The National Register. — London, England, 1817-01-06 00:00:00

6. JANumtV trilled 224 years' purchase; hot *lieu oblige rell, k only obtahoe3 from 14 to lli years' purchase. Mr. Cr. Smith, and Mr. liuggurt, also surveyors, proved to the same effect. • Mr. Hobert Smith, Mr. Barber, and Mr. Hall, wharfingers, estimated the Three Cranes what which is part of the pro. perty in que:tion, to he wotth 1,2001. a year, although this part of the property was sold by auction for 6,0001., yet it vac worth 1,2001. a year; and they would give it. The case on the part of the 'dahlias twin: here closed, Mr. Sergeant Hest midi cared the Joryau behalf of the Southwark Bridge Company. He coateaded that the calculations of the gentlemen who had been employed to sorvey this property were a ild and impossible robe credited. How was it possible to form auy guess of the worth of buildings 25 years hence? Could any person pretend to give his Judgment upon it %WI any degree of accuracy? And yet these gentlemen, with all the coolness imaginable; boldly told the court that they had formed an estimate, and pretended to have been able to calculate to a shilling the value of such property; and had detrn mined, that what Now was worth only 5161. would, hi 2.4 years hence, b e we a k 2,01611. Ile concluded rather a long speech by endeavouring to persuade the gentlemen of the Jury that the sum of 15,0001. offered to the Company was amply sutlieirmt. After a recapitulation of the evidence, the Jury retired fur about a quarter of an hour, amt returned a verdict of 21,5001. POLICE. now STREET. Pty 1t EXAMINATION AND COMMFFFAL OF TILE ELDER WATSON. —TharstlAy curiosity aiti4eied a ereat many per. sous to the office in consequence of a report having heen pro mulgated, that the elder Watron was to undergo a ptivite ex amination. In this expectution, however, they were disap pointed: and, indeed, so secret WAS the business kept, thrt even those w:io acre coaccrned, sad hronclit here to give their evidence, did not know that Mr.Wutsou was iu or about the office. The magistrates who attended io the course of the mornieg were, Sir N. Conant, Mr. Hirnie, Mi. Sketchley, and Mr. Hicks. hut the examination of Watson devolved to Sir N. Conant alone, ir wis the magistrate that ta mmitted al persons evattcd at the °thee until past 3 ~ ' clock, and there being at that time no appearance of ifaison, or an exantioation of him , th'ey separated tinder a firm confidence that what they hail heard respecting I • was a mere fabri cation. _ At hall-past three o'clock, the office being perfectly clear, Sir N. Conant gave instructions to the vi itnesses concerned is the examitiatiou of Watson to att-nd in Mr. St., ford's diawine. l 4,uto, to which Sir Natlcinici. Mr. Stafford, air. Watson, Mr. Cannon, Mr. IVatson's solicitor, Miles the horse patrule, and Pliodes and Goulding, the two persons who were stabbed, adjoin twit : . . . „ IVatson appeared indisposed, and was permitted to sit. The evidence of Jir putrele Milt's, was first read by Mr. Stafford; but as that eliarge has been abandoned, it is almost unnecessary to detail it in the present report ; it will be suffi cient to state, that at first it was considered expedient to com mit liiiu upon the charge male against him by aides, as will be seen by the following When Watson was brought to Bow-street, on the 3d of December,(the day after the riots), the sitting magistrate (H. Birnie, Esq.) referred the examination of him to Sir Nadia oriel Conant, at Wh!ti ball, and the result of that examination was, that Watson WaC Collllllitted to the Douse of Correction, under the following charge:— " To the Gavernor of the House of Correction, Coldbittli fields, his Deputy, &C. Receive into your custody, this 3d day ~ f December, halti,the body of Jaunts Watson the elder, upon the oath of Charles Miles, on suspicion of being con cerned with two other persons, not yet lake'', in feloniorisly *hooting at tlw sail Miles, with intent to kill and miirds r I , the said Charles )lilts oi. do him sonic grict ous bodily Mum; and to keep the said James Watson 1111111 he Shad he dis charged by due course of law; fur which this shall be your authority. " Given under my hand and seal, &e. " N. CONANT." After the examination