The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-11-03 00:00:00

PUBLICATION OP POLICE. REPORT&

Mawalow-NowtE.—A gentleman _
waled yesterday upon the
Lord Mayor, far the purpose of communicating to his Lordship
the thanks of the widows and orphans of the Poyais emigrants,
and of several of the men •ha luckily survived the celebrated ad-
venture, for :he benevolent interest lie took in their behalf, and for
having forwarded the subarription for their relief. They had all
rettuzsed to Scotland, and been most kindly received there, and the
calamity with a hie') they hail been visited in the land of hornirs,
were hi some d-gree alleviated in their consequences by the uhiver.
sal sympathy that prevailed. Their thanks, too, were given to
Mr. Prince. and the other tradtsmen in the City whose exertions
had formed the groundwork of the public contributions for their
service. Above all, they felt indebted to the public press fur the
vigorous manner in which it arrested the scheme !n its infancy, and
finally effected its destruction. The roma' unican t stated, that be: wean
one and two hundred persons bail fallen a 'sacrifice to the delusion,
and so widely had the nage for colonizing. neon the representation
of those who were interested, spread, that multitudes were prepar.
ing to resign thin:naves to the same hazard in the hope of wealth
and of every cute; sort of piviaricrity. This danger the press had
averted, by pit 'thing the true condition of the " Land of Pro-
mise," the objcid,.,ol the speculaturs, and the. horrible conse-
quences of an implicit reliance in the description given by the
Pityais authorities; and. !mbers were saved from misery, des-
pair, and death, which rntgned with unlimited power in the burn-
ing sands and pestilential swamps of the Mosouiri shore.
The Loner Mayon expressed himself highly gratified at the in-
telligence which he had received, and observed, thin the " Poyais
ease" was a striking instance of the great importance of the
practice of !enacting the transactions of Courts like that in which
he then presided. His Lordship stated, that be was much Per-
plexed in what manner to dispose of an orphan of one of the
emigrants: she bail been put on shore in a eniserable condition,
to which she had been reduced at Poyais. Part of the subserip-
don had been appfled to her maintenauce, but all the ma-ley was
now exhausted. The poor child was pot, lie observed, admissible
into the Foundling Hospital, as the Governors said tier case was
Dot comprehended in the rules of the establishment.
His lsodship, after gme consultation with the Chief Clerk, de-
termined to apply. to the Female Orphan Asylum. although ad-
mission into that institution was a matter of great difficulty, there
being aa much canvassing exquisite as for a seat in Parliament.
In a ease of this nature, however, he trusted those who had the
power would aid in procuring; admission for so great an object.
One of the orphans has been adopted by a lady of great respec-
tability, and tan others have been ever since humanely taken care of
by Mr. Joseph Prince, of Ilasingliall.street ; a filth has been taken
into a Scorch family. Front information received from Honduras,
it appears that a great number of the unfortunate emigrants remain
at Belize, where they b obtained a livelihood aa menial servants
and labourers.

The two brothers, Edward and Jeans Hanimffrid, who were
charged on suspicion of having been concerned in stealing the par-
cel. containing 2.9001. in batik notes, froni the person of the porter
to 3lesars. Snow and Co. underwent a final examination.
A gentleman, who attended on behalf of the prosecnors„ stated,
that although circumstances of strong suspicion had come to three
knowledge respecting the prisoners, yet they could not now adduce
evidence sufficient to warrant a further postponement of the ease,
there being nu proof, with the exception of that which went to state
that they were seen running from the spot at the time the robbtry
was committed.

