Star. — London, England, 1823-02-18 00:00:00

mad he fell against the chair. I told him I should send •I for proper assistance, if he had any more complaints of the same kind. I told him to relate his sufferings to Lord Grantley. His Lordship told me Mr. New . - ton Hanson was in the habit of beating him. He said that whenever Lady Portsmouth directed that he should be beaten, he was sensible that he deserved it, but when N. Hanson and Mr. Alder beat him, he did not deserve it. He said Lady Portsmouth was with child. He said that Mr. Hanson knocked him down five' times at the house of Mr. Norton, in Harley-street I often tried his Lordship on that point he invariably kept to the same account. I remonstrated with Lord Portsmouth. I told him, if this Gentleman was in the habit of lying down on the same bed with Lady Portsmouth, I should be very much inclined to sus pect the child is not yours; and therefore it would be a great fraud upon your Lordship, should you so consider it. His answer was—" lam sure it is mine. Mr. N. Hanson and Lady Portsmouth have always told me that Alder was so ruptured that he could not get a child." His Lordship was pleased at the idea of Alder not being able to do it. He repeated these assertions in the presence of the late Lord Giant, ley, Mr. William Norton, Mr. George Norton, and the present Lord Grantley, over and over again, and vas uniformly the same story, with many new cir cumstances, and %sit): great accuracy and particu larity, which convinced me that he said the truth.— He told me that Miss Laura Hanson, and some. of the servants, whom he mentioned, beat him. I asked him how he lived at Edinburgh ? He said that he was only allowed to go out two hours. Ho had gone out previously five hours: that he was locked up at six oclock, as soon as it began tp grow dark, in Lady Portsmouth's dressing-room, and there kept till bed-time. He-said, had it not been for the late Lord Grantley's sister, he should not have known what to do. He said that, from November till July, while in Edinburgh, he had only Si. in his possession.— I told him I should go to town, and represent what be had told me. lie said, " You must go to town, and take out warrarits to take up Mr. Alder, Mr. Hanson, and Mr. Newton Hanson." I went again cm Sunday morning. I told him I had received a letter front Mr. Hanson. Witness read the letter— " Mr. Hanson thinks it proper to let Mr. Skirrow know, that the most serious consequences are to be apprehended to Lady Portsmouth (who is in the last stage of pregnanc, ), in consequence of Lord Ports m Koh having been taken away from Edinburgh ; and Mr. Harison presumes Mr. Skirrow will think it proper that this should be immediately mule known to Lord Pertsmoutle' I read it to Lord Portsmouth: it was dated•6th July, 1n?..; his Lordship said, I expected it would be so. his Lordship took me by the arm, and said, " I have been thinking what shall be done; W you can connive to transport Mr. Alder, Mr. 11311S011, Mr. Newton Hanson, and the' rest of the Hanson family, I should like to make it s'ith Lady Portsmouth, because of the babe." From that moment I was convinced that my Lord was of unsound mind ; my opinion has never varied. I continued that evening with .him. Next morn ing I saw a writ of habeas 6-en-psis served on Lord Ciran:ley. I tendered two affidavits to Judge Bayley. I exelained to Lord Portsmouth the nature of the proceedings. Ile asked me where he should gee and was very much distressed. I did all I could to pre vent him from moil !deg to Edinburgh. lie came back to my house under grcat alarm, lest lie should be taken by Mr. Newton ileteon. He had been al most assaulted at the door of Mr. Justice Begley by the Hai:sons, under the pretext of paying their re spects. Ile once asked me how the the one Was going on? Ile had been told at Edinburgh by,Mr. New ton Hanson, that a throne was making._ I told him it was all nonsense. Ile went to Lord Grantley's to thank him for having brought him (Lord .Ports mouth) from Edinburgh. He there met Mr. Justice Best, and told him lie had a great triumph over the party. He returned to me, and seemed very irra tional; wanted to have a Bow -street officer to attend Frn, rend mentioned Lavender as the man be would prefer'. His conduct compelled me to take.an opi nion from medical men on his condition. I called an Dr. Powell and Sir George Tuthill. I did ao in consequence of a paroxysm of rage into which Lord Portsmouth flew, and he tore some papers. He WAS so violent, that Mr. Combo was obliged to take hold of him forcibly. Lord Portsmouth fell on