The National Register. — London, England, 1818-09-06 00:00:00

ATTP. CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS. The irises cf West, who Rntrered on Monday last at Horse. altionger-lane, has excited considerable interest ; anti hopes were at one rinse entertained that his lite svoeld have been spared. This unforturate person was tr!..tl at the last As sires at Guildford for has nig littered four 11. Bank of Eng land notes, knowing then) to he ftsrged. It is enstomary for Cite Batik to select from their pt.:sailers cases for capital in dictment, anti to allow others to Arend guilty Co their minor charge, which is that of Itavieg in their posseslors forged notes. The punishment of she lesser offence is transposta tioa for 14 years. This-benetit was, however, denied toWest, altheugh there was reason to believe dial the peculiar car. consatemces of his case - would have entided him to the halal. geeze. lie was but in his 24th year ; his character, which was irreproachahle, has been attested gy several persons of respectability. Even admitting that lie knew of the notes being forged, it was evident he was unpractised in this - fatal traffic and he parted with them in his own neighbourhood, and to those who could at any time apprehend him. Ou passive them, he attempted no coneealmeut or deception; he gave his real mule and actual addicts. West was some years since in the service of a respectable emltster, at Deptford, who has given him an excellent elm !mates. It was at this period that he contracted an intimacy with a fellow-workman named Lansdown, wise, quitted his cmploy - ment, and went to sea. This person shortly returned; end, being in distress, applied to West, who generonsly re lieved him. About two years ago, West left Deptford, and entered into the employment of Mr. Barker, a maltster, re siding at Breutford, with whom he confirmed until May last, when the malting-season being over, he was discharged. Mr. Barker fully intended to employ Lim again. He as - •s that West always proved himself' a steady and trustwotaly servant ; and that he is certain the man is quite innecent of any transactions relative to forged notes, while eimaaerl in, and on quitting, his service. Mr. Barker has also stated, that West was a young man of a very weak mind, and of a disposition liable to be led astray ; and he has expressed his full costs iction, that this untertunate individual has been the instrument of the desicned villainy, hill that (if guilty) the present was his first tdretlee. It also appears, the) the poor fellow had buoyed himself up, tinder the Espial:kens:on that he thocld have beets allowed to plead guilty to the minor of fence ; on which account, he was not prepared epee hit trial to bring forward witnesses in his favour, who otherwise would have been called. The reader is levitated to recol lect, that it was in the mouth of May lest that West quitted Mr. Barker's service. In Jane, he accidentally met Lans. down at Barney. Lansdown apeeared to have several Bank rotes in his possession. He requezted Violas procure him some silver, as he was going to Ireland, ann delivered two 11. notes for this purpose. West obtained the change, after which he went to the Coach arid theses public-house at Barites, mid-spent some time there 'edit several of his fellow workmen. At this time a Wanmn, whom West had seen in the company of Lansdown, enlisted the public-house, and in timating to West the dancer of Isis situation, advised him to quit the place instantly : he did so, but had scarcely left it, when a constable foliar/eta and apprehended him. On his exeminatioa before the Magistrate, West admitted that he bad passed the notes in questime but denied any knowledge of their being forged; they were, in fact, the notes which he bad received frum Lansdown. During his examination, a person baiting to the neighbourhood produced a packet of other forged notes, which be stated to have found under the gateway of the public-house where West had been appre• Leaded. West declare.) that he knew nothing whatever of the utees. I t is supposed that they had been dropped by the woman, wise was evidently the colteague of Lansdown. This eircumstance operated greatly against West, anti was praise 1-ly the reason of his not being able to plead guilty to the minor count. _ _ In reviewing the circumstances which have led to the con viction of West, it is far from being nor wish to reflect on the jeers,' who tiled him, or on the Judge who pronounced the ..ivrthi sentence of the law. It i* a fart beyond all doubt, fleet West did