The Sun.
London, England, 1835-11-17 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE FORGERIES
OF AUSTRIAN AND POLISH BANK NOTES.

Yesterday Tilos. HALLS, Esq., the presiding Magistrate
at Bow-street Police Office, was engaged nearly the whole
of the d 4, and up to a late hour, in an investigation of the
most important description, relating to forgeries to an enor-
mous amount, which have been committed in this country,
of Austrian and Polish bank-notes.
Two well-dressed men, named Robert Balls, an engraver,
and Thomas Harris, an aged Polish Jew, were brought for-
ward in the custody of Ruthven and Fletcher, the officers-
of the establishment, on the charge of having been engaged
in the commission of forgeries of Austrian and Polish notes.
Mr. Bodkin appeared as Counsel for the prosecution, and
was attended by the Chief Acctuntant of the Austrian
Bank, the Austrian Consul, and other functionaries con-
nected with that country. Mr. E. Isaacs appeared as
Solicitor for Harris, and a professional gentleman for Balls,
the lalter of whom had a well-filled brief in his hand, and
cross-examined some of the witnesses himself, in spite of the
strongest advice given to him by his Solicitor to hold his
tongue. •
Bongits said lie had the honour of appearing on be-
half of the Austrian Government, for the purpose of pro-
secuting the prisoners, who ' stood charged with forgeries
to an immense amount. The Austrian Government had
long since discovered that an immense amount of forged
paper was in circulation thioughout the empire, and it
being ascertained, almost to a certainty, that the notes
were forged in England, that Government despatched
a confidential agent, who was principal accountant and
cashier to the Imperial Bank at Vienna, to this coun-
try, with the view, if possible, of tracing the criminals.
That gentleman arrived in London in August last, and
Ruthven and .Fletcher, the officers, were, by direction
of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, em-
ployed to endeavour to detect the forgers. After very ex-
traordinary and meritorious exertions on the part of the offi-
cers, they succeeded, on the 9th of November, in appre-
hending the two prisoners, and a third person, whose exa-
mination would be gone into after the present, under cir-
cumstances which, he believed, would leave no doubt that
they had been participators in the lanefarious traffic which
had been so extensively carried on. The two prisoners
were found, as it would appear by the evidence, acting in
perfect concert, and engaged in one common purp'ose, and
that he apprehended would be sufficient to fix them equally
with the guilt of the transaction. In cases of coining and
uttering forged notes it was always ruled that if' a person
was near enough to see and know what was going on, it
was sufficient to identify him with the charge, although
there were no positive proof of his takins, an active part in
it. These remarks applied chiefly to the prisoner Harris.
Ruthven, who bad been watching them for some months,
had repeatedly seen them together in the streets, and at
other places, in familiar conversation. The Learned Coun-
sel then went on to state the circumstances as they will be
found described in Ruthven's evidence, and added that be
charged the prisoners 'under a recent Act of Parliament,
passed in 1830. It was Ist William IV., cap. 66., sec.
