The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-08 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK SESSIONS.

Yesterday these Rashes connr.enced before the LORD 3lsgon,
the Peconnsa, and Aldern an J. J. Su Ern.
Rdword Martin, an elderly man, of respectable appearance and
address, was indicted for having uttered a counterfeit halt-crown,
and having knowingly in his pos-ession other counterfeit money.
The prmoner, upon being asked whether be was guilty or not
guilty, said be certaicy was guilty, lint he earnestly reqUeStell that
the Court would attend to his ft:l•nrill for doing what he had done.
He entertained no doubt of a merciful consideration if he was heard
in mitigation.
The Uscoanta said he could not permit theyrisoner to address
the Ceun under such circumstances, and aihrimd him to take his
trial.
The prisoner persisted in acknowledging his guilt, eating that
It was impossible for a man of his age, fifty-seven, to pretend to
be innocent, when he was positively guilty.
The RLCOUTIER.-1 advise you. as a friend, to plead not guilty.
Your .teknowledgment of guilt cannot affect your sentence, which
le tiled by Act tel Parliament. The Act has no power of mitiga-
tion.
The prisoner handed a written statement, and begged that it
might be read befem sentence was passed upon him, as it contained
his reasons for uttering the bud money.
The RECORDER again advised the prisoner to plead not gnilty,
and arid he could not admit of such a precedent under Tilt on!.
stances of such a nature. if the admission of guilt were p(tbilitcd
in. the only course to be adophtl by the prisoner was that of pe-
titioning the Secretary of State for mitigation of punisitutad, and
producing evidence of the truth of the representation.
The prisoner shed tears, and begged to be heard. His mi,fur.
fortunes were et.oessive.
The HEcoanra.-.... I cannot permit you proceed. It is wholly
against the course of public justice. Why do you nut plead not
guilty? Are you aware of the sentence I must pass upon you if
you persevere
Prisoner.—" I am aware of its severity, but I must persist ir.
saying that I am guilty."
Tits Arco firma regretted that he would not take the chance of
a trig, and proceeded to pass sentence upon him. The unfortunate
OHM was greatly affected upon hearing that he was to be itoprt.on-
ed for twAve months in the IllornoKh Compier. and in find ',anti.
ties in the sum of 601. fur his rood behaviour for two ye:trs
- - - •

........
{Vital"( Mu% was indicted fur stealing a sieve EMI of damsons
in the Itorough.
The theft being prortd,
The prisoner put in a written defence; which
The ItEcolima said lie had no doubt was the production of
some idle fellow, who was in the habit of imposing noon wretched
',thinners, and getting five Airings a defence front them, by the
masurance of an acquittal on the merits of the writing.
An Irishwoman, who came forward to spra.k in favour of the pri.
saner. swore that she knew hint &pre he was Norm
The Jury found him a/Wry, but recor.nmaitled him to mercy OD
account of his good character.
Ile was tined a shilling and discharged.
Jo h* Rolfe was found Gr::411 of stealing two sieves of fruit in
the &Tough-market.
Ile had not a g.sud character; and the n rconntn sentenced
hint to be whipped publicir thronch the market, on svmarkas-day,
and to he imprisoned to card labour, in Brixton House of Curren-
, don, for set mouths.