The National Register. — London, England, 1820-12-17 00:00:00

LAIV INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF KING'S BENCH, MONDAY, DEC. 11. WRIGHT V. COISBETT. This was nn action brought by Mr. Wright against Mr. Csibbett, to recover from him a compensation in damages for the injury his character bad sustained from several gross, scandalous, and malicious libels published by the loiter in The Political Registers of the dates ofJ an. 4, 1817, March 6, 1819, and Jan. 6,1620, in whirl. be described the plain tiff as a wretch whom he intended to bold up to public infamy on the first opportunity, as an associate with Cleary in fabricating letters and false vouchers—as a person to whom, in jest, he bad often said be would be hanged fur forgery, and cautioning him to be careful that the jest did not become a prophecy, and also describing hint as the prime tool of baseness, formerly resident in Panton-square. Mr. Scarlet' stated the case to the Jury in an eloquent nod forcible speech, in which he commented in strong terms on the conduct of Mr. Cobbett, who, having put a justifica tion on the record, and stated, that he could prove the truth of the libels by the testimony of Sir Burdett, Mr. Marge rot, Mr.P. Walker, and others; yet Dow, when these gentle. men were present, he had a ithdrawn his plea of justification, he did not dare to fall them. This was proof that his charge against 51r. Wright was false as hell. The defendant had said he would state his reasons for withdrawing his plea —let 11;in state them. But be (Mr. ficarlett) was sure he could have no good, no honest, no true reason to state for such conduct. The Learned Counsel then urged the Jury to give such damages us would protect the liberty of the press, by restraining its licentiousness, and recompense the plaintiff, as far as pecuniary damages could do so, fur the rejury his character had sustained by the defendant's public:it ions. The most important of the libels was as follows :—" You, nay dear Sir, know the history of this Wright; you know all his tricks, all his attempts. The public do not, and I will not now trouble the public with a detail which, if put in a puiiable form, would make a romance in the words of truth far surpassing any thing that ever was Imagined of moral turpitude. I will execute this task one day or other. if the catiff should put forth any thing in way of palliation in the meals time, there is Mr. Walker, there Mr. Margrave, there is my attorney, tht:e is Mr. Swann, there is Sir Burdett himself; there is my son John, who, though he was then a child, will never forget the big round drops of sweat that in u cold winter's day rolled down the emirs forehead when lie was detected in fabricating accounts; and when took Johnny by the baud (who had begun whituperirig for poor Wright) and said, " Look at that man, my dear ! These drops of fiwcat are the effect of detected dishonesty! TWA of that, my dear child, and you will always be au honest man." Mr. Peter Walker and Mr. SWUM] were pre sent ut this scene, which took place in my room in Newgate in 1811." Henry Huy, printer, proved that he printed the Registers its question for the defendant, and from manuscript and copy received from him. Thomas Dolby, proved that lie published the Registers for the defendant. That an action was commenced against him by Mr. Wright for one of the libels in question. He went to Mr. Cobisett, and informed him of that rircunistance, and asked him fur the means of defeuce. The defeuilant then said he could prove the truth of all he had written respecting Wright. No attempt was made by Mr. Cobbidt to deny that the publication was Isis production. Cross-examiued by Mr. Lobbett.—The record against him was afterwards withdrawn, but Dot on any agreement that be should become a witness against Mr. Cobbett in this Cause. Three letters from the defendant to the plaintiff, on the subject of giving up the Registers, dated Juue 25, 26, and V, 1810, were pat in and read. Mr. Paul proved, that iu his belief, the libel, talking of a wretch whose infamy was not lobe equalled by that of Jo netball Wilde, referred to the plaintill. Letters were put in and read to shew the early connexion which existed between the plaintiff and defendant, and that at direrent times the defendant had been under obligations to to the plaintiff. The second libel, that of March 6, 1819, was then read, and that of January 11, 1820. Mr. Cobbett theu addressed the Jury at some length in his worn defence. The old adage, let the cobbler keep to his last, would apply to lawyers. If