The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-24 00:00:00

coßoxars INQUEST.

IF
Rs PREHINIMILE CONDITC 1' Or A CONSTAIL E.—On Tue.-
day evening, at seven o'clock, in leguiyition way held at the Vestry
Hall of St. John, llnvileydown, on the body of Jacob Ingram, a
Swede, 37 years of age, one of the crew btlonging to the Isabella, a
Scotch trader.

The Coroner, on calling ota the names of the Jurymen, found
the writing so illegible that he inquired for the constable.
Deadle—Sir, he is not in attendance.

William Adamson, fisherman, deposed, that about half-past
nine o'cloek on Monday morning, as he was out in his boat grab.
Mae, about two hundred yards from Pickle-herring Stairs, he
caught hold of a heavy substance, and on pulling it up from the
bottom of the river he discovered it to be the body of the deceased.
He was in an undress, having on his shirt, drawers, and stocking.;
the two fanner were loose, which he adjusted, and brought the body
on shore. Witness did not know him, but had since ascertained
that he belonged to the Isabella. He had not the appearance of
having been long in the water.
John Maclarin, master of the Isabella, stated that he came from
Alloway in Scotland, and arrived here on the 17th instant. On
tsunday last the mate and crew asked leave to go on shore; he gave
them permission, and remained on board tie whole of the day.
Between eight and nine o'clock witness went to bed, and the men
soon afterwards returned. He was told by his boy the men were
all on board. Witness did not see them. In the morning follow-
ing the deceased was missing, but the clothes he had on the day
previous were found on his chest lying underneath his hammock,
which appeared as if it had been lain in. The deceased belonged
to the vessel about eight years; he was a very peaceable quiet man.
The crest were on sociable terms, and all appeared to be sober that
night. iVitness conceives the call of nature induced him to go on
deck, and that he bad unfortunately fallen over the bows.
Coroner—Are any witnesses present who saw the deceased on
board on that particular night ?
Wirness—None of my men are In at
were summoned.

of them

Coroner—Really this is a most unpardonable negligence on the
part of the constable. Who is the constable ?
Beadle—Mr. Barnes,• - • -

Coroner—This is not the first time I have had occasion to eons.
plain of this negligence of constables--of this parish in parti-
eater. In this instance, the constable whose duty it is to attend
does not chuse to do so, and he has omitted to bring forward some
of the most important witnesses. Some of those gentlemen whose
services are required on this occasion have also absta'ned from ap.
peering. Out of the list there are only twelve present, who might
very justly and honestly dissent in opinioa, whaaby we might be
detained here all night.
Several of the Jurymen observed to the Coroner, that many of
them had only received their summonses an hour previous to their
assembling.
Coroner—That in some measure accounts for the non-attendance
of the gentlemen summoned, and heightens the misconduct of the
constable; but I attend from a distance at some expense and incoc.
venience to myself, and why *tumid rot those who reside in the
immediate neighbourhood ? The Coro.iee here desired the beadle
to inform the constable, that if such reprehensible negligence oc.
curred again, he should bring his conduct into investigation bcfore
the proper authorities at the Sessions.
The Coroner now recapitulated the evidence, and left it to the
Jury to say by their verdict whether the unfortunate deceased heti
not met his death accidentally.
Mr. Black, one of the Jurymen, observed, he could not conscien.
Bondy agree to such a verdict ; the: e was no direct proof before
them that the deceased had been on board at all on that particular
night; the party might have been :nebriated, and had quarelled,
or some foul play practised ; it was very easy in a case of murder
to place the clothes of the deceased p-rson in such situation in °relic
to avoid suspicion ; he, however, did not mean to insinuate such
a dreadful crime had been perpetrated in this inttance. The only
verdict he could agree to was that of—" Found drowned."
The Coroner observed, if such a verdict was returned, there
would always be sonic degree of suspicion attached to it. •
Considerable discussion &rote in consequence, which was likely
to prove a lasting one, and verify the observation of the worthy
Coroner, until one of the Jurymen addressed the witness Maelarin—
" Did you hear the roice of the deceased after the return of the
men on Sunday night ?"
Witness-1 certainly. did, and could swear to his roice—lieing a
foreigner. I am positive he was on board that night, although I
did not see him.
Mr. Black said, if such had been asserted before, he should not
have hesitated a ..... en( ; he, however, was glad his opposition
had lead to obtain this further testimony ; it removed all doubts in
his
sTmhe Juryind tamunanimously returned a verdict of " Accidentally
drowned."

HIGH WATER THIE DAY AT LONIX)N DRIDOE.
Morning 39 rnin. after 4. I Afternoon 69 min. attar 4.

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