The Express. — 1866-01-01 (London, England)

RACE AFTER • CRIMTNAL. —A race of rather exciting character is at present going on, the course being the broad Atlantic and the goal New York, and the circumstances are somewhat similar to those that occurred in the cue of the notorious culprit when he made his Hight from this country after the murder of Mr. Briggs. The culprit on this °cession is • man named John Burton. who held a responsible position in the establishment of a City merchant, and who also holds the appointment of consul to • foreign state, and the crime of which he is accused is the forgery of a cheque for 8001. upon the City Bank, 'Threadneedle-street. It would appear that about a fortnight back • cheque for the above amount was presented at the bank, purporting to be drawn by the firm to which the atsconding clerk belonged, and the signature seemed to have been so well fabricated, and the cheque was presented under such circunastanoes,that no suspicion was entertained, and the money was paid. The culprit's plans seemed to have been well laid, for he sailed in the Ss xonia, one of the swiftest of the New York mail packets, on the very day after he got possession of his booty, and before the forgery was discovered he was far on his way across the Atlantic. His absenoe from his duty, of course, created suspicion, and this led to inquiry and to the discovery of the forgery. Inquiries were at once set on foot, and the matter was placed in the hands of Hayden, the City detective, who succeeded in tracing the fugitive, and ascertained, beyond doubt, that he had taken his passage on board the abovenamed vessel for New York in as assumed ULM!, and that be was accompanied by a lady. Within four days of this discovery being made the officer had started in pursuit, sod the two vessels are now making the but of their way to their destination. It will be ' remembered that in Muller's oue that criminal took his departure in • sailing vessel, and that his progress was consequently comparatively slow, and the result was that although Inspector Tanner did not go after him until several days had elapsed, the steamer in which he took his passage outstripped the other vessel and arrived at New York • long time before her, and the vessel containing the culprit was boarded by the imputer upon her arrival • short distanas from New York. In the present case, however, there is no chance of the Saxonia being outstripped by her follower, and she will in all probability arrive at New York 'evertl days before the one in which the officer has taken his passage, and if be should make his way from New York into the interior, the chase may possibly prove • lengthened one. It is anticipated, however, that he will make • short stay at New York after his voyage, and in this case the officer will be quickly on his track, and aa there is a treaty for the extradition of criminals between this country and the United States, there will be no difficulty in the culprit being delivered up and broufht back to this country. It is believed that he has nearly, if not quite the whole of,the proceeds of the forged cheque in his possession, and this will, of course, be recovered in the 'vestal his being apprehended. _ _