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

QUEEN SQUARE.

A DAIIIIO BUZOLARY. Yesterday Joseph Wile)* and
James Stevens were brought up by Pope and Dew, officers,
charged with a daring burglary, on Sunday eveniog, in the house of
Mr. -Edward Slater, No. 22, Queen's-buildings, Brompton.row,
Knightsbridge.
Mary lYcightman, a girl about 16 years of age, said she lived
servant in the family of 3lr. Slater. On Sunday morning the fa.
mily went out for the day, leaving her to take care of the house.
About twenty minutes after seven o'clock hi the evening a knock
came to the door, which witness answered at first from the area, and
asked the prisoners who they wanted. They replied—Mr. Slater,
and wished to speak to him. Witness toll them her master was
out. They then requested to leave a note, upon which she opened
the street door. The prisoners asked for pen, ink, and paper; that,
she said, was locked up. The prisoners then cane into the
kitchen. 'Witness told them they had better call in the morning.
The reply was—." No, that will not do, as w.t shall leave town to-
morrow.' Stevens said—" Will they be home by ten or eleven
o'clock e" (meaning her master and family.) She said she expecad
them soon. The prisoners then said they would wait. Stevens
took his hat off, and laid it on the dresser ; at the tame time he ob.
served to witness, " I am sorry to tell you I have come to rob the
house," then took up his hat and a candle from the table, and re.
paired up stairs. The other prisoner, Wilson, told her to sit down,
and, if she did not make a noise, lie would not hurt her ; he also
sat down in a chair, where he remained about three quarters of an
hour. During the time that Stevens was up stairs, Wilson drew a
pistol from his pocket, and laid it on the table. Re said
that he had things about him, but that he did not mean to hurt
be. if eke made no alarm. The prisoner nest asked witness where
Mr. Slater kept his money, and said they only wanted the money,
and they knew Mr. Slater very well. lie then inquired if the doors
were locked; she said •• yes ;"then he wanted the keys; but she had
not got them. " Oh, then I suppose they en in the doors ; we
only want to search your master's beti.reom, and counting-house ;
I know where his bed-room is—tine two pair back." Witness re.
quested the prisonerWlition to let her go out of the house; he said,
• No; if 1 let you go, our lives are as much in danger as yours."
Whose, asked him how long they intended to stay ; lie said not
long, and they would let her out when they left the house. lie told
her she might get things to make an alarm when they were goon ;
did not intend to hurt her, or they would have done it at first.
IVilson said, her life was more to tier than her place, and if she
lost her situation, to let them know, anti they would write to her
mother, and send her something. lie said Ins hoped she would
never come against him, and swear, for if she did, her life would
be in danger. if not from them, from others. Soon after this, the
bell rang. Wilson then said, " What bell is that ?" she replied,
46 My bell." lie then took the pistol front the table, and said,
" if you move, I'll shoot you with it," and left the kitchen. it'll.
ness saw no more of than, until at the police office; she was posi.
fire the two prisoners were the men.
During the time that this witness was under examination, her
feelings were quite overcome, and she fainter two or three times.
Mrs. Mary-Ann Slater deposed to going out with her family, for
the day, on Sunday lust, and returning about eight o'clock in the
evening. Upon ringing the bell, she was kept two or three mi-
nutes. When the two prisoners rushed out, she attempted to
secure cu.. of them nanted Stevens. They thirever instantly ran

away, and she raised the alarm of " Stop thief!" Mr. Slater was
a few yards behind.
Mr. Edward Slater deposed to hearing Me wife cry out " Stop
thief:" He pursued the villains, and succeeded in apprehendir g
Stevens in a saw-pit, and with some assistance brought him back
to his house. The other prisoner, a few minutes alter, was con-
ducted in by Mr. Knight, and the patrol coming up, he gave them
in charge. (ln examining his premises, he found that the counting-
house had been broken open, as also the drawers. His cash-box,
which had been safely locked up in a drawer, was lying on the
table upside down, but not opened ; it contained a twenty pound
I note, seven ten pound notes, three of five pounds, twenty•five nye-
I reigns, and wine silver, amounting in the whole to 1321. A vio-
lent attempt had been made to break open the box, but without
success.
Mr. Thomas Knight, landlord of the Swan Tavern, corner of
Sloane-street, said, lie was passing Mr. Slater's house about eight
o'clock on Sunday evening, when the two prisoners rushed by him.
31r. Slater was in pursuit of them. Witness observed the prisoner
Wilson hide himself under a wall. The prisoner then came round
the wall, crossed the road, and walked along quite unconcerned ;
witness crossed at the saint time, and apprehended him. The
prisoners were searched, and on the spot where Stevens stood,
there was found a pocket pistol loaded with powder and bell ; also,
a screw-driver. In their pockets were found a number of duplicates,
three silk handkerchiefs, dec.
The prisoners, on being called upon for their defence, declined
saying anything for the present.
They were then fully committed to Nawgata for trial, and the
parties bound over to prosecute.