The National Register. — London, England, 1823-02-16 00:00:00

1 : S . • t , .1 I' PROCEEDINGS IN LORD PORTSMOUTH'S CASE. MONDAY, PLC. 10. This morning the Commissioners appointed 'miler his 1 , Itlejesty's warrant to baptise into the circumstances of 1 this singular ease, assembled in the Great Hall of the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Qareu•tttreet, Line's/Ws-ion- fields. The Hall was divided by dwarf partitions, and every necessary arrangement made for the parties concerned, and for the acco.iduoilatiou of auditors. At eleven o'clock the Commixiotiess took their seats, and the Counsel for the petitioner (Mr. Fellowes) and for Lord Portsmouth were immediately called ia. Sixty special Jurymen had.beeti summoned, of whom only a small nuasher attended. • The Commission having been read, the Under Sheriff proceeded to call over Ilie Jury. Lord John Fitzroy was the first to answer. His Lordship immediately stepped forjvard, and urged to the Co 111111 l %stutters the great inconvenience which might remit to him, in the discharge of his public duties, as a Member of Parliament, if' lie were called upon at a Juryman in this case. There were several Elections going on, and he might be bailotted to sit on ■n Election Com. slitter—Vito, it would be impossible for bins to perfOrin both duties. There were other calls upoo him, es Member of Parliament, erprally pressing. M r. 'Froward (Ilse Chiet Commissioner) said, that ac the premed Commission was held under his Majesty's express commands, lie did not apprehend the ground of exemption urged by the noble Lord emil.l be admitted. His Lordship, iu etioseittetiee, took his seat as Foreman of the Jury. Several other Members of Parliament urged similar topics as grounds of exemption, but they were got allow ed, mid they acre *MOM ou the July. The total uninher of the Jury (twenty-three) were then made up by ordinary special Jurymen who were in at tendance. The Jury having been sworn. the Chief Commissioner delivered a short charge, in whisk be stated, that the spiestrun fur them to deride was, whether Lord Ports• month was or was tint of sound mind, and capable of con deleting his own affairs? At twelve o'clock Mr. Wetherell. for the ►etitioner, proceeds to opt is the case to the Jury. Tire Court then adjourned. TUESDAY, WEE. 11. The Cununissioner* and the Jury amembled thls day at one o'clock: As woo as the Cumuusaioners had taken their beats, - - - Mr. Stei genet Phil desired to know at what stage of the proceedings Counsel meant to produce Lord Purtmnotu as a witne.s. It they could nut state the day, they would ht humanity not call I ' soddenly to meet the palters! trngele, but allow him the opportunity of paeparetion Ye en anxiously desired. Mr. Wetherall said, it would he impo.sible et present to conjecture at what time it would be thought necessary to examine the noble Lord. The first witness examined was John Edward Coombe, • medical gentleman. tie stated, that in 180 S he was ap pointed to reside with the Earl of Portsmouth, and to take rate of him. Want se remained in the family till 1112, and considered the Earl to be a man of estreme weak ottind—of unsound mind. Witness stated several hoteliers of the want of ordinary faculties in the Earl. Dr. limiter was twat minified. Re stated,. that epee • first aciptaintanee, the Earl might be supposed to be like ordinary awn bet a very short aciptaiutaure dis missed that opinion, and the Earl then adopted all the wanderings and peculiarities which were the attiibutes.of mental deficiency. Dr. Ludlow was the third witness. He mentioned that one of the peculiarities of the East was the idea that air address was in coureinplation to him from the gentry of the neighbourhood, and that he was to receive it upon. a. throne; but wind that address was for he could not gIIVA4 •t. The Conn adjourned at a (mane, before fame till one o'clock lu•WYi row. WEDNESDAY, FIB. 19. Mr. William Pitman examined by Mr. Tindal.