The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-20 00:00:00

be walked with me to my house for them ; and stood by
me whilst I prepared them in my surgery. I have
strychnia in a private room, but I keep none in my
surgery. Palmer saw me weigh the ingredients of which
the pills were composed. I put them in a box, and
labelled them " Night pills—John Parsons Cook," at
the request of Palmer. He took the pills away with him,
between seven and eight o'clock, I never saw Cook
again alive. I wrapped the pills and directions
up in a paper, and fastened each end with seal-
ieg-wax. The directions were written on st
paper folded square, placed under the box of
pills, and both were afterwards-swapped in the paper that
was sealed. There was nothing written on the outside
paper. I saw Cook dead tees near 20 minutes past 12
o'clock as could be. I learned from Palmer that de-
ceased had been dead about five minutes. I found the
deceased stretched out as straight as could be on his
heels and back of his head and stiff. His arms were in
a rigid state by his side and fists clenched. I gave it
then as my opinion that deceased died of apoplexy, and
gave a certificate accordingly. Palmer asked me to fill
up the certificate. I had the form with me. I told
Palmer it was his place to fill up the certificate as Cook
was his patient, but he said he would much rather I did
it, and 1 consented. I was present at the post mortem
examination. After it was over Palmer said to me "we
ought not to have let that jar go."
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—My house is
about 200 yards from Palmer's house.
Mr. Thomas Pratt examined by Mr. James—l am a
solicitor, paetising in King street, Mayfair. I am
acquainted with the prisoner. I commenced in Nov.,
1853, when I obtained a loan of 1,0001. for him. That was
etterwards paid. In Oct., 1854, I was employed by him
to make a claim on two policies, both on the death of Ann
Pa inee. I receive" 5,0001. from the Sun, and 3,0001.
trona the Norwich Union. The money was applied in pay-
ment of three bills amounting to 3,5001. or 4,0001., and
2,0001. of it was due on acceptances and loans obtained
-iubsequently to the claims on the poiiciee, the remaining
1,5001. was not so applied. In April, 1855, he applied
,o me for a loan of 2,000/. ; but he did not state for
e-hat purposes he wanted it. I obtained it on an accepe
ranee drawn by himself and accepted by his mother. On.
20th November I and my clients held eight bills that
tad discounted for Palmer. I held four of them myself.
There were two others then overdue. The bills are as fol-
lows: -June 5, 1854,forthree months after date drawn by
Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer for 5001, and
endorsed by hun ; Aug. 2, 1854, a similar bill for 1,0001.,
payable three months after date ; July 22, 1855, for
2,000/ , three months after date ; July 24, 1855, for
2,000/., three months after the date, endorsed by Palmer
to Time. Pratt; Sept. 27, 1855, for 1,0001., for three
months after date ; Sept. 29, 1855, for 2,0001., for three
months after date ; Oct. 2, 1855, for 2,0001., for three
months, indorsed by Palmer to Thos. Pratt ; and one,
Oct. 12, 1855, for 2,000/., for three months after date.
The whole of the bills purported to be drawer
by Mr. Palmer, and ,accepted by Sarah Palmer,
payable to the order of Palmer, and indorsed
by him. The whole amounted to 12,500/.
6,0001. had been renewed, and would become due i s
January ; two bills were only overdue on the 20th of
November for 2,0001. One bill for 1,0001. and another
for 5001. was held over from month to month, as was
the interest. The interest charged for discounting the
hills was about 60 per cent. In August, 1855, Walter
Palmer died, and I made an application to the Prince
of Wales-office for 13,0001., the amount of the policy.
Sarah Palmer, as the acceptor of these bills, had fre-
quently been written to at Rugeley, but no replies had
been received.
Some letters from Pratt to Palmer were here pro-
duced, which were found by the Superintendent of the
Stafford police amongst the prisoner's papers after his
arrest, and during the investigation before the coroner
respecting Cook's death. They related to the overdue
bills, and also to the policy effected on the life of Walter
Palmer; also letters from Palmer to Pratt, in reply, to
one of which he stated he had been requested by his
mother to reply to the communication.
Examination continued--Palmer called upon me and
paid me 2701. upon the account of the bills then due.
fie said he would send another sum of 2501. before t ie
following Wednesday, and that he was to pay the pr ti•
cipal, by instalments, as soon as possible.
Lord Campbell said he was glad to see that the kury
were taking a close note of this part of the evidence, as
t would save him much trouble during the summing

