The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-07 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY.

On Saturday, as Mr. Beadon, the sitting magistrate
at Wandsworth Police-court, was about quitting the
bench, John William Thompson, a fine-looking man,
about 35 years of age, who was described as the captain
of the Medora, was placed in the dock, charged with
stealing a quantity of gold dust, to the value of nearly
7,0001., consigned to and the property of Mr. W. M.
Hutton, of Larkhall-lane, Clapham, and 25, Watling-
street, City, merchant. The property, with the excep-
tion of a few hundred pounds' worth, was produced in
court.
Mr. Hutton, having been sworn, said the prisoner
was captain of a vessel belonging to him, and called
the Medora steamer. She left Shoreham in October
1 last for the Gold Coast of Africa, there to receive
a cargo of palm oil, and to bring over freight from
the merchants residing at Cape Coast and other settle.
meets. The prisoner received on board a quantity
of gold dust, consigned principally to themselves.
On Friday they received a letter from their cot'-
1 respondent announcing the arrival of the ship at Ports-
mouth, and another from the ship, written by the
prisoner, in which he stated that on leaving the Gold
Coast he was seized with the fever, which threw him
into a state of delirium, and while in that state he had
thrown all the gold dust overboard. Prosecutor imme-
diately dispatched two of his confidential clerks to
Portsmouth, and on their arrival there they found the
prisoner had left the ship and started for London. This
conduct aroused their suspicions, and they commenced
making inquiries amongst the dealers in bullion, and
discovered that the prisoner had sold a quantity of gold
dust to Messrs. Emanuel, in the High -street. The
clerks consequently returned to London, and that morn-
ing prosecutor and his son endeavoured to trace out the
hiding place of the prisoner. Knowing that he was in
the habit of staying, when in town, at his brother-in-
law's, a Mr. Cooper, a surgeon, in the Clapham-road, he
Icaused a letter to be sent to that house directed in his
name, and as it was taken in prosecutor gave such
information to the police as led to the prisoner's appre-
hension. _

Police constable Gibbs, 77 V, a very active officer,
stated that that morning, at nine o'clock, he was directed
by the last witness to watch a house opposite the Bed-
ford Arms. He did so for some time, and then went
and knocked at the door, and asked if Captain Thomp-
son was there? He was answered in the affirmative, and
shown upstairs to Captain Thompson's room. He there
saw the prisoner at breakfast, and asked if he was Cap-
tain Thompson? He said he was, and witness then told
him he was come to take him on suspicion of stealing
600 ounces of gold dust, and asked him it he had brought
any luggage, as he must search it? Ue said, " Yes;
and would show witness where it was." Prisoner then
went into a front bedroom, and, pointing to a basket
and box, said " The property is there." He found four
large bags of gold dust in the basket and five smaller ones
in the trunk; the whole of the bags contained gold dust.
During .the time witness was searching the room prisoner
was sitting on the bed. He had some papers in his
hands, and banded them to witness, who said, " What
is this?" and be said the produce of the other property.
Witness then found that the papers consisted of twenty
51. notes of the Portsmouth branch of the Bank of
England, and a cheque on a bank far 1421. ss. ; the
prisoner also gave witness ten doubloons, which he
also said was part of the property. The gold dust was
weighed by steelyards, and was 116 pound avoirdupois
weight. The prisoner had on his person a gold chrono-
meter, 51. in money, a Mexican dollar, and half a dollar.
Police sergeant Emerson, 9 V, stated that after the
prisoner was brought to the station lie went to Mr.
Cooper's house, and upon searching the roam where the
prisoner slept he found the small portmanteau produced,
and in it another bag of gold dust. He also found a
belt, for securing undr the clothes, with braces attached.
This belt, which was about eight inches broad, was
stitched at intervals of about two inches, and each inter-
stice was filled with gold dust. It would appear that
the prisoner conveyed the gold ashore by means of this
belt. The prisoner identified the trunk at the station,
and said the gold dust found was the remainder of the
load. Prosecutor asked prisoner if he had any more,
and he said no. There was altogether 1,600 ounces.

In answer to a question from the bench, the prose-
cutor said there were different freights of gold dust, and
it all appeared to have been missed together. Some
was consigned to a house at Bristol, and part to a house
in London.

The prisoner said the gold dust was originally in
small boxes; he broke these open and destroyed them,
and afterwards mixed the dust altogether and put it in

the bags as it now was.
The prosecutor said the value of the gold dust pro-
duced would be about 6,4001., at 3/ 17s. per ounce. He
expected the vessel round by Monday. lie trusted that
the gold would bo delivered up to him, as he wished to
deposit it in the bullion office of the Bank of England.
The cheque was also due that day, and should be
cashed.

