The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-03-17 00:00:00

so himself

lect any or

fire only lasted a quarter

An iron croak wa

into three or four piec

ence produced by the plaintiff in

he fire was wilful, and that
damage being extremely

called a great many wit-

gent of the company for this district,

he came to the sF
)wilder, with him.

29th of Ju

plaintiff and his father

He went into the house, and he could positively say that
there never had been any fire in that house at all. Asked
the plaintiff where the fire had been, and he took him into
the bedroom, and told him it had been there. The witness
said to the plaintiff, "There is no appearance of fire here,
therefore the goods could not have been consumed here."
The plaintiff pointed out the hole in the roof, and the plain-
tiff's father said, " That's the place where the fire came in."
It was impossible there could have been any fire there, be-

cause the walls and the roof were quite clean. There was a
little burning on the floor of the room. In the other bedroom
the floor in places was a little charred. The witness ex-
pressed his doubt sas to the fire, and the plaintiff observed,
that at he could say was that he had not set it on fire. Wit-

d it was no use to mince

made for the purpose

atter, those holes were

fire from the. bed catching the

Vent to the uninhabited house : the rafters

and laths of the roof had been burnt from the inside. Looked
at the goods. A cabinet-maker for a few shillings would
have repaired the whole of the damage. From £lO to £l5
would amply compensate the plaintiff for any damage he had
sustained. He had made a report to the directors as to his
suspicion, and as to the overcharge. Other witnesses stated
that the floor was only a little charred. The plaintiff's wife's
apprentice said she had never seen many of the articles named
in the claim.

When the case had proceeded thus far, it being half-past
seven o'clock, the Court wasadjourned till this day(Saturday).
A witness of the name of Govier was called, who stated
that as he was returning home that night about a quarter to
twelve o'clock, when he came near the house, he saw the
plaintiff and two other men. The plaintiff pressed him to
go to a beer-house and have something to drink ; the witness
consented, and they went to a house, but the parties were
gone to bed. He then urged him to go to some other public-
bnt he refused, and wished them good night. As he
passing defendant's house on his way home he saw a fire
sited house. There was no fire outside. He
lye an alarm. Did not then see any fire in the plaintiff's
" gaw a light in the plaintiff's

in the uniiiint

short tit

r of the plaintiff's house was locked.
ne of the neighbours, he returned and
loor unlocked, and went into the house.
,edstead and its furniture were on fire.

:r fire in the room or anything to be

_... another fire in the plaintiff's bedroom,
but there was no fire outside the house. They described-the
fire as being very trifling, and said it had been extinguished
in a quarter of an hour. They all stated that there were only
two bedsteads and a chest of drawers up stairs, and no other
furniture,' and, there was no fire in any other room in the
house. One witness stated that during the fire, while a man
was endeavouring to get something out of the window, he
heard the plaintiff's father say, " Come, Tom, come down,
and let it burn." There was no appearance of fire on the
walls or ceiling. . .

other bedroom there was not any tire at aii.
to be taking care of the furniture.
witnesses were called, whose evidence was to
that there was a fire in the room of the un-

bited house,

In order to contradict this testimony, and prove that the
plaintiff could not have set the house on fire, four witnesses
were called, two of whom stated, as soon as the first fire was
out, the plaintiff accompanied them to a beer-shop a little
way off, where they sat drinking till ten o'clock. They then

went out and walked round the plaintiff's premises, to see if
all was right. They then returned to the beer-shop, and
had more beer. They remained there till a quarter before
twelve, when they walked away together. They proceeded
to walk in a contrary direction to the plaintiff's house.
When they were about 200 yards from the plaintiff's house
they stopped, and in a short time they heard the cry of
" Fire!" They went back and found a fire in Taylor's bed-
room. Taylor unlocked the door of the house. One of
these witnesses stated that they had agreed not to go to bed
that night, they had agreed to walk about. Taylor had
asked them to walk about all night on account of the fire.

The learned Judge, in summing up, said there were two
questions for the jury—first, whether the premises had been
wilfully set on fire by the plaintiff or by his connivance; if
they were satisfied it had, then they would return a verdict
for the defendants ; but if they thought the fire had been ac-
cidental, then it became a question w.hether they considered
the plaintiff had taken advantage of that accident, and had
made a false and fraudulent claim. . .

The Jury consulted for about five minutes, and then re-
turned a verdict for the defendants.

The cause lasted from the middle of Friday to the latter
part of Saturday.

