paid in cash, and the remainder by a bill. I went as master of the Dryad to Rio Janeiro, and returned in her to London. Loose was the master at that time. Next voyage Loose went as master, with my instructions to proceed to Rio, and take the berth for London. The vessel was consigned to a person at Rio, who had similar instructions from me, but he deviated from those instructions, and sent the vessel to the Cape de Verd Islands for salt, and drew upon me for 315. When I received this intelligence, my friends advised me to go out to Rio and look after my property. I went out to Rio in the bark Blair, from Liverpool, and upon my arrival found the vessel a complete wreck, and was angry with the master for his conduct, but he threw the blame upon others:

"I was on board the Dryad, dining with Loose, the master, one day at Rio. After dinner he asked me to go forward, and he would show me that I had made a blind bargain, which he did, and at the same time he said, that if he had known that the vessel was unsound, she should never have seen the Cape de Verd Islands. I said to him that I did not believe that he had the spirit to do such a thing, to which he replied that he wished I would give him the chance. Some other conversation relating to the manner in which he would manage such a business took place at that time, and I began to feel much interested indeed in his way of treating the subject. "When the Dryad had discharged the cargo of salt she took the berth for Liverpool, and I took my passage on board. During the passage Loose and I agreed that if he would cast away the vessel I

would give him 2001. in cash, and advance him sufficient to purchase a quarter of a new vessel, which he was to have the command of on his return. This was regularly agreed to between us, upon the most perfect understanding.

"On my arrival at Liverpool I proceeded to London, and chartered the Dryad out and home. I informed my brother Patrick at this period that Loose and myself had agreed to destroy the vessel, on purpose to defraud the underwriters. He consented to become a party in the affair, and filled up bills of lading for goods to the amount of 7157., done in the Alliance Insurance-office, and 6981. done in the Neptune.

"The bills of lading signed by Loose were procured in the following manner:- -I bought two sets at Liverpool, and Loose signed them in blank. I then brought them to my brother Patrick. Before the Dryad sailed from Liverpool I proceeded to insure as follows:2,000l. on the ship with Messrs. Howden and Ainsley, and 300l. on the freight with the same; 7007. with Seldon and Johnson on the ship and outfit, and 700l. on the freight out and home; with Lyndall and Hall 6007. on the chartered freight; and with Behr, Behren, and Co., 500l. on the ship at Liverpool. Loose also, to my knowledge, effected 150l. at Liverpool on his effects, and 100%. in London.

"The Dryad sailed from Liverpool September 7th, and I had no letter from Loose till the 25th of December, when I received the protest from Falmouth, in Jamaica." (Here Michael Wallace enters into details implicating other parties in the transactions with regard to the destruction of the

Dryad, which details we of course altogether exclude, and which may have been fabricated, with a view to diminish the atrociousness of the plot by dragging others into participation). "Nothing of consequence occurred till July, 1840: One forenoon I came into my brother's office, when he showed me a large bundle of papers which Mr. Frost, Loose's executor, had left for me. We examined them, and found that all the cargo had been saved but the salt, and had been sold by the Vice-Consul. It appeared to us that the net proceeds from the cargo saved amounted to about 1,500l., which I know nothing about. The wreck of the vessel, with all the stores and cables, were sold, and the bill that was found in Loose's possession appeared to us to be the salvage of the vessel. The bill was drawn on a house in Liverpool by a foreign name, which I forget, and was endorsed by the Vice-Consul, and handed over to Loose by him.

"The papers were taken by me to my house in Tredegar-square, and were destroyed on the night my brother was taken into custody. The papers set forth that Loose had been accused by his crew before the Spanish authorities for casting away the vessel, but was released from custody. This is all that I can think of relative to this most unfortunate affair, and is all truth, as I shall answer God.

"MICHAEL S. S. WALLACE. "Newgate, March 23, 1841."

"Addition to my former statement made to Mr. John Pirie, Alderman, respecting the money I defrauded the underwriters of:

cast away the Falcon, and that —was going out to see it was properly managed. He also told me, about the latter end of September, that wanted him to make some insurances on the ship

as he knew that she was going to be cast away. At the same time he said that a vessel called the was lost, and the insurance companies were not willing to settle the loss upon her.

