The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-12 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,-(THIS DAY.:

TiOW-STREET.
UNLAWFULLY BELLING COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY.

Edward Mortimer, described as of 2, Russell-court, St.
James's, and Thomas Robert Marshall, military of
32, Jermyn-street, St. James's, were again in attendance,
charged with " unlawfully conspiring to bargain for the
sale of a certain commission in the army."

Mr. Bodkin conducted the prosecution on behalf of tha
War-office ; Mr. Ribton attended for Mvtimer ; and Mr.
Metcalfe for the other defendant, Marshall.

It will be recollected that the defendants were first
charged with the offence on Wednesday week, when,
after the evidence of a witness named Pugh had been
received, the case was adjourned until this morning, in
order that Mr. Coningham and Mr. Bridson, the former
the person for whom the commission in the 13th Light
Infantry was to be procured, and the latter gentleman, who
had been in communication with Armstrong and Co., might
be in attendance.

Mr. Henry Bridson said—l am a merchant, residing near
Bolton-le-Moors. I have a brother-in-law named Con•
ingham. He is now an ensign in the 13th Light Infantry,
stationed at Fermoy, in Ireland. I was desirous, in April
and May lust year, to tobtain a commission for him, and,
amongst other persons applied to, I had a conversation with
a, person named Pugh. I afterwards had communications
with him both verbally and in writing. After that, on the
28th of May, I received a letter from the defendant Mar-
shall, now produced. I afterwards saw Mr. Marshall on
the subject of the communication.
The letter was hero read by Mr. Burnaby, the chief
clerk, and was to the effect that Mr. Coningham
would be gazetted as a lieutenant on the lodgment
of £4OO. The letter was also accompanied by the following,
which was directed to be re-written and sent back :
To his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
Commander-in-Chief.
Believing that your Royal Highness recognises the
services of officers, I venture to solicit a favour on
behalf of a young relative of mine, Mr. Cunningham,
whose father, grandfather, and two brothers have held
commissions, that his name be placed on the list of candi-
dates for commissions without purchase. I should hesitate
to ask so great a favour, were there not strong claims in
existence to justify it. His father commanded the 24th
Madras Native Infantry, and died in the service ; his grand-
father and great -grandfather also died in the service. In
hope that you will extend your gracious patronage to
my young relative, who will not prove unworthy of it, I
beg to subscribe myself.
On the 14th of June I forwarded a copy of the draft letter
to his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, to the
defendant, Marshall, and on the 30th of June, I believe, I
again wrote to him on the subject. From this period I was
in communication with Marshall and Pugh. On the sth
of July I arrived in town. I stayed in Cork-street. On
the Fth I called on Mr. Marshall, Jermyn-street. I had
never seen Mr. Marshall before. Marshall said he was
glad to see me in town. I told him the business that I
came about was Mr. Coningham's commission. He said if I
would wait a few minutes he would send down to the office
of Messrs. Armstrong and Company for one of the gentle -
men to come up and see me. I waited for about
three-quarters of an hour, at the end of which time, not
being able to remain any longer, I returned to my resi-
dence.

Mr. Henry—Did ho say where his office was ?
Witness—l can't remember.
By Mr. Bodkin—l believe I heard the name of Captain
Mortimer mentioned. hen I left Marshall I returned to
my residence in Cork-street, and there I found a card had
been left. I have not the card now in my possession.
Shortly afterwards a person came to me. I don't know
now the person who called. It is not the Captain Morti-
mer now in court. I believe it must have been the defen-
dant Eicke. He said his name was Armstrong. He pro-
duced the letter to the Duke of Cambridge. Some slight
alteration was made, and he then requested I would re-
write it. I did so, and afterwards sent it to Armstrong
and Co. I sent it on the 19th of July, by the porter of the
hotel at which I was staying. I also enclosed the certifi-
cate of Mr. Bridson.
Mr. Metcalf and. Mr. Itibton objected to the letters being
read, unless it could be more clearly shown that the defen-
dants were connected with them.
Mr. Bodkin—Very well, call the constable.
Sergeant Williamson, of the detective force, said—l
found a bag, containing letters and papers belonging to the
defendants, at Woburn-chambers, the offices of Armstrong
and Co. I handed them over to Mr. Humphries, the

solicitor.
By Mr. Ribton—l had no search warrant. There were
a great many names on the door of the chambers. Capt.