The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-06-24 00:00:00

Mr. Evans said he w

draw largely on the indulgence of the court in

deeply acquainted with criminal 1
terials which he had to brine be

diffused; and lastly, because-the evidence was not such as
entirely satisfied himself of the practicability of making out
the charge. The application which he was about to make
was, that the. magistrates would commit Thomas Parr Gill-
mour. ' bar, who had I,- '-.)z time

.., me prisoner lAG roe ._ . oeen for a long .
engaged, in getting goods from several parties, by various

transactions during

twenty Years

seen eng

7 JUI
firm of Gillmour and - Co. ; at others, of John Gillmour and
Co., John Parr Gillmour and Co., Thomas Parr Gillmour
and Co., Henry Wilson and Co., and Tomlinson and Co.
Connected with him had been his son, whose name was John
Corlett Gillmour, and another younger son, who was only
just initiated into these transactions. Mr. Gillmour, the
prisoner, individually had gone under the names of Parr,
Gill, Gillmour, and Corlett. He had carried on this strange
business at Liverpool, Chester, and London, and had or-
dered goods of all descriptions, from a gold watch to a red
herring. (Laughter.)

Mr. Evans proceeded to enumerate some of the numerous
articles which the prisoner had ordered in the course of his
business, as brass kettles, watches, rugs, linen shirting, navy
blue cloth, butter, boots, cutlery, chocolate, candles, coals,
flannels, swords, tools, and all manner of goods. He had in
his possession letters sent to him by various manufacturers,
which had been addressed by the prisoner to houses in Man-
chester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Dundee, Edin-
burgh, Glasgow, Stockport, Leeds, and numberless other
places. His mode of doing business was by writing letters,
to the amount of some thousands

the course of a yea

ordering goods and samples of various descriptions. He
(Mr. Evans) had examined a lad who was formerly em-
ployed by the prisoner, who had written thirty letters per
day for goods to all parts of the kingdom. The prisoner
must have relied upon his letters falling into the hands of
parties occasionally who would suppose that he belonged to
the highly respectable firm of Rankin, Gilmour and Co. of
this town. Many, indeed, had acted upon this supposition,
and had furnished goods thereupon. When pressed for pay-
ment for the goods furnished, he had letters to show, of
various dates in 1840 and 1841, the manner in which claim-
ants had been put off. These letters were a sort of circulars,
and he would read one of them, out of many in his posses-
sion, to the court. Mr. Evans here read a letter, dated Ist
March, 1840, signed " J. C. Gilmour and C 0.," stating that
they were involved by the failure of a house, and were com-
pelled to offer a composition of ss. in the pound, or become
bankrupts. This letter was in the handwriting of the pri-
soner's son. He had other letters, signed Messrs. Gilmour
and Co. and Messrs. Gilmour, to the same effect. All the
letters seemed to have been written in a bold mercantile
style, calculated to deceive and to make persons believe that
they came from an office carrying on a respectable business,
in the usual manner. The party had also two boxes at the
Post-office, one in the name of Gilmour and Co. and the

other in the name of Henry Wilson and Co

and the letters

addressed to both names were delivered to the same person.
Some of the letters in his (Mr. Evans's) possession were in
the handwriting of the prisoner, with the signature of the
son, and some were written and signed by each of them.
In the case which he was about to brit% before them, the
evidence, if it would bear out the charge, was complete. The
charge which he sought_to establish was that of having ob-

tamed goods under raise pat
Birmingham. The latter sent a quantity of goods to Gill-
mour and Co. of Liverpool, which were ordered to be suitable
for the New Zealand market. Mr. Evans here read a letter
signed Gillmour and Co. Liverpool, dated March, 1842, ad-
dressed to Mr. Dunkley, requesting to be furnished with the
prices to merchants of goods suitable for the New Zealand
market. An answer was sent with a printed list of goods and
prices. A second letter was sent, ordering a quantity of
brass kettles of various descriptions which were ordered to
be sent in cases marked G. 12 and 13, cash in a month, &c.
The next letter acknowledged the receipt of one cask, marked
as directed, and contained a further order with a request for
an invoice of the whole. Mr. Dunkley acted on the faith of
the parties being genuine merchants, and that the goods were
for shipment. The next letter stated that the goods had
come to hand, and promised to write in a few days when the
head partner returned from the north. On the same day
one of the sons went to the railway, stripped off the direc-
tions, and the goods were all re-directed to Mr. Golding, a
pawnbroker, of London. A letter was addressed to Mr.
Golding ordering him to remit a liberal advance as before,
and with the goods Mr. Dunkley's invoice was actually trans-
mitted. He (Mr. Evans) had sent a messenger to London
to Mr. Golding, who had acted in the most proper manner
in the case, having at once come down from London on pur-
pose to give every facility to the inquiry. He proposed to
prove the receipt of the letter to Mr. Dunkley, calling for
the prices for the New Zealand market, the hand-writing of
the son, the transmission of the goods, that the son went to
Pickford's and re-directed the goods to Mr. Golding, at
London, and to connect the prisoner with the transaction he
would prove letters addressed to him, and that he was in
possession of the pawn-tickets. The main question for con-
sideration would be, whether the post letters contained suffi-
cient to prove that Mr. Dunkley was misled to send the
goods under the belief that the party was a merchant in Li-
verpool trading to New Zealand, for if so, and the goods
were immediately pledged to a pawnbroker, " as before," he
thought it would be conclusive evidence that a criminal act
had been committed.

