The National Register. — London, England, 1820-04-03 00:00:00

11, lOWAScript. LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 3. Three o'Clock, p. m. The Paris Papers of Thursday state, that the King is better. The spasms in his stomach were a!armingly severe, but they fortunately yielded to mustard-seed fomentations applied to his feet. His Majesty has much gout in his system, and his de bility must increase, being so afflicted, that he is not able to take sufficient air and exercise. Since his illness he has transacted business with his mi nisters, and received the visits of the Archbishop of Paris and Prince Talleyrand. While the people of Spain have thrown off their yoke, we are concern ed to find that in France the Bill for restraining the Freedom of the Press is passing through the Cham ber of Deputies. The second article, enacting '• that no journal or periodical work should be pub lished without the authority of the King," was, after a feeble opposition, adopted. The third ar ticle, importing " that the Royal authority should only be granted to those who proved that they had conformed to the conditions of the first clause of the law passed on the 9th of January, 1819," was then put to the vote, and also adopted. The fourth article was next brought under consideration of the Chamber, it is as follows.—" That before publica tion of each sheet, &c. the manuscript shall be submitted by the Proprietor or responsible Edi tor, to a previous censorship.' M. Savoye Rollin proposed, as an amendment to this article, that the reports of the sittings of the Chambers should be exempted from the censorship; but it was lost, on a scrutiny, by a majority of 127 to 119, after which the original article was adoped.—The next unpopular measure is that which relates to personal arrest, similar to the suspension of the Ha beas Corpus Act in this country. When we look to the glarious revolution in Spain, we find that the Peninsula has almost alone escaped the influence of the Holy Atheism. Those brave Spaniards who were a few days ago denounced by our ministerial prints, and some of the French journals, as Rebels, are now at the head of the Government, and, how ever mortifying it must be to those who have thus insulted them, they must now be 'treated with as though they were legitimates At Taragona, on the Bth ult. the Garrison declared for the Constitu • lion. The Governor, and the Lieut.-Colonel of the regiment, were arrested, and the Members of the Junta were installed amidst the acclamations of the people. Wednesday last the Spanish Ambassador at Paris took leave of the King, previous to his de parture for London, charged with a mission, it is said, from his Sovereign, Ferdinand, to the King of England. This day it a close Holiday at the Bank and Stock Exchanze, but a few lieivate sales have been effected at 63g for the Accoant. The Leeds Mercury says—" It has been commu nicated to us, that a number of strangers (emissaries, we believe, we may call them) are passing through the country, instigating the people in the manufac- . wiring districts to arm ; and we feel, it to be our duty to put the public, particularly the distressed maoufacturers, upon their guard against their dan gerous machinations." On Thursday evening a General Assembly of the Royal Academicians was held at their apartment:; in Somerset-house, when Sir Thomas Lawrence, Knt. was duly elected President of the Royal Academy, i 3 the room of the late Benjamin West, Esq. Saxton and IVilde arrived at Manchester on Wednesday, on th,:ir return from York. They were r.7ceived with lct,3 cheers by some than:el:els of the populace, whom Saxton harangued, until the appearance ache Boroughreeve awl bead constables iedutril him to de.ist Eireiian Popfirice.—Mr. D. W. Harvey, now M. P. fin: Colelie.,:er, ennvassc.l a Quaker on a Sunday, who reprehended him fitr working on that s:,cred day, and referred him to u pestage in lily writ, which says, " thou shalt do no manner of work. &c." Nlr Harvey replied, very true, friend, 1,7:: there is another puiemoe that seems to have escaped your ree.illeetior, which says, 1" make your calling Efation sure r THE NATIONAL REGISTER. COMMITTAL OF NESBET, Tin lOPPOS&D fiRPRTRAffuR Of IMM MURDERS •t WOOLWICII• At an early hour on Thu ,sdsy morning the inhabitants of Wuolwieh were on the alert, in the expectation that the supposed murderer wouldsoon arrive. Several persons went on the road to meet him, amid others 104 their station is those directions where they thought it most p:ultable they would have au opportunity of seeing him. Many fuse alarms were given, and much mortification was in conse quence experienced. At last, about eleven ecluck, Mr. Radom, the high constable, and the two at r. Jackson', carne down by the first Woolwich coach. The former immediately proceeded to the Castle-tavern, at which the bench of magistrates were expected to be assembled. These gentlemen had not yet come, and Mr. Midget went to Dr. Watson's honer, and reported that the prisoner would not arrive before six hi toe evening. The secrecy which was observed with respect to this communication had the elect of keeping a crowd assembled In front of the Castle-tavern the whole of the day, which, as the evening approached became still greater. The justice-room was crowded the whole morning. Posit: o'clock the Rev. Dr. Watson and Mr. Webb took their seats, and in a quarter of an boor afterwards loud shouts announced the approach of the prisoner. In • few minutes the chaise was driven up to the door with great dif ficulty, and a passage was made by the constables. The prisoner now seemed sinking under the weight of his feelings, and it became almost necessary to carry him up stain.