The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-09 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS.

A statue of the late Sir David Wilkie, by Mr. Joseph,
has just been erected at the foot of the staircase in the
National Gallery. It is a standing figure, not quite the
size of life, in white stone, placed upon a solid pedestal
of grey limestone marble.
General Espartero intends, it is reported, shortly to
leave England, and to take up his residence at Brussels.

On the Bth the ceremony of laying the first stone of
the new church of St. John, Notting-hill, in the parish
of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, was performed on the
site chosen on the summit of the hill, known as the Hip-
podrome• hill, at the top of Ladbroke-grove, Notting-
hill, on the Uxbridge-road. The ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. John Sinclair (Archdeacon of Mid-
dlesex), the vicar of Kensington, who expatiated in feel-
ing language on the spiritual destitution in that neigh-
bourhood, 12,000 of the inhabitants being unprovided
with church sittings.
On Saturday last the Gloucester Farmers' Club held
their annual meeting in that city. Lord Ducie, who is
one of the leaders, was not present on Saturday. The
secretary read the usual report. It represented that the
farmers had fallen off from the Club, and that many of
them had found it difficult to make the two ends meet
with present prices and burdens. A good deal of dis-
cussion followed, and opinions were expressed that the
example of Essex ought to be followed in resisting the
efforts of the League to beat down agriculture.
At Tullamore (King's County) Sessions there were
517 applications for license to keep arms, and only 12
rejected.
The Dublin Evening Post of the 6th announces that
an " aggregate meetin2; of the Catholics of Ireland is
about to be convened for the purpose of denouncing the
grievous wrong and the gross insult offered to them by
the Crown, on the recent occasion of reducing the spe-
cial jury list?'
Mr. Steele summons the Duke of Wellington, Sir
R. Peel, Sir J. Graham, and Lord Lyndhurst, as wit-
nesses on his trial.

ARRIVAL OF THE CLYDE WEST
INDIA STEAMER.
SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY,
EIGHT O'CLOCK, A.M.
The Clyde Royal mail steamer, from the West
Indies, with the mails, is now coming up the
river. Her mails will be' landed, and dispatched
by a special, or the 11 o'clock train, so as to be
delivered in town to-day. She is four days
over due.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS DAY.
LoNnorr, JAN. 9.—Wind, fresh breeze from S. to S.E.
and cloudy.
DEAL, JAN. B.—Wind N.W. to W., moderate ; r.3t.
N.N.W. to N.N.E., fresh breeze.—Arrd. George Fyfe, Pyke,
China; Diamond, Dempster, Berbice ; Mary Caroline, St.
John's, New Brunswick. Sid. Diadem and John Scott, Cape
of Good Hope ; Islander, Barbadoes ; Donna Alaria, Antigua ;
Perthshire, Savannah, with the rest of the outward bound.

TORBAY, JAN. B.—Sld. Turenne, Para; Jean Morice, Mar.
tinique.
DOVER. JAN. B.—Sld. Echo, St. Thomas.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. B.—Wind N.W. to N.—Ski. Lady
Kinnaird, Calcutta; Duke of Bedford, Madras ; Duke of Sus-
sex, Cape and Batavia ; Diamond, Valparaiso; Erin, Domi-
nica ; David Lyon, Jamaica ; Quebec, New York.
CORK, JAN. 6.--Arrd. Resistance (transport), St. John's,
New Brunswick. Sailed Freeman, for Jamaica.

RAMSGATE, JAN. B.—The Norwegian schooner, Nicoline,
which came off. the patent slip, on the 30th ult., has been
hauled on it again to-day, being leaky.
BIDEFORD, JAN. 6.—The Arab, from Quebec, has been
got off the beach, without much damage, and brought into
Appledore.
BARNSTAPLE, JAN. 7.—Arrd. Two Brothers, Carpenter,
Newfoundland, ,
PLYMOUTH, JAN. B—Wind calm.—Sld. New Zealand,
Ceylon. The Cambridge, Turpie, repairing, took fire last
night, and was run into the Pool, where she burnt to the
water's edge.
FALMOUTH, JAN. B—Wind N. to N.N.W.—Arrd. Water-
witch. Keitch, after striking on the outer rock of the Manacles.
SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. B.—Arrd. Theira (steamer), Gib-
raltar, left 31st ult.
MILFORD, JAN. 7.—The Orbit, Robinson, from London to
St. John's, New Brunswick, put in here to-day, with loss of
bowsprit, foremast, mainmast, sails, &c., having been struck
by a sea, on the 24th ult., in lon. 31.
MARGATE, JAN. B.—The greater part of the cargo of the
Ocean, from Sierra Leone, has been saved in a damaged state
The wreck will be sold to-morrow.

