The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-10 00:00:00

KING'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Justice PATTESON and a Special Jury.)
THE KING V. FORD AND ANOTHER.
This was an indictment at the instance of Mr. William
Ford, charging the defendants, Mr. George Ford, a solici-
tor, living in Pall-mall, and Mr. Aldridge, the keeper of
a gaming establishment in St. James's-square, with con-
spiring together, and accusing the prosecutor of a for.
gery, with the view of extorting money from him.
Sir JAMES SCA RLETT (with whom was Mr. HILL)
stated the case for the prosecution.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL and Mr. ALEXANDER ap-
peared for the defendant Aldridge, and Mr. PoLLocx and
Mr. PLATT for the defendant Ford.
The prosecutor, Mr. W. Ford, was called, and stated
that he was not related to the defendant of the same name.
Mr. G. Ford was formerly his solicitor but they had had
some differences. The defendant Aldridge kept a gaming-
house in Sr. James's-square, and with him he had also had
some differences. On the morning of the 25th January,
1831, at a very early hour (or rather during the night
of the 24th), he received a letter, which he knew to be
in the handwriting of Mr. George Ford.
The letter was put in and read. It was addressed to
the prosecutor by the defendant Ford, who stated that he
bad been instructed by Mr. Aldridge to investigate the
circumstances attending a forged check for 187/., which
bad been paid by Ransom and Co., Mr. Aldridge's bankers;
and that the result had been such as to place the prose-
cutor's conduct in the most questionable light ; that a
consideration of mercy on the part of Mr. Aldridge in-
duced him (the writer) not immediately to take offensive
measures, and requesting the prosecutor to call upon him;
otherwise his (the writer's) instructions were decisive as
to taking some steps on the following day, when such
measures would be taken as would be irremediable.
The prosecutor then continued—Upon receiving that,
letter he instantly went to Aldridge's house, and found
there Aldridge, with two other gentlemen, named M'Cabe
and Strutch. He stated that he had received such a
letter from Mr. G. Ford, and read it in the presence of
those gentlemen. He then asked Mr. Aldridge for an
explanation, and to throw some light on the subject,, when
the latter solemnly called God to witness that be had not
given instructions to Mr. Ford to write that letter.
Witness being much excited, said he did not believe it.
Aldridge then appealed to his feelings, and raid the least
he could do was to suspend his judgment until he had seen
Mr. G. Ford. He also said he had suspected another
person of the forgery, and that he had given the check
into Mr. G. Ford's hands to make inquiries about it.
The next day witness handed the letter to his own
attorney, Mr. Reynolds.
es, in consequence of these Cross-exarnined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Was
e resources of his friends.
ort
said that he had. He had
pro-
secutions.Natevperreshean; uaHn di
eaenr
di
iedvdief fide cs
tuoalnttei
not money in the funds, nor did be say he had. He once
had, but that was thirteen or fourteen years ago. Was a
witness lately on a trial in the Common Pieas, for a de-
fendant to prove the plaintiff had no claim on a bill of ex-
change. Did then say he once had money in the funds.
If the jury bad then put an equitable construction on