The Loin Mayon discharged the pflsoners, and gave them a
forcible admunioon. They owed the imprisonment they had sus.
tained, if they were innocent, to their characters as thieves ; and
so long as they persisted in the course that had been the object of
their choice, they would be subject to similar inconveniences. His
Lordship remarked, that this cast funned another i-stance, if
other instances were wanting, of the necessity of the publication of
police reports. Ilvre an immense robbery lE4S committed, and the '
police were unable to obtain any evidence that could lead to the •
detection of the offenders, when, in consequence of the publicity
given to the proceedings, a witness came forward, and ;owe evidence
which might have been of the unnint importance, and have led to
the conviction of the offenders, had the person robbed been able to
Identify them. Ills Lorship observed further, that in the course
of his experience as a Chief Magistrate, he had daily witnessed
instances of the utility and high importance of the pnrctice to the
police of a great metropolis, and the Rowing effect it produced when
pmperly directed. Ile was convinced that the publication of those
proceeding did not prejudice the minds of Jurymen. In the whole
course of his experience, he had never witnessed is case in which a
Jury had given an improper venlict, in consequence of a ;irejudice
excited against the prisoner by the statement of the initiatory pro.
readings against hint. The feeling was invariably the other way.
Jurors were men of at least common sense, and they were no more
influenced by such statements, than the mind of a Judge was in-
fluenced by the opening statement of a prosecuting l'ounsel. un-
confirmed by evidence. it would be found, upon consulting those
who were experienced in the performance of Magisterial duties,
that it was of great utility that these Courts 'should, as a general i
rule, be open to the public, fur it frequently occurred that persons
entered an office from an interest in the issue of a case, who proved
in the course of the inquiry to be in the possession of most material
farts. The publication of what passed often aided the inquiry in
the highest degree, in brinrring forward all existing evidence, either
with respect to the innocence or guilt of a prisoner. It was also of
the highest importance in another point of view to the tradesmen
of the inetropoliv. by checking the career of fraud, by exposineohe
constantly varying devices of swindlers, in a more speedy and elfee.
tall manner, than any other mode of communication could accomp-
lish. The shopkeepers are thus put upon their guard against
every description of imposition. 1. he fear of immediate exposure
was more terrible and effective in thousands of cases, than the fear
of the laws, and restrained many daring spirits whom nothing
else could keep within bounds. Undoubtedly flue business of a
Magistrate would Ire greatly jurymen' if this restraint were di.
minashed. Without confriun.ling the abuse with the great use of
the practice, he must admit that its virtues were conspicuous in its
elect in securing the pure ailiiiini•Jnition of public justice by plac.
ing the proceedings of the Magistrate, as well as of ail the parties,
under public inspection.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CHANCERY, TUESDAY, Nov.?.

The Court was occupi.ll yestL,tlay in hearing bankrupt petitiao•

COURT OF RING'S 11-I:NcH, TersnAr, Ik:cr.?.

V. PEI)LY.
Mr. Rouret.t. made applieaticn in this case for a new trial
The cue had been tried at the last Assizes fur Stafford, and wa-
' an action brought ter the ere:wiry of the amount of a bill o•
ISt_ It &mar .W that the defendint was a shoemaker, who could
not write, and Ms wife was in the hahlt of Pil,ming his mme with
his permission, and tr.insacting all Ms Ir.:sines. that reo,ired writ-
ing. The case was tried before Mr. :unite Park, and a verdict
returned fur the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the l'ourt. It
was proved at the trial, that the defendant could not write, and
that his wife trarsucted such part of his lousiness that required
writing. An objection was taken be Mr. Campbell that this was
not proof to go to the Jury, unless it were proved thus the wile
had the authority of her husband to sign his name. No ,tlth proof
was furnislitsl, and the objection was admitted by the Learned
Judge who presided. II" (31r. itnoptil) submitted the first part
of the evidence was matter h • the consideration of the Jury.
Either she had hie permission or not ; if she had not she was guilty
of forgery. and the law srou!d not presume her to be
Mr. C.astrattl, ',dimities]. that the last observariari of his
Learned Friend was eloally applicable to an vent, or any pawn
who might make use of another's name on a bill. It (night be
alwaya said, that permission rat given, on the presumption th..t
no person would commit a criminal set.
The at wan of opinion, that the eaLlenee which tl e
Learned Judge withhehl was proper evidence to go before a Jars.
and the case should go to a Lew trial; at the saint time, as ti :
KIM was So small, they lentlY rein mend the parties to settle it
without having IVCOllf.e to another trial

VIV E EA RI: !VS.
111 r. Frazx'cli applhil to the Court to appoint a ep. pit hear.
ing the rule to shew curs.: fur a pew trial in the case of Bytne r.
Parkins.

