The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-30 00:00:00

THE WILLS FORGERIES

MANSION-HOUSE-(THIS DAY.)
FINAL EXAMINATION AND COMMITTAL OF THE

PRISONERS.

The prisoners charged with the extensive wills forgeries,
which have so long occupied public attention, were brought
up this morning for final examination and committal. Long
before the time appointed for the commencement of the pro-
ceedings, a large number of persons were collected round the
door at which the prisoners enter, for the purpose of witness-
ing their arrival. About half-past eleven, the Lord Mayor
took his seat in the Court, and immediately after the pri-
soners, consisting of Barber, Fletcher, Griffin, and William
Sanders, and Mrs. Dorey and Mrs. Sanders, were brought
up in the custody of the officers, and placed at the bar. As
on the previous occasions, the female prisoners were accom-
modated with seats at the bottom of the table.

Mr. Parry appeared for Barber ; Mr. Humphreys, the soli-
citor, for Fletcher ; Mr. Bozon, the solicitor, for Griffin ; Mr.
Wolff for Mrs. Dorey ; and Mr. E. Durham, of Bristol,
for Sanders and wife.

Mr. Clarkson, the barrister, and Messrs. Freshfield, soli-
citors for the Bank of England, conducted the prosecution.
On entering the room both the female prisoners sobbed
bitterly, Mrs. Dorey aloud, and the latter also looked ex-
tremely ill.

Mr. John William Seaton, from the Prerogative-office, pro-
duced a document purporting to be the will of Mary Hunt,
and a paper purporting to be a statement of Thomas Hunt,
in reference to the same ; also a will purportmg to be that of
Ann Slack.

Mr. F. J. Greene was next called. His deposition related
to the identity of the two prisoners Sanders, whom he had
known about twelve years. Deponent knew Mrs. Dorey to
be the sister of Mrs. Sanders.

Mr. Edmund Crawley, grocer, also identified the prisoner
William Sanders, who had lodged with him under the name
of Thomas Hunt.

Mr. Thomas Clesbury Thatcher, clerk to a firm of proctors
in Doctors' Commons, deposed that Barber had called at the
office with another person whom he represented as Thomas
Hunt. He could not swear that William Sanders was the
person who called with Barber, though he was about the
same height.
S. W. Gough, a clerk in the Bank of England, identified
Sanders as having drawn a sum of money in the name of
Thomas Hunt.

A number of other depositions were read over, and sworn
to by the parties who made them, connecting the prisoners
Sanders with the transaction.

The deposition of - Cuckson, of Hull, was read over to
him, and declared by the witness to be correct. It was in
substance a repetition of the evidence already given in refer-
ence to the conversation between the witness and his brother-
in-law, the prisoner Fletcher.
During the reading of the evidence, Mr. Parry observed,
that one expression in it, " the rogue of an attorney," was
admitted distinctly at the time not to refer to Mr. Barber.
Mr. Humphreys remarked that the party referred to in the
deposition, so far from being Mr. Barber, was not an attorney
at all.

Mr. Clarkson said that he had now laid before his Lordship
all the evidence with which he was prepared on the subject
of these charges.
Mr. Durham, for the two prisoners, Sanders and wife,
wished to know whether his Lordship would consent to their
remaining in the Compter until one day before the com-
mencement of the sessions. Of course, if the indulgence
were granted in their case, it would be extended to all the
prisoners.
Mr. Parry hoped that his Lordship would accede to the
application, as by so doing be would afford mach greater fa-
cilities for intercourse between the prisoners and their ad-
visers than they would otherwise possess.
Mr. Wolff made a similar application with reference espe-
cially to Mrs. Dorey.
The LORD MAYOR said he would be very happy to do
anythirg in his power to accommodate all parties; but
he did not see why he should make exceptions in
favour of the prisoners charged with this offence.
Having now been remanded for some time for the conve-
nience of both sides, he felt that it was his duty to commit
them for trial, and he could not make exceptions with re-
ference to the place where they were to be secured. Every
accommodation which was necessary should be afforded to
those who would have to conduct the defence ; and as regarded
the health of Mrs. Dorey, she would be as well taken care
of in Newgate as in the Coirpter. She would have the same
medical attendance, and the same general attention in the
one as in the other. He could not grant any further in-
dulgence.
Mr. Parry said he was sure Mr. Clarkson could not have
the slightest objection to his Lordship's yielding to the appli-
cation; he could not see what reason there could be for op-
posing it.

