The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-21 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-TUESDAY.

SUSPICION OF FELONY AGAINST TWO POLICE
which Joshua
notappeared
OFFICERS.—ADJ 0 RN ED EXAMINATION.
At the Police Court this day, the examinations in the case
i impli
cna
Atei
Davenport
a xe.opr
reported
td andin
John
our
Fell, (as as
rw ite:r were i erteews°ulo wele
and a third
prisoner, a miserably-clad girl of about eighteen years of
age, named Elizabeth Lewis, was also placed at the bar.
Mr. Dowling said that there was no further evidence to be
adduced against the male prisoners. The female stood
charged with being the original pledger of the watch at Mr.
M`Pherson's.
Mrs. and Miss Kermode were again sworn, end stated in
brief the manner in which the watch and the nine shillings
had disappeared from the desk where they had been depo-
sited, in their shop in Cable-street, to the same effect as de-
tailed yesterday. Mrs. Kermode added, that no one could
come into the shop without being seen by her or her daugh-
ter from the parlour behind, either by the door or by a small
window of four panes.
Mr. M`Pherson, pawnbroker, being sworn, said he re-
ceived the watch in pledge from the female prisoner on the
12th of February, about four in the afternoon. She said the
watch was her husband's, and called herself Mary Williams,
Preston-street, in which name he made out the ticket. He
next saw the ticket on Saturday last; when the tallest of the
male prisoners came and redeemed the watch. He was
dressed in his uniform, and said he was taking it out for a
friend. who had got into some trouble in a house of ill fame.
By Mr. Davenport.—He made no secret of it.
Mr. Dowling- intimated that he had no further evidence.
Mr. Davenport submitted that there was no evidence
against Joshua Fell, who found the ticket in Queen's-square,
and afterwards disposed of the watch, not knowing it to have
been stolen. He could prove that he was not the person who
had stolen it, inasmuch as he had been out of the town on
the day -on which it was taken, on the service of that court.
The Court intimated that it had yesterday been admitted
that he had not stolen it.
Elizabeth Lewis being asked what she had to say, said that
as she was going along Cheapsitie, with a basket of matches,
a little boy came to her with the watch, and asked her to
pledge it for him, and that it was his father's.
A police officer be., esesea ante the cellar in which lre—
found the female prisoner was filled With little boys who Went
about thieving, and little gjrls who were Drought up to pros-
titution.
This being all the evidence, a brief consultation was held
on the bench, after which Mr. Harvey spoke nearly as fol-
lows :
Joshua Fell, sorry am I to say that you have disgraced your-
self by the transactions that have come to light through these
examinations; and I the more regret this as you before pos-
sessed the entire confidence of the Police Committee. You
had an opportunity, by continued good conduct, to have
risen to a higher station ; but that you have thrown away,•
and have entirely forfeited their confidence. It appears that
you picked up the ticket in the street, and though you well
knew that the property did not belong to you, you redeemed
it, and applied it to your own uses. My colleague, Mr.
Holmes, perfectly agrees with me, that for such conduct you
ought to he dismissed the police eervice, and you are accord-
ingly so dismissed.
You, John Fell, we consider equally to blame. You had
the watch a considerable time in your possession, and it is
one so remarkable in appearance, and also in the seal and
keys, that you must have known it to be that which was
described in the bills as having been stolen. The police-
officer Flyman, who had brought the watch to the office, was
convinced that it was the same the moment he saw it a se-
cond time. You are therefore equally to blame with the
other prisoner, and are also dismissed the service. It is for-
tunate for both of you that you have escaped being tried for
felony.
The two male prisoners were then liberated. The female
prisoner WeS put back.
The officer who gave information in the case, was then
called, and Mr. Harvey said to him :
Flyman, Mr. Holmes, and myself are of opinion that you
behaved in a very proper and becoming manner in this case.
It is evident that in giving your evidence, you were not
actuated by malice or ill-feeling. We are, indeed, much
pleased with the fairness and perfect honesty with which you
gave it, and think you entitled not only to be well spoken of,
but worthy of being rewarded by the Watch Committee.
We shall instruct Mr. Highton to communicate our opinions
of your conduct in that quarter.
The officer bowed and retired.
Mr. Harvey afterwards called Mr. Highton, who attended
on the part of the Watch Committee, and instructed him to
communicate to that body Mr. Holmes and his own high
approbation of the conduct of Flyman, whom they recom-
mended as worthy of a reward.
ATTEMPT TO BRIBE A POLICE-OFFICER.
Catharine Swaner, a female of dissolute habits, was placed
before the magistrates, charged with having robbed Robert
Williams of the sum of seven pounds sixteen shillings, under
the following circumstances :
Robert Williams stated that he was a sailor; and one of
the crew of the ship Commerce. He lodged at the house of
Mr. Evans, in Barlow-court, Rigby-street. About six o'clock
on Monday night he went to the office of Messrs. Anderson
and Garrow, in South Castle-street, to receive his wages.
He received the sum of seventeen pounds and some silver.
He afterwards paid six pounds seventeen shillings for a watch
at the shop of Mr. Sewell.. He also paid two pounds odd to
his shipmates, when he had seven pounds and about sixteen
shillings left. He went to-several public-houses, and drank
pretty freely. By way of taking great clue of his money, he
put his sovereigns into his left-hand trowsers pocket, sepa-
rate from the silver. In Oldhall-street he met the prisoner,
who invited him to go home with her to her residence, in
George-street. He imprudentle complied, and accompanied
her to her residence, where he fell asleep. When he awoke,
as a natural consequence of the situation into which he had
