The National Register. — London, England, 1820-04-02 00:00:00

lIOIIIE CIRCUIT. SURREY LENT LENT ASSIZES.—Manett 27. CIVIL SIDE.—SPECIAL JURIES. SEDITIOUS AND BLASPHEMOUS LIBELS. THE KING V. PHILIP' EIIANCIB. This was an indictment against the defendant, for publishing No. 3, of Carlde's " Republican," containing an alledged sedi- tious and blasphemous libel, in the form of a letter, addressed to the inhabitants of Alanchester, relating to the proceedings which took place in that town on the 16th of August last. The prosecution %as conducted by Mr. Serjesint Onslow, Mr. Marryatt, Mr. Gurney, Mr. Nolan, and Mr. Bolland. This was one of the class of cases, of which a great many were tried at the Middhsex sittings after last Term against dif ferent News venders. It appeared that the defendant, who is an infirm elderly man, combines with the business of a shoemaker, at No. 13, Bermondsey•street, that of a dealer in political and other pamphlets. The libelous pamphlet in question was pub. lished on the loth of September last, and sold to a person named George Oddy, who deposed to that fact. The defendant addressed the Jury to the following effect : " I sin a poor ailing man, and if I have been guilty of a crime in selling this pamphlet, I do declare most solemnly that I did not sell it with any wicked intention. The moment I under stood that I was acting inipmpeily, I desisted, and I certainly did not sell the book with any malicious or wicked intention. If you believe this, you will acquit me. If I have broken the law, at was without knowing it ; because I was not imam of the ten dency of the publication, and certainly hail no disposition to violate the law." 'Hie defendant said he had no witnesses to call. The Chief Baron charged the Jury, that the defendant's in tention was distinctly proved by the libel itself. His Lordship as well as the Jury acted under the solemn sanction of an oath, and eying his hand upon his heart, Isis Lordship said, " Upon my oath, I never saw a more atrocious libel than this is." The jury immediately found the defendant Guilty, but recom mended him to mercy, on account of his poverty, and his igno• ance of the nature of the libel. The Chief Baron.—Gentlemen, are you aware how prejudicial such a recommendation may be? It such a publication as this finds its way, it will be productive of the most mischievous con sequences. Recollect yourselves before you give such a recont mendation. 1 certainly shall carry your recommendation into effect as far as I can, but pray recollect before you give it. The Jury turned round again in the box, and after five mi nutes further consideration, the foreman, Benjamin Barnard, Esq. said (as we understootl)—" My Lord, the Jurymen arc not inclined to alter their opinion." The Chief Baron (with some warmth)—Then you will send all these publications to the most ignorant classes of socitty. The Jury was composed of half special and half talesmen. THE KING V, JOHN CAHUAC. This was an information filial by the Attorney , General against the defendant, a pamphlet seller, residing at N. 53, Blackman. street, in the Borough, for publishing, on the 3d of ....eptember last. a seditious libel contained in No. 2of the " Republican," in the form of a letter addressed to his Majesty, when Prince Regent, concerning the transactions at Manchester, on the 16th of August, reflecting upon. his Majesty, and on the constitution of the country as by law established. Mr. Sergeant Onslow. in stating the case, adverted to the ex cuse. which had been pleaded by the defendant in the last case, for publishing the libel, namely his poverty. and said it was just as good an excuse as that of Romeo's apothecary, for selling poison—that his poverty. and not his will, consented. The ],earned Sergeant, speaking of the meeting at Manchester, said. that no man, however sttong his political feelings had ever yet been so hardy as to contend that that was a legal meeting. George Oddy proved that he had purchased the pamphlet in question at the defendant's shop on the 3d of September last.— Cross examined. The defendant is a bookseller in the 6eneral way in Blackman-street, in the Borough. The libel being read by the officer of the Court, the case on the putt of the Crown was closed. The defendant then read a written defence to the Jury. in which lie urged his innocence of any intention to publish the libel as charged in the declaration. He had merely sold die pamphlet in question in the general way of his business as a bookseller, without ever having read it. Professing himself hostile to the pi inciples contained in the alleged libel, lie threw himself on the consideration of the Jury. The Chief Baron charged the Jury, that the libel was a most atrocious one, and wider his lordship's direction they found the defendant Guilty. CROWN-SIDE. DANK OF ENGLAND PROSECUTIONS. The 25 unhappy beings, who stand charged with uttering forged Bank of England notes, having been arraigned, 16 of them chose to plead Guilty to the minor offince, of knowingly haviag in possession, and were severally seutenceil to 14 years transpor tation. The remainder elected to