Year: 1873




The London journals Of August q, devote i'm
nense space to the final proceedings against the
Bank OF England forgers who have been undergoing
trial before Mr.. Justice Archibald at the Central
Criminal court. The herald in a full report by
cable, has already given the substance Of these
proceedings and has recorded the sentence to penal
servitude for life passed by the Court on the four
American criminals. The case, however, merits
further notice. because OF the extraordinary In
terest it has excited both sides Of the Atlantic.
The London papers have almost. without exception,
long editorial articles recapituatng the career Of
ingenuity and audaclty led by these men.


From the London Daily News, August 27.]


THE LAST DAY OF THE TRIAL


ceeded to sum up the case for the prosecution, and
he said ne probably should not have occupied the
ha S % 'he he % IN 30 1u1 h or some s
70 whom he thought few observations might be
made. He then explained that the charge against
the prisoners was that they had all combined to-
gether to commit this gigantic fraud, and it was
clear that In such fraud different parts must be
assisting IN carrying out one common object, they
were ali equally guilty. II he could understand one
that the Bank OF England had not taken proper pre-
cautions, and mad not made proper inquiries; but
event. and the actual state of shnes at the t%e
was very important to be considered He then
reminded them that such portentous scheme OF
forgery had probably never before been projected
in any country, and that in the first instance good
bills drawn upon the first houses in the kingdom,
were duly paid, and this in itself was calculated to
disarm suspicion. The bills were also carefully
examined, and they were sent for discount under
such circumstances as not to excite the least
suspicion. The learned counsel next referred with
been proved in evidence, and As said me he did did
not know whether any point would be made
he fss ss, Sss Ausn 5 sSvep as prisoners %Ds
In this country when great number Of his cheeks
were presented at the Continental Bank; but in
he subAitted tnat 1t was clear that he was the
principal mover in the matter and that he left be-
partners in the crime might have an opportunity
OF Withdrawing the proceeds OF the 1orgeries from
briefly called the attention of the jury to all the
other material facts in the case, and concluded by
expressing an opinion that, upon the evidence the
jury had before them, only one reasonable cOnclu-
sion could be arrived at, which that the whole
OF the prisoners were guilty OF the gigantic scheme
OF fraud and forgery that was imputed to them by
the prosecution.


THE COUNSEL ABANDON THEIR CLIENTS.


Mr.. Metcalie then said that he felt that it would
be perfectly useless, after the evidence that had
been given, 1or him to address the jury on behalf
OF the prisoner Mcdonnell ca That prisoner how
Servations 10 the Court.


Mr.. Besley said he proposed that n similar course
ehould be adopted with regard to the prisoner
George Bidwen


MAcDoNNELL ADDRESSED THE JURY.


and he said that what he had to state was so sup
ported by the evidence that 1t would be wen
worthy oi consideration. SO far as he con-
cerned personally, he admitted that this evidence
was conclusive, but he was anxious to rescue one
OF his fellow prisoners from being convicted OF an
offence OF which he was innocent. He was aware
that ne was cutting the ground from under his
own feet but he was desirous to screen one OF his


Mr. Justice Archibald said he could only permit
aim to address the jury on his own behalf He
could not permit him to address the jury on behalf
OF another prisoner.


Mr. Macdonnell then SAID the prosecution seemed
to be desirOus to make out that they had all come
out this fraud He asserted that they had no such
intention. Mr.. Green told them that the opening
OF the account was a complete accident. They had
been travelling about and intended to 90 to San
Francisco. They intended to do certain BUSINESS
very Ill, and he subsequently purchased in Amster.
dam bill upon London, and he had another bill
from Vienna Drawn upon London, and he had
means OF seeing how business OF this klnd done
and noticed that 1t was very dl1erent TO the
American method, and he telegraphed to a
discovery. In America when q bill was intended
TO be discounted was always sent TO the accepter
and the result was that he was standing before
them that day. He IN the first place telegraphed
70 George Bldweli, and told him to purchase the
the real commencement OF the fraud. He then
went on to say that Austin Bidwell, alter he had
met with the accident on the railway, was advised
to 20 abroad and he left England in January, and
was entirely ignorant OF what occurred atterward
He then went on to say that the evidence Of Mr..
Chabot that the endorsements on some Of the
forged bills were written by Austin BidweIl was
ss Seasr than he he dG ne er xress
them himself He then went on to as
sert that austin Bidwel, at the time he went
away from England, knew nothing OF the Intended
fraud, aud he reminded the jury that when he lett
1t was clear from the evidence that all the arrange
solely owing &c the facility with which the first lot
OF bills was discounted that they were encouraged
jury to CONSIDER that it was Of no interest TO him
70 make this statement ana he was only desrous
that had been committed by others, and he asked
them TO remember that none OF the forged bills
were presented until after Austin Bdwell had left
England. He then commented upon the other
facts OF the case, and. while admitting his own
guilt, asserted that he was desirous to make all
the reparation in his power, and he hoped 1t would
have the eject he had In view OF inducing them to
reheve Austin Bdweil from the position in which
The prisoner sat down, but rose up directly, and
said he haG also something to say on behalf OF


THE PRISONER fJYES.


Mr.. Justice Archibald said he cuuld not permit MIN
TO do that-he was defended by counsel


George Bdwell next addressed the jury. He
action, and he would have pleaded guilty and
thrown himself on the mercy OF the Court II he had
not been aware that II would be necessary for the
prosecution TO have proved all the facts and would
not have had thus opportunity OF addressing lew
make some observations with regary TO Moves. but
the learned Judge told him he could NOT permit
nm 70 40 b., Ian, and he sat down, merely observing
that al he could do was 10 repeat the observations
that had been made by his fellow prisoner Macdon-
neil, aud 10 assert that IL was true.


M Mlntyre then addressed the Jury on behalf OF


TIE PRISONER AUSTIN BYRON BfDWELI.
and be endeavored TO show that the account which
had been originally opened hy aim at the West End
Branch Of the Bank o! England was an accdental
circumstance, and he argued that there was no
evidence whatever 10 show That at this time any
fraud was contemplated by him. He concluded a
very able speech by calling upon the Jury to give
eject 10 the observations he had made, aud give
1he prisoner Austin Bidweu an opportunity OF re-
frfeyng his character from the stain that had
been cast upon 1t by his connection with this
action.


Mr. Rfbtop then addressed the jury for the re-
naiping prisoner, and ne commenced his observa-
tions by saying that he hoped to be able TO satisfy
them that there really was nc evidence whatever
shat would justify them In 1nding tue prisoner
guilty of either forging utterng the biz that was
She subject OF the present inquiry. he then pro-
cecded tc argue that there was nothing to show
shat


THE STORY TOLD gY MOVES