The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-03-26 00:00:00

He predated the elitism as his hankers, Nicest.. Martin
mid Co. for the balance. He denied &Waning any interest.
Ike dais wet admitted.
A claimant was aloe admitted for a debt of 2,8001. He
had advaneed it upon a representation of getting an annuity
of Lard James Musray's; hat the annuity bail bees disputed
of before he paid his money for to.
A teeg eousiderable number of small debts were admitted ;
hist thapousnaissi tttt erg, seeing that at four o'clnrk there
'mai* peasibility of completing the roof. of all The debts
• aimed is thug sitting, publicly announced that they would
not go Writhe appointment of assignees until next Saler-
when the nomination should peremptorily take place;
and that, for the more complete satisfaction of all the cre-
ditors. the Commissioners would sit on Tuesday and Thurs-
day next to receive further proofs of debts. They them ad-
jempesed.

STAFFORD AVM ES.
CROWN MDR.
MOST AFFECTING CHARGE OF MURDER.
THB KING B. JOHN WRIGHT.

The trial of this case, which had excited con.
rialerable interest throughout the county. came us,,
rtis Tuesday, before Mr. Baron GAttROW. The
• was thronged at an early hour. and the s-si-
sitions produced by the alf,cling details which were
given in evidence were of the mom painful nature.
even those who were ittimedirtely engaged in the
elucidation of the fart., mid whose familiarity with
the circumstances might have been suppo.od in
some measure is have subdued their feeling., were
unable to withhold that tribute of sympathy which
mina po.rd alike by the humane and benevoletit
Judge on the Reuel), and the humblest auditor
oat Court.
Tire Prim:loer stood indicted for the murder of
hie own son. an infant only five year. of age, by
throwing him into the Birmingham Canal, on the
sth Septeiulrer luot, whereby the unhappy child
ass drowned.
Mr. RUSSELL stated the circumstances to the'
Jury in • clear and concise manlier, but in the
course of his details was repeatedly overcome by
:he anguish of his own feelings. The Learned
Gentleman then explained the law as it applied to
the case, sod proceeded to cull witnesses.
Mr. Baron GARROW having observed that the
wretched culprit was almost incapable of standing
at the bar from the agony of hi. feelings, desired
that :gr. Brut:on, the keeper, might order hint •
chair. This was done, and the uoliappy smut was
permitted to sit during the trial.
EVIDENCE.
Stroh Lees-1 live at Wolverhampton. I know the Pil-
low rat the bar. In the month of September last he lodged
at shy house. He had a wife,hut she did nut live with hi.,
sod • little boy five years of age. The Prisoner had, iu Sep.
member lodged with me for five weeks. Ilia wife was in sere
•,7e; •he csme home with NW husband oil a Sunday, the
3J•of Sept. tuber. They all thought she iutemled to stop.
clone home about serial o'clock, and tumid list in the
11.031 e, She remained that night, and she And the PH-
' sorter appealed to be very comfortable; they slept toge-
ther. 111 she 'staining the Pl6lollll' et up berrie his wile
sod went in fetch what was nee, y for breakfast ;he
then call. el his wife, and they !aerialist, d together. After
breakfast the Prison, r'a wife asked hiss if he was going to
wort. He said hr was, told added, Well, wench, you'll
get my dinner ready," and she said she would. The Pri-
soner was extremely cheerful and happy. His wife went
away as soon, as he war gone, and never returuid since
Ihe edam'. r came home to dinner about our; he raid,
" What, lias'ut nay wife got me any dinner 1" I said, " Nu:
she'. gnus out." He stamped his foot, and said, .• lam sure
she is eon, off again." He remained at home some little time,
and looked eery wild and random. He went uut iu an an.
C./Milan way, snit I said, " Where are you ;Mug, Wright,
or what are you going to de ?" llr said he was going to Ina
for her. I was *remit that he would mike away with him-
self, front his agitated and wild appearance; I bad felt
roar 1114 of that 101 l before. I tried to persuade him to come
Lack, but be would up,. Ile returned in about ani hour.-
Ihe child at thus time was phiying in the yard, but W. lit to
.chant before the Prisoner critic hark. %eh,u hr came home,
kr clothes wen very wi t a stay where, atoll secured him with
hiring attempted to noon,, lola reit; he looked viry stern at
me, and denied it, and langged me to say nothing at all to
in clean it. He remained in his clothes as they were, and
would Out hare them dried. In the atomism. the Prisoner
went to fetch his little boy from school; ibis was trot his
,tat. He pressed the little buy to his bottom, and said
•• At! thy Baited,' mother hai left us soils," and ieheu he
Noted at the child be seemed to become more tender, al-
carrel. very good at all times; was parotrolarly kind to the
child the whole of the evening. The Prisoner lived very
prsur is green!, his earnings bring very small: at times.,
wiles there would he but very butte breed i• the house,
sq.'s Wright. bare a pint of herr mid get a bit of bread,il
writ be better than nod/Mgt" sad he said " No, I will
keep it rtr little Jese—he can't do a about." This occurred
frelperutty during the time he emeriti) ore. lfthey were short
of food, he always kept some fur the child, suit was partici.-
lir to hiving the child wagtail, suit bearing it asy its prayers.
I have offered him money, and lie paid," Keep it to buy milk
fur Jean." On the Monday night in question he asked me to
pelt the child to bed, which I did. The Presenter sad the
ceild always slept toother ; they slept together that night.
After the Prisoner we alt to bed 1 fetched Ida clothes down to
dry ; ire would keep his wet shirt on. The Prisunet had
nothing to eat that night, tint bail two half oats of ale which
1 arid a neighbour gave him. He got up the next morning a
Irttie after seven, and vatted the child. hearing him cull the
01.1,11 got up also. %Vitro I came down stairs he was smukiug:
very soon afterwards lie wen, out with the child ; neither of
them had had any fund. I thought the Pri:oner was rather
ciolover than the eveninz before. I allied hint where he was
going to take the boy, suit lie said " to the workhouse." Nu.
shoot mote passed. lie returned about half-past ten ; he was
alone. I asked him if he had left the boy et the workhouse'
he evil lie bad. I observed that I thought it was a vet y good
jute that be was takes is to the wiiikhouse. I added, " Now,
Wright, you most pluck ty your sprit*, and iudeavuur to
furgrl hee, far ale boa forgotten you." He cried, and shook
LA bead, and raid, " Alt, Mistress!" and trembi, d err) badly.
if,. asked me if I nimbi go sod fetch his uncle el I
▪ Wit! ;Pat now." He left the bonnie ur "old
gal himself. %%len he came from the woe ' I thoughts.,
. looked very ill biller:it, and tremb • I llnsught his reel-
, sari wine Luit it I sing ~bliged leave the child iu the
I did Out 0,"." s clothes. After the Pri.
miner 1134 left the house 1 to the workhouse, in cense.
44,.,23:yr ,oruetolog 1) d from his uncle's rife. I did
riot find alerte.' tb •
*her she Prison.. ,
Ira came in, I dr
• elotd—whe is
Alistress."
duiosed