—h a surgrou—has practised as such at Andover for ten 'mam— bos pi ofessionally attended the lanaiily of Lord Portsmouth for the whole of that time. Remembers the circumstance of Mr. Coombe coming to reside in his Lordship's hoto,e,. OA Ina falsity physicists. Miring Mr. Coombr's residence in his Lordship's family, his Lordship belinved very ill to witness, who accordingly applied to Mr. Coomhe—this gentlemen remonstrated with his Lordship. and possessing moth infnenee over him, anteceded in perusal,' og him to compliance with the advice of witness. Saw Lord Ports mouth, for Ilse last time, about ten weeks ago—his Lord . . . . ship behaved very politely, and invited hint to dinner— saw him again the next day, and perceived directly by his countenance that bin temper was soured; his Lordship then behaved very -ivilly—liad nut given any cause fur such treatment. Flom the length of lime viitasess has known his Lordship, and recalling hid conduct during the whole of that time, did not consider that lie had at any period of a long comae of years been of gonna mind. Sarah Adams, examined by Mr. Wetheiell,—llesides at Talton; has knewu Lord Portsmouth twenty years; met his Lordship one day in a by-road ; Amin-limes asked his Lordship how be was; lie gave her something, which she lies kept ever since; hair it about her now, (produced a lance., in a red pose* . re case); gave it her about thirteen years ego. 'hue first time witness saw his Lordship She was in company with Hannah Curtis ; he asked her to feel Ins pulse, which she did, and told Rim he was very poorly. Ha tilted her to bleed him—she said she could not; he remarked that he bad been bled by women iu Loudon— evilness 'cased to bleed I because it was on a Sundry morning; his Lordship produced a lancet at the lime he asked IN rto bleed Inn. S'siortly airy this his lOf Isbip we. t to Lon Mai; on Isis refute she net bins again; had tied her arm lip in a liandkesenirf because she ki e e lie would ask her in bleed him ; lull him she had the rheu matism; he said he was very sorry; made her pet her baud. in her pockets and walk before him. Air. Justice Best examined from the beech by the Cow 111411 JesigrAnt.—% iv. ielmed to ine tramitiey 14 ~,,, ). Ailer the death of the Di an of Exeter, became a trustee to the estate or Lord Portsmouth, before which time be l 4. often been applied to relative to Lord Portsmouth by 1 .ti I. Grairtlee. Mr. ow 1. ) ,4. as a gnu ,. ern-wily moidieal moo. to take care of him nought It tweep.may i..at suWr 4.. e 4114411.1 1• se Cult 41 ~,rd Purls• mouth; never creased to think so; thought his Lordship's u.tellect was ahnilirc 10 that of a boy of eight or uiue years THE NATIONAL ", • ',EGISTER of age. Lord P. could behave • properly, and observed the necessary forms iu company, but was incapable of conceiving any thiag great, or thinking in the manner of oittioary capacities; Lord P.'s memory was not at all tenacious. Witness was a trustee to the estate, but with drew, in conserpience of his disapprobation of some part of Mr. 1141110101 conduct. Time only instance be had ob served of common understanding in Lord P. was, when his Lill (14Itip asked him whether lie would again become trustee, if Mr. Hanson was removed from the trust.—Wit nest disapproved of the former marriage, but the late Lady Portsmouth was of years to conduct the stairs of the family. John Barristen examined by Mr. Brongliarn.—Hail been in the service of Lord Portsmouth 17 years, and had known his Lordship thirty years. George, a coachman broke his leg. Witness attended him while lying on the b •J. Lord P. came into the room, and told Gettige to get isp and go to work. George said he irould not; where upon Lord P. threw himself across George's legs., and witness heard the hone crack. George cried out. and witness told Lord P. that lie had broken the tog agaiu— he sat& he did not care for that. Witness then. (bagged him front the bed, and said he had ruined the imam, to winch his Lordship said, " 1 don't care fcr that." Wit ness gave George a broom-handle to defend himself with. On (me occasion lair► P. stool at the porch of the chinch, mid in a great passion told the witness that he was a .1-41 and shanld not cuter. The Rev. Charles fil`Cas thy examilud.