his knees, and begged my pardon. I told him to rise, and asked him how he could think of so mean an action as that of going on his knees? lie said Al der and Lady Portsmouth always made . him beg pardon on his knees when he did wrong. I have an order for the production of papers, not signed by the Commissioners. It professes to come (tom the Soli citors of Lady Portsmouth. It is signed by Palmer, France, and Palmer. The Cosestisatoesns interposed, and asked who was Lord Portsmouth's Solicitor in the cause? Mr. Serjeant Past. said that Mr. France, as he un derstood, was present in that capacity. The CosrmissioNzas required to know immedi ately if Mr. France considered himself as the Solicitoi of Lord Portsmouth? and proceeded to eitamine hira far that purpose. Mr. France, examined by the Commessoetne.-1 consider myself as Solicitor fur my Lord POrtsmoistie certainly. I have not seen Lord Portsmouth. I hav'e never been permitted to see my Lord Portsmouth. I received instructions from Lady Portsmouth at Edini burgh. !Ter letter intimated , that at we haddefendedi Lord Portsmouth upon the former petition , the fiopedl that we would do our best on this occasion. I was l certainly authorised to act as Lord Potesmotith's So-' licitor in 1803, and that order has since been coun termanded by his Lordship. The CostsclSSlONEns said it certainly was necessary that Lord Portsmouth should be properly defended, and if" they had any doubt upon the subjeit, .they would appoint professional persons for that purpose. Mr. Serjeant PELL said, that he had been so cau tious in having full and perfect instructions for the purpose,' that he waited on Lord Portsmouth, with that intent, and received his Lordship's orders id per son to defend him in this isssuc. Examination of Mr. Siirrota resumed.--1 have seen kiin.frequently since, and taken au active part in his concerns. 'I believe Lord Portsmouth to be tho roughly of unsound rain& His perception is imper fect, his retention extraordinary, his judgnteut alto gether weak. lie is extremely credulous. I can make him Wien, poor map, anything ; aad I can also re. . . . . . move any delnsiots from his mind, however strstp—; ertraordinary • love ef of unrals • be l l-ring i ng, •.• " • oel i l-e 4i ~.. his' I- httre clone it in the presence of thaaphyiicians. Ms interstices of sitting on s ataterinesund.toteauting joatiee manner would not let as stratigee'soppore the real On his'aittposed enemies; „gar. tali* he itlkntitkieds state of his 'niind ; insoriinch, that when I was asked- his intention of sitting owe throne,-it was On acceont in 1814 to Make an affidavit; I refused. I said I of his having a child. I first tokl hill) that Mr. Alder could not judge if he was sound or unsound in mind. was the father of the child. He thought it vies his Cross-esamined by Mr. Serjeant PELI..—I knew men for three reasons—first,because Alder was sup- Lord Portsmouth during the life of his first wife. I I tuned, and could not get a child ; secondly, because have known Mr. Hansons family from infancy. Lord i Lady Portsmouth had told him it was his, and so Portsmouth was acquainted with them during the I had her family ; thirdly, Lady Portsmouth had been ' life of his first wife. I believe• hi then knew Lady ito Edinburgh, and had seen Dr. Hamilton, who was Portsmouth. I have no doubt he knew and was ac- the cleverest fellow in the world—(Laughter). These quamtedwith the present Lady POrtsthouth, during expression's would have-convinced meof the nnsound- the lifetime of his first wife. I should think her to ness of his mind. The reasons are nor bad ; but it is have been twenty-four or twenty-five years of age at impossible to conceive that Lady Portsmouth, by the time of her marriage. She is a well-informed rocking at Dr. Hamilton, could be made to bring person, not, as I think, of a good figure; very gen- forth a child. It appeared, moreover, that Lord teel in her manners, and of uniform decorum. I dined Portsmouth had given the witness to understand that with them the day after the marriage, in consequence he was doubtful if lie had ever had sexual coo of a note which I received on Tuesday. • Lord Byron nexion with his wife. was really expected. An excuse came just before Sir Henry Halford examined by Mr. BROUGIIAIi. dinner. Lord Byron, from his childhood, was intl. •—I am President of the Royal College of Physicians. mate with the Hansons. Among the company were I saw Lord Portsmouth first on the 16th of Januafy. Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar; he is a Proctor, and was I was called in by Mr. Skirrow. I was not engaged then a Member of the House of Commons ; whoever at all by Mr. N. Fellowes, the petitioner. i have seen were there were persons of respectability ; I have no him frequently since then. I saw him yesterilay. I ecollection of seeing Lord Portsmouth after till July. had full opportunity of examining him. There wart I had dined with. Lord Portsmouth at his house in never any impediment thrown in the way of it. lam the Spring. The proposition for drinking his health of opinion that Lord Portsmouth is of unsound mind, was after the dismissal of the petition by the Lord not fit to manage his own affairs, er any others. I Chancellor. A proposition was made to congratu- have no doubt on the subject. My opinion was early late Lord Portsmouth on his escape ( o it was framed, and is since confirmed by repeated observa called). That petition was for the purpose of esta- lion. I'shoirld think his Lordship was born. with a blishing lunacy against my Lord Portsmouth.— puny sickly intellect; I never saw him-before January There• might be some variation in the petitions last ; I have seen him in presence of Mr. Skrrow. I now arid then, but the object of each is the lame. heard Mr. Skirrow give his evidence; I think Lord Every one heard the proposition; I thought it ex. Portsmouth does not understand the fell measure of tremely injudicious. We drank my Lord's health, this inquiry ; I heard Mr. Skirrow explain it to him. though I tried to put a stop to it. On the Bth July I doubt if his Lordship was capable of understanding Lord Portsmouth was brought before Mr. Justice what he heard ; I should have thotightlhat Mr. Skir- Bayley : you, Mr. Serjeant Pell, and I being there ; row's description would have been eifough to inform no one could conduct himself with more propriety a man of sound mind. than my Lord did then. Lord Portsmouth mentioned Cross-examined by Mr. Aoaat,—ln respect to this Mr. Alder, and Mr. Justice 'Bayley advised his Lord. , proceeding, Lord Portsmouth.seenia fearful of some ship not to distress himself with that. I mentioned thing which he does not fully understand. It was a subject upon which Mr. Justice Bayley said, "fakir- always represented to him that it will protect him row, had not you better avoid irritating Lord Ports- from persons whom he is led to'cnnsider at enemies. mouth's mind with that topic now ?" You also (ad. I think that is the idea lie has of it. Mr. Combe ex. dressing the Learned Serjeant) made a similar sug. plained it in- part ; Mr. Skirrow in part. 1 myself gestion. Mr. Justice Bayley said, with his usual h a . said, that whatever might be the issue of these pro mattiO*. 66 You are a free agent, you may go whe r e feedings, he would be much more happy and secure. vou like, that's all I have to dn . with yOur affairs."— He complained of ill treatment. I infer the unsound- Mrs Ja.bee Bayley said to me, " Mr. Skirrow, my ness of his mind from ,the deficient sense he dis. Lord Poitsmbeth intendi going to your house." I re- , covered of the very gross injuries of which he com plied that 'Outsold not he convenient for any length of plained. Ile is not capable of drawing conclusions time. He returned torny house for the presentsand was on reasonable probabilities. He understands -tom- kindly received. !never did basiness with his Lordship. moo questions, such as a child can comprehend. I The only business was to give instructions about don't recollect putting any question which he did not farms, and the repairs of the house. I wrote to Lord .understand. His answers were all pertinent and apt PortarnOuth at Edinburgh in answer to his letters; to the common questions I put to him. His Lord undoubtedly the letters retorted to what may be called ship stated, that while he was in Edinburgh he was business. I wrote to hint about the Irish subscrip- locked up, and had not the use of any money. I should tien. Lreceiied an answer. I have several letter's from have had no doubt as to the strange facts of that him en bastness,-ehleßy with respect to the repairs o f nature which he described; but that again he told houses; There were disputes With the trustees. At me he was compelled by Mr. Alder, and Lady Ports the request of Lord (IPonier, I Consented tolos.come mouth to go out and stay for a certain time, and the referee. I did it with the consent or Lewd Ports. that he was afraid to return till the time had mouth ; expressed in a note which he sent me. The elapsed. Upon asking him if be had had sexual witness went into a statement of the circumstances intercourse with his wife, he said he