The National Register.
London, England, 1820-10-16 00:00:00

rior.s. A eurtlßE OP SEW.
TREASONABLE PLACARDS.

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•
BOW STREET, SATURDAY, OCT. 2:
On Saturday evening a simple looking cntry lad,
named Geoftery Addingfield, who stated him'elf to be
a waiter out of place, was brought before the Magis-
trates, Sir R. Baker, Mr. Birnie, and Mr. Aliitsbull,
by Bacon's party of patrole, charged with distributing se-
ditious and inflammatory handbills among the people
assembled in Parliantein Street on that day.
The handbills in question portioned mist an address
from the Committee appointed to managee the subscrip-
ition for a service of plate for her Majesty to the public,
and certainly a more atrocious publication never issued
from the press. It contained the most open and undis-
guised incitements to rebellion, and professed to set tip
the Queen in opposition to his Alajesty, as being equally
.entitled to the throne of this country. There was no
printer's name attached to them.
The prisoner in his defence, said, that being out of
employment, he was standing at Charing Cross, looking
-Het for a job on Saturday morning, when he was accost-
V I by a respectable hooking elderly man, who asked if
he would earn a shilling, to which he replied " most
willingly." The gentleman then called a coach, and
. hey got in, and the coachman was ordered to drive to
Whitehall, hut they had not gone many yards when the
stranger pulled nut the handbills in question, and de-
sired him to distribute them plentifully amongst the
people in Parliament Street. He gave him a shilling,
upon which he (prisoner) alighted, and the coach drove
oft with his employer.
Mr. Minshtill, who was the presiding 'magistrate, said
the prisoner must pay a fine of 201. for distributing bills
not having the printer's name affixed, or go to prison.--
The lad cried at hearing this information, awl Mr.
Birnie pleaded for him, observing, that he was evidently
the tool of some crafty knave, and was certainly not an
object for rigorous punishment.
Mr. alinshull remitted the fine, but observed that he
must detain him for the crime of sedition.
Mr. Charles Pearson, the Solicitor, said he attended
officially as Sectetary to the Queen's Plate Subscription
Committee, and stated, that it was the third attempt
that had been made to put forth papers of this kind, as
emenating from the Committee; but the magistrates
must be convinced, front the language this bill con-
tained, that the Committee must have been madmen to
send such an address as that to the public. They sus-
pected these papers to be the production of a person
whom, he had some hopes, with the assistance of the
magistrates, he should be able to End.
The magistrates assured Mr. Pearson that he should
have every assistance from them, and the boy, after giv-
ing a particular dererquion of the man, was taken to a
. watch-rouse until inquiries could be made.
At Mr. Pearson's suggestion the depositions were
taken in a private room, the particulars of which we
are not acquainted with; but a warrant was granted,
and Vickery was despatched to assist Mr. Pearson in the
Apprehension of the party charged.
We are informed that Mr. Pearson having traced the
party home to his country residence, about four miles
from London, rally on yesterday morning, he returned
to Vickery, and they both set off together at a very early
hour, and surprised the gentleman
in his bed. He was
brought to London, and safely lodged at Bow Street.
. It appears that the person chaed is a gentleman
of family and independent fortune.rg
ignlt i Maxnat s already known to the public that a oor and
orant boy, Addingfield, was on Saturday last brought
up to this office, charged with circulating hand-bills of
, the most treasonable character. -
When Air. Minshull, one of the Bow-street magi'.
trates, was proceeding to fine this unfortunate tool in the
hands of others, Mr. Pearson proposed to get the person
who employed him apprehended. Haying sworn that
he had traced the fabrication to an indiviclital, and hav-
ing obtained a warrant to apprehend him, he accompa-
nied Vickery. the officer, to his house, and had him
taken into custody on Sunday morning.
This morning soon after ten o'clock. Sir R. Barker,
Mr. Birnie, Mr. Aliiisholl soon afterwards took their
seats. There happened to be but little night business
to require the attention of the Court.
Mr. Pearson.—Will your worship proceed now then,
to inquire into the charge upon which I obtained a war-
rant on Saturday?
Mr. Birnie.—l have no objection: let the person
charged be brought in.
