The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-12-17 00:00:00

ESSEX WINTER ASSIZES.

The Assizes for this county ended at Chelmsford, on
Saturday, about had% e o'clock. The remaining cases
in the calendar not already teported, were destitute
of general interest.
The Grand Jury found a bill of indictment against
a man, not in custody, charged with wilful molder.
Seven capital convictions took place during the
Assizes, but only one unhappy man was left for exe-
cution, namely, Benjamin Cooper, who was convicted
'on Friday of breaking and entering the dwelling-
house of widow lady at Thazted, in this county.
during the time of divine service, on Sudday. the
4th of September, and stealing money to the amount
of 1701.
The Hon. Mr. Baron Charms', in passing sentence,
addressed the wretched convict in the following
terms :
t. Benjamin Cooper, yes shad convicts* of What broken
Into the dwelling-house of •dosipsegsttsle wiawiffilidgt who is
the proseeutrix ow this messies and 14401111 OW WilihrtsbitY
which site had, with becoming piety, dweeeld to tbei Illerfiee of
God, to perform your wicked task, which, undoubtedly, you
must hate had some time in centemplatlon. You had executed
your plan with a degree of ability and contrivance, and with
such success, as to make your offence amount to a very heinous
crime. You had plundered this lady of property to a very
large amount, and you had executed your object under such
circumstances, and carried your offence to such a degree, as to
make it no longer a subject of regret, that to break and enter a
dwelling-house in the day-time in the absence of the Jakob',
tants, and steal property therein to a large amount, Is made a
capital offence. You have, therefore, drawn epee yoveself the
vengeance of the law, and young as you are, yes mast pay the
forfeit of your crime. lam not aware agog edrenmstance is
your case which can avert the awful sents *bleb must be
speedily carried into executiou. Gladly Inlaid I Nina held of
any suggestion which might he fairly urged Is your Omer, to
mitigate the severity of the law ; but you stand at the bar of
justice convicted of a most dangerous offence, witheat may am
redeeming fact in your case. I warn you, therefore, to prepare
for that ignominious death which justly awaits you as the con-
sequence of yourcrime. The heaviest sentences( the law must
be pronounced and executed upon you. No Moor or mercy
is to be expected on this side the grave. Betake yourself, then,
to earnest and hearty prayer; to a speedy repentance of such
sins as you may have committed in that world which is about to
close upon you for ever, and endeavour to prepare yourself to
meet your Creator. My paliful task Is to pronounce the awttl
sentence of the law, which is, that you, Benjamin Cooper. be
taken hence to the place front whence you came, and front
thence to the place of execution, where you are to be hanged
by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord nave mercy
on your soul!",
The unhappy man earnestly implored for mercy,
but was removed from the bar. He was a well-look-
ing young fellow, and cocducted himself with great
propriety and decorum during his trial.
The calendar at Maidstone contains a catalogue
of upwards of a hundred prisoners, many of whom
are charged with capital offences. Amongst the latter
is the case of a man named Robert Hartley, who.
stands indicted tinder Lord Ellenborough's Act for
maliciously stabbing Captain Owen, of the Bellero-
phon convict ship, at Sheerness, on the 29th of A's-
gust, where the Prisoner was confined as a transpot t
after having been convicted of a capital offence. Ho
had obtained a commutation of the punishment of
death to that of transportation for life, under pretends
of giving some important information respecting tiro
murder of the late Mrs. Donatty,