then tetunced home. Some time
sue in with his nuele,b. Wright. When/
es Wright, what hsteyott a,itie with m
. is IWO.' JCIII r lie ',gilled. "Ha is
, %%shell he said this he was crying sadly said
inure ; hut the Pt study said, " b.,
, the Auld in the hick." The Prisoner said
_ sin being asked by Mr. Rains Gait Ms elk thee
be hid tiny question to pot tu the Witness, said. Is None at
Mary illinlersoo: I live in the Hamptow 1.oell(hy the side
alba eirmaghans Canal. On the lamming.' ta, sth of
sepsensher 1 bad beef, fur some milk, and s. ',lunatic
1.5440 get over • gate near the third luck. <ln getting user
saw a man standieg iu a Geld, with liitssilhack to site, stud
tieing the sun. A child lay uu the
.e by She side of the
imam 1 made up towards hiss, and hed Inn if he had had
tee chi!il in the cm. The child-gas dee-send, and wet lie
sad," Ayr." I Said it "11 91:01.4
.j,lll that he had got it out
again. 1 tersest frost hill, and be tamed to the chill and
gamut, it, sod put it Wrr the Kate. The Prisoner was that
man 1 arserwardssAw the child carried by my house dead
au the same &bailout cue o'clock.
Elisabeth Dickey, a little girl, was next examined, as fol.

