The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-10-09 00:00:00

MYSTERIOUS CASE.

On Thursday last a meeting of the Magistrates took
place at the Crown Inn in Everley, for the purpose of in-
vestigating the mysterious case relative to the death of the
late wife of Mr. George Hooper, of Collingbornc. The
circumstances (which have not as yet, we believe, been
before the public) are as follow :—ln the early part of
May last, Mrs. Hooper was poorly, and desired some
gruel to be made, which was accordingly done by one of
the maid-servants. Upon Mrs. Hooper's taking a little
of' it, ehe said it had a very disagreeable taste, and sent
it back. About three weeks afterwards, being again indis-
posed, she ordered some gruel to be made, and gave out
some grits from a jar in a cupboard for that purpose. The
gruel was made by one of the servants, and taken up by
the other to her mistress, who was then in bed. Mra.
Hoopet had no sooner tasted it than she complained of its
having a nauseous and lardy taste; she then desired her
husband to try it; he did so, and said he thought it tasted
as if stale butter had been put into it. Neither of them
having suspicion that any ingredient of a noxious quality
had been put into the gruel, she took the greater part of it;
she soon after became very ill, and retching and vomiting'
ensued, which continued the whole night, and in the morn-
ing about 11 o'clock Mrs. Hooper expired. The medical
gentlemen who were in attendance analyzed the sediment
left at the bottom of the basin, and found that it contained
arsenic. A coroner's inquest was held, when it appeared
that the deceased " died in consequence of having taken
poison in her gruel, but how such poison came there was
not known." It appears that, about three or four months
before this tragical occurrence, Mr. Hooper hail purchased
some of " Top's Composition" for the destruction of mice
and rats; that some of it had been placed on sticks, and
laid in various parts of the house and premises ; which
sticks had been afterwards burnt, and the places where
they had been laid cleansed. Mr. Hooper very prudently
kept the box containing the composition locked up, and no
one had access to it but himself. Upon the sediment in the
basin being analyzed, it appeared exactly similar to the
composition above alluded to. Since the inquest, various
reports have been circulated respecting Mrs. llooper's death,
and amongst others that she herself was the immediate cause
of it. Mr. Hooper thought it an indispensable duty that a
thorough investigation should take place, and that the ser-
vants should be examined before the Magistrates. This mys-
terious affair was accordingly investigated on Thursday last,
when, after a most minute and strict examination of all
parties, nothing was elicited to show by whom or by what
means the gruel became impregnated with the poison.
The servants were consequently discharged. It is but jus-
tice, however, to Mr. Hooper, and to the memory of the
deceased, to state, that not the slightest ground was esta-
blished to warrant the insinuation of her having caused
her own destruction • but, on the contrary, it was satis-
factorily proved, by the evidence of most respectable neigh-
bours, as well as from the servants in the house, that Mr.
and Mrs. Hooper, since the time of their union (about one
year only), had lived together in perfect harmony, and
were endeared to each other by the most ardent attach-
ment. Bv the above melancholy occurrence, Mr. Hooper
has been deprived of an amiable and affectionate wife, sin-.
erely esteemed and beloved by her relatives and friends.

