The Sun. — 1844-10-21 (London, England)

THE MURDER AT DOVER.—Thomas Clark, the man for whose apprehension Government has offered a large reward, for killing a policeman at Dover, was in Maidstone on Monday week: He then went into the Queen Anne public-house, the landlord of which (Mr. Felling) had lived at Canterbury ; and after ordering some beer, went away without having it, but asked for a pipe of tobacco, which was given to him. He was observed to look back several times on leaving the house for the direction of the Huntsman. The landlord thought he knew him at the time, but did not recollect, until after he had gone some time, that it was the man for whom the reward had been offered. He then set out in pursuit of him, and found that he had lit his pipe at the Artichoke ; and traced him some distance in the direction of Hollingbourne, where he lost all further traces of him. The following is the description of him given in the Government bills :—" He is about 27 years of age, stands about five feet six inches high, stout built, of dark sallow complexion, dark full eyes, straight strongly marked eye-brows, dark bushy hair, dark full whiskers meeting under the chin, and a rouad full face. When last seen had on a pepper and salt blouse, blue cap with leather peak, and boot-shoes laced up in front. Is supposed to have changed his dress to a blue jacket and trousers."  TUE LATE FLEET PRlSON.—Tuesday next is the last day appointed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for receiving tenders for the purchase of the late Fleet Prison. Strange things have happened in the Fleet, and it is now about to pass away to some better purpose, it is hoped, than the confinement of persons for debt. The present building is sixty years old, having been built after the destruction vf azo rorsncr prioon by fire in the Gordon riots of 1780, when the mob was polite enough to send a message of their intention, and to defer their visit until the fol lowing day, on account of the lateness of the hour, which would not suit the convenience of the prisoners. The Fleet Prison, it would seem, has been destroyed three times by fire—once by the followers of 'Vat Tyler. It is men • tioned as early as the 12th century, and in the 16th and 17th centuries it was used as a place of confinement for persons who were persecuted by their brethren, for their religious opinions. It was, consequently, the Star Chamber Prison, and, on the abolition of the Star Chamber, used exclusively for the confinement of persons for debt, and for contempt of the Court of Chancery, &c. In the former prisons great atrocities were committed on the inmates, and several Parliamentary Committees, in their reports, described the miseries which had been endured. It was proved that the warden, in 1690, had let the place for 1,5001., on the understanding that 2,000 persons were confined, and in order to reimburse the tenant, great extortion was committed • and, subsequently to that period, persons confined for debt were ironed. Great alterations have gradually been made in the law of debar and" creditor. Persons cannot now be cenfined for years .at the caprice of their creditors, and if they remain long in prison it is the result of their own misconduct. Among the prisoners removed to the Queen's Prison, when the Fleet was closed last year, was one who had been in custody upwards of thirty years.— Sunday Times. IMPORTANT SEIZURE OF ADULTERATING DRUGS IN A BREWERY BY THE EXClBE.—Within the last few days a seizure of a most extensive nffianederinis ipnoratinaltechanadracter has been made by the Excise porter brewery of considerable standing, but in rather an obscure district of the metropolis:Frominfo information received, received, two of the surveying examiners general, officer of Excise, proceeded:to the premises above alluded to, and upon obtaining admission they made a most diligent search, and the result proved that their information was perfectly correct, as they found a large quantity of the ingredients commonly used in the adulteration of beer, and which may almost be considered as a substitute, though a most pernicious one, for both malt and hops ; viz., Coculus indicus, grains of paradise, liquorice, &c. ; the whole numbering six descriptions of unwholsome drugs, the whole of which were seized, and samples taken and sealed in the presence of all parties, besides samples of the beer. This case, it is probable, will be defended by counsel, and will be heard at the next sittings of the Court of Commissioners. The number of sick in the military hospitals of Algiers is at this moment 2,400. Diarrhcea and dysentery are the prevailing maladies.