—Had visited Lord Portsmouth op to the time of the late Lady Ports mew li's deaths' Witness said lie was of a very imbecile mind. On Move occasions, at finterals, whet, witness offi ciated, Lord Portsmostli appeared as mourner amongst rev y inferior persons. Appeared with a black cloak over his plain clothes. Gooducted himself with propriety on those occasions. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Pell.—His Lordship's conversation was like that of a boy. There was no manly • propriety about him. His memory was instinctive, and lie treasured nip malice or dislike to• particular persons.— He was attentive and apparently devout at church. He *mild come tip to witness after the service. and say, " Charles, we haeoliail • long sermon this morning, we must have shorter ester." Sergeant Prll.—Pes leap his Lordship was not wrong In his judgment in that pm ticillar. Witness.—Why men muss make long sermons u well a longspresdes sonsetimes.—(L 4 lighter.) Joint Head esti 000000 tds—flad been servant in his Lord— ship's funnily ; was hired by the lute Lady Portsmouth in 180, or 1806; she told him to obey Lord I'. or not, as he pleased-; often refined to obey him. Lord I'. would pre us-jive-to- the gerunds doses of j.illop, and pepper,, and mustard, and hold them till they took the physic. Wit ness heard him say that lie lost hits best ftiend , when he lost his late eriontess,and that his present Couutesstreated him like a dog. Adjourned at five o'clock. THURSDAY, Pia. IS. The evidenre was totally miimportant Mils day, con sisting. only of the testimony of carters, haymakers, &c. s to the conduct of his Lordship in their presence, which was sw ungly corroborative of the proof* given before of his insanity. FRIDAY, FEB. The proceedings were red 00000 ed• at Freemasons' Hall, at ten o'clock, this mooning. Thomas Powed Pk 4 000000 ed by Mt. Pepys.--%Vas bailiff to Lind Portsmouth from tat I to 1813 ; always passed his accounts with her late ladyship. She always telt obliges) to the servants fur leading and bn.neurtug Isis lordship. James Palmer, examined by Mr. Tyndal.—Was once pervert! with Mr. Hanson, sea.; was in Isis service at the time of Lord Poo immures marsiage with Miss Hanson; docolleeid Lord P. coming to Mr. H414011 ' 11 (Wake, three or four days preceding the marriage—he came sometimes to breakfast. at offsets to tea; was not aware of any pre parations-going forward fur the marriage, if there had been witness would have known of it; the first intimation witness had of the intended marriage was Mr. Hanson's carriage bring ordered to the door, on the morning of • Monday ' the Tilt of March ; Miss Eliza Hanson, the pre sent Lady Portsmouth, and Mr. Bieckworils were alldbe peewits that got into the cart iage ; Mr. Ch arles Hanson got un the fore wheal of the earthily, and said, in a low voice to the coachman. Drive to St. George's ants*, Bloomsbury," witness was behind the carriage; Lord P. had walked on before with Lord Byron ; Lord P. was iJ in w ileab great coat, black coat and waistcoat, light small clothes, anil Hessian bouts ; the carriage stop ped at St. George's Clinrcli--it was in the morning ; the parties rot out of Use carriage and went into the church ; Mr. C. H4llllOll told the coachman to watt, but not oppo• site the clinrch. Lord P. the present lady, and Miss E. Hasson afterwards returned to Mr. Hantou'm. Banjanwu G , .