1110 DE LA PLATA AGRICULTURAL asso.
CIATION.

TOWN-HALL, DEVONPORT, Wkniresnst,
SHIP COUNTESS OF AIONLF.V.-1111r. Mmonitf, a geno
of Stonehouse, the agent to the above Association, appeared on
summon, to aroma the awarlaint of the pariah officer, of Boot
Stonehouse, relative to applications which had been made to thew
on behalf of several individuals who went out under the directions
of the Rio de la Plata Association., some months since, in the Asse
vessel, and who, in consequence of the Coast being blockaded b;
the Brazilian squadron, came back to this country without effecting
their purpose. The ship is now lying in this Port, havink
board upwards of one hundred persons, men, women, and thittirea,
many of whom, on Alonday and 'fataday, had made application
for relief to Statehouse parish, and the case was now brought tar-
ward (or the hearing of the Magistrates.
Mr. Es wourdr, solicitor, of Devonpovi, who had been een„
ployed by several of the passengers, within a day or two of the vessel's arrival, in order to arrange with the agent, desired that the men present, who had come back in the vessel, should step for.
ward. Immediately upwards of thirty individuals, all decently
clad, and some very respectably, looking in good health, ap..
proached the barrier. Mr. Elworthy then observed, that by per.
mission of the Magistrates, though lie was not employed by the
parish officers in this case, he would state a few particulars, and
from which the true nature of the business would be pereeino.
These men, said he, or at least a portion of them, had applied to
him within a day or two of the vessel's arriving here, and or cense,
quence, he had an interview with Mr. Hammill, du Cottipany's
agent, on the subject; but he had bactre told the men, and he WWI
repeated it, that as far ail the breach of contract was concented,
they could get no redress by application to any Court here; that
question must be settled elsewhere. The object of his application
to Mr. Hammitt was, that the men should have food given them,
and the means and submstence of gaining their respective homes;
and a trifle to support them a short time after; but the arm, and
he could not blame them, refused leaving the ship till some an
rangement was finally entered into, and a security given that it
would be carried into effect, as they feared, and he said this with.
out any disrespect to Alr. Hammitt, if they or cr came on shore,
they would have no security that they would b.: taken care of,
In reply to that Mr. Hammill said to him, what weanty
shall I have, if I advance any money, that they will then leave
the ship? He (Mr. E.) then auggested that Mr. Hayward, who
had kindly hot his assistance to Mr. Hamill, should goon board,
on Saturday morning, and ascertain what sum each individual re-
quired to take himself and family, if any, to his home ; and that
the aggiegtae, if he (Mr. H.) would agree, should be deposited to
the hands of Mr. Rundle, • highly respectable gentleman of De.
vonport ; and that that arrangement should not prejudice any clanswhich the individual, might have on the Association for breath of
agreement. This was agreed to by Mr. Hammitt, and was to be
carried into edict on Saturday ; but that day passed on, and es
Monday, instead of the arrangement taking place, he received a
letter, which he then held in his hand, from Mr. Hammitt, to
which was annexed a statement how the various passengers were to
be sent home ; some to be sent in one cart, others in soother, save
to tramp, but no provision made for victualling them. This I e
considered was a breach of the agreement entered into between Mr.
H. and himself, and there the negotiation ended.
Mr. Elworthy was then going on to remark on the improper con.
duct of the Association, in taking people out to South America,
when. they knew that the coast was blockaded by the Btaziliau
squadron ; when
Mr. Hammill said, he would beg to submit to the Magistrate
whether the present discussion was wt all necessary to the question
before them ; not that he would wish to screen the Cnmpany from
examination, for he was confident that they had acted correctly :
but because this was not the price nor the time for such remarks.
The worthy Magistrate said that a Court of Law must settle that
part of the dispute, and therefore any remarks there were unarm.

sory.
111 r. Elworthy said he was perfect'y aware of that, but he coesi.
dered that as the men had suffered to much, and as such flattering
paragraphs had been inserted, of the attention ard kindness that
had been paid the passengers since their arrival here, both in the
local and London Prints, which were not true, that a fair statement
should be made.

The Parish Officers of Stonehouse then said, that they had haft
ration.; applications to them for relief, from p:rsors alto came back
in the slip Countess of Morley • several they had relieved: WIC
now lay dead in the workhouse. They therefore summoned toe
agent to know tic cause of their detention here; as, if they re-
mained, the burden to the perish would be very great.
Mr. Ilan:mill, in explanation, said, that he was agent for the
Company prior to the vessel's sailing, but his agency had exidred.
A short time before the ship art ived here, he received a letter from
the Directors in London, stating, that the Countess of Morley wee
expected h t: with a number of peaces that she had taken out, and
reques e I him t i resume the agency. He replied, that he would do
so. on.y w th the conaideraion that he was to act without any con-
trol on his colduct, in she best way that he might think tit, as the
nec ashy of the case might require. They consented to thin, and
he that set about, with Mr. Hare wd, who had kindly lent him his
ass'starce, to rmpare for the vessel's arriving, considering, that
after so long a voyage, those in her must he destitute, and perhaps
sick, naked, and in want. Ile could assure the Magistrate that
he felt grea lv for th,-ir situation. Mr. Hayward, by his directions,
engaged lodgings and beds at Plymouth for them, and he made
every arrangement possible for any one to make to render them
comfortabte. Immediately on the arrival of the ship, he sent on
board bread, cheese, and beer, with a letter which he requested
might be reed to the passengers, but which, for some cause or other
that he was not aware of, was not read to them. The purport of
the le,ter was requesting them to behave orderly, as being the beit
means of obtaining any redress they might demand, and that they
should have provisions and accommodations, with medical assist-
ance if necessary, while they remained here, and to all sent to their
respective home.. This arrangement, than which he conceived to-
thing could be fairer, was frustrated by their declaring that they
would not leave the ship till they were remunerated; and he under.
stood that they signed a round robin to that effect. lie was after-
wards irformed, by Capt. Warren, that a portion of the cargo had
been sold to obtain provisions for the passengers ; and on sending
on board to be informed on what grounds the vessel had returned,
he was informed by Capt. Warren, Mr. Fry, the ship's husband,
and Dr. Richards, not to send on board any more provisions, as the
owners of the vessel would support the passengers. (In this he
said. if tile), had taken possession of the cargo, he should decline
to do any more ; but if the pa.s.sengers would come off, he would do
as he hail promised ; and if not, he would not send them any meat
on board. It they had come on shore, they would have been pro-
vided fur, sent to their homes, and wanted nothing. 'to show that
what he said he meant, one malt, his wife, and family, accepted
his offer, and came on shore. Ile clothed and fed these individuals,
and sent them home in a comfortable manner. He had offered I
treat the whole in that manner more than one hundred times,

