The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-16 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS,

(Before Mr. Sergeant ADAMS, Assistant Judge, and a

Bench of Magistrates.)
Joseph Allen and Charles West, two young men, were
indicted, charged with having committed an assault on
Mr. Joseph Gibbon, son of the late Sir J. Gibbon, Bart.,
one of the magistrates of the county of Middlesex, on
the 20th ult.
Mr. O'Brien was counsel for the defend ants.
In the course of the proceedings it appeared that the
prosecutor, who is the son of the late and uncle of the
present Sir J. Gibbon, for many years a most active
magistrate for the county, is in the possession of a con-
siderable property, and has for the last ten or twelve
years devoted the principal part of his time to the
watching and searching out the most notorious of the
thieves who infest the metropolis, and in procuring
their apprehension and conviction. It happened that
some months since he had caused the apprehension
of the defendant West, who was subsequently
taken to the Clerkenwell Police-court, when the magis-
trate sentenced him to three months' imprisonment.
On the afternoon of the 20th ult., the prosecutor
chancing to be walking:along George-street, Bloomsbury,
observed that he was followed and watched by two men,
who afterwards proved to be the two defendants. After
proceeding some distance on his way they came towards
Man, when West, holding up his first, said, "You are the
-; I'll give it you," and was apparently on the point
of striking him, but observing that a policeman was
coming towards them, both ran off. Mr. Gibbon gave
instructions to the policeman to pursue and apprehend
West, who was eventually taken. Mr. Gibbon there-
upon came up, and was in the act of opening a conver-
s &on with the policeman on the subject of the precise
cbarge, when he received a blow on the head which felled
sib:einfoor,BsßomiteN,tiimn
him to the ground, and rendered him altogether insen-
dneoftetilbanetdso,
nceobnyteanndyed that the
policeman who had taken him into custody, to have been
given by Allen. ea.ddrTeshsiisngblow was proved, by the
thee o
ujrusreywohni behalfwhich
the
porfotshee.
cutor had adopted was calculated to produce very con-
siderable mischief, from the fact of his assuming to do
thatbee n without
appointedany
upnrdoeprertho
otherre legalapuethrsoorniauthority
authority which ought
than
0 thosethe
la whow. ha
Thed
fact was, Mr. Gibbon had been playing the part of an
atnateur policeman.
The JUDGE said it was altogether a matter of taste.
This was curious taste, no doubt, which had been carried
out by this gentleman, but it had for some time become
a. matter of notoriety that Mr. Gibbon had been the
cause as well as the moving instrument by whose ener-
getic exertions very many of the worst of the metro-
politan thieves had been apprehended, and subsequently
convicted. That being the case, it was not to be antici-
pated or expected that ho had become an object of very
particular endearment to the thieving fraternity. Al-
though Mr. Gibbon bad been thus occupied in his pur-
suit, he had never heard that he had upon any one occa-
sion lost himself as a gentleman, and he had undoubtedly
rendered a great public service. By the course he had
adopted, however, he had made himself a marked man
amongst the thieves of London.
Mr. Gibbon here stepped forward, and said that it was
a propensity he laboured under, and could not help it.
It was then elicited from Mr. Gibbon that he had
never received or accepted any of the expenses allowed
by the county.
Mr. O'BRIEN then resumed his address to the jury,
and submitted that the greatest inconvenience as well as
peril could not but arise from the exercise of this gentle-
man's particular fancy for enacting the character of an
amateur policeman. He was an irresponsible person,
not like the police, all of whom were amenable to and
governed by a certain code of laws. Not so with an
amateur constable. He contended that even if the pro-
secutor had been struck in the way he had described, he
had simply been subjected to that inconvenience and
treatment which a man was liable to if he interfered in