at the Secretary of State's,• Watson was fiasco to the House of Conreetiou upon the authority of the above warrant, and lie had not been examined 'lThors• day, although the depositilier of Rhodes and Goulding weir , taken and sworn to on that slay. Mr. Statinid read them to Mr. Watson, and his solicitor: they are in substance to this effect _Rhodes and Goulding ale plumbers and glaziers at Hampstead, and on 31onilay, the of December, had been at work at 1.oi•il Maiedickls : ou heir return house, they went into the White Limn and public•limisc, at high gate, to get -something to drink. About II teelock they were alarmed by the cry of Stop-thief!" and they iii cause- sprence ran into the street, and saw a horse-patrole sitting on his burst., with a man strode:et by the silo of his horse. Goulding said to the parole, " it, it lig don't you go • after the rest of the rohirersi - The mantle said lie COlll4l 110, as lie hall 11.04! of them in custody. Goolding rejoined, "If Non go after the others, we will secure the one you have." The Wilde then inquired el the landlady it' she knew Goulding and Rhodes; being mist% civil in the affirmative, he gave the Isamu (who proved to he Hr. Watson) into custody. They then laid hold of him, while the patrole went in pursuit of toe others. Mr. Watson Oleo drew a dirk from his stick, mid •:t id, " If you don't leave ell, I will rani )(pie through," and struck at Gouldiem with the dirk, which perforated his great coat, but only scratched his skin; he then attacked Rhodes, and stabbed hint in the thigh, but not to any danger ous extent. A struggle ensued, and they all till into the ken mei together. The patrole at this juncture retartied, having. ineffectually poiroacil the other two, and 311.. Watson was *mired, and a pistol and a great many papers were taken I flan, him. _ . ....... Sir Kittumid then intimated to Watson and Ms solicitor, that this was the charge upon wkich be should think it his duty to commit him for trial. Time witnesses were severally cross crxamitied by W:itson and his solicitor, the latter of whom put the following 1111(.5- 'oon to Rhodes 4ffil Goulding : " Did Miles, the ;nitwit., give Mr. Watson into vonr cus tody in the name of the King—by what authority did he give Lim into your custody i" They Melt seplied generally, that Miles, on coming up to the door of the public-hunse, asked the landlady if she knew them kid/odes and Goulding), and upon her saying she did, 31iks toil them lie had a prisoner, whom they were to take care ofwhile he went after twa others, who had ran away Added to this, they knew 11iles to be um of the patrole ; he did not, however, uac the viurdo, "li2 the MUM: of the Wag 1 chaise you." tying that charge hail been abandoned. bir Nathaniel ennant stated to Watson, that his motive fur not having had hint up for examination before was, that lie considered that lie experienced superior treatment in the House of Correction ; hut in consequence of the approaching gaol delivery and .general removal, lie had considered it lie resulry that a commitment should be made oqt, in ostler that he inav know what to defend himself against, and that lie mi ghat have an opportunity to consult his legal advisers thereon. Awl, upon farther consideration he had done it with a view to es tend as much favour as possible to Mr. Watson, and to ren der his situation as comfortable as possible tinder existing cir cumstances. Watson thanked Sir Nathaniel for his kindness towards him. A coach was then ordered to be in readiness to take him to Newgate. Watson, however, requested that the Magistrate would ex• tend his kindness towards him by sending him back to the Honse of Correction until Monday next. Sir Nathaniel said, that as he (Watson) considered it an accommodation to himself, he could not deny hien. Waist). observed, that as far as comfort could be expected in a prison, he had found it ; indeed he had no cause to com plain ut ill treatment, but he felt much hurt at the attempts that had been made to put such a complexion on his conduct as that which, in the knits of the law, was described murder: this, however, was only the phraseology of the law, and as far as it related to himself 1w was quite indifferent; but with re gard to