The Sun.
London, England, 1834-04-12 00:00:00

THAMES POLICE.

A brace of luckless tars, with very melancholy
visages, who were recently discharged from one of
the Hon. Company's China ships, complained that
a crimp in whose house they were lodging, had ob-
tained possession of the whole of their wages, nearly
601., at the India House, where they were paid off
on Wednesday. On being questioned they admitted
they were " half slewed," and gave the money to
the crimp, who said he wished to preserve their cash
from the " land sharks !" He had not been at
home since.

The magistrates were surprised that the sailors
could become the dupes of such scoundrels as the
crimps, whose tricks had been so often exposed.
They direetedan officer to look after the crimp, and
advised the sailors, when they came ashore again,
to provide themselves with berths in a respectable
public-house, where they would meet with good
treatment, and not be imposed upon.
A sailor complained the other day that he had
been charged 201. by a crimp for nine days' board
-and lodging. Among the items in the bill were fifty
pots of porter at 6d. a pot, and sixty half pints of
rum at I s. each. The magistrates have very fre-
quently regretted that the Legislature has not given
them some control over the sailors' lodging-houses,

where they are defrauded of their hard earnings in
the most scandalous manner. The crimps are well
aware that the magistrates have no power over
them ; and, under pretence of giving the sailors a
snug berth and good treatment while ashore, get
possession of their wages, and after they have kept
them in a state of intoxication for a few days, for
they take care to ply them well with liquor, they
present a fictitious bill, which includes the whole
amount of wages they have in their hands. Some-
times the improvident sailors are induced to mort-
gage part of the monthly pay of their next voyage
to procure a kit of necessary clothing from the Jew
salesman, who allows a liberal discount to the con-
federate crimp, and charges an enormous price for
the slops. Since the arrival of the China fleet the
crimps and Jews have been reaping a rich harvest ;
and, strange as it may seem, although the ships
have only been paid off a very few days, one half of
the sailors are without a farthing.

OLD BAILEY SESSIONS, APRIL _ll

(Before a London Jury.)
James Sheppard and James Smith were indicted
for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of
Thomas Wigman, and stealing therein a 'watch and
various other articles, his property.
Prosecutor resides in Park-place, Regent's Park.
On the 25th ult.. he retired to bed at about one in
the morning. In about three hours afterwards he
was awakened by a rustling in his room, and called
out " Who's there ?" when he saw a figure like a
man, who passed round the bed, and went out at
the door. Prosecutor jumped, out of bed, and went
down stairs. On his way he called out " Thieves,
murder, police," &c., to which he added " Give me
my pistols, and I'll shoot them." Prosecutor then
went to the door of the housekeeperN.room and
knocked violently, caing,out ", Come forth, Mrs.
Phipps"—(Much laughter, in which the prosecutor
joined heartily)—but she double locked the door.
—(Renewed laughter.) He returned up stairs and
called from the window for the police. Could not
say whether the front door wits opened or locked.
Baron VAUGHAN—I think. you must have been
more frightened than the woman.
Prosecutor—Oh, no ; I was not frightened a bit.
Elizabeth Phipps, the housekeeper, proved being
disturbed by her master. She looked out of the
window, and saw Smith jump over the palings. She
saw the prisoners got over the wall. They were
taken by a constable. She positively identified
both. She had seen Smith before.

---
The police proved the apprehension of the pri-
soners.

The Learned JUDGE summed up, and the Jury
returned a verdict of Guilty against both.
James Hunt, aged 20, a plasterer, John Miller,
19, a turner, John Peappal, 27, a confectioner, and
Isabella Shipley, 19, were capitally indicted for
counterfeiting four pieces of the King's current coin,
to wit, half-crowns.

The Jury acquitted Peappal, and convicted the
others.

Thomas Jones, aged 22, was indicted for stealing
a silver tea-pot, value 41., the property of Richard
Brook and another, goldsmiths.
Several witnesses gave the prisoner a very good
character.

Verdict, Guilty. The Jury recommended him to
mercy. _ _

The RECORDER called him up for judgment, and
sentenced him to three months' hard labour in the
House of Correction.

BURGLARY.— William Pearson, aged 22, was
indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the
dwelling-house of John Howard, and stealing therein
some moneys, his property, and also a gold watch,
the property of Ann King.

Prisoner denied the offence. He had found the
watch, and was waiting at the Crown to see if any
body owned it.
A sailor gave him a good character. He said—
His mother is my sister, and of course I knowed
the prisoner all his life. I never heard anything
against his character till I came from China last
Monday, when I heard of it. I carved my time
duly and truly; and I went out to China last Janu-
ary twelve months." Verdiet—Guilty.