that for which he had no authority for the step he was
taking.
The Learned JUDGE, in summing up the case, told the
jury that the prosecutor had a right to indulge in his
taste, singular as it was, so long as he did not outstep
the law. It did not appear that Mr. Gibbon had ever
done that ; still less could it be contended that he
had exceeded the law in the present case. He had
been, as be had already stated, the means of some
of the worst of the metropolitan thieves being
convicted, and, therefore, his peculiar inclinations
had rendered a great public benefit to the com-
munity. With regard to Allen, the question was
whether he had administered the blow which had
knocked the prosecutor down and made him insen-
sible ? That fact had been clearly sworn to by Tom-
linson, the policeman ; and then as to West, they would
consider first whether he had or had not held up his
fist in a menacing and threatening attitude ? and next,
whether he had instigated the other defendant, Allen,
to knock the prosecator down ? If they were in the
affirmative opinion on these points, the defendants would
then have been guilty.
The jury found both defendants Guilty.
Mr. Gibbon then begged to recommend Allen to
mercy, because he was inclined to think that ho had
been urged on to strike the blow by West.
The Learned JUDGE had; intended to sentence Allen
to six months' imprisonment, but as he had been re-
commended to mercy by Mr. Gibbon, his sentence would
not be more than he should pass upon his companion,
namely, imprisonment for three months.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANS lON-R OUSE.
THE STEAM NAVIGATION OF THE THAMES.—Mr.
Young, one of the goveraors of the Watermen's and
Lightermen's Company, attended by Mr.l Banyon, the
clerk to the Company, waited upon the Lord Mayor ;
his Lordship having intimated on the preceding day that
he was desirous of communicating with them upon the
subject of the alleged overcrowding of their vessels on
the Thames.
His LORDSHIP asked what steps the Company had
taken in order to diminish the dangers attendant upon
steam-boat travelling ?
Mr. Banyan said that placards, of a large size, to the
following effect, had been placed for public inspection
at every steam-boat station from Yantlet Creek to Chis-
wick
" To free watermen and Lightermen, and the owners and
masters of steam-boats navigated upon the River
Thames ;
" The Court of Master, Warden, and Assistants of
the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the
River Thames, hereby give notice, that the Court of
Mayor and Aldermen of the city of London, in pur-
suance of the power contained in the Act 7th and Bth
George IV., c. 75, have made certain bye-laws, which
have been allowed by Sir T. J. Platt, one of the Barons
of her Majesty's Court of Exchequer, for the following
purposes, viz.:—
" For granting licenses to persons to act as masters of
such boats.
" For regulating the rate of speed'of all steam-boats
navigated within the limits mentioned in the bye-laws.
" For regulating the placing of lights upon all steam-
boats navigated within the limits mentioned in the bye-
laws.
" For regulating the burthen, size, and dimensions of
wherries, skiffs, and other boats, and the number of pas-
sengers carried therein ; and for regulating the manner
of plying turnway.
" The Company of Watermen and Lightermen are
now prepared to grant such licenses, and all persons
navigating such boats without the same, or acting con-
trary to the bye-laws, will subject themselves to the
penalties mentioned therein:
" Copies of the bye-laws, and printed forms of appli-
ction for license, may be obtained, on application, at
