The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-02 00:00:00

TILE RECORDER'S REPORT.

A t the Council held yesterday. the Recorder of London made
his Report to the King of the following prisoners under sentence of
death in Newrate, convicted at the last Session, namely, Francis
Random, aged 18; Michael Donovan, 17; Hannah Green, 27;
Eliz.sht th Thompson, 40 ; Robert Savage, 21; Joseph Benfield,
22 ; James Johnson, 23 ; and Thomas Woolridge, 24 ;—for steal-
ing in a dwelling-house to the value of 40s. and upwards. Joseph
Taylor, 31, for horse-stealing. John Langley, 19 ; John Tipper,
14; James Collins, 19; James Francis. 20; Thomas Cormack,
19; and John Grant, alias Brotherton. 20 ;—for burglary. John
Oldham, 21 ; John Yates, ; John Ling, 20: John Price, 23;
and John Goodwin. 26 ;--for highway robbery. William Parsons,
21, for cattle-stealing; and Thomas Gravett, 23, for house-break.
ing ; also Thomas Shaw, 20, convicted of sheep-stealing at the
April Sessions.
Ili. Majesty was graciously pleased to respite. during his Royal
pleasure, all the above-named prisoners, excepting Joseph Taylor,
fnr horse-stealing; Robert Savage, Joseph Rentield, and J tines
Johnson. for stealing in a dwelling-house; upon whom the law is
left to take its course, and they are ordered for execution on Wed-
nesday next, the 7th inst.

POL TCE.

BOW.ESTREET.

THE OESTFRAL ELECTION.—The Magistrates, GEORGE
ROWLAND MINSHITLL and THOMAS HALLS, Este*. were ecru.
pied until a late hour on Wednesday evening, in a cam in which
some disclosures were made, possessing particular interest at this
period, when a general election is about to take place.
A person, named William Colliits, who has been living in the
Clapham-road, keeping livery servants and a dashing equipage,
was brought before the bench, in the custody of one of the principal
officers, on a warrant in which he stood charged with " unlawfully,
knowingly, and designedly, by false pretenccs, obtaining of and
from Colonel William Canine the sum of 17001. (to wit) thirty-four
Bank of England notes fur the payment of WI. each."
Colonel Comae was attended by his solicitor, Mc: WELLS, and
Mr. ADOLPHUS appeared as his counsel.
' Mr. Collins was accompanied by Mr. C. PHILLIPS as his coun-
sel, and Mr. HARMF:s and his assistant, Mr. BUT LF.R.
Mr. Collins wain custody in the early pert of the day, awl was
taken for a few moments before Mr. MrststruLL in a private room,
when it was agreed that the examination should take place in the
evening. In the meanwhile he was taken to a neighbouring tavern,
in the custody of Smith.
About eight Mr. Collins was brought in, and placed in front of
the bench, by Smith, and Colonel (Aimee (who is, we believe, of
the Guards), with his legal advis.:rs, took a seat by the side of the
M agistrates.
Every thing being prepared for the commencement of the inves-
tigation, Mr. 1111wanutl. said, " Now let the office be cleared of
every one not connected with this case—officers and all—excejt one
to keep the door, and let him see that no one enters."
The office was soon cleared according to order, and the examina-
tion began. It should be obit reed that a strong degree of anxiety
was shown on both sides, but particularly on the part of Colonel
Csmae, that the investigaticn should be private. It was not, how-
ever, so strictly so as he seemed to wish.
Mr. ADc)t.ex us stated shortly to the Magistrates, that he ap-
peared on behalf of Colonel Camac, who had to complain of a
fraud to a considerable extent by the defendant. The defendant,
It seemed, had given out that he had interest sufficient to procure
the return of a gentlemen to Parliament, and Colonel Canine being
desirous of obtaining a seat in the Honourable House, an introduc-
tion took place through the medium of Mr. Wells, the Colonel's
Solicitor. At that interview the defendant stated that a gentleman
of the name of Pitt was the present High Steward (Representative)
of Malmsbury, in Wiltshire, but that the Aldermen and Bur.
gesses were extremely anxious to get rid of him. and return some
gentleman who would be inclined to enter fore cordially into their
views. Mr. Pitt had lent the Corporation 1,700/., for which he
held their bond ; but if anygentlermin could be found who would
advance that sum, the majority of that body, whose influence
was so great as to be certain of carrying any measure, would
guarantee the return of the individual who furnished the cash,
and who should himself hold the bond as a security for
his money. This otter appeated so advantageous, that Colonel
Camac had no hesitation in accepting it; and after several interviews
the Colonel was induced to give a cheek upon his banker for the
17001., which the defendant received at AI essre. Drummond& Sub-
sequently, however, the Colonel discovered that the defendant had
not the interest which he pretended to have in the borough of
Malmsbury, and that he had appropriated the money to his own
use. At present, from the distance at which the witnesses resided,
he (Mr. Adolphus) would only be able to make out a prima fuck
case.

