The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-20 00:00:00

case as it appeared before the Court. If there was any
ground for it, an application might be made to the Se-
cretary of State.

The prisoners were then called up for judgment, and
upon being asked whether they had anything to say in
arrest of judgment, they made no answer.
Chief Justice TINDAL, on passing sentence, said they
had been convicted of a most grave and serious offence—
that of forging the notes of the country to which they
belonged, no doubt with a view to their own benefit, but to
the injury of the community at large. If they had been
successful it was difficult to say what might have been
the injury to individual and to general credit, and as a
warning to others, he felt it to be his duty to pass upon
them the full penalty fixed by the law, which was that
they be transp ,rted for 14 years.
Mr. BODKIN then applied for the costs. He sail that
he did so formally, at present, because he believed that
when an answer was received to a communication that
bad been made to the Norwegian Government, it would
be found that they would not receive the expenses.
The COURT granted the application.

IVEIT COURT.
(Before the RECORDER.)
John Rafferty, indicted for tendering base coin, a half-
crown and one shilling, at the Horse and Groom, White-
chapel, and at Mrs. Hockeney's, Morgan-street, was fuund
Guilty, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the
House of Correction.

James Macread y, indicted for tendering a bad half-crown,
pleaded guilty, end was sentenced to six month's imprison-
ment in the House of Correction.

Margaret Cullom, indicted for passing bad money on three
several occasions oipayment for goods, had of Mrs. Rivet,
Sydney-road, was found guilty, and sentenced to six months'
imprisonment in the House of Correction.
James North was indicted for having in his possessior had
coin, and endeavouring to pass it. In consequence of infor-
mation given he was taken up on suspicion.
James Stupps said he had known the prisoner for several
years, and in .November last went in with him to a public-
house, where they had something to drink. While drinking
the prisoner had a bad half-crown in his hand; holding it up
he said he had made away with some of these. These, said
the witness to him, what do you do with these, and where do
you get them ? Prisoner said he got them in Westminster, at
the back of the White Horse, and got a simple girl out of
the Vinegar-yard to pass them for him.
Constable 136 G took the prisoner into custody on suspi-
cion. When searched five bad half-crowns were found on
the prisoner, secreted in the lining of his coat, and wrapped
in folds of paper, so as to prevent friction.
The jury found him Guilty.
The Learned RECORDER, after remarking on the aggra-
vated nature of his offence, standing next in order to the false
coiner himself, sentenced bhn to 18 months' imprisonment
and hard labour.
William Smith, indicted for uttering base money on three
successive nights, in payment for goods bought of Mrs. Hall,
Great Suffolk-street, Surrey, was found guilty, and sentenced
to nine months' imprisonment and hard labour.
George Whitton was indicted for tendering a bad shilling,
and afterwards a bad half-crown, to James Battens, at the
Archer public-house, New-cut.
The prosecutor said, the prisoner on the first night asked
for a glass of beer, and tendered in payment a half-crown,
which prosecutor received, and gave him in change two old
shillings. When he was about to give him the fivepence of
copper, the rest of his change, prisoner said, "Stop, give me
back my half-crown, I have got a penny." He had his half-
crown returned him, and he put down on the counter what
he affected to be prosecutor's two shillings, oneold shilling
above a new one, the undermost being had. He returned a
second time, and made offer of a bad half.crown, when hewas
taken into custody.

The jury found him Guilty, and he was sentenced to six
months' imprisonment and hard labour.
Mr. Field, the Inspector of the Mint, who attended on the
cases, said the coin was made of a soft, fusible metal, electro-
plated with silver, which presents a whiter appearance than
the genuine cein, but an appearance very likely to impose
upon, on account of the sharp, well-defined outline the (1,0
presents; but it is lighter than the genuine coin by one-
third.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
BLACRFRIARS PIER—WARP: v. KINCIIIN.—As early
as len o'clock yesterday morning a considerable number
of persons connected with the steam-beat companies
were in attendance at the justice-room, in expectation
that some cases would be brought before the Lord Mayor
relative to the proceedings which are creating so much
public excitement at Blackfriars-pier.