"I now consider it proper that I set forth a part of my life. Up to the latter end of the year 1836 I was a steady hard-working fellow.

At that time I commanded the Delta, and unfortunately went into Liverpool with a cargo from Brazil, and was there introduced into the family of Mr. -, whose foundation is well known to have been buying old ships and casting them away. I was encouraged by him and Mrs. to seek their daughter, and I must confess that ambition tempted me to forget my old playmate and my present unfortunate wife, so far, that I did so, and I believe that I would have done anything to have gained Miss

-'s affections. My mother was sorely grieved, and told me that our friend. Mr. warned me

that

was a bad man. All this I did not heed, but would go forward, led by Satan.

en

couraged me to get money, and advised me, saying, ' Get it, never mind how, so as you have it.' I was too willing to follow this bad advice, and have not only ruined myself, but my beloved wife also. This I know, if I had never forgotten her I should not have been in this situation to-day. Although I cannot give any proof respecting the person at Liverpool to whom I have alluded and his black deeds, watch him narrowly, and I think you will find him out. His ships - and will be cast away, should I not warn him by my fate. He has often informed me that he would do so.

"MICHAEL S. S. WALLAce. "Newgate, March 28, 1841."

"I forgot to state, that at the time I went into Liverpool I was master of the Delta, and had about 2001. of my own. thought my father had money, and therefore encouraged me, I believe. "M. S. S. W. "W. W. COPE.

"March 29, 1841."

Thursday, Oct. 28.

THE MURDER IN EASTCHEAP.

Robert Blakesley was placed at the bar and indicted for the murder of James Burdon, on the 21st of September, by stabbing him on the left side of his belly.

Mr. Payne stated the case to the jury. The death of the unfortunate individual with whose murder the prisoner at the bar stood charged, took place on the evening of Tuesday, the 21st of September; and he should prove in evidence what had been the conduct VOL. LXXXIII.

of the prisoner at different periods in the course of that day. About seven o'clock in the morning he went, in company with a city policeman, to Mr. Burdon's house, for the purpose of demanding his wife, and was told by Burdon that "he had better go about his business," and that "he knew nothing of him." He should next prove that, at half-past seven o'clock, the prisoner went to a hairdresser's shop, and complained there of the way in which he had been treated by Mr. Burdon. At half-past nine o'clock he was in the company of another policeman, to whom he also made complaints of Mr. Burdon's conduct towards him. He should afterwards prove, that the prisoner went to a cutler's shop for the purpose of purchasing a knife, and that he gave certain directions respecting the sharpen ing of it. The prisoner was subsequently in the company of a policeman up to eight o'clock in the evening, but from that time he had no further trace of him until ten o'clock, when a private watchman saw him sitting on a hamper near the house of the deceased. Soon after this the prisoner entered the house, and then it would appear from the evidence of Mrs. Burdon, whom he (Mr. Payne) would call, that he called out,

to the city force; knows the prisoner at the bar. Saw him on the morning of Tuesday, the 21st of September. Had seen him before four or five times. Talked with him at three o'clock in the morning of the 21st of September, and was with him again at six o'clock in the morning. The prisoner said his wife was detained at the King's Head, Eastcheap, and asked witness whether he could not demand to see her. Witness answered he thought the prisoner could, and referred the prisoner to Sergeant Bradley. Witness went with the prisoner at seven o'clock to the King's Head, and saw Mr. Burdon behind the bar. The prisoner said, "Now, James, I have come to demand my wife." Mr. Burdon replied, "You had better go about your business," and walked into the parlour, and then turned to witness and said, "I know nothing of him." Witness observed that Blakesley intended to go before the Lord Mayor to ask his advice, and that he (witness) intended to accompany him as a witness. Mr. Burdon said again, "I know nothing of him." Witness asked, "Am I to take that as an answer, as Blakesley knows she is either here, or you know where she is?" and Mr. Burdon repeated the same words. They then went

away.

