The National Register.
London, England, 1816-01-07 00:00:00

per annum. At the Cape of Good Hope he had associated with
a Captain James Dunbar, brother to the lady in question. On
his return he (the defendant) took a tour to Paris, where be met
Sir William Dunbar, an elder brother; he introduced himself
to Sir William in consequence of having seen the Captain at
the Cape of Good Hope. Sir William and the defendant, from
this period became intimately acquainted, and he was afterwards
introduced to Lady Dunbar, at whose house he continued some
time; and here he availed himself of the opportunity of insult.
;ng the family. and of violating every law of hospitality and hu-
manity, by seducing and taking away the affcctwas and uersou
of the plaintiff's wife. The Learned Serjeant then read the fol-
lowing letter, sent to the brother of the plaintiff's wife, and
animadverted on it with considerable energy
" Sir,—From your sister's letter to lady Dunbar, she has
been led to expect a further communication to account for my
sudden disappearance. 1 wish it was in my power to convey
more grateful intelligence, or that our union could have taken
place sooner, under more favourable circumstances. I feel it
'duty I owe to your family, to say that your sister is living w...
me in the character of wife ; this letter is intended to release
you all from that painful state of suspense you must be under.
do not intend to defend my conduct. I have acted under the
influence of an attachment,which I found impossible to subdue,
and which unfortunately was returned by. your sister. My incli-
nations and affections are not depraved—the lady that.possesses
them, I am in hopes will become my wife ; rest assured she has
fallen into the power of a man who will dedicate his whole life
to her service, and will treasure her up with the highest degree
of affection. Ido sincerely hope the violence of my feelings,
and the peculiarity of your sister's situation, will operate in
favour of yours, faithfully, Sm.

" HENRY VAVASOIJR.
" P.S. A letter addressed to your sister, under cover to me at
my law agents, will be carefully forwarded.
-"
To J. Dunbar, Esq. Portman Square. London.
Mr. Serjeant Best then observed to the Jury, that they want.
ed no other proof than this letter, for nothing could be better
evidence, and for the loss the plaintiff had sustained no damages
their verdict could give would be a compensation. The learned
Gentleman concluded by defying his learned antagonist to pro
duce a scrap of evidence to impeach the character of the husband
or wife at any former period of their lives.
A lady, who stated herself to be a milliner, residing in Bond-
Street, knew the family of Sir James Dunbar; knew the plaintiff's
wife; they had a child. The family bad removed to Town
from Lixerpool. Witness knew Mrs. Rudall's hand-writing ;
the letters produced were in her hand-writing. (These were
the letters objected to be read.)
Cross examined—At 16 years of age Mrs. Rudall was taken
from her father's house by the plaintiff; and married at Gretna
Green. He was a Lieutenant in the North Devon Militia. The
plaintiff and his wife had lived in a state of separation for two or
three years; did. not know that she had thrown herself upon her
family. itness bad seen Captain Vavasour and Mrs. Rudall
at her house together.
Re-examined—Captain Vavasour came with her and a lady
in a carriage.
Henry Wm. Marriott, a gentleman in the office of Green-
wood and Cox, proved that the letter above inserted was the
hand-writing of Captain Vavasour. When he was employed,
he had but 1I s. id. per day, subject to income-tax : when on
foreign service his income was double; he was now a Ca
thatanise
through their office.
Cross-examined—He had been employed far the last tell
years on foreign service.
This closed the case for prosecution.
Mr. Espinasse for the defendant, addressed the Jury at con-
siderable length in mitigation of damages, but did not call a
single witness. He strongly urged his poverty, and observed
, that if the Jury awarded heavy damages, the young man who
had been 10 years fighting the battles of his country, must be
incarcerated within the walls of a prison ; for the Jury must be
well aware that, under such circumstances, he could not claim