The Sun.
London, England, 1834-09-24 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,

MANSION-HOU USE
Spiers and Thompson, a few days ago charged with hav-
ing unlawfully pawned a quantity of velvet, the property of
Mr. Ambrose Moore, of Milk-street, were again brought
up. Much interest was excited amongst the Spitalfields
trade by the investigation.
The LORD MAYOR and Sir C. MARSHALL adjudicated.
Mr. Moore founded his complaint upon the 17th Geo.
111., cap. 56, which inflicts a penalty of not more than 401.
nor less than 20/., upon any person receiving from a jour-
neyman in the silk trade property belonging to the em-
ployer. He stated that Henry Stratford, a man who had
been in- his employment, had absconded, after having
pawned a piece of velvet, value 131., for 51. Witness re-
ceived a letter, signed " Henry Stratford," expressing re-
gret at the fact that the velvet had been pledged, stating
that the writer was going a short voyage, and would, on his
return, make up the deficiency, and enclosing a pawnbroker's
duplicate for the article pledged.
The pawnbroker's shopman produced the velvet, which
he said Thompson pledged for Henry Stratford.
Thompson—Have I not pledged many articles of my
own, and did you know any thing wrong of me ?
Witness—You often have, and I never knew any thing
but what was perfectly right.
William Whitehead, foreman to Mr. Moore, had seen
velvet in Stratford's loom in Spitalfields, and could swear
that it was the same now produced by the pawnbroker.
Witness heard the prisoner Spiers say that for two or three
years he bad known Stratford, who brought .to him the
velvet to pawn, and he did not like to pawn it himself, not
being in the habit of doing such things.
The LORD MAYOR—Did Spiers admit that he knew the
property was not Startford's
Mr. Moore—lt was sufficient if the prisoner knew that
Stratford was retained as a journeyman. In pawning the
velvet for him they have violated the Act.
The officer who apprehended the prisoners heard them
say that they both went close to the pawnbroker's door
together, that Thompson went in, and that after the velvet
was pledged they went into a public-house, and had some-
thing to eat and drink with Stratford.
The LORD MAYOR—We have made up our minds as to
the liability of the Prisoners to the penalties. The fact
that the prisoners and Stratford went into a public-house
after the velvet was pawned is quite enough to show that
they well knew what they were about.
Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL concurred in this opinion.
_ _

The LORD MAYOR—The sentence of the Court is that
each of the prisoners pay the sum of 201.
The prisoners said they could not pay the penalties.
The Loan MAYOR—Then you stand each of you com-
mitted for three months to hard labour in the House of
Correction.

Mr. Moore (with his hand upon the velvet)—I think I
have a right to this property. It is mine by the acknow-
ledgment of all, and I wish to know from your Lordship
whether I am not justified in taking it ?
The pawnbroker's foreman—l am not authorised to give
it up. _

The LORD MAYOR—I gave no directions in the business.
Alderman VENABLES (to the foreman)—Would you ven-
ture to take away the property ? Mr. Moore—There are
twenty-six yards of velvet here. This is the height of the
season, and I can get 10s. a yard for it immediately.
Alderman VENABLES—The pawnbroker would not have
taken in the article if he had been sufficiently careful. If
it were mine I'd take it with me.

The foreman—My employer will expect that I'll bring it
back, and I want from your Lordship an order for it.
The LORD MAYOR—I'II give no order. If I had my
handkerchief in my pocket I'd take care to keep it there.
Nobody should take it away to my knowledge.—(A laugh.)
But I dare say the right owner will take it away.
Mr. Moore quietly put the velvet upon the shoulder of
one of his men, and bowed to the Magistrate and quitted
the Justice Room.

The pawnbroker—l say, my Lord, my master will ex-
pect me to take home the velvet.—(Laughter.)
The LORD MAYOR—You must see that it would be most
improper in me to interfere in such a business. _ _

Mrs. Moore, a middle-aged female, of respectable ap-
pearance, was brought up, charged with having knocked at
the house of a gentleman, and disturbed the peace and
comforts of his family.
The LORD Mayon—What was her motive for causing
the disturbance. Has there been no provocation ?
The complainant replied in the negative. She called, he
said, to inquire for a gentleman who visited at his house,
and who had no wish to see her.

The LORD MAYOR—The shortest way is to get your
friend to attend and be confronted with this lady. I dare
say he is within hearing.
Here a gentleman named Farlow came forward, and said
that he was the persecuted person.
Mrs. Moore—My Lord, he followed me for three years
and a half, and has now left me, after having borrowed all
my money. He is making love elsewhere now, and I think
the least I am entitled to is the money I lent him from
time to time.

The LORD MAYOR-Oh, you mean that he has been a
cupboard lover, and you lost your charms with your means
of supplying him with good things ?—(A laugh.)
Mrs. Moore—Exactly. He's courting elsewhere now,
and all I want is what he owes me, and he may go to any
other person's company he chooses.
Mr. Farlow said that the woman was a complete bore to
him. He had become acquainted with her by living next
door to her, and she continually annoyed him with her
strong love importunities. In fact, she was for ever tagging
at his tail, and, her temper being of the most violent de-
scription, he thought it better to make an arrangement to
call upon her in order to prevent her calling on him.
The LORD MAYOR—WeII, but at the same time that
you gave up her love, you ought to have given up her mo-
ney. Is it true that you still remain in her debt, and are
throwing yourself into the arms of another lady ? Mr.
Farlow—l do owe her a trifle of money ; but I'll pay her
as soon as I can. That's no reason she should follow me
about to other people's houses.
Mrs. Moore—My Lord, he owes me a considerable sum,
which he borrowed from time to time. lam a servant out
of place, and I have nothing to support me.
Mr. Farlow—Why not call at my own lodgings ?

The LORD MAYOR—Because she requires her money
back, and she ought to have it restored. It is extremely
disreputable to have a poor female tagging, as you call it,
at your back for the money which you deprived her of by
your pretended love. Well, I shall not prevent her from
calling upon you.
Mrs. Moore—l don't ask for love, my Lord. I ask for
what he knows is a much better thing.—(Laughter.)
The LORD MAYOR—Nothing can be more contemptible
than the conduct of a man who empties a woman's pockets
and then abandons her.

Mr. Farlow—My Lord, you take a wrong view of this
business.

The LORD MAYOR—Pay me her money, and I'll an-
swer for it she won't annoy you.
Mrs. Moore—Certainly not, my Lord. He owes me
40/. my Lord.

Mr. Farlow—No such thing. But you have no right to
follow me about at any rate.
The LORD MAYOR—She must not assault you ; but she
may go about after you till she can get her money.

Farlow—Pl-1 indict her.
The LORD MAYoa—Pay her the money you extorted
by your pretended love.
Mr. Farlow—l must not be insulted in this manner.

The LORD MAYon—Pay her the money.
Mr. Farlow—l shall certainly proceed against her.
The LORD MAYOR—Pay her her money, I say.—(Great
laughter.)