^M
Mr. Beadon thought otherwise; it was at present a
very grave question, whether the Messrs. Emanuel,
who had given that cheque, had given fair value for
the gold; if they had not done so, and prosecutor con-
verted their cheque into cash, he would be a consenting
party to the sale, and would not be able to recover from
them afterwards.
Mr. Beadon addressed the prisoner, saying—You
have no gentleman present to defend you, and, there-
fore, it is my duty to caution you. You are at liberty
now to state anything you please.
Prisoner—l sold sixty ounces to Emanuel. I re-
ceived 60s. per ounce for one lot, and 655. for another
lot. He weighed it and tested it, and asked no ques-
tions. I also sold him some doubloons, which were part
of the consignment .
Mr. Beadon said he should remand tho prisoner to a
future day. The gold would be deposited in the bullion
office, and he should advise the prosecutor to proceed
immediately to Portsmouth, and obtain a warrant to
search Emanuel's house.
The prisoner was then remanded.

ABOLITION of the INCOME-TAX.
HULL, MARCR 6.—A meeting was held this day in
the Town Hall, "to petition against rating to the
inconae-tax, incomes derived from personal exertions
after the same rate as those derived from realised
capital."
The meeting was convened on the requisition of about
..170TIV gigr t:1 rps. porn prised of
cTeergyhmunend"ol the Church of England, and other
religious bodies, lawyers, surgeons, merchants,
tradesmen, and others. The worshipful the Mayor
occupied the chair. When the importance of the subject
is taken into consideration, the numerous and highly-
influential names that were attacked to the requisition,
the paucity of the meeting is surprising—not more than
ono hundred and fifty persons being present, and not
above one-third of those payers of the tax.
The apathy in a population of nearly eighty thousand
is scarcely to be accounted for, except by the patience
with which John Bull submits to his burdens.
The usual petition was adopted pro forma, and in
principal speakers being persons who
deadfiguresdi cant cae,rtlic
recent peace meeting, held in the town.
After the business of the meeting had been disposed
of, the Mayor called upon the town clerk to read a letter
from M. T. Baines, Esq., one of the members for the
borough, which set forth that he had voted in the mino-
rity.with Mr. Horeman on the income-tax, and his in-
tention to support Mr. Hume's amendment to restrict its
operation to one year.
After the letter had been read a vote of thanks was
moved by the Chairman to Mr. Baines, for his attention
c rda c
Clay,
ay with
Esq the., w
h object o
as
shown
the
and services in the House of Commons. This, as might
have been expected, met with considerable opposition,
many thinking it not only premature, hut not in ac-
cordance
upon the other highly-esteemed Member,
James
every meeting,
attention andalso a
to the
business of the borough, and whose vote is recorded in
The Sun of Saturday, along with Mr. Baines.'
During the altercation which took place, a person
connected with the press boldly stated that he had a
letter from Mr. Clay, stating his regret that he had ac-
cidentally been shut out from the division, which, how-
ever, was received with no little incredulity, the letter
not being forthcoming to prove the inaccuracy of the
votes of the House as given in The Sun.

Her Majesty has nominated Lord Dalhousie to be
a Knight of the 'Thistle, vacant by the death of Earl
Moray.
We are requested to state that Sir De Lacy Evans
supported Mr. Horsman's amendment against the ha-
come-tax as at present assessed, having paired with Sir
John M•Taggart, who was in favour of the Government
measure.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—Upon our arrival at the
theatre last night, we were informed by a printed bill
that the contemplated equestrian performances were
postponed till this evening, in consequence of the ar-
rangements net being completed.