Watermen's Hall, St. Mary-at-Hill, Lower Thames-
street. " JOHN BANYON, Clerk.
" February 9th, 1846."
These bills had, it was to be regretted, produced no
effect ; and until a day or two ago not a single applica-
tion had been made for a license by the commander of
a steam-boat. On Monday, in consequence, it was sup-
posed, of the conviction of the commander of the Green-
wich steam-vessel, upon the complaint of Mr. Nias,
one application had been made.
The LORD MAYOR said, the Watermen's and Lighter-
men's Company, who had the power of licensing, were
bound to see the regulation carried out effectually, and
he should expect to find the Company actively engaged
in the business.
Mr. Young said, the Company would most readily
act upon the suggestions of his Lordship, and wished to
know what course was considered most advisable.
The Loan MAYOR replied, that the Company were
bound to send their beadle to act against the commanders
of any of the steamers who had no licenses. If the
beadle did his duty properly, there would be as many
penalties secured in one week, as would pay his salary
for years, so that the Company were strongly interested
in the zeal of their officer. As for the duty of the Lord
Mayor upon such occasions, there should occur no neg-
lected opportunity. Every one should be fined the full
penalty fur violation of the rules.
His LORDSHIP again directed that placards similar
to those which bad been already issued, should be de-
livered to the various stations.
It is believed that in every case brought before the
Lord Mayor an appeal will be made, and if such appeal
prove ineffectual, the Queen's Bench will be applied to
for its decision.
Two oystermen, named Norton and Chaplin, were
charged with having excited a mob at Billingsgate
against the police.
A fight, it appeared, had taken place in Billingsgate
market between two of the dealers, and a policeman
stationed there interfered to prevent further violence.
Norton, who used formerly to indulge in active amuse-
ment of this kind, considered that the policeman was
impertinently interfering between the two combatants,
and called upon those around him to put the officer
aside and give the men an opportunity of taking a belly-
ful! of vengeance. It was an easy matter to gather to-
gether the blackguards and to set up a shout against the
policeman, who, perceiving that the crowd was unani-
mous, called the assistance of some of his brethren, and
they seized the two prisoners as the most furious of the
instigators.
The LORD MAYOR asked the prisoners how they
could think of breaking the peace on the very spot on
which they made their livelihood ? Norton said the
policeman had interfered with the liberty of the subject,
before a word had been said to him.
The LORD MAYOR—The liberty of the subject ?
Norton—Yes, my Lord, I say the liberty of the subject.
He came up and laid his hands upon one of the men who
was doing nothing to him whatsoever. That I call
meddling with the liberty of the subject. Then I cer-
tainly did accuse him before the public, and they hissed
and shouted at him.
The Complainant—My Lord, he said he had influence
on a Sunday newspaper, and that he would write an ar-
ticle blowing me up for my conduct, and he addressed
the mob in a speech against the whole body of police.
Norton—l think they interfere with the liberty of the
subject, and I won't stand that upon any ground. What,
my Lord, are we to be stopped in our lawful pursuits by
men like these ? If a man gives me a lick in the head,
an't Ito give him nothing in return ? He knew I never
took part or parcel in the fight, and yet he appre-
