The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-19 00:00:00

CLERKENWELL.

Mr. Charles Lander, a ri spectably-attired middle-aged
man, was yesterday brought Lefore Mr. Greenwood,
charged with forging the name of Mr. Ferdinand De
Lisle, merchant and banker, of the firm of De Lisle,
Janvrin, and De Lisle, Devonshire square, for 5001. to
the subscription deed of the South Midland, Nor-
thampton, and Leicester Railway Company, with intent
to defraud the said Company.
The number of shares was twenty-five, at 201. each.
The prisoner described himself as a land surveyor, re-
siding at 11, Webber-street, Blackfriars.
Mr. Clarkson appeared as counsel, and Messrs. Stevens
and Fearon, of 1, Gray's Inn square (who are the
solicitors to the Company), as solicitors for the prose-
cution.

The facts of the case appeared to be these:—On the
19th of June last the following letter was received at
the offices of the Company, 1, Gray's Inn-square; it
was addressed to the Directors of the Company:—
" Gentlemen,—l am desirous of subscribing for fifty
shares in this undertaking, and I hereby agree to pay
the deposit on so many of such shares as may be allotted
to me, and to sign the subscription agreement and Par-
liamentary contract when required,
" I ain gentlemen, &C.,

" FERDINA:ND DE LISLE, Merchant.

" Russell House, Balliam-hill, June 19, -1845."

He gave reference to Messrs Huntley, bankers, Fen-
church-street, and cited as witness " Charles Saunders,
surveyor, No. 7, Great Charlotte-street, Blacktriars-
road." The secretary knowing Messrs. De Lisle to be
persons of the highest respectability, the Directors felt
no hesitation in alloting to the applicant twenty-five
shares, and on the 15th of July the secretary, Mr.
Brown, forwarded to Ferdinand De Lisle, Esq., of
Russell House, Balham-hill, the usual letter of allot-
ment. The evidence will best explain the remainder of
the transaction.
Mr. Stanley, of No. 1, Gray's Inn-square, deposed that
ho was accountant to the South Midland Railway Com-
pany. On the 19th of July last the prisoner called at
the office of the Company, and having stated that his
name was Ferdinand De Lisle, of Russell House, Balha.in-
hill, produced the letter of allotment and the hanker's
receipt ; he signed the subscription deed -as above—
Frederick De Lisle, &c. The prisoner on that occasion
added that he was a brother of Mr. De Lisle, the banker.
The name of the trustees to the deed were Mr. Tatham 1
and Mr. Young.
Mr. Clarkson—l will now produce Mr. Ferdinand
De Lisle himself.
Mr. Ferdinand De Lisle was then sworn—l never lived
at Russell-house, 13alham-hill. I never signed that deed
(the instrument was produced). I never authorised any
one to sign it. The prisoner is not my brother. I know
nuthiug of him. I never saw him until I saw him in
the dock to day. I have no shares in the South Midland
Railway. The prisoner is not connected with my
brother's house. I never made any application for shares
to the company.
PAce-constable Francis Morris, 78 E, deposed that
he took the prisoner into custody about nine o'clock On
the previous (Sunday) morning, at 11, Webber-street,
Blacktriars-road. When I arrested him (said the officer)
I asked him if he knew Mr. Ferdinand de Lisle ; ha said
he did. I then asked him if he signed Mr. De Lisle's
name to thz subscription deed, and he replied he had
done so, but that he did not know he was doing any
harm. I found a large quantity of papers and a memo-
randum-book (produced) in his bedroom.
Mr. Clarkson—l have not examined the book very
closely, but I have seen enough to show that the writer
of it trafficked largely in railway shares. (To the
policeinavi)—:/id you ask the prisoner his name at the
station? Constable—Yes, and he said it was Lander.
Information having reached the company soon after
the subscription-deed was signed, and of course after the
deposit, 27/. 10s., had been paid in to the company's
bankers, Messrs. Currie, of Cornhill, and the scrip