Mr. Scarlet' had kept lis his brief, he would have saved the Court and Jury much time mut trouble, as had be not travelled raid said so much about I dear Innocent injured Mr. Wright, he should have had but little to trouble them with. lie then pro ceeded to coinment oil the merits of this case, and said the care with which Mr. Wright had preaaved every slip of paper which lie thought likely by possibility to assist him in laJuring his benefactor, mould shew beyond coats aaficlitin, what sort of man the plaintiff was. ills attack tin Sir F. Burdett had been dwelt on. Ile acknuw hedged mid regret ted that attack; he believed he was to blame, and perhaps he had !meet guilty of a libel, but Sir F. fluid. tt knew that was not t lie course Lis which a public mun's chat:icier would be supported, Himself and sir Ilurdiat a ere antagonists worthy to grapple with cacti tither; bitt their dit‘etilions Would have subs:ded lung ago, hail it not beep for used by dirty, low, mean mid contemptible compliatuiS to keep their diiheotions alive, lie theu proceeded to i oun nient on the evidence to the case, which he said dal Mit prove that he was either the publisher or proprietor of the Register, or the author of the alleged libels. Having closed his address, lie called Mr. Cli meats, ahu stated that in 1.'16 lie published the Register far Alr. Cobbett, jun. but lie held the deli-lid:int resputwilsle. He advanced a consiaerable sum 10 Cubbett, jun. in 11117, for the ti,e of the defendant, previous to his going to America. lie made this mimic° ou the contem plated profits of future Regiaers, The entries Iron. the stampaillice in 1816 and 1817 were put in, by a bleb it tippeared that Win. Coblit it junior's name stood us proprietor. William Cobbett, jun. soiled that in IStii he was pro prietor ot the Iteeivivr, and gave lib haler 301. is w eek ttlilor, In 1,411 , I.r ;ace him .101. a week. the cent inn' io Wild lob lathe' iclutuad Fl'• Un ary of the present year, vs lit., lit' IlaVe it Ile tL Bona ;1;0 ele• The cause the Court limo 114 M 111 the Marna% anal half' pas lulu i.; tlic vesiisig The copy received front America, iel . la! IteLisler of Jae 4, 1817, ails materially nailed by I.iu,sci iold his brothel John before it was inserted. John Cubbett rorrottui stet. 1 I Lie I..tiitiony of his Mother, MG Mendell replied. after vs Inch The Oiler Justice summed up. The Jury after &libel - Sling alt hoar and three quintets, tuuuti .6013;4kt l.a tLe P 1 4 11 341 . ..-Dalattgel llklt i. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. TDURIDAY, DEC. 14. TIM KING V. TIMM Mr. Gurney stated that this was a prosecution against the defendant, a bookseller in Wych-street, for selling Paine's Age of Reason. The prosecution was instituted by the So ciety for the Suppression of Vice. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to continent on the mischievous tendency of the Works of l'aine in the usual terms ; adverting also to the opinions a Inch Judges and former Juries had given of these works. He then stated the following as the facts of the present case ;—the Society for the Suppression of Vice, having reason to suspect the defendant seas selling Paine's Works, scot a person named Itaanald to ascertain the fact. Itagnald accordingly, on the dth"ofJiily last, went to defen dant's shop, and purchased two or three pamphlets. Defen dant asked hint if lie wanted auy thing more. He then men tioned Paine's Age of Reason, as a work he was desirous of having. Defendant told him they could not be had under a pound. Ragnald said that was a great deal of money, and offered sixteen shillings. The defendant desired he would call again on the 7th, and defendant gave him the book at the price of 16s. On the Sib of July, the day fol lowing, Mr. Fair, clerk to Mr. Pritchard, the Attorney to the Society, went to defendant's shop, and asked for Paine's Age of Reason. Defendant said he had not got it, tint could 'Amin it for him at the price of a pound. Mr. Fair offered 10s. and was desired to call again in an hour or two, which he did, and the work wits delivered to hint, he having pre viously paid the 16s. These farts were proved by Ragnald and Fair. The work was put in, and the passage read commencing " People in general know nut the wickedness there is iu this pretended word of God. Mr. Adolphus addressed the Jury oa behalf of the defendant. „_, ..... Tho Chief Justice summed up, and the Jury found the defendant guilty, at the same time recuumsending him to mercy.. The Chief Justice said, inquiry should be instituted, Trod it' proper their recommendation shiii•A have its due weight. Mr. Gurney said, the defendant had already been once excused from prosecution, on his solemn promise that he would not spin Offend tv,ailist law and religion by selling this n ork. lAltvIS V /LOPER. Thiswas an action by the plaintill, an apolhccarp, against the defendant, a lawyer, to recover 81. 