It was observed, we believe by one of the officers,
that the gentleman was not come.
Sir Robert Baker.—He will be here.
Mr. Pearson.--I ask you openly whether you have
discharged him?
Sir R. Baker. —He has given securities for his appear-
ance, and he t.ill be here; so you may attend another
day.
Mr. Pearson.--This day was fixed for the
urpose,
and I wish to know how
It is that he is not herep?
Sir Robert Baker —He promised to be here at 11. It
is now_past iI, but be will be here in a few minutes
Mr. Pearson.—Then I shah wait for a few 'Moines.
Mr. Pearson came forward gat", and said—l beg
leave to slate my charges against a person of the itaine
of Frank/in, who was apprdiended on Sunday morn-
Mg by Mr. Vickery and myself. Against this person I
hate several charges, for fabricating and publishing
placards, not only recommending sedition and iiisni rec-
lion, but resistance to the government by force, and for
doing all this under the protection and amlioril of that
;government. I hold in my hand many of those trea-
sonable papers, issued by this person at various times.-
1 charge hum with heing at this moment in treasonable
conspiracy in the neighbourhood. 1 call upon you to
grain a warrant for searching the house ill which I
believe him to be in.
Mr. Minslitill.—ls that the voting man that was
charged here with circulating seditious placards?

Mr. Pearson.—No; he wag but the instrument whom
Mr. Birnie described as ignorantly giving effect to the
purposes of others. I have been rive (lays and five nights
in search of the author of the placard and employer of
the pour boy. I now ask fur an officer to search for his
person.
Mr. Minslmll.—You charge with treason; the term
is sufficiently intelligible.
Mr. Pearson.—I charge him with treason; and I say
that from this charge lie is attempting to run out of the
country. I call upon you to use the same means for
securing him as you would against an ignorant, a poor,
and a seditious person, in the usual sense attached to the
word seditious.
Sir R. Baker.—We have sent to the man who un-
dertook for his appearance—a very respectable man,
whom I have long known, and who lives in the neigh-
bouring parish.
Mr. Pearson.—l stated other charges against him to
you, Mr. Bernie.
Mr. Birnie.--Yes, you did, in your letter; and I re-
fused on that account to bail him. lam quite sure he
will not appear.
Sir R. Baker.-1 know only this, that I discharged
him upon the responsibility of a most respectable gen-
tleman who lives in St. Martin's•lane. I have no doubt
that he will appear: if he does not, I shall spare no
means to appiehend him, not only fur this charge, but
because he deceived me.
Mr. Birnie.—Where is old Mr. Williams?
It was answered that he was in attendance.
Sir Robert Baker.—Let Mr. Williams come forward.
An old man of very respectable appea Ince, came for-
ward to the end of the table,
Sir Robert Baker.—Have you seen your friend?
Alr. Williams.—l have not to-day.
Sir Robert Baker.—Will he he hereto-day?
Mr. Williams.—Yes, he told me so.
Mr. Birnie.—( never expected that he would appear,
and therefore I refused to take bail.
Mr. IVilliams.-1 was to call on him; and I called
at nine o'clock this morning but he was not home.
Mr. Birnie.—Were you su;rprised ?or did you expect
to find him ?
Mr. Williams.—I did expect to find him.
Mr. Birnie.--I never supposed that the accused meant
to appear, and ti.,.refore I refused bail. .1 understood
the arrangements to be, then, that he should be here at
twelve o'clock, and you Mr. Williams with him, ready
with bail.
Mr. Pearson.—Alr. Williams, you must be anxious
to get him apprehended as well as I. you probably can
tell us the names of some of his relations, with whom
he may have taken refuge. Is his name Frankland or
Franklin?
Mr. Williams.—Franklin.
Mr. Peanon.—What is his Christian name?—Wil-
tliam.
Mr. Pearson.—
rendon Place William Franklin ? He lives in Cla-
,
Mr. Willianis Edg.— Yeseware Road.
Mr. Pearson —Has he not a son in. the Guards?
Mr. Williams.—He has.
Mr. Pearson.—An officer in the Guards?
Mr. Williams.—Yes, -he is an officer.
far. All this ought to be privie.—Mr. Pearson, you are now stepping too
ate.