The born CHIEF Jr iT ICE paid he was ray nrwillitig to itp.
point a da► for hearing, Ili it generally turned out to be inconve-
nient to some party.
Mr. FlllEktlf was ar xintir that it might not come on until
early after the brginning of term. Ile was rot in go ,n,l Imahh at
prerent. and he war very onniour shout the me, as Mr. Parkin.
looked to him principally fn ropyrut.
Mr. Justice BATI,EY—Mr. Firer eh. you oily Le sstisfied is
will not come en (W el the pres.eit ►ittinga.

OLD 'muti' SESSIONS, TursoAY, Nov. 2.

PERJURY.
William Earl. stood Indicted for wilful and corrupt per-tizt
swearing a false affidavit in the Vlcar-lhneral's
Commons, on the huh of August, for the purpose of oittainiag
license of marriage with Johanna Cooper, spinster, aged sixtet
yi. ra
This case is of a docription similar to that which occupied the
Court until a late hour last night, therefore a new Jury was swore
to try the present issue.
Some delay took place, owing to the nnn-ntrival of the defendant.
who, Mr. A i.t.uir said, was extremely ill, and was ta'.:eo out of his
bed to come.

Meagre. BRODERICK and Anot.rtms appeared foe the pro-
mention, and Me. ALLEY and .lir. PatxDraoasT for the de-
fence.

Mr. Anot.rssus (divested of his robes) stated the am to the
Jury. The attention of the Jury would be called to the second an,
third counts is the indictment. It was a charge of abduction when
two persons had leagued together to arry sway two young lador,
and marry them by recourse to false nflidavits, the periory ccn.
finned in which would he made apparent. The proof of perjury is
this:—The defendant proceeded to Doctors' Cottimeme, and there
swore that he bad rei..ded fifteen days In the paPsh of St. Andrew.
Holborn. and thereupon obtained a license, and clandestiarl.
married the lady, who was an eviden, r to the case which was trusi
Lvit night. There was not only perjury in the first instance, but .t
was also perjury of the worst kind—in the sanctuary. and at the
altar of God. Ile (31r. :Idol& us) should regret it he should agar:
hear blame or censure agaiest those who Iced promoted this prev—
ention. Why should the family who had been robbed of two
its interesting member. he held up to the finger of scorn t The of -
'Noy should rest on him who, cot influenced by 44 hurouraVu
passion, but by sonlici motives, deprived that Ml4llll of her chil-
dren, whose agony of mind was extreme, and whose perseverance in
brirg'ng the offenders toyustice could not be too much commended.
The situation of the two young women was much to he ',K J.
They were made the wives of those parties, and whatever their feel.
ings might be they must be put out of C 14114111116111. and not /I^.
pede the ends and purposes of justice. Ile should proceed to tail
his witnesses.
Thomas Chle.ton, examined by Mr. Reopen:cr.—l ern chief
clerk in the Vicar-General's office. Dr. Arnold is Vicar. General,
and Dr. Itaubney acts in that office to administer oaths to perroos
who apply for marriage license. ; a person made applicat ;on fur a
license, and he had to make affidavits of Neut, which he either rent
over, or it was read to him ; the young man signed it ; he theta teoi
to take it to Dr. Daubney, who signed it and returned it by ter
clerk of witness ; the prisoner 'returned with hint. The license 10.-e
the names of Dr. L. and Wm. Enetv. The signature was ke.tm.;
to witness to be that of Dr, D.'s.

—.—
Mr. At.art wished to know whethor D.. P. was a D.C.!. 1
remembered A case which was tried in another Court, where a per.
son was styled a Dr., and It was held nece.sary that the books of the
l'niemity should be produced to prove that his style and title was
correct

Mr. A DOL sutra said, that they might as well go to the proper
officer. m inquire whether Lord Elletiborough waa a Lord.
Jo!.o Mathews examined—Witness belongs to the Surrogwr's
office. Itemembers two persons coming on the 16th of August 1,1
a license. The young man at the bar wu one of them. If, siveil
a license, u did also Dr. Dattbney.
By Mr. At.' et—Witness has had occasion to look at the °}F;_
davits since, on which the license was obtained. Will swear t!..at
he believes the accused to be one of the persons who ante to Ls
office. _ _

