The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-04 00:00:00

lIATTON.OARDEN.

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22TENSIVE ROBBERY or JZWKLS.—Yesterday, Jllkhnel
Holland, a smart-looking young man, was brought up in custody
of Lee, one of the officers of this establishment, charged on sus-
picion of beingeoncerned In a most daring burglary and robbery,
committed, it is supposed, about six o'clock on Sunday evening,
in the house of Thomas Downes, Eq. No. 31, Great James-street,
near Bedford-row, under the following circumstances :
The prisoner, who is a native of Ireland, had formerly lived as
own man to ard Viscount bouthwell, and subsequently acted in
the capacity of footman, in the family of Mr. Downes, by whom
he was . ischarged about three weeks ago, for irregniatity of con-
duct, and neglect of business.
It appeared in evidence, that the family dined out on Sunday,
and the house was left in charge to the cook and housemaid. The
former stated, that about five o'clock, it being then dusk, she we.
In the act of closing the shutters of the parlour windows, when she
saw the prisoner pass and repass, as if to attract her notice, ar.d,
when she recognized him, he stopped opposite the window, and
asled her if the family were at liorr.e ; to which she replied in the
negative. She then said to the housemaid—" Here's our Michael,
let us ask him down to take a cup of tea." The housemaid agreed,
and prisoner went down to the kitchen, and had some tea. While
they were chatting by the tire, the bell rang, and witness went up
to the street door, and, on partly opening it, a genteelly-dtessed man
Inquired if a gentleman of the name of Taylor lived in die house.
Witness said he did not ; the house was Mr. Downes's, and was •
private one. The man then went away, without asking any further
question, when witness closed the door, and went -down stairs.
Prisoner was still there, and soon after complained of having a pain
in his stomach, and said he would get in some' in If witness gave
him a bottle, which was agreed to. He was offered money by both,
but he refuse to accept it, saving that be had a shilling to spare
himself. Prisoner said—" I will let myself out, and 1 shan't be a
minute away." Ile went off, and returned soon after with the gin,
which was mixed with water. Prisoner laughed and talked a great
deal; and, whilst they were thus engaged, witness and her fellow.
servant (the housemaid) overheard a noise at the street door, some-
what like the drawing of the bolt or chain. They started, and said
there must be somebody in the house, and prisoner said—" No, no,
it can't be, but, if you wish, we'll try.'' IVitnees said—" 1)o,
Michael, for God's sake." Prisoner then took up a poker, and the
three went tip stairs, and searched the hall, the parlours, back and
&oat drawing-rooms, and found nothing to excite any suspicion I
but, on entering Mrs. Downes's dressing-room, they found one of
the lowboy drawers wrenched open, and a jewel-box, which
was deposited therein' also found open, the contents of which were
carried off, except a few articles that were not of so much value as
the others that were taken out. IVitnees and her female companion
said that some robbers had got in and taken away all their mistress's
jewels. Prisoner seemed to be greatly surprised et the circum-
stance, and said, " Perhaps the mistress took them out herself."
Witness knew that she had not; besides, the drawer being torn
open, showed that It was done by robbers. She accordingly went
out into the next house, and informed the neighbours of it.
Amongst the rest, Mr. J. S: Taylor, the vest-clerk, who was •
friend of her master's ; and the patrol was called in, and Holland
was given In charge.
The housemaid's testimony was to the seen' effect.
Mr. Downes described the etntents of the jewel-box, which ge-
nerally consisted of diamond and pearl necklaces, ear-rings,
brooches, head ornaments, finger-rings, &c. to be of very cowl-
datable value.
After the patrol had come into the house, the prisoner Holland
IMO supposed to have been then in charge, and one of the Hatton-
garden officers was sent for ' • but on the arrival of the latter (Lee),
he discovered that the patrol had suffered him to go away ; but
as he had left an umbrella behind, the females concluded that he
would return, particularly as no direct charge had been made
against him. After waiting for a short time, Lee was preparing to
go in search of him, when the prisoner cams back to the house, and
was then detained. . .

Read, the chief peace-of Seer, was also sent for, at the instance of
Air. Taylor; and though every investigation wu made, both of
the prisoner's person and at his residence in Hackney-road, no clue
could be obtained likely to lead to an elucidation oldie busineu or
recovery of the property.
The prisoner did not seem to be at all depressed by his situation,
and answered every interrogatory with an air of firmnesiar.d even
indifference. He denied, in the most unequivocal manner, having
any participation whatever in the robbery.
The presiding Magistrate (Mr. Laiwo) said, that the circum-
stances were extremely suspicious; and in order to afford time for
fuller investigation, tho ;intoner should be remanded until Satur-
day.
An accurate description of the property has been puldiahmi,
and a reward of 601. is offered upon conviction of the parties con-
cerned. . _ . .

It is evident that the offence was committed by some person or
persons conversant with the house, u they passed by other rooms
an which there were several articles of a valuable and portable de-
scription, proceeded directly to the lady's dressing -room, and
opened the very drawer which contained the jewels, teking nothing
else sway; and, what is still more singular, even rejeettng those
that were of little valve_ some paste ornaments.