not pass the notes in quest' ; but it is clear those who have invest:gated the case, that he Viai the dope co ethers who were exteiesively eng,:aeol in this practice, and who have on this occasion eluded justice. As to the guilt or innocence of this yonug man, little need now be said. His ate K derided; lie is sent to the tribunal. uf his Maier; anti se trust that he has found the judgment-seat of the "-lost inch covered with mercy. We are not ItU au e of th rule which regidatesthe Berl in se_ letting cases toe capital indiefineut ; nod we confess that we have yet to learn mum what principles of the Eritirls consti— titioa the Bunk of England assumes, at its dhicietion, the power of dispensing mercy. Any selection thus made cannot CM to inspire offenders at large unit the hope of impunity, art.) to eaciti among the sciferers strung feeliaigs of anxiety and indignation. In the evidence contained in the Police Report, recently published, the Rev. Mr. otton, the ordinary of Neagate, observes,--ss In cases of Cirgery l find a good " deal cf anger its the people against the pouishment which • is annexed by law ; and in cases of forged Bank notes they " ate always discontented with the selection which they con '• ceive the Bank has Mink of them as individnals. 'flu: man ". :tow about to be execnteil told me that it vas complete mew " der; and is hen I fea.Y.ined wit Ii hint, saying, that others had " suffered far ii, Levi in a late instance, mentioning the case • of Ward, for whom so much intercession was made, he suiJ, that was murder Mr. Baker, a gentleman who from motives of benevolence has, donna the last three years, vi ••::•••11 the cosielea:lied ceas lets Newgate, says, in his es antiirotiuu tire the savor commune , "'There is a material " difference e„ . feeling existing iensoug the prisoners with le " eked to fo: - .:iag :Sank-notes, and of tering them. Those who " wee forged notes tnink, themselves off -nders in a lesser de " gree; and. in :;1-neral, I find that they me chat inlets who " nave been diassit into the commission of clime by the craft '' and su4tilly of 01 heir, principally youth." He ad a," One of " the yotuu; such tinder orders for execution told me that the ' " person who NAM'. d him was in tile habit of passingat least " 40C nines in a ati k, and that of his certain knou ledge ; that be was the person who supplied Filmy y, Spicer, and " telly, with notes to a considerable amount, and that this " was known to afr. West% ood, the Batik solicitor; and " nutwilht lamdiug east, lie a as sittrer ed to F 0 ad to late minor " chute( •" It is sot illy of remelt., that a eonsidesatele nombei of those selected no o!.jects of velegelecif appear to have been rprongrersons.voldie the instances ate comparatively rat e in which princip Js have sutkectl. uun:ber of pru.eetdiuus at she late Assires throitgliout Mt' eenitiy hn MI.-ring forged Batik or England unit-s hss been rely striking, and exc. ells, o e believe, all precedent. Ibe facilities with which this offence has been committed, riot the tens v lottotis which it utters, pat Ovular to the young and tisiaty, ate toe obvious to Svplate tenement. The public 'Mt NATIONAL RPOISTtit. may judge of the extent of the evil in the inciropoiis alone, when it is known that there are nt this time in Newgate only, senile/ode ptiveni on charges of this nature, awaiting their trial at the approaching sessions. Is there a reflecting mind that can contemplate the present condition, and poss:ble fate, of these unhappy persons, without feelings of paiultil suliri tnde ; without fearfully anticipa;iug the rectiri mice of those scenes, when fresh victims shall be sacrificed to the mis taken policy of man ; and seithout astonishment that, in a Christian country, human lire shookd he estimated en cheaply, and its destruction regarded with such disgraceful insensi bility. That the punishment of death hos coMplefely foiled in re., straining the crime of forgery was recently admitted from the Bench. The learned Judge who lately presided on the Crown aide at the assizes at Laue►ster, in adti:csslne :turn prisoners who hod been guilty of this crime, after staling that, on a former occasion. be had the some painful duty to perform on other prisoners cons tete(' of tie same offence, and who had since atoned, with their blood, fur the injury which they had dune to society, added, " but I do not perceive that this example has been attended with any advantage, or that it has produced any diminution in the number of offenders of this description, the etreaces committed by the present soners being all subsequent to the last assize.