The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-29 00:00:00

ELECTION MOVEMENTS.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
A great deal of interest has been excited within the
last week by the partial exposure of a practice which
the following account fully explains, but which, until
this day we could not with propriety lay before our
readers.
Mr. Clarkson, the Barrister, stated that he appeared
upon, the part of Messrs. Broadwood and Sons, the
piano-forte manufacturers, to complain of a very gross
system of fraud practised upon them and the public, the
particulars of which were accidentally discovered. The
firm of Broadwood and Sons had been in the habit of
attaching to the instruments of their manufacture labels,
of which the following is a copy :—" John Broadwood
and Sons, makers to their Majesties and the Princesses,
Great Pulteney-street, Golden-square, London ;" and
they exported a great number to different parts of the
world, where they had agents. Their Dublin agents
were Messrs. M'Culloch and Sons, who, on or about the
2d of April last, received, a letter from Messrs. Hodgson
and Co., of Bucklersbury of which the following was a

" 41, Bucklersbury, London, March 31, 1841
" Gentlemen,—We write to inform you that your order
in the patent porcelain letter is now ready, and we shall
feel obliged by your informing us by what conveyance
you would like to have them forwarded.
"If you have no objection we can do so through our
friends Messrs. Cramer, Addison, and Beale.
" We remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servants,
" HODGSON and CO.
"Messrs. M'Culloch and Co., music sellers, Dublin."
Previously to the arrival a box arrived in Dublin,ec
directed
to " James M'Culloch, Esq., 22, Suffolk-street, Dublin.
Strictly private." The circumstance created some sur-
prise in the mind of the Dublin agent, who, upon finding
that the box contained eighteen enamelled plates, with
an inscription almost the verbatim copy of the foregoing
engraved on them, suspected that some frauds were in
the course of being practised upon Messrs. Broadwood.
and Sons, and directed their solicitors to inquire into the
matter. The result of the inquiry would be collected
from the following extract of the solicitor's letter to
Messrs. Broadwood and Sons :—" I made every exertion
in my power to ascertain if any forgeries of your pianos
were in Dublin, and have now ascertained beyond a
shadow of doubt that your name is put on pianos made
in Scotland, and sold here as your make. I can even go
so far as to produce a working man who was employed by
the house of -- to take out their labels and put
yours in the place of them, and no later than last
wetk twelve of these pianos were sent to Kilkenny
and other places to be sold as your 3. A thought
has struck me that the eighteen labels were intended for
--, and by mistake directed to M'Culloch and Co.
I think it would be advisable if you would communicate
with ;Messrs. Collard and Collard, as they are also aware
of something similar to the above, and they would be
happy to assist in discovering the offenders." Upon
inquiry, made by Messrs. Broadwood and Sons, in Lon-
don, one of the partners in the house of Hodgson and
Co. came forward, and admitted that he was the writer
of the letter signed "Hodgson and C 0.," but stated that
he knew nothing of sending the box or its contents, and
he willingly offered his assistance to discover the fraud,
if any had been committed. The order, When executed,
was to hava been called for, and no application having
been made for it Messrs. Hodgson and Co. wrote to
Messrs. M'Culloch and Co., the above-mentioned letter
to which an answer was transmitted, stating that there
must be some mistake, as no such order had been given.
Messrs. Hodgson and Co. subsequently, upon reference
to the order-book, found that the order had been made
in the name of one of John Power, by their clerk, and
Sir Peter Laurie, to whom the public were so much in-
debted for the exposure of frauds, immediately upon
being applied to gave directions that the several parties
should appear before him.
Mr. M'Culloch, of Dublin, correspondent of Messrs.
Broadwood and Sons, stated that he received the box
containing the eighteen plates, which he had never
ordered, and the letter from Messrs. Hodgson and
Co., which he could not comprehend. His Solicitor
called upon a man, to whom upon making inquiry he was
referred, and who informed him that he had been em-
ployed by a certain firm to substitute the labels of
Broadwood and Sons for those of that firm upon pianos
not made by Messrs. Broadwood, and that twelve instru-
ments so translated had been sent to Kilkenny for sale.
There was a slight difference between the labels of
Messrs. Broadwood and Sons and the spurious labels,
the latter bearing on the inscription" John Broadwood and
Sons, makers to his Majesty and the Princesses," in-
stead of " Makers to their Majesties and the Princesses,"
as appeared in the old labels of Messrs. Broadwood and

copy :

