The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-21 00:00:00

server', that it was for them to say whether both Of tither of the
prisoners were guilty ; but they could not Lind the elder prisoner
guilty without first being convinced of the guilt of Druid.
The .Jury desired to retire. They were nut of Court above
half an hour. On coining back they returned a verdict of Not
Guilty against both prisoners.
The COMBION SEanwAliT, after the verdict was returned,
said that he had great doubt whether the money Wm ever In the
pocket-hook.
The htisinem of these Sessions having concluded at about two
o'clock yesterday,
The REcoann a, at half-past three, prneeeded to pats sentence
Oa the prisoners who had been convicted at them.
The following received sentence of Heath. viz.:—
Richard Torkington, for forgery ; Charles West, for house-break-
ing ; James Shiads, fur ditto ; John Jane, foe hone-stealing ;
Edward Cooke, for stealing in a dwelling.house ; Philip Smith,
for ditto ; John Fuller, for ditto ; Henry he Hoy, for ditto ;
Charles Inglebert, for ditto ; Thomas Watts, for I se-breaking
Joseph Finch, for stealing in a dwelling.house ; Thomas Chant-
bee', for horse-breaking; and William Finset, fur ditto.
Ten were sentenced to be transported during their natural lives ;
one for fourteen years; forty-four for seven years; and thirty-eight
were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and hard labour
in the House of Correction and Newgate, three of whom were or-
dered to be privately whipped.
William Ramaden Robinson's sentence was respited until the
next Sessions.
Michael John O'Connor, convicted of publishing blasphemous
libels, was sentenced to six months' improsonnient in the House of
Correction.

. . .
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, rt:LSVAY, JULY 20.

-
CASE OF MR. ROBERT (MURIA Y.
On the Chairman (F. CODIST, Esq.) corning into Court this
morning, Mr. Maule the Solicitor to the Treasury, held a long
private conversation with him relative to the case of Mr. Robert
Gourley, who was brotight from the House of Correction to make
an application for his discharge.
(hi his entering the Court, Mr. Gourley handed a paper "to the
Chainitan, who read it, and addressing Mr. Gourley, said, This'
paper, like the one before presented to me, is of no avail. The
Coen have no cognizance of what has taken place. You were aim-
rried under the warrant of a Magistrate, and the Court cannot do 1
anything unless you make an application to be discharged on the '
ground that no person appears against you."
Mr. BULLARD then said, that if the application were made then
he was prepared to oppose it.
Mr. Gourlay—ls there a prosecutor here now ?
The Cki Al IIIIAN—No, we have only ti, Lonimitment.
Mr. Gourley (to Mr. Bulhind)--Clu whose part du you appear,
Sir ?
1 Mr. Rocca/Ire—On the part of the Crown.
Mr. Gourlay—Of the Secretary of State, I suppose?
Mr. lioncaND—Yes, I bad my brief from Mr. 3laule, the So-1
licitor to the Treasury. I attend to see that the provisions of the
Acts 39 and 40 Geo. 111. cap. 94, see. 3, are complied a ith.
Mr. Richards, the Clerk of the Court, then read the clause,
which enacted that no persons committed by a Magistrate on the
ground of insanity should be discharged until they put in good and
ruthcient bail.
The CHAIRMAN—The Court will, when you apply fur it, have
power to take your bail.
Mr. Gourley—l am ready to take my trial now.
The CHAIRMAN—If no one appears you are entitled to your
discharge, on putting in good bail. Your cimintitencnt I consider
is in the nature of an execution, and you are not entitled to your
discharge on a general gaol delivery as a matter of course, but you
must put in bail.
Mr. Gourley—l am not of that opinion, but submit to your ,
superior judgment; I have staid the time, and I do not see how
bail can now b.: required ; my honour is cruelly at stake, and I
am anxious to have a public trial, and set the matter at rent ; I have
been Lutist cruelly and illegally treated.
The ChAiRMAN (to Mr. Bolland)—What counts do you in.
tend to take?
Mr. Bot.ca•D—l have but one course to adopt.
Th•Cumanax—l would recommend Mr. Gourley to go before
a Judge, when he would be immediately discharged, if the Judge
thought the warrant illegal.
Alr. Gourley—l should be establishing a wrong precedent, if I
were to consent to put in bail now.
The CHAIRMAN—Under the Actor Parliament, I don't think I
can discharge you without.
Mr. flourlay-1 have cruelly suffered, and am ready to suffer
further pusithaseet, rather than the rights of the public should be
compromised by me. What amount of bail will be required? I
ask it manly as a matter of curiosity.
Titc CHAIR M•N—I should not ask very heavy bail. As you
only flak hem curiosity. I don't feel disposed to mention any
amount; It will be time enough when your bail are in attend-
ance
Mr. C. Pinta-les advised Mr. Charley to consent to put in bail
for the sake of his family and friends.
4 ' Mr. Gourlay—No, toy mind is made up upon the subject;
hissisrees I hate no objection to re-consider the nutter; I do not
like being_ considered insane; let them bring me to a fair trial.
(To Mr. llollandi—ilea the Secretary of State any intention to
become a prosecutor ?
Mr. BOLLAND—No, I only attend to ace the provisions of the
Act complied with.
The CHAIRMAN—YOU are only kept in custody until you find
good bail. I shall take moderate bail, if it is offered. You are pro-
cycled against upon a statute.
Mr. Ouurlay in great agitation)—.l want a fair trial. I differ
with you all in opinion ; I difler with you entirely. I will not
yield. lam ready to go back to the place I came titan.
The CHAIRMAN—I have nothing to do with it; I can't inter.
fere. You are committed under a statute, and you must comply
with the tetras of it before you can be discharged. I will take your
bail, and that is all I can do.
311. Gourley. —Let ma see the Act.
The Act was then handed to Mr. Gourley, who said none of the
clauses in it would apply to him.
Mr. Cr swoon then, in addressing Mr. Gourley, said, that a
3lagierate ought nut to commit a person to prison unless be was
fully satisfied, from the evidence brought before him, that lie was
insane.
Mr. ()outlay— If this Act is enforced, ro man is safe for a mo-
ment; and if poor, he has nu means of obtaining redress fur any
outrages that may be inflicted tea hint. It rests with a Magistrate
to commit say person he pleases, and make insanity the excuse for
it. It is the most monstrous proceeding I ever heard of.
The CHAIRMAN—As you have asked what bail will be requires!,
it is but fair to tell you. I shall be satisfied with yourself in 2901.
and two sureties in MK eack. If you hare any friends who will
enter into that security, you may be immediately discharged ; or,
as this is the last day of the Seasious, you can make the application
on the adounintent day.
Mr. °outlay—lt is not probable I shall ask anybody. I am
determined to weather it out.
Ile than bowed to the I :hairman, and left the Court in custody
of au °Ricer, to return to the House of Correction.