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London, England, 1842-09-22 00:00:00

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t‘,W INTELLIGENCE.

BANKRUPTCY:-(THIS DAY.)

IN RE WILLIAM PRIESTLY.
The bankrupt in this case was described as a wheel-
wright and general engineer, residing in High-street,
Wapping. The amount of debts which appeared in
his schedule was stated at 7,8501., and the liabilities
about 12,0004 of which latter nearly one-half was
marked in the schedule as having been incurred upon
bills Of exchange without consideration.
It appeared that up to the year 1837 he had carried
on a very extensive business in Sheffield as an iron
and plated ware manufacturer, when he removed to
Liverpool, after having incurred debts to various per-
sona in Sheffield and other places to a large amount,
was shortly afterwards arrested, and upon the hearing
of his petition in the Insolvent Court, was remanded
for eight months, for fraudulently contracting debts
and vexatious defence to an action brought by one of
his creditors, by which a large amount of law costs
was accumulated. During his residence in Liverpool
he had purchased a number of shares in those Welsh
tin and copper mines which gained so much notoriety
in Cave's bankruptcy before Sir Charles Williams;
but although he alleged that he had paid several thou-
sand pounds for them, they were perfectly valueless
now, From the statement of the amount of available
assets and debts, it appeared that no more than about
500/. would be realised to meet his liabilities.
A number of creditors were in attendance to prove
debts previous to the choice of assignees, and after a
long discussion as to the propriety of ourning the
election, Mr. Henry Williams was nominated.
CR

IMINAL COURT.—(THIS DAY.)
OLD COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice WIGHT:mix and Mr. Justice

