The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-23 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUILDHALL—Robert Lea and John Pincer were brought
before Sir PETER LAURIE, on a charge of stealing a dressing case
worth 50,., belonging to Lieutenant Gifford, of the 10th Hussars,
from the barracks at Hounslow, on the 24th of December.

Lea alone was charged with this offence on a former day, hav-
ing been detected in pawning the property at Mr. Guest's in
Fleet-market. Air. Guest suspecting it bad been stolen, adver-
tised and took other steps to discover the owner, in which he at
last succeeded. Lea stated that he had lately been discharged
from the 12th Lancers, and had purchased the dressing case of an
officer's servant in the 10th, while the depots of both regiments
were at Hounslow ; and he was thereupon sent to Ipswich, where
the 10th is now quartered, to identify the man.
Vincer was now put to the bar as the man whom Lea had so
seleeted.

Sir PETER reminded Lea how much he was indebted to the
kindness and liberality of Lieutenant Gifford, who at his own ex-
pense had afforded him this opportunity of clearing himself, to
which, in strictness, he was not entitled. It did not follow,
that because he pitched upon Vincer, he was guilty ; he must,
therefore, reveal every thing with minuteness, and if he accused
Vincer wrongfully, his own guilt would be most enormously
aggravated. He should, perhaps, form his own opinion, which
was the criminal almost entirely from their own lips ; and he
therefore hoped they would answer his questions freely and dis-
tinctly.
' Lieut. Gifford stated, that the men of his regiment were drawn
out on parade on Monday, and Lea walked down the line and
singled out Vincer, who had for many years borne an excellent
character, and was supposed to have a little property. Drink-
water, the officer, found nearly 401. upon him.
Lea said his character was also unexceptionable. He had
been 26 years in the Lancers, and was never before a court-
martial, or even suspected of dishonesty.
Sir PETER LAURIE said, the good character they each bore
made it the snore difficult for him to decide.

Lea stated, that about ten days after the 10th marched into
Hounslow, he and Vincer were in the canteen, and the latter asked
him to buy some razors, and he recommended him to Sergeant-
Major Black, of the 12th. They afterwards drank repeatedly
together in the canteen.
Vincer admitted the conversation about the razors, and that they
had repeatedly drank together, but he denied that he had ever had
any dealings whatever with his accuser. There was such a hue
and cry about the dressing-cue, that he did not believe there was
a man in the 10th or 12th unacquainted with the robbery.
It turned out that Vincer was at Hounslow only -eleven slays
altogether, while Lea represented the sale to take place about 20
days after his arrival there ; and eventually Sir Peter remanded
both the prisoners until the 30th inst., Lieutenant Gifford under-
taking to inquire, whether it can be proved that Lea was informed
of the robbery by any of his comrades, and whether it is not im-
possible that Vincer could be the thief, inasmuch as lie was at-
tending a muster at the time the property was stolen. Lea ex-
pressed his confidence that be should also be able to produce evi-
dence corroborative of his statement.

THAMES POLICE.—A respectable old lady, of the name of
Charters, resident in the neighbourhood of the Commercial-road,
applied to Mr. BRODERIP for his advice and assistance under the
following circumstances :—She stated that she had a son, who
was formerly master of a vessel belonging to the port of London ;
but about ten years ago, having gone to Timor, in Asia, he there
got married to a Dutch lady, of great property, and by whom he
had a young family. About three years ago she received a letter
from him, in which lie announced his intention of sending, in the
following year, his eldest child, a little girl, to England, to be
educated ; consequently, she was on the constant look-out for her
grand-daughter for these two years past, but without avail, and
at last, despairing of ever seeing her, but still wondering what
could have induced her son to alter his determination, she at last
abandoned the idea altogether. However, what was her asto-
nishment when, about eight days ago, one of her nieces called on
her, and said that her grand-child had arrived, and was at Graves-
end ; she immediately asked her from what source she had de-
rived her information ? She replied that she happened to 'meet
with the pilot of a vessel which had just arrived in the Thames,
and it was he that told her that her grand-daughter had been sent
by her father, and had been left at Gravesend ; the pilot was for-
merly a sailor on board her son's vessel, consequently he knew
her niece. In consequence of this information, she went to the
Captain, and asked him what had become of the child ; he told
her that he left her at Gravesend, but refused to tell her where ;
he observed, that for his part, he found the child in a state of
wretchedness in Timor, and out of mere charity brought her to
England, and he would educate her ; he added, that her son's
family were in great distress at Timor. This explanation not
appearing satisfactory, she applied to the pilot. He, not aware
of her having made any application to the captain, told her, that
her son and his family lived in great splendour at Timor, and
when her mother was bringing the child on board, she came in a
palanquin, carried by slaves, and there were thirty slaves in at-
tendance on her, and the child was most sumptuously provided
in every thing necessary, for the voyage. She, upon hearing this
incomation, went on board the vessel, the captain being absent ;
she went into the cabin, and found his lady there ; she very
adroitly pretended other business with the captain, and entering
into conversation with her relative to the number of passengers
the captain had coming home, the captain's lady then became very
communicative, and told her, that her husband had brought home
a fine little girl, the daughter of a rich merchant at Timor ; but
that he had left her at Gravesend. She was sent home to be
educated. She (the old lady)- inquired, were the means of
doing so also sent? The captain's lady replied, "Oh, yes, my
dear ; not only the money, but a vast lot of jewels and trin-
kets, for the child's use." She then observed, that it was ra-
ther dangerous to leave such a child in the care of strangers,
at such a distance from town. The captain's lady assured
her, that there was no possible danger, as the child was left with
a friend, in such a plats in Gravesend, naming it. She then,
having got all the information she required, bid the Captain's lady
good morning, and her and her husband posted off to Gravesend;
and on a representation of the circumstances to the people who
had the care of the child, they gave up the little girl, with whom
they returned to town. The Captain, on hearing from his lady
that she had been at the vessel, immediately called at her house,

and finding her from home, and suspecting she had gone to
Gravesend, posted after them, but missed her on the road, when
he found that the child had been taken away. He then returned
to town, and called at their house, abused them in the most out-
rageous manner, and threatened to have them punished for kid-
napping. They of course set him at defiance, as they were con-
scious the laws of the country would not only protect them, but
also the interests of their grandchild. They frequently since ap-
plied to the Captain for an account of what he had received with
the child, but he positively refused to give any satisfaction what-
ever. She now hoped that the worthy Magistrate would grant
her his assistance to compel the Captain to account for the pro-
perty he had received from her son, for the education of her grand-
child.

Mr. B.MODERIP regretted that he bad not any jurisdiction, but
said, that under the circumstances, he should be most kappy to
give her every assistance in his power; and he ordered Mr.
Evans, the chief surveyor, to go on board, and request some
explanation from the Captain for his apparent extraordinary conduct.
The old lady, having expressed her thanks, and said she would
call in a day or two to learn the result of Mr. Evans's application
to the Captain, ail left the office.
s
We forbear giving the names of the Captain or h
until we
eafford him an opportunity of answering oldtheivessel,
lady's
statement.