The Lord Mayor and Aldermen Musgrove sat to ad-
judicate. Mr. Ryland, the senior City Pleader, and the
City Solicitor, were present, together with Mr. Bedford,
the Chairman, and Mr. Hall, Mr. Cot:der, Mr. Bower,
Mr. Joyce, Mr. Charles, &c. members of the Naviga-
tion Committee. Mr. Newt;on, the Secretary to the
Waterman's Littam-packet Company, attended on behalf
of that Company, for whom Mr. Clarkson, the barrister,
had been retained. As Mr. Clarkson was obliged to
conduct an important prosecution at the Old Bailey, the
weight of the defence lay upon the shoulders of Mr.
Newbon. The Chairman of the Waterman's Steam-
packet Company was also present. The interest excited
•
was extreme.
Mr. Ryland said he bad the honour to appear before
his Lordship under the 52d of George 111., which autho-
rised the Lord Mayor to adjudicate in all matters affect-
ing obstructions in the Thames, according to the provi-
sions of the 50th of George 111., under the 16th section of
which an information had been laid by the pier-master
of Blackfriars-pier against the captain of the Waterman
steamer, NO. 8, for having, in the language of the Act
of Parliament, so managed his vessel as to impede the
regular passage of other vessels in the river. He should
prove, to the satisfaction of the magistrates, that, on the
16th of December, the captain of No. 8 steamer drew up
alongside of the pier at Blackfriars, and, apparently
by preconcert wit!: the master of another boat belonging
to the same Company, and also lying by the
side of the pier, effectually blocked up the gang-
way, so as to prevent all access to the pier
from other boats, which, by observing the regu-
lations passed for the protection of the public, had
a right, at stated times, to land and embark pas-
sengers at the pier. It would be proved in evidence
that the Syren and Niobe, two other steamers, the one
going up and the other coming down the river, arrived
at the pier, with several passengers desirous to land, and
that they were effectually prevented by the Waterman's
steamers, which occupied the whole length of the pier—
sometimes mak:teg a feint to leave the pier, but, the mo-
ment the other boats attempted to get in, backing their
vessels so as to keep the others out altogether. Tbat
was clearly such an obstruction of the navigation of the
river as was contemplated by the Act. The Niobe and
tee Syren were prosecuting their voyage from their
starting to their arrival-place at the time when they
were thus obstructed, and to impede them in their pas-
sage to the pier was as clearly a violation of the provi-
sions of the statute as if they had been impeded in any
other part of the stream. He understood that the soli-
citor for the defendant would attempt to bring into the
case matter which had nothing whatever to do with it.
It was pretended that the Waterman's boats had a right
to ply at the pier. If they had any such right, or if
they fancied they had any such right, they ought to
assert it in a proper manner, and in a proper court, and
not, by obstructing the river Thames, expose the public
to danger and inconvenience, as was now the case. That
the Legielature did not intend that the Thames should
be made the scese of contests of such a nature, was very
apparent from the omission in the Aet of clauses which,
in statutes relating to tre:pane3, and assaults especialiy
and in words, excluded the jurisdiction of the magis-
trates in all cases where it appeared that they took
place under circumstanes which involved questions of
right or title, either real or assumed. There were no
such words in the present case, and the only real ques-
tion before the Court was, whether the passage of the
Niobe and Syren had been impeded, and whether the
obstruction hal been occasioned by the defendants. The
Corporation had no vindictive feelings against the Wa-
terman's Company, or against the defendant : all that
was required was, that the Waterman's boats shculd ob-
serve the regulations, and keep the agreement into which
they had entered. Mr. Ryland here read the agree-
ment, which was, he said, signed by Mr. Newbon,
as secretary or solicitor to the Company, and bound the
Company to observe all such regulations as the Naviga-
tion Committee had made, or should hereafter make
It further stipulated that they should pay sixpence each
for every time they stopped at the pier. That was to
constitute a fund for the payment of the pier-master and
others in charge, and for such repairs. as necessity might
require. It appeared that the Corporation erected the
pier at a cost of nearly 4,0001, in substitution of an old
floating pier, which was so faulty in material and strut
ture that persons were constantly in danger who landed
or embarked there, and on two or three occasions fatal
accidents had ensued. The Corporation did not seek to
gain a shilling by the pier. They made the outlay for
the accommodation of the public, and they endeavoured
to afford equal accommodation to all, but, unless they
maintained the regulations, nothing but confusion would
prevail. The Learned Counsel then called
Mr. Thomas Joyce, who stated that he was a member
! of the Court of Common Council and of the Navigation
Committee, and a large shareholder in the Waterman's
Steam-packet Company. He was on board the Water-
man's steamer No. Bat the time stated. There was also
another of the same Company's boats (No. 6) alongside
the pier at the same time. They continued there up-
wards of ten or twelve minutes, and occupied the whole
length of the pier, to that no other boat could get in.
