The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-03-31 00:00:00

YORK ISM' ASSIZES.

CROWN ERR.
Grate !Wizen, of Seuleoates, Hull, was charged
with the wilful murder of Esther Bustard, her siNter,
adminiitermg the poison of white arsenic to her,
on the 20th of Oetober last. _

George Fielding, surgeon. Hr.fl, was the first
witness examined, who stated. that upon the most
c ireful ex imin Won of the stomach and intestines of
the deceased, lie was enabled to say. with certainty,
that the deceased died ot poison, and that that poison
was wf.ite arsenic : F.e colhated a sufficient q,uantity
from the lower orifice of the stomach, which was
nearly carroded through, to 10.1,2 it to the usual
test ; and which, upon being placed upon hot iron,
exhibited white flames, and had the smell of garlic.
This ger tlernan stated. that the usual time within
whicti this poison produced 04 th, was 24 hours ;
but he had known more than one instance where
this effea was prochice.l within eight or ten hours.
Hr also . xpressed it as his decided opinion, that the
deceased had not eapired in a tit, as the head, which
he oariwd, was in a natural state. The general stair
of Vie laaly seas healthy. •
'Mamas Marsh stated, that he was apprentice to
Mr. Hewitt. droggist, of l lull ; that the Prisoner
had bed.. in the habit of romina to their shop, and
that she had 4n:rebated, at ttv.l several times, white
amid:: the Cast time silvan two months before the
tleaeb of her siiter, and the latter time within about
tan Jays of her death, but ahether before or enter
Hall Fair, he conid nut certainly say. The Prisoner
informed hilt, that she used it to destroy rats and
Hire; 0r.4.1 attar she always mixed it with oatmeal,
sad placed it in a kw cellar, where nn.hing could
gel at it. NVitness proceeded to state, tat ms
01011110tb of Ottober, the dry ptesions to the death
of the- dedeased, o.a, Prisons- cams again to the
sio;4 fir snare Godfrey's Cord; 11, and then said,
She WAS aft aid her li: tic dog had got some of the
lad poison," and asked the Witness's opinion, wile
the. k w•nalkt poison hir& to which he replied, it
certainly would, if the dog had got much of it.
Martha Sezden, who was neighbour to the de-
ceased. said, she went with the deceased to Hull
nn Old Michaelmas-day ; and when they re-
tnrced. a:companied her to the Prisoner's house,
who acc•!sted her sister with great anger, and said,
.4 They say thou art asked to the kirk ! but let thee
be asked in what church thou may, I will rut thee
past thy wedding day." These words the Prisoner
repeated several times and on the deceased saying
that she would marry whom she pleased, and that
she loved every hair of his head, the Prisoner said,
she would strip the deceased naked, and turn her
out of doors, if she could not get quit of her any
nevi' war ; for she was determined the house should
not go fta,m her (the Prisoner's; own children.
This witness also stated, that the Prisoner and the
deceased frequently Aputrrelled.
Mary Carus stated, that she got up to wash on
the 21st of Oftnber, very early, an 1 saw the Pri-
soner Cr,nl.• into o.r kitchen for a candle. She said
to the Witness, "7ry lister is dead." Wiwi; went
to look a. the corpse, and frit,nd it quits cold ; they
proceeded to wash the body of the deceased, when
the Fstisoter insisted that her mouth should be
washed with gin t assignii.s this reason for offering
iris indignity to the dead corpse of her sister, .4 She
loved ft when she was living, and she shall have
some now she is dead."

