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I don't think that the Hon. the Attorney General is right in connecting the murder alluded to in the watch case with the Stanley murder referred to, and I think it is another one.
quest that the Commission will ascertain whether those papers were produced at the Police Court against Beaver. It will be in the recollection of the Commission that Dr Bridges stated yesterday, that he had applied for a party of Police to The Honourable the Attorney General did read the letter go to the opposite shore, but had only found an inspector and of the 13th May, and spoke to me concerning the mention boat in readiness. I produce a note from Dr Bridges, show-made of Ma-chow Wong's books in the same, as mentioned in ing that this is in accordance with his request,-
"24th February, 1858. "Please have a Police-boat with an Inspector--Jarman I should prefer-ready for me at Burd's steps at six o'clock to-morrow morning. I want to cross to the other side."
A question was put to me on one of my former examinations, if I had seen any entry in the books of Ma-chow Wong that money, the produce of plunder, had been paid to Mr Cald- well, and to that I answered "No." I anticipated another question, and intended, in fact, referring to it myself, but it escaped my recollection; as I have stated before, there was a page of entries in one of Ma-chow Wong's books, making altogether a total of about 600 taels paid to or for Mr Caldwell, and that in this same book were many of the entries which I also stated as to the purchase of munitions of war, and expenditure of large amounts of cash for provisions. I have a firm belief, that the money as regards Ma-chow Wong appertained to and was connected with piracy. I cannot give the Commission any information regarding the riot at the Police Court in reference to the supposed pardon of the traitor. I was not at the Police Court at the time, and have made no inquiry concerning it. I have since my examination the other day, ascertained that some few persons, who were apprehended by Mr Caldwell or by Police under his directions, were not treated in the usual way by being placed on the Police Charge Sheet, and going before the Magistrate, but committed to Gaol on Mr Caldwell's warrant as Justice of the Peace.
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his evidence of yesterday.
WILLIAM HENRY MITCHELL.-Called and examined, I remember receiving some information from Mr Hudson, regarding the robbery of some tin from the firm of Sic-qua in Canton. One of the firm, an elderly man, brought a letter from Mr Hudson, stating that a large quantity of tin, $20,000 or $30,000 worth, had been stolen by pirates on from Singapore, and it was expected the tin would be brought its way either to Macao or Hongkong, or both places, and requesting me to put the whole matter without reserve into the hands of Mr Caldwell, and to supply Mr Caldwell with any funds he might require for the payment of any Chinese agents for the discovery of the tin, or watching its arrival, or whatever might be necessary. As well as I can recollect this was in June, 1855. Mr Hudson's letter stated that the tin had not then. arrived in the colony, but was daily expected, and that it would be for the interests of the parties concerned, that Mr Caldwell should watch very closely for its arrival. I have not got the letter now, but I have an idea that Mr Hudson said Messrs Gilman & Co. had bought or intended to buy the tin, when they learned it was stolen by pirates. I saw Mr Caldwell. and placed the matter in his hands altogether, and placed funds at his disposal for any necessary expenses. I paid Mr Caldwell $100 upon Mr Hudson's letter, and Mr Caldwell undertook the matter. Some time after, a week or a fort. night, Mr Caldwell told me that a considerable portion of the tin had arrived. I cannot say whether he said how much, and that it was stored in a hong which he named, but which name I forget; it was the hong next, or next but one, to Akwai's, in the Lower Bazaar. I was particular in asking Mr Caldwell, if he had seen the tin. He told me he had, and that I could see it if I liked; that the pigs of tin were stored within this hong, immediately within the entrance, covered with mat bags.
Upon hearing read the statements made by the Hon. Attorney General regarding the Police force, and Mr Caldwell's con- nection with it during the time he was out of the Government service, I have stated in my foregoing evidence that, sub- sequently to Mr Caldwell's leaving the service, he frequently appeared at the Police Court either for or against persons accused of piracy. I know that Mr Caldwell was also fre- quently in communication with the Government on the sub- ject of pirates, and that the Eaglet took part in acts against I did not consider it my province to go and see the tin, as some piratical fleets. One-half the time, during the time Mr I considered that having placed the matter in Mr Caldwell's Caldwell was out of the service, I was away from the hands, my action in it ceased. When Mr Caldwell told me Police Department, and Mr Grand-Pre, being Acting Super- that he had satisfied himself of the arrival of the tin, he told intendent, I have mentioned two instances in which Mr Grand-me he had set a watch upon it, and that that watch consisted Pre's mode of acting, may in my opinion be made the subject of inquiry by the Commission. During the time I was away from the Police Department, I was in no way consulted on Police affairs, so can give but little information of the other, than that which came before me at the Police Court. I know that Mr Grand-Pre is on very friendly terms with Mr Cald- well, but he is certainly not of a strong character on Police matters, and I am quite certain would be under the direct influence of Mr Caldwell. I know after I resumed my duties as Superintendent of Police, that Assistant Superintendent Cluff acted upon information connected with piracy obtained from Mr Caldwell.
of men upon whom he could perfectly depend. IIe stated that there were two entrances to this hong,-one off Bonham Ctrand and another off Jervois Street, and that he had watches there night and day. He informed me at the same time that he was perfectly satisfied of the security of this property, because he had placed the watch of the tin in the hands of this men Ma-chow Wong. I think Mr Caldwell must have defined the amount of tin that was in the colony, for I think I suggested to him the propriety of securing that much, but Mr Caldwell appeared to be under the impression that by waiting a little time, the rest of the tin would arrive, and I deferred to his judgment. Some time afterwards Mr Caldwell told me,
mingly with great concern and expressing himself sorry | from Ma-chow Wong in Gaol.
the result, that all the tin had been carried off again out this.