The Syren and Niobe shortly after came up, but they
were effectually excluded from the pier, and, after hay
ing waited some time, they continued their voyage with-
out being able to land or embark passengers. Upon their
departure the Waterman's boats also left the pier.
In his cross-examination by Mr. Newbon, Mr. Joyce
said he had put himself forward in this case, if possible,
to terminate the disgraceful proceedings which were
going on, and which would prove seriously detrimental
to the interests of the shareholders, whose true interest
required that as much as possible should be done to in-
crease, by increased accommodation, the means of cheap
and expeditious transit on the river, and not by obstruct
ing and impeding each other. The agreement entered
into by Mr. Newbon on behalf of the Company, had
been put an end to by the Corporation in consequence
of the infringement of the regulations.
Mr. Newbon called for the order of the Navigation
Committee prohibiting the Company from using
the pier.
Mr. Ryland said that no notice had been given to pro-
duce the order. It was, of course, in the Company's
possession, and if Mr. New bon wanted the entry in the
Committee's books, it was in the room, and might be
read by that gentleman as part of his evidence.
Mr. Newbon submitted that the whole question turned
upon the order. It was necessary in such a case that
the whole proceeding should be conducted in a legal and
impartial manner, and it was not because the Navigation
Commtnitee chose to make an order, that such order must
necessarily be such as the law recognised.
The LORD MAYOR—I do not consider that the ques-
tion before me has anything at all to do with the order.
I shall have nothing whatever to do with what Mr. New-
bon is aiming at, but proceeed to hear the evidence as
to the obstruction on the river.
Mr. Russell (examined by Mr. Ryland) said he vv-
ou board 449 vessel referred to. Qtr boat could no*

A Fel

to the pier to discharge its passengers in consequence
of the defendant's boat and another belonging to the
same Company being alongside. Our boat was detained
upwards of ten minutes more than she need have been
had it not been for the obstruction, in consequence of
which he was too late for the railroad train by which it
had been his intention to go.
Richard Wheeler and George Cruise, captains of the
Niobe and Syren steamers, confirmed the testimony of
the former witnesses as to the alleged obstruction, and
stated that the two Waterman's boats, Nos. 8 and 6,
used every exertion to prevent them from landing or
taking in passengers.
Mr. Nen bon declared that, if the captains of the
Waterman's boats endeavoured to accomplish anything
of the kind, they acted in disobedience to the orders of
the directors. He then called upon the Lord Mayor to
look strictly into the Act of Parliament, which stated
that the party liable to penalty must have been at the
place without lawful excuse—what evidence was
there to show any pretence for alleging that
the defendant was there without lawful excuse ?
He could prove that the defendant had been
exercising a right, and had been infringing no law
and no regulation. The magistrate could in such a case
know nothing except what would be proved forenally and
judicially before him, and the defendant claimed, as a
right, an adherence, upon the part of the prosecution, to
the established rules of evidence.
Mr. Ryland declared that in the Act upon which he
was proceeding there was not one word about lawful
excuse."
The LORD MAYOR, after having conferred with Alder-
man Musgrove, repeated that he should consider nothing
but the obstruction to the navigation, the charge under
Cie Act of Parliament. He had nothing to do with the
right of the Corporation to erect the pier, and the right
of the Steam-boat Company. These rights they must
contest before another tribunal. He had but one duty to
perform, which was, to preserve the public peace, and to
prevent .the navigation of the river from being ob-
structed.
Mr. Ware, the pier-master, who laid the information,
was then examined, and he confirmed, to the fullest ex-
tent, the evidence of the former witnesses.
