The National Register.
London, England, 1817-05-12 00:00:00

MARY RYAN, ALIAS BROWN.

Sir J. MACKINT(I•II then rose to call the attention of the
House to the case of Petrick Ryan, alias Brown, who was
found guilty of a highway robbery a few Sessions ago, and
was on Friday last executed pursuant to his sentence. It
appeared, that between the time of his sentenre and eseen-
tion, an attempt had been male to obtain him his liberty, and
his wile was concerned in the attempt. This unfortunate
woman was detected and committed for trial for the offence ;
and, strange to say, was, on the day on which her lanshand
was executed, put upon her trial ; and in that state of mind
called on for her defence, and convicted. it was this inhu-
manity whit•h he now complained of, and of which he asked
an explanation ; and till he heard that explanation he should
consider it as an in-tanee of the greatest cruelty which ever
disgraced a Com t t.fJustice. The Hon. Gent. then proceeded
to condemn the steps taken against this unfortunate woman
altogether, she had been punished for a display of her affec-
tion towards her husband. Who was there that bad not read
in history, and admired the conhu•t of Lady Southesk ; who
when her husband had been condemned, and was under sen-
tence of death, at the risk of her well lift• sought his lawn*
tint) and should that display of affection, which was so much
admired in the Lady of rank, be condemned and pu
nished in Ibis humble individual. Ihe Hon. Gent. said, he
was aware that he might be told all this was rendered neces-
sary by the rules of law, the last day of the Sessions having
arrived. To this he woad answer, that the Law Officer of
the Crown had the power of suspending the trial; and he
knew an much of the humane disposition of the Hon. Gent.
who had lately held the otii"e of Attorney General, that he
was convinced that Hon. Gent. would have been anxious to
exercise. his power. He contended, that this unfortunate
woman was flat tried, shire her state of mind was such as to
render her entirely incapaole of making any defence. The
Hen. Gent. after -mar further Wiservati.ns, moved for copies
°rale sentences of P. Ryan and Mary Ryan, and the dates of
their convictions. . _

Mr. 11. ADDIDGTON, in explanation of this transaction,
stated, that the trial of Mary Rvan took place in ignorance
of the circnm•tauee which had taken place iii the morning,
and out of humanity towarits the pt km:er; if she had not
been tried that day, she must have remained in prison three
months; and, indeed, though apparently the circumstance of
her being brought to trial on that day was utifortimate to her
yet ultim itchy it proved fortunate to her, as the Seen tary of
!state, on 'searing the circumatatice of her case, repres.!nted
it to the 1), ince Regent, anti she was, in con.squence, par-
doned.

Mr. Ald ATKINS entered iota a defence of the Court, he-
retic whit h this unfortunate woman was convicted ; who he
said has every wish, had they posses.sed the power, to have
postponed her trial, but she did not appear to nester it should
be (Hayed. When the question was put to the jury, of
(lenity or not Godly, hopes were entertained they would
have acepitted her. But such was the evidence, they were
forced to convict. After her conviction. however, she was
treated with the greatest attention and kindness; and direc-
tions were given that she should have every comfort which
her situation admitted of. The Worthy Alderman said, he
never was present at a more affecting scene; no one was pre-
sent, who did not feel for her, and had it been possible, the
Court would have given her permission to attend and so-
lemnize those rights which the custom of her country engaged
in previous to the funeral of her nnfortnnate hush:land. They
found, however, that tin it power did not allow them to grant
her that indulgence.
Sir `5. ROMILLY did not cossider that the least blame could
he attached to Government tor this occasion. or to the Attor-
ney General,or to the Court who tried this poor woman; but
he did complain of the prosecutors of this poor woman, who
ought not to have been prosecuted at all.
Sir J. M 4CIItINITOCH replied, mid again contended, that this
proseention which he designated it, odious, immoral, anti de-
testable, as being instituted against a wife for her affection
• to her husband, ought never to have been instituted. He
contended that the Magistrates %•• ho presided at the trial ought
to have suggested to the prosecntor that he ought to call no
witness. She ought to have been acquitted instantly. The
lenity of sentence was no extenuation. 'Flue trial, the plac-
ing this unhappy woman, with her infant orphan child in her
arms, at the bar of justice, within a few hours after the death
of her hoshand, whilst his corpse was yet warm, was the pu-
nishment—was the refinement of barbarity. With respect to
withdrawing this motion, he did not think he could withdraw
it. He considered it necessary that the House 5114)111(1 come
to a vote upon the question, to mark its regret at this melan-
choly occurrence, and to convey a lesson to Magistrates in
future.
LOld C 4STLFRE %GU felt himself fully convinced by the
arguments of the Hon. Gent., and therefore should give his
support to the mot ion.—llekr, hear.
The motion was the n agt eed to.