The National Register.
London, England, 1818-09-27 00:00:00

TIM NAVONAT, REGISTER

The facts Of the case .re clearly 'novod in evidence;
and the prisoner gave in a written defence, iti which she
stated that she was servant to the rto-eentrix,.alto was a lady
aecurtotnerrtis receive the visits of oi !Wain( n at ker house.
l'he property in question -lie had horn desired to pawn by
her staislrsits. being in great distress at the time. She asoired
the Court that this was not the only time she had pawned
Roods at the request of her mistress.
irt, swat t these allegat him no u 'finesses were called, and
the prisoner was found —fisttiity.
. . .

lie prosecutrix Is sit interesting. young lady, and duribg
the whole trial remained in teals.

The Common Sergeant told the prisoner that the manner
In %latch she had framed Ler tirfenre had mmit aggravated
the offence, and that abe troa!Ll mcct with a suitable punish-
ment.

Sarah Spencer nits indicted for stealing from the person
of John Corrau 14 one pcand 114r.k Notes, and roma other
articles..

The prosecutor is a peer illiterate Irishman; the money
of which he had been robbed 7r.ul been the savings of 5 years'
hard labour, which he intended to have sent to hi* father in
Ireland iu a few days. Bt lug in want of a lodging, Ile was
induced by the prisoner to ;a ham,: With her to 45, Charles
Street, Dimes- Lane, end had ;Kt been 5 minutes in bed
before lee was robbed of alt Car nitmey he had in the world.—
lie immediately called out for the watchman, and several
persons of both sexes rushed into the room ; among them was
WAttee, landlord of the house, The prisoner 'SR% se.
mired, and searched. lint no Batik Notes were f 1 upon
err; a pouch anita shilling belonizing to the prosecutor were
howeser discoveted, and she was taken into custody.
The Jilvy found a verdict guilty.
The Cc imam' Serceunt inquired why the landlord of the
house in Charles Sheet had not been examined before the
Magistrate. The othcer who Intik the woman into custody
replied, that the landlords of sort seldom liked to appear
before Magistrates if they could avoid it.
J. Winch was convictrit of stealing a quantity of beans,
the property of W. Mellish, Esq. M. P.

TP.:lnsnmr.
Benjamin Bruce and Juim Neale, two young men of a very re-
spectable appearance, were indicted for stealing from the person of
James Sawyer a pocket-book, certahting Bank notes to the amount
of 1171.
The prosecutor stated, that he resided at Hammersmith, and that,
on the 6th of August, in the evening, between 4 and s o'clock, be
got upon the root of a Hammersmith stage coach at St. Paul's to go
to his own house. Ile found the two prisoners already seated or. the
roof, and when he got up they very.politely allowed him to seat him.
self between them. When the stage arrived at the V,lite Horse
Cellar the prisoners got off end went away immediately. They had
not bemegoue 10 minutes before he missed his pocket book. Ile was
quite cermitt that he had the pocket-balk when he got upon the
coach. Immediate information was given at the police office, and in
about a week afterwards he saw three of his notes again.
Mr. Joseph Noss, who was also on the roof of the stage on
the day in question, confirmed the prosecutor's statement. One
of the prisoners sat on the left, and the other on the right of Mr.
Sawyer.
Jacob Cowley proved that on the 15th of August the prisoner
Bruce paid him two 101. notes, and wrote his name •• Bruce" upon
them at the same time. These notes were Winuified by the prem.
owner.

