Borowitz Crime Manuscripts: Charles George Hodgson Collection, 1812-1868

Inventory

Prepared by Dyani Scheuerman, February 17, 2003
1 document case, .33 cubic feet, 11th floor
 

Biographical Note

Charles George Hodgson was the Superintendant of the London City Police Force. He was involved in the 1863 case of Pietro Rinaldi v. the Queen, concerning forgery by photography. This case was considered novel and groundbreaking at the time, because the defendant's lawyer argued that photography was not covered under the laws cited.

Scope and Content

This collection includes various correspondence and papers both written and received by Charles George Hodgson. They range from personal letters to several dealing with professional matters and police business. Included are a number of letters from the Espinasse family to Charles Hodgson, Senior, a group from the French and Belgian Police concerning the cases of Mazzini, Liverani, Goeringer, and various jewel thefts, updates on the forgery through photography case of Pietro Rinaldi v. the Queen, and a group of letters concerning the disabled Selina Kelly and her applications for aid. Various personal papers and publications dealing with the London City Police are also included. The collection is arranged chronologically, with several undated items placed at the end of the listing.

This collection was donated to Kent State University by Albert and Helen Borowitz.

Folder -- Contents

1. 1812, July 9. To Sir. [autograph letter] 1 p. The writer tells of how he has discharged his assistant, Cox, and will seek a new one. He expresses sympathy at the "premature death of Charles."
2. 1813, May 29. Espinasse, [Isaac]. [London, England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Espinasse mentions the gift of his book to Hodgson in receipt of kindness Hodgson has given him.
3. 1813, Oct. 19. Espinasse, [James]. Chancery Lane, [London, England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for gift of dogs, offers him the pick of a litter of puppies and a place to stay should Hodgson visit the area.
4. 1814, May 25. Hodgson, Louisa. To "My dear Mamma" [Charles Hodgson, Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Hodgson's mother announces her mid-summer vacation and intent to visit some friends.
5. 1816, Mar. 26. Espinasse, Isaac. Chancery Lane, [London, England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Offers Hodgson a puppy in good health.
6. 1816, Aug. 29. Espinasse, Isaac. [England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Espinasse thanks Hodgson for the dog he sent, but regrets that he is too ill to appreciate it and hopes Hodgson will take it back.
7. 1816, Dec. 23. Espinasse, James. London. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Espinasse thanks Hodgson for his great kindess, offers him a barrel of oysters as a token of thanks.
8. 1821, Mar. 10. Espinasse, Isaac. London. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Writes about the importance of friends, invites Hodgson to visit.
9. 1821, May 18. Espinasse, Isaac. [England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Letter accompanies new publication by Espinasse. He speculates that it is an achievement for him and he is becoming a better lawyer.
10. 1823, Jul. 11. Espinasse, Isaac. Chancery Lane, [London]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Offers to help Hodgson with a case, but is not sure if Hodgson is working on the case.
11. 1823, Dec. 27. Espinasse, Isaac. [England]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Espinasse sent Hodgson a barrel of oysters in thanks. Regrets that they do not see each other more often.
12. 1825, Jan. 14. Espinasse, James. Gray's Inn. [London]. To Charles Hodgson, [Senior]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding Gray's Inn, and "societies" that meet there.
13. 1828, Oct. 10. Aubrey, [James]. Tooks Court [England]. To Charles Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding deeds which must be settled with Barlow.
14. 1851, Mar. 27. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To John Spittle. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
15. 1851, Mar. 28. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To John Spittle. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
16. 1851, Apr. 8. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
17. 1851, Apr. 20. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
18. 1851, May 10. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
19. 1851, Oct. 25. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
20. 1851, Nov. 3. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
21. 1852, Jan. 20. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
22. 1852, Jun. 12. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
23. 1852, Jun. 14. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
24. 1852, Jul. "List of Inquiries and Investigations Previous to the Special Arrangement." Regarding the case of Mr. Rolland.
25. 1852, Nov. 12. Henriey. Brussells. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
26. 1852, Dec. 16. Minister of the General Police. Paris. "For the Cabinet." [autograph letter] 1 p. French.