what he said the plaintiff would not have got a verdict.
He never practised imitating handwriting in order to ac-
quire the art. Had not, except on one occasion, amused
' himself in imitating the writing of his friends. Might
have done so in a solitary instance, but was not in the
habit of doing so. Would swear he never did so but once
in his life. (A paper was produced.) The handwriting
at top of that paper was Mr. Gurney's, and that at bot.
torn was witness's, in imitation of it. That was his first
attempt at imitating handwriting, and it was also his last.
Re-examined—Wrote that at Aldridge's house, St.
James's-square. It was written, be believed, in the pre-
sence of Mr. Gurney, and was left there.
Mr. Peter Bolton Strutch stated that he was at Ald-
ridge's early on the morning of the 25th of January, 1831,
about four o'clock, when the prosecutor cam- in. Mr.
M'Cabe was there. The prosecutor read the letter which
had been produced. The prosecutor was much agitated, and
demanded an explanation of Aldridge respecting the letter.
Aldridge seemed embarrassed, but at last said he did not
authorise the letter to be written. The prosecutor expressed
his surprise at it, and they got to high words. The pro.
secutor and Aldridge were some time previous to that very
good friends, but just before an occurrence took place
which occasioned a coolness between them.
Cross-examined—At that Conversation Aldridge said
there had been a forged check, and witness believed he
also said that he had instructed his attorney to make in-
quiries about it. Aldridge seemed much agitated and
alarmed.
Mr. J. 11. Reynolds, solicitor for the prosecutor,
stated, that on Monday morning, the 25th of July, the
prosecutor called on him and gave him the letter. Wit.
ness took it to the defendant, Mr. Ford, in Pall Mall, and
asked him on what grounds he made the accusation con-
tained in the letter, adding, that the matter was so serious
there was no reason why he should withhold any fact. Ha
said that he had written by the authority of Aldridge,
and that he had no doubt, by comparison of the hand-
writing with that of another check which he pro-
duced, and which he said was written by Mr.
W. Ford, that the forged check was also in his writing.
Witness asked him if that was his only ground for the ac-
cusation, and he said it was. Witness said that Mr. Al-
dridge denied having authorised his writing the letter,
and he said he would send for Aldridge. He did send for
him, and Aldridge came. Mr. G. Ford stated to him
what witness had stated. Aldridge said lie had authorised
the writing of the letter. Witness then told Aldridge that
he understood from the prosecutor that he (Aldridge)
suspected another party. The forged check was produced,
and Aldridge said, " I might have done so ; on looking
at it now by day, I have no doubt of its being the hand-
writing of Mr. W. Ford." He also said he could swear
to the figures being written by the prosecutor. Mr. G.
Ford said that next day Mr. Aldridge would make an
affidavit, which would be taken to Ransarns', the banker.,
and that they could only allow that day to pass. Witness
said, " I take the meaning of that to be that the money
must be paid to-day." Mr. Ford said, " Mr. Aldridge
will not be a loser." Witness appointed to see Mr. Ford
after three o'clock, and be did see him. (The check was
produced.) When witness saw it he said it was like the
prosecutor's writing, but that it was not his.
Cross-examined—The defendant Ford answered every
question put, without hesitation. Several checks were
produced besides the forged one, and it is probable that
he invited witness to compare them. The defendant Ford
gave all the checks to Aldridge, who picked out the forged
one, and said he believed the prosecutor had written it.
He also called in one of the clerks, who also picked it
out. Witness observed it was extraordinary they should
pick it out, when Ransom's cashier had paid it. Witness
did not believe the signature, or any part of the check,
was in Mr. William Ford's hand writing. (The paper
with Mr. Gurney's signature, and the imitation of it, was
handed to the witness.) Witness said there was a likeness
in the imitation, but there was a difference. There was
the character of Mr. W. Ford's writing in the imitation.
The imitatio❑ was not a very good one.
Mr. W. Totaline, cashier to Ransom and Co.'s bank.
Aldridge kept an account there. Witness paid the check
in question for 1871., believing it to be Aldridge's
writing. Aldridge sometimes wrote with a steel pen,
and his writing was not at all times alike ; the check
seemed to be written with a steel pen. It was not passed
to his debit. Aldridge never to his knowledge
brought an affidavit to the bank.
Cross-examined—Recollected Aldridge coming to the
banking-house the day after the pass-book came in, and
said witness had paid a forged draft. Did not think he
ever paid a forged draft before. Forged drafts bad been
paid several tunes at Ransom and Co.'s. Never knew
an instance in that house of the loss being made up by
the clerks or their sureties. Witness then believed that
the check was paid to Mr. Aldridge's usual man of busi-
ness, but it proved not so.
Re-examined—Recollected no instance of a person
swearing to a forgery, and having the money passed to
his credit.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for the defendant Aldridge,
and Mr. Pou.oec for the defendant Ford, addressed the
Jury at considerable length ; and after some comments