By Mr. BgonEßics—lnquiry was mule on the mornirg aPer
the license issued about the affidavit. The prisoner mint rekt
morning to make inquiries as to what could be done is the business.
John Chriikie lives at Ipswich, slid knows the signature to be
prisoner's hand-Writing. who hied hem an apprentice to his father as
a pawnbroker. He had since been a grocer at Ipswich. Does not
know whether be ever absented himself from his business for a
month or twa. His shop is a hhurt distance from that of witness's
father

Hy the COURT—Witness t there once and did not see him.
He might have been absent for some time without his knowledge,
(The affidavit was hae read by the Clerk of the Arraig: s,
dated lath August, 1814. It set forth that he had lived
Andrew's, Holborn, fifteen days, and that the parties were 21 years
of age.)
George Hicks, sexton of St. Andrew, Holborn, was present at
the marriage of the young man at the bar, and signed the resister.
book as follows :—" Airm. Enew, bachelor, and Johanna Cooper,
spinster, were married this 17th day of August, 1824," &c.
Hy Mr. At.xxir—Does nut know that the ladies made any ob-
jection. The ladies signed the book in the presence of the Minis-
ter. It was nn unusual thing for • lady's hand to shake on such
occasions. Did not think that the marriage was all right. The
age of the prisoner's wife did not appear to be 21, nor did ha
sister's.

G. Masse produced an original will from the Prerogative Office,
Doctors' Commons.

R. Brat examined—Witness saw the will produced signed by J.
Cooper, the father of the prisoner's wife ; witness signed it also,
and is one of the guardians.
S. ('wiper is a widow ; on the 30th of March of this year
daughter, Johanna. was fifteen year, of age, and had the a:..
pearance of a child; never consented to the prisoner marrying hcr
daughter.
The other guardians gave similar testimony; one of them an.
peared to he an attorney.
Samuel Mayhew ezautic."l—Witurwt is Jiving on his Licorre.
and reside,' at Wickhani.street. in Suffolk; the prisoner lotlectl
the house of Penniman, one of his tenants, to the 15th of Aug Is:
last, and had done so from the 13th of July last, and was in 5i..74
out daily.
Mr. ALLTT addressed the Court for the defendant. Ile ter-
sidereal that his Learned Friend had conducted this ease with gnat
harshness and injustice toward the defendant. Independent of
the subject matter of the indictment, his friend had represented et:
defendant as a man in embarrassed circumstances, and that he lad
taken the benefit of the Insolvent Act; but he had not proved des
statement in evidence. The issue the Jury had to try was not—
had the defendant committed an act of bankruptcy—but het!. ce
he hail committed the offence of perjury? The other side Itst
confined themselves to two out of the five counts contained in ffs
indictment ; therefore, of course, he was rot called upon to rite
the other three, nor need the Jury take them into their considers.
tun. The Learned lientleman contended that he had been cit.
I fairly dealt with, inasmuch as the Counsel for the prosecution is
one Instance called one of the young women, and had neglet-el
to do it In the other. The Sexton of S. Andrew's had given
his evidence in an equivocal manner, and acted in a d.f.
fertile way to what a candid r.tr.ess ought to do. It by no
means appeared, nor was it pretended, that force bad been used
to get the young woman from her parental rouf--she was
young, it was true, yet she was an adult. She was joyous at the
wedding. She never said, " 1 will not take this man to he my
wedded !nhand." On the contrary,she signed the register book.
and thereby ratified its solemnization, as tar as she was able. 1:
hail not been proved that the defendant ha I been actuated by out-
did anonym, for it was not proved that he was aware the damsel
was elititiol to property, or that he knew of her minority. It !^a
been shown, that during the 15 days before the affidavit was made.
he was in the country. Now, supq• sing the defendant hal
taken lodgings in London, and absented himself from it pan of the
time, might he not morally consider himself entitled to swear
that that was his residence? The Learned Gentleman concluded his
address, doubting not but those to whom be consignsat the case
would act justly.
WITNESSES FOR THE DEFENCE.

fleeter Curtis Ilia known the defendant 14 years : be lived in
htoriness at Ipswich, and always was eiteerstil as an honourable
young man.
By klr. ADO umus—llad beard of the tnisfortunes ot the it
. .