allowed himself to be led, he found his pockets turned inside
out, and all his money had been taken from him. The pri-
soner was then in the room with him. He said, " I have
been robbed." She said. " Your money must have fallen
out of your.pocket ; and immediately she began a pretended
search for iteand picked up a sovereign and a half and a shil-
ling. A constable was sent for, and Police-officer Thomas
came. On hearing what had occurred, he took the prisoner
into custody, and the money last alluded to into his care.
Police-officer Thomas (No. 338) stated, that he was on
duty in Oldhall-street on Monday night. A little past eleven
o'clock, he received information that the last witness had been
robbed in a house in George-street. He went there, and
found the prisoner. Williams said, " I have been robbed by
this woman of seven sovereigns and a half." She said, "
have not seen any money which he had, only what I have
picked up." Witness took that money into his care, and the
prisoner- into custody. As he was taking her out of the
room, the prisoner put a sovereign into his hand, and said,
" Keep it, and say nothing about the matter." He took her
into the street, and said, " You may as well give me the other
money which you have." She replied, " I have only two
sovereigns." She placed her hand beneath her apron, and
produced another sovereign, saying, " That is all I have."
She again requested that he would keep the sovereign which
she had given him, and say nothing about the matter. He
took her to Bridewell. The officer produced the three sore-
reigns,.half sovereign, and the shilling.
The prisoner, having been cautioned in the usual manner,
was asked what she had to say in her defence. She replied,
" I never saw a farthing that he had except what 1 picked
up. He is swearing falsely." She was committed for trial.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
Thomas Phillips was placed at the bar, charged with having
on Saturday night or Sunday morning last, assaulted James
Lawton, in Sawney Pope-street, and robbed him of his watch
and the sum of five pounds. The circumstances of the case
as detailed in the evidence were as follows :
James Lawton stated, that he was a blacksmith, residing
in Rigby-street. Between twelve and half-past twelve and
one o'clock on Saturday night last, witness was on his way
home through Sawney Pope-street. He had been collecting
accounts and had taken a little liquor. He had in his pos-
session a watch and five sovereigns. When he had got some
distance up the street he was suddenly seized round the waist
by several persons. At the moment he was seized, hands
were thrust into the pockets of his trousers, and a man came
up in front of his person and snatched his watch from his fob.
He was then pressed down to the ground on his knees, and
before he could recover himself the man had ran away. He
heard them running in the direction of Marybone. When he
recovered, he found the witness Catherine Owens close to
him. He informed her that he had been robbed. She said
she knew one of the men. Witness examined his pockets
and missed his five sovereigns and his watch- He was unable
to identify the prisoner.
Catherine Owens stated, that she was the daughter of
Thomas Owens, residing at No. 92, Fontenoy-street. About
half-past twelve o'clock on Saturday night, she was on her
way through Sawney Pope-street, having been making some
purchases at a baker's. She saw the prisoner, Thomas
Phillips, and another man pulling at the person of Lawton.
The latter said, " You are robbing me." They appeared to
be pulling at his waist, and they pulled him upon his knees..
The prisoner and his companion ran in the direction of
Marybone. Witness stood there till Mr. Lawton got up,
and he said, " I have been robbed." Witness told him that
she knew one of the men. Witness here swore to the prisoner
as one of the men whom she had seen robbing Mr. Lawton.
She was only about four yards from them when it was done.
She had known the prisoner nearly seven years.
Inspector James Cottam deposed, that he received infor-
mation of the above circumstance on Monday night, and also
that the prisoner was concerned in it. He knew him, and
where he lodged. Between twelve and one o'clock that
morning (Tuesday) he went to a house in Harrison-street, in
search of him, and found him in bed. He told him that he
was about to take him into custody on a charge of having
robbed a man on Saturday night, of a watch and five sove-
reigns, at the corner of Fontenoy-street. He replied, " I ain
innocent. I can bring sufficient evidence of that. lam so
well known in that neighbourhood, that if they saw any one
running, dressed as I am, they would immediately say it was
me." Witness had not then mentioned anything about
running. He took the prisoner into his custody and then to
Bridewell.
The prisoner was, after the usual caution, asked what he
had to say. He replied, " I have nothing to say at present."
He was committed for trial.
WEDNESDAY.
Telmer BY A SERVANT.
Ann Carr was placed before the magistrates, charged with
having robbed her mistress, Jane Edwards, of Fazakerley-
street. The prisoner was left up to clean the house, and she
took the opportunity of collecting together a quantity of
property, with which she decamped. Mrs. Edwards met
her a few days after in 80ld-street, and gave her into custody.
The prisoner said her mistress had given her the goods. She
was committed for trial.
CAUTION TO SERVANTS, HOUSEKEEPERS, &C.
Sarah Dowling was charged with having stolen certain
carpets, the property of Mr. James Anderson, Rupert-street.
Mary Lowey, servant to the latter, stated that she left
several pieces of carpets in a wash-house, in the yard, the
door of which was open ; they were left there till the follow-
idg Friday afternoon, when she missed them. Information
was given to the police, and part of the property was disco-
vered to have been pawned at the shop of Mr. Jones, pawn-
broker. Ilalsall, a constable, heard that the prisoner had
been concerned in the affair, and he in consequence took her
, into custody. Mr. Latchford, an assistant with Mr. Jones,
proved that the prisoner had pledged the carpets with him.
The prisoner said a person had given her the carpets to
pled
YESTERDAY.
pledge. She was committed for trial.