CL.
POST-OFFICE FORGERY WELD)
es Samuel BTO2III
wag indicted
with forging, on the 24th of August
last, eight warrants for money, to the value of 391.
us. 5s
's with intent to defraud her Majesty's Post..
dinicas,te-General. There were three other similar in-
notagainst against the prisoner, to all of which he pleaded
-
AdN torney-General, Mr. Shepherd, and Mr.
el , Phns conducted the prosecution. Mr. Phillips,
M. Clarkson, and Mr. Doane appeared for the prisoner.
Tl ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated the case for the
'„szeoution, and called the following witnesses :
theluts. Elizabeth Blundell.—Witness's husband kept
Post-office at Camberwell. Often received money
Before
from the country to pay to parties in London.
those orders were paid they received a letter
of advice. On the 24th ofAugust the prisoner came
to witness's house and resented, eight orders for
money, which purported P
at Sittinghourneto come from the Post-office
On
that morning witness had re-
ceived a letter of: advice with respect to the eight or-
ders, and after asking a few questions, witness paid
the prisoner the money. Witness afterwards sent the
o
letter advice to the General Post-office.
carne Cross-examined by Mr. PHILLIPS—The prisoner
either in a cab or a carriage.
Robert Polten was in the service of Mr. Wells,
81f
Able-keeper in the Blackfriar's-road. On the 24th
gust the prisoner came to his master's, and or-
id_ser.e.dil two horses to be put to a Brougham that stood
line the yard. He had a cash-box with him. When
the" into the carriage he directed it to be driven to
Post-office at Kennington. Afterwards witness
dro
to the post-office in the Clapham-road, and then
4`7. amberwell. The prisoner then directed witness
looi.nrive to Islington, but they stopped at the Post-
°e, and the prisoner then went to the Bank. Wit-
nenrY' afterwards drove to Sadler's Wells, where the
It:s°l'er opened the cash-box and took a shilling from
which he gave to witness. There was at that time
a
great number of sovereigns in the box.
r
hir• Marsh, was post-master at Sittingbourne.
ie letter of advice produced had never been sent by
rn: nor did he receive the amount of it from any
r phV. The eight orders produced did not issue from
eaSittingbourne post-office, but were all forgeries.
Us
4111 Reeves Kenries was clerk in the Money
0 Qder-office of the General Post-office. Received no
j`," of advice from Sittingbourne with respect to the
atilt orders for money produced. Knew the prisoner
,„ rile bar well, he had been two years a clerk in the
rhe office as witness. He had no doubt the writing
o-
n the orders produced Iras the prisoners.
ArPatrick Rowland Jackson was chief clerk in the
„s,°neY Order-office. The prisoner had been there
-at eighteen months. Witness fully believed that
all '"
the orders produced, as well as the letter of advice,
were in the prisoner's hand-writing. On the 24th of
outist, the prisoner applied to witness, as the head
the. office, for leave of absence, which witness gave
hail, and he left at 2 o'clock.
Charles Frederick Armstrong was also a clerk in
the Money Order-office. The letters of advice and
the orders witness believed to be in the hand-writing
of the prisoner. The prisoner had the means of access
to the blank forms for money orders.
Mathew. Peak, the constable at the Post-office,
took the prisoner into custody. Upon being told the
nature of- the charge against him, he said he could
explain it. Ott searching him, found 251. in gold, a
gold xvatc.h,,ehain, and ring. Witness then took him
to Bow 'street ; he stated where he resided, at the
same:, time observing that he had another place of
going
to his
lodgings with Mr. Phillips, they found a cash-box,
containing bank-notes and ten money-orders. There
was upwards of 65/. in Bank of England notes, and
1891. in gold.
--Hurst was a letter- carrier at Peckham, and had
been so for thirty years. Knew of no such person
there as 'William Coulter.
Several other witnesses gave similar testimony.
This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. PHILLIPS then addressed the Jury on behalf of
the prisoner, contending that he was of unsound mind,
and therefore not accountable for the acts he had
committed. From the statements of the Learned
had
it appeared that the prisoner, when a boy,
lad received a blow on the head from a brick thrown
by his brother, from which he had never recovered,
and such were the singularity of his acts at the Post-
leea; that he received the appellation among the
rlis 'there of " Mad Tom." On one occasion he
!,?0, k laudanum, and on another he fancied himself
Charles the Second, got a dress to personate that
Another Monarch,ete and actually walked up Fleet-street in it.
proof of the state of his mind was, that he
thought himself a Colonel, got a dress as one, and
Wore a sword, which he took to bed with him. He
4111 ea fancied he was going to marry a Countess with
t°,°oo/. a year, and actually went to two ladies whom
(Mr. Phillips) would call, to ask their advice on
'the subject. On another occasion he put his hand into
%oiling lead, saying nothing could hurt him. Upon
Se things taking place the prisoner's father called
oc Drs. Phillips and Sutherland, who were clearly of
'nion that the prisoner was insane, and in that
neon they were borne out by that of Mr. M'Murdo,
urgeon of the prison,
.The Learned COUNSEL then called the sister of the
soner, who corroborated his statements relative to
the unaccountable acts of her brother. He had often
"led witness up to his bed-room for no purpose
whatever, except asking her if she did not think him
%ery beautiful. He had a sword which he would not
' to bed without, and he always fancied himself a
Colonel, arid signed his name as such. AVitness had
°llea found hint a
irlin• On the Demi"
t night in the garden sitting in the
of the marriage of the pri-
5011er's brother, he put white ribbon on his shoes and
round the necks of the cats. Witness from all these
'higs believed her brother !.° be of unsound mind.
Another sister of the prisoner gave .41rdlar testimony.
,Valter Brown, the brother of the pi-1;211er, stated
...
on one occasion his brother put down a sZwe-
-ign for his father's dog to swallow, and upon the
thtti attempting to do so, the prisoner picked up
a sovereign and threw down a shilling, which the
h°g swallowed, when the prisoner observed that he
4.1 Fot enough in his inside to last him a week.
'l'lY Branscombe had known the family of the
Prisoi:er for some years. In May last he called upon
'witness, for the purpose, as he said, of consulting her
Pon his marriage with a Countess of 40,000/. a
year.
ltbess considered him of unsound mind, and endea-
rlaured to pacify him as much as she could. Witness
Ip. doubt that he was insane.
„ Nadame Amyotte, the wife of an officer in the
tench army, knew the prisoner, and always consi-
dered him a strange and foolish young man. He once
called on witness, to consult about his marriage with
a lady of 40,0001. a year.
Dr. Sutherland examined the prisoner on the 16th
°f the present month, and the result of that exami-
-11,,,ti°11 was, that the prisoner was of unsound
-"hd• On questioning him he said he 'had been
guilty of no crime, that he had acted for the good
the State, and that it only required he should see
1 -ord Lowther, and he should get promotion. lie
gr,ttid he held a commission in the army, and was a
°ionel in the 16th Lancers. On witness asking him
t'
° give him his designation in writing, he wrote in a
bold hand " Colonel James Samuel Browne, 16th
hucers, 17th September." Under the letter " S,"
Prisoner wrote. the figures " 24th ;" and upon
;"(,toess asking why he had done so, he replied,
<< fitness
I mean to dine with Mrs. Ducrow on that
as I have received an invitation from her."
.Dri'ness had several other interviews with the
At°ll, er, in company with Dr. Phillips and Mr.
,:`6lurdo, the surgeon of Newgate, and all of them
s'Elle to the conclusion that the prisoner was of un-
411111€1 mind.
Dr. Phillips and Mr. AP.Murdo gave similar evidence.
thehe ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that after hearing
levidence that had just been given of the medical
Then,. he did not feel himself called upon
!eta further against the prisoner, but would leave
to press theit
d,' the hands of the Learned Judge and Jury. Be
~.(1 this with the more satisfaction because should the
Jury, under the direction of the Learned Judge,
acquit the prisoner, he would not be set at liberty,
and thereby enabled to commit the crime over again,

