The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-10-28 00:00:00

SMUGGLING AND MURDER.

A tumor great importance, as it tends to disclose the vest extent
to which smuggling is carried on on our coast, the regularly or-
ganised system with which the nettrlous trade is conducted, and
the lamentable sacrifice of human blood so often occasioned by it,
In spite of that enormously expensive establishment, the crust
blockade, yesterday occupied the time of the Magistrates of Bow.
street office for several hours beyond the usual time for sitting.
Our readers will recollect, that at the latter end of July last, in
an affray between the blockade men and sonic armed smugglers
on the coast abreast the town of Dover, a quarter-master of the
Amines guardship, named Morgan, was killed. The most dili-
gent exertions were immediately made to trace the murderers, but
without the slightest chance of success, and but for the circum-
stance of one of the smugglers, whether from remorse of conscience,
or from hope of reward, we know not, having turned round upon
his followers, it is more than probable that no light would ever
have been thrown upon the transaction.
' A man, named Horne, however, who, it will be seen by his own
statement, was one of the most active amongst those
iwhom he now
accuses, came forward as an approver. and upon his nforms.=
eight men were taken ints custody on the tinning of Wednesday,
the 17th instant, by Ilbhop and Smith, of Bow-street, assisted by
a large holy of the blockade men, at the 'Allege of Aldington-
Frith, in the parish of Billenstlen, Kent. They underwent a
short examination yesterday se'nnight, before Sir R. Birnie, and
yesterday they were again brought up, and soon after 12 o'clock
put to the bar.
Their names are George Hensley. Samuel. Bailey, Thomas Den.
nard, Robert Dailey, Thomas Gilliam, Richard Wyre.
Wre, and (harks Giles. They all wore the dress of labouring
men, except Rowley, who was habited after the manner of a mid-
dling country farmer. They are stout, sturdy-looking men,
Ilsusley in particular. Judging from his physiognomy, and froth
his demeanour at the bar yesterday, we should pronounce him to
be a cool, determined man ; fit for the planning, as well es execu-
tion, of bold and daring enterprises. He listened very intently to
the evidence, but preserved throughout the most perfect coolness
and self-possession.
Mr. Jones, Solicitor to the Admiralty, appeared to conduct the
prosecution on behalf of the Crown, Mr. Platt attending as Coon.
sal ; and Mr. Langhans, of Clifford's-inn, as Solicitor for the pri-
soners.

The first case gone into was that of the murder of Morgan.
Michel Pickett sworn-1 am an ordinary seaman of his Majesty's
ship }families, and ant employed on the blockade service. On the
night of Saturday, the 29th of July last, I was stationed on duty,
near the bating-machines, abreast of the Parade, at Dover. Be.
tween 12 and 1 o'clock that night, 1 saw a French galley coming
towards the shore. I knew her to be a French galley from her
great length, and from having seen her before. Just as she was
about grounding, I heard one of the men in her call out, " Jack,
ashore, and immediately a great number of men rushed down the
beach towards her, and began to take out the tubs from her. The
working party, that is, those who were to carry the tubs, toosisted
of about 00 or $0 men, and they surrounded the boat, while the
aimed party, about, i believe, 6 or 7, stood at high water-mark,
drawn up in a line on each side, to protect the working party.
The night was star-light, and it was sufficiently light to enable
me to distinguish a party of men as far as from low to high
water-mark. When the working party had got on each side of the
galley. I saw one of the men in her take two tubs and put them on
a man's shoulder, upon which I ran forward, and called out,
st you —., if you stir a peg out of that, I'll blow your brains
out." I bed my pistol, wblc bad only s blank cartridge in it.
I fired before an answer was given to my threat. At this moment
sty;the deceased; came up sad inquired what boat that was,
.. I had time to answer, be fired hi. piing aft for an alarm.
Several of our men came running to our assistance, and the armed
party of the smugglers then litoi • volley at Morgan, and he fell.
'rwo or three shots were fired after the volley. I was
loading my pWol whin emu of the smugglers tame up so me
with a musket, soli be would do me if I fired. He
turned the bee of its inteeket, and struck at my head ; but 1
put op my heeds, mid the blew knocked my pistol from my gimp.
I told him I had no dente him, and drew my cutlass; and he
was about to make • sear blow at me with his musket, when 1
cut at him across the arm. He this retreated to the armed party.
The working party continued awryistite tubs away front the
galley, an d, when I had 'dime my-st h the Man the
musket, 1 turned towards die galley, sad the witdest thee I sawwith pass.
ing me with tubs on his beck I cut acme the auk with my cutlass,
and hare no doubt I wortaded hiss.
Sir R. Bianca:—Had pm aireseistusat? Wltabs—Neire,*ikr.
Sir R. lititnis—Wbesl mid lid et IM seen en their side p
Witness—Yes. !bey re the rods thsthern except 33,
' which were sollemorimmy .
ar the tube sou.
tabled tedishth, themenee). ' I etas *see
pop ne tab% be UM nrymtdme, eadirinlso
take it Res 'me but I drew it through bip 4411m0k
at him again. and be ran up the burgh. .
cow inn, end dim Imes who epaped te be et the
" It's of Mimi* be vibe dlet bi--. nnw
Agee the boat at" I ibis OW tillptitaat di.