could not swear. and. conditions under which he had accepted the Since his return from Edinburgh, he was convinced' charge of reference. The chief particulars were these, that the child was not his, because Lord Grande) and that he had secured the charge under instruments Mr. N. Fellowes told him it was not his child. May drawn up by himself and duly sealed, because be I give you another instance ? He said that Mr. Alder wished to be safe from the consequences of the nu- had been in bed with him and his wife, and yet he did merons suits then pending in Chancery. The only not express that indignation and resentment which I thing in the instruments which he did not put there should have expected from a man of sound mind.;--1 himself was his own remuneration : that was filled up He did not resent it, he said, because it would have 4 the trustees, the amount was I.:100. Lord Ports- I been of no use. He complained of being beaten and' mouth was mach afraid of what might be dune to . whipped, and that he had never been allowed any hire by the Hanson family, and wished to have a, money, except the most school-boy allowance. I saw Bowsstreet . ofacer to protect hies- He had a- sense of him yesterday. Mr. Serjeant Pell came in : he re., injuries which they had done him. His memory. -waslceived him warmly: it looked to me very like friend good; excellent, extraordinary; his judgment was not 'ship. A sickly puny intellect is when wparty is un disturbed, or did not seem to be so in the Accounts able to exercise it in a flint and coherent manner. I which he gave of the ill-treatment he had suffered ; should think Lord Portsmouth's mind has always I think it was at my house that I first saw any de- • been in that condition. fect in his perception; up till then, the Sth of July ' Dr. Bailee, examined /by IVlr.Trutaitx.—l attended last, I saw. MO defect in its--I should say, Mason the Lord Portsmouth 17th January, first. Mr. Skirrow Bth day of January lAt, I first found that I. could spoke to me on the subject. I have seen Lord Ports. make him believe anythirt ; ',think I have the power mouth three times.. There was conversation : not of removing his Lordship s delusions; I think others much originated by Lord Portsmouth. I believe him could do it; my influence over him is rather more ,to let of weak and unsound mind, and altogether in than that ; no particular attempts have ever been capabla of managing his own affairs: I have seen no made by me to see how tar his delosions might be reason to doubt it. I saw him last, on 28th January. turned ; his general reason for believing anything is, titoss-examined by Mr. Serjeant Pota..—l believe that somebody he knows told him so; he has not Mr. Skirrow introduced me. All the company pre been at any one time under a delusion as to these sent Wire Mr. Combe, .Mr. Skirrow, Lord Ports proceedings; I told my Lord, in the presence of Mr. aiouth, and Sir 'Henryl enty . atford; I can't say I recol- Todd, that there was a protest going on which went lect all the cOnveisatien; Loid-Portiniouth seemed to put him and his estate under the protection of the at first a.little out ofltumeur, or irritated; bin seen Lord Chancellor. I have heard nothing ftoin Lid recovered himself= the irritation continued two or Poitmouth which led me to suppo4 that he was un- three minutes. I don't remember the exact conver der the delusion that these proceedings were going' ration, but questions were put to verify, or not to on for the *pose of punishing'the Ilansons. I be-, verify affidavits. His Lordship said that he had been ieve he might have thbught so in part. I think he- beaten with whips; that he had been forced to carry aaa that notion,.undoubtedly. I told him, 'in the gte-' of that ; and explained the nature of the' sense of Slr Henri Halford, in Hattetirer-square, the' rary ' procee4nis, and told him that I thought he would plates of Meat like a servant; that he was ebliged to sign grants of lame! and draughts for money, the con iont tents of which he did riot understand. He men tioned that Lady Portsmouth had gone fifteen months ,bein a much happier state than at present. I don't with child; 'that the:child would have been born in i think he perfectly understands the matter now. I was January, but that Mr. Newton Hanson called and 1 in &lows, When 1 saw you wait on bite, liffr.Serjeant, told him it eras put off for a little while, and so it, lin your gpwn and wig, that you would haae _ per. di d . not come till March I Ile had, a list of punish. reedy explained the matter Co him, so as to-satisfy ments, in which some were set down to be hanged, 'nurse!): I remember he received you as:a Gentle - others for transportation , others f or imprisopment.