LIVERPOOL, JAN. B.—Wind N., modek•ate.—Arrd. Frank..
lin, Thomas and Constantine, Sampson, New Orleans.. Arrd.
off, a ship in tow of two steamers, supposed the John Cum-
ming. Sld. Livingstone, Calcutta ; Thistle, Bombay ;
Ferris, Buenos Ayres; Kate, Rio Grande; Invoice, Rio
Janeiro; Mary Hannah, Africa; Parker, Demarara ; Countess
Durham, Guadeloupe ; Agnes, Jamaica ; Challenge, Texas ;
Charlotte Harrison, Drooma, and Wolfville, New Orleans ;
Satelite, Mobile; Sir H. Douglas, Savannah; Calista, Hot-
tinguer, and Montezuma, New York.
SHIELDS, JAN. B.—The Harmony, Citizen, and Ann (light
colliers), are all on shore on the Herd Sand.

- -
FREE CHURCH MISSION TO AMERICA.—By ap-
pointment of the Free Church Assembly's Commission, our
townsman, Dr. Bums, left last night on a mission to the
United States, in behalf of the religious body he stands con-
nected with. '[he Rev. Gentleman goes out to America as a
companion to Dr. Cunningham, for the purpose of explaining
the position of the Free Church of Scotland, and for collecting
funds for its support. We believe it is the intention of this
deputation to continue in America for about four months, and
not to return sooner than for the sitting of the Free Assembly
in May next.— glasgow Saturday Post.
If England paid her National Debt, it would take
461. 9s. 2d. from each person to pay it ; it would take
111. 9s. 2d. from each Frenchman to pay the debt of France ;
it would take 55/. Bs. 4d. from each Dutchman to pay the
debt of Holland ; and 'it would only take 41. 13s. 9d. from
each Pennsylvanian to pay the debt repudiated.

THE WILL FORGERIES.

