The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-01 00:00:00

PRICE OF SUGAR.

The Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed
from the Returns nude in the Week ending DPC. 28, 1841, is
aMs. 24d. per Cwt., exclusive of the Duties of Customs paid or
payable thereon on the Importation thereof into Great Britain.

BRUSSELS, DEC. 29.—The average price of
wheat last week was 21f. 37e., and that of Rye 12f. 48f.

THE KING OF PRUSSIA'S VISLT I

TO LONDON.

BERLIN, DEC. 19.—The invitation received by his
Majesty the King to visit London, for the purpose of
acting as sponsor at the christening of the infant Prince
of Wales, did not arrive wholly unexpected. Since the
commencement of his Majesty's reign the political rela-
tions between Prussia and Great Britain have pre-
sented the character of increasing friendly relations.
This amicable spirit was alike obvious at the execution
of the July treaty during the Whig Administration,
and during the negotiations maintained with the Tories
relative to the evangelical bishoprick in Syria. It is
not, however, absolutely certain that the King will ac-
cept the invitation of Queen Victoria ; for it happens
that at the period fixed for the christening of tho Prince
of Wales some illustrious visitors are expected at the
Court of Berlin, and moreover the present is not the
most agreeable season of the year for a journey to
England. _ _

Dee. 20.—His Majesty the King at first declined to
accept the invitation to act personally as sponsor for
the young Prince of Wales. But a second invitation,
conveyed in an autograph letter from Queen Victoria,
induced his Majesty to revoke his first determination.
It is now understood that his Majesty will depart for
London on the 17th of January. The King will pro-
ceed to Cologne, where he will take the railway, and
will pass through Belgium to Calais. At that port an
English steam-vessel will be in readiness to convey him
to England. His Majesty's suite will occupy ten car-
riages. Besides Generals Von Natzmer, Neumann,
and Roader, there are mentioned among the individuals
who are to accompany the King, Baron Alexander Von
Humboldt, Count Von Stoiberg, and Bishop Neander.
BERLIN, DEC. 2.2.—The departure of the King for
London is fixed for the 16th of January. His Ma-
jesty will sup on that day at Magdeburg, reach Hexier,
and on the next day go to Hagen.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
PALACE COURT, Dec.3l.
CIIAPMAN V. CROSS.

This was an action brought by a poulterer to recover
the sum of 17/. 3s. 6d. for goods supplied to the defen-
dant, who was proved in the course of the cause to be a
son of Lieut.-Colonel Cross, of the 36th Foot, and in
practice as a surgeon in Oxford-square.
It appeared from the evidence for the plaintiff that the
defendant entered the above premises on the 6th Octo-
ber last, and being recommended to the plaintiff became
a customer with him next day. The defendant's cook
proved the receipt of the goods, and the reasonableness
of the charges, but she said that during the second week
of the supply she told plaintiff's servant that her master
would pay at the end of three months. That servant
was called, who said he gave his master the message.
and he merely said he would see about it.
Things went on for four weeks when the bill being up-
wards of 111, the plaintiff called for payment. He saw
the defendant in presence of the cook ; he then said he
understood it was to be a three months' bill, but pro-
mised payment that week. His wife then said, " Not so
soon, or we may disappoint him," and the defendant then
said, " Then certainly the week after." In consequence of
this the supply went on for two weeks more, heavier than
ever, but no money being forthcoming, it was stopped,
and the action was brought.
For the defence, a friend of Mr. Cross was called, to
prove an admission on the part of the plaintiff that the
credit was three months, and consequently the action too
soon brought.
After the Learned JUDGE had summed up, the Jury
found for the plaintiff, damages 171. 35., on the ground
that no credit had been agreed upon, or the defendant
would not twice have promised to pay the bill before its
expiration.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
EXTENSIVE FORGERY AND ROBBERY IN AMERICA.—
Colonel Aspinall, the American Consul, having received
information that a young man named Maurice Pitcher,
clerk in the house of Messrs. Eyre and Massey, a re-
spectable mercantile firm in Philadelphia, had drawn
money out of several banks in the name of his employers,
employed John Forrester, the officer, to take measures
to apprehend the delinquent in the event of his arrival
in England. The firm discovered upon examination after
the disappearance of the clerk that he had committed
forgeries upon them to the following extent
On the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank for 55,000
Pennsylvania Bank 2,500
Philadelphia Bank
Mechanics' Bank ....
All in the name of Eyre and Massey, and on the
Bank of North America in the name of
Manuel Eyre