Sons.
A partner in the house of Hodgson and Co. proved
that the order for the patent porcelain letter was entered
in the name of " John Power.
Sir PETER LAURIE said it appeared to him that the
system resembled that which existed with respect to
cutlery, by which the names of eminent makers were
substituted for those of wretched fellows, whose work
was of no value, just as the name of " Manton" was
placed upon guns and pistols of little or no value.
Mr. Clarkson—Exactly so. Messrs. Broadwood and
Sons will know how to deal with the persons by whom it
has been ascertained the deception was authorised.
Mr. John Power was then called by Mr. Clarkson.
He wished to be infoemed by whom his expenses were
to be paid before he gave his evidence, and was told that
Messrs. Broadwood and Sons would pay the necessary
expenses attending the investikation into so gross a case
of fraud. The witness said that he lived at: No. 16,
Lisle-street, and was a piano-forte tuner and regulator.
He caused the labels in the box produced to be sent to
Dublin, but not as directed.
Sir P. LAURIE Who ordered them ?
Witness—No one. I sent them to my brother, " James
Power, care of James M'Culloch, Esq., 22, Suffolk-
street, Dublin," but I confided the address to others, and
they made a mess of it by omitting the name of my bro-
ther, who is in Mr. M'Culloch's employment.
Sir PETER LAURIE—HOW long have you been in the
habit of sending these labels to your brother ? Witness
—I never before sent any.
Sit PETER LAURIE—Where did you get them ? Wit-
ness—l purchased them of a man named Coutts acci-
dentally.
Sir PETER LAURlE—Accidentally ! No doubt by pure
accident.—(A laugh.) Witness—lt was accidentally.
Sir PETER LAURIE—YOU know that if Messrs. Broad-
wood sent instruments to Dublin, these instruments
would have their labels upon them, and you know that
these very labels which you sent to Dublin were to be
put upon instruments, of which Messrs. Broadwood knew
nothing.
Witness—The fact is, we alter Messrs. Boadwood's
pianofortes from CC to FF ; we modernize their old
pianos. It is a secret of trade, and we touch up the in-
struments with new labels.—(A laugh.) There is no-
thing dishonest or disreputable in that.
Sir PETER LAURIE—I should like to know the mean-
ing of the words " strictly private" on the box ?
Mr. Clarkson—No doubt nothing was meant by that
particular direction ?
Mr. William Coutts stated that he had been in the
habit of making labels similar to those produced, for
Messrs. Broadwood and Sons. A Mr. Brown, who was
an agent, of Messrs. Broadwood and Sons, gave him an
order to make some. Mr. Brown was in the habit of
buying old instruments manufactured by Messrs. Broad-
wood and Sons, on which he put the labels to make them
look new.
Sir PETER LAURIE—Yes, like a translator of old into
new shoes or boots. You call it translating ? The Wit-
ness—l call it renovating.
Mr. Clarkson—l submit that, morally speaking, the
practice which has been resorted to of placing the labels
upon instruments not made by my clients, as must be
palpable to all who have heard this case, is no less than
the practice of forgery.
