The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-07-01 00:00:00

POLICE.

Matamtv„ruouse --Yesterday, Mr. Bell, the Editor of
Bell's Dispatch, applied to Mr. Alderman Wool), who
sat for the Lord M 'TOR, for a warrant against Mr. Par.
kins, heretofore Sheriff Of London, for obtaining money
under false pretences.
Mr. Bell stated, that he applied as one of the sub
scribers for the relief of an unfortunate man named
Byrne, whose case and sufferings had been already made
politic. Mr. Parkins had been appointed Treasurer to
the Subscription, of which Byrne bad not received
more than one half. Now, by an Act which was passed
during the last Session of Parliament, called the Vagrant
Act, it was enacted, that if any person should obtain
money in any way ender false pretences, he should he
liable to be convicted as a rogue and vagabond. Mr.
Parkins received upwards of 151/ under the pretence of
holding it to pay over to the unfortunate object of the
subscription, but oat of that sum Byrne was ready to
swear that he had only got 701.

Mr. AIJ. Wow), interrupting Mr. Bell, said, he appre-
hended that the transaction front what was stated and
publicly acknowledged, that Byrne was in town, ■nd
ready to recricr the subscriptions entrusted into the
hands of Mr. Parkins, was in its origin correct; so far
there was no false representation. The worthy Alderman
wished to know from Mr. Bell to what amount he was
subscriber ?

Mr. Bell stated that be sith.cribed It., but bad he
subscribed only a shilling, his right to interfere and de-
mand an account of the money from Mr. Parkins was just
the same.

Mr. Alderman Noon—He will tell you that he bas
given your pound to Byrne with the 70/. acknonledged
to have been received, and consequently that your right
to interfere is at an end.

Mr. Bell replied that Mr. Parkins had already said
so, as an answer to farther inquiries, when his Ilitnay
evasions would be no longer listened to ; but that an-
swer might be made to every subscriber on the list, who
might think proper to demand an account of the sub-
scriptions. hlr. Bell assured the Worthy Alderman he
had taken legal advice upon the subject, and that if he
were a subscriber only to the amount of a shilling, and
there was a shilling deficient, the defaulter would come
within the meaning of the Act. This was the opinion ofi
Sir !diehard Birme, and that Magistrate would have
acted upon the opinion had the act been committed with
in his jurisdiction. lle had, therefore. recommended
that an application shriuld be made to the Gluier Magis-
trate. It could be proved on the oath of Byrne that only
about 701. had been paid to him, and it could be proved
that Mr. Parkins hail considerably above that sum in his
hands, there being up to Thursday at Messrs. Brooks
and Dixon, the bankers, subscriptions to the amount of
114/. 13s. standing to his account.

Mr. Alderman WOOD asked Byrne, who a!tended with
Mr. Bell to give evidence, whether any means had been
used to get this slim from the bankers ?

Byrne replied, that, as it ha I been deposited there and
placed to them:count of NI r.Parlans,it could only be given
np on an order from the latter ; 101. had been recently
subscrihol by the Earl of Radnor, but that sant had been
joined to the rest, cud was equally fast in the hands of
I.llr. Parkins.

Mr. Alderman Worm considered there was not suffi.i•
.nt grounds Nom which he could issue a wareant ; and,
front the best advice he could get upon the snliject„be
was obligel to say that the po•.e man had no citance of
obtaining the woney except by failing a bill inellancery
-- --- - - - - -

Mr. Bell said he hall taken kcal advice as to tliA
rourw, and was as.ured it was utterly hula wticable.

. .
Mr. Al,lernian WOOD intimated. that (sitting, there for
the Lord Mayor) he did not feel himself at liberty to art
iu soar a case, or give a decisive inareer in his ',ord.:lily's
hebilf. He therefore wished .h. Kell to make an appli•
ea•leo t.. the Lord Mayor I • self upon the suhject.,
Mfr. Bell assented, and the parties withdrew.

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