The LORD MAYOR—It has been proved to my satis-
faction that the defendant in this case did wilfully im-
pede the passage of the Syren and the Niobe, and I,
therefore, fine him in the mitigated penalty of 51.
Mr. Newbon said he understood that the Act gave him
the power of appeal, but he wanted some little time to
consider whether he should take that course.
Mr. Goodman (the Chief Clerk) said the latter Act
required that the penalty should be forthwith paid, or
the defendant should be committed to the House of Cor-
rection.
The City Solicitor said, as one of the statutes under
which the information had been laid gave the right of
appeal, he did not wish to act with severity against the
defendant by pressing for his commitment. He would
like Mr. Newbon undoubtedly either to pay the mosey
in fourteen days, or to appeal.
The undertaking was at once given.
Mr. Newbon, who complained of so great an array of
legal talent and personal influence as had appeared
against his unassisted advocacy, then stated that the
Company he represented laboured under very considerable
hardships from the course the Corporation had pursued.
They had favoured the rival company by alio% ing them
to ply at the new pier at the precise period when the
Waterman's boats had been in the habit of calling at the
old pier. He denied the right of the Corporation to
erect the new pier and to make these regulations.
The LORD MAYOR—I do not sit here to try the ques-
tion of right.
The City Solicitor trusted his Lordship would permit
Mr. Newbon to state his grievances, whatever they
might be. That learned gentleman had; indulged very
freely in his observations upon the Navigation Committee
upon a former occasion at the Mansion-house, when no
one was present to answer him. It would have borne
a more manly aspect if his learned friend had apprised him
(the City So icitor) of his intention to cast these imputa-
tions upon the City authorities. He would have found
him (the City Solicitor) prepared with an answer. The
City Solicitor hoped Mr. Newbon would be allowed to
proceed, as it was not improbable that a little discussion
might lead to a termination of those disgraceful conflicts
which were day by day repeated, in consequence of the
attempts of this Company to violate the wholesome regu-
lations of the Corporation, and to establish for them-
selves a close monopoly b 3 preventing other vessels from
approaching the pier. The object of the Waterman's
Steam-boat Company throughout the affair was quite
apparent. Before the erection of-the new pier, boats of
a large capacity. like the other Woolwich boats, could
not get alongside the pier. The consequence was,
that the Waterman's Company had established a close
monopoly. They had been accustomed to go to the old
pier as often as, and no oftener than, their own conve-
nience dictated, without reference to the accommodation
of the public residing in that locality. Sometimes they
went every twenty minutes, at other times every half-
hour, and sometimes only once each hour. The other
company started from Hungerford pier regularly every
halfhour, and Mr. Newbon's Company wanted, by run
ning their own boats alongside, in the manner the wit-
nesses had detailed, to drive their competitors out of the
field, and so restore the close monopoly which had existed
in the days of their own inconvenient and unsafe land-
ing-place.
Mr. Newbon said that Mr. Peerson's statement was
founded altogether in error. The Waterman's Company
only wanted to have an opportunity of keeping their
own time at the pier, of which privilege the Navigation
Committee had deprived them, by giving it to the Wool-
wich Company. He denied the right of the Corpora-
tion, and desired to have an opportunity of trying it, if
the Corporation would bring an action against any of
the officers of the Company.
The City Solicitor said he would at once put that
statement to the test. He could but condemn, in the
strongest terms, the conduct of the advisers of the Com-
pany, in endeavouring to effect their objects by force, and
by that means placing their more humble instruments in
a situation which rendered them liable to fine and irn-
p-isonment for acts for which their principals ought to
be made amenable.
Mr. Newbon—That is what I want to try. Don't be
alarmed about the men we employ ; they shall be suffi-
ciently protected.
The City Solicitor—You, Mr. Newbon, were, I under-
stand, on board one of the Waterman steamers, exciting and
urging the passengers and crew to invade the pier in spite
of the force then prepared to resist the aggression. - If
you really wish to try the question of right with the Cor-
poration, and you will make an appointment to come up in
the steamer to the pier in half-an-hour. or at any time
you please, I will be there to receive you, and if you put
your foot on the pier, I pledge my word that you shall
meet with no resistance, but, within an hour afterwards,
an action shall be brought against you personally to put
the question of right in course of trial.