take their trials fur the capital offence. William Worsfold was indicted for feloniously uttering a forged 1/. Bank of England note, to Tllolllas Cabbage, at Epsom, on the 29th of August last. Beside the uttcnng, fur which the prisoner was indicted, it was proved, t..at on Saturday, the 26th of August, he had been dis. ributing h s spurious paper to several unwary shopkeepers at Hampton Wick. On the 29th lie was so imprudent as to attract observation, by pulling out in the street a parcel of forged notes, which being observed, inquiries were made, and a pursuit was commenced. Ile was accompanied by his wife, who eseapeth— One of the pursuers, a shoe maker, gave evidence that lie took the prisoner a short distance from Epsom, when the following slang took place between them. The prisoner a-keel what was the matter? Witness answered it was fur putting off Gandy screens (forged bank notes); upon which the prisoner said, " I'll come a good (give you something handsome). it ycu let sue bolt." Witness refusing. the prisoner asked, whether the anoliither had pigged back into the monkery," (whether his wife had . gone back into the town.) —Witness replied" she is ,basil" (she is sub., or got clear off.) Prisoner said with glee " That's iron—there's the dollop."—(That's right, she has the whole bun dle.) During this dialogue die prisoner contrived to drop a bag containing it 13s. 6d. in silver, the produce of his industry.— lle had besides a genuine 51. Bank of England note. In his defence he called two witnesses, one of *horn a dog dealer by trade, swine that he had purchased from him about the end of August, two pointers, for which lie had paid hint 41. in 11. notes; and die other, that he hail given him four 11. notes, but neithet could identify either of the tour notes which were produced. A third witness swore that the prisoner was with him at Shere, rear Guildford, 20 miles from Hampton Wick, from seven o'clock during die whole night of the 2sth of August, the time ..t which it had been so clearly proved that he was at the latter place in the exercise of his unlawful industry. The Jury under the Learned Judge's directions found the pri• saner Guilty—Death. Samuel Gatward was next found Guilty, upon the clearest evidence, of uttering a forged 11. note iu Southwark, on the 12th of Feb. to one Sarah Matthews.—Death. Thomas Hubbard, upon being brought to the bar, retracted his plea of nut guilty to tare capital charge, and was allowed to plead Guilty to the 11l i l ior charge, and was sentenced to 14 years transportation. James Pennington was tried and acquitted on a capital charge of uttering, it appearing that the witnesses were mistaken as to his identity, there bong another man in the gaol so like biui as - THE NATIONAL REGISTER. to render it difficult to distinguish the one from the other. The prisoner wes proved to be a man of irreproachable character. The Bank Solicitor immediately paid the poor fellow 51. to answer his present exigencies. George Gilbert was also tried and acquitted, upcn the clearest evidence of his innocence. ThomakCastles was also acquitted under the like circumstances, both he and the last-mentioned prisoner being men of excellent characters. John Wilson was capitally convicted upon the most satisfactory evidence.—Death. William Wyatt, a waterman, was tried and acquitted also upon the most satisfactory evidence of his innocence. The Bank prosecutions hiaed the whole day. AGRICUI,TURAL REPORT FOR MARC!!. Bean planting, being interrupted by the frost, has been backward this season, and much remained to be done, as late as the second week of the presAit mouth, in the forwardest districts. Sowing the Lent corn has commenced in the north, and has been in operation front the early part of the inooth, in the south with considerable success and expedition. from the good and fertile state of the lands; the soil, limn the effects of the frost, requiring but moderate lalwur aid turning up in garden moulds. The latter sown vs heats appear weak and some thinly planted; their improvement will de pend on the general mimic of the spring. The early wheats are stout and healthy, but all have been aff.:eted in a degree by the sharp north-east winds, which have retarded vegetation, particularly of the grass, the mea dows being quite bare and atlording no food for sheep. The clovers of all green crops intended for spring food have suffered severely. Swedes, the only remaining roots, are said to be half rotten, and the feeders of stock are 'educed to the necessity of allowing hay and corn. The invariable consequence of this is, cattle and sheep front all quarters sent to market half tat. Fortunately, the great quantity of fodder helps to spare hay. Cattle and horses seem to have the quickest sale in the north, awl in the Midland counties ; and in the south, they are reported cheaper and not very ready of sale. The season has not been very favourable for lambing ; many lambs, and even ewes lost from want of due nourish ment; the ewes in general are not overflowing with milk. In most parts of Scotland, the beaux are said 11l have been excellently well got in, from