—He was conducted into a back room to *turd him an opportu nity of collecting himself. He was scarcely able to hold up his head until relieved by a flood of tears. He said be could not bear the shouts of the people. At his own request the handcuffs were then taken from his v rises, and he was furnished with a glass of ruin and water. The wounds on his head received at Poi tsmouth were visible, and appeared to leave been carefully dressed. Me is a man about 38 years, of age. about fire feet eight inches ire height, dark complex. inn mid eyes, and his features, although irregular, not dis pleasing. He speaks with the Irish accent, being a native of Armagh. Ile said be had been fourteen years in the service. At a quarter before seven the magistrates directed that the prisoner should be brought befure them, this order, in corn sequence of the immense mass of spectators collected up stairs, was with difficulty obeyed, and the prisoner was led to the bar by Mr. Hunt and Mr. Hill. If's countenance was flushed, but be did not ventnre to look round. Dr. Watson.—Who is this man? Mr. Hunt —HOriame is James Nesbet ; and I bring him here under thteautherity of Mr. Carter, a magistrate of Portsmouth, spots suspicion of having been concerned its the crimes of murder, arson, and burglary in this county. Dr. Watsun—Who are you ? Mr. Hunt—l am gaoler of the prisms of the Borough of Portsmouth, and I am the bearer of a letter to Mr. Since, a magistrate of this town, explanatory of we circumstances under which I appear before 3tos. Dr. Watson—Mr. Stace Is not regent, bat we are 'mho• rigid in his absence to open any letter connected with his magisterial duties. Produce the letter. Mr. Haat handed In the letter, and it was read ',lsy Dr. Watson. It simply stated that the prisoner, James Nesbets baying bees apprehended la the Borough of Portsmouth, come suspictuo of murder amid arson committed iu the comity of Kent, he underwent several exuativatioas, sad several deposition+ were taken which cue firmed the saapicirms against him. Under these circumstances the magistrate before whom be had bee. brought (Mr. Carter) felt it kb duty to send him to the local authorities where the crime had been committed, to be dealt with as they might think it ; he bad also intrusted to his officers, Messes. Hunt and Hill, copies of the depusitioos which had been taken before him. Dr. Watson—Have you gut the depositions to which this letter meters ? Mr. Hunt—l have: they are here. The deposit' were banded to Mr. Moore, the clerk of the magistrates to read. Mr. Moore immediately read them. The particulars of which we have already give.. Dr. Watson.—Are there any other witnesses present to give oral testimony with respect to the charge against the prisoner. is addition to the depositions which have bees just read? It may be necessary here to state, that the magistrates WPIV &seedy in possession of a great volume of evidence taken lay them immediately after the discovery of the ttttt oder. This went to expisin all the circumstances con nected with the first discovery ot the tire in Mr. Parker's house—the subsequeut discovery of the half consumed bodies of Mr. Pettier and his housekeeper—the state of the premises, and a description of the property lost. These was also the testimony of some persons who had seen Nesbit in Woolwich just before the murder—it was suspected on the day on which be arrived at Portsmouth. These persons ace 000000 fed fur their not stating this fact before, &um their disinclination to be cousidereil lawm en; against a man, whose life they might, by slick means, be hist, linielital in sacrificing. Nu person having Answered Dr. Watson's inquiry, he immediately addressed the pri soner, who bail beta permitted to sit while the Portsmouth depositions were Feast, and who had kept his head reclined against the liar, and said, the next step would be for the ieoner to say any thing which be pleased, and which the clerk would write 'lon n. There was nu compielsiou, how eve, : he wits at liberty to ape.k or not. Let the prisoner say any thing he wishes to inform ns of. Nisbet now stood rep, and, with his eyes cast towards the !pound, said, " Tile depositions are all except that of the gin 1, and slit• lime sworn false; she knows that it was a 51. and lett a 101. note I gave to pay Mr. Cole. I have nothing to say about any thing else ; hot 1 cast bring pieta) , of people to make their affidavit that what she has sown is false. Dr. Watson —lt you are able to du this, it will lie very valuable testimony on your trial. 'flue worthy aiagistrate then consnhrd wills Mr. Webb, and it a as re.1)11.1.1t to Cllllllllit the prisoner forthwith, upon tilt d e pesitioes whirl' had liven taken, to Maidstone Jaeloon Na. then called, .11111 having a nswyrcil, he ark tiooleilged that he Icad sigited the deposition besting his name at Pus 'smooth. 1)1 . . Watson.—li will be necessary that sue have Messis. Dairy and Claus NO. Neshet now ay nut stood tip, and in sotto- agitation said, You nerd sand send for any pit's sOll itoi.olly in Woooa nth knows any thing at all 611 , .111 m y d o i ng , I)I.WAISOIL , TOCI 0: are persunsiii Wu,,lwieli who know sr 'milting of your transactions lately. Nisbet.—You have stn rf son In (m il f or th em , f or they ' now nothing of we since 1 ran away.frout Batepten kale constable from whom lie escaped In &hali's case). No body knows any thing of my doings but myself; and it is hard they should suffer for me. Neither my own family nor any body else know any thing of what I done. Auy thong I did myself Pll stand by it. Dr. Watson was then proceeding to make some further observations, when Nesbet said—May I speak again Dr. Watson.—Certainly. Nesbet.