p.vid Dundas said, that he lives nearly opposite
the Prisoner, at Scolcraai es, and as soon as be heard
of the death of her sister, went to the Prisoner's to
make inquiry re.psaing it. The Prisoner said, " her
titter hod died in a fir ; and had been so very ill
ever since Friday the 1711 i inst. that she was inca-
pable of leaving her bed without anistance ; and
that they had sat up with het every night until her
death ;" and she appealed fn: the truth of what she
said to a Mrs. Thompson, who was present, and
who said, "it was so." To this statement the wit-
ness objefted,saying that the deceased had been seen
doing the business of the hnu'e since that period.
Mr. Thomas Hill. who was trustee to the deceased,
and who was present at this conversation, said it
was very strange he had not Been inforufed of her
indisposition; but that he would take the manage-
ment of the funeral upon himself; to which the Pri-
soner replied, " I have ord.-led a ecffin, and she
shall be buried to-day." This witness said, the
deceased appeared to enjoy a good state of health,
nor had he heard that she was subjea to fits.
Thomas Pt oftor cred. that he was a constable
at Hull, and after the Ps ismer had been committed
t" gaol, she sent for the Witness, and said to him,
" I am very sorry I did not tell the Gentlemen
(rorierti-g the Juty) the truth : for I bought some
on the day bele my sister died, and mixed
it with water, which I placed in a tea saucer, near
the water-pot in the cellar, and I suppixe my sister
must have got up in the night and drank it ; as I
found the saucer empty in the morning. and placed
on a higher shelf in the cellar." The prisoner af-
terwards made the same declaration to Mr. Pearson
chief constable of Hull, with this addition ;
" I did not tell the Jury. for fear they should sus-
peat that I had done it."
The evidence here closed on the part of she pm-
semi ;on. The following witnesses were called on
V.e part of the Prisoner :
Mrs. Austin said, that she knew the Prisoner and
her sister very well, and that the Prisoner behaved
to the deceased a Oh the greatest possible indulgence;
and that she had beard the deceased say, she would
hang- or drown herself.—Upon being cross•exa-
mined, she said the deceased need these expressions
when she had some words with her sister.

Ana Thompson ssi.l, that she lived inßnbinson's
house about a fortnight; that Grace Kohinson
bought some arsenic, which she mixed with
soap, and gave to the witness to rub her furniture
with, to destroy the bugs, with which her room
•swarmed.

Aim Savage stared, that she supplied Robinson's
family with milk, and that the Prisoaer and the de-
cease I fired very comfortably together, except a tew
j iron; words. Saw the deceased a short time he.
fors-, apparently much distressed. Witness said to
•• WhAt is the meter ? hour PeAN hod at? word,
with r•ear airier s'" to which the deceased ahswered,
•• N ; but she would drown herself ;" or something
that purport. All the witnesses for the Prisoner
agreed in staticK, that they believed the deceaser#
La subjed to fits.
l•he Jury, their' some consideration, aersittrof the
Prisoner.

Iteurncr AT FEL LORE.