RE-EXAMINATION of BARBER and
FLETCHER.
MANSION-HOUSE (THIS DAY).
The re-examination of the prisoners Barber and
Fletcher, who were remanded on Monday week last on
two charges of forgery, was resumed this day. The
prisoners, it will be remembered, have been frequently
remanded on the charge of uttering a forged will, pur-
porting to be the will of Anne Slack, and when they
were last being brought up they were charged, in addi-
tion, with uttering a forged will, purporting to be the
will of Mary Hunt; they were on that occasion remanded
on both these charges.
Mr. Clarkson attended to conduct the prosecution,
Mr. Chambers appeared for Barber, and Mr. Ballantyne
for Fletcher.
At eleven o'clock the Lord Mayor took his seat upon
the bench. His Lordship was supported by Mr. Alder-
man Humphery. Shortly afterwards the prisoners W.
H. Barber, and Joseph Fletcher were brought up in the
custody of Forester, the officer, and placed in the dock.
Mr. Clarkson then called
Mr. Alfred Dunn, who deposed—l am supervisor of
births and deaths at the Belgrave district. I produce
the register of the death of Ann Slack. I received it
from Mr. Chappell, the superintendent registrar.
Mr. W. Price Jordan—l am a surgeon, and reside at 9,
Lower Belgrave-street. lam registrar of births and deaths
for the Belgrave district. On the 25th February last I
was called on to register the death of Ann Slack. As
far as I can possibly recollect Fletcher is the man who
called on me. I believe him to be the man. He stated
that he came to register a death—the death of Ann
Slack. I asked when? He said on the 17th February.
I asked where ? He said in South-terrace, No. 8. On his
naming No. 8, South-terrace. I said I did not
know such a place in the district as South-
terrace. I asked him if he meant a row of
houses near Wooden-bridge, which have no name,
but are called Terrace, and sometimes Kent-terrace, and
are a continuation of South-place. He said yes. I ob-
served that I did not think there were eight houses there.
I then entered the name, date, &c. as follows :—" Ann
Slack, South-terrace, female, 68 years of age." When I
asked the cause of death, he said gout. I asked if it
was gout in the stomach, as persons did not usually die
of gout. He said she had been suffering from it for
many years. I then inquired if he had been present at
the death, or in attendance. He said he was present at
the death. I then asked him his address. He gave No.
4, James-street. I asked where. He said Commercial-
road. I said I did not know James-street, Commercial-
road, Pimlico, but that there was a Robert-street, Com•
mercial-road. I said there were two other Commercial-
roads, London, which did he mean? He said Commer-
cial-road, East, and I entered it accordingly. He then
signed his name Robert Hunt in my presence. I finished
the entry, and gave him a certificate for the undertaker
and clergyman. On 14th March following, a woman in
mourning came to me for a certified copy of the registry
of the death. I delivered one. Since this inquiry has
been going on I accompanied the Governor of Giltspur-
street Compter to the cells of different prisoners on going
his rounds. It was yesterday three weeks. I went into
six or eight cells, in some of which there 'were several
prisoners. I went to the cell where the accused (Flet-
cher) was confined, and as soon as I saw him I said he was
the man who had made that entry.
Mr. Ballantyne—With whom did you go? Witness
—The Governor.
Mr. Edward Alfred Grattan—l am a clerk in the Lon-
don and Westminster Bank. On 22d March, 1842,
Fletcher opened a deposit account with the Southwark
branch of the bank. I have been in the habit of paying
his cheques and have seen him write. I believe the sig-
nature "Rob. Hunt," to be his writings,somewhat disguised.
(The 1,0001. note, No. 91,492, dated Feb. 1, 1843, was
then placed in witness's hand.) I perceiie some of "
Fletcher's handwriting in that note. The words are
" Emma Slack, 7, Francis-street, Tottenham-court-
road." I now hold in my hand a note for 1,0001., and
another for 5001. On the 1,0001. note I see some words
in Fletcher's handwriting, and the same on the 5001. note.
Cross-examined by Mr. Chambers—Fletcher began
keeping accounts with us in Feb., 1840. He had two
accounts. I could find out easily the numbers of any
notes which he may have deposited, but I cannot do se
without the orders of my superiors.
John Milton—l am one of, the pay-clerks of the Bank
of England. The 1,0001. note produced was brought
into the Bank of England on the 13th of April in the
last year ; at least, I imagine so, for I paid to Emma
Slack a thousand sovereigns for a 1,0001. note, as the
entry in the book shows. I have no recollection of the
person to whom I paid it.
Mr. Grattan re-called--On the 13th; of April in the
last year there was paid into our bank, to the account of
Fletcher, 1,0001. in gold. He paid it in himself.
Joseph Deuner—l am a clerk in the Tellers'-office at
the Bank of England. On the 10th of April a 1,000/.
note was brought into the Bank in the name of Slack. I
gave 500 sovereigns and a ticket for a 5001. note.
By Alderman HUMPHERY—The name "Emma Slack"
was written on it.
13;" Mr. Clarkson—On the 16th of April a 5004 note