Cross-examined by Mr. C. Phillips.-Witness saw the prisoner on the night of the 20th of September, about twelve o'clock. Saw him again on the morning of the 21st, at three o'clock, and then referred him to Sergeant Bradley. From six to seven o'clock witness was with the prisoner. Thinks he saw the prisoner altogether about five or six times, so that he must have been up the whole night.

He showed witness a letter which he had received from his wife.

William Braddon.-Is a policeman belonging to the city force; knows the prisoner at the bar. At half-past seven o'clock on Tuesday, the 21st of September, saw the prisoner, who told him he had been to demand his wife, and that Mr. Burdon was going to turn him out of the house. Witness was passing a butcher's shop at the time, and the prisoner seeing a knife there, said, "I think if I had that in my hand I should make use of it." Witness replied, "Nonsense," and the prisoner rejoined, "By G-d, I think I should." The prisoner said, he had not been to bed; he and witness were together about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. Witness saw him again about six in the evening, and prisoner asked if he was going to "stand" a pint of porter. Witness consented, and stayed with him till eight o'clock. Prisoner then said he was going to see his old woman by and by, and that witness should see him in the morning about half-past seven o'clock, when he would make all right respecting the beer.

By the Court. I conversed with the prisoner about different things.

Did he appear to converse rationally? There appeared to be nothing the matter with him; he seemed in good spirits.

John Charles Davis.-Is a cutler, living in Aldgate High-street. About one o'clock, in the middle of the day, on the 21st of September, some person came into his father's shop to purchase a knife. He believed the prisoner to be the same person, but not having seen him since that time, could not positively swear to him. The knife

inquired for was similar to those used by butchers.

Mrs. Eliza Burdon was next examined, and gave her evidence in so low a tone as to be almost inaudible. She was accommodated with a chair during her examination. She said she was the widow of the deceased James Burdon, who was thirty-eight years of age, and landlord of the King's Head, Eastcheap.

She was then asked by the learned counsel if she knew the prisoner at the bar? when she exclaimed, in a loud and agitated voice, at the same time pointing at the prisoner, "Yes, I see him now, the murderer!" These words, and the manner in which they were uttered, greatly affected the prisoner, who immediately sank on a chair, covered his face with a handkerchief, and sobbed.

Mrs. Burdon then proceeded. Witness's sister is the prisoner's wife. Witness's husband was sitting, on the night of the 21st of September, in the upper end of the bar, with his back against the window. He was asleep. There was a table near him. Witness heard a footstep coming; looked up, and saw Blakesley. He sprang to my sister and stabbed her in the right side, and said, "My wife! my wife!" Witness did not see what he had in his hand. He then stabbed my husband while asleep and in his chair. At this time witness observed that the prisoner had a knife in his hand. He then attempted to stab witness, but her sister prevented him. He next rushed out of the bar with the knife streaming with blood in his hand. Witness's sister and husband followed him as far as the bar door, when witness's husband rolled against the dresser, and wit

ness heard him say, What is the matter ?" The prisoner turned round with the knife in his hand, and looked at them. He came back half-way across the passage. He threw the knife down, and went out of the house. When he had the door in his hand he looked at them again. Witness had not seen him again until the present moment. Witness's husband fell down, and was afterwards attended by Mr. Smith, a surgeon. While sleeping, witness's husband had a silk pocket-handkerchief thrown over his face.

Cross-examined by Mr. Bodkin. There is a long counter in the bar of the King's Head, and the room in which witness's husband was is on the inner side of the counter. A person coming into that room would have to walk down the passage to the bottom of the counter, and then enter a door; the counter was of the ordinary height, so that any one might see over it. Witness heard a footstep, but did not look across the counter to see who was coming, and the first time she saw the prisoner was when he was inside the counter. Witness's sister was near her, and the table was between witness and her husband. Witness had looked at her husband after the clock had struck ten, which was about five minutes before the prisoner came in; at that time her husband was awake. After the prisoner came in, not half a minute elapsed before he stabbed witness's sister.

From the time of his coming in until this matter occurred witness had looked at the prisoner and her sister, and not at her husband. Could say that her husband had not risen from his seat. Witness thought the prisoner intended to seize and run