—The woman that swore against me at Ports- mouth is a common prostitute, and it is hard her affidavit should be taken against me : it was all through vexation because she lost a fancrinan thrones me. Dr. Watson.—To all these facts it will he important for you to produce witnesses on your trial. Mr. Jackson was then bound over in a recognisance of 601., to prosecute the prisoner for the treble crime of mur der, arson, and burglary ; and in another sum of 601. to answer for the appearance of his son, who is • minor, to answer and give evidence on the trial. Nesbet begged to know if he might have the money and wearing apparel which had been taken from him. Dr. Watson said, that whatever mourn necessary to be produced in evidence should be given to hint. In the interim be should be provided with every thing necessary. Nesbet said, he was only anxious, it any thing Afield happen to him, that his wife might have his property. The prisoner was then recouducted to the room front whence he had been brought. He was mach agitated; he said to a gentleman who entered into conversation with him, that he knew the property to be Squire Parker's; bat he bought them from three fellows. He bad ambit% to do with what was alleged against him. The gentleman said, that it would be most fortunate fur him if he could prove the truth of this statement. Some of the other witnesses who were present IN the justice-room were subsequently bound over to give eel.. deuce ou the trial. Among those was Mr. Patten, the surgeon, who declares the wounds visible en the persons of Mr. Parker mad his housekeeper might have been in. Sided by one sad the same instrument. and by one and the same baud. Daring all these proceediap the crowd in front of the Castle continued to increase, and at length became so oppressive, that a guard of artillery soldiers was called out to preserve order. Mr. Ridout finding there was no chance of the populace dispersing while the prisoner remained, resolved to remove him at once to the watcb.hoisae, where every Ne cessary accommodation was provided for him. The handcuffs were then put apse his wrists, and be was con ducted on foot to his place of confinement : be was guard ed both by a civil and military force, and was followed by the crowd in an overwhelming mass, and was wills great difficulty safely lodged in his prison. It was a late hour before the throng dispersed When all was quiet, Mr. Moore, the clerk of the magistrates, called at the watch house, to see that every necessary precaution had been adopted. The prisoner re him, and said be was innocent of what was laid t e at s : l arge. Mr. Moore said he should be most happy if be was able to prove his words. Nesbet then said he should not be he Maidstone gaol three weeks. Mr. Moore asked what be meant; and reminded him that the offence imputed to him was net Nesbet said he knew that, but he would write to Mr. Moore within I weeks. and make sense disclosures which would astonish bits, sad at the same time prove his Sara inuocenee. Mr. Moore sincerely hoped this might be the case, and left him. During the night Mr. Ridout, Campion, and Hampton, remained with the prisoner, affording him every refreshment he required. Having expressed a strong desire to see his family before fie went t o prison, Dr, Watson humanely determined to gratify him; and as he was to set off for Maidstone on the ensuing morning at seven o'clock, he desired that his family might attend at his house, at that hoar, for the purpose of having as ht terview. They all attended at the time appointed. Mrs. Nesbet. who is rather a good-looking woman, bearing an excellent character, did not seem so sens=bly affected by the site. alien of her busband as might have been anticipated.— The children were all dissolved itt an agony of grief, and the prisoner himself was greatly affected Soon after this meeting he set off in a post-ehaise, accompanied by the high constable, Campion and &maps sssss tor Maid stone, where he safely arrived in the auiddse of the day. and was delivered with proper preterite:a to the pole r. lee Laws leave of Mr. Ridout he was again much agita. tell, and promised to write to him at Winne/leis Mr. Hunt, the gaoler of Portsmouth prison, and Mr. 11111, returned home yesterday. They bore a letter from Dr. Watson, to Mr. Carter. Constant anxiety and unremitting zeal have been dis- played by Di. Watson, Mr. Surer, and Mr. Webb. throughout the whole of their painful duties. The property which leas devolved upon Mr. Jackson, it is said, exceeds 15,0d01. _ It is generally known that at Trentham-hall, when the family is there, a stated relief is given to all poor travellers ; it was at first established for poor labourers going and returning in harvest time, but it has for many years been general for all that apply, except soldiers in parties The provision is a piece of good bread, weight fourteen ounces, and a pint of good table beer. The lodge not being seen from the road, at some distance, it could not be supposed that such numbers would apply, so us to give regular employment for u porter, and requiring considerable trouble in obtaining a regular supply of bread and beer. The average ' , umber that call for this relief is from fifty to a hun.lreil At Mr. Price's (of liyal, near Worcester) sale of cattle a few clays ago, thirty nine lots, each contain• in! , but one cow, calf or heifer, proditeci 1,4171.85. 6(17; one of the cows knocked down for 1271., another in calf for !091. 45., and a third for 1031. Thirteen bulls, of nova , various a.. produced 1,9081. 185 . c, • one of winch fetchedilleaS• I.OrDON : Printed :nu! Pubii lied by the Proprietor SWIM TWICG, at the Otr-e, Pieta Street, where All Letters, to to the Editor, fie. frost paid) must b.: taldwital. ~ ..,_- -a