[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 28 Aug 1824 - Cumberland Summer Assizes (16)

[petra.mitchinson at doctors.org.uk]

Saturday 28 Aug 1824   (p. 2, col. 3 – p. 4, col. 5)
 
CUMBERLAND SUMMER ASSIZES, 1824. 
 
CROWN BAR: MR. JUSTICE BAYLEY. 
 
[continued] 
 
FORGERY. 
 
WM. CRAMPTON, 36, charged with feloniously forging and uttering one
counterfeit promissory note, purporting to be a Whitehaven Bank note for the
payment of 21s. well knowing the said note to be false and counterfeit, with
intent to defraud Messrs. JOHNSTON, & Co. of Whitehaven. 
 
The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. D. F. JONES appeared in his defence. 
 
Mr. PATTESON, for the prosecution, stated the nature of the charge. The
offence was laid in various ways; but the principal were, that prisoner
uttered the note with an intention of defrauding JOHNSTON, & Co., and
Elizabeth CHERRY. 
 
Mr. COURTENAY, on the same side, addressed the Jury, and detailed the facts
of the case as proved in evidence. The prosecutors, he said, are bankers at
Whitehaven, and were in the habit of issuing notes, much in circulation in
the town of Keswick, where the prisoner had resided and carried on the
business of book-binding, letter-press and  copper-plate printing, having on
his premises those machines and  instruments which, on the face of the case,
rendered him a likely person to have forged and uttered notes, when combined
with the circumstances which he should prove. The prisoner had been
connected with another in these transactions, named GRISDALE; and though
that person's case was not under immediate consideration, it could not be
altogether separated in the inquiry. Previous to May last, forged notes on
JOHNSTON and Co.'s bank made their appearance at Keswick in considerable
numbers. About that time CRAMPTON and GRISDALE left the town together, they
went to Birmingham, where one of them attempted to get a plate engraved,
evidently with the privity of the other: this led to their apprehension. 
 
Elizabeth CHERRY sworn.—I keep a public-house at Keswick, and am a widow. In
the month of June, W. CRAMPTON came to my house before the 18th, and asked
me to change a Whitehaven note, for 21s., which he produced, and I gave him
the silver. I let my sister, Phœbe FISHER, see the note, and then put it
into a pocket-book; it was not out of my sight while my sister had it. I put
the pocket-book into a drawer. I had other Whitehaven guinea notes at that
time; I can't say how many. (The witness was very much frightened in giving
her evidence, and Mr. Justice BAYLEY sent her his aromatic vinegar bottle.
Having recovered a little, she proceeded.) I thought the note was very
different from any other that I had seen—it was greased over, and I thought
the paper different; it appeared to be coarser. I also observed some figures
on the back of it. All the notes I had in the book, were in the same
division of it; but I knew the one that I took of CRAMPTON. I afterwards (in
a few days) carried it to Mr. DAWSON, the Bank's agent. (The note handed to
her.) I cannot positively say that this note is the same, it has been so
long out of my hands; I did not put any mark upon it: but the note which I
received from Mr. CRAMPTON I gave to Mr. DAWSON—of that I have no doubt. 
 
Cross-examined by Mr. JONES—In the course of business I take a good number
of notes. The Whitehaven notes are very common in Keswick—it is one of the
nearest banks to the town: all guinea notes. If I had thought at the time
that the note was so very remarkable, I would not have given change. My
sister merely looked it over. Figures and names are very common on the backs
of country notes. It was about ten days or a fortnight before I went to
DAWSON's. In the interval, I gave change for three five-guinea notes; can't
say in what notes exactly; perhaps there might have been some of the
Whitehaven bank. During the whole time, I only went twice to take out of the
book; but whatever notes I took, I put  into it. Whenever I doubt a note
very much, I always take it to Mr. DAWSON;—on this occasion I went to him. I
did not tell Mr. BROMLEY that though this looked like the note that I had of
CRAMPTON, I was not sure of it; I told him that I was positive it was the
same; I did not say any thing to him, as to how many notes I had in the
book. I never offered the note to any one from the time I took it, till I
carried it to Mr. DAWSON. It is a common thing to ask for small change at a
public-house. I know the prisoner—where he lived, and where he was to be
found. He had accustomed my house, and I had before changed him notes. He
was teacher of a Sunday school in the town, a book-binder and printer. It
was quite light on the afternoon when the change was given—nothing like
concealment in the matter—nothing suspicious. 
 
By the Court.—I am sure of the note, because it is greasy: I never saw any
other so. 
 
Joseph DAWSON.—I am the Keswick agent to JOHNSTON, ADAMSON, and HOPE.
Elizabeth CHERRY brought me a note on the 18th June. I dated it "June 18,
1824," as soon as I received it; and there were previously on it large black
figures. (Note handed in.) This is the note that I so received. I know the
prisoner. He is a printer, and had printing presses, but though I have seen
them, I cannot tell of what kind they are. I have seen him printing with a
machine—a press. He was absent from Keswick some time; perhaps a fortnight
or three weeks, in May. It is part of my business to receive and give cash
for Whitehaven notes. In the course of June I received several other forged
notes. I was present when the prisoner was before the magistrates. 
 
By the Court.—I don't know whether the examination was taken down in writing
or not. 
 
Mr. HEYWOOD, of Whitehaven, sworn.—I acted as clerk to the magistrates of
Whitehaven.—The prisoner gave some account of where he had been, but it was
not taken down in writing—it was not thought very material at that time. 
 
By Mr. JONES.—The examination occupied about two hours. The prisoner was
asked if he wished to have his examination put down in writing or not, and
he said he did not wish to have it done, and the magistrates did not press
it. I was present the whole time. 
 
Mr. DAWSON continued.—I heard prisoner say, before the Magistrates, that he
and GRISDALE, after leaving Keswick in May, only proceeded nine miles from
Kendal together. I don't recollect any thing farther on that head. Can you
tell us about the colour of the other forged notes sent to Whitehaven?—(Mr.
Justice BAYLEY said they must be produced.)—Mr. COURTENAY modified the
question, and the witness said he had sent some notes to Whitehaven of a
defective green colour, the ink of which had run so as to make the whole
paper appear shaded with green.—Mr. HEYWOOD had them. 
 
By Mr. JONES.—It is common to find figures on our notes, and also grease. 
 
 
[to be continued] 
 
 
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