upon the anomalous state of the law regarding con-
spiracy, contended that there was no proof whatever of
the defendants having had any malicious intention to
charge the prosecutor falsely. Whether the prosecutor
actually committed the forgery or not was not a question
in issue in this case; the real question was, whether the
defendants acted bona
_fide, and had reason at first to be-
lieve that the prosecutor bad committed the forgery. If
the Jury believed in the affirmative, their verdict must
necessarily be for the defendants. The Learned Counsel
contended that their conduct was bona fide, and that,
therefore, they were entitled to an acquittal.
Mr. Wm. Savage, clerk to the defendant Mr. George
Ford, for twenty year., stated that be knew Mr. Ad.
ridge; Mr. Ford had been concerned for him as an at-
torney. Had seen him write and was acquainted with his
hand writing. On the 224 of January. 1831, witness
examined some checks shown to him by Mr. George Ford
in his private office. He laid down a number of checks,
saying Mr. A. had had a forgery on him, and desired wit-
ness to see if he could find one that was not Mr. A's.
writing. Witness selected the one in question, which he
believed was not Mr. A's. writing. There was a simila-
rity to Mr. Alridge's signature, but it was an imitation.
A clerk named Simpson was also there, and the checks
were also shown to him. Witness also knew the character
of the prosecutor's writing. Mr. George Ford had been
his attorney. witness then thought the check was in the
writing of Mr. W. Ford, and he thought so still.
Cross-examined—There was an affidavit of Mr. Ald-
ridge's prepared respecting the check, to which Mr. A.
swore, and it was sent to Ransom and Co. ; could not tell
whether it was after this indictment was preferred that it
was sent to the bankers. It was now in Mr. G. Ford's
possession. The reason the prosecutor was not prosecuted
for the forgery was, as Mr. G. Ford said, " it would hang
him." The prosecutor had ceased to be Mr. G. Ford's
client for some months before the alleged forgery.

By the Jury—Before the defendant Ford called witness
into the private room to look at the checks, he had re-
ceived an intimation that a forgery had been committed.
Mr. William Simpson (another clerk to the defendant
Ford for nine years) knew Mr. William Ford's hand-
writing, and also Mr. Aldridge's. Witness, on the 22d
January, 1831, was asked by his employer to pick from
a bundle of checks one that was said not to be Mr.
Aldridge's writing. He did so, and selected the one in
question ; that he was certain was not Mr. Aldridge's
writing. That was still his opinion. Mr. George Ford
then asked him if be knew to whose writing it bore any
resemblance ? and he said, at first, he thought he had seen
the hand-writing before, and afterwards he said he thought
it was Mr. W. Ford's writing. Me still saw a resemblance
of Mr. W. Ford's writing. Upon some occasions Mr. W.
Ford had been in the clerks' office waiting for Mr. G.
Ford, and he usually took his seat at witness's desk.
Witness had, on some occasions, seen him write the names
of several persons whose hand-writing he (witness) knew.
sawcan comm
thet a groeos
resemblance
forgerymhl
an ee ?"w a
sU
soon n
stthr
oa
nt
go c ct ah saito nh
ewitness
Once he said to witness, " Simpson, don't you think I
scarcely know the difference. Some of the persons whose
signatures were so imitated were Mr. Haymer, Mr. George
Samuel Ford, and Mr. Aldridge. Could not recollect that
those experiments occurred more than once.

Cross-etarnined—Could not recollect when the affidavit
of Mr. Aldridge was taken to Ransom and Co.
Mr. R. Kirkman Lane stated that he was an attorney
in Argyle-street. Had acted for some years as attorney
for Mr. Aldridge, and well knew his writing. The
check produced was not Mr. Aldridge's hand writing ; it
was written much too fine and too well execute!.
Cross-examined—There was a resemblance in the
character of the hand writing. Could not say but be
might have made the same mistake as the bankers' clerk

made, unless his attention had been called particularly to
it. Would swear the signature, " John Aldridge," was
never written by him ; it was written too well.
Mr. Andrew Heinrich, an attorney in John-stre,t,
Bedford•row, also knew Mr. Aldridge's writing, and said
he believed the check was not written by him.
Several other gentlemen gave similar testimony.
The Jury at three o'clock returned a verdict of Not
Guilty.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.-(THIS

(Before Lord LYNDHURST and a Special Jury.)
BURGHART V. ANGERSTEIN.
This was an action brought to recover a sum of OS;
the balance of an account of 657/. The plaintiff ;(0
the celebrated tailor in Cliff ,rd street the defendant 0
the son of Mr. Angerstein, of St. James's-square, who
a Cornet in the Life Guards. The bill ran through
bi
period of three years, but there were so many porters t°o
delivered the goods, not one of whom had examined I,
particulars of demand where their initials were put to
goods said to be delivered by them, and it being necet.
for them to turn to the delivery-book for every
ere
took up so much time that Lord Lyndhurst very eerie
complained of the way in which the cause was got up,
threatened several times to put a stop to it. He said theo
were thirty causes yet to try, and by that course that al f
would last twenty-four 'inure. It was a complete denial°
justice to the other parties, who had causes in the paper',
By going through the books in the way above rot
tioned, many things were proved, and many others trer
given up in consequence of the dates in the hill beinglil
time the order was given, and those in the order-b°°
were the time when the goods were delivered. At
Mr. Earle, counsel for the plaintiff said he was "
opinion that it would be better for him to come another dal'
. .