Mr. Coutts—The labels are intended for none but
Messrs. Broadwood and Son's own instruments, and no
trick or dishonesty was at all contemplated. lam justi-
fied in renewing the labels on the firm's manufacture.
Mr. Clarkson—As sure as you stand there you shall
be indicted if you are found repeating this mode of pro-
ceeding.
Mr. Coutts—l am not at all alarmed; as I am conscious
of having done nothing wrong.
Mr. Clarkson—Well, I give you warning, and I give
you warning, too, Mr. Power. This is an illegal act.
There is no possible excuse or palliation.
Mr. Power—You can bring an action if you please,
but no felony has been committed.
Mr. Clarkson said it was right to say that there was
no proof against Mr. Coutts.
Mr. M'Culloch was again called by Mr. Clarkson. He
stated that Mr. Power's brother was in his service.
Mr
agent
o f
_. John Murray, warehouseman to Messrs Broad-
wood d and Sons, said, that Mr. Brown was no more an
Mofestshrse.irßreaiastdrwaomeedntans.d Cmor2.sßthroanwnalr he
other
purchaser was
convinced,
which wouldiiot attempt to put the labels upon any
instruments
Mr. John Brown
were no, of Messrs. Broadwood and
Son's manufacture
, and was in the habit of repairing the
instruments ofstated, that firm.
scraping and
made by Messrs. cleaningthe exterior of the instruments
the habit of using the Broadwoodlabels made
and Sons. He was not in
made
b
when the original labels were defaced. Mr. Coutts, except
some labels one or two ears ago faced. He bought
1 he had been accustomedto supply of Mr. Coutts, who said
Sons with labels. Witness paiah Messrs. Broadwood and
im a
the labels which he thought had beenlef pound a hundred for
Coutts's hands of the quantity made for
remaining in Mr.
er
Broad-
wood and Sons. He understood the mechanism of the
Messrs.
instruments made by that firm, and had frequently seen
their name on instruments not made by them.
Sir P. LAURIE—Now, do you not consider it
violation of honesty to put the name of eminent makersagross
upon inferior instruments. Mr. Brown—Most certainly
I do. I have seen very frequently piano-fortes in auc-
tion-rooms with the names of Broadwood and Sons on
them, which pianofortes were not at all made or known
by them.
Sir P. LAURIE—Then you are willing to give up the
labels you have ? Mr. Brown, with the greatest readi-
ness—l shall give them up to Messrs. Broadwood and
Company.
Sir PETER LAURIE—It is evident from what has
taken place, that the appearance of Messrs. Broadwood
and Co.'s name on a piano-forte is no proof that the in-
strument is genuine, and I would advise them to adopt
,some test less liable to imitation. I have no hesitation
in saying that the most gross imposition has been prac-
tised on the firm and the public.
Mr. Murray (Messrs. Broadwood's warehouseman)
here declared that for one spurio lift bel put upon a
translated pianoforte of his employers, y spurious labels
were put upon instruments never known to the firm.
Mr. Clarkson.—Exactly so. If, then, any repetition of
the fraud be made, a prosecution shall most unquestion-
ably be instituted.
The parties then left the Justice-room.
.hick

