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
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1828, Oct. 10. Aubrey, [James]. Tooks Court [England]. To Charles Hodgson.
[autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding deeds which must be settled with
Barlow.
- 1851, Mar. 27. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
John Spittle. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, Mar. 28. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
John Spittle. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, Apr. 8. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles]
Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, Apr. 20. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
[Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, May 10. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles]
Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, Oct. 25. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
[Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1851, Nov. 3. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles]
Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Jan. 20. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
[Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Jun. 12. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
[Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Jun. 14. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To
[Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Jul. "List of Inquiries and Investigations Previous to the Special
Arrangement." Regarding the case of Mr. Rolland.
- 1852, Nov. 12. Henriey. Brussells. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Dec. 16. Minister of the General Police. Paris. "For the Cabinet."
[autograph letter] 1 p. French.
- 1852, Dec. 22. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1852, Dec. 27. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1852. Minister of Justice [signature illegible]. Brussells. To [Charles]
Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Jan. 6. Henriey. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed] 2
p. French.
- 1853, Jan. 14. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1853, Jan. 16. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 2 p. French.
- 1853, Jan. 18. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Feb. 14. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Feb. 17. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1853, Mar. "Expenses incurred from the end of the year 1852 to the
month of March 1853."
- 1853, Mar. 2. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1853, Mar. 10. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1853, Mar. 19. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Apr. 6. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1853, Apr. 10. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Apr. 20. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 1853, Apr. 22. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. French.
- 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.
- 1855, May 2. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed]
1 p. French.
- 1855, Jun. 5. Henriey. Paris. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter, signed]
2 p. French.
- 1855, Oct. 17. M. Pietri, Prefect of Police. Paris. To Monsieur. [autograph
letter, signed] 1 p. French.
- 1856, Aug. 29. Hodgson, Charles. [London]. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed]
2 p. Asks for help in a case, has not received expected payment.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1862, Nov. 14. Bush, William. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. Regarding Selina Kelly's address.
- 1862, Nov. 17. [Hodgson, Charles]. London. To [Selina] Kelly. [autograph
letter, signed] 1 p.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1863, Jan. London Cemetary Company. Prices for plots in and regulations
for Highgate Cemetary and Nunhead Cemetary. [typed document]1 p.
- 1863, Feb. Application for support for Louisa Kelly. [typed document] 1
p.
- 1863, Mar. 12. [signature illegible] London. To Sir. [autograph letter,
signed] 3 p. Requests payment for services and assistance.
- 1863, Apr. 4. Shaeffer. To Sir. [autograph letter, signed] 1 p. Requests
meeting with addressee regarding Rinaldi case.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1863, Jul. 6. Stuchbury, Willaim David. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph
letter, signed] 1 p. Regarding the court hearing of Rinaldi.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1863, Dec. 2. Timeline of events in the caseof Peter Rinaldi.
- 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.
- [1863] To Sir. [autograph letter, unsigned] 1 p. Recounts the events in
the trial of Peter Rinaldi.
- [1863] "The Queen v. Rinaldi Questions" Includes answers.
- 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.
- 1864, May 27. Stuchbury, [William]. London. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph
letter, signed] 1 p. Acknowledges receipt of payment.
- 1864, Sep. 26. Receipt of payment from Hodgson.
- 1868, Jan. 25. Receipt of payment from Hodgson to John Spittle.
- [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.
- [No year], Jan. 18. Kelly, Selina. Chase Side. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph
letter, signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for money he has sent her.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [No year], Jun. 3. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter,
signed but incomplete] 1 p. Writes of her poor health.
- [No year], Jun. 8. [Kelly, Selina] North Britton. To [Charles Hodgson].
[autograph letter, incomplete] 1 p. Regarding Lester and the money he has
received.
- [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."
- [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.
- [No year], Aug. 7. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson]. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his gifts and apologizes again.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [No date]. Kelly, Selina. To [Charles Hodgson] [autograph letter, signed
but incomplete] 1 p. Writes with news of her children.
- [No date]. [letter is neither signed nor addressed, nearly illegible] [autograph
letter] 1 p.
- [No date]. [no signature] To Sir. [autograph letter] 1 p. Regarding Selina
Kelly and Dr. Lester.
- [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.
- [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.
- [No date]. Espinasse, [Isaac]. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. Thanks Hodgson for his friendship.
- [No date]. Espinasse, [Isaac]. To [Charles] Hodgson. [autograph letter,
signed] 1 p. Regarding possible times they can meet.
- [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.
- [No date]. List of Hodgson's expenses.
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