The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-09-01 00:00:00

POLICE.

MANSION 110USII.
JAI IifOCON was brought hereto the Loins MAYO*, charged
with having robbed Mr. Chamberlain, agent to one of the gas
light companies, tin the King's highway.
Jolt,. Duranwas charged with having, with several others, at-
tempted to rescue Beacon from the hands of the watchman.
Mr. Chamberlain stated, that us he was waiting in looslanhall-
street. at eleven o'clock at night, for one of the Blaekwall stages,
six or seven fellows set upon him, and one of then) snatched his
gold watch, chain and seals, lie was not Intimidated from pur-
suing the roan who hail seized his watch, but he suffered consider-
ably in the pursuit, having received numerous kicks and blows,
attil the sultans having set a floocious dog at him. Ile called for
:he watch, aid Beacon. whom the prosecutor now Identified, as one
of the gang, was apprehended. Ile war nuts in custody, when
a desperate attempt was made by persons, who no doubt formed
part of the gang, to rescue him.
The watiltinen at first declared loudly that Barnes was one of
the rescuers ; but for some reason or other they afterwards began
to entertain scruples on the subject.
When the Luso filavoa asked who saw Dames attempt the
rescue, all the watchmen were silent. !Ks Lordship. who suspected
that the totartlianr of the night had ventured to compromise the
lesser otlince, then insisted upon being answered directly and
faithfully.
One ot the watchmen then said, it might be he t the prisoner
might have struck somebody, but who that somebody was, or how
the blow took place, he could not at all say.
Great surprise was manifested at this change of tone from the
positive charge to the hesitating stomicion. The prosecutor did not
et wider the public safe where watchmen were found giving up the
the testimony of their own eyes so easily. When he was beset by
the gang, and In a situation of extraordinary peril, no more than
one watchman approached to give hint aid, and he was obliged to
solicit that watchman to spring his rattle very often before the ec-
cessary alarm was given, and it was only then given under the in-
thence of a threat. When Beacon was taken to the watchhouse,
after the attempt to rescue him, the charge was taken with consi.
finable hettitat ~,,, ; and, during the delay. wane one whispered in
Mr. Chamberlain's ear that if lie would leave the watelihouse, and
walk half ray down the street, he would find his watch. The ob-
iect of such a communication could not be mistaken; but Mr.
Chamberlain persisted hi giving charge of Beacon, of whose person
ha had no doubt. Ile could not swear that Barnes was one of those
who violently attempted the rescue.
The Loan Mason expressed a great desire to have the in-
dividuals who had acted in the manner describol, pointed out to
Lim, ns, if the charges were substantiated opine' them, their rc.
moot should certainly take piece, hut the contusion anti tumult
which prevailed, rendered it quite impossible to ascii lain their
persons, and the wait htuan who was au tardy in springing his
rattle, declared that his hands were confuted at the time, and be
was unable to do as he was requested.
Taylor, one of the officers of l'untioken Ward, stated, that a poor
woman found Mr. Chamberlain's watch in Duke's-place, and
broght it to their watch-house. Witness had at the nitanent
heard that a rubbery had been committed in the opposite ward, '
and lie took the watch there to ascertain whether it could be ldenti.
lied. When he presented himself there he was told to get away and
anti they refused to receive the watch because witness
belonged to the opposite ears!. There was indeed so strong a jea-
lousy between the watchmen of opposite wards, that one watchman
would not step across the street into another ward to assist another
iti distress, or even to apprehend a felon. Indeed, tows metered
nightly where the wittehmen refttiall to stir at the sound of a rattle,
because it came front another ward.
The Lunn 3layon said that such conduct was an absolute en.
coaragement to thieves. The watchmen might exercise as much
emulation as they pleased to preserve the peace and prevent robbe-
ries. lint such a mischievous jealousy as that complained of must
lie suppressed by punishment, whenever an instance occurred of •
prisoner escaping from an adjoining ward, and it was proved that
sods assistance might have bent renderol. Neither officers nor
watchmen should hesitate to go out of their district whenever an
occasion pryer:tell itself. Ilia Lordship then committed Beacon
for trial for the highway rubbery, and Dames fur the attempt to
rescue.
By a recent Act of Parliament. the ettempt to rescue a person
charged with felony is punishable with too years' impriwnment
the rescue is punished with trausp.s ration fur seven rum.