• A strong um' decitlitd feeling is now rapidly advancing throughout Cie kingdom, on the injustice, cruelty, and in e:liciency of continuing to visit the crime of forgery with the punishment of death. Of• many of the evils which affect society the remedies are uncertain. partial, and dist a nt.— Happily, this is not the rasa with the subject to which our attention is now directed. Remedial measures are within our reach, and awful will be the responsibility of the Legisla. tore if these measures are neglected. Experience has clearly de:nonstrated in other countries the beneficial effect of sub stituting a salutary system of prison discipline for the depri vation of human life. 'rue criminal may be altogether se cluded from society, if his crimes require it, and his life yet be spared ; and the testimony of those who are most compe tent to judge upon the subject incomestibly proves, that im prisonmeut for a lengthened term of years, combined with habitual hard labour, is dreaded infinitely more by every description of offender:, than either transportation or the punishment of death. A change has, in fact, become absolutely necessary, and must soon take place. The pehlio voice earnestly demands it. It is impossible to reconcile our feelings to law; which inflict with indiscrimivate vengeance the same penalties on crimes widely differing in magnitude. The in:fermate in dividual %Vest, whosa character until the present occasion stood unimpeaclied, shares the same prmishment will, the murderer Hussey ! In no other country le B:.trope, we believe, do such incongruous enactments exist and it is a severe reflection on her national superiority, that England should hesitate to follow the example of those states that have ve er& d her in the improvement of criminal jurisprudence.— A revisal of the penal code would be as beneficial to her interest: as it would co:mil:fete to her fame. The lases would no longer be at variance with the kind feelings of those who seek, and those who administer, justice ; but mitigated by the suggestions of, enliglvteued policy, and tempered by the benevolence of Christianprinciples; they would be cherished by every good subject with reiteration, attacluueut and sup port. Mr. Thomas Delion, of Shad Thames, war . on Taesday fined 20s. and cots before the Surrey Magistrates for suffer. hug his waggon to remain a longer time in the public road than was necessary for the loading or unloading of the same. A IVasilitv;toti paper, correcting an erroneous account via man's death , says. " We are happy to say Major John Ander son is wit dead, lie is only mart ad." A sirgle vine, growing agaii , st the front of the hotel at Tenbtry, in Worcestershire, has produced a crop of grapes this year, which arc calculated to he worth 01, at the present Tuesday, as Captain Stannet, of the ship Boston, lying at Chamberlisi's Wharf, was giving instructions to one of the clerks at Union Hall to make out a wan'alli against a person for a misdemeanour, Le had his pocket picked of a silk handkerchief. _ A letter is om Vete lets (situated in the Low Countries) con tains the following curious detail :—A rich I. , atchelor, social habits had rendered him very popular in that city, and who appeared to live in the enjoyment of all the blessings of life, waited on his notary, with whom he bad an interview of au hour, and on his return home destroyed himself with a pistd. The moat y declared, that he bad been dictating his testament in sine form, and had left four millions of livres to Napoleon anti his heirs. illegal fishing, fir the fnrtheranee of a cations purpose, has latelybeten discove red on the Thames. P.eguler fishermen and large bodies of poachers sweep the Thames, flight and day, of all the whte fish, for the sake of their scales merely ; these are suld to Jews, for manufacturing beads in imitation of ficails : roach scales are sold at 21s. per quart, dap* 255. ; whilst for bit ak, four guineas a roan is the present market price in Duke's l'lacc I The scales are tore off them as fast as they are caught, and tines, often dreadfully mangled, they are tossed Mick into the water to linger and die in torture. The Prince Ilet;eistig gaiteekeeper, T.Lenton, shot a wood cock in %tie m1'1114)15; a sew days ago, near Dakhampton. A male sea neticorn, alive, sebum 20 feet loug, has been 'brought fi um Greenland, and is now in Newcastle upon Tyne. The foilithe of the crop of potatoes in the southern parts of the kiugt:otei, will, it Beams, be happily compensated fur by the nocominostly alinnelont produce of that valuable vegetable iu Seoilauti. where those of the finest quality arc at this time sohius at a crown the hundred weight, ortreu panneis ten shillings the toet,which quantity is row worth, in Covent (lite. den market, .siscleen I,:nnals, but rill probably be reduced to about one spatter of that price, on the arrival of the e.t. g ot, preps) beg. to be shipped f the North tur ti e River Thu Sessions for blidtilesea commence at the Sessious Howse ' Clcikeetwell-gerete, u.