off more tubs from the galley. Spine tubs Seer •.deriews overbletti
furs she galley when she pushed it I ellier VIM to Mo4pn.
whirettbrod Whig on Ms but; and robed If Mk WM dead ? (The
sr fres the *see country.) Nyty pa* Oh,
Gael I I took his pistols and loaded them, ski AN I would have
satisfaction for him. and I punned the party up tbuberck. I as*
a men running along front the eastward. whet. Mew hailing, tutord
out to be Quartermaster Prendergast, of the lithhitesi I told hits
Morgan was shot, end we went back to burn, and Mood !het hef wee
deid. We then ran after the smuggles. and en etw way fell in
with acme tubs. said to Prendergast, heTe are fuss 3..
but lie replied, ** d—ts the tubsi let's go after the pony: We felt
in with Alr. Hull, one of our oilers. and he rent ins bock eti cnie
Notion. I assisted in securing thirty-three robe. We did not dose
take sty of the Saugglers. I attended the Coronets Inquest; and
the verdict was " Witfel Mitriler." I observed the died Of
MIMI of the pewees asembhd on the occasion. The men who
first cams doer W des pray-bed on a sort of strooftg: jacket. like
that now worn by the shoes Itatisley. The nun Um struck int
with his musket wu a thin spent duo, and had en Mr same sort
of dress. The is gof ehp muted pony. who were drown up on 11,4
full of the Mock had Mirk or Moo clothes on. Sore of the works
leg pans bre wend fulls as, sad they were generally dressed se
labouring rem Ikea of dumbed dive.coloural hocks. reds or
Ws now wow by dm prisms dosiiel Briley TM son who
Suck my was likie the primmer Choirs Oiled t but I.llnos &Ina
_
up ray sop of tbr priosares, sae
Wes was mart, lien
Peter Prendeqpnet,*
that on the night dist
fire-alma, and
this witness west mesh

Ur. Joints wad
the feet of theamar:

dimes to move that some
manalbaioa at the wordier,
is mama lows of this kir
all some rem who was w 1
Wined Homo, a tall
Mew milstand owora.

mete at Oho Ittiri sod
He c!ittyntel-1 wow

of July last. All
that night. George .
to join him at Dover it.
public-house at 'Addeo,
knows Rausley about t,
beam

