The National Register.
London, England, 1821-05-06 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Pew.
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THE MURDER AT HERNIt STRIET.—On
Thursday a public examination of the men charged with the
murder of Mr. Snow of the Preventive Service, took place
at this once, before Richard Blrnie, Esq. the Sitting
Magistrate. The prisoners are live in number, three having
been admitted evidence fur the Crown. Their names are
James West, William Beer, John Richardson, Thomas
Richardson, and William Williams.
David North, quartermaster of the Severn, employed on
the preventive service, deposed to the circumstances of the
outrage, in consequence of which Mr. Snow was killed.—
He stated, that, after the officer was hemmed in by lb!
smugglers, he attempted to get to his assistance, but such a
heavy tire was kept up that he found it impossible, and was
obliged to retreat.
George Griffiths (on accomplice) swore that, owlllonday
evening, the 30th of April, he was engaged by the prisoner
James West, to assist in " working" (the phrase for running
the cargo,) a boat that night at Herne Boy. Witness and
a great number of other persons met that evening afterwards
at the Grove Ferry, between Canterbury and the Reculvers,
and proceeded from thence to the house of the prisoner John
Richardson, where guns/old pistols were distributed amongst
them, with about seven or eight rounds of ball cartridges to
each armed man. It was arranged that those who were
armed should cover those who were not, while they worked
the goods, which were to be put into two carts provided fur
the purpose. There were about 60 men in all their party.
They then proceeded to the appointed spot itt a meadow at
the back of some houses in Herne Hay, and arrived there at
about a quarter before three o'clock on Tuesday morning.—
Shortly after the boat landed, and at the 110111 C time witness
saw two men who he believed were of the preventive service
standing a few yards from them, rind lie saw one of them
snap a pistol twice, but it did nut go off. His party then
fired, and the man he had seen snap the pistol drew his cut-
lass and rushed in amongst them, and witness JAW no more of
him. (This is supposed to . Mr. Sums.) They effected a
landing of 63 tubs of spirits, which were conveyed away is
carts. All the prisorien were present.
The witnes, in answer to a question from Mr. Harmer,
said, he fired himself six or seven times, but only with
powder. He tore the bullet from each of ins cartridges--
Here the prisoners were observed to smile and toss up their
beads as if in astooishineut.

James Smith, another accomplice, stated nearly the same
facts as the last witness. He admitted that he said nothing
about the matter until he was in custody.
Edward Howman, mho a party in the array, was next
called, and described the plans of the sinu:glers more mi-
nutely than the others. By this statement it would appear
that they are quite systematical in their operations, and
act almost with the precision of disciplined men. It was,
be said, sqrred upon that they should proceed to the spot in
mall parties by dirreent roads, and arrive their precisely at
the same period, and the armed men were then to form into
two bodies of equal number, and to fall, one to the right
and the other to the left of the place of landing, and tilos!
without arms were to work the goods wider their protection.
The landing of the goods was effected in this manner, a con-
stant firing 'being kept up. After the boat had pushed off,
witness saw a man lying nn his buck on the beach, and
railed out to hi.o" Halloo!" and he replied, '• l ain a dead
man.* Witness did got stop to assist hien, but mentioned It
afterwards to his companions, who said " It an, uoly a
sham." James West was the master of the company, and
paid witness seven shillings for his night's work. He fired
twice or three times himself.

➢lr. Jones, the solicitor for the Admiralty, then requested
that the prisoners might be remanded fur a neck, observing
that his Majesty's law officers bad not yet determined
whether they should be prosecuted fur the murder, or under
the E tame for unlawfully assembling with arms, &c.
Mr. Birine then ordered that the 1p r". ers should be
brought up on Thursday nest. They 'sere all heavily
ironed.