The Qa,
ardens of Buckingham Palace.
—he Count and Countess de _Neuilly visited her
-sty, at Buckingham Palace, yesterday afternoon.
Royal Highness the Duke Augustus of Saxe
visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Kent yesterday, at her residence, Clarence House,
St. James's.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales,
Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess
Alice, took walking and pony exercise yesterday.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Helena was taken
an airing yesterday, in the royal gardens.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent dined
with her Majesty and Prince Albert yesterday even-
ing, at Buckingham Palace.
A deputation from the General Hospital, Birming-
ham, on the subject of the Health of Towns Bill, had
an interview with Viscount Morpeth yesterday, at
the office of her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods
and Forests, in Whitehall-place. The deputation
consisted of Lord Brooke, Mr. Richard Spooner,
M.P., Mr. Scholefield, M.P., Mr. Littleton, M.P.,
Mr. Thybin, Mr. Thomas Goodman, Mr. Armfield,
and Mr. Barker.
Mr. Duncan, M.P., had an interview with Sir
George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office.
Viscount de Moncorvo, the Portuguese Minister,
transacted business yesterday, at the Foreign-office.
Mr. MiCarthy had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday, at the Colonial-office.
Mr. R. Spooner and Mr. Littleton had an inter-
view with the Right Hon. 11. Labouchere yesterday,
at the office of the Board of Trade.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
THE COVENTRY HANDICAP.
2to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Lady Lurewell
—taken 5 to 2.
LEAMINGTON STEEPLECHASE.
20 to 1 agst Mr. C. Bevill's Alexander—taken
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
7 to 2 agst Col. Anson's Blaze—taken
6 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Flatcatcher—t freely
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STARES.
8 to 1 agst Mr. Verity's Walmgate-bar Without,
4 yrs, 7st—taken
14 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Marquis of Conyngham,
5 yrs, Est 13/b—taken
14 to 1 agst Mr. Blake's Ballinafad, 4 years, 75t—t.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
The odds quoted against Walmgate-bar Without were
taken to 150/.
8 to 1 agst Captain Barnes's Tufthunter, 4 yrs,
7st 6lb
15 to 1 agst Lord llowth's Rat-trap, 5 yrs, Bst 21b
20 to 1 agst Lord Lonsdale's Jericho, 6 yrs, 9st—t
20 to 1 tight Count Bathyany's Gannet, 6 yrs, 7st lib
—taken.
30 to 1 agst Lord Strathmore's Tit-bit, 5 yrs, Est 131 b
—taken
Offers to back Tufthunter agst Jericho. Jericho's
decline is traceable to a report that he is lame ; Tuft-
bunter, although not backed is in much request.
CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Jonathan Wild, 5 yrs,
6st 121 b—taken to 501.
25 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Swallow, 4 yrs, 7st
40 to 1 agst Mr. Henderson's Lady Hylda, 4 yrs,
sst 91b—taken
40 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Glen Saddel, 3 yrs,
4st 41b
40 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Lightning, aged, Bst 21b
50 to 1 agst Capt. Pettat's Newcourt, aged, 7st 71b
50 to 1 agst Mr. Blake's Ballinafad, 4 yrs, 6st 61b—
taken
1000 to 16 agst Major Yarburgh's Sally Maggs, 4 yrs,
6st—taken
2000 to 30 agst Mr. J. Day's The Tartar, 4 yrs, 6st 121 b
—taken
1000 to 15 agst Mr. Pedley's Cossack, 4 yrs, Bst 91b
—taken
2000 to 30 agst Mr. W. Scott's Malt, 5 yrs, 6st Clb
—taken and afterwards offered
The betting on this event continues very flat, And
without any effect en the prices.
DERBY.
D to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Surplice
13 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Glendower—taken
14 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Springy Jack—taken
25 to 1 agst Major Pitt's Fern—taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. J. Scott's The Stinger—taken
50 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Assault
50 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Whitstono—taken
50 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's Flatcatcher—taken
50 to 1 agst Mr. Nunn's The Fowler—taken
Glendower was backed for 1001., Springy Jack for
more than twice that amount, Fera for two or three
fifties, and the Fowler for 1001., the odds in each case
the same that we have quoted. Fern, it is said, is not
unlikely to join the Danebury
We have authority to state that, in consequence of
recent events, the Grand French Steeplechase will not
take place this year.

STRAND THEATRE.—On Thursday evening last ft
benefit took place at this pretty theatre in aid of the
funds of the Free Hospital for Women and Children in
North Audley-street, an institution which, though young
in foundati,n, has done vn immensity of good in its
neighbourhood to poor suffering humanity, It is in the
most extended sense of the`term a free hospital, neither
letter nor recommendation being requirll to gain ad-
mission, illness being the passport to the blessings of the
charity. Magnificently as this great country is adorned
with charitable institutions of all kinds, none de:erre

