The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-01-11 00:00:00

PARTMENT.

Gov. securities..£l3,9Bl,69l
Other securities 15,875,756
Notes .... .:. 10,960,495
Gold & silt'. coin 513,657

£41,311,599

The trade and navigation returns show a great
increase in the value of British and Irish produce
and manufactures exported from the United King-
dom. In the month ended Dec. 5, the declared
value of such exports was £6,102,694, and in the
like period of the preceding year, £5,188,216. In
eleven months ended the same time there was an
increase to a great extent. In the eleven months of
1851, the value was £63,314,272; and in the eleven
months of 1852, £65,349,798.

_
Our SHARE MARKET during the past week has
been unusually inactive, business having been
almost altogether confined to the dealers. We do
not remember a week for some time back in which
so very small an amount of property has changed
hands. As to prices, the tendency is decidedly to
improve. That present holders are quite indisposed
to part with their shares, is evident from so little
stock having been brought to market after the banks
having raised the rate on Thursday, an act which
has generally caused a small inundation. On a
resumption of activity, therefore, it is probable that
new buyers will have to pay higher prices to induce
sales. We annex this day's quotations :—Birken-
head, L. and C., 62d; Chester and Birkenhead,
221 -1; Bristol stock, 108; Caledonians, 34i-;
Eastern Counties, 13 7-16 ; Lancashire and York-
shire, 83i; Liverpool and Southport, 181; London
stock, 124 k; ditto fifths, 34p • Midland stock, 801;
ditto 4 per cent pref., -tip ; North British, 9 13-16 ,
North Union A, 263 ; Dover stock, 24,1- II; St.
Helens 5 per cent pref., 1833; York and North
Midland, 291.

PRODUCE.—In Colonial SUGAR, both East and
West India. there has been considerable firmness,
and full prices have been realized, particularly in
sorts for refining purposes. The sales during the
week amounted to 300 hhds. and 10,800 bags, but
nothing was doing in Foreign. No transactions
in MOLASSES, and very little doing in COFFEE.
For RICE the demand was not so good, and prices
have slightly given way, Bengal realising 10s. to
1 ls. 6d. In RUM the transactions were almost
confined to 250 puncheons Demerara, for which
former rates were hardly maintained. In TEA the
business was limited to the supply of immediate
wants, but full prices were readily given. The
TALLOW market shows a slight improvement,
owing to an increased demand, and Petersburg Y.C.
sold freely at 455. 6d. to 465. 63. per cwt.—TO-DAY,
there was a fair inquiry for SUGAR, for grocery
purposes, the sales comprising Barbadoes, Deme-
rara, and East India, to the extent, including Sa-
turday's transactions, of 230 hhds. and 1,550 bags.
There was a moderate business done in COFFEE,
and 50 puncheons Demerara Rum realised previous
prices. In TEA there was but little doing; but
previous rates were well sustained. At public sale,
Campeachy LOGWOOD realised £6. 17s. 6d. per ton,
and Jamaica, by private contract, f 4. 15s. per ton.
SAGO FLOUR commands attention, some large
sales having been effected at prices realising 235.
per cwt. _ _

COTTON.—The news by the Niagara steamer
having been received after the close of the market
on Monday last week, we could only briefly notice
the fact as having a tendency to the improvement
of prices here. This firmness continued until fur-
ther intelligence was received by the Arctic, which
were of a less favourable character, and easier terms
have since been accepted, although quotations are
not lower. The demand has since been very limited,
for some days averaging only 4,000 hales per day.
The total sales during the week amounted to 34.900
bales, of which 2,220 were taken on speculation,
against 44,765 last year. TO-DAY, the accounts
received from America, by the Africa, confirm the
previous reports of a large crop, and continued
heavy receipts at the ports. Prices were rather
easier, as also freights and shipments then making
would pay. As, however, we are without any fur-
ther telegraphic news from New Orleans, they are
of less interest, and had produced little effect on the
market. There being little or no Cotton at New
York, the movement in that market has had conse-
quently little effect in ours. It appears that the
weather during the last two months has been much
the same in the Cotton districts as in this country.
In consequence of this, the Cotton lately picked
turns out badly, and it appears the larger part of
the crop will be of inferior quality. The country
being partly inundated, and the roads bad, it was
expected that Cotton would arrive slowly at the
inland markets and interior shipping places, and
this would reduce the later receipts materially.
These advices have, in general, rather steadied the
market ; and, notwithstanding the gloomy state of
the weather, the sales were - 5,000 hales, of which
about 1,000 were on speculation and for export,
without change in price since Friday.