18,., for physic fur nished to him during 811 indisposition, ns appeared from the tvidence, oh seven weeks duration. The defendant in the way;of his profession, called for a taxation of costs, by making the plaintiff a tender of five pumids, as payment in full of his demand. This was refused by the plaintiff, who determined to have elf or nothing, to ain the horse or lose the saddle, and therefore brought the present action. The plaintiff's to o daughters were called, who staled their beliefs but all thearticles mentioned in the bill were furnished to him. Mr. Gurney, for the defendant, contended, that this was an exorbitant demand on the part of the plaintiff, and Ilya there was noire medicine charged fur than had been furnished, even supposing the defendant's iliness to have been of the duration described. The July, however, 101,041 a verdict for the plaintiff, for 31. 16s. in addition to the 51. tendered. Sittings before Mr. Justice Holroyc, THURSDAY, DEC. 14. JONES v. SAVAGE. The defendaut, an artist, residing in Warren-amet, Fitz. roy Square, brought his act ion against the defendant, who keeps a coffee-shop in the neighbourhood of Oxfor...street, to recover a conspensalion for three ornamental paintings en fresque, done upon the walls of the defeadent's shop. The charge for this work of art an. 11. Several witnesses proved that the charge was moderate for the work. It was stated that artists in the same line frequently received ten guineas for compositions of less merit, in the houses of the Nobility, on the occasion of routs and halls. Tim defendant endeavoured to prove an undertaking on the part of the plaintstf to do the work for 30.. ; but he failed in making out that case, and the Jury found a verdict for plaintill.—llautagesl 1.--costs, FRIDAY, DEC. la. HOLLIS, V. ATKINSON. This was an action for slander. The plaintiff was a tailor and oilman residing at Walworth, and the defend. ant a carpenter. From the evidence it appeared, that on two diflerent occasions, once at the public lull-house, and :nice in a public company, the defendant, speaking of the plaintiff, said, " Hollis is all to pieces he will soon be in the Gazette—he compounded wiili his creditors four years ago." These were the slander ous words laid in the declaration, and proved by the plaintiff's witnesses. The Jury found a verdict for tlic plaintiff—Damages 201.—costs 40s. PHIPVS, V. 24 EVAKI). The plaintiff, who is a gentleman residing at Old Ford, sottght to recover a compensation from the de lemlant, a gentleman residing in the same neighbourhood lin the injury he had sustained by a kick received by ,in form a horse Iniongina to the dcfeiitlault. Tile Chief Justice was of opinion that there were uo `trouts of a vicious disposition. '1 he plaintiff consented to be non-suited, rrcavowicac, V. BASSETT. 'lite plaintiff brought thk action to recover the sum of 41.43. the expence he had been lot to hy an alleged il legal distress. The question was shortly, whether tender had been made and refused. A person of she name of IN'ingfield proved, that he Well with the plat till to the house tri . Battler, and saw via ^uuleas ten.acrtil, which the landlord refused. The Wlllletai made 'newe -1 andouts of all that °cc:is:red. .N 1 Iry Hutt, servant to Haller, said, the plaintiff came to het it taster alit! tendered SIX pinciik. Butler said, that is not any rent. The plaintal tepliiA, I , You b e Sir, get is, how you Can," .wore to the tender of sir, 1 uiaeas. 111111 swore to the plaitatill offering six pounds which Bui!er a. ju.tilied hi refusing.. 'lnc Jury Mond a verdict for the plaintitt—D.inoges Four Guineas. POISERTS V. M %VA t 1•INY. :11:a1)411 1111:: acuvu t‘.l. uruuj.Lt 30i011 the tit who Inv leiwnt of aKs :zotitoattiptuo, to Ii;COVCI 1411. fur Vati4 larwcsc 403 to him in the grocery line, and also a demand for ochre articles, making in .411 a stun of 231. 12s. Mr. Bailey alleged, in answer to the action, that the defendant was a minor when the goods were furnished in August last. The Jury after some consideration, found a verdict for the defendant. EARTHQUAKE.