(Before JOHN HOLMES and FRANCIS HEYWOOD, Esqrs.)
William Crosbie and Thomas Cooper, two newly-enlisted
recruits, were placed at the bar, charged with having altered
a billet, with the intention to defraud Joseph Parry, of Lam-
beth-street, beer-seller.
Francis Featherstone, a clerk in the billet-office, said that
yesterday (Wednesday) he brought an order for the two pri-
soners to be billeted previously to leaving Liverpool. A
billet was issued upon Parry for their accommodation for
one night only.
Sergeant Young said lie took the order for the billet to
the office, and that the names of the prisoners were written
upon it. He received, altogether, 61 billets, and delivered
theirs to the prisoners. He was sure it was for only one
night. The one was written in letters, and not represented
by a figure.
Mary Parry, wife of 'the beer-shop-keeper, said that the
two prisoners brought the billet to her about four o'clock
yesterday afternoon. It was for their accommodation fgr
four nights. She mentioned to them that it was very strange
another billet should be so soon issued, especially as the last
was for four nights. She paid them Bd., on condition of
their finding accommodation elsewhere, and told them that
if they would come the following day, at any time, she
would give them 2s. for the other three nights. She gave
the money to Cooper, but in the presence of Crosbie. When
her husband came home she shewed him the billet, and he
discovered that an alteration had been made in it—that the
figure 4 bad been inserted with different ink to the other