Mr. Jowes—For what purpose have yon met hint befoie ? , _
dlr. PLATT objected Ca this question. The pinatas were undid
examination on a specific charge of murder, and no general evidelles
of other illegal practices which they might be suer:teed to have
been enAtwed in ought to be given merely to prejudice their ease.
Mr. Joie, said, he intended to peter other charges spinal
them. He was prepared, if it were Toilette, to lei lats thirty
cases, at least, of assembling with !Aflame, Ike. He Iblikild iro
into several. and would serve Mr. !Anew, tbsidedleker, #llll
notices of all the charges which he intended to mike,
Witness continued (the guano: not being passed}.lfo o hel
porton but Beesley was present. at the meetiag at UAW. We
went helot there to the Palm Teem two miles newer Deter, tad
there saw Samuel Bailey, and all the rest but Giles. There Were
many others, about fifty or sixty, I suppose. Awn a dviet to
eigh,een of the party had fire arms. Samuel 8r.,, ?Accra
Bonnard, Thomas (3illiam, itobert Bailey, aid Jefellg WM,
had inu.kete. Raitaley and William Wyse were as mmesd. We
proceeded together to the bathing.machinza at Dow. seam time
from twelve to one o'clock. We stationed oureellek Miit at the
back of the machines, in the road. Ramie', prewar went for.
ward to look out for the boat that was expected, bat I say
that he did upon this occision. I did not heariztob73 heat
the boat, but Rausley tailed out presently, " tone on,
which was the signal for the ran of the party sole . The
waking party went to the boat, while the triefil party wed
drawn up on each aide to cover them. The amp easielmed
el . brandy, gin, and other •• uncustoMer pada. We We
laterupted by the Preventive nien,•and seam we SM.
I did a a know Morgan, but was told he was • 1 was MN of
the tamed party. and had a fowling-pies. Pottage about five or
vital eler party fired; there might be more. I saw the man fall.
!be uerkrg re canted off about seventy tabL We did dot
vrillielt.he wiho Ity 6through long" of the blockade party coming tip.
We wre not there five minutes altogether. We left the spot on
a.coust of the blockade men coaling up and firing. We then went
up the country to the Palm Trees, and there the tube were Ilfht
,:cluattd). Ido not know exactly who was present at the counting,
as the armed party remained back in the toad ig, ass that ad's'
blockade men did not come up and mediestalsrmen with the tubs.
Rausley was will the easamaing party. 'lle fowling-pine I had
ba awed total dila ftsitry, dom whom I borrowed It. He gene.
telly a wham the ammunition, and supplied the gene and eanaketa
to the party. I left my fowling.piece at a certain place on the
road, by the &tattiest, I believe, of Itausley. Ti'. tubs were put
into carts at the Palm Trees. and carried away. I went with
Beasley to within about two milts of Ws own home, and then left
him. I do not know where the tubs were deposited at last.
Hensley paid me twenty-three shillings for my night's worL
sir it. BrailE—Why there were fifty olds. piny, we dare
not?
Mr. Jo/res.—tee; but not the ereleil party.
Sir R. Iftewit..—But they were all paid, I MAppeou
• lie. . mfrs.—Yes; but the anted puny ate paid noes, Issuntse
the sole is greater.
—: .
Sir . BineteWell, then profits of MI cads Must be rely
I
great.
Mr. PLATT rose for the purpose of cress-rxamfalog the witness,
and had asked him where he came from to the oleos when—
Mr. Jowas said be should object to any timeseeleamination Pi
this stage of the irguiry. The Magistrate was not trying the
case—(Sir R. Birnic-,-No; God forbid l)—He was Willie -WA.
merially—not judicially ; and if a cross-exernication were pm.
mitted now, it might interfere most materially with the course of
justice ; and here, where one of the most nutherotie she desperate
gangs that ever infested our tout were likely to be brought to
justice. he must strenuously object to any course of proceeding
which was likely to mar so desirable an object.
Sir B. BIIINIE—I certainly, after what has come to my know.
ledge, shall not desire this man to answer any questions that may
be put to him in the way of crosa.exaMinatiore. He has already
been threatened, and I feel it my duty to protect him against any
thing which may place him in a dimwits° of greater danger, and
perhaps render his testimony nugatory.,
Mr. PLATT—We hails 10..exidenee whatever of any threats
having been made.
Sir R. Butts—l do not choose to say what evidence I have of
that fact, but it 5 so.

Mr. PLATT argued at considerable length, aid with much
earnestness, in support of his duty tp orost-esamhte. a Bow are
we to know," said the L ainAl Sandman. "but Mat this Mao
Home is the person whq aetndly shot Morgan ; and that Its,
being taken up and identified as a. party concerned, chose to tutu
round and trump up a charge agenda these men as being principal,
in order to save himself?
After a long conversation, which the greet length of *stridence
prevents us from giving in detail,
Sir R. BIANIE decided against the right of kid Pratt to cloak
examine.
Mr. PLATT then contended that Giles, at all events, osght to be
discharged, there being no evidence whatever against him.
Mr. Jonas said he was prepared to charge hilt with another of.
fence—that of having assembled with others, on. she night of the
11th of May, near Dymchurch, with fite.arma, to waist is the
running of contraband goods, upon which occasion one William
Winn, a seaman of the blockade service, was wounded.
Mr. PLATT contended, that as to the first charge of mord*
against the other seven men, the evidence WM abundantly weak.
Sir it. BIIINIE said that evidence had been adduced, such as it
was, but he must confess that it was not a strong case.
Mr. JONES—WeII, Si,,uch as it is I submit it to your mai.
aeration, and I contend that there Is sufficient evidence to send these
men for trial.

