The National Register.
London, England, 1820-04-02 00:00:00

APPREHENSION OF AROBBERS DARING GANG OF

A short time ago a communication was received by Mr.
Birnie, the Magistrate of Bow Street, from several gentlemen
in and about Iludleigh, in Suffolk, stating that numerous
burglaries and robberies, attended, in some instances, with
circumstances of great atrocity, had been committed lately
in th it neighbourhood. The object of the communication
as to request the assistance of one or two of the most active
officers of Bow Street, and Mr. Birnle immediately selected
Salmon, and ordered him to go du we and use every exertion
to bi log the offenders to justir e.
Salmon, ou his arrival at Hadleigh, assumed the dress of a
country farmer. and went about at night to dillerent public-
houses, where he understood the suspected persons were in
the habit of resorting, and at mie he observed four suspicious
looking men drinking together, and remarked that they re-
peatedly looked at the clock, and at ten at night one said
to the rest" It is time to go," and they departed. The fat.
lon ing morning it was discovered that it mill belonging to
Mr. Beaks, in the neighbourhood, had been broken into
during the night, soil plundered of flour and meal to a large
amount. It appeared that the thieves forced an entrance
through the brick part, which was more than four feet thick.
They were also, it seems, provided with horses to carry the
stolen property away. Salmon being acquainted with the
Circumstance, caused the lour men whom he had seen the
night before to be apprehended, and they were handcuffed
and placed in separate rooms during the succeeding night,
with men to watch over them. Before the morning, one of
them, named William Baskett, voluntarily confessed the
whole of the transaction, and stated, that the entrance into
the moll was ,•ffected by means of a plough counter, which
they took on they way from a plough in a farm yard. Ile
also stated that the property was deposited in a barn on
Hadleigh Heath, where Saloom on a search found it, and
also round the plough counter in a ditch, near the min.—.
Baskett also confessed a number of other robberies, in which
he and his companions had been concerned. He was admitted
an evidence for the Crown, and the other three, named
Jocelyu, Mann, and Simpson, werecommitted to Bury gaol,
whither they were cotiveyed in the custody uf Salmon.

Mr. Thomas Ciber relates an anecdote of Mr. John Dee-
nit, the celebrated critic, which may be worth repeating,
as it is a striking and melancholy inztance, among thousands,
of the distreaul predicaments, iuto which men of genius
and literary abilities are perhaps apter than any others Ito
plunge themselves, by paying too slight attention to the com-
mon concerns of life, and their own most important interests.
After be was worn out (says the author) with age and po-
verty, he resided within the verge of the court, to prevent
danger from his creditors. One Saturday might he happened
to taunter to a public-home, which in a short time be disco-
vered to be without the verge. He was sitting in a drinking
room, when a man of a suspicious appearance happened to
come M. There was something about the man which de- .
voted to Mr. Dennis that he nos a bailiff. This struck him
with a panic; he was afraid his liberty was at an end; he
sat iii the utmost solitude but durst not oiler to stir lest be
should. be seized upon. After an hour or two had passed is
this painful anxiety, at last the clock struck twelve, when
Mr. Dennis; in an extacy, cried out, addressing himself tote
suspected person," Now, Sir, bailiff or no bailiff, 1 dont care
a farthing for you, you have no power naw." The man was
astonished at his behaviour; and when it was explained to
him, was so much affronted with the suspicion, that had
mot Mr. Dennis found his protection in age, he would pro.
' trebly have smarted for his mistaken opinion. A strong
picture of the effects of tear and appielieusion, in a tem-
per so timorous and jealous as Mr. Dennis's, of which the
following is still a more whimsical instance. In 1704,
came out his favourite tragedy, " Liberty Asserted," in
which were so many strokes on the French nation, that he
thought they were never to be forgiven. He had worked
himself into a persuasion, that the King of France would
insist on kis being delivered up before he would consent
to a peace ; and full of this idea of his own importance,
when the Cougi ess was hell pt Utrecht, lie is said to have
waited oo his patron the Duke cf itlarlborongh, to desire
that no such article might he stipulated. The Duke told
him he had really no interest then with the ministry ; but
bad made no such provision fur his own security, though
he could not help thinking he had done the French as
much injury as Mr. Dennis himself. Another story re-
lating to this affair is, that being at a gentleman's house on
the coast of Sussex, and walking one day on the sea-shore,
lie saw a ship sailing, as he fanciest, towards him ; lie in-
stantly set out for Loudon, in the fancy that he was be-
trayed; sad oa congratulating himself ou his escape-,
gave out that his friend Lail decoyed him down to his
house, to surrender him up to the French.
BOROUGH OF A PPLEBY.—Appleby is a burgage-
tenure borough, and the county town of Westmor-
land, containing 120 housos, and 711 inhabitants,
exclusive of Longate, a separate parish, but part of
the town. The right of voting in this borough,
although there is no speeial resolution of the House
of Commons concerning it, is admitted to be in
burgage-tenures. These burgage-holds are now the
property of the Earl of Lenselale and the Earl of
lhattet. Flog-sties have been deemed freeholds here,
and purchased by the Thanet anti Lonadale
at a price exceeding all belief. The contention be-
tween these two families has given the borough its
only consequence ; but they have now agreed that
each shall send one member. The electors of this
place, therefore, sit clown quietly to be represented
by whomsoever its noble proprietors shall think most
proper.
On Thursday, the 16th of March, a deputation
front the British anti Fore;gn School Committee,
consisting of Sir Thomas Bell, Mr. Wilberforce,
Dr. Schwabe, and Mr. Millar, waited on her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, when they had
the honour of presenting an address to her Royal
Higlincss, accompanied with the Resolutions of the
Committee, and also the Committee of Ladies, on
the melancholy occasion of the decease of his Royal
I highness the Duke of Kent. Her Royal High-
ness received them very graciously. The deputa-
tion had also the honour of seeing the infant Prin-
cess on that occasion.