Mr. Alinshull, Mr. Pearson, and Mr. Williams,
retired then to Mr. Stafford's room, where the inquiry
was proceeded with. Mr. Stafford returned soon after-
wards, and said that Mr. Williams denied having given
bail.
Sir R. Baker.—He certainly gave an undertaking; I
don't know whether he considers it bail or not. He
soon afterwards retired into Mr. Stafford's room, to -
assist in the inquiry.
From the examination of Mr. Williams it appeared 1
that Mr. Franklin was a gentleman of large and
independent fortune, and that he had a son an ~'
officer in the Guards: he also said that he had been
on the Sunday with the officer and the prisoner to Mr.
Birnie, at his country house, in order to obtain his libe-
ration ; but that Mr. Untie refused to comply with his
request, and had advised Mr. Williams, as a friend, not.
to have any thing to do with the prisoner. In defi-
ance, however, of this advice, he went to Sir R. with the prisoner; and that gentleman dischargedlLker
him'
out of custody, upon ilk promising to appear on the neat day. At this time Mr. Pearson observed that he had
'
received information that Mr. Franklin was probably, at
a house in the neighbourhood, awl requested that an
officer might be sent with him to search the house.--
Vickery was appointed to that service. The house in
question belongs to a Mr. Dennis O'Bryati ; is situated
in Craven-street, Strand; and it was represented at the
office (we know not with what degree of truth) that that
gentleman has, for several years, held a sinecure
place wider government, north 8001. per annum; and
that he is a writer for a certain morning paper, which
advocates the cause of the Alinisters.
Information was given at the office that Mr. Franklin
had been watched for some days, and has been observed
to 'sleet every day, at the house of Mr. Dennis &Bryn,
with some other distinguished characters connected with
the Ministerial press ; and that all the treasonable and
seditious hand-bills are carried to that house, and the
conspirators are admitted liv a signal given of drawing a
stick along the railing. When Mr. Pearson and Vic-
kery arrived at Craven-street. they were refused admit-
tance by the servant; when Vickery threatened ingot in
at the window. At length a gentleman from within,
who appeared not to like the aspect of affairs. came out;
and the officer took advantage of the door being opened
to enter the house followed by Mr. Pearson. Mr. Den-
nis O'Bryan soon made his appearance, and declared
moat vehemently that he did not even know Mr. Frank-
lin, although Mr. Franklin has been traced into Mr.
O'Bryan's house constantly during the last three years,
mid although Mr. Williams, upon his examination,
admitted that he had met the aforeatud Mr.
O'Bryau at Mr. Franklin's house. Dennis

The search of Mr. O'Bryan's house was unsuccessful,
and Mr. Pearson returned to the otlice. During his ab-
sence Mr. Haydon contrived to draw some very important
facts from Mr. Williams. He admitted that on the Sun-
day night, so late as ten o'clock, Mr. Franklin told hint
he meant to go out of town, and that that morning at
eight o'clock, Mass Franklin had told burn that before
twelve o'clock her father would be above 100 miles from
London.
Mr. Pearson, attended by Mr. Haydon, Mr. `Nilson,
and two other gentlemen, then went to the Secretaryoi
State's office, and had an interview with Mr. Clive, who,
very much to the astohishment of the party, bad received
intelligence of all that had transpired, and was as well
acquainted with the mysterious escape of the accused,
and all the minutiae of the case, as were the gentlemen
themselves. lie further laboured to justify the conduct
of Sir Robert Baker, by raying the charge was only that
of a misdemeanour, and that therefore he might let him
out at his discretion. Mr. Pearson, with great energy
to Mr. Clive, told him, that he begged he would expressly
understand, that, in the presence of the gentlemen then
in the room, he invited tile aid of the Home Depart-
ment to secure the apprehension of the accused ; that, as
the Secretary of State was in the habit of offering rewards,
and issuing proclamations, fur the arrest of offenders of
comparatively minor importance, he earnestly entreated
of him, that very day, to take measures for the appre-
hension of this daring offender.
