The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-19 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HO USE.
A man named Benjamin Cdkebrcad, who is in the
habit of dealing in Leadenhall Market, was brought
before Alderman Wilson, who sat for the Lord Mayor,
charged with having defrauded Mr. Cork, a salesman
of the market, of 21/. 93.
Mr. Cork stated that on Friday week the prisoner
came to him, and told him that he wanted to buy a
bargain of eleven sheep at 39 shillings per sheep, and
asked him to advance the money, and the sheep should
be brought to him for sail by retail as a matter of course.
Witness wrote a check for the money and gave it to the
prisoner, who purchased the sheep, but turned them into
cash elsewhere and absconded. The conduct of the
prisoner was particularly ungrateful, for witness had on
a previous occasion entrusted him with 271. which was
never accounted for.

Alderman WlLsor4 said that one would suppose that
experiment would have been a sufficient test of the man's
want of honesty.

Mr. Cork said he really thought the prisoner had re-
formed, and be did not wish to see him lose an advan-
tage for a temporary accommodation.
Alderman WILSON—WeII, prisoner, what have you
to say? Prisoner—Why, I borroWed the check from
Mr. Cork, and I'll pay him as soon as I can. I owe
him 481. now, for I had the 271. of him he speaks of
before. It's only a debt.
Alderman WILSON—I am assured that a criminal
conviction cannot be obtained in this case. This way
of doing business is very loose, and subjects you to
plunder very much.
Mr. Cork said it was the customary way of doing
business in the market, and a case of fraud very seldom
occurred indeed.
Prisoner—l confess I owe the money to Mr. Cork.
Alderman WILSON—When will you pay him any of
it ? Prisoner—That I can't tell. But he has had a
good deal of my money in the course of business. l'il
pay him as soon as I can.
Mr. Cork—lie never will pay lam convinced, It

was merely to serve him I entrusted him with the
money; and I am desirous to prevent him from injuring
abed.
Alderman WitzoN—He is a most dishonest and un-
grateful fellow, and I shot) hold him to bail to answer
any charge you may think !AVM, to bring against him.
Committed for want of bail.

BOW-STREET.
John Black, keeper of a coffee-shop in Pococks'-khisf
Islington, was yesterday brought before Mr. JARDINE,
by Sergeant Lawrence, F division, charged on suspi-
cion with having stolen from the Pine Apple public-
house, Hungerford-street, a cash-box, containing about
8/. in ca3b, and other articles, the property of Mr.
William Humphries, the landlord.
Janet Clapperton, the barmaid, stated that about the
Ist of March, 1839,a man resembling the prisoner came
into the shop, and called for bread, cheese, and beer,
with which he was served. Another man
passed through the shop at the moment, and hav-
ing gone into the tap-room he called to her to
know if the landlord was at home, which caused her to
go round to give him an answer, but she had not been
absent more than three minutes from the bar, when
on her return she found that the man who stood
in the shop had gone away, leaving the greater
part of his refreshment behind him, and in an in-
stant she discovered that the cash-box had been
taken away. The box was safe when witness left the
shop, and the drawer in which it lay was near enough
for a person standing outside the counter to reach it.
Having gone to the door, she saw a man, who was
minding a horse and chaise close by, who informed her
that he had within a few minutes previous seen a man
come out of the house with the cash-box under his
arm, and run up the street with it.
Thos. Kinsman, a deaf man, proved that he saw the
prisoner run away with the pox, but he could not exactly
speak to the time, only he thought it was about two
years ago, and in the afternoon of thh day it occurred.
The prisoner kept walking about outside the house un-
til some men came out, and, before he entered, he fre-
quently peeped through the shutters, and remained in-
side about five minutes. Witness knew the prisoner
for about five years, and meeting him about six months
after the robbery was committed, he made his escape
before he could be given into custody.
The pot-boy, on going to the door when the alarm
was given, saw the last witness, who instantly said that
he saw a man come out of the house, and run away
with a small box under his arm.
Sergeant Lawrence said that he had been looking out
for the prisoner since the robbery was committed, in
consequence of the information given to him by Kins-
man, and he could not succeed in apprehending him
until the sth November last, at his residence in Pocock's.
field, but he could find nothing connected with the
robbery.
The prisoner declined making any defence, and he
was fully committed for trial.