but would be taken care of as an individual of un-
sound mind. - -
Mr J ustice WIGIITMAN summed up at some length.
The Jury, without the slightest hesitation, ac-
qu'tted the prisoner, on the ground of insanity.
The other indictments were; not proceeded with.

NEW COURT.
(Before the COMMON SERGEANT.)

Matthew Stevenson, aged 34, and Wrn. Stevenson,
aged 26, were indicted, Matthew, for embezzling and
stealing six Bank notes, value 301., and money value
371. 17s. 7d., of Edward Slater and another, his mas-
ters; William' for feloniously receivinglone Bank note,
value 51., well knowing the same to have been stolen.

The prosecutor is a butcher in an extensive way of
business, and the prisoner Matthew Stevenson was in
his service, and was empowered by his master to re-
ceive money, for which it Was his duty to account
to his master every day. The prisoner, however.,
had received at different times the sums in question
Of different customers of his master, and had appro-
priated them to his own use. The evidence against
the prisoner William Stevenson, the brother of the
other prisoner, went to shoNV that he, William, had
offered a 51. note, part of the money in question, for
change at a public-house. He had, it appears, received
the note from the other prisoner to get change, and it
was inferred that he must have known that his brother
could not have become possessed honestly of such a
sum of money.
The Jury found both the priSoners guilty, and
the COURT sentenced Matthew Stevenson to twelve
months' imprisonment and hard labour, and William
Stevenson to four months' imprisonment, with hard
labour.

Elizabeth Webb, 20, and Elizabeth Moir, 25, were
charged on two indictments -with stealing one pair of
boots, value 4s. Gd., the property of John Simpson,
and one pair of stockings, value Is. Gd., the property
of James Gill.

The property was found on the prisoner Webb.
The case, however, against Moir was very weak, and
the Jury acquitted her, and found Webb guilty.
It appeared that -Webb had hitherto borne an irre•
proaaable character, and that her relations, who re-
sided in the county of Essex, and who were persons of
great respectability, were willing to receive her.
Under these circumstances, the Court sentenced her
only to four days' imprisonment in Newgate, on the
understanding that at expiration of her term of im-
prisonment, she should
R SERVANTSt to her friends in Essex.
ROBBERIES In- —William Tute pleaded
guilty to an indictment charging him with having
stolen a large quantity of plate, the property of his
employer.
The COURT in passing sentence on the prisoner,
said that his conduct was wholly inexcusable. The
prisoner belonged to a class of persons, viz., gen-
tlemen's servants, who were overfed, overpaid,
and underworked ; and if they committed these
crimes, there was not the same allowance to be
made for them as for persons who were in a state of
destitution'. Notwithstanding he was well fed and
well paid, he could not keep from robbing his master.
The sentence of the Court upon him was, that he be
transported for seven years.
The prisoner, it appeared, had taken the property
to Bristol, and had offered it to pledge to Mr. Chil-
cott, pawnbroker, in that city, who very properly
stopped it, and by whose exertions the prisoner has
been brought to justice.
Joseph Innes, aged 20, a footman, who appeared at
the bar dressed in livery, was indicted for stealing two
silver spoons, the property of Miss Emily Herbert.
The prosecutrix resides in the neighbourhood of.
Hanover%square, and the prisoner had been in her em-
ployment as a footman. On the 19th of Septeinber
he offered the spoons in question to a pawnbroker,
who stopped them, and gave the prisoner into custody.
Miss Herbert was out of town at the time,' and the
prisoner had been left in charge of the house.

The Jury found him guilty.—
In answer to questions from the Common Sergeant,
Miss Herbert stated, that she had no reason to sus-
pect that the prisoner had previously been guilty of
dishonesty—that he had been some time in her service
—and that she had had a twelvemonth's character
with him from his last place.
The COMMON SERGEANT, in passing sentence, told
the prisoner he had had a narrow escape from trans-
portation. After what Miss Herbert had stated, how-
ever, the Court would give him one more chance.
The sentence upon him was that he be imprisoned for
twelve months, and kept to hard labour.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUILDHALL.-(THIS DAY.)

