The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-20 00:00:00

DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE.

On Saturday afternoon, the 11th instant, a
mail arrived at Windsor, bearing a warrant for
the apprehension of the Proprietor of the Union
coaches (Mr. Thumwood), in default of his pay-
ing two fines awarded against him, upon infor-
mation, for breaches of the Act for the pm-
tection of persons travelling in stage-coaches. We
have understood that these offences were of a
very trifling nature, and that the penalties, which
amounted to about c 24/. would have been greatly
mitigated, had the proprietor not been deceived
by the promised influence of the witness to the in-
formation, to procure this mitigation. It is stated
that by the arts of this man Mr. Thumwood was
prevented attending the appointed meeting of Jus.
nets, and the full penalty was in consequence
awarded. The persoß who is said to have thus con-
ducted himself was made a special constable for
the execution of the warrant; and it is therefore mi.
total to imagine, that a great deal of angry feeling
would be displayed by the interested party when
this service came to be performed. With these par-
ticulars we have no concern. 'rite warrant was
backed by a Magistrate of Windsor ; and, after much
discussion, Mr. Thumwood complied with its pro-
visions by paying the amount of the penalties. This
transaction took place in Mr. Thumwood's office. In
the mean time a number of persons had assembled,
at fir►t collected perhaps by idle curiosity. Their
feelings became gradually excited by the hated name
of an ‘. Informer," and it was evident that they me-
ditated some mischief. On the man leaving the
office they immediately assailed him, and during
the course of an hour the unhappy creature was per-
welded by a series of brutalities, disgraceful alike
to the character of the assailants either as English.
men or Christians. From one quarter of the town
to the other lie was hunted, reviled, pelted, and
beaten ; he was stript to the skin, though the night
was remarkably inclement ; and, in a state little
short of complete exhaustion, was dragged along
for the avowed purpose of a ducking in the Thames.
It is with increased feelings of regret we mention,
that these infuriated wretches were at length pre-
veined from becoming participators in the death of
a fellow-creature (which in all probability would
have ensued), not by those whose duty it is to pre-
serve the peace, but by the individual gallantry of
an Officer of the Guards, Capt. Cumberland, who
hazarded his own safety in the rescue of this unfor.
tunate victim of popular rage. The keeper of the
Borough gaol indeed exerted himself to protect
the persecuted individual ; hut he does not seem to
have known the extent of his own power as a peace
officer. The wretched matt was at length conveyed
to the barracks, where every care was taken to
restore him. Ile left Windsor the following morn-
ing. It is remarkable that during the whole of this
outrage, he held the money he had received firmly
clinched in his hand.

There is now living at Doidge's Well, Plymouth,
a woman, named ELIZ4DETH MUTTON, who is in
the 105th year of her age. having been born iu
1714. •

It has been determined to open soup-kitchens
in Portsmouth for the supply of the pour during the
winter months.

An account was taken on the 15th instant of the
pauper poor in the parish of Portico. when the
number proved to be as follows :—On out-door
relief in the guildable part of the parish, 479; in
the liberty part, 2,686; inmates in the poor-hoave.
661 :—total, 3,626 poor.
The subscription for the relief of the poor at
Plymouth is warmly promoted. The Rev. Dr.
II AW R sit obtained upwards of 40!. from his congre-
gation, on Sunday last, after a sermon in their be-
half. On Monday an amateur theatrical perform.
ance is announced to take ►lace.