up
A.
letter of the 28th of October was then put in and
read. It runs thus :
"Dear Sir,—l will send you 2501. Do not think of ' the
writs; I will get you the money if I pay 1,0001. foi f it;
Give me a chance of paying. Do not send to the proc tot'.,
The letter, after referring to some other matters, was
Maned "Wm. Palmer."
Upon the 31st of October Pratt wrote to Palmer, to tisll
him that in consequence of the promises in that lett ere
that with the exceptions of the writs against the brotl set
of prisoner, no steps should be taken. The letterpress aed
for further payments, and also alluded to the nem:- ity
of further steps being taken about the. policy of Walter
Palmer's life. Upon the 6th November I issued writs for
f,OOOl. upon prisoner and his mother, and sent th ens
to Mr. Crabb, a solicitor at Rugeley, upon the 6 th;
Upon the 10th Palmer called upon me, having writ ten
,hat he would come. He paid me 3001. upon the lf. Ith.
That sum, with the 500/., made 8001. 2001. was •de•
lucted for interest, and he was credited 6001. off !the
account. I think that I mentioned at that tin to to
him that the writs had been sent down to Rug aliy. a
A. letter of the 13th was put in and read. re
was from Pratt to Palmer about the prospect :a oe
obtaining the policy, and pressing for the pay mm mtge.
Upon the 16th November I had another letter promi .sing
2001., and upon the next day some one called and --?aid
me a cheque for 2001. I bad another letter, and 1 Tea
he following Monday, being the settling day after the
Shrewsbury Races, prisoner called and paid nse
sum of 500/., making in the whole a sum of 1,: 304
naid up to that day upon account of the 2,0001. bill.
Upon the 21st I had another letter from the pris. ;nen
The letter was put in and read. It stated that Cook had,
led and that prisoner was very much fatgued, and m 43
" I must have Polestar again. If spy one asks• yosi
about what money Cook has bad of you, do noS
say anything about it until I see you." Prisoner pro!
raised to send more money upon this. Pratt wrote sof
other letter upon the 22d, which was put in and r aadi '
After alluding to Cook's death the writer told Pa lOW
that, as Cook was dead, be must see and look abou'; Moos
'or the 500/. bill ; an d it also stated that Pratt had- '
sent down the bill of sale to Crabb.
This letter having been read, the Court adjourned.
On the resumption of the Court the further retsding
of the letters was continued. One stated that on th e 23d
of November the prisoner world be in town.
Examination of witness continued—On the 24 th of
the month I saw him and he signed a paper for th s par
ment of 1001.
Another letter was read from Palmer to Pratt, marl; .ed
" strictly private and confidential." It contained a r 0
quest by the prisoner to Pratt, to the effect that if any
questions should be asked of Pratt respecting the mos AI
received by the prisoner on account,. of Cook that :he
would refuse all information until he saw the prisoe't It.
The witness proceeded—l held a bill of sale respeA st-
ing two racehorses mentioned in September, 1855. 7C bs
prisoner transacted the loan ; it was for the sum 0
500/. Ido not know Cook. The horses were Sit itils
and Polestar.

[The witness was under examination when we went,;,4°
press.]

The shipments of specie by the Peninsular and Cori
tal steamer Pera amount to 539,2421., of which 7,9 IL.
is gold for Alexandria, Ceylon, and Madras, 00?
531,3211. silver for Bombay, Ceylon, Madras, and • Co'a
cotta.

The gold by the Arabia, from New York, via Bos boa
is 190,570/ , and there was every indication of a =up'
inuance of faro remittances. The commercial adv
on this occasion state business to have been influen
by an increased pressure in the money market, the ban Jae
alarmed by the rapid exportation of bullion, hay li
farther contracted their leans and discounts. The sti 301‘
im:ri.et continue dull, and it was anticipated that li• ttl°
improvement could he looked f.r until the payment ;of
the amount due to Texas next month, which will li be'
rate 1,400,000/. of gold from the Federal Treasury.
LATER DEPARTURE OF MAILS FOR THE MEDITI
RANEAN, INDIA, &C., VIA MARSEILLES.—The overla
pd
mails for the Mediterranean, India, vie Marseill
will in future be made up and despatched from Lond. ots
on the evenings of the 10th and 26th of each mont
instead of on the mornings of those days, as heretofo re,
except when the 10.11 or 26th of the month falls of 3 1
Sunday, on which occasion the mails will be despatcl lea
tram London on the morning of the following day.
The departures from the port of London for the
A.ustraliaa colonies during the past week have c
wised seven vessels—three to Port Philip, one to
Adelaide, one to Sydney, one to Hobart Town, and one
to Launceston—with an aggregate capacity of I ;,324
'ono. The rates of freight in some eases exhi bit
tendency to increased firmness.
TRUST AND LOAN COMPANY FOR UPPER CANA
The report for the last half-year shows the net pr. kfits to
have amounted to 9,6691., which, added to the voill
brought forward from September last, gives a balance :3
credit of revenue of 9,7101. Out of this it ii' n ecov"
mended that a dividend be paid at the rate of 7
cent. per annum (less income-tax), also that one-hi
the surplus profits over 6 per cent. per annum be p. at
reserve fund, in accordance with the charter, and tha
2501. be carried to redemption of preliminary expoaser,
leaving 1061. The reserve, with the above addi ti be
amounting to 1,5641., and interest 2901., will thou b°

9 8171. -
THE VICTORIA MILITARY HOSPlTAL.—Yesterdvey
ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Of) ne"f
Military Hospital about to be erected near the vill age
Hamble, on the shores of the Southampton Water„ toolc
place, under the auspices of her Majesty. Shortl:r after
11 the Queen, accompanied by 11.R.F1. Prince A .lberte
the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, and the Pr ince°
Royal, arrived, and were received by Lord Paumu,:.e, the
Mayor and Corporation of Seutharnoton, &c. lifter
royal salute her Majesty was pleased to receive an ad-
dress from the Corporation. The bishop and clergy re-
ceived her Majesty at the platform. On her 111:eelestI
descending into the place where the stone was to
be
bedded she was loudly cheered by the congregated th°l"
with
sands of spectators. The Queen tried the stone,
the plummet and level, and tapped it in the usual %vale
and the ceremony concluded by the Bishop of Winches;
ter pronouncing the customary form of prayer.
Majesty and suite afterwards proceeded to embark
the F,iry for Osborne.
FIGHT FOR TEE CHAIIPIONSHIP.--The great fight 10
the c:,aropiobstlip or Eogiatrd, aed 2001. betwdep
6ell
darn. Broome and Torn Paddock, came off yeeter
and vca,4 won by the latter after one hour and twell
minutes' hard fighting. Broome was the favourite at
and 7 to 4.