19, and for the information of the Magistrates, he would
read the clause :—" And be it further enacted, that
if any person shall engrave, or in any . wise make on
any plate whatever, or on any wood, stone, or other mate-
rial, any bill of exchange, promissory note, undertaking, or
order, for the payment of money ; -or any part of any bill
of exchange, promissory note, &c.,. in whatever lan-
guage or languages the seine may be expressed, and whether
the, same shall or shall not be intended to be under seal
purporting to be a note or part of a note of any foreign
Prince or State, or of any Minister or- Officer in the ser-
vice of any foreign Prince or State, or any body corporate
or other body of like nature, constituted or recognized
by any foreign Prince or state, or 'of any person or corns
pany of persons residing in any country not under the
dominion of his Majesty, without the authority of such
Power, State, or body corporate, 'the proof of which autho-
rity shall lie upon the accused person, or if any person
without such authority to be proved as aforesaid, shall use
or without lawful excuse, to be proved by the accused,
knowingly have in his or her custody or possession any
plate, stone, wood, or other material upon which any such
forged bill, note, &e., or any part thereof, shall he engraved
or made, or if any person 01411 without such authority, to
be proved as aforesaid, knowingly have in his or her pos-
session any paper upon which any part of such bill, note,
&c., shall be printed, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and
in the discretion of the Court may be transported for any
term not. exceeding fourteen years, nor less than seven
years, or imprisoned for any term not exceeding three years;
nor less than one year." Mr. Bodkin then called the fol-
lowing witnesses s—s
George Thomas Joseph Ruthven sworn—ln August
last he was employed by Mr. Salzman, the Chief Aceount-
ant of the Austrian Bank, and on the 9th of the present
month he went, in consequence of information which he had
obtained, to the Flying Horse, in Crown-street, Finsbury-
square, where he saw the prisoner_ Harris and another per-
son, not in custody, together. They left there and -went
into another public-house in an adjoining street, where they
remained about a quarter of an hour, and then came out
with the prisoner Bells, and went to he Star Coffee-house
'in Crown-street. Witness had been watching. them since
August last, and bad seen them frequently together. He
suffered them'to be there for six or seven minutes, and then
went in with Mr. Salzman and Fletcher, and found the two
prisoners and the third person alluded to sitting in a box
together in the coffee-room. Witness took a seat so as to
have a full view of them, and he saw a pocket-book on the
table, which Balls took up and opened. They were all en-
gaged in a whispering conversation at that time. Witnesi
then saw Balls take out some pieces of brass from his
pocket, and hand them to Harris. They were the same,
he believed, which he now produced. Harris looked at
them, but witness could not say that he took them in his
band.; but he was near enough to have done so. The
whispering continued while the brass was being examined.
The brass was then returned to Balls's pocket, and in about
ten minutes he got up 'to go away. Witness, however,
Stopped him and took him into custody, and took Harris
also. The third persOn went away. He searched Balls
and found the three pieces of brass now produced
upon his person. He also found eleven pieces of. paper,
upon which Was engraved, or written parts, in imitation
of an Austrian note, as witness believed. There were four
other pieces, which he believed consisted of portions of a
genuine Austrian note. He brought the prisoners to this
office, and with some keys which he found, upon biro he
went to Ballsrs house, 18, Ironmonger-street, St. Luke's,
and searched it. One of the keys fitted the lock of a port-
manteau, and he there found a frame, containing engraved
wood with letter type, and eight pieces of paper in a fn
box, with a• stamp marked, on each, in imitation of that
used on the genuine Austrian note.
A genuine Austrian note for fifty florins was here put in
by Mr. Bodkin, and compared with the stamp and with the
brass plates and wood types, and found to correspond.
Ruthven said that when he told Balls the nature of the
charge upon which he apprehended him, he said he could
prove that it was not a forgery, for that they could not put
in the double colour. When before the Magistrates, he
said the brass plates, &c., were merely for the purpose of
illustrating a work which he was about publishing, to de-
monstrate the possibility of preventing forgeries. He said
also that be was employed by a rich merchant, from whom
he had received several sums of money. He afterwards
went to Harris's lodgings, at No. 5, Saddler's Hall-court,
Houndsditch, where he- found in a cupboard, in the first
floor front room, two Russian-Polish notes, which witness
believes to be forgeries, and four pieces of paper bearing
imitations, all of which he now produced.
Cross-examined by Balls—l believe you have said you
saw me hand the brass over the table to Harris ? Ruth-
yen—Yes. •
Ball—,-It was a public room, was it not ? Ruthven—
Certainly. •
Balls—Do you call that doing business secretly ?
Ruthven—lt appeared to be done as secretly as possible.
Balls—Do you call it doing business openly and pub-
licly ? Ruthven—l have stated the fact, and it is for
others to judge of the privacy or' publicity that you speak of.
Balls—Did you find the frame with the wood type se-
creted at all ? Did you find it up the chimney, or beneath
the floor, or under the bed ? Ruthven—l found it in the
portmanteau.
_ Abraham Fetcher, the officer, corroborated Ruthven's
statement.