SECONDARIES' COURT, LONDON, MARCR 10

Befoie Mr. Secondary PorrEß.)

SINGULAR CASE

HARRIS V. EVANS

This was an action-to 7ecc;el7th;;nin of £ll due to the
plaintiff by the defendant for the board and lodging of his
wife, Elizabeth Price Evans.
Mr. C._Jones appeared for the-plaintiff, and Mr. James

dr. Jones stated the case to the jury. He said that the
intiff in this case was a widow, and an innkeeper, and the
'endant was an umbrella-maker in the city, and carried on
lost extensive business. In the year 1835 he became ac-
ited with a Miss Evans, at Nottingham, and, after an
lintance of some time, he married her. He lived with
months after her marriage, but
ct to his wife was very morose and
inated in his habits, and used to

F4A SVU .11J ,
He became

remain out at night, and return home in a state of intoxica.
tion. One of the effects of this course of life was, that he
communicated to his wife a disease to which he need not
more particularly allude. This course of life continued until
the year 1838, when his wife left his house in consequence of
the treatment she received. He at first allowed her 18s. per

week for her board at some friend's house, but the payment
of this stipend became gradually irregular, and was ultimately
,ithdrawn. The wife then became dependent on the bounty
ome ' 'cod's, and lived at different places, until she
tme be compelled to seek for admis
ie ~on union. Of this union
'
g rdian. She remains-1

of some of her f
became

to the L

afeehng husband

uation,

~..uper inmate of this work-
en her brother, hearing of
for admission to see her.
~ion until he obtained an or-
ing his sister's statement, he
e plaintiff,

house c

,Mrs. tiarris,) witu
necessary ; and it was fur these necessaries that the defendant
became amenable to the law. The learned counsel then called
several witnesses, who in part supported the statement, but
it appeared, from the evidence of I medical man, that the
statement of his wife's peculiar illness was totally unfounded,
and that no decided symptoms of any such disease had ever
been manifested.
Mr. James then addressed the jury, and called several wit-
nesses, who proved that so far from the husband's conduct
nr,A.inn of his wife's leaving home, it was the re-

suit of her own violent temper, and her inordinate propensity
for spirituous liquors. It was proved that she was in a
beastly state of intoxication three days in the week. She had
two children, and had had one miscarriage; and one of the
witnesses stated that on the day of that miscarriage she got
drunk, and was obliged to be carried upstairs and put to bed.

Her husband had placed her with a Mrs. Richards, whose
band contracted to supply the Peckham workhouse with
d, and that was what gave rise to the statement that he
1 placed her in the workhouse itself. It was proved that
vans had been placed as a boarder in the private
>f Mr. Richards, and had no connexion or corn-
] with the pauper part of the establishment. She
Wale at the suggestion of her brother, who had
she gave way to her
the servants in the
ed to the house of

public-house,

.nd was

ff, where her brother ate all his meals, and drank
ill of which had been charged to the plaintiff in
There were no less than nine different attornies
RS many actions against the defendant for
)and had offered to al.
d refused, and had

...• ,
preferred to continue in her old dissolute habits and to mix
with the commonest and most degraded characters.
Mr. C. Jones addressed the jury in reply ; after which,
Mr. Secondary Potter having summed up,
The jury retired, and, after an hour's absence, returned a
verdict for the defendant.
The case occupied the court from twelve o'clock in the day
to nine at night, and excited considerable interest.

A REAL HUNTEI.—On Friday last, whilst the bounds
were in pursuit of the stag, which was uncarted at Rosley
Hill, a young mare, rising three years old, unbroken, and
which was in a Add on Height farm, unsaddled and un-
. All attempts to impede her course were vain ;
were cleared in gallant style, and her pursuers left be-
She followed close upon the pack, and was among the
" showed " when the game was won. Mr. Ewart
received his mare uninjured on the same evening.—London
paper.

man.,ea

hind
first that

Prisoner—How long_. 1 came up in August last, and
have been in the employ of Mr.' Colley, of Cockspur-street,

who is my cousin

The letter found upon the prisoner was then read; the fol-

b Is a copy :
" Newcastle-street, London, Monday Evening,
half-past 11 o'clock.
' Dr Father,—l wish to communicate to the authorities,
that what I have hitherto advanced as been written or said
from the impulse of the moment ; but now I state for . . .

the government office men, who can reede welle, that the
form as hitherto use shd be continued and that I wish to be
sent to my wife (say Tuesday earley per the ironmonger in-
vention) as that is the maxem of mine. I don't aime so high
as the state, therefore let proper men administer the laws ac-
cording the old maxims and statutes, and the Church of Eng-
land, and that marriages shd be solemnised therefore as
hitherto, and that no map be suffered to have above one . .