$13,500

The American Consul having proCeeded in the busi-
ness with promptitude and activity, Maurice Pitcher, and
his brother, George Augustus Pitcher, were apprehended
by the able officer above-mentioned, and in possession- of
four-fifths of the property, and brought before the Lord
Mayor.,
Maurice Pitcher, the elder of the two, who is 19 years
of age, took the name of Valancourt, and his brother as-
sumed that of Gentry, and they both embarked at New
York in the Europe, Captain Marshall ; ani having ar-
rived at Liverpool put up at the Angel Inn, Dent-street.
The elder, soon after their arrival, came off to London to
get cash for a bill of 1,0231. which he had purchased with
some of the produce of his forgeries of a broker at New
York, named Silvester, and which was drawn upon James
Bult and Sons, bullion dealers in Cheapside,London. The
younger remained behind, in order to bring up the luggage
to town, where he was to meet his brother, and they were to
make rapid preparations for departing for and settling
in Germany. Their plans were, however, to be frustrated,
Maurice Pitcher upon calling at Messrs. Bult's to get
the bill accepted found himself most awkwardly situated
with Forrester, who had made preparations for his re-
ception, and who subsequently apprehended George Au-
gustus Pitcher in bed with a bandage round his waist
containing American Bank notes to the amount of 6,800
dollars and some golden eagles.
The brothers were brought in the custody of John
Forrester before the Lord Mayor, but were examined,
at the desire of the American Consul, separately.
The American Consul said he charged Maurice Pit-
cher with the crime of forgery upon certain banks in
Philadelphia in the United States, by means of which
the said Maurice Pitcher obtained their notes to the
amount of 13,500 dollars. He expected to receive by the
first steamer such intelligence as would enable him to
decide upon the sort of proceeding -which it might be
necessary for him to adopt. That steamer would pro-
bably arrive next day, and he should therefore request
that his Lordship would remand the prisoner fur a
few days.
The prisoner said he supposed that he should not be de-
tained a moment after he consented to give up all the money.
The American Consul—l never said anything to you
about not detaining you ; but I told you, that in conse-
quence of your conduct in at once giving us all the in-
t*ormation in your power, you might expect that all the
lenity that could be consistently shown to you, should be.
You have reason to expect that ; but you cannot be
released under existing circumstances.
Prisoner—Do I understand that I am to have a trial ?
The American Consul—You are to remain in custody.
Prisoner—l should wish to avoid punishment.
The American Consul—lt is natural that the prisoner
should wish to secure himself ; but I would advise him
to do nothing which may so prejudice his case as that
I shall not be able to do as I could wish. .

The LORD MAYOR—Prisoner, if you offer opposition
to the course which the American Consul is taking, it
may militate against yourself. I must say that Colonel
Aspinall has shown as much disposition to treat this se-
rious offence with mildness, as he has shown vigilance
and ability in securing those who committed it and their
property.

Prisoner—l do not wish to offer any opposition to the
source the Consul is pursuing ; but I am anxious about
my own safety. I have surrendered all I have most
willingly, as he knows, and I do not wish to return to
America on any account.
The LORD MAYOR—Then it is the Consul's wish
that you should be remanded till Monday, and I ask
you, have you any, statement to make ? Prisoner—
Nothing more ; but as my brother is in custody I am de-
sirous of seeing him.

The LORD MAYOR stated, at the request of the Ame-
rican Consul, that the prisoner could not see his brother
until after Monday.
The prisoner was then removed, and
George Augustus Pitcher, who stated his age to be 18
years, was brought up for examination.
The LORD MAYOR-What is the charge against this
young man ? The American Consul—l charge him
with having aided and assisted his brother, Maurice
Pitcher, in defrauding certain bankers in Philadelphia of
bank notes to the amount of $13,500.
The LORD MAYOR—Do you wish to say anything in
answer to the charge ? You are not obliged to say a
word. Prisoner—l have nothing to say.
J. Forrester stated, that, in consequence of informa-
tion which he had received, he went to an hotel at the
west.end of the town, and found the prisoner, George
Augustus Pitcher, in bed, with a sort of purse round his
waist, containing 6,800 dollars in American bank-notes,
six American golden eagles, and 18s. Bd. in English
money. The prisoner gave up all the property without
hesitation. as did his brother Maurice, upon being appre-
hended at Mr. Butt's shop in Cheapside.
The LORD MAYOR—It appears then that the property
taken away by Maurice Pitcher amounts to about
2,9001, of which there is a deficiency of about 6001.,
which may be accounted for by the expenses and the
rate of exchange.

George A. Pitcher—The American Consul says that
I aided my brother in this business. In what way did
I aid him? The American Consul—You embarked with
your brother in a false name, and some of the money has
been found upon your person. Of this, I can assure you,
that no more severity shall be exercised on the occasion
than public justice will require. You shall be dealt with
as leniently as possible.
Mr. Bult, jun., of Cheapside, stated that the bill for
1,0231 bad been left for acceptance at his house, and on
the day it was to have been accepted, another American
vessel arrived with a letter to him containing advice not
to accept it, as it had been purchased by Maurice Pitcher
out of the proceeds of the frauds and forgeries committed
by that individual upon a number of Philadelphia banks,
and in the names of Messrs. Eyres and Massey, the
former employers of Maurice Pitcher, and distinguished
merchants at South Walls, in Philadelphia. Notice of
the circumstance was immediately sent by Mr. Bult to
the American Consul, and John Forrester was employed,
and the prisoners were both quickly apprehended. The
prisoner was then remanded till Monday.