— man whom he was-most glad t 6 see. I remember his He had no dobbt of being able to carry them into I Lordship talking to you about the trial. in }lamp- execution; he talked :of building a throne, and re , shire. His Lordship expressed his gratitude to you ceiving the Congratulations of Hampshire. The pu for something which you did then. I was With his nishments were 'in his own hand-writing. The objects Lordship at a Corporation dinner at Andover, in Nu. of 'thempere branches of Mr. Hanson's family. I gust last. There were about forty people present.— 'don't recollect anything about a miscarriage of Lady I Was with him at Ilurtsbourn when Dr.l3authead PortsmOuth, at Newbury. All this passed in the first arrired. I heard th'e Doctor say, " My . Lord, they conversation, which did not last more than an hour. are going to make you a madman, and your old I have -se badartnernory, that Itook notes of the con friend Mr. Prance and I are come down, to defend IltalatietqUal itfter hutifing.him„ and I have no men- Yon against the preceedings." He Said "Mrs. Alder dotkif it litany notes. • . There is adistinction between 1 (meaning Lady Portsmouth) and old Hanson were a weak and an unsound mind. Without these facts, always telling me I was mad, bird did not Mind it."' f should take Ms Ulla Vibe weak"; but with them, I Considered Lord Portsmouth'S runic -necessary to than is the rullest pea*/ of iinsonndheis of intellect. the instrument which madame referee. I never told He thought that miscarriages were in consequenceof my Lord that Mr. France was acting as his solicitor. * the child being ill -begotten, and not from any other - Ilie knew that Mr. France had been Mr. Hanson's elicurnseanCes or accidents. I shoUld say, anyone of clerk. In answer to various questions put by the_ fhe faits Woad . be satisfactortevidence of an unsbund • .tury, the witness corroborated various parts Of the mind; but altogether, they cooaatute a degree - to Iprevious evidence respecting.LoMPoitsMotitn ante- proof which admits of no dohlat.: I infer theallWaond gatioos of the cruelty and abuses of the Hansons, his I ncas of his Lordship's mind front each of the citcum *teem al'ich I lave named, and .also from t"e .common amusements. I cannot conceive a mat of rank with moderate intellect amusing himself in driving dung -carts, or attending funerals,. et ringing bells, and afterwards sharing the money with the low people engaged in that etcupation.— I cannot conceive the possibility of a man or. ;wed mind ever being brought to believe that pregnanty could be postponed three months," or that he, as a Peer of the realin,was entitled to execute. puniehmenee upon those who displeased him, or any °theta :lOW , outrageous delusions under which hie Lordship snfe fers. It is perfettly possible that a man slimed hare some of the faculties of as. mind very unsound, quite ; unimpaired. A man of bad judgment, or none atelle may have a good memory. I believe that him Nag& might be much more composed, but ieconerieeit; - • impossible for his mind to improve' io rt- p een ter tee' power of intellect. He never, fin instance, svtm forego the amusement of attending funerals ; diet It too much possession of his mind ever to be eradicate& He might leave off ringing bells, if it %sete bhewn to him that it was not becoming in a Peer; but in a forte night after, if .be met with any people ringing bells, he would enter into the amusement. As to these pro. ceedings, he seemed to have an undefined sort of sus. picion of danger arising from them about him. lie examined by Mr. DitNUAN.—A man may be weak in judgment, and shew a good memory ; he may make a perfect lunatice and have an excellent memory. With regard to his management of pro. petty, I am sure he is not able to manage it for him self. He would become the prey of ail the crafty, frau: dulenrpeople who might approach him. His intellect is scarcely enough to keep him out of bodily danger. Dr. Powell examined by 111r.Weenteeet--1 ' , kites! Lord Portsmouth between the 9th of August and the 12th of February. I have known his Loidsltip for a long time, and I have always been of opinion that his Lordship's mind is unsound. I was of this opi nion before I had been half an hour in his company. He talked to me about the erection of a throne at his country seat in Hampshire, where, he said ; he was the king. Ile told me that he had employed Mr-Oake ley, the upholsterer, to make it, but it was not yet