Mr. William Dunkley., brazier, of Birmingham, was called.
He proved the receipt of the several letters alluded to by
Mr. Evans. In consequence of the representations contained
therein, he transmitted' those casks containing various de-
sciptions of brass kettles as per order. They were casks
marked G. Nos. 12, 13, and 14, as directed in the letter of
the 29th of March. The invoice was transmitted, the goods
in No. 12, amounting to £l2 3s 6d, transmitted April 6,
1842; those in No. 13, to £lO 16s Id, transmitted May 17 ;
those in No. 14, to £l2 18s 6d, transmitted May 14. He
found the name of Rankin, Gilmour, and Co. in the Direc-
tory, and believed the prisoner to be connected with it, and
knowing it to be a respectable firm he was induced to trans-
mit the goods. He had made application for £lO, but had
never received a farthing of his money.
Mr. G. F. Fairclough, solicitor, proved the handwriting
of the prisoner's son, John Corlett Gilmour, to several letters.
Mr. Samuel Salt, agent to Messrs. Pickford and Co., car-
riers, proved that on the 19th of May a young man, who
called himself Mr. Gilmour's son, had taken two casks,
marked G. 13 and 14, to their office, and forwarded them to
Mr. Golding, London. The young man wrote a shipping
note there.

William Clarke, of Sutton, Cheshire, stated that the pri-
soner lodged at his house from the 25th January to the 25th
April last. His two sons called upon him from time to time.
Had corresponded with his son Thomas. The letter pro-
duced was in that son's hand-writing.

Edward Golding, pawnbroker, Knightsbridge, proved the
receipt of the letters and goods by him, in London, in May

last. Mr. Golding produced the head of one of the casks
and a sample of the goods, which were identified by Mr.
Dunkley. On cross-examination by Mr. Davenport, Mr.
Golding said he had received about twenty-four letters in all
from the prisoner.

Mr. Woverden, a superintendent in the county constabu-
lary, stated that he had examined the papers of the prisoner,
and he found amongst them several letters, addressed J. P.
Gillmonr and Co. and J. P. Gillmour, merchant, Liverpool.
In one of those letters were two pawn-tickets.
Stephen Wainwright, a young man who was examined
when the prisoner appeared before the county magistrates,
proved that he had been employed by the prisoner some time
ago at Chester, when he wrote for him numerous letters for
goods to all parts of the kingdom.
Mr. Evans said he should like to ask some influential gen-
tleman present if there were in Liverpool any firm known
as Gillmour and Co. He would put the question to Mr.
Wm. Rathbone, if that gentleman would be so good as an-
swer it. Mr. Rathbone said he did not know any such firm.
The magistrates here consulted together for a few minutes,
when

Mr. Theodore Rathbone said, he was sorry to say that the
magistrates did not deem the evidence sufficient to support
the charge. There could be no doubt as to the nature of the
transaction, and the prisoner had better be on his guard, that
he did not get brought before them again, for another case
might have a different termination.
The prisoner said he had nothing at all to do with the
transaction. His son had recently set up in business for
himself, and Mr. Potter, who was on the bench, must
remember the firm of Gillmour and Co., and know that he
(the prisoner) had always acted honourably.
The prisoner was discharged.

LIVERPOOL PROTESTANT BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY.

The annual dinner of the members and friends of the Liver-
pool Protestant Benevolent Society took place yesterday, in
the large room at the house of Mr. William George, the
George and Vulture Hotel, Houghton-street. This society,
which is enrolled according to the act of parliament, ex-
presses its objects by its title ; and we are happy to state,
that notwithstanding the unprecedented depression of the
times, it has gone on increasing in numbers as well as in
funds during the past year. It is therefore in a prosperous
condition, and it has our hearty good wishes for its continued
success. About seventy individuals sat down to an excel-
lent and substantial dinner, under the presidency of JOSEPH
COOPER, Esq., chairman of the society, and one of the re-
presentatives of Great George's Ward in the Town Council.
There were also present Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Gurden, Mr.
Robert Jones, jun., and a considerable number of the hono-
rary members of the society. The cloth having been with-
drawn,
The PRESIDENT said the first toast would be that of her
most gracious Majesty the Queen. At a time like the pre-
sent, when her life had just been attempted, it peculiarly be-
came the duty of a society like this, which professed to fear
God and honour the Queen, to show their loyalty and attach-
ment to their sovereign. (Cheers.) He begged to propose
the health of the Queen. (Great cheers.)
The PRESIDENT stated that Mr. James Aspinall was pre-
vented from attending by the state of his health, which com-
pelled him to visit the Isle of Man; and that Mr. Wm.
Potter and Mr. Robertson Gladstone, from whom he read
letters, were unable to attend owing to previous engage-
ments.