(This may be strange but it is in my opinion correct.) As if
theologians search they will find that the lawe was given by
Moses, but grace and truth by (J. C.) that the whole may
be crownd by one being able to say glory to God in the high-
est, peace on earth, good will to men.
" Adiew, if I dont see you before 1 goe
Prisoner—That's my letter

" E. G. C."

Mr. Twyford immediately directed the officers to go to the
prisoner's friends, and to his lodgings, for the purpose of
making inquiries about him, and in the mean time he was
ordered to be taken care:of.
In a few minutes, Mr. Higgins, of Newcastle-street, en-
tered the court, and stated that the prisoner had beets lodg-
ing at his house for the last four or five months, but he never
observed anything particular in his manner till within the
last four or five days. On Monday, instead of going to his
employment as usual, he dressed himself in his best clothes,
and went out, but returned about ten o'clock at night; he
then went up into his (witness's) drawing-room, where four
or five gentlemen were sitting, and shook hands with them
all round, at the same time saying he should not see them
again, as he was going abroad. He then went into his bed-
room, where he remained for some time writing some letters.
He (Mr. Colley) directed a young man to remain with him,
but the prisoner did not appear to like it, and about twelve
o'clock ran out of the house ,and did not again return.
Witness immediately went to the prisoner's cousin's, where
he was informed that they had observed something strange
in his conduct for the last three or four days. He was also
informed that his mother died insane, and that it was a com-
plaint to which the family were subject.
Mr. Twyford said, that made it the more necessary that he
should be taken care of.

Mr. Higgins observed, it was his impression that the pri-
soner intended to destroy himself. _ _

Mr. Twiford said it was Veiy possible that if he intended
to destroy himself, one day, be might take into his head to
destroy any one else the next day. _ _

Mr. John Colley, of Cockspur-street, said the prisoner
as his cousin. _ _

Mr. Twyford.—ln a letter to his father, which was found
upon him, he says he wants to go into the country to his
wife.

Mr. Colley.—He is not married ; his father is in the Char-
terhouse, where be was placed through the influence of the
Earl of Ripon ; be was a person of considerable property in
Staffordshire, but in consequence of the failure of several

banks, he lost upwards of 4'20,000.
Mr. Twyford. His having paid a visit to Sir R. Peel
makes it necessary that something should be done with him.
Mr. Colley.—His mother was insane for ten years; and
some months ago a strangeness was observed in his manner,
and he was sent to reside with a medical friend in the
country for a month, in order that his conduct might be
watched, but that gentleman ultimately considered that there
was not sufficient in his manner to warrant his being placed
under restraint.

Mr. Twyford.—Do you know of any topic or subject upon
which he could have any wish to see Sir R. Peel?
Mr. Colley.—Certainly not.
Mr.Twyford—lt is quite necessary that he should be taken
care of, because there can be no doubt that he is out of his
mind. If his friends can do anything for him, they ought
to do so ' • but if not, we must take steps to prevent his doing
any mischief.
Mr. Colley said, he was only a distant cousin. Dr. Grain-
ger, who apprenticed him, was a nearer relation, who might
do something for him, and his father was in a situation to do
something. He (Mr. Collett) was sorry to see him placed in
such situation ; but he must say he should be glad for some-
thing to be done for him, in order to get him off his hands,
as be (prisoner) had occasionally conducted himself very
strangely while In his (Mr. Colley's) employ.
The prisoner was again placed at the bar, when
Mr. Twyford asked him if he would inform his cousin why
he went to Sir R. Peel's ?
Prisoner.—l told you before. I thought I could suggest a
thing or two to him.
Mr. Twyford.—Upon what subject?
Prisoner.—Why, I have put it down upon paper.
Mr. Twyford (holding up the letter.)—ls this the paper?
Prisoner.—Well, I suppose it is.
Mr. Twyford.—You see I have sent for your friends.
Prisoner.—Oh, yes. I know Mr. Colley. How do you
do, Sir? Yes, and I think 1 see Mr. Higgins there.
Mr. Twyford.—Your conduct has been so strange that I
consider it necessary to have you taken care of.
Prisoner.—Well, I don't think that it is at all requisite.
Mr. Twyford.—Will you tell me why you went away from
home at 12 o'clock last night?
Prisoner.—l am sure I don't know. I cannot give any
account for all such little particulars.
Mr. Twyford.—Under all the circumstances, I consider it
necessary that you should be taken care of. I shall there-
fore, for the present, send you to the garish in which the
offence was committed (St. Margaret's, Westminster) till
some arrangement can be made with your friends.
The prisoner was then removed in the custody of an officer.

