The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-24 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MARYLEBONE.
On Wednesday Mr. !Valiant Richards, landlord of the Fox
public-house, Oxford-street, appeared before the sitting Ma-
gistrate, Mr. Long, upon a summons obtained against him by
Inspector Stubbs of the I) division, for having unlawfully and
knowingly permitted and suffered persons of notorioudy bad
character to assemble in his house.
Mr. DUNCOMBE attended for the defendant.
Serjeant Grimwood, 11 D, on being sworn, stated that on
Monday morning, the 13th instant, at half-past two o'clock, as
he was on duty in Oxford-street, opposite the Fox, he heard
a disturbance in that house, and some one who was in it ex-
claimed, " D--- your eyes, I'll toss you for a pot of half-
and-half."

Mr. DUWCOMBE here addressed the Magistrate, setting forth
that his client was not brought before the Bench for gambling,
and begged that the witness might be ordered to confine him-
self strictly to such facts only as had reference to the alleged
offence for which the summons was taken out.
The MAGISTRATE told the witness that he must not launch
out into evidence unconnected with the offence.
Witness went on to state that 'he remained in front of the
premises till ten minutes before three, and slvv tive prostitutes
and one man come out at the door; the latter person had
upon one occasion been charged before a Magistrate and
convicted. In addition to those he had named three sweeps
made their egress from the house into the street, and he was
quite certain that the prostitutes were in half an hour. The
man to whom he alluded said that he had been ill-used.
Cross-examined by Mr. Du scomeE.-I'll show that just be-
fore three, five prostitutes came out, and that they were in
the house when the man left it. I cannot say for what the
man was convicted, and am not aware that the defendant knew
lie had ever been charged. I did not go into the house. I
peeped in at the door. The persons in the house were at-
tending at the bar. I know there was a fire in Piccadilly a
few hours before. I w ill not swear that the sweeps did not
come from that fire ; they might have done so.
Mr. Du NCOMBE said lie could not call any witnesses, though
he could thus contradict the complainant's evidence; but he
contended that it had been held by Sergeant Adams and the
Magistrates at Quarter Sessions, that persons casually meeting
at the bar of a public-house did not come within the meaning of
the Act. The present was a case of that description, and there
was not even any proof that defendant could know that any of
the persons in question were, if they were, of bad character.
The case was dismissed.
Mr. DUNCOMBE_I also appear for Mr. William Rogers, of
the Horse and Groom, Edgeware-road, who has been sum-
moned for a similar offence, and, according to lay instructions,
the case cannot be carried farther than the one you have just
decided upon.
Mr. LoNG (to Inspector Stubbs)—Have you any better
evidence? Inspector—No, Sir, I have not.
This case was also dismissed.
The landlord of the Fox has for some time past been per-
plexed and annoyed by prying constables of the 1.) division, who
for some inexplicable reaton seem bent upon ruining him
in his business. It is hoped that the signal defeat which the
police upon this occasion experienced, mill have afforded them
a salutary lesson.

THA ME S-OFFIC E.
On Wednesday Charles Sittig, the second mate of the
American ship Charles, from New Orleans, now lying in the
London-dock, was brought before Mr. RALLANTINE, charged
with the wilful murder of John Wilson. a lad, on the high seas,
within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of England.
Mr. Evans, the superintendent of '1 hames police, said the
ship came up the liver that morning, and he had just taken the
prisoner into custody. 'I he charge against him was for cruelly
beating and kicking a boy named Wilson, in the Gulf of
Mexico, during the voyage, by which his death was caused.
Information of the occurrence was sent to him from some of the
crew while the ship was in the channel, and he had made in-
quiries, and ascertained from the men who were present that a
boy had been ill-used and died on board. The ship was an
American one, sailing under the colours of the United States,
and the prisoper was an American, but the lad was an English
subject, a native of Liverpool, where he believed his parents
lived.