his fami:y dud character, something more might he said, and acutely felt. His own prospects were so bad, and the general state of society so degenerated, that were he stain sent into the world, he could not feel much satisfaction or enjoyment. Knowing, however, that his principles were just, and that he WAY immeent of those heinous crimes with which his name had been branded, he should feel it a dimly he owed, not only to society, but to his own character, to bear imp a;ainst all his enemies. lie would not cringe to an one, nor Would he ask a titvour front those in power , all he want ed, all he demanded, was justice. Mr. Cannon was &sienna to know, if any other indictments were to be Kele' red against Mr. Watson. Sir N. Conant said, that he understood the Attorney and Suliei.or • Gestural would superiuteud the framing of the in dictments; he uas not aware of the steps they were likely to take, but he assured Mr. Cannon, that he should have every oppoi toothy aff'.u•ded him immediately he (Sir Nathaniel Co. neat) receis inf'w•ntation of the wanner in which Mr. Wat son would be proceeded against. The Solicitor and Watson in the wannest terms ackuow le•lt;ed the kindness of die worthy Magisti ate. Mr• Watson was then committed for trial at the next Ohl Bailey Sessions, for having l'elonionsly, wilfully, and inaliei uuslv indicted cerain wounds upon the persons of James Goulding and Thomas Rhodes, with a sharp illitt 1111 l ent. with iAteut to hill the said James Goulding awl Thomas Rhodes, or with intent to do tlicv some grievous bodily harm, against the statute made and provided, se. Mr. Cannon then applied to the Magistrate fur an order of admission to Watson in Newgate, and Sir Nathaniel gave kiln the following "fo Mr. Newman. The hearer is Mr. Cannon, solicitor to Mr. Watson, and I Frre.unie there is no objection to his seeing him in prison. " Jag. 2, ISt 7." N. CONANT." Lack tie gaoler, then put the handcuffs colt kl'alson's hands, and accompanied in a coach to the House of Correction, ptepsrator) to his removal to take his trial. leaving every thing Ia the neatest order behind us . ; share amounted to about 77 pounds of tea. Some tea be produced in the office, Curtis said, it was part of that m by him and his party from the ship in the Docks. I was concerned also in getting hold of some gold, silver, and muslins, about three or four years ago, in the East India Docks, and every one but ourselves was in the dark about it. Mutton, Gidduns, Brown, and I, met Curby at the Cherry Tice, at Bromley, where we planned the robbery, and after its perpetration we met at Corby's house, where we divided the spoil. I took my gold to one Cohen residing near the Raid:layer's Arms, who gave me upwards of 1301. for it. But the first case in which I was ennaged in the East India Docks was a little more than four years ago. Brown, Curby, Hat ton, Pegg, who was hanged. Giddons. Mills, Turner, and were all in it. We got some boxes of row silk, which lay packed up amongst bales on the quay. We unpacked the bales, took as much out as we were able, re-packed the bales iu regular order. and returned the next night and took away the rest. We entrusted a Mrs. Turner to dispose of it, bat she was exclierineied for having it in her possession, and we made little by the enterprise." Giddous said he had other things to speak of, of vastly greater consequence thou the Dock robberies. The magistrate having expressed a wish to hear him, he said—" I was concerned in the murder of Lientenant John sun, in the Kent-road, eight years ago : Hatton, who is now in custody ; Raines, who was lately working as a bum-boat man at Chatham ; and another mau, a stranger, were con cenwil with me iu that murder. In the afternoon on which the murder was committed, Hatton, Raines, and the other man, told me they were going to London to get impressed on board an East Indianian. I went with them, and we went to the Swan in Leadeuliall-street, where we had three half pints of gin and some beer. Raines asked a Jew Crimp, if he knew of a ship for lone people.