hended me, and lodged me in the station-house.
The Complainant—lt was with difficulty my brother
policemen and I got the prisoners along, and if we had
not exerted ourselves very much, we should have been
overpowered.
The LORD MAYOR—Then there must have been an
obstruction to business ? The Complainant—The ob-
struction was very great, and the crowd were particularly
influenced by Norton's address.
Norton—l only spoke the truth. lam a lover of
liberty, and I don't like to see its enemies flourish. The
men was fighting fair, but I had:nothing to dons an Eng-
lishman but to see it was all fair, and what would we be
but for fair fighting any on us ?
The LORD Ms.voa—l shall fino you, Mr. Norton, ten
shillings for so improperly interfering with the police-
man, who was doing his duty in endeavouring to pre-
vent breaches of the peace.
Norton—l haven't got ten shillings for any such
purpose.
The LORD MAYOR—Then you must go to prison for
ten days.
Norton—My Lord, I say your decision is wrong ; 'tis
the policeman that ought to be fined, kr interfering with
the liberty of the subject.
The LORD MAYOR—I shall certainly interfere with
your liberty for ten days, if you don't pay the pe-
nalty.—(Laughter.)
Norton—Well, I suppose I must.gO. I ain't the first,
at any rate, that suffered for the good of my country.
The prisoner was then taken from the bar, loudly de-
precating the liberty which the Lord Mayor was taking
with the liberty of the subject. In the cage, however,
his patriotism began to ebb ; and before an hour elapsed
the fine was paid, and he walked off quietly to Bil-
lingsgate.
The other prisoner, who was comparatively harmless,
and by no means eloquent, was discharged.
Information was received at the Mansion-house, that
a clerk in the house of Coutts and Co. was robbed, be-
tween twelve and one o'clock in the day, of his pocket-
book, containing nearly 1,5001. in Bank of England
,
notes, He had just received the money at Haukey s
banking house, in Fenchurch-street, and had notreache,
reached
Gracechurch-street when he missed the pocket-book.
On Tuesday a banker's clerk was robbed of a 1001.
note, in Lombard-street.
CLERKEN WELL.
A mean-looking fellow, who gave his name as George
Mortloch, was charged befure Mr. Combe by Miss Sophia
Edwards, daughter of Mr. Edwards, coffeehouse-keeper,
of Ray-street, Clerkenwell, with disorderly conduct, and
attempting to stab her with a knife.
Miss Edwards deposed that on Monday evening, about
five o'clock, the prisoner entered her father's coffee-
room, and asked for coffee, eggs, bread, and butter, and
a rasher of bacon, which were laid before him. She
asked for payment, as a few days previously a gang of
seven or eight such fellows consumed 4s. worth of food,
and refused to pay for it. She said she must take what
he called for away unless he paid the money, and was
about doing so, when the prisoner seized a knife, started
up, and using violent language, swore he would stab her
to the heart if she dared to remove it ; and he made a
stab at her with the knife, but she retreated and avoided
it. He made a second thrust at her, and she screamed
for assistance. Her brother, ten years of age was in
the shop, and the primer threatened to stab him with
the knife. Her father came to her assistance, when the
prisoner threatened violence towards him also. The
police were called, and he was given into custody. In
answer to questions, witness said she felt assured that
had she not moved aside when the prisoner made the
thrust at her, the knife would have wounded her. It
was a deliberate thrust at her person. Several other
fellows were noticed in the shop at the time laughing.