parts of the document. He went to the billet-office,. where
he fraud was immediately detected, and the prisoners were
given into custody.
The Billet-master said that frantic of this kind had become
so frequent that an arrangement had been made by which
billets were now granted to recruits for one night only. In
one case, which occurred last week, the offender escaped,
owing to his being marched off before he could be appre-
hended.

Cooper made no defence ; Crosbie said be never had had
the billet in his hands.
The Court told them they had committed a very serious
offence, for which they were liable to severe punishment.
They should, however, be remanded till to-morrow [this
day], fcr the purpose of their communding officer being con-
sulted.

LIVERPOOL ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN AND

PRINCE ALBERT.

The following are the addresses of the Corporation of this
town to her Majesty and her illustrious Consort :

ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY.
To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the borough
o ! Liverpool, in Council assembled, hasten to offer your Ma-
jesty our dutiful and heartfelt congratulations on the occasion
of your Majesty's auspicious marriage.
While we rejoice in this happy union which promises to
much to your Majesty's domestic felicity, an union springing
not less from your private attachment than from a desire to
gratify the wishes of your faithful subjects,—we beg to ex-
press at the same time our ardent hopes, that a reign so aus-
piciously commenced, may be marked by every blessing
which your Majesty's benevolent heart can desire, and that
under your Majesty's beneficent and enlightened sway, this
nation may witness the increase of our prosperity, the firm
establishment of our civil and religious liberties, the spread
of knowledge, the removal of injudicious• restrictions upon
the springs of industry and commerce, and the return of
social happiness and individual comfort amongst all classes
of your Majesty's subjects.
Deeply grateful for that unqualified expression of your
Majesty's sprnpathy with the feelings and wishes of your
neunlc, 7:_hirsb h..
sincerest 7--
and aamiration, entertaining the seerett sentiments of
loyalty and attachment to your Majesty arid, to the illustrious
object of your choice, and with our fervent prayer that; un-
der the Divine favour, your Majesty may long enjoy a glo-
rious and happy reign, we now lay this, our humble address,
at the foot of the throne.

Given under our common seal this seventeenth day of
February, one thousand eight hundred and forty.

ADDRESS TO PRINCE ALBERT.

To His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and

Gotha.
We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Liverpool,
in Council assembled, begged to offer your Royal Highness
our cordial welcome upon your arrival in this kingdom, and
our warmest congratulations on the celebration of that aus-
picious event, which has so closely connected your Royal
Highness with the best interests and wishes of the nation.

iVe rejoice that hei Majesty's choice has fallen upon a
Prince, not more illustrious by his historical descent than
'distinguished by those personal qualities and accomplish-
ments which are so well calculated to insure the domestic
happiness of her Majesty. Trusting that every earthly bles-
sing may attend our gracious Sovereign and her Royal Con-
sort, we respectfully present to your Royal Highness this
address, sincerely expressive of our high esteem and regard.
Given under our common seal this seventeenth day of Fe-
bruary, one thousand eight hundred and forty.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF A CHAPEL BY FIRE.