the hue state of the heavy lands. Fat hug s in great demand and pigs dear. ‘Vool a dull trade. ' .. NVhat with threshing for fodder and necessary supplies of money, the farmers stock of wheat reported to be greatly reduced. Markets have of late experienced several sudden variations, but there seems little ground for the speculation that the ports will be opened in Atigost. THE WOOLWICH MURDERS. Apprehension of Me Vippovit Murderer of the late Mr. Parker and his huuseeper al Woolwich. Poi ~mouth, March 24. Last itiAlit information arts given to E. Carter Esq., one of the Nlagistrate. of this town, that a suspicious cha racter was rssiding at the Red Lion, rather an isolated tavern of this too 11. it appears that he has been lukei.i i about this place nearly the a hole of the a inter, and bud been to France, from whence he returned a few days before the minder. lie often exhibited a number of curious old trinkets; and from these circumstances Mr. Carter ordered Mr. Ihnit. the gaoler, and the tariikey, Hill, to go to the tavern, last night at eleven o'clock. 1 hey found 11110 se d in a little 'parlour near the bar, and immediately Mr. Haut, (whose person he knew) opened the door, he harried his hand into his waistcoat pocket, aud drew a pistol, w inch was loaded to the muzzle. Bunt sprang at him, and in grasping the pistol, tore his thumb against the flint, by w hit h means it dropped out; the thumb is severely cut. In this momentary struggle Hunt fell on his lances, and the fella% got from him. Hill, the turnkey, then rushed on him. but not before lie had time to draw another pistol also loaded to the inuazle, w bah he pushed close to breast, and pulled the trigger; fortunately it snapped, and before he had time to re-cock, the landlind, Heath, came in, wad seized hint behind, the ft Bow all this time ;oaring out that he was murdered. Mr. Hunt had uow recoseacJ himself, and after giving him two Ur three blues a ith lira stall*, succeeded in placing on she harldelll6,uod led him to guol. Mc is a good lookiiig man; raid he had on three a aisteinits and tour coats, and-wore spectacles. fur which he seems to have no need, but supposed, a ith the additiocal clothes, to be for purpose of disguise. Heals.) wore a Imaging fur cap, with u gold bawl. He gave out that lie aas a relatiou of a highly respectable officer of the garrison, hat alio would not allow Ilk visits. This is notoriously false, and lw amiss nut In bo a i Autism of the man servant of tile gentlemaii mentioned. Ile has a a lie and six children, Its leg a alms a few 110,45 of the Lite Mr. Parker's house. lle Ivoi a l ie., French travelling trunk. a jib a small new Hand trunk it thin, containing a number of old fashi 41 gold and peal I triii ketts, late., breast plus, a golJ watch-seal, vkb the anti:lli-. T. P. eugraied 011 child's silver ',minted coral, atilt the engrus mg., tiled out by a sinal I lit. , w Melt aus also found, tan old-fashanwil watches, oat of them a gold cue, 111:11..lreN name" Vick, Loadi•ii ; a pair of old-fa-Maned tea-tongs; asilver sauce latile, mat ked a ith two swuads across, two table Splanta Marked T. NI. I'. some table spoons without a smirk, a singular sii oast', orange ground, trausverie d w inh dark blue, supposed its belong to 60111 e We iety ; he Iwd iti flank of England niers, mostly dated Ist and 2il Nlareli ; one of tvein was much burnt, auJ marked on the back Air. Bohn and Mrs. Bedtio d, Fele '2O, 21, most of 111e10 Mal ked Mr-. Nesbitt. In his hunk was a p air of maskers tnuaser,. not morn since (my - acre washed. but 011 one side 111 the waistband, a considerable huh. is burnt, and appal eat ly not Mug done, certainly since they aril. washed in his pocky were tumid two direct ME. 800111, BanelaJi Road, -s Batik, Na. 6, London. A girl of the tuna with wl lie cohabited, Was taken up thus niornin;,: a hip states that he a wild not sleep by - himself, nail being very restless when a ith hi r, she asked • me :tsun, Wllell enjoining hr s to sees cry, lie stud lie had committed molter, ih,a he hiri kill d tau nail. and one ammo'. He was about to leave this town for Frillier. Fr;day morning, at an early lintir, some thieves entered the bleaching ground of Mr. Edwards, ca lico printer, in Westham, and robbed it of several pieces of printed calico, and check muslin to a considerable amount, all of which they carried off unperceived. ~~ 111 EXECUTIONS AT THE OLD BAILEY. On N‘ etinesday morning,.aboot 3 o'clocl, a tire ',alike out in the wine vaults of Mr. Hos. i, tin& r neath the South Sea Chambers, in Threadneedle Street, which, at the first onset. threatened very dreadful consequences; but th.:. engines having. arrived in a very short time thnn M,•ssrs. Gye mitt Battle's, in Graceehurch Street, it was in a very ►hurt time got under, yet not before it had coinmonicateti to the Chambers above, occupied by Mr. Waster. • _ - • ...MEM Thursday having been the day appointed for the execution of Ld. Vos , , Dennis Keaton, IYm. Connor, Witham Frith, Peter Rainer, and Thomas ICams,:rove, convicted in Dc cember and January sessions, an immense ennemnse of per. soas, amongst al were many welltdiessed females, usuanhled in the Old Bailey to witness the awful scene.