Mary Moran, a respectable-looking woman, was
charged with stealing a number of duplicates, the
property of Mrs. Bennet, of Union-court.
The prisoner took lodgings in the house of the
prosecutrix, and some days after the duplicates
were missed. Suspicion falling on the prisoner, her
box was searched, and the duplicates were found there.
It appeared that she was the wife of a traveller, who
was at present on his journey in the country. When
she was taken into custody eight sovereigns were
found upon her.
There were two other charges of robbing in houses
where she had lodged preferred against her.
The prisoner, in her defence, said it was the first
offenca she had ever committed, and hoped the Alder-
man would overlook it.
As further evidence was forthcoming against the
prisoner, she was remanded for a week.

MARLBoROUGH-STREET.
(THIS DAY.)
Henry Wilson, a young man of respectable appear-
ance, was charge with stealing Wilson, of Edin-
burgh's, edition of Shakspere's works, from the shop-
window of Mr. Thomas Mudie, of St. Martin's-court,
bookseller. It appeared that between five and six
o'clock last evening, the prisoner was observed lurking
about the prosecutor's shop, by an opposite neighbour,
and his manner exciting suspicion, he was
narrowly watched, and after waiting for above
three quarters of an hour for , an opportunity,
when as he thought he was unobserved, he reached
down the volume in question from off a shelf in the
shop front, the window being open, and depositing
it in a small basket that he drew from under his coat,
was making off, but he was not allowed to proceed
fir before he was stopped with the stolen property.
Mr. llARnwicx—What have you to say to this
charge of robbery ? Prisoner— merely took the
book up, intending to pay for it. I did not place it
in the basket.
Mr. HARDWICK (to the prisoner)—What are you,
and «here do you live ?
Prisoner—l am a master biscuit baker, and reside
at Tottenham, but I am now out of business.
Mr. llARnwircx—Well, it is a case I shall send to
the sessions.—The prisoner was committed.

MARYLEBONE,(THIS DAY.)
William Willie, a tall athletic man, was charged
with assaulting his wife, who stated that last night
she had come home about one o'clock, when her
husband struck her a violent blow on the
head. and, in falling, she came upon the
fender, and was for a time nearly insensible.
While down pri3oner kicked her in the side, and trod
upon her in a shocking manner. She screamed mur•
der, and a police-constable came to her assistance and
took Biro into custody.
, Prisoner, in his defence, stated that his wife was in
the habit of coming home drunk every night, and last
night she being tipsy as usual, he bad thought proper
o chastise her.
Mr, LONG, after severely reprimanding him on his
,lepravity anti pruelty, fined him al., or two months'

UNION lit: 1.1...—(TH1S DAY.) E
A ruffianly fellow, namesl Lguikvan, was charged
with a desperate assault on Ann Smith, who was un-
able to attend owing to the serious nature of tht
injuries inflicted by her assailant.
The complainant, a respectable married woman, on
leaving home the preceding night, was met by th(
prisoner, who attempted to take improper liberties
with her. She resisted, upon which the defendant
seized her by the shoulders, and threw her down with
the utmost violence upon the pavement. Her hus-
band, hearing her cries, left his shop and went to the
spot, when he was also attacked by the defendant in
the most furious manner.
The prisoner was remanded until the injured woman
should be declared out of danger.
James Doyle, a boy of 12 years of age, was charged
with entering the house of a gentleman at Camber-
well, and stealing a quantity of soap.
The prisoner was detected in a cupboard with the
soap, where he was discovered by a servant. He said
he was starving. He was committed for a month to
Brixton gaol.

SUDDEN DEATH.—This afternoon, at a quarter
before one o'clock, a respectable married woman
named Mary 'Wilson, who resided at No. I, Yates's-
court, Clements-lane, Strand, went into Mr. Sayer's
wine vaults, Clare-street, Clare Market, for some re-
freshment, but before she could give an order she fell
down and almost instantly expired. Mr. Lovett, sur-
geon, of Clare-street, was immediately sent for, but
before his trrival life was extinct.
Notwithstanding the fines weather experienced
during the harvest, which raised the hopes of the
farmer from deep despair, it has continued equally
favourable for the preparing the ground for next sea
son's culture. Seldom has such weather been known.
The harrowing operations are forwardly advanced,
and everything at present bears the brightest pros-
pec ts. --Kenti sh Gazette.
It is stated that her Majesty's Privy Council have
given directions for the preparation of a form of thanks-
giving to Almighty God for the late manifestation of
his goodness by the bountiful harvest.