We regret to state that on Wednesday morning the Inde-
pendent Chapel in GI eat George-street, of which the Rev. Dr.
Raffles is the minister, was totally destroyed by fire. The
following are the particulars, from which it will be seen that
this was an instance of the roost complete and rapid destruc-
tion by fire ever known. _ _

It appears that about eight o'clock on Tuesday night, the
two large stoves connected with the apparatus for heating
the building, were lighted, in order that the school-rooms
under the chapel might be in a comfortable state of warmth
for the children on the following morning, and that the chapel
itself might be warmed, preparatory to the intended per-
formance of divine service on the evening of Tuesday.
One of the officers of the patroling police, who regularly
visits the chapel in his rounds, was in the building during
the night, and noticed that it was exceedingly warm. He
again entered it at six o'clock on Wednesday morning, and
made the same observation, which he communicated to the
chapel-keeper. The latter did not conceive that this por-
tended any danger, and he reminded the officer that he had
recently on one occasion made the same observation before.
The increased heat was attributed to the circumstance of
new stoves having been recently fitted up in the chapel, and
the officer, with this explanation, coincided in the views of
the chapel-keeper, and was satisfied. A. little before eight
o'clock he again visited the chapel, and all appeared safe. At
eight o'clock a gentleman connected with the chapel was in
the building, but he did not perceive anything that gave him
alarm or uneasiness.

About half-past eight o'clock, a man, who was passing,
saw smoke issuing from a portion of the building. Being
convinced from its volume tnat it arose from some unusual
cause, he immediately ran and acquainted the police-officer
on duty. The latter went to the spot, and saw sufficient to
convince him that no time was to be lost in procuring as-
sistance. He despatched a messenger to the Fire-Police
Station, and in the meantime. busied himself in getting up
the plugs, and preparing the pump, in front of the building,
for action. - . _ • _ _

A glance at the interior of the chapel showed that the fire
had communicated from the flues to the woodwork (which,
we understand, consisted principally of red pine, the com-
bustible property of which had been still further increased
through the circumstance of the building having been over-
heated by the new stoves for about a month past), and that
the flames were spreading with a rapidity'that would prevent
anything effectual being done till the arrival of the engines.
Mr. Hewitt, with a strong body of the fire-police and four
engines, was on the spot shortly before nine o'clock, but in
the brief space of twenty minutes, which had elapsed since
the message was sent, the flames, having nothing but wood-
work to feed upon, had spread fearfully, so that at the hour
last named the whole interior of the extensive building was
in a complete blaze.
As there was plenty of water ready, the engines were got
immediately into action, but every endeavour to save the inside
of the building proved hopeless. The south-east wind, which
blew pretty fresh, rushing through the large open area in
front of the chapel, blew out the flames from the windows
on each side completely across Nelson-street and Great
George-street, and threatened destruction to the opposite
buildings, which, in several instances, took fire, and would
inevitably have been burned down but for the water thrown
upon them from the engines. The windows of many of the
houses in Great George-street were broken by the heat,
which was, during a short period, so intense that the men
employed in working the engines were unable to endure it,
and were twice or thrice compelled to abandon their labour.
Mr. Whitty, who arrived on the spot a few minutes after
the engines, saw at once that the interior of the chapel was
doomed to destruction ; he therefore directed the exertions
of his men to the saving of the walls and the portico, and to
warding the fire from the opposite buildings. In iese ob-
jects they succeeded ; but it is still doubted by some whether
the walls will not, to secure a perfectly safe building, have
to be taken down. The portico, too, has been slightly in-
jured.

The progress of the fire was so rapid, that it may be thus
described :—At half-past eight it was discovered ; at nine, on
the arrival of the engines, it was at its height; and at half-
past nine the whole interior was destroyed—nothing remain-
ing- thereof but a mass of blackened and smouldering embers.
Dr Ruffles, we understand, was in Manchester at the time
of this disaster, but we are informed that a messenger was
immediately despatched to inform him of the misfortune that
has deprived him and his respectable congregation of their
spacious place of worship.
The building, we understand, was insured in two offices to
the amount of £4OOO or £4500.