I cannot tell who told me
he colony. I recollect now that Mr Caldwell stated the Cross-examined. I do not recollect that any young man portion of the tin was in one hong, and minor portions † deposed to having heard screams issuing from the house where in others and that he had a vigilant watch upon each the murder was committed, but it is possible; the police in which it was stored. Mr Caldwell afterwards refunded records will shew.
After I learned from Mr Caldwell that the whole of the
One charge
the $100 untouched. The tin was coming from Singapore Canton by a Junk, I think, when captured by pirates. tin was gone, I expressed my surprise that more vigilance had er the tin appeared in the colony, an old man, the owner of not been used, I recollect at the time feeling sore about the came down from Canton. I do not know whether he went affair, and thinking that Mr Caldwell had not taken proper nd to the different hongs inquiring for tin for sale. I do precaution in entrusting the matter to such hands. I fancied ellect at the time distinctly that Mr Caldwell charged that he was, in vulgar phrase, sold by Ma-chow Wong. I did that old man's indiscretion, the fact of the tin having not form the impression that he was confederating with Ma- en removed from the colony. Mr Caldwell informed chow Wong in carrying off this tin. I have not the slightest re- that the tin had been carried off. No seizure was sub-collection of Mr Caldwell speaking to me of the indiscretion of quently made of this tin that I heard of; no part was dis- the owner, and requesting the remaining part of the tin might wered on board a ship to my knowledge-neither in one of be seized at once; and I do not recollect the tin being seized. hongs where it had been deposited. It never came to I have some recollection of Mr Caldwell appearing before knowledge that Mr Bridges, then Acting Attorney General, nie as the person who apprehended Beaver, and attending at d authorised the detention of the vessel. I may mention the prosecution against him by some boatmen of Aberdeen for the discovery of tin, if any, on board ship was made to a piracy. I think I remember going into the Gaol with the rtain extent by myself. Gilman & Co. had just then become witnesses; they could not identify Beaver who was discharged. wners of a property, known as the Tuilleries. I happened My impression is, that this was in 1856, the time of Boggs's, be in the Old Findly hong at the water side one day, walk-trial. He was brought up by Roberts on another charge fo g through it, when I saw some coolies carrying pigs of tin to a piracy. Roberts had no evidence whatever against him, and w-boat at the Jetty. I looked at the mark on the tin and he was again discharged after several remands. and it had all the same mark as that of the stolen tin, and I followed shortly after the other.
At the time of the tiu transaction, Mr Caldwell was Assis- old Mr Caldwell of this. As well as I can recollect the ship.
I employed him as Mr as just on the eve of sailing for Shangbae, also, to the best tant Superintendent of Police. my recollection, it was on the next day or the day after Hudson's friend. The $100 was paid to him as well as I hat Mr Caldwell came and told me of the burst up of the recollect, to make a small purchase of the tin, and to pay a hole affair. I know nothing more of the ship business than deposit on it, or for the necessary expenses for its discovery. have now stated. I think I sent one of the pigs by Mr It was assuredly not as remuneration for Mr Caldwell's own I cannot say whether the old man pressed Mr Caldwell to Mr Hudson. The pig was purchased, but I do services, ot know by whom ; it was identified. Next day or next but | Caldwell to secure as much as possible of the tin. Mr Cald- me, Mr Caldwell announced to me that the whole thing had well told me that what was in the colony was absolutely Burst up, that the tin had been carried away from the colony, secured. I recollect the old man coming to me afterwards, and the ship had sailed. I have some vague recollection of a and expressing very great dissatisfaction; I do not recollect man having escaped from Ma-chow Wong's house, of his sub- that he used the expression, "Oh! that Sam-kwei; oh! that I recollect that Mr Hudson told me the old man equent seizure along with Ma-chow Wong; but whether he Sam-kwei." was discharged I cannot recollect. Regarding the Stanley said so when he went back to Canton. The impression left murder, the case came before me, the man was apprehended on Mr Hudson's mind, was one highly unfavourable to Mr
Mr Caldwell, who went with a party of police at midnight, Caldwell, as to want of honesty. and surrounded the house where this man was supposed to be, and brought in three men, who were supposed to be guilty of the murder of a whole family. One of the three escaped from The Central Police Station, and there were only two placed at he bar. I investigated the case and re manded the men for a week; there was not at first a tittle of evidence against them, and I had doubts of the propriety of remanding them; but as was a charge of murdering a whole family, I thought it better to be particular, and remanded the case from week to week for a considerable period. I finally discharged them, as there was no evidence whatever to prolong their detention. The only witness in the case on the part of the Crown was Mr Caldwell himself, who laid the information. He did not state in what manner he obtained the information. I think I heard somebody or other say that it was from information got
Messrs Gilman & Co.
never recovered any of the tin. After remanding the man who was charged with the murder at Stanley, I at length asked the advice of the Attorney General, who advised me to I felt myself placed in an discharge the man forthwith. awkward position in acting contrary to the advice of the Attorney General; but I did venture to do so, and remand. d the man either once or twice afterwards, but finally dis- charged him, as, from first to last, there was not one tittle of evidence to support the charge. I should like to say that a more absolutely worthless case, as far as evidence is concerned, I do not know about an investigation never came before me. which took place within the Gaol, in which the Acting Colonial Secretary took part.
of any I have no recollection when Beaver was before me, documents or Chinese papers being produced against him,
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