27. 1852, Dec. 22. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
28. 1852, Dec. 27. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
29. 1852. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
30. 1853, Jan. 6. Henriey. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. French.
31. 1853, Jan. 14. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
32. 1853, Jan. 16. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. French.
33. 1853, Jan. 18. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
34. 1853, Feb. 14. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
35. 1853, Feb. 17. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
36. 1853, Mar. "Expenses incurred from the end of the year 1852 to the month of March 1853."
37. 1853, Mar. 2. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
38. 1853, Mar. 10. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
39. 1853, Mar. 19. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
40. 1853, Apr. 6. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
41. 1853, Apr. 10. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
42. 1853, Apr. 20. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
43. 1853, Apr. 22. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
44. 1853, Apr. 29. [signature illegible] To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 3 p. Complains about recipient's nonfulfillment of payment for writer's services regarding Mazzini. Adds that he knew of Mazzini's whereabouts on the previous day.
45. 1855, May 2. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
46. 1855, Jun. 5. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. French.
47. 1855, Oct. 17. M. Pietri, Prefect of Police. Paris. To Monsieur. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
48. 1856, Aug. 29. Hodgson, Charles. [London]. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. Asks for help in a case, has not received expected payment.
49. 1856, Oct. 21. [Hodgson, Charles]. [London]. To the Prefect. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Hodgson has not received payment and asks what steps he should take so he is able to.
50. 1858, Oct. 21. Police Superintendant and Surgeon. London. "Report to the Court of Common Council, from the Police Committee." [typed document] 9 p. Regarding justification of salaries in police committee.
51. 1862, Nov. 14. Bush, William. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding Selina Kelly's address.
52. 1862, Nov. 17. [Hodgson, Charles]. London. To [Selina] Kelly. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p.
53. 1862, Dec. 2. Taylor, John. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. States he knows of "nothing detrimental to [Selina] Kelly's character," suggests that Hodgson help her in any way he can.
54. 1862, Dec. 16. Taylor, John. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Selina Kelly has just sent Hodgson a letter regarding a public appeal in a newspaper on her behalf. Requests that his name is not included in the appeal.
55. 1863, Jan. London Cemetary Company. Prices for plots in and regulations for Highgate Cemetary and Nunhead Cemetary. [typed document]1 p.
56. 1863, Feb. Application for support for Louisa Kelly. [typed document] 1 p.
57. 1863, Mar. 12. [signature illegible] London. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 3 p. Requests payment for services and assistance.
58. 1863, Apr. 4. Shaeffer. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Requests meeting with addressee regarding Rinaldi case.
59. 1863, Jun. 30. Stuchbury, William David. London. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding case to take place the next day, speculates that it will take more than one day to have the prisoner committed.
60. 1863, Jul. 1. Stuchbury, [William]. London. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Satisfied with the way hearings for the case at hand are progressing.
61. 1863, Jul. 1. Bautz. London. To Charles George Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Letter from the Secretary General of the London police, thanking Hodgson for his work regarding the Pietro Rinaldi case and requesting a photographed forgery.
62. 1863, Jul. 6. Stuchbury, Willaim David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding the court hearing of Rinaldi.
63. 1863, Jul. 10. Stuchbury, William David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. He has sent Hodgson questions the Counsel wishes to have answered for the Rinaldi case.
64. 1863, Jul. 14. Stuchbury, Willaim David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. States that the case of Rinaldi has been adjourned until August, and requests a meeting with Hodgson regarding the case.
65. 1863, Aug. 4. Stuchbury, William David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Apologizes for bothering Hodgson on his vacation, but mentions that he has been working on the Rinaldi case and still thinks it is of great importance.