lows :—I live about Kenekbrislge, by the side of she Canal ;
my father lives there. On the onomiug of die sth Sepses-.
her last, the Prisoner, and a little boy, came to oar home.
He asked my mother to let him dry the child, for it had fal•
lea into the river. My snootier told him he had better make
Moe home with the child, fur that it would catch its deistic,
its clothes won't' be so lung drying. After my mother said
this Le took the child is his arms, and went straight op the
mad, and 1 saw no more of him. I saw that the Prisoner's
aroused the arms of his cult were wet.
William I'iddock :—I am a lock-keeper in the line of the
Sirloin ham Canal. On Teesday morning, the Sib Sep.
tember, I was near the 1811. lock. Ime the ['claimer stand-
ing by the 17th lock—he had a little buy with bin. by the
hand. The Prisoner after • little time pulled the child up
in his arms, sad carried him fro. the 17th lock to the 18th.
I was moving in • contrary direction, and met him. I
passed him, and looked after him till be got within about
40 yards of the lock. I noticed him from the morning being
hot, and his carrying so floe • boy. At one easel: nu she
came day 1 saw the boy dead on the cabin of • boat.
The Prisoner, on being asked whether be wished to mk
this man any question, said—there was very little of this
matter which Ise recollected, bet he remembered something
of ibis mau, and wished burn to he particular in what he
said.

The witness wee quite sore the Prisoner was the same
roma he bad abet, and that be bad seen what be de-
scribed. _ _

Jambes Wrieht.—l live at Wolverhampton. I am uncle
to the Prisoner. Ou the sth orSrptember Ism the Priaourr
came to me about haltpaat ten, snit said he wanted to
'peak to me. I went out with him, and on going towards the
WeJuan road, he raid to me, " Unclr. I have dreamed the Ind "

I said, " I hope it was not true." Re said, " It is ton tree,"
and added, " 1 wish to ►ee my uncle Samuel." 1 ivesit
with the Prisoner to look fur his uucl•. We met him close
by the Red Lion Inn. When we met him, Samuel said,
" John, what h the matter with you; 1 see something very
horrible in your countenancer I told my Mother what
had pasaid. The Prisoner looked very wretched, he was all
of a tremble. My brother said, M What slisll I do?" I did
nut hear the Prisoner make any reply. I told guy brother 1
would take bin, to the Gcoate lon, and give hills • drop to
revive him. I took part of owe pint of ale with him, and

my brother sent for nse. 1 left the Prisoner at the George,
while I went to soy brother. My brother afterwards went
for the Prisoner to the George, anal ne went in lt of
the buy by the desire of the Prisoner. wh.a said, " I'll go and
slim you what lock I put him in." The Prisoner seemed
very much confused before he could Anal the leek out. He
went to two locks before be fanned the right; be wise very
melancholy. The third luck be came tu be went and looked
at a particular place, and said, "this is the lock I put the
boy into." This lock was in Hushhury pariah, in this casualty.
I asked hiM if he was sure; be told me it was. I stripped
myself and went in in march of the lioy. I formal the boy
about 12 Vt. 14 yards below the luck-gate, in the pouted.
The hest', Might have drifted through the valve hash.. There
had b. en so rat boats passing h. fore I went. I put my right
foot un the lioy's bead: it was at the bottom. I dived for
Lim, and brought him up dead. He nay all dressed but his
hat. Ile appeared lo hare been dead about four hours.
%Then I exatnined the boy 1 found the skits lightly off Isis
neck, which might have been alone in drifting. After I took
the body from the water, I bid it on the bask side; the Psis
soner sat beside my brother. I afterwards asked leave to
put it on the scabies of a boat going towards Wolverhampton.
As the buy lay ors the cabin, the Primmer jumped to him,
threw himself on the body, limed it, and said, " Poor Jem."
The Prisoner was very melancholy, and hardly knew what
to do with himself. We proceeded towards Wulverlianiptun ;
we met with Mr. Lloyd, the constable, cud he took him in
charge.
Ex =Med by Mr. 1111011 GARROW-1 was much in obi
habit of seeing the Prisoner; lie was attentive to his work,
but his wages were small. He was formerly a chummier
in the local militia. Until this time I 111rVer heroic

saw him in any state in which be was nut sufficiently
capable of taking care 4.f his little affairs. I saw him on
the Monday evening; his clothes were wet; I heard he had
been trying to drown himself; I cautioned him against so
wicked an act, and be promised be would nut nil.) pt it
a;tin; lie looked very wild; I parted with him, believing I
had tact r his mind easy, and that nothing wont,' b•ppen.
SitglUel Wright, brother to the last witness, and uncle to
the Prisoner, depmed as fol:uws : I met my brother and the
Poisoner near the Red Lion; I saw au oppesrance of great
. distress in they CoUlliellallerS. I asked what was the matter?
! My brother said," The Prisoner's wife hail left him." I ark.
ed if that was all? and sly brother taut, is great agitation,
" be 1136 thin day committiel murder! he 11$111 drowned his