POLICE CORRECTIONELLE.:

DUEL BETWEEN TWO CABMEN.

In consequence of a quarrel which arose between two
men named Chauvet and Biancourt, both drivers of
hackney cabriolets, a duel with small swords took
place some time since between them on the Place
d'Europe. The weapons (unbuttoned foils) were se-
lected apparently in consequence of both heroes hav-
ing been formei ly militaires, like the greater number
of the existing knights of the whip in Paris. The
duel was fought in broad daylight. Chauvet was wounded
by his adversary, and the latter appeared on the sth inst.
before the Correctional Tribunal to answer the charge
of having dangerously wounded his antagonist. Beside
him was seated another cocker named Boiteux, who,
having acted as Biancoures tenzoin, or second, was ar-
raigned as an accomplice.
Chauvet was examined as a witness, and narrated the
details of this singular combat. • The cause of
quarrel was neither more nor less than the question
of precedency upon the stand for their cabs, to which
precedency each contended that he had indefeasible
rights. Hence arose threats, insults, and a challenge.
"Biancourt (said Chauvet) proposed to go into a taproom
with me to pound my head with fistycuffs. But only
just look at the colossus. He is stronger than an ox. I
had not the smallest relish for wrestling with him corps
a corps. I told him that I should have no objection
to settle my dispute with him like a gentleman with
small sword—like a Frenchman and a brave. We
got the foils ; we fought ; and he gave me two inches
of his blade between the ribs. I was laid up for six
weeks."
President—Did not your comrade Boiteux act as
your second ?—No, Monsieur ; it was a man in a blouse.
More than that, I know nothing about him.
Boiteux—Pardi, oui. It was a man in a blouse.
It was not me at all. They have been taking liberties
with my character.
President—Nevertheless, Chauvet, when Boiteux ac-
companied you, he knew full well that you were going
to fight a duel ?
Chauvet—Possible. I rather imagine he doubted it.
Boiteux—Oh, yes. I doubted it—' joliment—
beaucoup.'
Another jarvey was then interrogated ; but he de-
clared that he had merely assisted as an interested
spectator, having taken no especial part in the denoue-
ment of ti►e affair of honour.
President—Biancourt, you are at liberty to explain
yourself.
Biancourt rose. He was a man of some fire-and-
thirty years, of colossal stature, and prodigious mus-
cular strength, judging from the breadth and brawni-
ness of his shoulders, and the immense circumference
and perfect roundness of his arm. He had a handsome
face (for a Frenchman), set, as it were, in a frame of
thick black beard, and notwithstanding this garniture en
Turc, the habitual expression of his countenance was ra-
ther of a sweetness and amenity than quarrelsome bru-
tality. " Gentlemen (said he), here is exactly what
passed. 1 will tell it to you telle quelk, without add-
ing or retrenching. I have got to be proprietor of two
cabriolets de place, and the first day that I drove out in
one of my vehicles, I took up my station in front
of the Chinese Baths, on the Boulevard. There was no
one on the station, and as I arrived first, I took up my
station, quite natural, at the head of the first rank.
No sooner had I drawn up my horse than up comes
Cocher Chauvet, whipping his horse like anything.'
I did not know him, nor he me ; good reason why

—it was the first day I rolled in the streets of
Paris. Well, Chauvet drives up to me and says,
with a grin, What is this big new face wants here?'
Offended by Lis gibing tone (though I have since
discovered it to be habitual with the couchers), I told
him rather smartishly' to let me alone. Get out of that,'