She knew them to be the persons who refused to pay for
what they had a few days before.
M'Ray, 112 G, said the prisoner was charged with
felony a few days ago at this Court. He was connected
with a set of fellows who were in the habit of going into
coffee-houses, and eating and drinking at the landlord's
expense, and refusing to pay. Several of them had
lately been sent to prison.
Master Edwards corroborated his sister's evidence, as
did also Mr. Edwards, the father.
The prisoner, in his defence, said he laid down a
shilling, which Miss Edwards took up. He denied the
charge of attempting to stab her.
Miss Edwards positively denied that he had laid down

a shilling.
M`Ray said no money was found on the prisoner on
being searched.
Mr. COMBE fined the prisoner 403., or one month's
imprisonment is the House of Correction.—He could not
pay the money, and was conveyed to prison.
ASSAULT ON SHERIFFS' OFFICERS.—Two sheriffs'
officers, named Johnson and Copeland, were charged with
attempting to force in the door of Mr. Luke, a surgeon,
residing at 1, St. John's-street, and with creating a mob
there, John Haden, another sheriffs' officer, living at 4,
Saville-lane, City, was charged with threatening
to
murder Mr. Luke ; and there was a cross charge in
which Mr. Luke was charged with threatening to murder
the sheriffs' officers, also with throwing vitriol on them.
The Court was crowded, and the transaction caused
the greatest excitement in the neighbourhood.
Mr. Hare, who appeared for the Sheriff of Middle-
sex, stated that an execution was put into Mr. Luke's
house on Thursday last, at the suit of a Mr. Lindus for
311. 3s. ld.
Mr. Luke deposed that Haden, the sheriffs' officer,
who held the warrant, went out of his own free will on
Friday. Witness had received a bill of sale, which he
considered as a sufficient indemnity to warrant him in
refusing admission to any other officer. Haden had at-
tempted to get in subsequently, but was net allowed ad-
mission; and on the following evening, at five o'clock,
Johnson and Copeland came to his house, and corn-
menced beating at the door, which witness refusing
to open, they threatened they would smash his brains
out. An immense mob collected, and he gave them into
custody.
Mr. Hare said the bill of sale was not a bona fide one.
The fact was, Mr. Luke had kept Mr. Lindus out of the
debt for six years, so that the statute of limitations had
nearly come in. An action was taken, and it was only
on Wednesday last (the Sth) the verdict was had. The
officers, in attempting to gain admission, had been
treated' in the most ferocious manner—beaten with
pokers, and vitriol thrown upon them. Haden had been
cajoled to leave the house by Mr. Luke.
Mr. COMBE said he must bind the men over in good
sureties to keep the peace.
Mr. Hare said, he feared that would paralyse the
course of the sheriff. How was be to enter?
Mr. COMBE said, if the entrance was legal the recog-
nisances would not be effected.
Mr. Luke—Then they can breaksapen my door?
Mr. COMBE—I do not sit here to answer such ques-
tions.
Mr. Luke—Because I wish to inform them that any
man who does so I will put a bullet in him.
Mr. COMBE—You will pat a bullet in him? Mr.
Luke—Yes, my house is my castle.
Mr. COMBE —Then, sir, I must teach you that such
conduct will not be tolerated. You must find bail. If
the sheriffs' officer does anything wrong, the sheriff, the
highest officer in tha county, is amenable for it.
Mr. Luke—l'll try it, at any rate.
Mr. Corm—You are under a delusion.
Mr. Luke was then obliged to find two sureties in
50/. each to keep the peace.
The case against Haden was then heard, and much
conflicting evidence tendered. The matter ended in
Haden being bound in his own recognisances.
Mr. Hare said he would indict Mr. Luke for vitriol-
throwing.
Haden's case against Mr. Luke was then heard.
The complainant swore that he had been cajoled to
leave the house by Mr. Luke, and when he threatened
to force an entrance, Mr. Luke swore he would shoot
him, and aimed a blow at him. One of Mr. Luke's
party struck him so violently across the leg, when at
tempting to cross the yard wall, that there was still a
deep and extensive wound there; one of the party cried
out, " Shoot him 1" and he was obliged to retreat.
The recognisances Mr. Luke had already entered into
—two sureties in 50/ each, and himself in 1001.—were
deemed sufficient.
WESTMINSTER.
MURDEROUS ASSAULT.—James Linch, a determined-
looking Irishman, was charged with the following mur-
derous assault :
Mary Drew, a mechanic's wife, was passing over the
wooden-bridge at. Chelsea, late on the previous night,
when hearing two men who were standing outside the
King's Head, using threatening language of a very
alarming character towards some person who appeared
to be inside, she determined to watch the result. Shortly
afterwards the men walked away down St. George's-
place, but in a few minutes they returned, accompanied
by the prisoner and another man, and stationed them-
selves by the side of the public-house door. Almost im-
mediately after this a man named Edward Wright left
the house, when the prisoner advanced towards him with
a pair of tongs which she had observed him previously
concealing under the tails of his coat, and struck him
repeatedly on the head with them, when both the pri-
soner and the object of his attack fell on the ground. The
prisoner made a desperate attempt to escape, but the in-
jured man, although bleeding so profusely that his smock-
frock and other clothing were literally saturated with
blood, grasped him tightly by the leg until a policeman
came up, when he was taken to the station. The wounded
man was carried to the hospital, where he remains in a
precarious state, suffering from two scalp wounds. The
constable visited him yesterday morning, when he was
informed by the surgeon that it would be difficult to say
until Friday what might be the result of the injuries re-
ceived.
The prisoner, in a sullen tone, said he never touched
the man.
A pair of fire-tongs, which the accused had thrown
down on seeing the policeman approach were produced,
and were much bent and partially cracked.
Mr. BOND remanded the prisoner until Menday.
WORSHIP-STREET.

