The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-07 00:00:00

►O the child, but there could be no doubt, tbst it was itlegiti-
.

nate.
After a careful and elaborate mming up of thidnce,the
in I
which the Learned Jadge humanely pointed the atte e evntioen of
.liny to very minute circtonstances, whkh could in any vie
if wy
be a
favourably towards the prisoner, he lammed them, that the
were of opinion that the priumer •a• not guilty of wilful murder,
she might be convicted of concesling the birth of the child, which
would enable...Mu to pars on her a less severe sentence than that
of execution, which must follow, if she was convicted of wilful

counter.
After a short consultatirm, the Jury acquitted the prisoner of the
murder, bet found her guiliy of concealing the birth of the (AW.
She was sentenced to be imprisoned for one year.
• CDAROE OF MURDER.
Walter Bray. William K;110, John Eda ards. and Thomas
Edwards, were chirged with having feloniously, wilfully., and with
malice aforethought, killed one Martin Pope. The pnsoners are

;lc young men.
Mr. Erskine was about to state the case for the prosecution, bu
the learned Judge observed, that it had been a rale on this Circuit
that there should be no statement in cases of felony. Hs did
tot tlad that this rule was productive of any inconvenience, and
thovght that it should not be deviated from in this instance, with-
out adequate reasons. Mr. Erskine concurred in dig surjestion of
his Lordship, and ptoceedal to examine the witnesses fur the