MANSION-HOUSE.—On Wednesday, at half-past three
o'clock, a man of respectable appearance, named George Ed-
ward Blyth, was brought before the Lord Mayor, in the cus-
tody of a constable in the employment of the Board of Cus-
toms, and charged as a person whom it was dangerous to
allow to go at large.
Mr. Rutherford, the solicitor to the Customs, attended,
and stated that the prisoner, who had formerly been em-
ployed on a foreign station as an officer. had been very ur-
gent in his application to have an interview with the Com-
missioners, and acted very violently and incoherently.
Mr. C. J. Maclean, clerk to tlp plantations in the cus-
toms, stated that the prisoner had Been in the service of the
customs, having been appointed a landing-waiter at New-
foundland in the year 1835. By the certificate it appeared
that he was horn in the county of Essex, on the 11th of Ja-
nuary, 1812. After having remained in the service of the
customs until 1840, he was sent home to England as an in-
sane person, and his leave of absence was continued from
time to time till the muith of October, 1841, when he was
discharged upon a gratuity. Upon his arrival in London, it
appeared that he made some noise at the Horse Guards about
the Queen, and was conveyed before a magistrate. He sub-
.

sequently was confined at St.. Luke's and ail)r. Warburton's
establishment, from Me' latter of which he had btenlately
discharged as incurable. He had that morning called at the
custom-house, and wished to see the commissioners, of whom
he spoke in a very incoherent manner. He was, witness was
given to understand, quiet until he was roused, but he was
extremely excitable, and became violent when excited.
The Lord Mayor.—Prisoner, what have you to say !_

only went and. asked whether I could see
the collector, as I wanted to know whether he could get me
employed?
The Lord Mayor.—What did you want of the Commis-
sioners? _ _

Prisoner.—l only wanted the collector to get me a place
that was all.

The Lord Mayor.—These gentlemen say that you are not
capable of taking care of yourself.

The Lord Mayor.—Have you any children ?
Prisoner.—Yes, I have; let me see, two children.
The Lord Mayor.—How old are your children?
Prisoner (after some hesitation).—l can't say, but they
were christened at St. John's Church, in Newfoundland.
The Lord Mayor.---Are they boys or girls?
Prisoner.—Eh; I believe they are both boys.
. The Lord Mayor.—you believe they are! Are you not
sure of it?

Prisoner.—Why, one of them is George William, and the
other is—let me see—Frederick Edward.
The Lord Mayon—Then they are boys.
Prisoner.—Yes; they are boys' names that I mentioned.
William Crafter, constable at the Custom-house, stated
that Mr. Maclean called him and put the prisoner into his
custody. The prisoner was very restless, and said he would
take the poker and defend himself if witness laid a hand
upon him.

Mr. Phillips, superintendent at Dr. Warburton's establish -
ment, stated that the prisoner was in the asylum in the years
18.11 and 1842, and in an imbecile state. His tongue was
paralysed. When excited he became very violent. His wife
paid-for his support at the institution, and finding the ex-
pense inconvenient, she thought she could manage him at
home, and accordingly took him away.
The Lord Mayor.--And what is your opinion of him now ?
Witness.—That he is altogether incapable of taking care
of himself.

Prisoner.—l believe lam quite sensible enough.
The Lord Mayon—Now, prisoner, you hear what these
gentlemen say of you. I cannot, as a magistrate, allow you
to go at large.
Prisoner.—l'll promise you faithfully to do nothing wrong
if you let me go home to my wife.
The Lord Mayor.-1 have no reliance upon that, and I
shall send you to the Compter, where you shall be taken care
of in fix* infirmary for a few days, and in the mean time

."I)topttig

TUESDAY, MARCH 15.—Wind N.W. light.
ARRMED.—Margaret, Monks, and Lesmehagow, Spence, froth
St. John, N.B.—Sherbrooke, Broad, from New Orleans—Duke of
Wellington, from Laguna—and Christian, Henderson, for Lag