Mr. John Caswell, a grocer and teadealer in Shore-
ditch, was charged before Mr. Broughton, with violently
assaulting policeman Pollard, 214 G.
The occurrence took place a week ago, but the defen-
dant, although taken into custody at the time, could not
then be brought before the magistrate, on account of the
serious injury he had himself sustained, and a medical
certificate was produced, stating that his jaw was frac-
tured.
Mr. Child, the solicitor, now attended for the defen-
dant. _ _ _ _

The hearing of the case occupied several hours, but
the facts may be briefly stated:—
Pollard, the policeman, deposed that about half-past
one in the morning, he was endeavouring to clear his
beat in Shoreditch of some prostitutes and other disor-
derlies, when the defendant, who was drunk, came up
to prevent his doing so, calling him vagabond and other
ill names, and so molested him that he took the defen-
dant himself into custody. Policeman 49 G coming up,
the defendant said, " You know me, take me away from
this vagabond." 49 G replied, that he did not
know him, and must assist in takinc, him to the station
as he was in custody, and that ho had better go quietly.
These and another constable then proceeded towards the
station-house, and they all said that he was drunk and
very violent ; but on the way he suddenly stooped, and,
thrusting his head between Pollard's legs, threw him
over, and the constable falling heavily upon his fore-
head on the stone., was completely stunned and uncon-
scious of what followed, but the other constables said,
that while he lay in that state the defendant seized him
by the collar with one hand, and with the other beat
him about the head and face. With great difficulty he
was dragged off the prostrate constable, and, after a
most violent struggle, was conveyed to the station, co-
vered with blood and filth, and was subsequently found
to have been injured in the jaw. He and his friends at-
tributed that injury to a blow from a policeman's trun-
cheon, but the constables all denied it, and alleged that
he must have received it in a fall.
On the part of the defendant, Mr. Robinson, a car-
penter ; Mr. Hopwood, a clerk at the London-docks ;
and two theatrical performers, in whose company he
had been drinking gin-and-water at the George public-
house, in Shoreditch, were called, and they all stated
that, on his leaving that house, after one o'clock, he
appeared to be quite sober, and it was alleged that he
was merely waiting to get to his private door in a court,
where the constable was ordering a prostitute away,
when he was himself laid hold of by the police.._
he
was
Mr. Mather, a surgeon in Dunhill-row, d
d with blood and
whom he found there literally Fovearee
sent for to the station-house to attend the defendant,
decidedly drunk,
slush. The defendant, he Bald,
ad m
inotn e
be made to sit still, so that the witness.
and was quite theatrical in his
w was broken.
w manner,
could an
not e could
the er a long inquiry, said de-
fendant Mr. BttOUGHTON, aft
the through
had, by some means, received injury
him, and was not aware that_ his jaw
his own drunken violence, but he had committed a
spearyi (357. assault upon the constable, for which he must
or be imprisoned for two months.
The defendant paid the
THAMES.

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.—On Wednes-
day, John Anderson, a tall, well-dressed Scotchman, a
ballast agent in Wapping, appeared before Mr. Broderip
to answer a charge preferred by a little woman named
Ann Gardner, who carried a child six weeks old in her
arms, and swore ho was the father of it.
Anderson—l deny it all—l don't know her.
The complainant was then compelled to enter into par-
ticulars. She was living as servant in the faintly of Mr.
Duncan, a Scotch provision merchant, in Wapping, when
the defendant wooed her and promised her marriage.
She yielded to his wishes, and the fruits of the intercourse
was the child, to which she gave birth six weeks ago.
Mr. BRODERIP asked if there was any corroborative
evidence, and the girl said her late master had been in
attendance several hours for the purpose of giving evi-
dence of the defendant's courtship and promises, but had
been compelled to leave upon business.
Mr. BRODERIP said he must either dismiss the case,
or postpone it for another week, for the attendance of
Mr. Duncan.
Inspector llambrook, of the Thames Police, said he
could give corroborative evidence. About four months
ago be saw the parties drinking together in a public•-
house in Wapping. The woman told the defendant she
was pregnant, and he said Ile would allow one shilling
per week, and pay all the expenses of her confinement.
The defendant also said he would have it down in black
and white, and sent for a sheet of paper to draw up an
agreement.
The defendant here gravely said, he must deny it all.
The complainant mentioned the various places-she was
in the habit of meeting the defetshut; who, although
pretending to be a religious mot, was in the constant
practice of tt4i4nZ her to a broel in Ratoliff-highway,

and it was a long time before she discovered the real
character of the house. After he had seduced her he
married another woman.