finished; and that he had conferred upon the sue e ject with Mr. Hanson, and Mi. Shaw, the architect. He said he intendee•to have it made exactly gibe the throne used by his Majesty at the Coronation. Oa this throne he intended to sit for the purpose off ad ministering justice and holding levees like the King. Afterwards he said that Mr. Oakley. should not make it; but Mr. France, who made the Nitli.s, and then they should be exactly alike. His Lordship -after wards told me that Mr. Serjeant Pell had eseeised him to put the throne aside for the present e He odd me that at Edinburgh he was told not to come in for a certain time, and if he came in before that time he was refined admittance, and was punished. He stated that be had seen Mr. Alder and the Ceuntess ie bed together quite Baked. One day he appeared particu larly pleased because 1)r. Hamilton bad written to him to consult him about the name of the child. His Lordship put himself in a dignified attitude, and said, " they have consulted tee nesst properly on this oxen. sion."." But, my Lord," said I, " are you quite sure that the child is your's? Is not there some chance, since Mr. Alder lay upon your bed occasionally; that he has some title to it?"--" Oh, ;lie' said his Lordship, " it can't be his, because the Countess and. Miss Hanson told me so." After other doubts were started, his Lordship said, " the child must be from me, as he is incapable of anything of the sort. Young Hanson told me not to be alraid of anything from Alder, since he is so much ruetufed." Now these were answers which shewed a delusion that no man of reasonable mind could possibly be under.— He told me that Alder had repeatedly kn eked hint down, and that Mr. Hanson had good over him and compelled Min to sign the deeds ; and that the • Countess had obliged him to sign the checques for her own benefit. He said, that on the morning when he left his house in Lincoln's Inn-fields, he bad nee intention whatever to be married, but Mr. Hanstie said he must be married; arid he (Lord Portsmouth) acknowledged that he had never consulted any (ibis connexions, friends, or relatives, upon the subject of that marriage. He stated•that Alder was first into,: diked by Mr. Hanson a a medical Mail to attend upon the Countess, who was subject tohysteries. His Lordship said he had often been roused hi the Middle , of the night by the Countess, who laid she was it and wanted Mr. Alder, who generally came in hie 'shire. When he got into bed to the Countess on the opposite 'side, she would tell him (Lord.POrtemotelt) to be quiet, and go to sleep—(Letreghter)e—Wite ness continued—l am Secretary to the tent* sion for Licensing Houses for the reception of Lena !' tics, which I visit, and 'hare therefore•seett mote dile i most practitioners. I have - heatrd•the whole** tfte I evidence, and I ihoilla say, if I had never known Ms I Lordship, that the disoider of his mind is of leeg standing; and, as I have !mown -him, I tan me prat tically, that his mind is mech *one. . . Cross-examined by Mr, c. F. Vl7st.itasts.—l hive known Lord Portsmouth for twenty years; I have dined with his Lordehip, and walked with him: he has certainly a character of ithbecility impressed tipeo his countenance; he had always appeared in in 01- son nd mind ; weakness of mind is generally connected; there are some symptoms in his case which are hi consistent with weakness. I consider that there Ore unconnectedness about, his ideas. • Will not a series of ill-treatment from a plia 4 s nearest and best relatives often produce temporary die rangement?—Temporary derangement! It ),1 il Ip 4 , duce permanent derangement in the stitificreet Stile* All men might be driven mad by rech cattee L.4.ole ,,, e ' Suppoee there is an absence '4,640U - tie afterwards, will not the mind somettmealuirdetor — eZ; You put an hypothetical case;' bef aPeratnt KO Mif/ Portsmouth, I should say, that heileiteeff , Xp i lie oi 4 If he Se placed in the same siruilkit . , in *hie!: was twenty years ago, might he Itieeietnias( tee same state of mind in which he wii thnit:.:* never can.—The Doctor said, efiet"4refrorti l did not appear to him to be a Seitter t irpeebleier f : et off - .: ..: the wrong that was done to him ; hi a mut r 4a,.._ .. week. He might treasure up die ren jt reideraitZe . injuries done to him; but a man of Mind veld '• lit acted upon them. Twenty years ago lfie" itili 4 Lord Portsmouth was unsound or imbecile, I then coesidered it one or the. othee e 101114:4# this timeexactly say which. . i . e , • Xu Lis ie-exarniuktioti by 'Mi. tibitiiial.pls a ~ ~ ..~ .