Mr. Clarkson observed that the impression to the contrary
against those who had conducted the prosecution did them
great injustice.
Mr. Parry said, if his Lordship thought.hism4u,tyimpera-
tlve, he bad"iiot agif4ther word to say op _ the sabject. He
would only observe, with regard to his own, client, that he
was compelled to be in constant communication with his so-
licitor. In fact, he conducted his own case with the aid of
his solicitor. It was only a question of a few days.
The LORD MAYOR could not see why he should depart
from the regular and proper course in favour of these parties.
The facilities for communication with legal advisers would
be the same in either case.

Mr. Wolff said he had himself experienced the difficulty o
obtaining access to prisoners.
The LORD MAvou—Well, I will take that there shall be
no difficulty. You do not advance any reasons why I should
in this case. depart from the regular courge."
Mr. Parry—No ; it is a matter of pure faVour and indul-
gence. _

The LORD MAYOR—Then I do not feel care I should be
justified, under the circumstances, in granting any indulgence.
Mr. Parry said, the examinations having now closed, he
begged to thank his Lordship for the patient hearing:which
he had given to the representatives of the prisoners, and for
the kindness and courtesy which he had displayed during
the whole of the proceedings.
Mr. Wolff, after consulting for a short time with Mrs.
Dorey, said that the prisoner would feel much obliged to his
Lordship, if he would give such directions as would enable
her to see her husband. The prison regulations would only
allow of hie coming to her twice a week. ' •
The LORD MAYOR said he would take care that whatever
indulgence the prison regulations allowed should be afforded
for that purpose.

His 1.40111;13111P then, addressing all the prisoners, said—
I now feel it my duty to commit you all to Newgate, to take
your trial at the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court.
I would have you all prepare to take that trial on the first
day when the judges come down, because I think it is most
likely that that will be the day appointed.
The prisoners were then removed from the bar.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

UNION HALL.-(THIS DAY.)
CHARGE OF COINING. —Freeman, Young, and Martin, three
lads, were charged with being engaged in coining copper
money. It appeared that the police, having received informa-
tion that coining was going forward at a house in Norfolk-
street, Southwark-bridge-road, proceeded there on the pre-
ceding afternoon. Having obtained an entrance into the
house, three policemen rushed up stairs, and, breaking open
the garret door, discovered the three persons engaged in
coining copper money. There was a crucible on the fire, with
metal in i which was attempted to be upset by the prisoners,
one of whom was observed to run to the window, which was
open, and throw something into the yard, which was after-
wards found to be penny pieces, just taken from the mould,
with the edges unclipped. The prisoners were then secured,
and taken to the station-house.—Committed.

DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—Two men, named Gearing
and Wright, were charged with committing the following
daring highway robbery. On the preceding night, at a late
hour, a Mrs. Davis, an aged woman, on leaving the Bridge
House public-house, came out with two sovereigns and seve •
ral half-crown pieces in her hand. The moment she got into
the street, Gearing rushed up and snatched the whole of the
money, with which he ran away, but was eventually secured,
having previously thrown the money away. When police-
man 195 M was conveying Gearing to the station-house, the
other prisoner attempted a rescue, and struck the policeman
a violent blow on the side of the head with a life-preserver.
Wright then ran away, but being known, was taken into
custody soon afterwards.—Both prisoners were committed.

