The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-09 00:00:00

JOHN YOUNG
March ,2

ociotiater, Edinburgh, Feb. .15 and
et tvr rive, at Ferguson's Ship Tavern, Edinburgh.
LLOYD and DOUGLAS, merchants, Leith, Feb. 16 and
March 9,-at two, at the Old Signet Hall, Edinburgh.

LAW INTELLIGEN CE,
SECONDARIES' COURT, Feb. 8.
ClAtt. CON. IN HIGH LIFE.-ASIITON V. 13gDFOR.D.
The plaintiff in this case, William Ashton. L q., holds the
lucrative office of Collector of the Revenue in India. The de-
fendant, William Devignes Bedford, is Lieutenant and Pay-
master of,the Ilth Hussars, and the action was brought against
him for criminal conversation with the plaintiff's wife. 'I he
damages were laid at 10,0001., but judgment was allowed to.
go by default.
Mr. Crowder and Mr. Phillimore were for the .plaintiff and
Mr. Montague Smith for the defendant.
'I he SECONDARY having summed up the evidence,
The Jury assessed the damages at 50/.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.
THE CASE OF THE BARON DE BEHR.
Charles de Behr, described as a labourer, aged 38, was in-
dicted for unlawfully obtaining by false pretences two sums
of 50/., the property of William Osborn Rich, with intent to
defraud him thereof.
Mr. Phillips and Mr. Bodkin appeared for the prosecution,
and Mr. Charnock defended the prisoner.
Mr. PHILLIPS stated the case to the Jury, detailing the
facts, and calling the following witnesses in proof :
William Osborn Rich was the first witness called, and exa-
mined by Mr. BODKIN—Has been employed in the War-
office about thirty-two years. Resides at Sydenham. Was
an acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Snow, of Portland-place, and
an oh! friend of the family for many years. His daughter also
visited there. In the month of December last unpleasant dif-
ferences had arisen, which had caused the separation of Mr. and
Mrs. Snow. On the 18th of that month the defendant came
to the War-office. Had never seen him before. He intro-
duced himself as the Baron de Behr. He gave the witness a
card with that name upon it. He said he came from Mrs.
Snow, as her friend. He supposed that I had heard what had
happened. Witness told him he had heard nothing, and was
very anxious to hear. He then said there were letters in
Portland-place which Mrs. Snow wished destroyed.. He said
he could obtain those letters through the housekeeper, whom
he had seen, if she was bribed. She was to be bribed by either
30('l. or 5001. Could not exactly say which sum he mentioned.
Witness said he would have nothing to do with the letters.. He
then said it would be very unkind to her, as she wished par-
ticularly to get them, and as she had no money, the witness
must assist her. He asked witness if he could not advance
SGOI. Witness said, Decidedly not—he had not got it. He then
said 250/. Witness said he had it not. He then said, What can
you advance? Witness said perhaps he could find 501. He (th
prisoner) said he had advanced all he had, viz., 1301. Witness
gave the prisoner five 101. notes, and he then left, saying he
would ge immediately to the house. Witness took no security
or acknowledgment whatever. The 18th December was
Saturday, and the prisoner came to witness on the following
Monday at the War-office. He said the housekeeper
was not satisfied, and must have snore. Witness told hart
he had ne more. Prisoner said the witness must find 501. to
save his credit; and after seine hesitation witness gale him
501. He, said when he received it, striking his breast, " You
may trust a nobleman and a man of honour." Witness saw
the prisoner on the 30th of December, when he came again to
the War-office. He then said that he had again come about
Mrs. Snow, that she. was distressed for money, and he (the
witness) was to advance her some for her own private use. Wit-
ness told him he had taken all he had. lie then proposed
drawing a bill of exchange for 160/., and the witness declined
to do it, as he did not uederstand bill transactions. He even-
tually, however, persuaded the witness to accept a bill of 160/.
The prisoner brought a stamp. Witness signed the bill,
and a person called upon him afterwards, and asked
if that was his (witness's) signature ; and the witness
understood that the inquiry was made for the purpose
of discounting the bill. The prisoner had told him
that some one would call upon him respecting the bill. The
bill was drawn at three months, payable at Drummond's at the
order of the prisoner, the drawer. The witness was

