The Sun. — 1849-12-19 (London, England)

THE LATE CASE 6F'AURDER IN HARLEY-STREET.  It will be remembered that, after the second examination of the wretched woman Sarah Drake on Saturday last, for the murder of her child, Lewis Drake, Mr. Herring, her solicitor, made application to. Mr. Long for all the property belonging to his client to be given up, in order that sufficient funds might be raised for efficiently carrying on the defence. The magistrate acquiesced in the request, and Superintendent Kinder, of the Nottingham constabulary, handed over to Mr. Herring a go!d watch and about 11. worth of silver, which were found in the possession of the prisoner when searched by Mrs. Bridge at the Marylebone-lane station-house. Sergeant Whistler, of the detective .police, also gave up to the learned gentleman the keys of the prisoner's boxes, which were then at Mr. Huth's (her late master's) house. Shortly after Mr. Long made the order alluded ,to, Mrs. Johnson, the woman who had had the charge of the murdered child, and to whom many pounds are still due for the care which she took of it, spoke to Whicher upon the subject of the debt; and, on the matter being made known to the magistrate, he thought it right that a portion of what belonged to the prisoner, and which was still in her boxes, should be kept back for the benefit of her (Mrs. Johnson), whose peculiar position in the melancholy affair entitled her to much sympathy. Yesterday Mr. Herring, who was not aware that the magistrate had altered his decision in the first instance given, entered the court and addressed Mr. Long in reference to the insufficiency of the means afforded him for defending his client, at the same time stating that the worth of what had been given up to him did not exceed 51. or 61. He sympathised as deeply as any one could possibly do with Mrs. Johnson, but it was necessary that he should do all in his power for the prisoner whose cause he was engaged to defend. Mr. Long remarked that he could not interfere further than he had done in the affair; Mrs. Johnson ought to be looked to, and be had given such directions on Saturday as would, he hoped, have the effect of liquidating her claim upon the prisoner, and she certainly should not be a loser in any way if it could be avoided.  Sergeant Whicher came to the court soon after the conversation above given, and held a communication with Mr. Herring, who ascertained from him that the boxes containing the prisoner's clothing, &0., had been taken away by him (the sergeant) from Mr. Huth's premises, and that in his opinion a sufficient sum might be realised to compensate Mrs. Johnson, and also to, furnish the accused with the moans necessary for the employment of counsel, and the payment of other incidental expenses attendant upon a defence on the heinous charge which had been brought forward against her. The solicitor gave this information to the magistrate, and said that he had made an arrangement with Whicher to meet him at Scotland-yard at twelve o'clock to-morrow (this day), when the boxes which were there would be opened, and the contents carefully examined. Mr. Long said he was glad to hear that the adoption of such a course, of which he entirely approved, had been agreed upon. In reply to a question from the Magistrate, Mr. Herring said that he had examined the whole of the letters produced on the last inquiry, and had selected two which he considered to be of much iliaportance ; but it was not his intention to cro3sexamine Mrs. Johnson with regard to them, as he (Mr. Long) had no doubt made up his mind to send the prisoner before a jury. Mr. Herring then thanked the magistrate for his attention, and withdrew.