The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-16

rather genteei appearance, was yesterday be
fore the Mayor for offering to sell q lot of
tin belonging to the Confederate States.
Capt. Peasants, who made the arrest,
stated that hearing that several suspicious.
looking boxes had been deposited on Thurs
day uight in the back room of a restaurant
on Main street, kept by man named Beck
man, he proceeded thither and found that
his information Was correct. In short time
after going to Beckmal's, Berile came in,
when he proceeded to question him with re-
gard to the manner in which he obtained the
boxes of tin. The explanation of the ac-
cused not being sufficiently satisfactory, he
took him in custody, and lodged him In the
lookup for examination.
Capt. W. ". Smith, Superintendent of the
g. 8. Laboratory, gave Berile an excellent
character. He had been employed for the
last three years as shipping clerk Of that es-
tablishmert, and he had never had reason to
suspect him of any improper conduct Some
time since the prisoner applied to him to
exchange fifteen boxes of "large'' for
"small" tin, exhibiting at the same time an
been approved by It., Col. Brown Seeing
that the papers had been properly made out,
he (Smith) did not hesitate to make the ex.
change, and therefore agreed he should have
1t. Beftle took part Of it, promising to de-
liver an equal number Of boxes az sOCn as it
reached the city; it was then on its way to
this city from Wilmington, but owing to the
difficulties of transportation Its arrival had
been delayed. Capt Smith further testified
that few days ago, finding that the tin ex,
pected from Wilmington had not yet ar
rived, he told one Of the clerks to make q
bill out against the accused for the boxes he
had taken away, believing that the whole
number which be had applied for had been
delivered up to him. He was then Informed
that none had been taken away, and there
fore dismissed the subject til he was called
upon Thursday night with reference to the
arrest OF the prisoner. He was still of the
opinion that Berile's intention was to make
good the fifteen boxes of tin which he had
offered to exchange.
VIM. 8. Wood, timer on Main street,
had frequently bought articles in his line
from the accused. A few days ago he was
asked by him whether he did not wish to
purchase some tin, and how much he was
willing to pay; He expressed a willingness
promise Of the prisoner at the bar that he
would let him have 1t as soon az 1t reached
the city-it was then ON its way from Viii.
mington, but had been delayed for want Of
transportation. He was always under the
impression that the accused's name was
Jones, and was positive that he had never
known him as Berile.
The brother OF the accused was then called
and made oath that he had been informed
by the prisoner that he expected from VIII
mington in few days lot of tin, which he
had authorized q nan In Wilmington to buy
for him at an auction there. 1t was the in
tention, as the witness understood him, to
turn 1t over to the Confederate States, in ex.
change for some which he had received from
the Laboratory.
At the conclusion of the evidence the
Mayor announced his intention to send the
accused on to the Hastings Court for trial,
and received bail for his appearance in the
sum of $500.