induced to put his name to the bill on account of the
representation of the prisoner that Mrs. Snow was in
distress, and wished the money for her private use.
The prisoner at this time said, "Make your mind easy,
I shall be receiving money in Jan., and I will give you an under-
taking to repay you the 1601. He undertook to pay the witness
between the 6th and 10th January. The undertaking was
here read, and was signed "De Behr." Witness addressed
a letter to the prisoner, calling on the prisoner to keep his
promise as a man othonour and a nobleman, which he had
represented himself to'be, and stating that the money was a
large sum to him (the witness), although it was a trifle to the
prisoner, who could command so many thousands. In ft postscript
the latter stated the prisoner had obtained 16s. from his (witness's)
son. This letter was written in consequence of the prisoner
having promised to call and pay the amount of the bill. A
few days afterwards witness saw the partner of Mr. Snow. In
consequence of a conversation, the witness entertained suspi-
cions of the prisoner.
Cross-examined by Mr. CHARNOCK—Has been promoted
from time to time in the War-office. Mrs. Snow has been
married about ten years. Became acquainted with Mrs. Snow
s.rice her marriage, and had often corresponded with her.
Did not know when the separation between Mr. and Mrs. Snow
took place, but Mrs. Snow was at present living with her
father. Witness contrived to correspond with Mrs. Snow up
to December last. He ceased to correspond with Mrs.
Snow at her desire. His letters at times were fre-
quent. Sometimes they were ten a month ; sometimes
not more than one. After the 18th December, witness
went to Long's Hotel with the prisoner, he having
invited the witness to dinner. This was after the second 50/.
transaction. At that dinner Mrs. Snow was the subject. of
conversation. That was the express object of the dinner. Did
not on that occasion express great anxiety about the letters he
had addressed to Mrs. Snow. Said to the prisoner, So far as
I am concerned I don't care that (snapping his fingers) fer the
letters. Did not say for the world he would not have the
letters fall into the hands of Mr. Snow. No person was
present at the dinner but .themselves. The prisoner
came to witness's house at Sydenham, on the 2d January. He
came without invitation. He dined with witness on that occa-
sion. The members of his family, consisting of two daughters
and a son, were present. Tile prisoner had previously intro-
duced himself to them. The prisoner left about three or four.
Mrs. Snow was the subject of conversation on that occasion.
Never desired the prisoner to wait upon Mrs. Snow ; but he
told witness that he was in the habit of seeing Mrs. Snow fre-
quently. Has heard his son say that he has ridden out with
the prisoner.
The RECORDER staid he thought the Learned Counsel was
only establishing the case for the prosecution, by proving this
great confidence.
Re-examined by Mr. BODKIN—Had the misfortune to lose
a daughter some time ago, and on that occasion Mrs. Snow
was very attentive to her, and attended her up to her death.
Elizabeth Dickson was then called, and examined by Mr.
Pitman—Was in January last housekeeper to Mr. and
Mrs. Snow, who lived at 72, Portland-place. The establish-
ment was broken up. Knows the prisoner, having been in-
troduced to him by her sister last September. Mr. and Mrs.
Snow were abroad at that time. The prisoner continued to
visit her as a suitor, and several times asked her to marry him,
and said he was Secretary for Foreign Affairs.—(Laughter.)
The RECORDER said he might be a secretary for foreign
affairs without being the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
The prisoner asked, when Mr. Snow returned, why Mrs.
Snow did not return. Did not tell the prisoner of the unhappy
differences existing between Mr. and Mrs. Snow. In the
course of their conversation, the name of Mr. Rich was men-
tioned. Never instructed the prisoner to get money to bribe
her, to give up the letters of Mr. Rich to Mrs. Snow. Never
asked him for money for the purpose of giving up any letters
of any kind. Never, in point of fact, received 50/. on condition
that she gave up any letter of Mr. Rich's or anybody's else.
Had never had any conversation with him respecting any let-
ters whatever, and therefore was never dissatisfied with any
amount of money tendered to her by the prisoner. Had letters
in her possession of Mrs. Snow's, but the prisoner had no op-
portunity of knowing that fact, nor was her sister aware of it.
Georgiana Snow, who was led into Court by the Reverend
Ordinary of Newgate, was then called. She was a beauti-
ful and elegant woman, apparently about 30 years of age.
Is the wife of Mr. Robert Snow. Has been married ten years.
Has two children. They resided in Portland-place. Left
England in the early part of last year with Mr. Snow. Had
been at Twickenham in March last. Has not lived with Mr.
Snow for some time. Mr. Snow came to England and left the
witness in Paris. One of her brothers came to Paris and
brought her to England, and she is now living in the house of
her father in Arlington-street. Knows Mr. Rich , the prosecutor.
He has been on intimate terms with her husband and herself.
Remembers seeing the prisoner brought before the Alagis-
trate. She had never seen him before that time in her life.
Never authorised or requested him to make applicaion to Mr.
Rich to obtain any letters, nor for any purpose whatever.
Never.sent him to Mr. Rich as her friend.
Cross-examined by Mr. CH A RNOCK—Had been in Paris
about seven years ago with her father. Was there two months.
She was educated abroad. When in Paris she did not go
much into society. She remained in Paris about a fortnight
after her husband left. She resided at an hotel in the Rue
Rivoli. Will swear she has never seen the prisoner in Paris
nor in England before the examination before the Magistrate.
In no part of England. Never met him at Dulwich. Had
spent about eight or nine months on the Continent before her
marriage. Has never by letter or otherwise received presents
from the prisoner within the last two years. Never received a
ring with a ruby. There are proceedings going on in the
Ecclesiastical Court.