66. 1863, Aug. 20. Stuchbury, William David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. The Rinaldi case was brought to trial again, and it was ruled by the judge that there was no case because photography does not constitute forgery, but the jury did not come to a conclusion.
67. 1863, Dec. 2. Timeline of events in the caseof Peter Rinaldi.
68. 1863. Lester, John W. Norwood. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Selina Kelly's aid is running out, and they must decide how to deal with this.
69. [1863] To Sir. [autograph letter, unsigned] 1 p. Recounts the events in the trial of Peter Rinaldi.
70. [1863] "The Queen v. Rinaldi Questions" Includes answers.
71. 1864, Apr. 7. Superintendant of City Police. "Report Police Committee to be Presented to the Court of Common Council." [typewritten] 4 p. Regarding the salaries of the police force.
72. 1864, May 27. Stuchbury, [William]. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Acknowledges receipt of payment.
73. 1864, Sep. 26. Receipt of payment from Hodgson.
74. 1868, Jan. 25. Receipt of payment from Hodgson to John Spittle.
75. [No year], Jan. 18. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Kelly has enclosed something she wishes Hodgson to sign, apologizes for inconvenience.
76. [No year], Jan. 18. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for money he has sent her.
77. [No year], Jan. 18. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for the money he has sent her, mentions that it will be used for her children.
78. [no year], Jan. 30. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for the money he has sent her. She is visiting the doctor that afternoon.
79. [No year], Feb. 18. Hutchinson. Hyde Park. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Requests a meeting with Hodgson and Selina Kelly at his office the next morning.
80. [No year], Feb. 20. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. Kelly has questioned Dr. Lester and finds him innocent.
81. [No year], Apr. 29. Kelly, Selina. North Britton. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Inquires as to whether Hodgson has seen the latest news regarding the Lester case; mentions that his church services are largely unattended.
82. [No year], Jun. 3. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed but incomplete] 1 p. Writes of her poor health.
83. [No year], Jun. 8. [Kelly, Selina] North Britton. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, incomplete] 1 p. Regarding Lester and the money he has received.
84. [No year], Jul. 21. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his help, mentions that Lester has promised to stop "inserting his name."
85. [No year], Aug. 6. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. Explains how poverty stricken and ill her family is, asks Hodgson to somehow find her help. Lester's church is almost completely deserted.
86. [No year], Aug. 7. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his gifts and apologizes again.
87. [No year], Nov. 20. [letter is neither signed nor addressed] [autograph letter] 1 p. Dr. Penrosse thanks Hodgson for sending him a bust, suggests improvements that may have been made.
88. [No year], Dec. 8. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 2 p. Dr. Lester has issued checks with no money to back them. Kelly has spoken with the Bishop of Winchester, who said he had no power in the case. She has obtained the names of men in the city who know of her case who may be able to help her. Her daughter is getting married and her son is going away to school.
89. [No year], Dec. 16. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for permission to use his name, as she believes it will guarantee truth.
90. [No year], Dec. 19. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for the money he sent. Apologizes for letter from John Taylor.
91. [No date]. Kelly, Selina. North Britton. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, incomplete] 1 p. Dr. Lester has embezzeled a large amount of the money sent to her, but she is unable to obtain it.
92. [No date]. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed but incomplete] 1 p. Writes with news of her children.
93. [No date]. [letter is neither signed nor addressed, nearly illegible] [autograph letter] 1 p.
94. [No date]. [no signature] To Sir. [autograph letter] 1 p. Regarding Selina Kelly and Dr. Lester.
95. [No date]. [Mrs. Espinasse] Chancery Lane, [London]. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, unsigned] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his gift and requests his presence at dinner.
96. [No date]. Espinasse, James. To Charles Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. The Espinasse family does not want the dog that Hodgson has offered them.
97. [No date]. Espinasse, [Isaac]. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his friendship.
98. [No date]. Espinasse, [Isaac]. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding possible times they can meet.
99. [No date]. Espinasse, James. Chancery Lane, [London]. To Charles Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Requests that Hodgson wait to give them the dog until they are closer to the country.
100. [No date]. List of Hodgson's expenses.