Other witnesses were then called. to whom some more of the notes
had been paid by Bruce and Neale, and by women kept by both the
prisoners. These were also identifiedby Mr. Sawyer to be those notes
he lost out of his packet book.
Gilmore. the officer. was next examined. lie stated, that on the
29th of August he went, in company with a fellow officer, to inquire
after the two prisoners, et their /edgings. 23. Carlisle-place. He
knoilked at the door. and upon its being opened was told that they
were not at home. He then said that he wonfil probably tall again at
9 O'clock ill the evening t but instead of going away, witness and the
other sneer concealed themselves in a passage whew they had a full
sight of the house. They had not been long there when the twopti-
soners came up. walking together-sad knocked at the door. Some-
body broke front the window, and the prisoners immediately walked
sway. Upon seeing the officers they rut of as hard, as they could,
but were pursued and overtaken
This evidence was fully c.wroborated by the other officer.
Neale said. io his defence, that he was at Gravesend at the time
the robbery took place, and called
James Hutchinson to swear to the fact. He stated that he was a
watocman, and lived with his father at Stangate, Westminster. On
the sth Amost. he was out all night with a fare at Vauxhall. and on
the corning of elle,fith of August, about half-past 4 o'clock. he saw
the prisoner Neale on the Surrey side of Westminster Bridge. The
prisoner asked him to take him on beard a Grave.tendman. tie got
into the boat. and helped witness to row through London-bridge. as
the boat had already started. He put the prisoner on board the King
Gurige Gravesilnd packet, which was then on the starboard tack, and
witness saw hitn sail WE

Two witnesses to character werecalled by Bruce, and both of them
swore that they knew no harm of the young man. Upon their cross•
examination they both declared that they did not knew that Bruce
ever went hythe name of Jones. nor did they know that he was taken
into custody for a felony in May Tait.
Mr. Alley, on the part of the prosecution, then called Gilmore the
officer to rebut t e evid.mce of good elaracter.
Gilmore stated. Ciat in leis the two prisoners at the bar were
in custody upon a charge of felony, and that at that time Bruce went
by the name of Jones
Cross-examined by Mr. Adalphne.—l believe, in point of fact, the
apprehension of these two nom came to nothing ?—The prosecutor
got his money back again. and did not prosecute.
How do you know that fact ?—The prosecutor told me so.
Then that is no evidence at all.
Mr Alley.—You have no right to comment upon the e►idence, I
will not allow it. _

Mr. Adolphus. —I say. I have a right to say that it is not evidence.
If the officer had thought proper to give a plain answer, 46 yes,"
or " no," to the first questiim. I should not have made the re-
mark.
_ _

Mr. Alley.—l repcv you have no right to do it, and I appeal to
the bench to decide.

The Recorder wits clearly of opinion that no such oblerrations were

The Jury found both the prisoner—Guilty.
Elizabeth Damen and Glivia Stephenson, two young and interest-
ing girls. were indicted for etcaling four shirts, a gown, and othel
articles of wearing apparel, the property of.loltn Bruit:lnt.
The prosecutor lives in Nlanchest‘r-street, and is a captain in the
East India Company's service ; and (me of the ',limners, Stephenson,
lived with him as servant; the other, who iva:: much younger, was
receited into the family. in consequence of her friends !laving fallen
into decay. On the nth of July, the articles in question were
missed, and part ot• them was ti and tinder the bed in the room in
which the prisoners slept, and part between the bed and sacking
Several highly respectable persons gave the prisoaers an excellent
diameter ; one of whom said she parted with Stephenson because she
dressed rather too well for her condition in life.
The Jury found both tie prisoners Not Guilty; end Mrs. M ix well,
one of the witnesses, in whose service Stephenson hail lured, said
she would take her int.) ha care, until she could procure her a situa-
thm,

'l'he Recorder said. by s) doing she wouhl save her from the jans
of perdition. One of tl.•e other licrsons who hod given the Omer
potter a good cllaruct:r, olterctl to take her under Lis protectiou.—.