FIRE.—On Sunday, a destructive fire broke out in the
West Strand, London, in the house lately occupied by
Mr. Wyld, map-seller, and considerable damage was done
to many of the adjoining houses.
CAPTURE OF A GANG OF BURGLARS.—One of the
most formidable gangs of burglars that ever infested this
part of the country has been broken up, and various
members committed to Chester Castle for trial. This
gang has been the terror of Cheshire and Lancashire for
some months.

THE LATE FEARFUL CALAMITY ON BOARD THE
LILY.—On Sunday morning last, after an eloquent and
powerful appeal at St. Paul's, Prince's-park, by the Rev.
Dr. M'Neile, the handsome sum of £62 14s. was collected
on behalf of the widows-and orphans of the unfortunate
men who lost their lives by the recent explosion on board
he brig Lily, in the Calf of Man.
Loss OF THE NEW SHIP VANGUARD.—lntelligence
reached Liverpool on Sunday last of the total loss of the
new ship Vanguard, of and from St. John's, N. 8., for
Liverpool, timber laden. The Vanguard had experienced
very tempestuous weather for several days, which caused
her to leak very badly, and she ultimately became water-
logged. The crew had been at the pumps nine days, and
were completely exhausted when the vessel was fallen in
with by the ship Lady Sale, from New Orleans, which
took off the crew, and brought them to this port. We
understand the Vanguard belonged, and was consigned
to, Messrs. Garnock, Bibby, and Co., of this town.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, EVERTON.—On Wednesday
evening a tea meeting of the congregation and friends of
the above church was held at the Concert-ball, Lord Nel-
son-street. After tea, Thomas Eccles, Esq. was called to
the chair. He briefly stated the purpose to which the
proceeds of the meeting would be applied, namely, the
erection of a tablet, inscribed with the ten command-
ments, to be placed at the east end of St. Peter's Church.
Several clergymen addressed the meeting, and the erec-
tion of a school-room adjoining the church was strongly
recommended. During the intervals of the speaking,
several pieces of sacred music were, sung by the choir.
About 1200 persons were present.

THE FRENCH EMPIRE is clothing itself, with all the
eagerness of a parvenu, in its robes of state. Decrees ap-
pear daily, creating (in defiance of the temper of this
matter-of-fact age, which barely tolerates such things
even where historical usage has consecrated them) Grand
Huntsmen, Grand Equerries, Arch-Treasurers, Grand
Masters of the Ceremonies, and all the living parapher-
nalia of a Court. Along with them appear long lists of
salaried Senators, including strange names—the Marquis
de Pastore!, most Legitimist of Legitimists, the Comte de
Flahault, an Orleanist of the purest water, and M. de La-
rochejacquelin, of whose actual position it is difficult to
give any precise account. At the same time—as if tojus-
tify the conduct of the three coalesced Powers of eastern
Europe, which have shown a marked coolness and dis-
trust by keeping back the credentials of their Ministers—
pamphlets advocating the wildest projects of conquest and
annexation are distributed in the barracks.—Guardian.

The Brazilian barque Remorino, from Baltimore, had
put into Pernambuco, three or four of the crew having
stabbed the captain, in a mutiny. They were sent to
England in irons.

BLOCKADE OF MONTENEGRO.—A letter from Con-
stantinople of the 18th ult. states that the Porte has offi-
cially announced to the foreign ambassadors there that it
has given orders for the blockade of the coast of Monte •
negro. _

WEST TNDIES.—The steam-ship MAGDALENA, with
the West Indian and Mexican mails, brought up, on
Saturday, at the buoy off Netley Abbey, Southampton.
The Magdalena has had much sickness on board ever
since she left St. Thomas, having lost two passengers,
both of whom were from Mexico, besides Mr. Duke, the
purser, stewardess, and five of the crew, all of whom,
with the exception of two, died of yellow fever. She
brought .R 50,000 in specie. Her news has been anticipated.
CHANCERY COURT, JAN. B.—GRAHAM V. ACKROYD.—
Sir G. J. Turner gave judgment in the above case (a bill
in chancery), which arose out of certain transactions in
1846, between the plaintiffs, merchants at Liverpool, and
the defendants, who were inspectors under a deed of trust
for creditors, executed by Edward Rawson, who had
carried on business at Halifax. The bill prayed that the
re-
ceivedcpount considerable
rd aaitv
equal footing
amount,
deee
trusts of that deed might be performed under the direc-
tion of the court ; that an account might be taken ; that
it might be declared that the plaintiffs were entitled to be
The
withll
l as
alsot othero their
prayed
creditors debt,
aninjunction,
whwhichu had
acwasdt o no
f
and sought to enforce payment by the defendants of a
balance of £5,748. The learned judge, after going
through the facts of the case, as set forth on both sides,
decreed for the plaintiffs, according to the prayer of the
bill, the costs to be paid out of the fund ; the
inspectors
must have their costs as between solicitor and client.