GUILDIIALL.
SINOVLiia APPLICATION.--At the does of the litodnera at thin
offiee yesterday, Mr. Ilague, the Solicitor, accomeanial by an in-
dividual, whose manner* sod general appearance seemed to indicate
that he had seen better days. presented himself before the Ma-
gistrate, Mr. Alderman J. J. Smith, anal tendered a written affida-
vit, to which lie was desirous that the Alderman would permit the
ream with him to be sworn, as liven the facts which it contained,
when deposed to upon oath, befote. bile, he hail to ground an op.'
laic:Mon for the Magistrates further interference and assistance.
The affidavit was then handed in, and road by Mr. Lteresford,
the Chief Clerk.
It stated, in substance, that the applicant, Thomas Cole. of
Great Wild-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, was, in the year 1801,
married to his present wife, Elizebeth, who, two veers afterwards,
left him, in owlet to cohabit adulterously with a legal gentleman,
residing in Sergeant's Inn, to whom the deponent wally believed
she was, In 111111, married. In comirmation of this opinion, he al-
luded to a bill tiled by his a ife and her second husband for a teens-
fn of a sum of COOL to the latter in right of his intermarriage
with her. The deponent further stated, that he was informed and
believed, that several persons, whose names were mentioned, could
pore the fact of the second marriage.
Upon the reading of this extraordinary affidavit,
Mr. Alderman 6/4ITIS observed, he believed lie had hcnrd
something of this case before, en an application made before
hint some time since at this office, when he hail declined to in.
effete.
Mr. Ilague—Certainly., Sir; there was an application of that
kind, but it was at that time objected that there were no farts be-
fore the Magistrate to warrant his interference. We have now
stated most material facts, and the party is now ready to swear to
the trutleof them ; and alien they are in evidence on oath before
you, they will, I conceive, font) a sufficient gerund to warrant your
acting at least so far at to grant summunses for the appearance of
,the parties to give evidence, it being sworn, to the best of the belief
'of the deponent, that they l: ow and can state when and where this
second tnntriage was *dainties-v.l. Ido nut require a warrant; I
old), ask that the parties may be summoned to give evidence.
Mr. Alderman Sit I—l do not sec any benefit that can arise
from suffering this affidavit to be swutn, as, in my judgment. the
statement it contains would not werratat me to act in the manner
requited. It seems to me only a sort of fishing for evidence. What
authority have I to require these gentlemen to come forward as wit.
messes ?
Mr. Ilsaus—A felony. Sir, has been committed, and as a
Magistrate, the offence is most immediately under your cognizance.
Mr. Alderman Slate/I—A suspected felony, at the most. This
affidavit goes no further than to state, that the deponent has been
informed, and believes, that the second marriage has taken place.
'but he does not swear positively to the fact, nor even as to the dins
when or eves the multi; where be suptio,es it to have taken place;
nor is it positively &TOM that the parties whom you r.quire me
to summon to give evidence actually know, and can prove any such
fact; lint merely that the deponent is informed, aid believes, they
can. I cannot act upon such an affidavit. ['dire your witnesses
before me, and upon proper evidence, 1 shall be ready to haul every
assistance as a 3lagieteate.
Mr. AG E.—Thlit is what I wish to do. Sr, but I cannot force
them to come, and I ask your assimatice to bring them. line is
the man himself ready to swear to the best of his belief, and to
answer any questions you
m may please to rut to him. The gentle.
has
man who he believesarried lids wife certainly roust -know
a ul eta state shed= or tons marriage has taken place, and when;
it is sworn before you that he has already stated in a bill in Chan•
eery that a marriage has taken place between him anti Use wife of
the deponent ; this limit surely furnish sufficient ground fur the
Megistraie to act upon.
Mr. Alterman Tll.-1 cannot believe that it has beeti sworn
that a marriage has taken place. without stating at what parish
church it was solemnised. The Court of Chancery would not take'
such an affidavit.
1111 r. flat:vie explained that it was not in an affidavit, but a stater
mere in a biU tiled in Chancery. which was not put in upon oath;
tie point, however, that he principally pressed was, that there were
strong grounds for supposing' felony had been committed, and that
it was the duty. then:Sire, of the Magistrate, to inquire into it,
and lend every assistance fur the discovery anti production of the
!worn evidence to establish the tact, and went the length of hint.
teg, that If his application was refused, he should feel it Ids duty to
move the Court of King's Witch.
Mr. Altierman SMITH was still of opinion that the niers belief ,
or information stated in the affidavit was not sufficient to warrant
his granting the application, and after SCUM eileUlitatiOtt with tile
cleeks, observed, that in the present shape of the affair there was
no evidence before him. Proof should have been given of the
first marriage by the production of the certificate, and the deposi,
non of some person who could identity. the parties ; at roan that
fact rested only on the statement of the deponent, the first hus-
band, whose testimony in such case could not legally be taken ;
and with regard so the second marriage, the evidence of that rested
wholly on the information and belief of the deponent, %these testi-
lima even to the fact would be wholly inadmissible. You must.
said the AWernian, mend your ease, for certainly as it stands at
mead 1 have no authority :u act.
Mr. II are el: seeming dissatisfied with this determination, the
Alderman said he would, it he pleased, take the opinion of the City
leeter.upen it: and that geutlemau was accordingly scat fee.
bat he not bailie:deg to be it: the way, the Alderman Ice,. seiisiled
to act upon thy judgment he had already formed, and the r.l.fidavit
wan returned to Mr. lingua uns.orn.
lie deponent, Thomas Col:, it was stated, was a natural eon rf
the late leart.Of Sandwich, aed a heather of a banister of some to':.
ream. Ile Princely held a commission ark Licutre.unt in the
Navy. .

111111"..STREET.
Arrows:oa backnev.etsachnian, hirer of No. ♦l. appeared to
ansien 3 charge of a lady for overehn rge and abusive language. 11 lute
Ruing front ltneisingbam -gate to tkosycnor-ete. The fare was
la.„ but tlie*oseliman demanded and wok la. 611., seizing the lady's
I basket. audirwearing he would be 1-4,1 if she should budge Irian the
.re‘ till alit paid him the money.
The etfichman denied the overcharge and abusive language. ,
hoping.litshould be struck that mutucut a dead cerps.a if ho
OA"—
‘l. y farther Oscillation of this horrible kind was stopped by tho
. Magistrate. who observed, that he wanted no other proof of the
language be had used titan the present specimen, and i:o theryfere
lined the coachman Ills. and costs.
Tbo Landlady of the florae and Groom, Dedfordbury„ appeared
to an Information by one of tie patrol, charging her with harmit
her house open on Sunday morning. the 22d ult., and three