Mr. Clive said that Lord Sidmouth was not then at
ihe office; but that, if Mr. Pearson would call another
day, he would receive an answer to his application,
Mr. Pearson replied, that, as he believed the accused
would quit the country, it was that eight only, that
the services of his Lordship would be of any use; and
that, therefore, he would call again if such were Mr.
Clive's pleasure; but he would not leave the neighbour-
hoMr. Pearsonw receiving a decisive left with Mr. Cliveanswer two of the seditious
hand-bills. and was appointed to call again at half-past
four o'clock, at which time that gentleman and his
friends returned, and Mr. Clive, addressing them, said,
that Lord Sidmovth did not see any thing in the'hand-
thall
bit
one s to j
of the ustify
two his interference. It should be stated,
bills left stated, among other seditious
and inflammatory expressions, the followiug; alluding
to the execution at Derby :—"Strike not at all, or strike
home.; think of our personal insupportable servitude,
and always remember that the alteruative is, liberty, or
a glorious grave."
Mr. Pearson replied, that if such were Lord Sid.
mouth's answer, and for such reasons, he had drawn his
conclusions from insufficient premises; adding that he
rested his claim to Lord Sidmouth's interference, not
relying upon those placards, infamous and treasonable
as they were, but also upon 18 others, all of which had
been circulated during the last three years. Mr. Clive
said distinctly that he had stated this to Lord Sidmouth,
who had replied that he saw no occasion for the inter-
ference of the department over which he presided; and,
therefore, Mr. Pearson and his friends made their bow,
and retired.
Late last evening Mr. Minshtill, announced to Mr.
Pearson, at Bow-street, that, finding the tale of Adding-
field to be true, and that he had been the dupe of the
designs of others, he (Mr. Minshull) had shown com-
passion to him, and had only fined him al., and sen-
tenced him to hard-labour in the house of correction for
three months!!! A gentleman standing by said, with
great feeling, " From such csarpasaiva, good Lord,
deliver us."
What a singular inversion of the rules of judgment.--a
Mr. Franklin is charged with being the author of this
bill ; poor Addingfield could not read it. Mr. Franklin
is a man of fortune. Poor Addingfield is the very picture
of wretchedness and distress. Mr. Franklin is charged
with having for three years Pal dea voured to excite the
people to treason and rebellion. Poor Addingfield, evi-
dently had not brains enough to catch a goose upon a
common. Yet Franklin is permitted to escape, and
Addingfield receives the compassion of a Magistrate,
which sends hint to jail for a criine of which lie was
unconscious, and imposes a fine which he can never pay.
TUESDAY
son ,a OCTOIBER 10.
This day Mr. Peargain appeared at Bow Street,
accompanied by Arthur Seale, John Hock ley, and Jas.
Brown, as witnesses, to prove some further charges
against Mr. IVilliain Franklin, for the publication of
other infamous placards.
It appeared front the deposition of John liockley,
that during the night before the concourse of pecrihe
were assembled to witness thechairing of Sir F. Burdett,
Mr. Franklin had employed the deponent to put about
the most populous parts of Westminster, and those
streets in which the crowd were collected, hand bills of
the most violent character, endeavouring to profit by the
the agitated state of public feeling to create tumult and
insurrection. The good sense of the people, however,
rendered stem proof against the machinations of this
mysterious individual. it appeared further, that lie
employed the bill-stickers as late as twelve o'clock at
night, and went about with them while they ported up
the bills, which was done under his direction. This
occupied diem until between three and four o'clock in
the morning, during all which time he remained with
the men.
It further appeared from the deposition of the info?.
main, that on the night previous to the last smith& ad
Meting, lie had watched Mr Franklin from the hou.•
of the printer ill Tottenham Court Road, with a faits
bundle of hills, which he earned to a coach, and with
it
another
ent frienatd (whosew IlalliC Mr. Pearson did not deem
prud that time to disclose, went as as
stand at Charing.ers, when they alighted, tea
and the
ant
into another coach, doubtless to bailie any endeavour
to trace them ; in this couch Mr. Fratikliu wesit as far
stas Parliament street, and then got out and went wi h the
parcedown King-street, and then tured up Dow
reet! the examitiant waited, and in anbout Italian hougr
Mr. Fratiklin returned to the coach, drove to Craveta.