CITY OF LONDON REGISTRA-
TION.—(THIS DAY.)
Mr. M'Christie, the Revising Barrister, tool: his
seat in the Court of Common Pleas, Guildhall, at ten
• 'o'clock this morning.
The lists of the Liverymen were proceeded with.
it appeared that throughout these lists the numbers
of the houses in which the different claimants resided
were not stated, and considerable inconvenience and
discussion were thus created. One party was de-
scribed as residing in Bishopsgate• street, another as
residing in South Lambeth, so that whole streets, or
even districts, had to be searched in order to learn
a claimant's abode. This practice, it was stated, had
been adopted on the recommendation of a former
Revising Barrister.
Mr. M'CURIsTIE said that the practice appeared to
him to be calculated to lead to great inconvenience.
Indeed, it could hardly be said to fulfil the spirit of
the Act. lle hdped it would be discontinued in future.
The parties ob:ected td were 'allowed to appear
on Saturday next to defend their claims; :• ,• • .
No other cases of interest arose during the day.

WESTMINSTER REGISTRATION.

(THIS DAY.)

The parish of St. Clement Danes was proceeded with.
RATE-BOOK ERASURES.-IMPORTANT DECISION.—
Henry Gray Holmes, who was registered in respect
of a house in New nn-buildings, was objected to by
IN fr. Score, on the ground that his name was not pro-
perly entered in the rate-book.
It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Holmes, that
he hid been in possession since June, last year, and
paid rates, &c.
Mr. Schervin, the collector of the poor's-rates, who
was called by Mr. Score, produced the rate-book, in
which it appeared that the name of Elizabeth Down
had been originally entered • a pencil mark had,
however, been drawn through the name of Down, and
the name of Holmes had been written above in pencil.
The witness proved that the name of Holmes was in
his handwriting, and that he had made the correction
when he was collecting the rate—after the rate had
been made, allowed, and published.
Mr. SCORE addressed the Court at some length.
He contended that after a rate had been made, al-
lowed, and published, the collector had no authority
to alter that rate and introduce a name, so as that that
name should be considered as the one originally in
the rate.

Mr. TROTT, for the vote, said that without going
into the question as to how far the Court could re-
ceive evidence contrary to any rate, as it appeared be-
fore the Court, he apprehended that it was enough
that they found the name of Holmes in the rate.
Under the Reform Act, a party might claim to be
rated, and the overseers, in that case, must put the
name in the rate; and inasmuch as the name did ap-
pear in the rate-book, he denied the power of the
Court to do otherwise than to assume that a claim to
be rated was made in some way or other.
The REVISING BARRISTER said that this case was
not without considerable importance, as it affected a
large class of cases. He had, however, a very clear
and decided opinion upon the point. He very much
doubted whether a rate being produced with a name
on it, he had any authority to inquire how it came
there. It appeared to be enough for him to find that
the party was rated to the relief of the poor. If he
should ever find that the name got there improperly,
he did not see what jurisdiction he should have to re-
ject the rate which 'vas produced as a valid rate. But,
waiving that point, he clearly agreed with Mr. Trott
that the onus rested with the other side to show the
absence of a claim to be rated. The name should,
therefore, be retained on the register.

CORN AVERA GEN.
GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN,
rur the Week ended Sept. 17, 1842, made up from the Returns 61
the Inspectors in the different Cities and fawns in England at.d
Wales, pet Imperial Quarter.
Wheat 52.. 8.1.1 Oats
&trim 27s 2.1.1 Rye

AVERAGES OF TILE LAST RIX WEEKS.

wells ending, WHEAT. BARLF,Y.[ OATS. RYE. 1 BEANS. i PBAS h.
- - .........--...---... -
(21 2 32 9,34 1 34 7
' 19'5 31 6'3: 8 33 11
18 7 1 6131 11 32 6
1i 9 31 5; 33 1 32 5

Aug. 13...... 11 17 6
t 1) 56 5 26 J
17 55 U 27 3
Sept. 3 53 3 27 2

10
17 52 8 27 ' 2 17 6 V 10 32 10 32 11
IMPERIAL AGGREGATE AvIIIKAnRs OF THE SIX WEIKS
►Vhrat q3s 6d
54' 71.1 Oats .......... 1041.1 Beans
larley V7a 2cl. I Rye .... 3h 9.1.1 Pease 33., 4d.