The National Register. — London, England, 1821-03-12 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS. MONDAY, MARCH 5. RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS. James Pindard was indicted for feloniously receiving some wearing apparel, and a considerable quantity of household property belonging to Mr. K. Ramsdell, a tradesman residing at Norwood. Elizabeth Pindard, the wife of the prisoner, had been convicted on Saturday of having stolen the property iii question from the house of the prosecutor, where she had lived for a considerable time, sometimes as a weekly servant, and sometimes as a chair-woman. Property had been continually missed during her services there, and at length suspicion felt upon her, and stolen property to an amount that sur prised the prosecutor, was found in her possession. The offence hail been Comm tted tinder circumstances of a very aggravated nature, and die court sentenced her to be transported seven years. It was for receiving the property so stolen knowingly, that the husband was now tried. Haminand, a constable, produced a variety of pro perry which he had found. Mrs. Ramsdell, the wile of the prosecutor, identified a considerable portion of the property Mood upon the pri soner, part of which she proved to have been stolen, and part of it had been taken away by tome robbers who broke into the house. Mr. Turton, the counsel for the prisoner, contended, that there was lt of the property for which the pri soner was now indieml for having leloniotisty received, knowing it to have been stolen, which had not been identified at the trial of the principal ; he had, therefore, he contended, a right to prove that the evidence in that case did not warrant the general verdict which had been given of guilty. The court a,ked the counsel what evidence he bad to prove his statement 2 Mr.'forton said. that as he must have the best evidence that the nature of the case would admit, he should pus. pose to examine the worthy chairmau himself, and call upon him to produce his notes of the trial. The chairman said, that he had very little recollection of the evidence distinct from his notes; but he had never heard Wine of a Judge being called lipun to be examined before himself. The bench consulted upon the application, which it appeared they did not think ought to be acceded ; but some persons present having stated that the learned counsel was misinformed upon the fact, and that the property in question had been identified, he did not press his application. The prisoner and his wife were also convicted upon a second indictment for robi:aig the house of Hr. Hol loway, a person in the same ileighbourhood. The Chairman, in passing sentence, observed that he had never seen an instance of persons escaping detection during so long continued a course of crime. Ile then proceeded to sentence the husband, James Pindard, for receiving the goods siolen by his wife, to 14 years' trans portation, and Mr stealing the goods of Mr. Holloway the two prisohtrs were sentenced to be transported for seven years each, to commence at the expiration of their former sentences. A young lad, named Win. Paynter, was indicted (or having feloniously embezzled sevenpeoce, the property of Mr. A. Saner, of Peckham. The Chairman said, that there could be no doubt but that the prisoner had been guilty of continued depreda tions on the property of his employer; and, touter the very aggravated cucumstance of the case, he sentenced the prisoner to be transported for seven years. CIRCULATION OF BAD HONEY. The following prisoners were prosecuted at the in stance of the Mint:— John Becket, a young man, was indicted for having utuseed a counterfeit half crown, at the shop of Mrs. Hudson, at Camberwell, on the 19th of February. It appeared that the prosecutrix keeps a baker's shop in Camberwell. The prisoner had often been a cus tomer fn twopenny loaves, biscuits, &t. which he had paid for generally with hall-crow us. Out rubbing one of them the copper made its appearance, and rill a sub sequent occasion his money was examined more scru pulously, when another bad half-crown was detected. On his being taken into custody he behaved with the greatest impertinence—said lie supposed she meant give him a ride in Raiy.stoo, which lie snook' like iery as a few months regular living, and the change of air, would benefit his health. It appeared that the prisoner had dealt ooh other bakers in the neighbourhood in the same way. lie was found Godly on two charges. The Chairman sentenced the prisoner to be imprison ed for six moil Its lii the conallloll glop, and to bud su lks for 161 pond lyenaviour. Michael Brady was also convicted of utteriog one hall-crown, and it ing a determined utterer, he WA> sentenced to be imprisoned in the common gaol for Pt months. Diana Winter was charged with having had in her possession a quantity of half crowns, with intent to cir culate the same. A Police Officer stated, that he saw the prisoner upon the stroll in Suffolk -street, and she being an old acquain tance he took her into custody and searched her, after a most desperate resistance, when lie found six bad hall crowns in her pi.- kris, carefully wrapped up, that the brilliancy of their appearance might not he injured by their being tumbied about in the pocket. Some inure bad money was found concealed at her lodgings. Tne jury footed the prisoner guilty, and the court sen tenced her to be imprisoned fur twelve months, and find sureties to be of good behaviour. 