The Sun. — 1846-02-26 (London, England)

MAULE.) the amended calendar exhibited an increase of 52 prisoners, some of them being charged with very serious offences.  Ann Watkins, remanded from last session for feloniously selling and having in her possession forged stamps, withdrew her plea of not guilty to one of the indictments charging her with having in her possession 500 counterfeit stamps, and pleaded guilty instead. There were other indictments, and the prisoner was ultimately remanded for another session. William and Ann Richardson, father and daughter, who stood charged with the murder of their infant son, were, on the application of Mr. Clarkson, remanded for another session, on the ground that sufficient time had not been given to instruct counsel.  Henry Joseph lallerby, remanded from last session, standing indicted for feloniously sending a threatening letter, &c. The prisoner, apparently a boy, had sent two letters addressed to Elizabeth Clouter, a:child some ten or eleven years old, containing three small parcels of oxalic acid, requesting her to take the powders, as they were very nice. Mr. Bodkin, with Mr. Clerk, was for the prosecution, the prisoner was undefended.  • The following witnesses were then called : Ann Clouter, living in Kent-street, Borough, remembered the 6th of August last. A letter produced was addressed to her daughter Elizabeth. The letter contained two papers, which at first she believed to contain salts, but on tasting it discovered that it was not so. She put the powders back into the letter. She had seen the prisJner once in company with her daughter. His relations were known to her.  Sampson Clouter received from his wife (the last witness) a letter, dated the Gth August, and containing two powders, which, on the same day, he showed to Mr. Blake, a medical man. He afterwards showed it to other medical men, and subsequently gave it up to Kien&all, the policeman. He remembered another letter coming on the 11th August, addressed to Mr. Clouter.  Kendall, police-constable, received the letters from Mr. Clouter, which he gave to Mr. Warren, chemical operator at the Apothecaries' Hall.  Robert Blake, surgeon, Borough, knew the prisoner's family. The prisoner has purchased oxalic acid, which was used for the purposes of his father's trade. Warrington, Apothecaries' Hall, received three parcels, which he found, on subjecting them to a series of chemical operations, contained oxalic acid ; the two packages contained 50 grains, and the other 35 grains. Mr. Blake recalled—lf a child 10 or 11 years of age had taken that quantity of oxalic acid on a full stomach it might not have injured her, but if en an empty stomach it might occasion death.  EdWard John Tiler, foreman to Messrs. Lewis, printers— Knew prisoner as an apprentice in the same employment. The letters produced were in his handwriting. William Whittington, officer in the gaol of Newgate had, on the 17th of this month, received a letter from the prisoner to be forwarded. It was handed to Mr. Cope, the governor. The letter was handed in and read by the clerk. It was addressed to his brother, and expressed his regret that he had acted so foolishly. He had done it only for a" lark," and with the wish of emulating some of the heroes in Lloyd's cheap publications, some of whose feats had tired his imagination, because of the mystery which enveloped them. No witnesses were called on behalf of the prisoner. Mr. Justice WiwAsts summed up, and The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, but strongly recommended him to mercy, on account of his youth. Mr. Justice WILLIAMS, in passing sentence, said that whatever might be the notions the prisoner might entertain of his own offence, and they appeared to be somewhat extraordinary, the law held that it was a most serious one, and punishable with transportation for life. The jury had, however, recommended him to the mercy of the Court, on account of his youth, and probably influenced by the singular communication they had heard read, which showed the vague and wayward ideas he had imbibed from the books he had been perusing. The Court, however, must mark its sense of his heavy offence, and the sentence therefore was, that he be imprisoned for twelve calendar months, and kept to hard labour.