Althorigh sae detailed accounts have yes been re-
ceived, or at least trta public, of the circum-
stances which led to the melancholy catastrophe at
Vellore, some part of the correspondence whicks
pawd between General Craddock, the Madras
Government, and the prireinal officers of the Ge.
neral Staff, in that establishment, respelling the
supposed origin of the mutiny, has ttanspired.
From this it appears, that men after the arrival
of General Craddock, at Madras, three selsoys of a
battalion commanded by Major Bose, arrived at the
Presidency from Arcot—wearing turbans, which
had been made up under the direEtione of that offi-
cer, an i which, in his opinion, were cheaper, more
military and convenient, than the turbans then worn
throughput the array. These men were inspeeted
by General Craddock. and their turbans approved
of ; and, in consequence, turbans of this dein iption
were prepared for all the native inftntry in the ser-
vice. It appears, also. that a general spirit of
aversion against the new turban was manifested by
different corps of the army. At Veliure, the se.
cord battalion of the 4th regiment objefhed to the
innovation at an early periml—and as they betrayed
their feelings in a manner contrary to military dis-
cipline, the ringleaders were brought to trial, two
of the prinsaipals punished, and the others pardoned.
In Seringapatam, which contained' a numerous
garrison of native troops, great dissatisfaltion pre-
vailed; and, as General Craddock states, it WAS the.
cry, " That the next attempt would be to '
make the Sepoys Christiens."
The Commander in Chief, in conseeprenee of the
general repugnance against this regulation, telt
himself placed in a situation of peculiar difficulty,
between his wish net to wound the prejulicea of the
Sepoys, and his desire to mlintaiii military disci-
pline. "tie was aware that force and punishment
niight. overcome individual twobriati, but that the
general dislike to the nieasnie would nut abate, and
that the frequent occurtence of severity might pros
duce had consequences." He therefore addressed
a letter to the Gum nor in Council, requesting the
advice of Government, respeaing the measures to
be pursu-d. On the 7th of July last, he received
an answer from the Madras Government, in which
it was acknowledged " that from the difficulty
which had occurred its carrying into effete the late
alteration in the dre's of the Native Corps, the
Government were led to think that it might have
been desirable to have avoided the adoption of it ;"
but concurring in opinion with respea to the injury
that might ante from receding an Aa which had
received the confirmation of public authority, and,
at the same time, wishing to tranquillize the minds
of the Active troops, they recommended to the Ge-
neral that an oreer should be immediately issued,
under the authority of Government, conveying "a
general assurance of these being no intention to in-
troduce any change iecompatible with the laws or
usages of the natives." 'lbis expedient, however,
does not appear to have been resorted to; but Ge-
neral Craddock, in one of his letters to Lord W.
Bentinck, acknowledges "that the order was cal-
culated to preserve just authority, and to do away
any prejudices that might exist upon the imputed
disregard to the right attached to cast or ancient
custom."
On the IGrh of July, previous to which the mutiny
occurred at Vellore, General Ctaddock, who ha,i ar-
rived there, wrote to Colonel Agnew, the Adjutant-
Ganeral. stating—" that persons who have an in.
terest on the occasion declare, that a very general
diss itislaaion prevailed in the army at the period
of the dreadful occurrence at Vellote, on account
of the adoption of the tu: ban, but more especially
the late order, that prohibited all marks in the
face to denote casts, or seas, and the iiijutiaicn to
cut the several moustaches to a common pattern."
The General also appears to have ect.rtained
" the greatest inquietude, that it was in the power
of po sihility that infringement of the Sepoys' rights
and prejudices, dear to them as life ! should origi-
nate with him, who, as muds as any man in India, re-
spefted their immemorial usages." The General then
calls upon Colonel Agnew and his Deputy, Majar
Pearse, to give explanation on that particular point ;
whether any innovation had been introduced ? or
whether it was acuntinuation of the lung pritnice
of the army ? The General stated, that. as such, it
had been represented to him by these OtScers, when
the orders about to be published were read :a their
presence, and in the presence of Colonel Orr, the
Quarter-Master-General ; the Commander-in Chief
then observes, that lie had perused these orders in
communication with the Officers last men:mined,
that he might derive information from the great ex-
perience which they possessed on local points—that
he had particularly adverted to the order in question,
and was assured by these officers that it was the
established military custom.
A letter was also written to Major Pearse, in sub-
stance the same, from whose answer it appears, that
on the inspeftion of the books of Native Corps, it
WAS deemed necessary to establish a code of stand-
ing orders for all the regiments of Native Infantry,
and that Major Pears*, by the desire of General
Craddock, undertook to prepare it, and that it was
accordingly published on the 13th of March, 180 Pl.
The compilation was principally founded upon
standing orders established by the late General
Braithwaite, when Colonel of a regiment of Euro-
pean Infantry, for that corps, " with the requisite
: deviations to render it applicable to Native troops—
and in reference to some of the most approved re-
gulations formerly in force in Native battalions."—
When this compilation was read, Major Pearse ac-
knowledges that the 10th paragraph of the 11th
seaion attraaed General Craddock's notice who in-
quired, "whether it would interfere with the pre-
judices of the Natives?" That the Major answer-
ed, under the same impression that had induced
him to insert it (as did the Adjutant General to the
SAME t4e4l). t/Int wuuld net ; and that it WAS not
the custom, in well regulated corps, for Native sol-
diers to appear in the manner found by that para-
graph."
Major Pearse then states, that, during his military
service, as the public Staff Officer of a station, com-
manded by an officer who enforced discipline, bin
attended to the prejudices of the soldiers, and es a
Brigade Major at Vellore, he considered it to be
his duty, wnen inspelfing Native Sepoys, to tura
them off the parade, if they appeared with mat k s
on their faces, or with rings in their ears ; in the
same manner as he shonld have rejefted thorn, it
•