'f he neighbourhood oI Camberwell, Newington, and Kennington has recently been inundated with bad money. The prisoners formed part of a considerable gang of enterers, who had seated themselves in that neighbourhood. A girl about 17 years of age was tried for striking an old lady who had been rather censorious. The deb dant gave as a reason for assaulting the old lady, that she had heard that the prusecutrix iutentled to swear THE NATIONAL REGISTER that she had struck her, and from a concern for the safely of her soul hereafter, she did strike her, that she might not incur the dreadful guilt of perjury. The de fendant was, however, convicted, and sentenced to be imprisoned for one month in the common gaol. U♦RING ♦TT♦C[ UPON Tee SURREY POLICE BY • R E►CUE OA NG. • Two men, named Davis anti Hail, were tried upon an indictment for having assaulted Lawrence, Blackburn, and Herring, officers of the Surrey Police, with intent to rescue a prisoner in their custody under a charge of felony. Mr. Barrow stated the case to the Jury on the part of the prosecution. The case was afterwards more fully detailed in evidence. Tue learned Counsel remarked, that it was fortunate for the. prisoners that the attempt which he charged them with having made, had not succeeded, as their punishment would have been of a much more serious nature than could be inflicted outlet the present indictment for the misdemeanour only. G. Blacklturu, a Surrey Police Officer, stated, that he was on duty in Kent-street, on the 24th of February last, when, he met a thief, whom he knew, named J s, with a boy upon his hack, in company with the prisom r Hall and another man, vvhoin he helms-v.(l to he Dat is. The witness pursued Junes, and overtook him with die box upon him, which lie was afterwards convicted of having stolen. Sonic other officers came up, and they attempted to take the man and the prnperty hefore a Magistrate. They had got as far as the White Bear G miens, in Dover road, when a party of men cline op to Bum, and one, who appeared to be the leader, cried out, " Here they are, kill or murder the b —s, for we'll have him away." The cry of Rescue was set up, and a most furious attack was made upon 'he officers, who drew their cutlasses to defend themselves. Tney were attacked with large stones and sticks, when the witneFs received a severe blow Irom Hall, whom he instantly made a blow at with his cutlass, and cut him down the face. The edge of the cutlass was turned by the tees hof the prisoner. The prisoner has a sere wt nod across the face. Seeing their associate wounde hey retired. The party were not strong enoug hto to any of the gang, which consisted of upwards of thirty persons ; but the two prisoners being koovvet, they were afterwards taken into custody. David Herring, another police officer, and George Lawrence, one of the foot parole, corroborated the statement of the above witness. Tne Jury, n idiom hesitation, found both the prisoners Guilty. The Chairman said, that the attempts made by gangs of thie,es to rescue their accomplices, had of late been so frequent, and of so daring a nature, as to call upon him to mark the ofl...nce of the prisoners with the most exemplary punishment that the law would allow him to inflict. had the of f icers shot any of them when the outrage was committed, the law folly justified them in so doing. The Chairman proceeded to semence the prisoners to be imprisoned 24 calendar months each in the common gaol. Tile Court expressed their approbation of the cou rageous manner in which officers had behaved during the attack. SINGULAR FRAUD.—There is great reason to suppose that considerable depredations have been committed by a person of great ingenuity, as the following case will slicw, taking advantage of the cupidity of heir. expectant, and persons respectably situated, by bringing the news of the death of distant itiends or relates es, with the snore acceptable news of a legacy, and an order from an attor ney upon a banker for the payment of it. It is for the purpose of plating the public upon their guard that we give the particulars of flue following case:— On Monday last a young maii, of genteel address and respectable appearance, waited upon Mrs. E. Stone, a respectable lady, who keeps a boarding school at Dept ford, and presented her with a letter written in a regular lawyer's hand. The following is a cop, r To Mrs. Elisabeth Stone. Bath, March 2, 1521. " Madam,—My clerk waits upon you for the purpose of paying you a legacy of 5 >l. due to you, under the will of the late Mrs. Mary Harris, of this place, and to take your receipt and discharge fur the same. The legacy duty being ptovtded fur by the will of Mrs. Harris, there is only the expenses of my clerk's journey in attending you bet ein to be paid. "I .on, Madam, your very obedient servant. " To Mrs. Elizabeth Stone, School mistress, Deptford, Kent." Enclosed was an order upon a banker, of which the following is a copy : " To Messrs. Faller and Co. Bankers, London. "Bath, Alm eh 2, lat. " At sight hereof, pay to Mrs. E. *tone, or to her order, the stun of litty pounds stet hug, which place to the account of " The pretended clerk only charged 41. 13s. Id. the precise amount of the expellees of his journey, but the good lady did nut stint her generosity to the piecise sum, but feasted iiiin and gave hint fur the welcome int elligence. The o hole hail so business-like and official an appearance, and the ch.; k too, so like a solicitor's clerk, that not the least suspicion was entertained, particular ly its the good lady had a female acquaintance unit .d Herrin, from whom she had some remote expectations. It is almost needless to say, that on arriving iii town the next day, and present ing the order at the banker's for pa) Iwo', the fraud was 'They knew of no such person at Bath, and pronounced the order to he a forgery.—The 111111 in per son is *ppm roily about Si/ years of age, of Jar k coin• plexion,with pat titularly dar k eyesoniddle bard, decently dressed, and of genteel address. FATAL NIIIITAILE.—A few days ago, the wife of Mr. George, who keeps the Union-inn, at Stow-on. the-Wold, Gloucestershire, sent to a druggist for an ounce of salts—an ounce of oaalic acid was sent by mistake, which Mrs. George took, and though every effort was made to pave her, she expired in great 79 Elopetana in high Life.