(111C examined,—Lived as coachman- to Lord Portsmouth from Aptil 1811 tu October 1815; was directed not to attend to the orders of his lordship ; went with the faintly to Worthing in the year 1814; one day was out with the cal slags and four horses; Lord P. was on the box—Lady Poi amouth and Miss liaison were le. side ; Lord Portsmouth was very anxious to drive, but in • consequence of order. received from Lady Postsnrouth, would not give up the reins; Lady Pura 4011111 ordered his lordship to get off the box, he refused, Int afterwards did so, and got in; as he was getting out, Lady Ports month pushed him off the steps, he fell and was covered with mud; Lord P. said he would uring an action against witness owl Lady Portsmouth; went to liontliend in 1818, and Mr. Alder was there—one day Lady P. Min Hanson, and Mr. Alder, wen) across the river—they we et absent torte or tour days; has seen Mr. Newton &leo s on stoke Lord P•'•tsptonth with a stick or whip, at t • ntiourts Pink; His lordship frequently complained of the ill treatment lie recetrttl from the Hanson family; when on lb , . box, and his lordship was driving, he w old fre quently run against the carriages, and when he had cre a .•a cuufnsiun, he would say to witness—" the e done m up, drove 'em about, that's eapitlat Richard Jones examined by Mr. Broncham —Was • gardener in Lord K's service from 1816 to 1o19; the • o aaaaa ess desired them not to mind his lordsh p, but to wk to hint for orders ; has hot rowed money in •• Poem' ; his lordship has dined with witness and his a f in the 11:tcheu ; his lordship afterwards ordered that he a mild nut have meat. Mr. Alder slept at Fairlawn every sight, in a ro.os called " the ftow.ioor o ," be wren which and that ut Lady P. there was may a dressiopr .ont able opened h.... each. At ilia time reisty Portsmouth toed to go to London every diy, Mr. Alder was not at Fairlawn, this was in 1818; witness left the service in 1819, in coit• • sequence of the ill treatment to which Lord P. was sub. , jetted; gave Lady P. warning. fly the Jury.—Lord P. paid wine**s what he borrowed• of him ; once paid him ts. six weeks after he had bor. rowed it; once pis; down in his seetuisit money lent to Lord P. t her ladyship paid it to him. but ordered lane riot to lead his lordship any. snore money; Lord P. and Mr. Alder did not associate ; Mr. Alder and her ladyship were friendly enough. Thos. Illoinlieid, examined by Mr. Tyartal—Lives neat door to Lord P. at Fair lawn Grove; (*.mid hear any thing that passed at Lord P.'s, if tolerably loud t has heard, cries of murder, and violent screams, and cries whirls appeared to come from Lord P.'s frequently ; has sees. Lord and Lady P. together on the common before the.: house; one Sunday was in front of the house with. him. wife, when they saw Lady P. and a gentleman, whom be. understood to be Mr. Alder, crossing the COlllOlOll j Lurd P. follbwed them. Mr. Alder turned bask and eursised, Lord Port.mouth, who ran within the euclosure in front of his lordship's house. Joseph Mug, examined by Mr. Powell.—Went into the service of Lord P. AS under-garderier.and carter. its April, 1818, and left the service of his own accord in 1817; there are two tights. of steps to the house, one at the front and another at the back; once saw Lady P., is gentleman, and Lord P. standing tugrtlu'r Mine hail, and Lady P. stein k his Lordship violently in the lane; Lord . P. cried out ; the gentleman . then took a whip out of Lady P.'s hands, wish which.he whipped his Lordship se. vele) , ; hi cried oat severely,, and ran towards thus ern. termer I the gentlensaa followed him, end pushed bins down the stegs. The Court thenedjourned. FROM ran- NIGHT'S GAZETTE. • X .1 At the Courtin Beighton, the 13th of February, lagi His, Majesty. hewing been graciously pleased to deliver the custody atlas. Seals of the Duchy and County. Palatine of Lan • caster to the Right Hon._ N. Vanuttart, the oath of Chancellor of the Duchy of,Leaeamer was this day, by his Majesty's command. administered to him accordingly. WHITEHALL, FED. 15. The King has been pleased to direct letters patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Amain' Land Ireland...granting the dignity of a Bayou of the said United Kingdom to the night lion. Nicholas V.ansittart, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by Inc name, stile, and title of Baroa Bexley, of Bexley, in the county of Kent. CROWN OFFICE, PE& 15. MEMBERS returned to serve in this present PARLIAMENT: Borough of Hat wich .