Mr. BALLANTINE asked if the alleged murder was com-
mitted on board an American ship? 111 x. Evans—Yes, Sir;
the vessel is under American colours—there is no doubt she
belongs to New Orleans.
Mr. BALLANTINE—And the prisoner is an American? Mr.
Evans—Yes, Sir ; and he has signed the ship's articles as one.
Mr. BALLANTINE said as that was the case he could not
detain the prisoner—he had no jurisdiction in the matter.
MARLBORO UGH-STREET.
Thomas O'Neill, a decently-dressed young man, wasplaced
at the bar before Mr. 11 annveicx, the presiding Magistrate,
charged with stealing a quantity of lead from the roof of a part
of the mansion of the Earl of Lincoln, No. 25, Park-lane.
A police constable stated that about a quarter before six
yesterday morning, as he was on duty in Park-lane, he saw
the prisoner on the lead.; projecting over the roof of the kitchen
of his Lordship's residence, kneeling down, and in the act of
ripping the lead off the roof with a clasp knife. Having
procured the assistance of another police constable, No. 65,
witness got on to the leads, and was about to seize the
prisoner, when he sprang forward and scaling a stone halos-
trading of about five feet in height, jumped into Park-lane,
where he was scent ed by the other police constable. On the
roof of the kitchen were deposited two rolls of lead
weighing a hundred weight each i❑ a position to be canted
through the apertures of the balustrading at a moment's
notice. The prisoner on being collared, said, "I am glad I
have been detected."

The prisoner, who said he was in a state of destitution, was
committed under the Police Act for two months.

MURDER IN EASTCHEAP.

Mrs. Blexley, the victim of her husband's ungoverned
passions, still survives, but she continues in a state
of the most imminent danger, and her ultimate
recovery is exceedingly improbable. The murderer is
not yet apprehended, and the general opinion is, that
he committed suicide by throwing himself into the
Thames immediately after the perpetration of his atrocious
crime. It appears he was traced to the Tower-stairs,
and there all further traces of him were lost. If he yet lives
the police have no clue to the place of his retreat, but the
probability is that he has drowned himself. The greatest ex-
citement prevails in the neighbourhood, and notwithstaning
the drenching rain which has continued all the morning, the
street opposite the house of the late unfortunate Mr. Burden
has been crowded to excess.

INQUEST ON THE BODY.
A Coroner's inquest was held last evening at the Blue
Anchor Tavern, St. Mary-at-the-Hill, before Mr. Payne, the
City Coroner, and a respectable Jury, on the body of Mr. James
Burdon, late proprietor of the King's Ilead Tavern, East-
cheap, who was murdered on the night of Tuesday last. The
room in which the inquest was held was opened shortly after
five o'clock, and was soon crowded with persons anxious to
hear the evidence relating to this melancholy transaction.
Among those present was Mr. a W. Harvey, the City Police
Commissioner, who stated that he attended for the purpose of
swisfying himself z.s to the manner in which the police had
performed their duty. The Coroner arrived shortly before six
o'clock. The Jury having been sworn, they proceeded to take
a view of the body, and on their return the following evidence
was gone into :
Trie first witness examined was Mrs. Burdon, the widow of the
murdered man, who was dreadfully affected during the whole
time of her examination. She deposed as follows .—" My
name is Eliza Burdon, and I reside at the King's Head, in
Eastcheap. My husband's name was James Burdon. He
was thirty-eight years of age last July. He was the landlord
of the house. On Tuesday evening fast, at five minutes past
ten o'clock, I was sitting in the bar, between my husband and
my sister. Mr. Bunion was sitting in the corner, nearest the
window. The bar runs the whole length of the house. The
entrance to the bar at the back is at the other end to where he
was sitting. He was dozing. There was a table between
him and rae. 1 was sitting next my sister at the table.
My sister's name is Sarah Blexley. Unfoitunately she is
the wife of that villain. His name is Robert Blexley. He was
no trade at all. My sister and I were sitting at the
table, and Mr. Burden asleep, and we heard a step. We saw it
was Robert 131exley. He was coming in behind the bar. Ha
sprung forward, and caught hold of his wife's shoulder, and
said, " My wife, cr her life," and he plunged the knife in my
sister's side. 1 was not aware of what he had done until I
saw him take the knife out of her side. He had previouslymade
a plunge at her. Mr. Burdon did not get up ; he was asleep.
Bexley immediately plunged the knife into my husband's left
side. Nothing had happened previously to disturb my hus.
band. Blexley then attempted to stab me. My sister rushed
between us, knocked me away, and seized him by his shoulders.
He held the knife in his left hand, and seized her with his right.
He then walked out of the bar. My sister and my husband
followed him to the bar-door, and my husband could not get
any further. Blexley then turned and looked at us, and turned
away up the passage with the knife in his hand. He threw
the knife down in the passage, went as far as the street dior,
took anether look at us, and went out. Some persons
pursued him, but 1 do not know who. I have not
seen him since. My husband fell down, and was
taken up stairs, and a doctor was sent for. Mr. Smith,
the surgeon, was the first that came. I was not insensible at
all. My husband lived but a few minutes. He was sitting
quite still, with a handkerchief over his face, at the time this
man stabbed him. He said, after he was stabbed, What is
it about ?" That was when he got to the end of the bar.
Ido not think he was aware that he had been struck. No one
was about the bar but us three. I am quite sure he was
sitting at the time he was struck. I think it was the left hand
Blexley used. Ido not know that he was a left-handed man.
It was the right hand he put on my sister's shoulder.
The CORONER said it would be necessary to hind her over
as a witness, but he would arrange to do that at her own house.
He would not detain her longer, and he desired the officers to
show her every attention.
Mrs. Burdon then withdrew.