lIOIIIE CIRCUIT.
SURREY LENT LENT ASSIZES.—Manett 27.
CIVIL SIDE.—SPECIAL JURIES.
SEDITIOUS AND BLASPHEMOUS LIBELS.
THE KING V. PHILIP' EIIANCIB.
This was an indictment against the defendant, for publishing
No. 3, of Carlde's " Republican," containing an alledged sedi-
tious and blasphemous libel, in the form of a letter, addressed
to the inhabitants of Alanchester, relating to the proceedings
which took place in that town on the 16th of August last.
The prosecution %as conducted by Mr. Serjesint Onslow, Mr.
Marryatt, Mr. Gurney, Mr. Nolan, and Mr. Bolland.
This was one of the class of cases, of which a great many
were tried at the Middhsex sittings after last Term against dif-
ferent News venders. It appeared that the defendant, who is an
infirm elderly man, combines with the business of a shoemaker,
at No. 13, Bermondsey•street, that of a dealer in political and
other pamphlets. The libelous pamphlet in question was pub.
lished on the loth of September last, and sold to a person named
George Oddy, who deposed to that fact.
The defendant addressed the Jury to the following effect :
" I sin a poor ailing man, and if I have been guilty of a crime
in selling this pamphlet, I do declare most solemnly that I did
not sell it with any wicked intention. The moment I under-
stood that I was acting inipmpeily, I desisted, and I certainly
did not sell the book with any malicious or wicked intention. If
you believe this, you will acquit me. If I have broken the law,
at was without knowing it ; because I was not imam of the ten-
dency of the publication, and certainly hail no disposition to
violate the law."
'Hie defendant said he had no witnesses to call.
The Chief Baron charged the Jury, that the defendant's in-
tention was distinctly proved by the libel itself. His Lordship as
well as the Jury acted under the solemn sanction of an oath, and
eying his hand upon his heart, Isis Lordship said, " Upon my
oath, I never saw a more atrocious libel than this is."
The jury immediately found the defendant Guilty, but recom-
mended him to mercy, on account of his poverty, and his igno•
ance of the nature of the libel.
The Chief Baron.—Gentlemen, are you aware how prejudicial
such a recommendation may be? It such a publication as this
finds its way, it will be productive of the most mischievous con-
sequences. Recollect yourselves before you give such a recont-
mendation. 1 certainly shall carry your recommendation into
effect as far as I can, but pray recollect before you give it.
The Jury turned round again in the box, and after five mi-
nutes further consideration, the foreman, Benjamin Barnard,
Esq. said (as we understootl)—" My Lord, the Jurymen arc not
inclined to alter their opinion."
The Chief Baron (with some warmth)—Then you will send all
these publications to the most ignorant classes of socitty.
The Jury was composed of half special and half talesmen.
THE KING V, JOHN CAHUAC.
This was an information filial by the Attorney, General against
the defendant, a pamphlet seller, residing at N. 53, Blackman.
street, in the Borough, for publishing, on the 3d of ....eptember
last. a seditious libel contained in No. 2of the " Republican,"
in the form of a letter addressed to his Majesty, when Prince
Regent, concerning the transactions at Manchester, on the 16th
of August, reflecting upon. his Majesty, and on the constitution
of the country as by law established.
Mr. Sergeant Onslow. in stating the case, adverted to the ex-
cuse. which had been pleaded by the defendant in the last case,
for publishing the libel, namely his poverty. and said it was just
as good an excuse as that of Romeo's apothecary, for selling
poison—that his poverty. and not his will, consented. The
],earned Sergeant, speaking of the meeting at Manchester, said.
that no man, however sttong his political feelings had ever yet
been so hardy as to contend that that was a legal meeting.
George Oddy proved that he had purchased the pamphlet in
question at the defendant's shop on the 3d of September last.—
Cross examined. The defendant is a bookseller in the 6eneral
way in Blackman-street, in the Borough.
The libel being read by the officer of the Court, the case on
the putt of the Crown was closed.
The defendant then read a written defence to the Jury. in
which lie urged his innocence of any intention to publish the
libel as charged in the declaration. He had merely sold die
pamphlet in question in the general way of his business as a
bookseller, without ever having read it. Professing himself
hostile to the pi inciples contained in the alleged libel, lie threw
himself on the consideration of the Jury.
The Chief Baron charged the Jury, that the libel was a most
atrocious one, and wider his lordship's direction they found the
defendant Guilty.