---
Sir R. BllollE—But Nether evidence will be necessary, anti
there will be no harm in detaining these men here for sometime, as
the Assizes will nut be held till December. •
Mr. PLATT—Where will these men be placed? Will they be
sent back on board ship ? because I know something of the come
forts which men In the situation of thole prisoners experience un
board ship.
Mr. Joxxs said it would not be safe to send them to any of the
gaols in Kent, fur every gaol, from one end of the ninety to the
other (he meant on the 'mast), had been pulled down at one thee*
another by smugglers.
Mr. PLATT—I have heard it asserted that the whole oldie fn.
habitants of Kent and Sussex are smugglers at times, when it sults
their purpose.
Sir R. lliaxte.--11 have an officer present who bas dodged that
the difficulty which has sometimes occurred Its getting wartime
backed against persons for smuggling offences at the Cinque Pete
has arisen from the circumstance of the Magistrates themselves be.
Ing smugglers. (A laugh.)
Some farther conversation took place, when the hearing was ad.
journed until a messenger was de patched to bring witnesses in
support of other charges against the prisoners. includm,g.Oilm.
The prisoners were again brought in a little before four o'clock,
and William Wino, a blockademan, was sworn. He said; on the
11th of May last I was stationed at a place called the Hefting-hang.
between Dymchurch and Ilythe, to assist in the prevention of
smuggling. Abont twelve o clock on that night a party of tan 9.
gins came down to the Herring-hang, and at that time there was re
boat in sight. To the best of my judgment there were absent 110
in the smuggling land-party. Many of them were armed. Before
they came down to the water-aide, they called oat to the beat twice,
hoy yoy." • When I gave the alarm they fired k valley at 111?, aid
I fired again. They fired as they melted down the be t. A pa if
surrounded the boat and worked the goods, while the armed pare
were drama up on each side. The eecood time they fired Inas art
in the mouth, and 1 have now a slug in my fatte. Seventy or
eighty shots were fired. Two other blothademen, named Whelan
and Regan, came to my assistance, and were fired at. Whelan
received a shot, but it struck against his amtounittee box, and fell
into his pocket. The smugglers all escaped. I picked up a
fowling-pleee after they were gone, which I took to my Ater at
the Tower. They were not there above a minute or two, we thee
so wart epee them.
Zanotti H
,the arreser—Oe Saturday night, the 11th er
May, be hie home, at Aldingtoe-Felghs as.
so &lee se the meet. look out her boat to ran Elam
peas. The prisenge were dl thin except Robert' 8047 11§4
Weg. Were, whoa I de sat seestlees 1111 being if the SO,. We
kneed together. lama deg tegitc_iis b Hestaii•lNlS, whist
MAO &vat st sight aft 11•eAbusgion•riltht. A gams ale,

rosin, nor can I pay that I think any eiit IF
rum my own knowledgd.
the quarter-tamer of the aarllies, weft.
at Morgan was killed he bold*" rpm cd
mad to the spo.. The tat thelsz If
rftly to conoWtate tbsielleuisit if
ibis win all the widow hi bid aeZ;111
der. The neat stay 'oat Tte addlime
10111 e or all of the linemen war tear
north,old the only pewit& . &dog air
tie kind. from the wry Dow, of wits el
me with the Assets wee rase. - •
tall young mea, ie the item Otahusetda, wad
vs. He CM hikediflet haat pal.
id be Oats* out the oirederif y rams...
WI at Dover es the right of y, the nth
the primary, but Gila wee ebb me tbeth on
Roue* mei a manage to me le the day dem,
r that stet, and I fins of 811,041 mi Mm at a
idea, about five miles from Dover. I lave
at ten jean. I have met bum by 'palmitin