The plaintiff was then nonsuited.
Mr. FOLLETT applied to his Lordship to certify as to
the Special Jury, with which he complied. Mr. Fo
at the same time said he only wished every article prove,
because the defendant had met with a very serious acclderl
by which his memory was entirely lost, and he was P°,
now aware whether the articles charged were ever dell,
vered.

ASSIZES AT WAKEFIELD.—Lord Wharivi
cliffe stated at a meeting of the Commissioners °
the Sheffield Road, that he had received a letter from
London, with the information that the West Riding would
be included in the Midland Circuit, and that the assii°
would be held at Wakefield.-- Wakefield Journal.
ROBBERY IN AN OMNIBUS.--AS Mr. Cope'
land, of Surrey-street, Strand, was riding in an omnibus
from the Bank to his residence, he hart his vcket-boot,
stolen, which contained a 1001. note, a 51. ditto, and
sundry memorandums.
We hear that the celebrated carved lion which
formed the figure head of the Centurion, the vessel
which Lord Anson sailed round the world, was originalll
given by George the Third to Charles Duke of Richmuto
then Master-General of the Ordnance, who placed it as
a pedestal at Waterbeach, near Goodwood, where, fclf
many years, a sight of it and its history attracted the
attention of visiters. On one particular occasion our
present Monarch expressed his admiration for this Ye;
nerable relic, and the Duke of Ftichrnond has present&
this royal lion to his Majesty. It is now at the Castle at
Windsor.

ftus IN URBE.—During the proceedings in
the King's Bench yesterday, two countrymen in smock'
frocks entered the Court, and after listening for some time,
one of them said to the other, " I say, what be the?
doing ?" His friend replied, " Whoy, passing the over-
seers' accounts, to be sure."

On Sunday evening last six of the prisoners
attempted to escape from this gaol. On the assistant
turnkey opening the felons' yard for the purpose of taking,
the prisoners to their cells, they rushed upon him, and
attempted to thrust a gag into his mouth. He, however,
had time to cry out " Murder." Mrs. Brierley, the
Governor's wife, heard the cry, and instantly locked the
top passage door, so that no escape could be effected;
She then alarmed the debtors in the prison, who seized
their pokers, and rushed upon the felons. The latter:,
immediately cried peccavi, each saying " It was not me.
They were quietly secured.—Nottinghans Journal.
CONSTANTINOPLE, NOV. 11.—The scene
which took place on the parting of the Sultan's fivouri'et
Achmet Pacha, is described as one of the most ridiculous
possible. His Sublime Highness was particularly drunk
with Champagne, and the Ambassador was half seas over
before his voyage to St. Petersburg commenced; the
Sultan kissed him on the forehead and on the eYe.l
repeatedly charging him to tell the Emperor that he
to him his life and his throne, and to assure him of hi'
eternal gratitude. He also instructed him to kiss the
Emperor's forehead and eyes, and to embrace him oa
his behalf. This scene took place at the entrance from
the Bosphorus to the Black Sea, the Sultan having ti°
much deviated from etiquette as to accompany his fa'
vourite thus far on his voyage ; and it was not till the
power of Champagne could go no farther that this amiable
couple separated, the Sultan being unable to stand, and
Aehmet Pacha being reduced to the same extremity. It
was a display worthy of the last days if the Turkish em-
pire; and a drunken Monarch surrendering, by an Am-
bassador who can neither read nor write, the independence
of the throne of Alahornet the Second, will be a bitter, but
ludicrous chapter in the history of the world. The fact
is, the best friends of the Sultan say that he is not in hi'
right reason ; and what between the exercise of uncon-
trolled passion and the immoderate use of wine, he
subject to temporary derangement. He has not among
followers one sound adviser or honest mao.—From the
Correspondent of a Morning Paper.
LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, DEC,
The demand has been animated throughout the week ; the
wants of the trade have forced them to become buyers 10
some extent, but have turned their attention mostly t°
low priced Brazils and Americans, ranging from 7.4 10
71d., which is pretty conclusive they will not touch the
new crop yet a bit unless forced to do so. The sales LIP
to last night are no less than 29,280 bags, a larger busi-
nese than in any week since August. Holders have,
however, met the demand so freely that only id. to id. cm
American and id. to id. on Brazils is gaine I, whilst the
good and prime Uplands of the new crop have been com-
paratively neglected, and sold at the easy prices of the coil
part of last week. A good business continues to troy
spire in Manchester, but several ineffectual attempts were
made within the last few days to raise the price of cloth.
Of the week's sales the trade have taken at least 25,000;
speculators 1,200 American, 2,400 Brazils, and 600
Surat,. Since Tuesday no speculation. Imports 29th
ult. to 7th inst. 8 693 bales. 13,900 Uplands, sid. to
; 3,040 New Orleans, bid. to 9d. ; 600 See
Island, 12id. to 24d. ; 130 Stained, 7d. to 12id• ;
2,760 Pernains. Bid. to 10P. ; 4,490 Bahian, &c., 7ich
to ; 120 E.lpti in, 1111. to 12d. ; 4,100 Suratst
4id. to 6i. I. ; 140 West India, 7id. to 13p. ; total
29,280 bales. The demand to-day continues geode
Sales, 3,000 bales. Specula ors take 800 to 1,000
Boweds, of which 300 are of the new crop, at 8 d. Some
New Orleans are on the Market at Si I. to 9d. per lb.
An offer for a large parcel of Surats has been refused at
our quotations.