SEPT 9.7

They were then ordered to be given up to Mrs. Maxwell and the;
geetletnall.
Jelin Bishop, a respectably dressed man, aged 31, of very genteel
appearance, arid whose deportnient was that of a gentleman, was
indicted for an ne :atilt upon the person of Elizaueth, the wife of
Joseph Hese, and with teking from her person, on the night of the
Rth of August, at the parish ef St. Marylehone, a pocket book, con •
mining funril. noes, IGs. it: SilVia, and a brooch, the property of her
husband.
Elieebeth hose said, she was the wife of Jeseelt nose, and up to
the Sth of August (the day in queation) had lived servant with Mrs.
LYaniels. of No. "25, Devenshirc-piace. On that morning site quitted
her service, turd on the night of that day, at 9 o'clock. she was going
through Maryiebotie-strect, having a bundle of clothes, and seine
potatoes which shelled purchased in her way, in her bands. In Up.
per Wimpcle-street the prisoner came up to her and said, " it is a
pity so sleroler a figure should be heavily loaded." She had neve:
seen him before, and made no answer. He then said,
allow me to treat you to a coach." Upon which she said. " I dou!t
want yotior your coach either." He replied. .• Don't be frightened.
I am a gentleman efunlinitted property, and you need inn be afreid
to go into a coach ‘^ith tic ; I will not hurt you." She said; I
will take care you shell not." She had in her pocket a pocket-book,
centainir.g four 11. note', a brooch and Ws. in silver. On getting to
the edge of Penland-place she thought she would not go across so
wide a street with a person like the prisoner, and she turned to go
through Weymouth-street, when the prisoner took hold of her hand,
and form!. her down Weymouth-mews. The prisoner forced
something into her hand, and said, •• There is a purse with a 201.
note and a sovereign in it; take it and stop with me but two minutes."
She instantly refused to take it, and he took hold of her in a very
indecent manner, and pulled up her clothes. Ile then forced his,
hand into her right hand pocket, but...seeing some person coming h.,
tan away. She instantly felt her pocket, and missed tier pocket-book,
and she cried, " Stop thief," and the prisoner was pursued and
taken toihe watch-house, where he wanted to make it up. At Marl-
boroaghwareet she saw her inoperty. Her husband was servant to
Mr. Cooper, of the House of Lords.
Stephen Liddcott. a stable-keeper. was coming by the Weymouth
Mews, and heard, the cry of " Stop thief;" and, on looking round
towards Devers'eire-place. he saw the prisoner running as test as ht
could towards It itness. lie stopped him, and he put his hands behind
him, and said, " What do you stop me for;" in a minute or two the
prosecutor came upend said, '• You have abed the of my pocket-
book." Winters gave lam in charge of two watchmen, to take him
to the watch-house. Witness then rang the bell of 57, in Weymouth
street (the house against the rails of which the prisoner stood and
put his hands behind !dins, and in the area found a purse, in which
were three or four soft pieces of paper resembling bank notes, and a
counterfeit coin.. resembling a sovereign. At the watch-house the
prisoner wanted to make it up..le saying he would pay the peaces'.
tux whatever she demanded.

Samuel Britten. a watchmen, saw a man and woman- standing
together, about a minute. in Weymouth-street; and he saw the min
part from the woman. and she " Stop thief !" and he ran away
ar fasz as he wad ; but he was stopped by Mr. Liddcott.
Cross-examined by Mr. Alley.--They appeared to part from each
other quietly. and the prosecutrix said, " Give me my pocket book
again. duals aU I want of you."
William Sellers was anistalsie of the night when the prisoner was
brought into ;he watch house ; he produced the pocket book and the
purse containing the soft paper and the false sovereign.
Charles Wiid sergeant of the night,. found the pocket book pro-
duced by Sellers, in the area of No. an. Wernousli.street. at four
o'clock on the morning of the 9th—it contented fair ii. notes. a
brooch. and some diver. Thu prisoner must have run by that door.
Mrs. Rose. being again calla. said she knew the pocket book pro-
duced to be her property; the brooch and memotandiuns were has
also; but she could not swear to the notes.
Mrs. blunter proved that she paid the notes produced to the pro-
socutrix.