Mr. Bodkin—Mr. Salzman, have you seen the Austrian
notes manufactured ? Mr. Salzman—O, yes.
Mr. Bodkin—ls there any difficulty in putting on the
black and red colours? -Mr. Salzman—None whatever.
Captain
.John Bausemar, of the Polish service, said he
was acquainted with Polish notes. The pieces of notes
found at Harris's were parts of genuine Polish notes.
The two entire notes were decidedly forgeries. They
were imitations of the five-florinotes of the currency of
Poland.
Mr. Bodkin said this was. all the evidence he had to offer
at present, as it would be necessary to have communica-
tion with the Russian and Austrian Governments for the
purpose of having more witnesses brought over.
Mr. Isaacs objected, and said all the necessary evidence
was now present, and it was not necessary to send to Rus-
sia merely to call upon them to prosecute.
Mr. Bodkin-LWe don't call upon the Russian Govern-
ment to piosecute—we only ask. them to furnish the mate-
rials in the shape of evidence.
After some further conversation, the prisoners were re-
manded for a fortnight.
Mordecai Moses, an old Polish Jew, was then put to the
bar, charged upon the following evidence. He was attended
by Mr. Yates, a solicitor.
Ruthven deposed that, in consequence of information, be
went, after the apprehension of the other prisoners, to the
Strand Coffee-house, near Temple Bar, and found the pri-

soner Moses in a box alone. Witness knew' him before. lie
had a parcel lying on the table, and witness went tooner
tbe
box and put his hand towards it, upon which the pris
drew it towards himself, and said the box was engaged.
Witness seized the parcel, and took the
,prisoner into cus-
tody, and found in the parcel 104 pieces of paper, now pro-
duced, with three engraved copper-plates and -a thin brass
one. He searched
.the prisoner, and found four Guernsey
notes not filled up or signed. When witness told
prisoner
what he took him for, he said. " Then I have been sold."
Captain Bausemar looked at the 104 notes, which were
imitations of the Polish five-florin notes, and said they were
all forgeries. The copper and brass plates now produced
were those from which the notes must have been struck.
•
The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and was ells°
remanded for a fortnight. As he was leaving the bar, he
was asked what countryman he was ? and he said, " A na'
tive of Cracow, in Poland, but he left it very young. when
he quitted the country, it belonged to Prussia ; but he knew
not to whom it belonged now."
Mr. Bodkin said the case was one of vast importance.
The system of forgery had created incalculable mischief ill
Poland, where these notes, formed almost the only circulating
medium.-
The office was crowded during the whole of the exanli'
nation.
Mr. Francis Salzman, Chief Accountant of the Austrian
Bank, deposed that, in consequence of instructions from his
Government, he came to this country in August last, since
which he bad been engaged in superintending, the exer-
tions of Ruthven and his brother officer. The note no;
wi'
produced was a genuine one of the Austrian Bank, an,"
was for fifty florins, or 51. Fnglish money. He was 't:
Ruthven when the prisoners were apprehended, and `chi
passed had been correctly described by that officer. Tbe
three pieces of brass produced were engravings of three
different parts of the genuine Austrian note, and niost
correctly engraved. The imitation was of the genuine note
produced, and done with extraordinary skill. The eleven
pieces of paper now produced all bore impressions in iruitir
tion of various parts of the genuine Austrian notes. The
other four pieces of paper formed portions of similar imita'
tions. The three wooden blocks produced had upon thew
imitations of those parts of a genuine note which are done
in letter, and the metal types were such as formed the body
of the note. Every Austrian note. bears a white stool',
and the one now produced found at Balls's appeared to be
genuine, the others forged.
Balls—Are you the prosecutor? Mr. Salzman—l think
the King is the prosecutor.
Balls—Will you swear that the imitations are, like tb
genuine notes ? Mr. Salzman—They are very like,
are counterfeits.
Balls—What are you ? Mr. Salzman—l am Chief Ike"
countant to the Bank of Austria.
Balls—Aye, and a pretty accountant you are.—(A.laugh')
Mr. II ALIC—lf you have any questions to ask you al
at liberty to put them, bait these remarks are quite out 0`
he usual course, and do you no good.