CROWN-SIDE.
DANK OF ENGLAND PROSECUTIONS.
The 25 unhappy beings, who stand charged with uttering
forged Bank of England notes, having been arraigned, 16 of them
chose to plead Guilty to the minor offince, of knowingly haviag
in possession, and were severally seutenceil to 14 years transpor-
tation. The remainder elected to take their trials fur the capital
offence.
William Worsfold was indicted for feloniously uttering a
forged 1/. Bank of England note, to Tllolllas Cabbage, at Epsom,
on the 29th of August last.
Beside the uttcnng, fur which the prisoner was indicted, it was
proved, t..at on Saturday, the 26th of August, he had been dis.
ributing h s spurious paper to several unwary shopkeepers at
Hampton Wick. On the 29th lie was so imprudent as to attract
observation, by pulling out in the street a parcel of forged notes,
which being observed, inquiries were made, and a pursuit was
commenced. Ile was accompanied by his wife, who eseapeth—
One of the pursuers, a shoe maker, gave evidence that lie took
the prisoner a short distance from Epsom, when the following
slang took place between them. The prisoner a-keel what was
the matter? Witness answered it was fur putting off Gandy
screens (forged bank notes); upon which the prisoner said,
" I'll come a good (give you something handsome). it ycu let
sue bolt." Witness refusing. the prisoner asked, whether the
anoliither had pigged back into the monkery," (whether his wife
had
.gone back into the town.)—Witness replied" she is ,basil"
(she is sub., or got clear off.) Prisoner said with glee " That's
iron—there's the dollop."—(That's right, she has the whole bun-
dle.) During this dialogue die prisoner contrived to drop a bag
containing it 13s. 6d. in silver, the produce of his industry.—
lle had besides a genuine 51. Bank of England note.
In his defence he called two witnesses, one of *horn a dog-
dealer by trade, swine that he had purchased from him about
the end of August, two pointers, for which lie had paid hint 41.
in 11. notes; and die other, that he hail given him four 11. notes,
but neithet could identify either of the tour notes which were
produced.
A third witness swore that the prisoner was with him at Shere,
rear Guildford, 20 miles from Hampton Wick, from seven
o'clock during die whole night of the 2sth of August, the time
..t which it had been so clearly proved that he was at the latter
place in the exercise of his unlawful industry.
The Jury under the Learned Judge's directions found the pri•
saner Guilty—Death.
Samuel Gatward was next found Guilty, upon the clearest
evidence, of uttering a forged 11. note iu Southwark, on the 12th
of Feb. to one Sarah Matthews.—Death.
Thomas Hubbard, upon being brought to the bar, retracted his
plea of nut guilty to tare capital charge, and was allowed to plead
Guilty to the 11l i l ior charge, and was sentenced to 14 years
transportation.
James Pennington was tried and acquitted on a capital charge
of uttering, it appearing that the witnesses were mistaken as to
his identity, there bong another man in the gaol so like biui as

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