bore were with us. Dennerti, Sans. Bailey, Thos. Oilhem. and
Gam were arrived. Rausley went forward to look out for the boat
exhort the rest of the company hung back in the fields. lie hal-
looed to us to conta forward, and we all ran down the beach ; some
to the boat, and others, who were armed, remaining on each side
of the working party to cover them. tides had a gun about three
feet long. I had a nun. We had our ammunition from Itausley
or 'ant. Bailey. They used to find us in ammunition. They are
heathers by marriage. We run tubs or brandy and gin that night
to the flambee of about 11)0. Oiler lost his lire-arms th:.t night t I
heard him say so. Their was tiring on both sides. Odes was
!rotted& in the neck ter., severely, and tell. Sam. Bailey dragged
lii!es by the neck to a little green field shove the belch, when I
took him on n:y back and carried hint away. 11/Insley had told rre,
loin& down. that I 1140. 11l carry away the dead. if any were killed.
I carried Giles some tit.tance, and then he walked a bit, and then
stried him again, and coon until w' came to the main road, Wiled
Ratililty put him into his cart, and Ilausley's son drove him home.
I was paid 20s. for my night's work by Rausley, who always paid
all hands. Rate& r Lea a public-house, at which several of the
mon whom he employs spend their money.
Sir R. prawns—What ? Does Rausley keep a public-house?
Mr. JuNs:s—Yes; and the Magistrates there tell me he has no
nonce. •
Mr. PLATT—Really these observations should nct lie mane.
They have no hearing whatsoever upon the case, and o:tly tend to
eseile a prejudice 'pinto Magistrates aud against these turn.
Mr. Jones—Thry are not intended to have that effect. 117 tat
stay fall from me cannot be evidence.
dlr•Ptart —No ; but you know these things will go forth to the
world. I sec those gentlemen (looking at the reporters) busy in
taking notes of every thing that parses, and of very great utility
their labours are; and of course ad that is said will go forth to tile
it JrlJ. •
.lr. do NES expressed a hope that the gentlemen would not re.
port atty observations of his which could possibly operate unfairly
against the tit:sorers.
J. J. Smith, the principal officer, described the apprehension of
rtte.prisonets, and said that be took Giles in conaemter.ce of his
having heard of a man of his description having been engaged in
the &Wray at the derring.hang, and having got a wound in the neck.
Ile examined the prisoner's neck and found that he had • wound
there, which he accounted for by saying that he hada blister rip.
ylied to that part.
A third charge was then gone into, and William Spilling. another
blockade man, tehoappeared with his left arm in a sling, and seem.
ed to have suffered greatly, was called, anti stated that about one
,o'clock on the night of the thh of August, he was stationed at Fort
Moncrief, near Dyinchurch, when he saw two Aces fired, aad
some flashes on the beach, and ran towards the spot. About forty
fifty yards off he s..w from 00 to 100 men assembled, and at the
same thing a boat canto into the surf. I ran towards them and our
party firm! pretty smart. On my way towards the scene of conflict
I received two shots, oce in my arm and the other in my side,
which came out of the back of the shoulder. The firing was then
eery smart on both sides. I wheeled about rd walked away for a
short distance, when I fell. I was afterwards carried to the town,
and was confined many weeks to my bed.
Berne was again called, and recognized all but Robert Bailey
and Oiles as being present at the transaction described by the last
s. Rausley was not armed he never knew him to go
A. About eighty tube were worked that night. Ile did cot
kaow which side commenced firing, but the firing was kept up very
body. Rowley paid witness one guinea for hie night's work. lie
is called Captain Batts.
Lieutenant Johnson, of the blockade service on the Fort Mon.
(Celt station. gave a description of the conflict, and entered into a
minute detail of the circumstances attending it as far as Ire was
wearied to observe. lie discharged a blunderbuss, and wounded a
man of the smuggling party named BUslitii, who was afterwards
rescued by his confederates. A man in 'shooting jacket, who was
very conspicuous, wounded a blockade man named Shoed, in the
shoulder, and a desperate struggle took place between them, but
Shoed was overpowered. The smugglers were pursued through the
marshes. but escaped. Three muskets of theirs were found, two
were broken, the third loaded with 40 slugs.
This was the whole of the evidence gone into, and after an ex-
amination of wane hours, the prisoners were fully committed for
tr'al—all, but Giles. for the murder of 3lorgan i and the whole,
out the two other charges of unlawfully and feloniously assembling
*di firearms to must in the running of contraband goods.
The prisoners were removed under a strong escott to Newreate.
where 'bey will retrain until they arc removed to Maidstone
tot trial.

19Jr1J.