The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-12-15 00:00:00

MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND EXTENSIVE

RUBBERY.

On the night of the 4th or sth of February last, the house
of John Wilford Parkins, Esq. No. 17, Riding.house-lent,
Port laud-place, was robbed limier circumstances of great inge-
nuity and art, of a large ruse diamond ring, valued at seveial
hundred guineas; one large pearl, set as a breast pin, India
moulded; 4,000 pearls ; fourteen Portugal purses, contain-
ing 4,0045 reals (Portuguese coin) each; a number of guild
Seamy Pagodas, Limis.d'ora, Napoleons, and other pro.
peril, of immense value. Mr. Parkins had been the whole
of that week with Lord Cochrane, who was about that time
to leave the country, and on the night of the robbery had
left town, leaving orders with Daniel M'Vey, his servant, to
take a hunter eel_ which Mr. Pasties had promised to
lend Sir Francis Illirafiq who wagiiillerialiwat with the
Royal Pack. There was at this thus l the house, Parry,
the groom, and 51lVey. The latter contrived to send Perry
upon some trifling errand, and about ten o'clock the whole
neighbourhood was alarmed by the report of fire arms,
which proceeded from the back of Mr. Parkins'a house.—
The people rushed out, when the first thing they saw was
M'Vey coming down a ladder, which was planted ignited
the back window which looks into the Mews. Ile appeared
much alarmed, sod said that thieves had broken into the
house. An ostler agreed to go up the ladder, and search
the house with him, to which be consented ; hut abler a
must diligent examination of the place, no pertain was dis-
covered. M'Vey said, that whilst he was sittipg at the fire,
a rubber rushed out of his master's closet, and, discharging
a pistol at him as he passed (the contents of which did nut
strike him), rail into another closet, against the window of
which a ladder was placed, to facilitate his escape, and got
away. This was the account be gave of the robbery. Noon
after, the other servant, Parry, can't: home, and being in-
formed of the robbery, agreed to sit up and watch the house.
Neximorning the circumstances of the robbery were coin-
ruuuleated to Mr. Parkins, who, having suspicion that
sl'Vey's account of the transaction was not correct, sent fur
him, but it was then found that he had absconded, and sus-
picion of course fell on him. Information oldie circum-
stances was sent to the different police officers with a de-
scription of the delinquent, who was proved to have beret
seen about Chelsea the following day, by some soldiers, car-
rying a bundle. The resideisee of his wife at I'imlicu was
searched, but nothing was found to throw the least light on
throubject. Mr. Parkins sent printed description., of the
rubber to all the Postmasters, Government Agents, and Ma-
gistrates, throughout the United Kingdom.
W. Kennedy, parish clerk of Agliallerg, awl also a can-
stable of the comity of Gown, having received intelli-
puce that M'Vey lead committed a robbery in England,
repaired, by on ter of Mr. Bailey, the High Constable, and
tinder a warraut from John Fivey, Esq. one of the Jos-
tices of the Peace, to the house of James Gardiner,
inn-keeper, of Cappy, to seek for hint. He arrived at
Cappy early on the morning of Wednesday, the 12th of
February. He was told by Mr. Gardiner, that its thecourse
of the day M'Vey would he going to the town of Rathfrie-
land, and that there was theu in the houses person named
Stewart, who also came in search of him, and had a particular
description of his person. Kennedy, fearful that M'Vey would
escape, if he waited till Stewart gut up and haul breakfast,
took *description of his person, and set off for the Rat lifrie.
laud road. He took his post at a certain place, where he
could have an opportunity of seeing all that passed the road ;
but fearing, fr the view of the comiter, that sP7ey
could go another way across the fields, he thought it pru-
dent to go about half a mile further lip the road. He was
not deceived, fur when he got about half a mile op, lie
saw a wian coming across the fields. He had no doubt that
it was tiseperson be wanted, and accordingly he went into a
cabin on the road, and waited his coming up ; he joined biro,
and they catered Into conversation. Kennedy asked it he
was going to Ratlifrielnitil ? Hr said he was. The constahle
theu asked if he bad ever hero abroad ? and he answered that
be had, but came last from Londun, where he had lived
with an officer that .wits ,going abroad, and had given him
leave of absence fur a month to see his friends. Kennedy
then observes', that there was a great alteration in the price
of laud ; . fur what was tel *bout six years, ago ou the old
leases atas. were now Ist at 50%. and upwards per acre, mid
it was rumoured that malty of the farmers would he ejected
out immediately. 51`14ey asked who waa likely to be eject.
eat ? as h knew most of the neighbours ; and the coots**
replied Nit one Robert !IVEY.", would. At slits his corns
Sianion got nettled ; he said M•Evey was hia nark, ao4
vuuld iu a few days 4r able to pay his ciait„ e,r. writ as any
one else. Kennedy was then certain he was the 11.411, but
forbturefrom apprtheisding him till he came to the Mouse of
Daniel Kay, shout two Eaglisk miles (mikes on. Hera be
propos.uu to his cons anion to liaise a dram, 4111 a they cater-
ed the the landlord of which knew NV Eve!, and can-
gratulated bins uu his (DWI lIIIIWRIatier. K.lllloaly collated
hint ivatauily, calling Kay to as,siat, fearful that the Pi i-
somer might have fire-arms. Oa use:welting him, a !Mei et-
book, with some Freemason's gold ewdels, were found en