....
Mr. ELWOUTHY again alluded to the Directors of the Associs•
tion in no very measured t.rms, displaying at the same time one o:
the shares, and said that they had not acted up to the motto on their
seal, which was, " 1)o justice and fear not."
:Hr. HAMSILL said that the Directors, who were honourabk
men, would be enabled to justify their conduct ; they could not do
impossibilities; if they were prevented landing by the !Swam
squadron, was it fair, he would ask, to attribute that circumstance
to them ? He would maintain, in the face of the whole town, to
the contrary of what had been advanced by Mr. Elwonhy, that the
Directors were honourable, upright. and ju.t men, and he felt no
hesitation in saying, that they had, and would, on all occasions,
" Do justice and fear not."
A further discussion ensued, when it was inquired by Mr. RODD
what Mr. llainmill would now do ? He said he would advance no
money, but would guarantee to the parish officers that all the indi-
viduals on board should be sent to their respective homes, and pro.
aided for with victuals on the road, and, if necessary, ntedical assist-
ance given them. The parish officers said they were satisfied, and
the Magistrate observed that as far as Mr. Hammill was concernef.
it was all that he could be expected to do. 'rite persons, if thy
felt themselves aggrieved with the breach of contract, must seek re-
dress in a Court of Law. The patties then retired with the under-
standing that conveyances were to be got ready for them, either this
afternoon or the next day, as might suit their convenience. Mr.
Hammill said he would go immediately and send provisions and
beer.
We have been induced to give the above case at great length.
in order that the public matt be enabled to judge correctly
the manner in which these. individuals have been treatto since
their arrival here; and as none of 31r. liammill'it statements were
attempted to be disprosed, it must be considered that their deten-
tion, and their want of food on board, were entirely owing to their
own conduct. The case created great interest, the Hall bong
greatly crowded during the examination.

BIRTH.
On Tuesday last, Mn. Roche, wife of Joseph Roche, of has
Majesty's ship Victory, at Portsmouth, was safely delivered of a
son.

MARRIED.
On Tuesday last, at Walton-on-the-Hill. by the Rev. Thomas
Moss, P. G. Panton, Esq. second son of Jones Penton, Esq. 01
Platt-Gwyn, in the county of Anglesea, to Ann Barton, only
daughter of Daniel Russell, Esq., and niece to the late Sir William
Barton, of Liverpool.
On the sth inst. at Bale, by the Rev. Thomas Blackburne, M.A.
Vicar of Eccles, Robert Pigot, Esq., eldest aim of Sir George
Pigot, Bart., of Patsbuii. in the county of Stafford. to Mary, se-
cond daughter of the late 1t illism Bamford, Esq., of Bamford,
the county of Lancaster.

DIED.
On Saturday last, in Garden-court, Temple, after a lingering
illness, borne with exemplary patience and resignation, Ann, th..
wife of Jonathan Brundrett, Esq. whose kind and charitable
disposition will be a severe loss to her relatives, friends. and the poor
On Monday last at Newton St. Loe, the Rev. Heorge Hawkins.
M.A. Fellow of Corpus Christi College.
On Thursday last Mr. llczekiah West, B.A. late Bible Clerk
of New College.
At Chin►ura, East Indies, on the evening of the tOth March last.
Mrs. Bennett Alder, lady of Major T. O. Alder, of the Honourable
Company's service. Amiable and exemplary as a daughter. Parent•
and wife, she was deservedly beloved in the different relations et
life, and in death b deeply lamented. _

HIGH wiervis THIS DAY AT LONDON MHOS.
Morning .... le Va. after 8 I reenleg...... 48 mita. after s

at THE Hierinn PRESS Office, by J. W.CARLION
litraud, sad published by R. CANNON. saws Platt.

r,lso. Is'.