The PRESIDENT proposed the health of Prince Albert,
who, since he had come to this country, had " won golden
opinions from all sorts of men." (Loud cheers.)
The next toast was the " Queen Dowager and the rest of
the Royal Family." In proposing it, the president remarked
that the attachment of her Majesty to the institutions of the
country was well known, and needed no praise. (Applause.)
The PRESIDENT next gave " The Bishop and Clergy of
the Diocese," and " The Church, unity, and prosperity to
her."—(Three times three.) Glee—" With a Jolly full
Bottle."

The PRESIDENT : The toast I am now about to give is one
that will be dear to every true born Briton—" The Duke,
the hero of a hundred battles." (Tremendous cheers.)
-rl,l-

1116 ;marry Lug LUUSLS were—
bulwark of our sea-girt isle." (Great cheering.)
Robert Peel, and her Majesty's ministers ;" " The glorious,
pious, and immortal memory of King William the Third."

(Tremendous cheers.)
Mr. WM. NIMMO, chairman of the society, proposed "The
health of the president, and all the other honorary members
of the society, with thanks to them for their patronage!,
Mr. COOPER returned thanks for the compliment paid
him in a feeling and appropriate speech. He remarked that
it was the duty of every man to do as much good as was pos-
h Placed ; and it was on
'‘lt'haidchjohicne"d'atshis society. During the
tshibaltepi
rni
at
eiep
le station
that ihne
short time it had been in existence, it had done a great deal
of good, and be was happy to find that its circumstances
were gradually improving. In conclusion, he trusted that it
rwnoeudldthbaealkthaerfoalrlythseu
might go on from day to day, extending its benevolence, and
supplied. (Applause.)
that t
compliment paid to
him as one of the honorary
Mr.l' °Gino ne means
tqf orre returned
mernbere. He felt proud to

belOng to the society, as it was based on loyalty' and on good
feeling.

Mr: R. JONES, jun., in return

principles were the basis Oi-;'aZ'tsvueuo'nduul

he education o

vould not

Mr. WiLmis;sow also returned thanks, and said that he
met this society every year with increased pleasure. He
ty would long prosper, and any service that

The PRESIDENT next gave—
of the society."

would gladly render it.
•" The President and Stewards

Lnd Mr. ROUT

Lord Sandoit and Sir Howard

The Mayc

Members for- Lime-

rgeon to the charity

The President then left the chair; whit
mlands, and several other toasts were proposed

I was taken by Mr

ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS,
CONNECTED WITH THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH
IN LIVERPOOL.

nary of the National Schools connected with

1 former occasions, it fur

101 LOOK place yesterday
shed a very high degre

tion. The children assembled at an early hour in the morn-
ing at their several schools; and being marshalled into little
processions there, they proceeded to the yard of the Blue-
coat School, which was the point of concentration. From
thence they formed one vast line, at the head of which
marched the children of the Blue-coat School, and preceded
by the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the Rev. Thomas Moss, the
Rev. Hugh M'' ' ~ °Teat number of the clergy, they

......,ca-street, Lord-street, and Castle-
street, to the Town-hall, and the Exchange. At the Town-
hall the procession was joined by John Shaw Leigh, Esq.,
Mayor, the officers of the corporation, and several members
of the Town-council; and returning by the same route they
proceeded to St. Peter's Church, where it had been pre-
viously announced that the Right Rev. C. H. Terrott,
D.D., Bishop of Edinburgh, would preach the annual sermon
on behalf of the funds of these most excellent institutions.
Provision was made in the church for the accommodation of
a considerable number of children, by the erection of a
raised platform behind the pulpit; and the remainder re-
turned in procession to their respective schools, where they
were, in most cases, regaled with cake and wine, the expense
of which was defrayed by private subscription.
Divine service commenced a few minutes past eleven o'clock
by the children singing the 100th Psalm. Mr. M. Maybrick
presided at the organ ; and aided by the appropriate ac-
companiment of that noble instrument the infantile choir
sang the praises of their Maker with peculiar impression and
effect. Prayers were then read by the Rev. Jonathan Brooks,
and the " cfiaunts," as well as the hymn before and after the
sermon, were sung by the children.

The Right Rev.VDi. Terrott, having ascended the pulpit to
deliver the sermon, selected for his text the 14th and 15th
verses of the 3rd chapter of St. Paul's 2nd Epistle to
Timothy :—•` But continue thou in the things which thou
bast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them ; and that from a child thou bast
known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

The Right Reverend Bishop commenced by saying, that
as he had come from a considerable distance to address them
on this occasion, as he was totally unknown to them, and as
he was not, strictly speaking, a member of our national
church,—it would be proper, before entering upon the sub-
ject of his discourse, to inform them, in a very few words,
what he was, and by what authority he_undertook, as a