-morrow. . 'rlieSeainforei paper says —" Immediately after A thnnder 'dorm in Jelly lasi. at Haddenhain, in the of Ely, sever -1 living creeping ereatnres were picked tip float off the high.. way by the peasants of the neighbour-metal, and with much ritual 11 nletit laid before the Rev. Mr. Priteleal et, the Dissent iteg sinister of tha t place, who instantly pa eituitsicestl thriss lo grown meant,, easels measuring six in Viler. in Irngtli, and 'in no wiser shines mg thorn those Which Itc had seen ter 1 , 103 pi and other distant eutiutrirs, the 114 five homed °ldiotic devout - :21: instic:s." At oettn o'clock on Monday morning, Jierk Martin, the Laker, eklbo. the remili,t,starteti from the Raul, iu Brit Shiro, UP raii to the Cla) ton Arm., Cli” ton Strvet, Ke:.4esengtote C, a distorter of eight milts and *hall, fur a ora..:rr of 19 to 20 guleeelb., to pertain* it In an hour • •whicla Le accomplialied be six initiate% witLl.l the iiiven ~~~ _ ~. COROA'ER's NOLTSTS. An inquest was Tuesday before Mr. Stirlin'. on the body of Michael Dillon, of Dtury Laue. The deceased had bought an ounce °fluid ofsugar, and rd: ounee of k:pannt selts Auturdas week, and on Sunday morning his si.iter, by mit-take, gave him tit.. poison instead of the medicine, he having put away the two powders together without any mark to dittingui:h one From the other. Mr. Accum, a chyrnistof Soho, st<44.:l, that he had, at the reincit of the jury, opened the body. and &cut the aprtertrunce after (assoc. tion, he was of opinion the death td the decease I-was caused by Lis ta:tir.g some corrosive sur.itaLce acid of arzaz would produce the drat. Mr. John Cooper, assistant to Mr. Lc Brun, -blindest, King -street, Covent---ardor., stated, the; or. Saturday night ace the eerfts-ni came to Mr. Le Brim's shop, and pur.t:nts.e.i an ounce of iteid of sugar, for which he paid Is. De was going to write the more of it on. *ben the (lc:eased said, " Neva seetned in a hurry. He wits about to leave, when he Asked fur an ounce of Epsom salts, and lett the shop imn: Corot' er.--t Athol obsener might mistake acid oF.;:!:;-tr fo: salts ? Mr. Cooper.—There is a dilf:•ente in apporrance and in task. Coroner.—Y, or.e is very sour, and the Wier extritweli Laws ROW. Mr. Ceoper.—One is larger in the cryst?ls than the other. Juryman.--I am of opinion . Mr. Cooper's condom was estree,l4:, culpable. Pray, Mr. Cooper.• if you had seen ttio tan voriees in a few hours afterwards, could you. I.y a supere.sis: oicw, hare toll Which contained the salts and which the acid of su , -i.• Mr. Cooper.—No, I ec• - .1 , 1 net. Juryman.—Then I hope this will.prrre a caution, net only toycsi but every other medical iti— Mr. Stirling. in summing up the evidence, marked the in.r n. priety of Mr. Cooper's conduct ; he said that he had acted with gi at tncaution, but no: with any rsiminality. Juryman.—Every medici.l n:an ought to have the von!" written on deleterious drug?. Coroner.—Yoor verdict then will be. " The tlecee.sed died fore) taking acid of sugar in mistake for salts:" if any gentleman is of a contrary opinion he Will say vo. Juryman.—l differ. I think the deceased's death was carriexl the culpable neglect of Mr. Cooper. and I wish that to be rumtiorrN: in the verdict as a caution to all medical men, and which may he the means of preventing the recurrence of such a lamentable ca-c. One of the jury thought such a verdict would prove injoviatts tr Mr. Cooper's reputation. The Coroner said, that it was truly an unfortnnate neeklent the:: was some negligence on the part of Mr. Cooper, but that lie Lad act ed wilfully uas totally out of the question. After a long conversation and a warm discussion, the f.dlowinz verdict was recorded:..." Died in consequence of havae! large quantity of' acid of sugar instead of a dose of salts; which it strongly resembles." An amendment afterwards was agreed, that the words ••• a large quantity" should be omitted, and the words " leaf an ;inure' shook! be iioerted. It took platy at the instance of the surgeon, that the medical world mi,. ht be acquainted with the eff ects o f. half an ounce of acid of s ugar , which had such a fatal effect in only 16 minutes. _ _ The dereased was 27 years of age, and was to have h, ,, en married in a few days to a young lady, who has• bmtever sinca in a ►tatc of distraction. An inquest was held at the king's !lead, James -street, Westmit. ster. on the body of F. W. Pretty, a watchman, who met hit dect't by falling from th• scaffolding of one of the towers of N.orthur.ibi.n. land House. Verdict.