came into the Bank in the name of Emma Slack. I paid
it in gold. •
Mr. Grattan re-called—On the 10th of April, 1843,
there was paid into the account of Fletcher in our branch
of the Bank 500/. in gold by Fletcher himself. On the
18th of April there were paid in to his account 4801. iu
gold and a 201. note. Fletcher paid in that himself.
William Taylor called, and examined by Mr. Clark-
son.—Was one of the assistant pay-clerks in the Bank
of England. On the 10th of April, last year, received
the ticket produeed of payment, of the sum mentioned. •
He posted the sum stated in his cash-book. He gave
the ticket to Mr. Williams, who paid over a note for
500/., No. 41,856, dated Jan. 2, 1843.
Mr. J. Williams called—Was also one of the pay'
clerks of the Bank of England. He confirmed the evi-
dence of the preceding witness, as to the payment of tt
'note of that amount, and the same date and number.
This was the whole evidence on this case.
Mr. Clarkson then said he was prepared to go into
another, and a third case against the parties. He should
not go at any length into the details of that case, or to
give more than' what would be considered reasonable
evidence, that there had been a forgery of the will of 16
Miss Eliza Burchard. With respect to both the parties ,
charged, he proposed to show that the certificate of
the death of the said Eliza Burchard, Wes
a forgery. He held in his hand a book just published'
which had created some interest, and which he had ne
doubt had not escaped his Lordship's perusal ; that pub'
lication was the report of Mr. Chadwick on burials la
towns and cities. In one passage he pointed out the
defects in the mode of the registration of deaths. N°s
only had frauds occurred within the knowledge of She
writer, but he seemed to speak somewhat prophetically
of cases precisely similar to the subject matter of the
case then before them. He said, " cases of registrations
in which false statements had been made, had been al'
ready detected ; some made with the view of obtaining
succession to property ; but there had also been cases of
false registration among the labouring classes, of the
places of death, in order to gain interments in certain
districts or parishes. False deaths had also been regir
tered in order to defraud burial societies, and the cern'
ficate of the Registrar used in order to obtain money
from these societies." After stating that the work wend
on to mention other means of fraud, Mr. Clarkson called
Mr. Seton, the same gentleman who produced tho slve
former wills. He now produced a will purporting to be that
of Miss Eliza Burchard, of Cooper-street, Westm'ister'
afterwards of Rostock,
_Mecklenburgh, Germany, after;
wards of Bond-street, Bath,,and 8, Broad-street, Bristo,'
and of other places, spinster. The will appeared to be
in the same handwriting, and the same in appearance
as the others.
Mr. Cox called—Was partner in the firm of Messrs'
Jennings, proctors, Doctors' Commons. Believed 1'
was in 1841 he first became 'acquainted with Barber
On the 9th of June in that Sear he called on him, ac-
companied by a female. He received from Barber as
account of the testatrix. Received from him also the
date of the death, 21st of March, 1841. He receive"-
from him the amount for which the will was to be proved-
and believed he filled up the usual Stamp-office certificate
for that amount under 2,000/. He sent the probate t 0
Mr. Barber's office. There had been a small admiefrlar
tration transaction with him in the same month. Pe
received from Mr. Barber a cheque and the probate to
the amount of 40/.
Cross-examined by Mr. Chambers—Could not recelfr
lect the description of the female, whether she we-`
lady-like person or not, who accompanied Mr. Barba'.•
Was originally introduced to Mrs. Barber throtse.'
brother of his (Mr. Cox's).
Mr. Noble called—Was assistant-accountant at thcei
Bank of England. On the 22d June, 1811, rem enibere,,.
a person coming to receive some dividends on Ville.
and-a-Half per Cent. Stock, accompanied,' by a felnnalc
He produced an order from the authorit',es of the Be-0 •
to return to the Bank the amount that had been give„,
up to the Commissioners for the Re duction of the r.,
tional Debt, and to transfer that -
stocksgain to the Pheo
ties applying for it. The account purported to be t
of Eliza Burchard. No diy
that stock since 1823, dividends due amounted he,
!idends had been received en
446/. ss. He distineily recollected Mr. Barber as !ti;
person who accempanied the female. Therelwasiet,tify
Hill, of the- Stock Exchange, who attended to iue-.00,
Mr. Barber. Ile attended on his (witness's)
according to the usual custom of the office. Delivery-
afterwardsay-
a direction to the chief cashier for the P of
ment of the 446/. ss. to Mr. Barber, in the Presence
the woman who accompanied him.
Cross-examined by Mr. Chambers—The course
business is, when they do not know at the office the Per.'
son who applies for payment, they procure an es a
applicati
fication of the person from another party—such
stock-broker for instance. In the present case Air. B"
ber was identified by Mr. H. Hill, the stock-brokar•

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