The defendant—l must deny it all.(Laughter.)
Mr. Pelham, jun., said he could throw some light on
this case. His father had been concerned for the young
woman, who charged Anderson with assaulting her, and
subsequently she was accused by him with annoying him
in the street. and going to his place of business. Mr.
Pelham; jun., then produced three letters, in the de-
fendant's handwriting, which he had written at various
times and given to the female he had seduced. They
were to the following effect :
" London; 14th, 1845.—1 promise to Marrie Ann
Gardner, as soon as posable for wee to do, which I have
not mentioned the time at present, but as soon as I can.
Witness my hand—J. Anderson."
"London, 16th, 1845.—This is to certify, that I, John
Anderson, am to mary the Ann within two years, or
sooner if posable, perhapps in six months, or perhapps
when I return. Witness my hand the sixteenth day of
July, 1845. lam yours truly and affectioned lover,
John Anderson thy Jo."—(Loud laughter.)
" I, John Anderson, promise to married you, Ana
Gardner, as is posable for me to do."
Mr. BRODERIP asked the defendant if he denied the
letters ? The defendant—Yes, they are not mine.
Mr. BEODE RIP —You deny everything, what will you
deny next? I order you to pay 2s. 6d. for the support of
the child, and the expenses. Mr. Symons, the chief
clerk, will take charge of the letters.

THE ROBB kRY ON BOARD HER
MAJESTY'S SHIP TRAFALGAR•

At the Guildhall, Rochester, on Saturday, William
Dennis and William French, privates belonging to the
Chatham division of Royal Marines, who had been re-
manded on a previous occasion, on a charge of stealing
a gold watch and gold brequet chain, the property of
Lieutenant L. C. H. Tonge, of the flag-ship Trafalgar,
were brought up for final examination. The robbery
was effected in September last, at which time the
Trafalgar was lying at Plymouth. In November she
came round to Sheerness, and the prisoners then avail-
ing themselves of the opportunity afforded by 48 hours'
leave of absence, disposed of the chain to a pawn-
broker, at Chatham, for ss. The watch was afterwards
sold by the prisoners to Mr. J. Spasshatt, watchmkker,
at Dartford, for 305., and he again parted with it to a
Jew, named Marks, living in Houndsditch. The pri-
soners having exceeded their time of leave, were appre-
hended as deserters at Chatham, where they were after-
wards taken into custody by Serjeant Kendal, of the
metropolitan police, on suspicion of being concerned in
the robbery, and that officer had since learned that the
watch-case had been melted, and the works sold to an-
other Jew living in Brick lane, Spitalfields, of wham he
had since received them, and ori producing which in
Court, Lieutenant Tonge identified them as being
the works of his watch. He said the prisoners, who
had given different names to those in which they
entered the service, had been implicated in ten
or twelve other robberies on board the Trafalgar.
The prisoners were identified by Mr. Stigant, of Chat-
ham, the pawnbroker to whom they sold the chain; by
Mr. Spasshatt, a watchmaker at Dartford, who purchased
the watch; and by a young man named Tile, who saw
them dispose of the watch, and with whom they were
afterwards in company, at the Crown and Anchor pub-
lic-house, at Dartford. _ _

Both prisoners were committed for trial at the next
Quarter Sessions for Rochester, Lieutenant Tong() ex-
pressing his readiness to be bound over to prosecute,
saying he must obtain leave of absence, as the Trafalgar
would then, in all probability, have left Sheerness.