EXTRAORDINARY

TRIAL

CONVICTION OF A BAPTIST MINISTER FOR
OBTAINING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRE-
TENCES.

A somewhat extraordinary trial, which possesses pecu-
liar local interest, took place at the sessions at Hull, on
Saturday, the Ist instant, before Samuel Warren, Esq.,
Q.C., the recorder of that borough.
Alfred Thomas Wood, (35), a man of colour, dressed
in black, with white cravat, and having very much the
appearance and manners of a minister of religion, and
who represented himself as the incumbent of the Provi-
dence Protestant Church, in the city of Monrovia, in the
republic of Liberia, was placed at the bar charged, " That
he, the said A. T. Wood, on the 9th November, did un-
lawfully, fraudulently, and falsely pretend to one John
King (the Rev. John King, of Christ Church, Hull),
that he, the said A. T. Wood, had been requested on the
17th June, 1851, by the congregation of the Providence
Protestant Church, in the city of Monrovia, in the re-
public of Liberia, to solicit and collect contributions in
aid of the completion of a house of worship for the said
congregation, and that by means of such false pretence he
did, on the said 9th of November, unlawfully obtain from
the said John King the sum of one pound, with intent to
defraud." There were two other counts in the indict.
ment.

Mr. Hunter and Mr. Pearce appeared for the prose-
cution, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Seymour
and Mr. Cross.

Mr. HUNTER stated the case at great length, remarking
that it was a very complicated one, and that the evidence
was not such as would be adduced in ordinary cases.
The prosecutor in the present case was the Rev. John
King, incumbent of Christ Church, in Hull, to whom
the prisoner went on the 9th of November last, and on
the strength of representations which were fraudulent,
succeeded in obtaining from the prosecutor the sum of
one pound. The learned counsel detailed the course pur-
sued by the prisoner, from which it appeared that he
she wed the prosecutor a document setting forth that he
had been requested by the Providence Protestant Church
in Monrovia to solicit subscriptions in England; and also
another document of Liberia, authorising him (the pri-
soner) to receive subscriptions in England in aid of the
Providence Protestant Church. The document also con-
tained several other signatures of government officials
and others in Liberia, all of which he (the learned coun-
sel) should prove to be forgeries. Another document
which the prisoner produced to the prosecutor was a book
of subscriptions for the completion of Providence Protes-
tant Church, in the city of Monrovia, and republic of
Liberia. The signatures in this book, he should also
prove, were forgeries. He should call before them Mr.
Anson, who at the date of these documents was her
Britannic Majesty's consul to the republic of Liberia. and
he would prove that the signatures of Mr. Roberts, presi-
dent of the republic, of the vice-president, and others,
upon these documents, were not genuine signatures.
The prisoner had represented to the Rev. Newman Hall,
an " Independent" minister at Hull, that his (prisoner's)
congregation consisted of 2,000 persons, at Monrovia ;
whereas the entire population of the place was not more
than 1,500. Mr. Anson would tell them that, as a part
of his consular duties, it devolved upon him to count the
houses, and to make an estimate of the people of Monro-
♦ia, and send the account home for the information of the
government ; and that there was a Baptist congregation,
of which the prisoner officiated as pastor, consisting of
about 40 or 50 persons. The prisoner had variously re-
presented himself as an Episcopalian Protestant, as an
Independent, or as a Baptist, just as it suited his purpose.
He also told Mr. Newman Hall that the Baptists in this
country would not assist him because he was an Inde-
pendent, and yet he (the learned counsel) should prove
that he told a gentleman in Liverpool that he was a Bap-
tist, and that he was introduced to a Baptist by that gen-
tleman in Liverpool. He also told Mr. Newman Hall
that George and Eliza Harris, in " Uncle Tom's
Cabin," were members of his congregation at Li-
beria, and that he attended the death-bed of Cuss,.
Now, when he (Mr. Hunter) showed them that George
and Eliza Harris were fictitious characters, and that the
report of the existence of such a book as " Uncle Tom's
Cabin" had not reached Liberia at the time when the
prisoner left, they would judge what credit was to be placed
upon his statement of having been requested by any church
whatever in Monrovia to collect subscriptions. Another
gentleman in Liverpool, acquainted with the signature of
the President, and the seal of the Republic, would state
that the alleged signature of the President in the document
found upon the prisoner, although a close representation
of the genuine signature of the President, was not his.
Having gone over the various facts of the case, the learned
counsel concluded by observing to the jury that if, after
hearing the evidence which he should submit to them,
they should be of opinion that any of the documents
were not genuine, it would be sufficient to find the
prisoner guilty. The fact of the money having been
received from the prosecutor was not disputed. If the
jury believed that the prisoner made to Mr. King the
representations which he (the learned counsel) had stated,
and that by such representations he induced Mr. King to
part with his money, they would convict the prisoner.
The Rev. John King, the prosecutor, was then called,
and deposed to the facts named in the opening statement
of the learned counsel. Witness gave the prisoner the
sovereign in the full belief of the truth of his statements,
and of the genuineness of the documents produced by
him.

