northamptonshire Banking Company, North-
ampton ............................. 03 101
North and South Wales Bank, Liverpool 53,330
Pares's Leic.2stcrshire Banking Company, Lei-
cester....., .
Saddleworth Banking Company, Saddleworth 2,989
Sheffield Bankii:g Company, Sheffield 35,582
Stamford,
pany, Starm'ord
Shropshire Baulring Company,
Spalding, and Boston Banking Corn-
Stuekey's Banking Company, Bristol Somerset-
shire Bank, and Somersetshire Bank, Lang-
port ........ ....
Stourbridge and Kidderminster Banking Corn
Shiffitall ...
pany, Stourbridge
Sheffield and Hailarnshiro Banking Company,
Sheffield .... ...................................... . . 24,097
Sheffield and Rotherham Joint-Stock Banking
Company, St,..ll;eltl
Swaledale and Wensleydale Banking Company,
Richmond ... ... 45,600
..
Stockton and Durham County Banking Com-
pany, Stockton.
Storey and Thoruas's Banking Company,
Shaftesbury
Sheffield and Hetterd Bank, Sheffield
Suffolk Banking Company, Ipswich .
Wolverhampton a.l.lStaftorrishire Banking Com-
pany, Wolverhampton 30,950
Wakefield and Barnsley Union Bank, Wakefield 13,590
Whitehaven Joint-Stock Banking Company,
Whitehaven
. ..
Warwick and Lei4ioirgton Banking Company,
Leamington . 36,642
West of Englaiiil and South Wales District
Bank,Brutol. • . .83,054

9,203
755