The sale of Malmaison is fixed for the 1
August; half Paris will be there,

Moarrrit.—The Tory candidate, Major Cadogan, relin-
quished the contest for this borough on the 26th instant. The
Hon. Captain'Howard, the late Member, and a thorough Re-
former,. *ill therefore be elected without opposition.
ASHBURTON, Jima 26.—The success of Mr. Jardine, the
Liberal candidate, is now certain. Hisopponent, Mr. M'Killop,
finding there was no chance, has retired from the field.

(From the Liverpool Albion.)
Electors of Liverpool ! The hour for action has at
length arrived. You have, on. Wednesday next, to re-
deem the pledge which your loud professions of attach-
ment to the commercial policy of the Ministers have
given to the country during the last six weeks. You
have to do this, or to be the laughing-stock of the whole
empire. It will, indeed, be a strange and unaccountable
spectacle to behold Liverpool, the second commercial
city in the land, bent upon self-destruction by taking part
with the monopolists who have brought the trading and
manufacturing interests to the very verge of ruin. It
will be a delusion, second to none which we have seen
amongst the marvellous follies which we have
witnessed in our day. But, electors of Liverpool,
be not deceived into supporting the Tories any longer.
Listen to the voice of your Queen. Break forth from
the trammels of faction, and study what will be for the
welfare and prosperity of the country. Thousands are
already starving in the manufacturing districts, under
the grinding famine brought upon them by the corn
monopoly. As the thing works on, you also will be in-
volved in the same misery under which they are suffer-
ing. The river cannot flow on, if the fountain from
which it springs is dried up ; neither can Liverpool,
which is the great outlet of the manufacturing districts,
continue to thrive, if once those districts sink into that
decay which it seems impossible to avert, if the Corn-
laws are maintained. Electors of Liverpool what say
you ? Keep up the Corn-laws, and you will pre-
sently see empty warehouses and untenanted houses
in abundance in " the good old town." The mer-
chant will then suffer, and the tradesman and
shopkeeper must suffer with him. And who, in such a
case, is to find employment for the working classes?
Instead of the hum of business, and the noise of the axe
and the hammer in the shipwrights' yards, there will be
gloom and silence; while the broom at the mast-head will
proclaim that their occupation is gone, and the market
already glutted with ships beyond what the demand of
our declining trade requires. But repeal the Corn-laws.
Give free scope to trade by removing the cords of mo-
nopoly which bind it down, and there is no height
of prosperity to which we may not see Liverpool at-
tain. Our manufactures, having then the markets of
the world opened to them, will instantly revive, and
spread, and grow in an unprecedented manner, and the
channel of trade will flow through this port, widened and
deepened in an incalculable degree. There will be an in-
creased demand for labourers of every kind. Our
warehouses will groan under the additional goods which
will have to be crowded into them. New houses will be
wanted, as our hive of industry swells and expands in
every direction. New ships in untold numbers will be
called for, and find unceasing occupation for our carpen-
ters, riggers, painters, sail-makers, and mechanics and
workmen of all classes. 'Now, electors of Liverpool,
" Look on this picture, and on that." You are playing
for a mighty stake. The prosperity of yourselves, nay,
of the whole country is at issue. Only be true to your-
selves, and you will ensure the welfare, not only of the
present generation, but of your children and your chil-
dren's children, and of ages yet unborn. But, if you
should be found wanting at this momentous crisis ; if,
under the influence of corruption or intimidation, or from
any cause whatever, you should suffer the monopolists
again to ride roughshod over you, you will, as far as your
efforts can achieve it, have worked for the ruin of your-
selves, of the town, and of the whole empire. But away
with the very thought that you will be guilty of the mad-
ness implied. in this idea of self-sacrifice ! We expect,
we hope, we believe better things of you. You will not,
you must not disappoint us.
Electors of Liverpool ! recollect that whoever votes
for Lord Sandon and Mr. Cresswell, votes against the
trade, and commerce, and manufactures of the country.
Whoever votes for them, votes for dear bread.
Whoever votes for them, votes for dear sugar.
Whoever votes' for them, votes for monopoly and new
taxes.
Whoever votes for them, votes against Ireland's hap-
piness as well as England's prosperity.
"Whoever votes for them, votes against the Queen, and
for bigotry, intolerance, ignorance, and persecution.
And will you vote for these enemies of the Queen, of
the people, and of the trade and prosperity of the coun-
try? No! No! Men of Liverpool! " Free Trade for
ever !" " The Queen for ever!" " Walmsley and
Palmerston for ever!" Be resolved, and be united.
Union will prevail ; but the smallest, the very smallest
departure from it will be ruin to our cause. Listen,
then, to no one who would sow the tares of
schism amongst you. Be at the hustings at the
very opening of the poll. Let every Liberal elec-
tor vote for both the Liberal candidates. He is a traitor
to the cause who shall act otherwise, and must never
more be allowed to, place himself in the ranks of the Re-
formers of Liverpool. Whigs and Reformers ! vote for
both the candidates, or go, at once and join the Tory
camp. It is a battle for principles, not for persons, in
which we are, engaged ; and let us fight it as men who
consider our principles to be worth upholding. Union !
Union ! ! Union !! ! We ask no more, and nothing
less will do. With union we shall win ; without it we
shall . But there will be the closest union in the
hour of conflict. We anticipate nothing else. Forward,
then, to victory, electors of Liverpool! " Free trade
for ever !" Be at the poll at its first opening, and take
the lead at once. " Free trade for ever !" " Walmsley,
and Palmerston, and free trade for ever !"