said he,' you have no right to plant yourself at the head of
all the line. It's not your turn.' Yes, but it is my turn,'
said I ; first come first served." You think, because you
are a fine man, to frighten me ; but great hulking fellows
are seldom stocked with brains.' So he continued to worry
and plague me. What I wanted was peace, so I
drove my horse over to the other side of tue Bou-
levard. Egad I thought I had a chance of being
left quiet for my complaisance, but, sure enough,
there was no pleasing him. Over he comes to
me, and continues his gibes. Who the deuce cares
if you are big,' says he ; I have served in the
4th Hussars, and I could eat both you and your horse.'
Leave me quietly,' I replied, and I thought to drive
off a little distance further, for the street passengers
were now beginning to collect round us. Then Chauvet
called me a coward,' and the spectators applauded
him. The blood mounted to my face. ' Very well,'
said Ito Chauvet, since you are determined that it
shall be so, I have no objectienf I then went to the
Passage Choiseul, to M. Alike's, an old regimental com-
rade, and bought a pair of foils. Then said Ito Chauvet,
'Get into my cab and we shall arrange this matter.'
But he preferred remaining in his own cab, and we
drove off, each in his own vehicle, to the Place de l'Eu
rope. We were followed by about 200 persons, who
were anxious to see bow the affair would terminate.
Chauvet had his friend Boiteux for his second. I knew
no person, and addressed myself in vain to several of
the bystanders. Not one of them would consent to
become my temoin. At last I entreated a man wearing
a blouse, who stood near me, to render me this service.
If you refuse me this favour, which I implore of you
with all my soul, the duel cannot take place ; they will
say that it was my fault, and will repeat that I am a
coward.' The brave blouse yielded to my entreaty.
We entered an enclosure surrounded with planks, near
the entrance to the railway ; we penetrated through the
opening left by one of the planks which was deficient.
There were but four of us inside, Chauvet, Boiteux,
myself, and my second. The curious spectators re-
garded us through the chinks of the pallisade. We then
took the buttons off the foils, and sharpened the points.
After that I showed the arms to the witnesses, it order
that they might see whether they were of the same
length. One of the witnesses took the foils and threw
them on one side, and the other on the other ; it is a
regimental custom. Chauvet and I undressed ourselves,
each picked up his blade, and then we crossed
weapons. Mind what you are about,' said Chau-
vet ; I have taken down stronger men than
you.' Good,' said I, 'we shall see that pre-
sently.' After playing our blades for a few se-
seconds, he made a pass or two at me. I held myself
on the defensive merely, studying my man. His second
pass sufficed to let me see the stuff he was made of.
Good, lam on my guard again. We cross, encore,
carte, tierce, thrust, parry, not a touch. Good, we cross
again ; he thrusts, I parry, and quick as lightning put
in a half-lunge—a simple half-lunge•—I touched him
under the left arm ; they carried him off in his
own cab. A few days afterwards all the cockers said
to me, said they—' Biancourt,' you made an excellent
"OP. Chauvet is done for ; he'll never recover.' Now
this vexed me sorely, and though I had grande envic
ndoth. A
him—
he
lastto I
heard goand
that
him,athe
poor
was
doing
he appeared much pleased, and I lent him a little tin'
(comrade's duty), according. to my means. Good.
llfellow,
w'
better.yet I dared
veisdite
Now, there, Monsieur le President, is my whole recital ;
and I ask whether every Frenchman would not have
done as I did ?"
Chauvet—l asked you for no money

Biancourt—No ; but I offered it, and you took 1
I don't reproach you with it. I hate dicputes ; neve
was of quarrelsome disposition in my life, either in th
army or out of it, and this was my first singly' combat.
President (to Chauvot)—Who was it that propose
the duel with foils ?

Chauvet—lt was I.
President—Did Biancourt at first refuse to fight ?

Chauvet—C'est vrai.
President—And then you called him " coward!"
Chauvet—Very true ; but he first said tat he would
break my head at the grog-shop.
lircsident—Biancourt, did you use that language
Biancourt—When I saw that he was absol
bent on t`ghting, I said to him, " Come tt. the grog-
shop over the way, and I'll pay yon for your insol chi
full measure. You shall have it in a brimming cho
pine." Mess;eurs, I throw myself on your indulgence.
The Tribuna.l, after hearing the Avocat du Rol,
let
off Boiteux, and sentenced Biancourt to six days' im-
priscntnent.
_ -----......-..