The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-04
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The Anglo-French Alliance.


Gus type, the following. The London Globe
says:
The alliance between the Emperor Napo.
lean and Her Majesty Queen Victoria is as close
and cordial as it ever has been at any hour
since it was first established. Moreover, the
alliance has been unbroken, and has at no time
been interrupted, or even impaired"
The Morning Post says:
ut is of the highest importance, at a mo.
ment like the present, to dspel the exaggera-
tons of rumor, and to record the truth simply.
We therefore emphatically state that we have
reason to believe that never at any time was
the alliance between England and France more
solid and faithful than it is now.
at is true that of late, though no DISPUTE
ever occurred, different views and different DO
sluons IN reference to a number of minor ques-
lions, apparently of triGing Importance, have
been assumed by the two Governments. This
was, perhaps the result Of accident. Certainly
1t was not attributable to any real divergence
OF sentiment or opinion between the Emperor
Napoleon and Her Maiesty's Government.
We believe that there is now the certainty
that the two Governments will act together as
IN the past, and that together they will insist
upon the tuliilment of the treaty for which both
fought and conquered"
Gigantic Railway Fraud
The discovery by the officials of the Great
Northern Railway of a series of the most ex-
tensive frauds-frauds which throw the defal.
cations of William James Robson on the Crys-
tai Palace Company completely in the shade
has created great consternation When the
offender, Mr.. Leopold Redpath, who was the
principal registrar, had to issue GlOO stock, it
appears that he added an 80" to the amount I:
thus making it Gl 900 in the company's books.
This operation was not confined to 9lOO. but
extended to stock of G200, $500, and $500:
SO that out OF every fl00 stock transferred, he
gained 1900. The directors appear not to have
made any examination into the accounts, prob
ably because they never had any suspicion of
their officer and it has been mystery to them
for years past, that they were called upon to pay
dividends upon Gl5,000 or 100000 more than
according to their audited accounts they were
liable for.
1t appears that Mr. Redpath, although his
salary was not very extensive, (amounting to
something between ESQ and E3O0 year,
lived in luxurious style, in fashionable
house, had box in the opera, was an hdbitue
OF the theatres. Governor of Christ's Hospi-
tai and of the Royal st. Anne's Society, and a
subscriber and director of many Of the most
prominent metropolitan institutions There
was scarcely ever a fashionable party, an ope-
monde, in which the name of "Leopold Red
path, Esq.," did not appear
AS principal registrar of stock, Mr. Redpath
had, of course, the entire control of that depart
ment OF the company's business Two or three
weeks ago, however, the directors established
a distinct department, for the purpose of secu
ring strict investigation of the company's
accounts.
The officials of this new department met on
Monday last, and on Tuesday morning they
reassembied for the purpose of entering upon
their duties. Soon after they met, Mr.. Redpa;h
entered their room, and said to the chief clerk,
" What are you going to do 2" The chief
clerk replied, "To go through all the accounts.
from the commencement of the company"
Mr.. Redpath said, "That is perfectly useless
proceeding. You will find all the accounts
right in the gross, and it is of no use entering
into details The chief clerk said, owe are
bound to go into the whole of the accounts. as
the directors have given in explicit directions
to do so, and We wish to begin with the numer-
ical register" Mr.. Redpath took up one of the
books, and threwit down again, saying, DWELL, |
II that is your intention, will have nothing to
do with it." He then said to one of the off. |
GERS, am going out for few minutes" He
went, but he never returned.
Previous, however, to his departure, he sent
one oI tne ucKetporters belonging to the rail- |
way to the Union Bank in Argyll Place, for
the ttle-deeds of his house in Chester Place. and
for other securities which were lodged there in |
his name, directing him to meet him with the |
documents at Chester Place. The porter, mis- |
experimenting his instructions, took the parcel |
he received from the bank to the Great North |
ern Railway, and the officials of the company |
have taken possession of it, and notice has
been given at the bank to withhold his balance |
until further inquiry.
As soon rs the discovery of the frauds was
made, directions were given to the police to |
take possession of Redpath's house in Chester
Place. This was done, and almost simutane- |
ouJly Inspector Williams arrested Mr.. Charles |
james Cumming Kent, young man aged rs, |
who was a clerk in the registrar office over |
which Mr.. Redpath presided. Mr.. Kent is sup
posed to have been the dupe of Redpath. A |
warrant has been granted for the apprehension |
of Redpath, who is still fugitive from Justice.
The directors of the Great Northern Railway
appear to have been acquainted with the ex-
pensive habits of their servant, and to have |
been aware that f300 year could not have
met his expenses. Singularly enough, a feel |
ing prevailed that he filled his responsible Office |
simply from a desire of having something to
do; and this opinion was confirmed by the fact |
that he made large contributions to the many
religious and charitable institutions with which |
the metropolis abounds.
Capture of Redpath.
Redpath was arrested on the 18th, at the |
house of friend in Ulster Place, New Road. |
BE had been traced to Paris, and probably
hoo r;po that ho purouad h. rat,~coI a. ]