The next witness examined was James Jar Tis, of No. 30,
Fetichurch-street. lam a porter. I was in the parlour of the
King's Head when this happened. It is a little distance beyond
the bar. I heard a shriek, and went to render assistance. I ran
to the bar, and found the deceased staggering. He asked me
to fetch a doctor. I desired the party who was with me to
open the door, and to fetch the doctor and the police. I saw
hine(i Rowingr•ae. from
saw a womannMr.Bnrd
enand stayed with him until a
doctor leaning over the bar, and asked
her who did it. She said I know the wretch—it is my husband.
The policeman came in in about three or four minutes. It
appeared to me very quick. I do not know who yea for the
policeman. The doer was not closed. I was the first who
came from the parlour. It did not occur to me that he had
been stabbed, until I saw the blood. He was standing when I
first saw him, but he staggered and fell immediately. I did not
know Blexley.
Daniel O'Connell—l was in the house with the last wit-
ness. He stepped out of the parlour, and I followed him. I
heard the shrieks. I live at IS, Fenchurch-street. When I
went out I saw Mr. Burdon falling back. I caught him.
I saw no man go out. The police came not long after. 1
cann A say whether the police or the doctor came first. Ido
not think there was any delay in their Coming. The moment
Mr. Burdon dropped, he died. I did not stay a minute in the
parlour after I heard the shriek. lam foreman at an oil and
Italian warehouse.
John Haynes—Was sitting with the last two witnesses, and
corroborated their evidence. He ran out in the direction of
Gracechurch-street in pursuit. They met a person in Grace-
church-street who said a man had run that way, towards
Clement's-lane. Then he mct a policeman, who said no one had
passed that way. He told the policeman, who returned to the
house with him. Does not know if there was any other
policeman there. Witness saw the knife laying in the passage
when
hadrush it
ed out, and on his return he was told Mrs.
up. Did not search any of the courts
leading from the street, Lor did the policeman who was
with him.
George Hallows—l live at 25, Lime_street, and am a hair-
dresser, A man came into my shop at half-past seven on
Tuesday morning last. I should know him again if I were to
Blexley
taken
see him—he came to be shaved. He said he was going before
the Lord Mayor to get out a warrant against Mr. Burdon, the
landlord of the King's Head. He said he had got his wife
there, and likewise, some property, which was fetched from
Seven Oaks, where he bad lived. He stated he had been to
the King s Head that morning to demand his wife. He went
with a policeman named Bradshaw, the policeman on duty in
Lezderihall-market. When he went in lie said he came to de-
mend his wife. Mr. Burdon said to him, " She is not here,
neither do I know where she is, and the sooner you get out
of my hou-e the better, or I will turn you out." He was
standing with his back towards me when he stated this, and he