Mr. Wells was then sworn, Ind stated, that in an interview
which he and Colonel Camac had with the prisoner, the latter said
that Mr. Pitt, the present high Seward of ilalmshury, had
made himself obnoxious to the leading men of the Corporation.
Mr. Wells deposed to these facts. The first interview was in
April. The defendant said he was intimate with all the burgesses,
and particularly with Mr. Seale, the leading man in the Corpora.
Lion. The defendant objected to the Colonel's going to Malms.
bury, and it was agreed that he should go down himself, In three
or tour (lays the defendant called at witness's office, and said he had
been down to alalmsbury, and that the burgesses were perfectly
satisfied. The witness again suggested the propriety of himself or
Colonel Camac going down ; but the defendant objected, and said
he should like to know, first, whether the parties would be willing
to see any one but himself, and in order to ascertain that point, he
would write to Seale; " and," added he, " the answer shall be
scut to your oflicc." In two or three days a letter came, bearing
the Malmsbury post-mark, and which the defendant opened in
the presence of the witness. The letter appeared to be signed
by a person of the name of Seale. The defendant read the
letter, and said—" You see by this letter that they will trust
no one but myself, and unless you have sufficient confidence
in me to trust me with the money, the matter must be at
lan end." The witness related what had passed to Colonel
Camac, and delivered to him the letter of which he had spoken,
which the Colonel read and returned, ssving, " I am satisfied."
Witness then saw the defendant, and told him that the money
would be advanced immediately. Ile raked if Colonel Camac
wished to see him, and was told he did not. De then said that the
motley, as soon as he received it, should be sent to Slalmsbury,
land the answer from thence be addressed to witness's office, as be-
fore. At one of these interviews it was mutually agreed that all
correspondence which might pass between the parties on the sub-
ject of the negotiation should be destroyed. The defendant then
wrote again (at least AO he said) to Malmsbury, and another letter
was received, purporting to be written by %lr. Seale, in which it
was stated that the burgesses were satisfied, and it wart appointed that
on the following Thursday Mr. Seale and certain others of the bur-
gesses should meet the defendant at a place in Wiltshire, close by
a church-yard," where the money was to be paid over by Collins,
and the bond given. The witness had only a cursory glance at the
letter, and could not say where the spot was, but, from what he
read, he supposed it to be in the neighbourhood of alahnsbury.
On the 10th of May, Colonel Comae being, from the represents.
lions of the defendant perfectly satisfied that he was dealing safely,
he gave the witness a check upon Messrs. Drumnionds for 1,7001.
Ito be paid over to the defendant. The witness presented the check,
and obtained thirty-four all. notes, which he handed over to the de-
fentlant on the same day, for the purpose before mentioned. The
defendant undertook to be at alalmsbury on the following day,
and deliver the money to the busgesres. lie was to return on
Thursday or Friday last. The defendant gave the witness no re.
ccipt, but a mere common memorandum, for the satisfaction of
Cu!. Camac. (hi the Wednesday following the defendant called
again at witness's office, and then be said that he had been at
Alahnshury on the Thursday preceding, and had paid the
money to the burgesses, or to Seale and others, their represen.
tatives. Colonel Camac went down to alalmshury, and there
received such information as induced him to return very
speedily to London ; and upon his arrival, he and the witness went
to the Bank of England, and there saw five of the 501. notes which
he had paid to the defendant. on which was endorsed " F. W.
Collins," in the prisoner's hand-writing. On the same morning
the witness and Col. Comae called at the defendant's house, and he
came down to them in his dressing-gown. Ile appeared much agi-
tated when he saw them. Colonel Camac when he Saw Collins
said," this is a very bad business, Collins; I have been to
bury, and you have not been there." The defendant answered,
" I am very sorry ; I could not help it ; I had taken my place on
Saturday afternoon, when I received au express, informing me that
it would be useless my going down, for that my life would be in
danger if I appeared. I did not hand the money over as agreed
upon to Mr. Seale; but paid it to his nephew, who has robbed me
of it and run away ; but I know where he is, and I will find him
and bring him forward."
This was all the evidence gone Into for the present.
Colonel Camac was not called upon. There seemed to be a
prevous understanding that a further hearing must take place.
Mr. PHILLIPS said he wished to know whether the case was to
be fully gone into then or not, because lie should have to cross-
examine Mr. Wells at considerable length, and probably Colonel
Camac also; but lie had no yet an idea to what length that gentle.
man's evidence would extepsi.

Colonel Catuac—l shall be vary short, Mr. Phillips, depend
upon it.
Some conversation then took place as to the most convenient
time for a re-hearing, and it was ultimately agreed that the defem
dant should be remanded until aa early a day in the next week as
the necessary witnesses could be brought from Malmsbury ; Mr.
Adolphus pledging himself to produce evidence to negative all the
pretences used by the defendant.
The accused did not a•tempt to enter into any ttefener, and was
remanded accordingly, with kave to go tea watclabouse.