The Rev. Christopher Newman Hall, minister of an
Independent congregation at Hull, was next called, and
stated that the prisoner called upon him on the 9th
November, representing himself as a minister of the Inde-
pendent congregation at Monrovia, and that he had been
sent over to England to collect money for their church,
and wanted £2OO. He then showed witness documents
which he at the time believed to be authentic. He said.
" I have a congregation of 2,000 persons in Monrovia.
George and Eliza Harris, mentioned in Uncle Tom's
Cabin, are members of my congregation. George Harris
is an engineer. They live in a house like the houses in
England. Casey, mentioned in the same book, died six
weeks after her arrival in Monrovia ; I- visited her during
her illness. She died a very happy death."
Mr. John Neads, an inspector in the Manchester police
force, deposed to apprehending the prisoner in Liverpool
in February last, on the charge of having obtained £l5
from Mr. Fender, shipping merchant, at Manchester,
under false pretences, having represented himself to be a
missionary from Liberia. On that occasion he said he
was connected with the Commercial Banking Company of
Monrovia. He was discharged because evidence could
not be procured in consequence of the distance of Liberia
from this country. _ _ .

Mr. George Wright, of this town, was next examined,
and said :—" I am a general merchant and shipowner at
Liverpool. I know the prisoner at the bar. He arrived
at Liverpool in the autumn of 1851. He arrived in the
barque Clyde-side, Captain White. This vessel belongs
to the firm in which I am a partner, Messrs. George
Wright and Co. She came from Western Africa. The
usual passage money home Ido not know. I should say
the captain ought to ask £5O for a single passenger from
Liberia to England. There was a person in his company
said to be his wife. He called upon me and stated that
he was the passenger in the Clyde-side. The substance
of what he said was that he had come out as a missionary
of a Baptist Society, to collect funds for the repairs or
re-building of a chapel. I did not introduce the prisoner
to any gentleman in Liverpool. lam acquainted with the
signature of the President of Liberia, Joseph Jenkins
Roberts, and know him personally. I know his writing,
and have seen him write. He is a man of colour. I
believe that the signature attached to the document pro-
duced, is not the signature of President Roberts. The
reason why I doubt the signature is, because I have seen
many letters from President Roberts, and there is a wide
difference between the " R." here, and any that I have
seen. lam acquainted with the seal of the republic of
Liberia. Ido not believe that the seal attached to this
document is the true seal of Liberia. Indeed I may say
Ido know that it is not. I have a document, sealed by
President Roberts, in my presence in London, in 1848."
The Rev. Augustus William Hansen, a Clergyman of
the Church of England, who resided in Monrovia, from
the 11th of November, 1850, to the 2d of May, 1852, and
acted as British Consul, stated that he knew the prisoner,
who was the pastor of Providence Baptist Chapel. His
congregation would not exceed 200. Prisoner told witness
that he was coming to England to solicit funds. He
(witness) refused to give him any testimonials. There
was no such seal in Liberia as the one attached to the
document produced.
Mr. Hanson, the British Consul at Monrovia, during
the time the prisoner resided there, deposed to his
knowledge of him, and said that the prisoner was at one
time chaplain to the Senate of Liberia, while witness was
there. The signature of the President of Liberia, as well
as the other signatures on the documents produced, were
all forgeries. There was no church in Monrovia called
the Providence Independent or Protestant Church of
Christ. Did not know that there was £2OO required' by
any religious body there. If there had been any edifice
constructing for the purposes of any religious body in
Monrovia during witnesses stay there, he could not under
any circumstances have failed in knowing it. Prisoner
came from America to Liberia with immigrants. When
witness went to the colony the prisoner was there. Had
been in prisoner's church, but not during service. The
entire population of Monrovia was not more than 1,500.
Mr. SEYMOITR, in a speech of two hours' and a half
duration, addressed the jury for the prisoner, contending
that the evidence on behalf of the prosecution had failed
in establishing the negative of the prisoner's statement ;
and that, therefore, they must acquit him.
The RECORDER having summed up, the jury retired,
