The National Register.
London, England, 1821-02-25 00:00:00

THE KING V. FLETCHER AND O'BRIEN.

This was an indictment against the defendants for a
a conspiracy to excite discontent and disk)) any in die
minds of his Nlajesty's subjects, by the circulation of se-
ditious and inflammatory hand- bills. l'he case has been
fully detailed in our police-reports. Fletcher, alias
alias Forbes, did not appear to plead, but Mr.
O'Brien pleaded not
Mr. Pearson stated the ease to the Jury.
Seale, the printer, was examined, and proved that he
received his orders to print a number of hand-bills from
Franklin ; amongst them were the Smithfield bills, the
bills to the unrepresented en Westminstt r, the bill re-
lating to the Queen's plate committee, the fraud bill sent
to Leicester at Sir F. Burdett's trial, kc.
The following was tae substance of Mr. Charles
Pearson's evidence.-1 am the attorney ill this cause.—
In consequence of information which I received, 1
watched the house of Mr. Scale on the Ist of October,
and also on the 2d, 3d, and 4th of those days. On the
first two days I did not see any thina to attract my notice,
but on 'Wednesday, the 4th, alter a walk which 1 had
taken to avoid suspicion, I saw Fletcher coming out of
heale's house with a parcel under his arm, about four
inches in height. 1 recognised him from the description
1 had received from Seale and others, of his person and
dress. This was about half past two o'clock in the af-
ternoon. Ile went down Tuitentiam-court through the
Seven I)ials, into Castle-street, St. Alastiat's-lane, and
thence through the courts to Craven street. 1 saw him
go down Craven-street, to No. 21, the house of Mr. 1).
O'Bryen, the other defendant. Ile had the parcel with
hint in his hand. 1 saw hint alter he got into Mr.
O'llryett's house. 1 passed the house, and immediately
saw in conversation with Mr. O'Bryett. in his parlour.
I went into a neighbour's house afterwards to watch,
but somehow or otht r I lost him, he escaped my obser-
vation. I acain hatched 11 r. Seale's house on the .sth ot
October, in company with Mr. Wilde, not the barrister
I saw Mr. Fetcher en that day; he came to Mr. Seale's
about half past one, or perhaps two; he st:od there, I
should tlmik, about an hour. I Waited in an adjoining
street close, sir that I SAW hint come out, he had a parcel
with him, it was about the size of that he had on the
precednig day. I then traced him to Craven-street again ;
I saw bun go into Mr. Denis O'Bryrit's house, iit Cra-
ven-street. At that time be had the parcel in his !laud.
I watched the house in order to see whether he caane
out, and he (lid come out about five and six in the after-
noon. He had nut the parcel p ith him then. Mr.
O'Bryen came out a little 'whim Mtn and went away in
a coach. On the hilt of October 1 went to inquire for
Mr. Franklin at Edgeware-road, and some
one tolti me teat a particular house, pointed out to me,
was Mr. Franklin's. 1 made many inquiries in the
neighbourhood as to the name of the ot copier of that
house, and I received the same answer. Alter nty return
return Iron, Maids-hill, I applied at Bow-street the next
morning, the 701 October, and on the Saturday evening,
hav Mg obtained a warrant, I went to Mr. Saturday
s
house beta eels six and seven o'clock ; I did not see Mt.
O'Bryen ti.at evening; it was the evening that I en-
gulfed for sir. Franklin of the maid-servant, who an-
swered me Gout the area. The first answer that 1