Crown.
Benjamin Jenkins sworn—is an innkeeper at Wheaton, in this
county. Knows a public house kept by Rogers in the same p:arish.
That hot:se is about a minter of a mile from witness's. There is a
road between the two !moats. On the 24th of June last there was
a wrestling match near witness'', house. The prisoners Lye at a vil-
lage called Redruth Highway, at. no great distance. Witness was
at the wrestling match, and law the prisoner khto weestle with
Alartin Pope. since deceased. Pope threw Kitto. There were 300
dr 400 persons at the match. The wrestling parties were not pro-
perly formed on this day, and it was agreed that the match should
Be played over again on the neat Monday. Wimess attended on t e
3londay. The prisoners, Kit to and Thomas Edwards, were also prnd
e-
sent. Twongular parties were then formed. The St. Day people a
the Redruth people. Sticklers were appointed ; these were persons
to declare the prizes and keep the ring clear. There were also per-
nos called Standanie; these were men who came* two other
pen me, or had stood against them for alimired and Here only
And the privilege of wrestling for the prize*. About six o'clock on
the evening in question it was proposed that no more standards
should be made, but that those already made should wrestle for the
prises. Upon this. proposal the prisoner Thomas Edwards jumped
into the ring, threw °Wins coat, put on a wrestling jacket, and sad
with an oath, that " he would wrestle or tight the belt man or the St.
Day party." It was not thought that Thomas Edward. had properly
qualified as a standard. and therefore the St. Day people dete
not to let him wrestle, but to decide the match for the prizes on
another occasion. In consequence of this resolution the St. Day
people, to the number of about a hundred, left the ground, aid pro-
ceeded to witness's house. Witness accompanied them. As they
left the groundihe Redruth people hooted arta. them. The St.
Day party ail stopped at witness's house drinking. In about an
iotur after they had arrived et the witnesa`s house the prisoner Bray
came, and inquired if any of the Redtutb par y were there. Witnen
replied that they were not. Bray wanted to go up to thew üb-room,
where the St. Day party were, but witness refused to permit him,
Red-
and he went tritely away. Subsequently a large party of the Red-
ruth people arrived. Some had stones, some sticks, and some no
weapons. Witness observed Bray and John and-Thomas Edwards
amongst the crowd. Bray and Thomas Edwards had sticks.. The
party outside desired that the door should be opened. Witness re-
fined, and they then threatened to break open the door. Witness
said if any man broke open either the window or door he would
shoot him. He also said that those in his house did not want to
quarrel, and that they (meaning the patty outside) had better go back
whence they clime. At this time some of the St. Day people were
outside the house, and one of the other party, cried out, that if they
could not get those within, by El— they would murder those out-
side. Witness then got his Fun, and again threatened tn shoot any
one who should force the window. A gat number of the cr6wd
then retired; but John Edwards remained near the window and said
" fire at me, if yob like, I shall not go back." and Thomas Ed-
wards raising his stick said, that if witness did not put down his
gun he would test his brains out. Bray inquired for a man named
[irking, and said, „let him come out, and I shall murder him."
TIT party within then went out, some through the door and some
through the window. Witness followed. The two parties then
formed at a little distance from the house. The St. Day party
took a high spot: of ground, and the Redruth party a little
r. After burning some time, one of the St. Day party called
out. " What are you tor?" and John Edwards, taking off his
coat, said he was for fighting the best of the St. Day party. A
man, of the name of Ncrthey, advanced, and said he was ready ;
brit
John Edwards tetreated, and said he would not fight if his brother
Henry was notabere. Witness then proposed that a ring should be
formed, and that the champions should decide the quarrel, but
John Edwards refused. A stone was then thrown from the Reti-
red' patty, and two or three were returned by the St. Day people.
A rt number of sones were then thrown on both sides, and the
fightt great number of atones were then thrown on both sides, and the
fight conttnuet! Lind the Redruth party were beat off. Whims
then returned to his own house, and observed the deceased, Martin
Pope, supported on a chair ; he appeared in a dying state.
Crearessmined by 31r. TawcaED, who was for the prisoners--
Witness was for the St. Day party. Did not know that the St. Day
party had sent a challenge to the Redruth party to fight them. Did
not know that Northcy:sent a challenge to John Edwards. Never
heard it until examinations were taken before the Magistrate. There
were a great many boys in both patties. When the St. Dayart people
proposed to go out, witness told them that the Redruth py were
armed, and that they should not go to meet them without being
armed. Before the St. Day people went out, the party outside
threatened to heave in stones. Pope died in about ten winutet after
witness first saw him.
Mathias John Boese is a surgeon living at Redruth. Was called
unto to examine the body of Martin Pope, which lay opposite the
door of Jenkins's public-house, on the evening of the afith of June.
There was a laeFe contusion on the left side of die chest, which
must have been inflicted either by a large stone or a very heavy
stick. Witness opened the body in ail days afterwards. There
were about three pints of extravasaled blood in the left cavity of the
breast. Has no doubt that the man's death was occasioned by •
violent blew of a stone or stick. If the latter, it must have been,
as unusually heavy stick. The deceased was a stout lusty man.
Thomas Manly was present at the wrestling
s's public-hmatch. After iouse, and
t ras
ever, and the SO./ay party had gone to Jenkin
tits Redruth pasty to Rogers's, witness met the prisoner Bray, who
said, '' I hare been to Jenkins s, end challenged the best man in
the house." Ile afterwards said, " The Edwards's ere coming,
sad you will see more than has been for some time in Wheaton."
John Lecher, a grocer at St. Anne's, was accidentally passing •
by Jenkins'a house on the evening of the murder. Witness first I
nlaservial a large party armed with sticks sad atones coming to-
War& rise hone.. Ile recognized Bray and the two Edwarda's in
i root or the party. He asked the former what they were about, and
he aromered, " We are going to get the St. Day party out to
fight." Whom remonetrated with Bray and but parry upon
the impropriety of their purpose, and went so far as to threaten that
if they persisted he would take the names of the ringleaders,
add bring, them before a Slagoornte. In despite of witness
J ad-
vice. the party pressed on ; and when they came opposite en-
kins's house they called upon those within to come out, or else they
would murder those outside. Witness then observed Jenkins with a
;Tun in his hand, and alter a little while the St. Day party lamed
tram the house. As the party within came forth, uric of those out-
side said, "Let us murder them as they come out." Witness
could not tell who used this expression. but scion after saw the two
parties drawn up on a rising ground. They then engaged in a ye-
gofer battle with sticks and stones, and in about two minutes
Pope was taken of the field into the house, apparently in a dying
stem
James Trevinnin saw the Retinal:l ratty conning from', Rogera's
house towards Jenkins'a. Kim) was aniongit them, and said, "If
can meet Pope I shall murder him."
Another witness deposed, that when John Edwards heard the
Pepe was killed, he said he was glad of it.
Several other witnesses were produced for the prosecution, but
their reatimony did not threw any additional light upon the facts
the esse, se already stated..
A great assail/ of winnow were also examined on the part of
the prisoners, as Ina ta contradict the evidence for f.'s prosecution
as to make it appear dist the prisoners were indisposed to engage
is the affray. It appalled that the prisoner John Edwards hintaelf
relined a seems eonatadaa in the head.
The Learned Junta, after summing up the evidence, informed
the Jury that, in his judgment, the charge of wilful murder had
not been made out, but he left it for the Jury to say whether the
plitiontre or any of them were guilty of manslaughter.
The Jury acquitted all the prisoners of the capital charge, and
brought them in guilty of manslaughter. They were sentenced to
be imprisoned for one year.
This case terminated the Crown business at Boamin.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.