Mr. Newbon—No ; I decline to do so. I offered it
a fee days ago ; but now I shall bring an action myself
for the treatment I then received.
The Chairman of the Navigation Committee said that
if the Waterman's Company really suffered any incon-
venience, it was their own fault for not coming before
the Committee to state what it was they desired. Per-
haps some accommodation might be devised which would
suit the convenience of ell rarties.
Mr. Charles, jun., the Chairman of the Company, said
the directors were anxious to confer with the Naviga-
tion Committee, and wrote to them to that effect, but
received no reply.
Mr. Joyce said he had himself made a communication
to Mr. Charles, which, if attended to, might have pre-
vented ail the confusion that had occurred. -As a large
shareholder in the Company, he felt that his pro-
perty was being injured by these contests, and was
anxious for their termination. The Navigation Coin-
inittee would meet the next day at twelve o'clock, and if
the Company wished to confer with the Committee, it
would be easy for them to attend.
The City Solicitor said he was afraid that would not
suit either his Learned Friend, Mr. Newbon, nor him-
self.—(A laugh.) The present bellicose aspect of affairs
promised a plentiful crop of law suits, actions, indictments,
and law proceedings in all forms. If their clients got to-
ther and talked over the matter as gentlemen and men
of busin ss, it was to be apprehended that these suits
would vanish into thin air.—(Laughter.) It was very well
to vapour about trying the question by a case in the
superior courts, and very tender and sentimental
to express pity for the poor men who were put in
jeopardy
.140, the violent course now adopted ; but it was
quite obvious that that pity could not be sincere on the
part of himself or his Learned Friend, or means might be
readily found to give effect to their generous and judi-
cious feelings upon the matter. If his Learned Friend
-would permit his very respectable clients, the directors,
to meet the Navigation Committee next day, and if he
would do the City Solicitor the honour to pair off with
him into the next room, where the preliminary arrange-
ments for the actions against Mr. Newbon and himself
might be'settled, he made no doubt that their respective
clients would improve the opportunity and end their dis-
putes, and they might rely upon it, there would be no
litigation amongst the inferior actors in the scene.
, Mr. Newbon did not assent to the proposal, and an
appointment was made for hearing the other informa-
tions on a future day.
The LORD MAYOR then expressed his determination.
by every means at his command, to preserve the public
peace, and, in case of any violation of the law, he was
prepared to sit and hear the cases as often and as long as
circumstances might render it necessary. ,
GUILDHALL.
Thursday Robert Ware, the pier-master at the Blaetc-
friars steam-boat pier, was summoned before Aldermen
Lucas and Sidney, for assaulting Mr. Friend, of Belmont-
terrace, Vauxhall
Mr. Bedford, the Chiairman, and several member, of
the Navigation Committee of Common Council, attended,
with the City solicitor, on behalf of the defendant, and
Mr. Newbon, the solicitor to the Waterman's Steam-
boat Company, appeared on behalf of the complainant.
Mr. Friend stated, that on Tuesday he went to Black-
friars to embark from the free pier. The Waterman
N.,. 6, came alongside, and witness and some others at-
tens pted to get on board. They got within the railing
next to the boat, but were roughly pushed back by the
defer, dant and the policemen. He could have stepped on
board if he had been allowed. Defendant said he was
siuthoresed by the Lord Mayor to prevent him from
going oil board the Waterman'a boats. As he was re-
tiring somebody called out that. he could go by another
boat in a short time.
Cross-ex,:mined by the City Solicitor—Saw a printed
notice on M0n...1.4Y that no person would be allowed to be
embarked or lam!" at that pier by the Waterman's
steamers n
, but it had .
o signature or printer's name, and
he did not know what authority could be given to it
He was not '.;lred what bolea he was going by on that
day. Were ° the pier, into nding to go by a Waterman
boat and no ether, though.s had seen the printed notice
s
ant used no violence.
the (1
aty before. The delette:
Mr. Palmer, of Plumsteliel-a ommun. and Captain Phil-
lips, of Woolwich, and of WetoSman No. 6, corroborated
the last witness. 0 'Joined, ttbuitted that
The csein• On being q°". 4