—Oa Tuesday week, about eight o'clock, a. in.. a slight shock of an earthqnake was felt at Leadhills and Wanlockhead, attended with a hollow rumbling noise. The miners, who were at work, 150 fathoms below ground, heard this alarm-. ing sound very distinctly, and, beit.t, afraid lest the works were rushing down, many of them left their work and eaussaabove ground. In the evening of the same day, about 11 o'clock, a similar or still louder sound was distinctly beard at Leadhills and Wanlockhead, but not accompanied by any trembling or motion of the earth. These phenomena have been observed for eight or ten miles eastward, and three or four miles westward, of the above places ; but whether they have extended beyond these limits is not yet accurately ascertained; but it is probable that the more immediate effects of these awful con. vulsions of nature may have already tbecn expe rienced in some distant quarter, particularly as the earthquake by which Lisbon was almost totally de stroyed, 65 years ago, was very distinctly felt in the district of Leadhills and Wanlockhead, according to tradition, and in the memory of several old resi dents alive. A case of a revolting nature occurred at Colding. ham, in Berwickshire, the beginning of last week. The carrier of the place was requested to take a trunk from a house in the village to Edinburgh.--. From the quantity of goods which he had previously engaged to carry, he thought it would be quite im. possible to undertake it. The person seemed ex. tremely anxious that it should not be delayed till the following week, as there were articles in it which were required in Edinburgh immediately.—. The carrier was induced to take charge of the trunk, and accordingly it was brought to his quarters. It had not, however, remained long in his possession, before it was remarked that a very nauseous smell appeared Ito proceed from it. A number of the inhabitants being collected together, and some sus picions being entertained of its contents, they ins sisted upon its being opened. The carrier resisted their attempts to do so as much as he could, but they succeeded in forcing it open, when an old grey-headed woman, who had been interred in Coldingham burial ground some days before,- was found embalmed amidst a variety of perfumes, but which had failed to produce their intended effect.— Three young men have since been committed to jail, charged with the offence. Greta Performance.—Mr. Mills undertook his great match to trot his favourite Arabian mare 15 miles in harness, on the Blackwater road on Mon.. day, for 2 00 guineas, and to carry 14 stone in a gig. The mare went off at score, and did the first mile under four minutes. Immense sums were pending upon the match, and betting, which at starting was two to one on time, was five to four on the mare after the had done the first mile. She did the next three miles in eleven minutes and flour seconds, with plenty of work in her. Half the dis tance was performed in 29 minutes 10 seconds, and the whole wait completed in a quarter of a minute within the hour. The mare did not seem fatigued, and she performed the distance without making a single break out of the trot. The late Geoffrey O'Connell, Esq. who died lately at his seat of Ballybrack,, in the county of Kerry, in the 93d year of his age, was very hind of angling, and when in his nth year. has fyequently been seen, in the coldest weather in November, nearly up to his middle in the water, playing with a salmon. He never experienced any ill conse quences from remaining in his wet clothes. During his long life he was remarkably active,.and until his last year generally walked, both winter and summer, at least five or six miles before breakfast. The Corporation of Gloucester has voted the freedom of that City to Ali. Brougham. Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Clie-lire: --" An attempt was made in this county to address the King, but it was found imprudent, if not int t icable." Downside College, in Shropshire, is undergoing a thorough repair, and when completed, will prove a striking object .to all admirrs of modern Gothic architecture. The Duke of Nurflilk, Lords Petre, Shrewsbury, Surrey, Arundel, Clifford, &c. have lilx rally bubAcrilx.d.towards this desirable object.-- Ito: most mitt: AA artists are ellgaCa. Mr. Good rich, of 11 eymouth,. is the architect. A new organ is to be erected, and Mr. Mi:zzinglii is to compose a Grand Mass 14 the occasionov hich will be performed by the must celebrated professors from Landon. Mercantile letters received from Cadi4 by the last mail mention that two frigates, a corvette, brig ami 'la:len, together with four atmed transports latlit militaty.stotes, left that Psat• fur the Spanish 'lain on the'llth