—Within the last few days• which has given rise to much conversation in the fa shionable circles, and is likely to prove a source of profit to the gentlemen of the long robe. An officer of high family, who has served with distinguished honour its must of the Peninsula campaigns, was quartered at with a portion of his regiment, and the station being likely to be permanent, he removed his lady and domestic establishment there. A short time ago a liete. tenant, who was there on regimental affairs, was intro. dnced to time domicile of the gallant officer, and so in sinuated himself into the good graces of the lady of the mansion, as to induce her to forget her solemn obligass lions to her husband and family, and to elope with him. The husband communicated the circumstances to the friends of the lady, who immediately etideavourad to adopt means for her rescue from a state so degrading, and requested his aid in furtherance of their object, he beluga course the only person who could exercise any legal authority over her. The request was at first in dignantly spuroed at, but he was at length prevailed open', and application being made to a magistrate at Haw -street, an active and intelligent office (authven) was desired to assist the parties in their search. After a tedious inquiry of several, days they were traced to Surrey, but when the pursuers arrived there, they had Had, and ad trace of them was lost. The officer. how ever, obutined such information as convinced hint that the fugitives were not far off, and he disptchcd a mes senger to Hampton Court, who learned that they had been lodging in vie neighbourhood fin the last two days, but were then gone out on foot. While the pursuers were consulting at their inn as to the best mode of action, the person himself was seen walking.at a saun tering pace up the street, so/us. The party immediately sallied forth, and a rencontre of no eery amicable nature took place, it being waft the utmost difficulty that the injured husband (who was armed) could be restrained from violence against the offender on the spot Being commanded to produce the I sdy,he hesitated, but while they were talking, the frail fair one issued from a shop in a view of the whole party. She was for a moment thunderstruck. The lady was taken from her para mour, and conveyed to her fa , her's house. FIRES.—About six o'clock on Sunday morning, a cow-lodge, on the King's Lines, Brompton, belonging to Mr. Freeland, caught fire, and in a very short time was burnt to the ground, and ten cows and three hones were burnt to death ; inur cows were extricated from the flames, but dreadfully scorched. Mr. Freeland was iu the lodge, and conjectures that the candle accident ally caught some loose straw, but so rapid were the flames, that lie had not time to save the animals ; form 'lately the stock and prem'ses were insureds—Monday evening, about seven o'clock, the village of Lower Clap too was thrown into the greatest confusion, in conse quence of a lire breaking out its the mansion of --v•t• Hamilton, Esq. which burned with the greatest fury. The flames were first discovered bursting through the attic windows, by a gentleman who was passing, and who gave an instant alarm. In a short time the engines belonging to Hackney parish arrived on the spot, but were not sufficiently powerful to conttoul the fury of the devouring element, which had attained fresh power by commumeating to the house of Mr Janson, nearly adjoining. A poor woman, who had lived in Mr. Ha -11111t011.9 family for years, and had saved about 1001. lost it all in the fire, and did not even save a change of wearing apparel. About half-past four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, Hr. Humfrey's, mill, near Cambridge, was struck by lightning, annd so great was its force, and so rapidly was the electric fluid conveyed through the various parts of the building, that the destruction which has been caused by the lightning affbrds an interesting spectacle to the observer of the operations of nature. The lightning first struck the sails of the mill, and not only burnt the canvas to atoms, but so shivered and broke the wooden beam, that its remains literally present a bundle of splinters.— After passing through the brick work, the fluid entered the building, shattered the windows to pieces, tore up the floor, singed the ropes, broke a barrow, and in its way taking its course through the successive stories, regularly pursued its destructive career. Though the fluid passed through the greatest part of the mill, yet fortunately little or no damage has been sustained in the machinery. The miller, who was in the act of shutting the door which opens on the stage, was suddenly struck down by the lightning, but being perceived by some persons who were near, was soon removed from his perilous situation; and though much hurt in one eye, and on the fece, yet he is, we understand in a fair way of recovery. A sow, which was in an adjoining yard, was killed on the spot, and a cat in the mid was singed on its back. On Thursday morning, (the 224 ult.) about seven o'clock, two fishing boats belonging to Monks town, fell in with a large wounded whale, about S. W. of Poor Head, outside of Cork-harbour. Out getting it to Monkstown it was dead, and appeared to be a large whale of the pike-headed species, the Sabena Boops of Linnaeus. Its body measures up wards of SO feet from the tip of the nose to the tail, and is supposed to weigh bAween three and four tons. The animal is to be removed to the strand near Mr. Hargrave's,. on the tirickflelds-road. The day after the act passed for allowing a pro vision of 50,0001. a year, to her Majesty to corn mence from Jan. 18:20. she had, on application, a draft for 15,0001. signed by the Lords of the Trea asurv, which we suppose, wioi the monies pre viously advanced, make up the whole of the year's allowance ending last January. I I I 1 f I