Some Distinguished Victims of the ScaffoldBleackley, Horace
History
Some Distinguished Victims of the Scaffold
Bleackley, Horace
Criminals -- Great Britain; Executions and executioners; Trials -- Great Britain
This journal, then as now the organ of the licensed
victuallers, is hostile to Fauntleroy, but moderate in the
reports it publishes about him.
6. _The New Times._
As might be expected, this paper deals some nasty raps at
that from which its editor seceded. It is very critical of
the conduct of Fauntleroy’s partners, with whose explanations
before the Commissioners of Bankruptcy it is dissatisfied, but
does not make the reckless charges against them that appear
in some journals, such as the _Sunday Times_ and _Morning
Chronicle_.
7. _The British Press._
Gives more complete information than any other paper of
the details of Marsh, Stracey & Company’s bankruptcy. The
reports of the proceedings before the Court of Commissioners,
and of the meetings of the Berners Street creditors, which
are criticised at large, throw much light upon the endless
ramifications of the Fauntleroy forgeries. This journal alone
makes an attempt to ascertain whether the statement of the
criminal banker was endorsed by the books of his firm. “I
declare,” says Fauntleroy in his defence, “that all the monies
temporarily raised by me were applied, not in one single
instance for my own separate purposes or expenses, but in
every case they were immediately placed to the credit of the
house in Berners Street, and applied to the payments of the
pressing demands upon it.... The books will confirm the truth
of my statement ... the whole went to the general funds of the
house.”
The value of this assertion may be tested by reference
to the columns of the _British Press_ of the following
dates:--September 20, 29, October 6, November 13, 15, 17, 22,
23, 30, December 10, 13, 17, 20, 28 (1824), January 17, 19, 20,
February 2, March 1, 19, April 11, July 25, August 31 (1825).
For further particulars of the bankruptcy consult _The Times_,
_Morning Post_, and _Morning Chronicle_ of December 24, 1833;
and September 10 and 11, 1835. Also _John Bull_, September
20, 1835; the _Weekly Dispatch_, September 17, 1837; and _The
Times_, October 7, 1837.
8. _The Examiner._
The statements in Fauntleroy’s defence are received with
incredulity. “From what we hear and observe of the man,” says
the _Examiner_, in a leading article, “we do not believe he
would have risked his life to preserve a trading concern of
which he had only a fourth share. We expect the truth will
be that he began to forge to get money for himself, and was
obliged to go on because bankruptcy would have led to his
detection.” The leader proceeds to condemn the law of banking,
and to attack the monopoly of the Bank.
9. _The Observer._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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