— The Iwo Litter were rcspited during his :11ajesTs pleasure. When the respite was coinamnicated to them, the whole of the unromantic men arts togeth.a. Rainer Mt on his knees, and could sea . eels sustain himself, and Braiitsgrove appeared equally sensqhle of the mercy which was extended to it aOs him. They vontimwd vv ith the other malefactors, and joined ill singing and prayer daring the night, and until the time arrived for the execution of the othei s. VOSA, who was only IS years of age, aod Keaton, who had not attained his seveateeoth year, and who was of diminutive stature and - boyish look, were found guilty of uttering various forged notes ; and although there were no less than 17 Milk t. meats against them, the a hole of the offences were elfectrd in much the same %ay. They had a horse and chaise, and took nits them a female companion. Voss wore a naval nuiform, end the lady was supposed to be his wife. Keaton !elm- seated hint-elf as the servant, and, on alighting at • country 11111 or tavern, his first inquiry vras," if his master and mistress could be ace° 11111 l odated with dinner?'' The affirmative being given in reply, all elegant flamer teas pro vided, a few bottles of wine comomed, and all expenses discharged by the payment of wel!.exectsted forged W. Connor was convicted of stealing a great many articles of plate, in the house of J. Jones, Esq., of Norwood, is it It a ham he lived servant. Ile packed the articles up, and had them conveyed to a temporary residence, in the neighbour hood of Manchester Sq ua re; and, as an ex eme for stealing them, he said he bad been directed by one at time members of the family. Wm. Fl ita was found guilty the same session, of a burg. lary iu the I eof Francis Gregg, of I)na - gate-16J. and stealing therein hank-notes and art ieles of plate, amounting, in the a hole to upwards of 7001., the property of Mr. Gregg and tne Skinners' C pacuc. Ile had lived confiden tial sevvant a ith Mr. Gregg for six or seven yea's. The unhappy malefactors were attended early in the morning by the Rev. Dr. Cotton,. the Rev. Mr.. Devereux, and Mr. Baker; their minds ;typified perfectly resigned. The boy Keaton wept much. lie has, it apeared, been a . thief shire he aas tall enough to put his hand in a packet; and he has admitted that in a crowd, in .sae day. he stole four watches, and a pocket-1 k comainiag a 1001. note, which he afterwards sold for Wt A few minutes after eight o'clock, the awful pieparatiuns • being completed, the fatal signal was given, and they died without much bodily suffi:ring. LONGEVITY.—An instance of it occurs man old Highlander, of the Royal Artillery, now in the cita del of Plymouth, he was born on the 14th of August, 1719, and who, if he lives to the mina period of August next, will consequently be one hundred and one years of age.. He is a penskmer in the garrison at Plymouth, at two shillings per day, and his rent free. He has a sickly, infirm wife, who has been painfully afflicted for thirty years past, to whom he is very attentive and kind. He was at the battle of Culloden in 1745, walks • perfectly upright mid strong, and has all his flieulties clear and good, excepting one eye, which he lost at the battle of Brandywine, in the first American war. He is much remarked fin. his attention and cleanliness, and regularly attends the Dissenting Meeting House at Plymouth on Sundays. Among other events of his life, he is proud of relating, that . he tired a gun on the days on which George the 2d, George the gd, and George the 4th were procl►timed Kings of England ; and particularly on this last occasion, when the Commanding Officer of the. garrison, out of respect to his age and long service, delighted him by desiring him to fire the first gun. The Duke of Wellington,. on his late visit to Ply mouth noticed him much, entered into conversation with him, asked several questions, and presented him with a H. note. He is, us may be supposed, an object of interesting curiosity to the inhabitants of Plymouth and its neighbourhood : and. on taking leave of his visitors, generally requests the favour of being permitted to kiss the hand of the Ladies, whit!' he does in the most handsome soldier-like manner. Mr Feulon, the editor of the periodical work, called Letires Normal:des ; and M. Leon Thiesse, the writer of an article in it, condemning the prac tice of performing an expiatory service on the 21st of January, the anniversary of the death of Louis XVI. as a murk of party triumph, reprobated by seven eights of the French people, were recently tried bethre the Paris Court of Assize, on an in dictment which charged the olLnic—lst, As an outrage against public morals ; As an mud. on the inviolability of the royal person; and 3dly, as an incitement to disobey the laws; the expiatory service having been established by a regular Act of the Legislature. The Jury, after being out two hours, returned a verdict, declaring them Guilty ra the third count only ; and each cf them was sen tenced to one month's imprisonment, and a line of '2OOO f.