—The Jew said, No. After the Jew was gone, Raines said, he'd take another day for it. We then left the Swan, and wed 01/ to Deptford. Wh en we got below the Half sway Howe, Raines picked up a stick. We heard a man coming behind us. Raiues said—' Here's somebody miming, what do you say for having his money., We all agreed ; and when the gentleman came up to us, we stoppcd him, and asked him for his money ; the gentleman leplicil, He had none, and if he had he would not give it its.'--Raines said, ' If you don't give it us I'll knock you dowu.'—'file gentleman snatched the stick out of his hand. and made a blow at me with it; I put my hand up, and re ceived hi: blow on my Is rist, which broke my wrist.; he then gave me another blow under the right eye, and across the temple, arid knocked me into a ditch, where I lay about a quarter of an hour, when Hatton. Raines and the other man, picked me out ; they then told me they had done the job, and got his money ; they said they had pulled hint into a place out of the road an dose his job, by which I understood they bad killed him.—They asked me if I could walk t I told them no ; they took toe into a field and left me ; they told me they would call un me next night; I staid in the fields about two or three hours, and then was able to walk hoine.—Hatton, Raines, and the other man came to me next night at my lodgings, and gave me 21. They did not tell toe what the gentleman had; said they were going to Northfitet i , to see if they could get work on hoard au Indianian, and went away. Hatton came back in a little while, and asked me if I hail heard any thing. I said, " Nothing particular." "%Viten they suet at my liousz, Hatton and Raines said they killed the man. I saw Hatton in the course isle week, and he had rammed to his work as usual. I did not see Raines fur about four or five days, when 1 met him at Chatham. I went to a ts Batimeae, and got some stuff for my arm; but it was never set. We picked up a woman at the Bricklayer's Arms, and she went down the road with us; she was with us %lien the gentleman was stopped, but I did not see her aftee wards." Raines (who was apprehended in consequence of the in. formation given by the last witness) was then put to the bar, and Mr. Kinnaird told him, that Giddons had peremptmity sworn that he (Raines) was not only concerned in the war der, but that he was the person who had first suggested the robbery of Lieutenant Johnson.---The prisoner asserted his innocence of the charge, and said, he could prove that he had been industriously employed from the age of 17. He admitted his acirainlanee with Hatton, but denied that lie had ever been engaged with him, or any other person, of which he had reason to dread the consequences. " If," added the prisoner, " I was accused of robbery, I should not feel as I now do ; hut to be directly charged with murder, is Inure than can be well induced by any poor honest man." Raines did not, throughout the examination, betray the slightest agitation; but this was not the case with Hatton, rho turned pale at the mention of Lieutenant Johnson's name. The prisoners underwent a private examination at tl►e New Prison, Clerkenwell, before they were brought to the office. Hatton has been sent to this House of Correction as a place of greater security. The above is the extent to which we are at liberty to go in the present state of the investigation.—lt is nectlle.s to say the prisoners were scut back to prison. THE NATIONAL REGISTER Watson particularly examined Miles as to the time of night turned. when the iiivtol was fired at him but he refrained ti•om so rty shari doing. when his solicitor told bins it was an unneec%sary course tog Pro , to pursue, Sir Nathaniel Conant having lammed him that stolen b MANSION HOUSE. Monday T. Souter was fully committed for trial, charged uith forging dud tittcring a check for 571. with intent to de fraud Mr. C4rd, of Broad-street BuildingA, or Barclay, Ti-it ton, and Co. . Gunnell, the draymau, was, finally examined, 'charged "with being conspicuously active at Mr. Beckwith's shop on the :;:d of December. The Lord Mayor told him, that he must commit him for the misdemeanour; but he might be bailed by giving .2t hours notice to the City Solicitor. EX FEN6IVE ROBBERIES, AND DISCOVERY OF A MURDER. It will be remembered, that about eight years ago, the mur der of Lieut. Johnson, K. N. took place on the Kent-road : to disco% ev the perpetrators of which, baffled all the etiorts of the Police. About six weeks ago two men, named Cm.tis and Giddons, apprehended upon varions charges of felony, who con fessed that they were guilty of several robberies : readily ad mi,ted that they had been a party, and toad the names of others of the gang, and also of the receivers of the goods stolen ; amongst the latter are Iwo persons named the one of Blaekbeath-bill, the other of Bermondsey, grocers. 