child in the canal!" I said," John, is that 'rise?" and lie
said," Yes." I then said,' What do you intend to sin ?" and
be said" I AM willing to give lays. If up to justice." I proposed
to go to Mr. Clare. a magishate living close at hand ; this
was overruled. I then proposed that they should go down to
the George in the Sque•e, and I would lullow them immedi-
ately. I did so, and went to my brother's house, and mut for
my brother to come to me; when he n sine I hail sume
hellos with him ; I then went to the George, send called the
Prisoner out ; 1 said, " lobe, you shall go and sheer me and
your uncle where you dwiessed the child ;" to which be con-
; we walked ...get her a little w•sy and met my brother:
we then all three walked together a considerable n ay. Nothing
particular (wearied for some time. I at knells broke 'deuce,
and said, " Julm, when did leis the sight dist strike your
mind ?" and he said, " This inuniiug, ms soon as I awoke."
I then said, " What was poor inducement ?" moll he said,
" The thoughts of my wile leaving sne, mud my extreme po-
vesty drove me to madness " walked on, mid I said,
" %I lien you were up and dressed where did you do to ?" and
be said, " I made for the %VeduerfieldCaual, and I there threw
the child iutu thewater ; seeing the child struggling I relent.
eJ, jumped Me, and took the child out of the water."—(Mere
the witness was greatly affected.,)-1 then said, " Where did
you go after this?" and be stiit, •• I made to a cottage's order
to dry the child's clotbsts and lake it home. The wonsait of the
houterefused my request, and I was ashamed to take it home its
that condition, end 'molted again to effect my purpose of
throwing it into the water." I now said to him "If it be
true that you have b. en in the water this morning, your
clothes must be wet." I felt them, and they were so. I then
said, " What did the child say to gm after it bad recovered
from its first throwing into the wale: ?" and Ise said, "'Fhe
child said to me, Father, what did you throw me in fox?—
do not throw me in again, and I will put cry any more'."—
)I could say no more at that time, but at length asked him,
" By what way he esme from the IVediirsfiellil Canal to where
we then were?" Aud here I beg leave to observe, that
he seemed extremely confused, and could out answer me
at •11; so much so, that I did net deems it advisable to ask
any more questions. We walked en and passed wiry locks,
till at length 1 said, "John, which 111 the lock ?" sod he said,
"It is the next." rim came to the next. and I said, "Is this
it ?" and he said, " Nu, it is the next." I think we pissed
three in that kind of way. I pot the same questiou every
time, and received the same answer. Al last he said, "1 Vie
are come by the luck; we must gu back." We accoidiugly
came back, and passed 'sue or two, Mint last lie said, "This
is lbe luck ;" and I said, '• Air you sure?" Ile said, .• I
am." My brother went into the water, mid soon found the
'boy. The body wis placed on the cabin of a boat, and the
p, isoner threw himself upon it, and kissed it. I went with
the prisouer to his lodgings, vu the way to the conshsble'd—
It was his particular riquest to go there. As semi as Mrs.
Lee saw bum, she said, " John, where's the child?" Pri-
soner said, " Ile is skied ?" He was very much distressed
indeed.
Examined by Mr. Baron Gmtnow.—l had nut seen the
Prisoner for mouths be fuse.
Mr. Thomas 1.4 sin one of the Overseers of Woiser.
hatoplun. On the sth of September last I went to she Psi-
sutler afier he was in custody. As soon as 1 stw him I knew
him, from haying given him parochial lefts f. I asked hum
" What could have induced bins to commit this violent art ?"
He said that he was driven to it by the miss wieloct of his
w.fe, and the behaviour of the overseers, pointing to Mi.
Paul Wright (nut the last witness), and myself. I asked
him what he meant by such a red. etion ? wed he said, se
had encourages! his wife sot to live club him. I did not
make any reply thew—t Mr. Baron Garrote did not coercive
au explauatiou on this subject was evidence in the present
case.)-1 saw him again the same day. A Mr. Wromestey
asked him, what could have induced him to drown his child?
He then related a lung tale of his wile. lie said she bad