and in about half an hour returned into court with a
verdict of guilty on each of the three counts.
The RECORDER was about to pass sentence upon the
prisoner, when he asked permission to make some
remarks. Permission being granted,
The prisoner addressed the court as follows :—" Feeling
conscious that I have acted in accordance with my duty,
and with the dictates of my conscience, and having left
the republic of Liberia to seek in this country that aid
which my poor suffering people were unable to afford for
the completion of their house of worship ; and the jury
having now pronounced their opinion that I am guilty of
a crime for the way in which I have acted, I have only to
say, that however various and complicated may have been
that testimony upon which they have recorded their
verdict, and whatever may have been right in the eyes of
this honourable court—(placing his hand upon his heart,
and elevating his voice with earnestness)—no pain or
remorse lies here. Under these circumstances I have but
one word to add. It is simply in the discharge of a duty
to my poor church that I have come and endeavoured to
solicit aid from those who in England could give it.
Upon that I have been convicted. I humbly submit, and
merely crave your lordship's mercy."
The RECORDER, in passing sentence upon the prisoner,
said that, with one exception, it was the most distressing
case which had come before him, since he had sat as re-
corder in that court. He would not harrow the prisoner's
feelings by dwelling upon what he concluded to be a most
heinous offence in the eyes of God and man. He had
come to this country to prey upon the religious feelings
of the benevolent of this land, and by taking upon himself
a name entitled to our profound reverence, he had made
it merely an instrument of unprincipled money making.
He (the recorder) should not dwell at greater length upon
his case. He felt deeply his degradation, and he would
fain hope that the prisoner might feel it too. After a
feeling and suitable admonition, the learned recorder said,

sentenc

f the court upon you is, that you be im-
prisoned—and I regret to say I must add, kept to hard
labour—in the House of Correction of this borough, for
th,; term of eighteen calendar months, the first month
and the last month of such term to be in solitary confine-
ment. And I never passed a sentence upon any one with
greater pain, and never closed a day with greater desire
than that which I now feel that these melancholy pro-
ceedings may have a salutary effect upon you."
On Monday morning the prisoner was again placed at
the bar, and pleaded not guilty to two further similar
charges. A verdict of not guilty was returned, Mr.
Hunter, on behalf of the crown, declining to offer any
evidence.

The RECORDER, in dismissing the prisoner on these
charges, said that since he had passed sentence upon him
on Saturday, he had been put in possession of information
respecting him which if he had previously known, would
have induced him to have transported him beyond the
seas.

[ln March last, when this arch imposter was in Liver-
pool, levying contributions upon the credulous, we cau-
tioned the public against him, as follows :
" A WARNING, NOT BEFORE IT IS NEEDED.—We
have been requested to put the charitable public on their
guard against a man of colour, who is canvassing for sub-
scriptions among both the clergy and laity. He is a man
of good address, and has a plausible story, especially if
not cross-examined. He has been a Baptist minister, but
now represents himself as a clergyman ordained by an
American bishop in Western Africa, and desirous of
affiliation with the English Church ! He is unable, how-
ever, to produce any letters of orders. He was lately a
banker, still more lately a merchant, and somewhat more.
His shipments of gold dust and ivory are long of landing
in England; or, perhaps, it was impossible for him to look
after the interests of the merchants who had befriended
him while in Lancaster Castle. He has several testimo-
nials from some of our local clergy ; who, with a fatal
facility, append their names to the claims of impostors,
without any evidence but the testimony of those impostors
themselves."

For this notice we were afterwards called upon by the
prisoner, and received several letters from a solicitor of
this town, who, on behalf of the prisoner, threatened us
with an action for libel. A proposal was made to us to
pay a sum of money, in order to settle the matter, which
we at once declined. It is scarcely necessary to add, that
the impostor's threat was not carried out.—Ed. L. S.]