THE BOOK OF GEMS.—" This is a work o 1 11'
vishing beauty, where the attractions of art, and thed
charms of poesie combine to captivate the outward an
the inward sense. It is indeed ' a dainty book ;' its deli'
cate cover likens .it in the eye of fancy to an ivory 0841
enclosing the treasures within. The embellished edition°e
Rogers's Poems was a rare combination of beautiful vers
and exquisite art ; but it included the Works of only one
poet; which were illustrated by but two artists—the best irl f
their respective styles 'tis true. Here is a concentration ne
the poetic genius and pictorialoskill of our countrymen ;
have only a little taste of the quality of each, but they B,r;
most exquisite morsels. The idea of thus exemplifying 07,
poets and painters .of Great Britain is a happy one, and n"
pains appear to have been spared to carry it into execution'
The engravings, which are mostly in the line manner, BP/
exquisitely wrought."—Speciator.
THE LATF. ROBBERY AT MESSRS. ASHIO6I‘
el
BANKERS, LONDON.—Wednesday, a young man nani
William Summers was apprehended upon suspicion of from
the person of that name who in May last absconded frq/
his employers, Messrs. Ashley, bankers, in Regent-street'.
London, taking with him 3,240/. in Bank of England notes'
400 sovereigns, and about 401. in silver. A handbill 01
issued from the Marlborough-street, Police-office, deserib'
ing this person and one George Jackson, one of the nee/
police of London, who was supposed to be his actOrnPlicer
in the robbery, and giving also the numbers and value °f
the several bank-notes which had been stolen. SOU °
's
these notices Imd been forwarded to Quebec, and one nie'
in possession of the Montreal Bank, which led to the n
tection of Summers, who tendered to that establishment $4,
501. note of the Bank of England for sale. After s°ll'-a
hesitation the prisoner confessed his guilt, and acknowledge,
that Jackson was concerned in' the robbery. He said the',
remained for many days concealed in a private lodging the',
had taken in London, and then removed to Dublin, Whei,
they also remained for some time ; that whilst there JaCt,
son left him, taking about two-thirds of the booty, con' d,
ing of the smaller notes, as being most easily negociawtev
300 sovereigns, and the greater" part of the silver. -1- 'f
young man on finding himself detected was violently It:
fected, and has since made a full confession of his
and given up about 1,3001. of the property. He has be`e,
committed to the gaol of this district, where he noes brie
mains. He describes.himself as the only son of respeet3
and strictly religious parents of the Baptist persuasion'
the
siding at Westminster ; and, although he admits that
°s
inadequacy of his salary to support him in the vic'",t
courses into which Jackson had seduced him, await,
which was frequently gambling-houses, prompted hill' 0,
listen to the counsels of the other, and to rob his emploYed
it is singular that all his books were works on religion, 5,05
that a manuscript note,book, found in his portmantean,
filled with texts of scripture, in evidence of the Godbetie
of Christ. He appears sincerely penitent.. Had he siert,
seeded in selling the 501. note, he intended to havea,pre
Quebec last night for New York. Summers arrived _;„'"co'
in the Friends, from Dublin, on the 3d inst., and has 8".
retnined at Quebec.,—Montrea/ Mercury.
(A.uvE,wrisEmr.)—T. COX SAVORY, Goldslers
&c., 47, Cornhill, London, informs the Public, that he jccd
DESSE,RT•FRUIT KNIVES and FORKS, with plain ~,esi
handles, silver ferrules, plated on steel blades, at Three G 01,14
per dozen pair, or with solid silver blades, at Eight Guineas 8
Half per dozen pair.
N.B. Carved ivory handles at 13s. 6d. extra per dozen p

MARRIED. CO"
On the 14th inst., at St. George's, Camberwell, Writ. pi'
of Edinburgh, to Jane, third daughter of Patrick Rolland,
late of Newton, Forfarshire. ff
On the 16th inst., at St. Bride's Church, Fleet-street, 3'' WO'
Straight, of Chelmsford, to Elizabeth, eldest daught, r of 311.'