—Accidental D'ach. A bottle was last week picked up off tile !,izarel, containing a of paper with the follow - itp curious inscription Ship .I.nolmtuache, off' tape Clear, Feb. 15, "Caught a shark, and, by way of exix•Enacitt, which contains ti,is parr down its throat, and suflired to sa "J. !klAt.cotsr, Surgeon." A well dressed man blew cut his limit's on Saturday wetk in the park of N'er,ailles. In Lis pedcet r. hate war; found, with two lett: ts for his family. who reAde in Paris. The note was co nc l u d e d i n the following words:—.. game is Berthier, my axe is 44 yvarf. If I blow out my brains , it is not from want; it is ch agr i n t h at h as driven me to it. The ifinetiran Reach), of the 21th of July, gives the follow7r.; dreadful relation from The Ohio Afoul/or:—" tJq Saturday nierm: last C. Bead, of Madison township, PMkaway county, in a raid.: of insanity, sci cd a stool, and struck lti:: little son, about eight nr nine years old, on the head, it is daug:im:-. a young WORM% c.tught the boy in her anus. Ile repented the blows, Knocked the guild out of her arms, and fractured Ins skull, on which lie died on, the follow. hut Monday. Ile then struck his wife on the head with an iron wedge. She was, however, rescued by the daughter. The tinkr ttitiate man afteswards cut his own throat, and thus terminated existence " An alarming fire lately broke out in a cottage at Aston, Berk ddre. with two others and an adjoiniug barn, full of chats in eke 9trate, were entirely destroyed. Several ether dwelliejs, :hough very near, being to windward, were preserved ; but showers or, ignited strew fell on the out building (at more than 100 yards distaucm of ilne Rev. Mr. Bicheno, which u ; happily, however, the s id e o f The house pret..ntikg a high stone surface,J.iiough rf,...caletrty on fire, aild au engine trrhing at the critical motneut, this buildmg was pre. served. The troops of the kit regiment of Dragoon Guards have beta marched to Maccksfield, and other troops or the same regiment we al,o stationed at Leek and Corigkton, as me: suren of peeenutio:.. rendered necessary by the active means taken by hid minded 1. - rcn to sow di content in the mind, of the working part of sock!) in Co manufacturing di,tricts.—.lln:whoier ErF». r.. A whale, nic:.,tifing feet in 'moth, has 1n75.:11 lately itTantic In South fist.—invernesx Joll-rret. _ _ _ On Monday night, the dwelling house of Mr. of Quern's Row. Wt.iworth„ was broken open. Sevrtai articles of plate and a large ,ptlnnty of wearing apparel were carried oil by LiC robcen undetected. On Tuesday, the Royal 1111!oon coach, from Lmition to Wm etsterova. 0 rerturer , l imp• , site m s • 'Not - Ole:1cl', IA hen two g• (pas.cmter-) ucle VIM? , ie . ally hurt: mid on Vogul:day this coach again meta sini;lar accident withinltid yards of the S 3101: 5; , ,•, bat nu nsisarrsai injury was sustained by the passengeis, there being Ent one on the outside. The nal:unto rnyul Goad/ear dune V; stares, that the vet. low fever had broke out at the Ilavainsah, and tt43111:11:illS extesi.ive raragrs. The Moistens at the 0111 Bailey commence on Wednesday. next. The Calendar i 4 one of the Israel' st ewer 'membered ' tittle broom Nowa' di of .100 Pr'i'nters for trial. / dish Gazt fie says—. We ate sorry to learn, by th e Emits , hielt arrived iu the o:owns on Saturday I ra, ;hat great noprt•lsensions mere entei tabled et the Ca r e for die s4fety of the Vines) Indianian, wind: /Milt 4aJ then dans expected thither bier a lime time." %Ye are informed by a cimtspendent. th a t a friend of Li e . . p „, hi s timid on a wmp, lir( had settled :II Ilir dle of a parlour door. he ear rit need the roast 11.•Vaft rwtq till the servant put the 'Nue bog i:sto wards wnttrr . anti app al it to the t Awn!, which pa.r Itiw in•tnitt eiv e l. A eorrasynnritlit informs n+, that the et iahhoullmml of Willi-anion, in the eon III) .o*Sainerset, apples are sit ph F t: Tint, that cyder is selling for Ilk.. and It, per hog.ltead ;am' retail shops, apples are sulil at the rate of I; 14ra pcurv. ...m. .... !. 9 .ti ,