Alexander Grant, Thompson, hence at Bombay
Devonport, Broadfoot, from China, ditto
Tory, Johnson, from Calcutta, ditto
Harriet, Scott, Beynon, from Sincapore, ditto
Liverpool, M'Dowell, hence at China
James Matheson, Branscornbe, hence at ditto
Inglewood, hence at ditto
Helena, Drenning, and Mary, from Bombay, at ditto
Bella Marina, from Java, at ditto
Affiance, hence at Batavia

John O'Gauut. Robertson, sailed from China 20th December,
and Matilda, 27th, both for this port; Litherland, Freeman, 22nd
for Cork, and John Moore, for London
Colombian, Wakeham, hence at Sydney
Templar, Brown, hence at the Cape of Good Hope, and sailed
17th Jan. for Sydney
Zenobia, Sutherland, from Batavia, at the Cape of Good Hope,
and sailed 12th Jan. for Cork

Elizabeth Moore, Mossop, sailed from the Cape of Good Hope
for the Mauritius 18th January

Kestrell, Wise, sailed froni Callao for Iquique 14th Nov. and
Oberon, Hoodless, 17th, for Huanchaco, and Phillips, Hill, Ist Dec.
for Valparaiso
Camerton, Lenney, hence at Havana
Lord Palmerston, Rattray, hence at Charleston
Andrew Scott, Every, hence at ditto
John Bolton, Teuton; Susan Drew, Randlett, and Frances De-
pan, Forbes, hence at New Orleans
Roscius, Collins; Sheffield, Allen; Independence, Nye, and
Europe, Furber, hence at New York
Hottinguer, Bursley, hence at ditto, after being on shore, and
throwing part of her cargo overboard
Susquehanna, Miercken, hence at Philadelphia
Susan, Whiteway ; Majestic, Ibister, and Severn, Driscoll, hence
at Savannah

'tuna, Sanderson, hence and Monte Video, at Buenos Ayres
William Wallis, Longstaff, sailed from Born. .ay 4th Jan. ; Port-
land, Stalker, Bth ; Ann, Salkeld, gth ; John Campbell, White,
21st; Margaret, Blyth, 28th, and Sterlingshire, Davidson, 30th—all
for this port; Tyrer, Renner, sailed 6th Jan. for China, and Wild
Irish Girl, Graham, 21st, for Kurrachee and London
Minerva, Mills, from Calcutta, at Madras, and sailed 30th Dec.
for this port
Euxine, Milian, sailed from Madras for Moulmein 31st Dec.
Prince Albert, Kinsey, hence at Calcutta Bth Jan.
Edward Houstead, Arnold, hence at Sincapore
Aun Jane, hence at ditto
Livingston, from China, at ditto
Elvira, Walker, from Manilla, at ditto
Samnel llorrocks, from Malacca, at ditto, and sailed 7th Dec. on
her return

Mary Campbell, Wylie, from Batavia, at Sincapore, and sailed
30th Dec. on her return

D'Arcy, sailed from Sincapore 12th Dec.; Maia, Sproule, 2nd
Jan. and Masdieu, Dare, 4th, all for China, and Intrepid, Stewart,
25th Dec. for this port
Sweet Home, Longmuir, from Lisbon, at Monte Video
Thomas Mellor, Palethorp, hence at Pernambuco
Golden Fleece, Hubbuck, from London, at ditto
Wm. Russell, from Bahia, at ditto
Guilelmo, Le Sauteur, sailed from Rio Janeiro 20th Dec. for this
port, and Airey, Nicholson, 31st for Calcutta •
Elizabeth, Craigierich, sailed from Trieste for this port 26th Feb.
Sybil, hence at Malta
R. A. Parke, from Alexandria, at Algesiras Roads
Adelina, sprague, hence off Oporto
Especulador, March, hence at St. Übes
Charles, Rickmers, hence at Ostend
Venus, M'Donald, from Lima, off the Wight, sailed Sth Dec.
On the 16th Feb. 500 miles S.W. of the Azores, spoke the Caroline,
from Lima for London
Henrietta, from Vera Cruz, at Swansea
Lund, from Londonderry, at this port, with serious damage,
having been on shore on West Hoyle, and afterwards ou the
Main.

Acadia, (steamer) Ryrie, from Boston, at this port; sailed Ist
March, and from Halifax 3rd, at 330 p.m. On the 7th, in lat. 46,
long. 44 40, saw a large iceberg
Prince Albert, Clements, from St. John, N.B. to London, was
totally wrecked at Pubrico, N.S. gth Feb.