Re-examined by Mr. BOD K I te.—At the time alluded to,
seven years ago, she lost one of her children. Since her ar-
rival in England her health had been very indifferent, and she
had resided at the house of her brother, the Head Master of
St. Paul's. Remained there till the 31st of Pecember
from the Bth of the same month. During the whole
of that time she was so ill that she never stirred out.
When she left she wont to her father. On the sth of July she
went to a friend of her father's in Surrey, and remained till
the 17th ofJanuary. From the Bth of December to the 17th
of January she never carae to London. After the 17th re-
mained at her father's, and was there now.
This being the case for the prosecution,
Mr. CHARNOCK took an objection to the form of the indict-
ment, which stated the offence was committed in the fifth
year of our Sovereign Lady Victoria. He contended that that
phrase might mean the sth year of the age of the Sovereign.
The RECORDER said she was not Queen then. A clause in
the Act said that the term was " reign," which would not pre-
Vent judiFment being taken upon the indictment.
Mr. CHARNOCK then took a variety of other objections, as
to the place described in the indictment and the person. The
indictment stated that the street was Portland-place, and the
person one Mr. Snow; now thero were many Portland-places,
and many Alr. Snows.
'1 he RECORDER said the objection could not stand, as the
prisoner had used the words, and those were the words which
must be introduced in the indictment. These words were used
for the purpose of deceiving, and they had had that effect.
Mr. CHARNOCK then addressed the July for the prisoner,
contending that the amounts advanced by the prosecutor to the
prisoner were only loans to be repaid.
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Mr. PHILLIPS replied, in a most humourous speech, which
d a verdiet of
to
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aasnts puoarst:tiiro, n the evidence, the Jury
returie
Guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced
the calendar, and occutied the
Court upwards of five hours.

SENTENCES.
At the termination of the Old Bailey Sessions yesterday,
a number of conv;cts were brought up for judgment, when the
following sentences were passed :
Transportation for Life—Wm. Yates and John Atkinson,
alias Smith • the last-named, being a returned convict, is to
be kept to hard labour in the House of Correction for six
months before his expatriation.
For Fifteen Years—Pat. Flannagan and John Harcourt.
For Fourteen Years—Mary King and Mary Taylor.
For twice Seven Years—Sarah Price, alias Pugh.
For Ten Years—J. 111‘Gregor, J. Payne, W. Smith, David
Harrington, W. Metcalfe, J. Brown John Barry, A. Morti•
suer, Wm. Smith, John Bennett, John Charlton, T. Eggleton,
Sarah Atkins, alias Jones, John Williams, James King, Thos.
John Brown, Mary Banks, Wm. Beglie.
Carroll,Fo For Seven
Thomas,
en Years-LJas. Nicholson, .Wan. Estworthy, J.
Jones Thos. Breen, Charles Whitmore, J. Dalen, John