The prisoner. in his-defame, cued God Almighty to witneu his
innocence (putting his hand to. Ph hoed.).
Reautler.—Calling on God Almighty will do nothing for you-
-if you have any thing to say for yourseV, say it now.
Prisoner.-11 am really innocent, my Lord.
Mr. Alley now proceeded to call witnesses to speak to Ideas.
radix.

Jeremiah Mean, a publican. residing in Newman-street. Edg-
ware-raid. was called to give the prisoner a good character; bin in
his moss examination he said. that all he knew of the prisoner was
that he boa served him with beer for 4 taanthb, but he believed Ilia;
to bea gentleman living on his forttme.
Wm. Fletcher. a hatter. of King-greet. Westminster, said the
prisoner lodged with bin about a year and a half since, ad he be-
id him to be a gentleman of good charades.
Mr. Recorder.—What part of your house did he occupy ?
Witeess.—An upper altie. (it )
Mr. lleconkr.—So he is a gentleman, and he lodged in an upper
deltic l did he

Mr. A➢cy.—Yea, a gentleman who dig not like to run into unne.
cessary expenses.
Thomas Vincent. a retired pianoforte manufacturer, of
den; Lisson-green. knew him two years ago ; hest nted a small home
next to him, for which he paid lam in. per annum. lie believed
him to be en hottest man.

......
The Recorder stormed np the evidei:e, and the jury instant:,
pronounced the prisoner Guilty.
The prisoner quitted the tlock muehdkappointod at tllo
verdict.

Oa Fchloy nothing of importance transpired.

Wednesday afternoon a most infamous " Placard" was posted in
various parts of the town: and a I tallpenny Pamphlet was forwarded
to various parts of the country, both the one and the other beginning
with these words—" The Bights of the People—Unity, or Slavery.'
The manifest intention of -the pill:Heat:mu is to prepare the lower
classes for.* general iirsurrection. They are told that they ate Slaves,
that the Borough Junto has invaded their rights—thet a Crisis is
approaching which might for ages seal their faro--that they must be
either Freemen or Slaves—that they must be pomp. eitAl LW, and
that 'ahem would be their reward —All these violent appeals to
their passions are followed tip by a more direct appeal to their pockets.
Titer are besought to subscribe One-Pia ny per week to a fund, et
which Watson is to be the Secretary, and II net the Treasurer! IV
;lint of the simpler rules stf- arithmetic. these bright geniuses hate
discovered. that I.2en,ottri persons subscribing ctxli ld. per week,
would produce a fund of 460,0001. per year; and such a sum, or the
two hundred and sixtieth part of s.:ett a sum, would be a glorious
prize to certain persons, a ,ics wont! doubtless ho glad to get it into
Omit hinds, whatever might be its ultimate destination.

'file long drought of the piecent summer has created a great
scarcity of potatoes in various parts of the kiligdoin, and
occasioned considerable quantities to ht• shipped at Pei -
ranee for the eastern counties. It is colt 111.11(.11 that more
than 10,000 hu,liels of 2S gallons each have lief it rhos ex-
ported, and this itsr tail article has in con•clueure risen
(tutu in Es. per This circumstance has
ex••ittd great dissatisfaction among the poor of
nlir Is ti, a number of ti omen assenrble•l,
paraded tlic streets n lib a drum, and soon (tuber Icit a Is go
COIIeOIIINe of pea;•le, WllO proc•:rderl to the pier to i.revetrt
any torilirr sliipair ills. The 'Ma) or tiring informed of their
proeveiling,ol4Airned to the spot, and espositilated tti It the
tool) nit the illegality of their conduct ; lint finding his ergy.
itirtits of 110 avail, he had Irrotorhr to one of greater %%eight,
vaiening to read the Met Act, and to commit every pettiest.
%via° should not depart within the time csescrilied bylaw,
to Itlilinen Gaol, to take their trial fora capital ~Hence.
menace had the desired effect ; the crowd dispersed, and the
eitijitnertt tit potatoes war resumed without tnoltstatiott.

1

fiEPT. -17