better to participate in the sums annually b, queathed to
relieve the sufferings of the humble or to sooth afflk!tion.
The performances commenced with the Country Squire,
a drama too well known to need further comment
than to say, the character of the Squire was well sus-
tained by Rogerson, Horace Seiwood found a capital
representative in Mr. Payne, as did the part of Sparrow
in Mr. Oxberry. Miss Love, as Fanny, was admirable,
and in her description of the chase, hunting, and shoot-
ine, frequently reminded us of Mrs. Nisbett, as Lady
Gay Spanker, in London Assurance. Some beautiful
dancing by Mdlle. L. Blanche and a concert followed, in
which Misses Ransford, Nelson, O'Connor, and Mr.
Ransford took part. Wilk's clever farce of the Captain's
not a Miss succeeded, in which Mr. Laws sustained the
character of Captain Daring excellently. Miss Jane
Coleman, as Fanny, disguised as the tiger, John Stock,
acted to admiration—she looked the very spirit of in-
trigue and mischief in top boots. Miss E. Terry, as
Mary, sustained the character with her usual excellence
and espiegle. Oxberry's clever burlesques of Lucy of
Lammermoor closed the evening's'entertainments. We
trust the funds of the charity will be greatly benefited
by the receipts of the evening. The house was crowded,
We understand the Daughter of the Regiment is to be
the opening cpera at this theatre on Tuesday next, for
which Miss Poole, Mrs. King, Mr. Borrani, Mr. King,
and an effective chorus, under the direction of Mr.
Tully, has been engaged, a sufficient guarantee that the
different novelties will bo produced in a style of first-rata
excellence.

PRINTERS PENSION SOCIETY.—The annual genera_
meeting, and 26th election. of this society, was held
yesterday at the London Tavern, for the purpose of
transacting the usual business, and electing eight pen-
sioners on the general funds, and the candidate ninth
on the poll to the Whittingbam pension—Richard
Taylor, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Hodson, the secretary,
read the report, which stated that, notwithstanding the
late depression in the printing business, the annual sub-
scriptions were but a few pounds short of the previous
year. After the last election the number of pensioners
was raised to fifty-flve, of whom twelve died during
the year, the benefit received by them varying from six
months to nineteen years, and that the subscriptions had
not only been equal to the pensions, but left a surplus of
201. As regarded the anniversary dinner, the report
stated, that Luke Hansard, Esq., had presided, and on
this occasion it was announced that his Royal Highness
Prince Albert had consented to become the
patron of the society, and had accompanied
this consent with a donation of 251. The Chairman
had also given an additional contribution of 501.,
making the entire amount of his subscription 1801.
The report next alluded, in highly flattering rms, to
the exe'tttons of Lord liudley btuart, M.P., in behalf of
this society, who handed in at the dinner 361. from a few
noble authoresses of his acquaintance, the total receipts
of the anniversary being 3301. 4s. The funded property
of the society had also been increased 2501., making the
total amount of funded property 5,014 4s. 6d. The
financial sheet showed the total receipts, with the
balance of last year, to be 1,3781. Is. 9d.; and the ex-
penditure, 1,2601.95.; leaving a balance of 1171. lis. 9d.
The report was received and ordered to be printed.
Some routine business having been transacted, the
chairman announced the result of the poll for pensioners,
which was as follows:—Samuel liedgeland, 5,017;
John Case, 3,571; John Roue, 3,329; Thomas Reeves,
3,095; Clarissa Friend, 3,035; Walter Hildyard, 2,579;
Jemima M. A. Bullock, 2,245; Elizabeth Campbell,
1,982; and Elizabeth Arnold, 1,682, the Whittingham
Pension. It was also announced that Mr. Brettell, late
of Rupert-street, had left a legacy of 1001., and Mr.
Wilson 101. to the funds of the society; and that the
Marquis of Northampton, President of the Royal
Society, had consented to take the chair at the next
anniversary meeting. The meeting was then dissolved.
THE Intsn POoIt•LAW.—A letter from Lord John
Russell, received by the Chairman of the Dunmanway
Union, upon the subject of the town-land rating, show,
that an inquiry is to be instituted to ascertain whether
any change can be beneficially made in the area of the
, unions of electoral divisions.
Among the passengers by the West India steamer
Avon, which left Southampton on Friday evening, were
M. llusson and General llostoland, deputed by the Pro-
visional Government at Paris to proclaim the Republic
in the French Antilles.
Yesterday the Lamb and Flag Ragged Schools,
Clerkenwell, were visited by the Bishops of Antigua
and Madras, accompanied by the Bishop of Norwich's
daughter. The visitors were highly gratified at the
manner in which the children acquitted themselves, and
both their Lordships highly commended all they saw.
" LYNCH LAw. '—MT. Baker, railway contractor
of Yeovil, on Friday last, observed a man steal a whip
from a gig in Mr. Thomas's yard, and quickly following
the rogue he made him return his booty, and having done
so gave him a good flogging with the very article he
would have stolen!— Worcester Herald.
EARLY POTATOES.—On the 21st February, some
ash leaf kidney potatoes were raised by Mr. Daniel
Tombs, of Walnut Tree Cottage, near the town, which
were of excellent quality, and free from disease. Let us
hope that the next crop will be ono of abundance, both in
this country and unfortunate Ireland.-21.1onmerutlashire
Merlin.