EXECUTION OF AN INCENDIARY.—On
Saturday morning, at twelve o'clock, John Staniar), the
noted incendiary, who was convicted at the last Cam-
bridge assizes of having been instrumental in firing several
barns, underwent the last penalty of the law in front of
Cambridge gaol. There were present about 10,000
persons (a great portion of them females), who came
from the neighbouring villages, and more especially from
Shelford, the scene of his crimes. By a recent confesaioa
which he made, it appears that he destroyed eleven exten-
sive barns successively by the following simple plan
he rolled some combustible matter in a quantity of linen,
which, at a favourable opportunity, he inserted in the
stack. The property which he had keen the means 0(
destroying is calculated at the value of 60,0001., and hie
only motive was the paltry consideration of 6s. 6d.,
which he was accustomed to receive for giving notice to
the fire.office of the commencement of the calamity. Till
he was apprehended he was in high esteem with the
farmers, but since his apprehension there have been no
further fires at Shelford. The spectators before the gaol
behaved with greet decorum; but no pity was expressed
for the fate of the criminal. The wretched man ap-
peare I, on being led to the platform, to be exceedingly
penitent, and he continued in fervent prayer for about t►
quarter of an hour. After the drop had fallen he strug-
gled for a very considerable time. It is stated that the
arrangements were not well conducted. The criminal's
hands were at perfect liberty, and he frequen ly rested on
one portion of the frame-work. A strong body of consta-
bles were in attendance.-- Observer.

The large bell which was recently cast by Mr.
Harrison, at the manufactory of Messrs. Hawks and Co.,
and which is destined for the church of St. Nicholas, in
in this town, was removed from the manufactory and
brought up to the church on Tuesday last. The bell was
placed on a waggon and was drawn by eight horses, and
it will, we understand, be fixed in the course of two or
three days. It is a beautiful cast, and bears an inscription,
together with the arms of the late George Anderson, Esq.,
the donor, and the name of the maker. Its weight is
8,0641 b., being only 3361 b. below the great bell at St.
Paul's, the weight of which is 8,4001 b. It may not be
irrelevant, however, to state that these are small when
put in comparison with others ; the great bell at St.
Peter's in Rome weighs 18,6071 b. ; that in the Palazzo
Vecchio at Florence weighs 17,0001 b., and is fixed at a
height of 275 feet from the ground ; the " Great Torn'
of Christ Church, Oxford, weighs 17,0001 b., and that of
Lincoln, 9,B94lb...—Newcastle Paper.