they had been dirty in their theta, Or defeftive in
their arms or appointments.
Major Pearse denies atint the recent rm laseholy
inputalite to the orders
event, at lirPore,. was fait ly
in question, hut ols4ertes, " that it might IA traced
to that implacable hostile spitir, ag mist European
dominion, that could transisrm a *Wires v
iern Cie linty (von ; that could Mlle the artificers,
to refuse to wirk, after the arrival of the news,
th it l'iprioo's "tins wire in possessiou of tl!e fort of
Vt•liore; an.l that could occasion the sticking too of
placards in the mosques about Madras, and calling
upon the people, to rally in detente of the true
faith-4 spirit which, from report, arpears to
have been very generally difraied, and to have been
particularly instilled into the maids of the Native
troops at Veilore."
In the answer of Colonel Agnew it is stared, that
when the paragraph of the. standing orders yespe3 -
ing. the Mark of Casts, was read by Maj Jr Pear •o
to the Commander-in-Chief, he (Colonel Ag -vat)
considered it as the mere recital of what h 44 long
been praftised in %Yoh-regulated corps, under the-
rec ived custom of the set vice, although, like many
ctiser customs, not especially direted by any f
teal order, it was rot always rigidly enlorced. That
this opinion had been by him expressed to the Com-
mander when his l• xcell-ncy stated his
dislike to touch in any shape on the custom. of
Cast.
.• pi, 10, aft. 11 It is ordered by the Regulatinns. that
Native-finktier shah not maik his face er denote his Cast, ..r
near ear. ants erne. &ease,* in his uniform; and it as twiner
direr td, that At all parades, and •pon alt dutms, every sold•
a the batten.% site Ib- dean .hard Oil the eine. It is d--
reft also, that uniformity 5h..11, so ter as it is painible, be
reaerwest to maul to the quantity and sheee of the hair u•:0:,
Via tapper IQ."

SPURTING INTLILIGENCE.

CAT ['ERICK-BM DGE-ENTR Y.

WitOtirsciriY, *PIM 1.
Produce Stabs. of 23gs ra. h, b ft. for cobs and fillies rising
butt ye.ir* u!d. Two mils*.
Sir J. Law,oo's ch, c. by Execciatwni, est.
ISlr Grimstusey b 1. by Foca Mate, 811.
Sir A Don's cult, by Spadille, 831 3lts.
Sir W. Gttard'A b. a. V4..:.d1e, by Reniogbrou;h,
Mr Illsodnes filly, by 7it. 1116.
Mr. G. Liutore. b. c. by Sur, Sit 31b.
Mr. T Hu ck.i.sore. br. c. by Sir P. TeJee, Bst. 31b.
Mr Flese;wes b. f siyter to Stayely, Sit.
Mr It.b4eaN b. c. Yount Hopeful, by Expe&stion, att.
Kin W. G..2rard's b. c. Wilfully, by B.minVuougli, Bst. ajtintt
Sir J. Law.r,i s ch. a.. by lispectition, 7st. 11.0. two macs,
160 p. b. h•
Filly Foca& lac all aye. Tiro-mile heats. ( ke,s min May )
. .

Lord Suatbaserelii. e. by ii.thibletunia.r, d tM by Sir Peter
Tt.,zlp,S 74.

- . .
S,, T. Gascoivae's eh. 1. ►y Timothy, out of V iolsr, 9 yrs
old, 7st.
Sir H Williarnson's r. c. Sultan, 9 yob old, 74.
Mr Kirkby's ch. r. Harbour's, 4 yrs old, 7.t. 121 b.
Mr W. Hutchin,ur, s ch. e. by St. George, 4 yrs o'd, 74. 121 b.
SweepstAm es each, for hunters, .t.c. 12vt. To De rude
Gentlemen. Eleven are named.
THURSDAY.
Sweepstakes of 10zs. cam, 1 r colts,B4. 31b. Elio:, el.
Two reties

Sir J. Lxirson's ch. c. by Expect:6.n, Am by Drone.
Mr. W..lker% ch. c. ly Star, dam by Young Ma,.k
Mr. Fia,ker's b. c. Boxberry brother to Element

Mr. W. Hutchiitsen's b. c. Sdein, by St. Gauge
Mr. Darstiv's b c by Star, darn by Drone
Mr. Moday's b. r. by Hyacintltur, darn by Foalrunter
Mr. M:ll,h's b c Yining Hopeful, by L.:,,ectation.
SweepAakes of Sect each, for fillies, 3s'.—.one mile and a ba'rf.
Sir W Gerard's brown, by tfainbletunian
Mr. Fletcher's bay, sorer to Stately
Lord Loather's cnessiut, by Precipitate
Lord Strai honor's bay, sister to Renientbra 3C.Yr
Sir T. G scoglie's cheotut, by Timothy, not or Violet
Mr. Wentwoith', bay, Margaret, by Bertingbroligh
Mr. Mellish's brown, by Haoibletenian
Sir M. M. Sykes's bey, Monet, by Precipitate.
Sweepstakes of If/peach, fur hunters, 140.1.4.1 be tads
by tientleateii —two miles. rout are 11411.141 d.