115 the course of the investigation, which was carried on vs ith great privacy at the Thames Police Office,--Hatton was apprehended, and immediately pointed out by Giddons, as having been a principal in several highway robberies; asnsng others, one at the last Epsom races, upon a Mr. !Whiles. • Curtis was admitted King's evidence in an earlier stage of the business, in consequence of eiremnstances he has brought to light respecting the robberies in the East India Hocks. He was the principal er Menet. against Baker and Gates, lately convicted at the Old Bailey for rubbing a line-burner at Limeltoase.--On motel ing the office, he said lie should make au acknowledgement of every bad affiiir in which he was con cerned. lie mentioned the names of several perstms, be:,idt those vi lions we have ;dread, spoken of. The follow ieg are parts of the evidence :—" Giddons and Hatton, and I," said he, "were concerned in idealism a quantity of silk handker chiefs on board a ship in the East Intlia Docks, in July last. We agreed to meet at the mid of Cut throat-lane, leading to the Docks, at 12 at night ;w e went into a putatoe field,adjoin ing Elder-hedge-lane. Giddtais and Hatton had a ladder, and we proceeded across the marshes towards the East India I wall. We got mean the %tall, pulled the ladder over, and went down into the Dock, in whirl' a ship fay that we hoard ed, and found a chest of Bandaima handkerchief's, which we emptied into bugs, and gut away. We soots met Mrs. (lid. dons; and her sail JOIM Gardner, with a cart ; we pin the bags into the cart ; Giddons drove the cart to the-Commercial Road. Upon going hums we lotted the handkerchiefa into Borer parcels, each of w hich contained about TO pieces. Gates soon anct gist nuc .;;:. 4 piece fur the brat of then,. The person who gave us the information was named Murray, a labourer in the dock, for which we gave lam 101. ; and in September he told us it tea-ship was at work. We went in cousequeuce and emrtied three boxes into our bugs, and re- THE MURDER OF LIEU T. JOHNSON ON THE KENT HO 411. THANIE4 POLICE-OFFICE.—On Saturday Raines and Hatton were again brought up for examination. Before they ap peared at the bar, Mr. Kinnard ordered into the office the King's evidence., Gishlons, and addressed him in the following manner Gidi.lons, when son brought tioward this tre mendous iteetWitioll against Hutton and Raines, ut Clerkeo well, I admonished you upon the importance of the circus:. stance. I again call upon }on to consider the eternal respon sibility which you take upon yourself, and anti eat you not to add to the other ei inn's of which you have been guilty, that of attempting , to destroy innocent men. At the same time, I call u p on you, if there is truth in what you WM' declared, tot to suffer fear to influence you to the concealment of any fart c .cted with so atrocious a ease. If your evidence is false, it is not too late to irtract. Do you or do von n o t pet se% ere in saving that those two loco, IZaincs and * Hutton, neve the murderers of Lieutenant Jolinsone Giildous—" I certainly do." Air. Kinnard —" Von, on your oath, charge those two men In the robbery and mu: - der of Lieutenant Johnson i" Giddons—" I declare it God." Mr. Kinnard How many were concerned dons—" Poor met, and one woman; ac met the woman at ;M.. Bricklayers Arms." Baines and Hatton were then conducted Into the office, and Mr. Kiimard continued the examination. _ _ Mt. Kintk.u . :l—" Have 3 on any reason to suppose, Diddolis, that ti►e wmt►an was acquainted with the premeditated plan Cridtltais—" 1 do nut think she was: she vi as picked up uy the man whose name we did not know,, at the Bricklayers Arms, abo►tt eleven o'clock ; she accompanied us to the Swau, in thn Kent Road, where we had a glass of mai, sod was with vs