OsouctsTEit, Fittnct, Ago. 4.
Yesterday Mr. Baron Garrote arrived in this city at two o'clock,
act, opened the Commission in the Shire Hall.
This morning, at 10 o'clock, both the besrned Judges proceeded
to the Cethedral, where they attended divine worship, and listened
to an excellent sermon preached by the Sheriff's Chaplain.
At twelve their bovviships proceeded to their respective Courts.
fir. Berm (JARROW presiding on the Crown aide, and Mr. Justice
Iluscounn trying the Civil eases.
CROWN SIDE.
The following Noblemen and Gentlemen were itnpanellcd and
sworn an the Grand Jury for the County :
Lord Edwarl Somerset. Edward Wilbraham, Esq.
heed A pat,. Edward Cripps..Esq.
The Rt. How. C. B. Bathurst. Robert Snow Patti, Esq.
Robert osirnsby Cooper, Esq. Robert Capper, Esq.
Miehaol flicks Resell, Esq. Willi im 31unro, Esq.
John L. Phelps, Esq. Thomas King•eote, Esq.
I'. J. Raker, Esq. Robert S. Gavle, Esq.
F. Tro...sn. Esq. Richard llarward,
11. Clifflved Clifford, Egg. Henry Norwood Trye, Esq.
Purnell 'R. Purnell. Esq.
As WWI as the oath.; were administered to the Grand Jury for
the county, and al'o to the Grand Jury for the city—
Mr. Bellamy, Clerk of the Arraigns. read his Majesty's Pro-
clamation, pruMulgated is the first year of his ieign, for die sup.
111•01i4111 of eke. profaneness, an i Imsnorality.
Sir W. I'M.anow then charged each Grand Jury in the manner
Al, Lards, Gentlemen of the Grand Inquest of the County—

feel, I am Trite sure. id common with you, great regret deist
nthe
Calendar presented tb yap by the Ifigh Sheriff, of the etfeces
which will come before ,'o for yam- consideration, should contain
such a very unusual buititec of crimes for your inquiry ; and one
cannot help observingveith sincere sorrow, that sonic of them arc
of a most disgusting, and very distressing nature. I observe, Gen-
tlemen, that in the 'City Calendar there is one case of a description
which is out-numbered in the County Calendar—a case of man-
slaughter, I mean. In the County Calendar there appear to he
more than one case of that description. It appears from the depo.
sitions taken by the Coroner, that it is not a case wherein the exer-
tions of man against a brother man have been earned on to a fatal
and too great extent upon the detestable principle of prize-fighting.
It is a consolstion, in comparing the case 1 mention with some
others, and with offences or the same class that are to be found in
your Calendar, that they are rot of that disgusting and abomi-
nable nature which now and then come before Grand Juries
for consideration—wherein two men are brought in contact
for the sake of a purse made up, to subject themselves
even to death, for the entertainment (as it is called) ofi
those who bring them together. In the cases of manslaughter
which will be brought before you, it appears that resent-
ment existed on account of real or supposed injury. The offence be-
lieved to be given incited the unhappy persons now indicted to pro-
ceed to the extent which I, in common with you, have to regret.
The gentlemen to whom now I hare the honour of addressing my-
self so very often have (indeed so often in my own experience)
shown their perfect capacity. to discharge all the duties they are now
called upon to fulfil, that tt would be an unpardonable waste of
time to detain them by any. general observations on the functions
of their office. Igm excessively sorry, my Lords and thnthmen,
that your labours will necessarily protract your stay in this plate.
I trust each of us will take the share of labour confided to him with
that patience which is due to the administration of justice, and IlFt
risfactorily, I hope, to those who are concerned in the cases to be
brought before u..
Gentlemen of the City Grand Jury-1 have to contrast, with
much satisfaction, your calendar with that which the Noble and
Hon. Gentlemen I have just addressed have for their consideration.
Your calendar contaires but two charges. I regret that one case
presents for your consideration the death of a fellow-ereature, occa-
sioned by the trial of manhood between the deceased and the pebutrson
indicted. I shall not detain you by any g7ieral observations,
recommend you to proceed immediately in the discharge of your
labours, which arc extremely light when compared with those of
the gentlemen to whom I last did myself the honour of addressing.
Both Grand Juries then retired to their respec,ive rooms.
The business here is unusually heavy. The calendar it extraor.
dinarily heavy, as the following analysis of the prisoners and crimes
it presents will show :
Assault, with intent to ravish 2 Rape -
Assault (common', . 3 I Receiving stolen goods
Assault (unnatural) - I Riot -
liurglary - 12 Sheep-stealing •
Child-atealing - I Shop-lifting -
Grand larceny -I t I Stealing in a dwelling-house
Highway-robbery - - 4 to the amount of 40s. and
Howe-stealing 1 upwards -
Housebreaking - -12 1 Stealing from the person 3
anslatigliter 6 lU:tering base coin
Obtaining money on false
pretences - -
I.
I
On 'the Civil Side there were
which forty causes have been env
kind of Importance.

Total
SIDE.
sixty veniret yesterday, out of
!red. Those tried to-day 'lac of

LA IV XOncEs.

COURT OF CRANORWr.
888 LORD CliA‘, CI.LOR, L1NC04.11.11 INN ACIA., The DATA
AT TaV.

Powell ♦. Sonnet, ea per order.
Cause Petition..

VICE-CRA'NCELLOR'S COrRT.
INSIORS Tls TICS-CIIANCIILLOA, IN LINCOLN'S INN, TRU DATA AT
NALY-PAST TEN.
Bankrupt Petitions.
Milroy v. Ration Elford v. Etforci I Rent v. Cooke
Hubbard v. Hubbard I Brenchley v. Brencbley Hoyle v. Robson
Hoiden v. Effort! Goulding v. O'Neill Dickenson v. Vanby.