The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-02 00:00:00

INSOLVENT COURT-(THIS DAY

IN RE THOMAS 'WOODHOUSE STEVENS.
This insolvent, who was opposed on the part of seven
Chinese merchants on the ground of fraud, appeared
for judgment. The debts exceeded 23,0001.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS said, in giving judgment
this morning, that the case had occupied his attention
for some time, and he was not at all clear that he was
right in arriving at the conclusion he had, namely, to
give the insolvent the benefit of the doubt he had en-
tertained. He had, however, the satisfaction of knowing
that, if he erred, he erred on the side of mercy. Toe
insolvent was opposed on the part of several Chinese mer-
chants, from whom he had obtained large quantities of
teas, in respect to whom it was of the utmost importance,
in the present state of affairs with this country, that the
good faith of our merchants should be kept. The op-
position was on the ground that the insolvent had con-
tracted debts without an intention of paying them, or,
in cther words, that the goods had been fraudulently
obtained; but he (Mr. Commissioner Phillips) did
not think that he could safely come to that
conclusion. In the course of the case an-
other point had turned up which the counsel
for the insolvent had urged on his behalf, and
that was that he had twelve months to complete his
contract with the Chinese merchants. He, however,
could not forget, that the insolvent had realised a large
sum, *hich undoubtedly belonged to his creditors, from
whom he had obtained the goods, but he had thought
proper to spend the money on himself anti family. Feel-
ing, as he did, that he could not conscientiously come to
the determination that at the time the insolvent obtained
the goods he had no intention to pay for them, yet it
was impossible that justice could be done in such a case
by an immediate discharge. It was a case for the full
exercise of the discretionary clause. The judgment was
that the insolvent be imprisoned for a period of six
months from the vesting order.

DO W-37C1tD1:1T.—(TIII3 DAY.)
Henry Johnson was placed at the bar before Mr.
Henry, charged with forging a certificate of the Court
of Examiners of the Apothecaries' Company.
Mr. Bundle, on the part of the Apothecaries' Company,
explained the nature of the certificate granted by the
Court of Examiners. It was such a certificate that the
prisoner was charged with forging. The prisoner had
been a candidate for examination, but the Court refused
to examine him, as he was under 24 years of age.
Evidence was given that of two documents produced
one was a genuine certificate of the Court of Examiners,
end the other was a forgery.
Mr. Salt, engraver and printer, of 19, Great Turnstile,
Lincoln's Inn-fields, said that, on the 24th of May the
prisoner,enterect his shop; and said, " Mr. Salt, I want
a plate engraved," at the same time showing him the
genuine certificate produced. Witness took the order,
and agreed to get the plate ready in the course
of ten days, fixing the price at 101. 19s. The
name of the person licensed was to be left blank.
The prisoner called again several times before the
plates were finished, and on one occasion left a deposit
of 41. Yesterday the prisoner again called, and witness
gave him the plates, twenty proofs, and the original
certificate. The prisoner gave him a 51.. note. Being
asked to put his name on the note, he wrote, " J. Hunter,
High-street, Gravesend." He had given the name
Hunter on the first occasion. Witness had given infor-
mation to the Apothecaries' Company in the first in-
stance.
Daniel Forrester apprehended the prisoner. He had
in his possession the plates, proofs, and certificate, and
Mr. Salt's receipt for 81. I9s.
Mr. HENRY remanded the prisoner till Tuesday next.
An application was made to bail the prisoner, which
Mr. Henry refused.

MARLBRO'-STREET-(THIS DAY.)
James Hunter, a well-dressed man belonging to the
swell mob, was charged by Mr. George Mount, No. 8,
Broadway, Ludgate-hill, with picking his pocket of a
pocket-book.
It appeared that on the previous night the complainant
was standing opposite the royal entrance of her Ma-
jesty's Theatre, endeavouring to catch a sight of the
Queen as she left the house. The prisoner, who ap-
peared to be fresh from the country, placed himself be-
hind the complainant, and entered into conver-
sation with him. Complainant, however, did not much
like the appearance of the prisoner, and kept a sharp
eye upon his movements. Complainant shortly after
felt the prisoner's hand fumbling at his coat pocket,
whereupon he turned sharp round to the prisoner, who
in the most unconcerned manner possible asked him if
the Queen was coming. Complainant did not answer
him, but walked away some littte distance from where
he had been previously standing. On looking round he
saw the prisoner close behind him dodging his movements.
Complainant then stood still for a few minutes, when
he felt the prisoner take the pocket-book from his coat
pocket. He turned quickly round and confronted the
prisoner, who had dropped the book on the ground. Ile
then taxed him with the robbery, and having called a
constable, gave him in charge.
The prisoner denied the charge, and said that he was
a very respectable tradesman: but, unfortunately for the
prisoner, there were several constables present who
proved that he had seen repeatedly convicted on similar
charges.
Mr. II

:ARDWICS committed him for trial.

BRIERLY HILL.—ALARMING FIRE.-011 Wednes-
day night, beta een nine and ten o'clock, a fire broke out
at the extensive chainworks belonging to Mr. John
Parkes, of Nine Locks'-lane, in this place, which threa-
tened great destruction. It appears that a boiler, which
had lately been cracked, and was used to melt pitch to
black chains, exploded with a tremendous noise, and a
great quantity of pitch communicated with the fire.
Fortunately there was a chimney near the spot, and up
this the flames rushed with great violence, alarming the
inhabitants of the neighbourhood. A quantity of wood-
work used in (the process of chain-making or blacking
and some brickwork were destroyed, but no very consi-
derable damage was done. The &re was put out with
ashes, which were applied so plentifully as to effectually
smother it Worcester Chronicle.
AN INNOCENT CONVICT --A highway robbery was
committed in the early part of 1846 by four persons,
near Hertford, and three were taken into custody and
tried at the February assizes held there, and being all
found " guilty," were sentenced each to 15 years trans-
portation. William Bowers, one of the persons con-
victed, declared his innocence of any participation in the
crime after sentence had
.been passed upon them; but
the testimony:of his fellow-convicts was of a doubtful na-
ture,onv otwini n
g to their silence on the subject previous to
ic
Another of the guilty parties having been
co
recently taken, confessed to the chaplain of the Herttord
Gaol that William Bowers was innocent of being a :par-
ticipator in the crime of which he was convicted, and
named the other person, still at large; and it having
now been satisfactorily established that Bowers was
really innocent, a free pardon for him was received from
Sir George Grey, Secretary of State, by Mr. Master-
man, Governor of the Warrior convict hulk, at Wool-
wich, yesterday, and the prisoner was immediately libe-
rated. The poor man appeared greatly delighted with
tie prospect of his immediate return to his wife an,i
three children, from whom Le has been separat?cl durii.g
tho last 16 months, and hi 6 ease is one deserving tk..
consideration of the authorities at Hertford, to enable
him to become again a useful raemberof soeiety.when his
innocence has been proved. .