Brookes, of New-street-square, and Bedford-st-eet, Strapa-
At Preston, Mr. Gorst, of Tromley, near Middleton, t°
Saunders, of Lancaster, and formerly of the Green Drag in ,
gate. The parties had in earlier life courted for the terra °`liel daSei
years, when by some mischance they broke off all commutes, ,
each was soon after joined in wedlock; each had seven ehi'".thiti
whom six remain to each ; their respective spouses diedt ;1,00.;
short time of each other, and-now, after having accomplisheuber 0';
trimonial voyage apart; they have at length embarked ee
the same wayward ocean, with a joint family of twelle'lar
Cupid send auspicious breezes, and no storm arise to rear tl>
nubial bliss !
DIED..
On the 16th inst., in St. James's-square, Frederic Joser-
wine. only child of Mr. John Macrone, aged one month. ,oglit
t"'
On the 15th inst., in Burlington-arcade, Louisa, fourth
of the late Mr. Thomas Smith, of Oxford-street, aged 3-
On the 9th inst., at Wellesley-house, Shodter's-bill, the r‘ u
,11,e,„
of his daughter, James Galloway, Esq., in his 65th year. '
ceased was 48 years in' the, army, 22 years of which he Was
,40p
termaster in the Royal Sappers and Miners. i4l
On the 14th inst., in her 92d year, Mrs. Sarah Clarke'
of the late Samuel Clarke, Esq., of Brentford. P‘'f
On the 12th inst. at Ryde, Isle of Wight, David StOk'
late of the Ceylon Civil Service, aged 48. 0 70/
On the 9th inst., a,t Knowsley, Lancashire, in his 76th 1 o
Edward Howis, who,- for a period of GO years, was in the 6e ei
the late Earl of Derby. lce
Oslh
On the 15th inst., aged 71, Mary, relict of Mr. Janie° sett
Aldermanbury-postern.
On the 14th inst., at Cheltenham, Stephen, second son of Step
Cleasby, Esq., of Cornwall-terrace, Regent's Park. .eav,e
In Smith-street, Chelsea, Bishop Hull, Esq., in his lot' "1",b1
On the 7th inst., at Wimbledon, Alexander Forbes, fl,;11Q1
tenant-Governor of Gaspe, Lower Canada, formerly of tR
Horse Guards Blue.
At her father's house, Queen's-buildings, Bromptolu
wife of George Douglas Esq., merchant, Glasgow. °,ll.
On the 14th inst., Win. Hour, jun., Esq., of Little ~,st'ttolid a;
Apostle,, aged 61, eldest son of William Row, E.-pi .f...-°,o°:pit
On the 12th inst., in the Crescent, Weymouth, Mar' of
the late Thomas Greenway, Esq., and third daughter °' „,11
Henry Foot, Esq., of Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. orle).'o4.'
On the 10th inst., at Calais, Mr. Thomas Readshaw 3
1,,
of the late Josias Readshaw Morley, Esq., of Marrick-Far vit
shire, aged 20. tell°
On the 12th inst., at Clapton, Henry, son of the -a
Hart, Esq., of Bishop's Hull, Somersetsbire.
I P
At Ormsby, Lincolnshire, Charles Burrell Massingbc re'
aged 86.
On the 10th inst„ in the Manchester Infirmary, of
Veal'
~ft
ceived at the destructive fire at Levenshulme, on the
previous, aged 40, Mr. Robert Kenyon. fLov,`,,
On the Bth inst., aged 87, at the house of his 5er1,,,,0,
Edwards, timber-merehant, Virgil-street, Mr. John -Dm
merly of Plasisaf, Llanbedr, near Ruthin.

c, •
London': Printed and Published by MURDO YOU' the c°
112, Strand, at pe Sun Office: Ng, 112, StTand, in
of Middlesex. ' '

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the Credit
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land-street
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Sir ?3,,r,
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This Su
of the Go
THOUSA
Gilsr.Tl

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