—The Right lion. George Canning, his Majesty Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the wont of the Right Hon. N. Vausittart,.who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds...—John Charles Herries, Eeq. Secretor/ us the Treasury, in the room of the Right Hon. Charles Bathurst, wbo has accepted tla Chiltern Hundreds. Borough of Windsor.—Edward Cromwell-Disbrowe, Esq. of. Walton Hall, in the county of Derby, in the room of Major— General Sir .Herbert Taylor, who has accepted the office of Ste ward of the Manor of East Hendred.. Borough.of Ripon.—The Ilon. Fred. John Robinson. h of St. Germaies.— rhe Right Hon..C. Arbuthnot. Borough Peterborough. James Scarlett, Esq. BANKRUPTS. B. Needham, Fore Strati, Cripplegate. warehouseman. Soli.. eitors, Messrs. Knight and Co. ilashighall Street. E. Boy* Leicester Square, punter. Sol. Mr. Brooking. Lombard Street. J. Jarmain, Cumberland Street, New Road,,upbolsterer. Sole. Mews. Knight and Co. Basinghall Street. W. Bwkers. Great Tau:Wield Street, linen draper. Sols. MCRITI. Bell and Co. Bow Churchyard. J. Sterensortann J. Carlson, Abingdon. Berks, bankers. So'. Mt: Fisher, FumivaPa lan. C. Vere, Cloth Fair, draper. Sol. Mt. Brown, Mincing Lase. 6. Mercer, Basinghail Street,, woollen draper: Sol. Mr. Towers. Falcon Square , . T. James. Chepstow. groan Sole. Messrs. Bourdilbe and Co. Bread Street. C. Rummel). }Witham. Kent, wine dealer. Sol. Mt. Rippon, Great Surrey Street. W.Johnson, Camberwell, butcher. Sol. Mr. Castle, Myd dleton Street, ClerkenwelL R. Hamilton, Liverpool, merchant. Sods. Messrs. Taylor and Co. Temple. . J. Adams, Stamford, liquor merchant. Soli. Messrs. Handley and Co. Gray's Inn Square. S. !fallen. Banat, Staffordshire, iron merchant. Sub. Messrs. • Hun! and Co. Temple. J. Boulton. Itowarth, Derbyshire, publican. SoL Mr. Ma.. kinson. Temple. W. Symes.Crewkerne, Somerset, linen draper. Solo. Messrs. Jenkins and Co. New Inn. J. Backhou,e, jun. termite Selwood. Somerset. dyer. Sol. Mr. Ellis, Holborn Court, Gray's Inn. J. French, junior, leyford. Somerset, clothier. Sol. Mr: Ellis, Holborn Court, Gray's Inn. J. S. Jones, Frame Selwood, Somerset, linen diaper. Sol. Mr. Ellis, Holborn Court • IL P. Evans, Bernard Street, R ussell Square, merchant. Soh. Messrs. Knight and Co. Basinghall Street. R. Osborn, Gazveawne. Norfolk, shopkeeper. SoL Mr. King, Sergeant's. Inn. DIVIDENDS. Feb. 24, .L. Burgle. Mark Lane, carpenter—March S. N. Ketches, Brad well, Essex. shopkeeper-13, J. Ripley, Wapping High Street, mathematical instrument makes—ii, E. Jarvis, Norwich, carpenter—to, B. 11. Wilson and J. Westmorland. Liverpool. spirit merchants—a. G. Lockwood. Huddersfield. woollen draper—ll, W. Ilandford.Tavistock, Devonshire, linen draper—s. T. J. Lancaster, Cateaum Street, merchant--a, A. DI, die, York Street. Covent Garden. wine merchant-13, 11. I , ,yrolds, Cheltenham, saddler—te, J. lalawksley, Binning mercha. t —ll, J. and J. H. Humphreys. and W. Brooks. P ddington, corn dealers-14 A. W. Jones, New Brantford. torn lIICIC mtnt-15, T. e ion 14, Kingston, Surrey. malt,ter -11, Al. Tate, Chalford, G our s e:thire, clothier-11, W. Keen, Aldersgate Street, cork man. f cturer. CERTIFICATES obe granted March S. P. 11. Lea. Kent Rood. gr , ere Dale, M. as 'ever, e k uaemsn—.J. Willa. Ma . ehatter. iron deit'er—W. Rase, Pals ow, membesS.-11. G. Spedding. Rickman w TM. He: ts, cal in ,chant—J. cosine, Camberwed, baker—J. 0 and, Bris tol, potter. In consequence of the present state of tl e Con. tinent, and the prospect of hostilities, a rise is ea r c•.ed in the price of sugar, and all the anti , les o. war. _ _'•` c 1