QUEEN-SQUARE.-(THIS DAY.)
James Jackson, a young man having the appearance of a
mechanic, was charged before Mr. Burrell with stealing a
pair of female's boots of the value of 2s.
_ _ _

Job Matthews, a plasterer and broker, residing in Frederick's-
place, Brewer's-green, stated that whilst at breakfast that
morning, between eight and nine o'clock, he saw the prisoner
in his shop, who, on being perceived, ran away, followed by
the prosecutor. The prisoner threw the boots away on being
captured, and said he paid the prosecutor for them.
A little boy corroborated the evidence of the prosecutor.
The prisoner, who denied the charge, was committed for
trial.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
EPSOM SPRING MEETING—FRIDAY.
Except in that grand essential with the multitude--quan-
tity, the bill of fare provided for yesterday's racing was of
moderate pretensions; the Trial Stakes, the only event of
any importance in the estimation of the betting community,
had an entry of only eight horses, taking them as a lot, of
inferior grade. It did not fail, however, to produce sonic
effect on the Derby betting, Sir Gilbert Heathcote's outsider,
Akbar, having achieved an easy victory, and, in consequence,
advanced from 100 to 40 to 1. At the same time giving
Campunero a lift of several points. The other races, if they
lacked importance, afibrded a sufficiency of sport to satisfy
the largest company ever congregated at a Spring Meeting
on Epsom Downs. They were run off with a precision that
might have been expected from a zealous and competent
executive. The weather was brilliantly fine, and the course
in the most perfect condition imaginable. At two o'clock, to
the minute, the horses were started for
The Epsom Trial Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 50 sovs. added
by Sir G. Ifeathcote ; for three yrs old, 7st; and four, 9st.
One mile. (8 Subs.)
Sir G. Heathcote's ch c Akbar, 3 yrs (Chapple) 1
Lord G. Bentinck's Emma, 3 yrs
The following also started, but were not placed—Mr,
Braithwaite's Gaiety, 3 yrs—Mr. Gratwicke's Hopeful,4yrs--
Mr. Balchin's Curate, 4 yrs—Mr. E. R. Clarke's Mespelus, 3
yrs—Mr. Glen's fby Camel, out of Minikin. 3 yrs—Mr. Eng-
land's br c Midas, 3 yrs. Betting-10 to 6 agst Emma, 4to
1 agst Akbar, 4 to 1 agst Gaiety, and 4 to .1 agst Hopeful.
Emma got well off, and made running at a capital pace;
Akbar, who took the second place at the turn, following her
to the Stand, where he went up, ran with her a few strides,
and, quitting her without a struggle, won easy by a length.
Gaiety was a couple of lengths from Emma, and a length be-
fore Midas. The others were tolerably well up.
25/. added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each ; for three yrs
old, 6st ; four, Bst 41b ; five, Bst 131 b ; six and aged, 9st 51b.
The winner to be sold for 2501. Heats, one mile. (5 Subs.)
Lord G. Bentinck's Croton Oil, 3 yrs (Abdale) 1 1
Sir G.lleathcote's ch cby Glaucus—Shirine, 3 yrs... 0 2
Mr. Balchin's Moustache, 3 yrs
Mr. Smith's Nora Creine, 4 yrs
5 to 4 agst Croton Oil, and 7 to 4 on him for the second.
Both heats won easy by a length.
251. added to a Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each. Heats, a mile
and a quarter. (11 Subs.)
Lord G. Bentinck's Misdeal, 5 yrs, Bst 21b
Mr. Cowley's Adrian, aged, Bst 81b 1 0 2
Mr. Hardy's Little Dan, aged, Bst 61b
Mr. Pearce's Jessica, 6 yrs, Bst 31b 0 3 4
Mr. Gardnor's f by Velocipede, out of Ermine, 4 yrs,
7st 71b
Mr. Stanbrough's Risk ................................
Mr. Stuckey's Paul Clifford ....
Mr. E. P. Clarke's Chummy
Mr. T. Smith's Icarus
Icarus carried 41bs overweight, and Mr. Gardnor's filly 2lbs.
10 to 6 agst Misdeal and sto 2 agst Mr. Gardnor's filly.
Won by a length. Chummy a good third, Misdeal did
not go for the heat. Second heat—Even on Misdeal, who
won only by halc a length. Third heat-3 to lon Misdeal,
who won iu a canter, and was claimed for 80/,

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