The Sun. — 1845-09-25 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.  Yesterday two of the churchwardens, accompanied by the vestryclerk of St. George's, Southwark, waited on Mr. Cottingham for the purpose of soliciting his advice under the following circum. stances.  One of the churchwardens stated that for some time past several of the inhabitants of St. George's parish have received anonymous letters, containing threats against their lives, and that in some instances the writer of them bad inclosed poison. The communications containing the poison were addressed to the daughters of a merchant and two other persons, and couched in language most affectionate, to the following effect : "My dear Elizabeth,—l have sent you some powders, which I received as a present from France. You will find them as a drink very delicious, being flavoured with melon, which you will greatly admire, and will do you a great deal of good. I shall call to see you in a day or two." The applicant stated that the powders alluded to were oxalic acid, and that fortunately all the letters containing them had fallen into the hands of the parents of those to whom they were transmitted through the post. The perpetrator, finding his designs frustrated, then commenced sending more anonymous letters of the most diabolical and revolting nature, not only threatening to murder the children, but the parents likewise, and in some instances to set fire to their houses. A Mrs. Spriggs, the wife of a respectable shopkeeper, living in White-street, has been particularly selected out as a victim by the anonymous slanderers. A letter in reference to her, transmitted by post to Mr. Stead, the parish-clerk, was handed to the magistrate. It was as follows: " Sir,—l should take it as a very great favour if you would say the following few words just before you utter the words Let us sing to the praise and glory of God,' which will be about half past seven o'clock on Sunday evening, September 28, 1845,' It will be considered sacrilege if Mrs. Spriggs enters this or any other church after to-night, as she has attempted the life of her child;' and if you do not say it—and this is no idle threat—as true as there is a Heaven above, I will set fire to the church, and by halfpast seven next Sunday weeks Oct. 5, 1845, the church shall be one mass of smoking ruins; and, mind you, I will attend on purpose to hear if you do say the words, or at least something to the purpose.-1 am, S,r, your very humble and obedient servant, " Sept. 22. G  Several other letters were placed before Mr. Cottingham, and after perusing them and examining them, he was of opinion, although there was a difference in the character of the writing, still that they were all by the same writer. The MAGISTRATE inquired if any steps had been taken to trace out the writer of those letters ?--The churchwarden replied, that efforts had been used for that purpose ; that the thing bad continued for the last few months scarcely without intermission ; that many families residing in the parish had been thrown into a state of considerable alarm owing to thecirounstance; and that a reward of 401. had been offered fur the discovery of the offender, but as yet without success.  An inspector of the M division said that Sir James Graham had been made acquainted with the circumstances some time since, and that the Commissioners of Police had given instruc. tions to employ some of the detective police for the purpose of discovering the writer of the letters, but that notwithstanding exertions had been used for the purpose, still they were unsuccessful ; that even since the police were engaged in the affair letters of a similar tendency, and containing poison, had been sent to families in the Borough. .  The MAGISTRATE then inquired, as it appeared Mrs, Spriggs was one of the persons against whom threats of the most violent nature were made, whether she had any reason for suspecting any person in her husband's employ as the writer of the shocking epistles produced ? The inspector said that inquiries of that nature had been already made of that lady, and it was found that no such suspicion was entertained against any member of her household. Mr. Col-rim:rum, addressing the churchwardens, said that in answer to their application every exertion should be used for the purpose of detecting and bringing to justice the miscreant. He would not be satisfied with a policeman merely watching for a few hours in the day about a particular post-office where the letters were posted, in order to discover the writer, but he should give