The National Register.
London, England, 1820-04-09 00:00:00

WOO L W

At an early hour an Thursday morning the inhabitants of
Woolwich were on the alert, in the expectatiou that the
supposed murderer amid soon arrive. Several persons went
on the road to meet him, and others took attar station in
those directions where they thought it most pi liftable then
would have an opportunity of seeing him. Many false
alarms were given, and much mortification was in come-
mience experienced. At last, about eleven o'clock, Mr.
Ridout, the high constable, and the two Mr. Jacksons, Caine
town by the first NVoolovich coach. The former immediately
proceeded to the Castle-tavern, at a hit h the bench
magistrates were expected to he assembled. These
gentlemen had not set come, auil Mr. Radom went to Dr.
Watson's mouse, and ermined that the prisoner would not
arrive benne six in the eveuing. The secrecy which IV isS
observed with respect to this communication had the alert
of keeping a crowd assembled in front of the Castle tavern
the whole of the day, which, as the evening approached
became still greater. The justice-room was crowded the
whole morning.
At six o'clock the Rev. Dr. Watson and Mr. Webb took
their seats, and in a quarter of an hour afterwards loud
shouts all!) JJJJJJ red the approach of the prisoner. In a few
minute, the chaise was. driven up to the door with great dif-
ficulty, am; a pa.-age was made by the constotiles. The
prisoner uuw s ...lased sinking under the weight of his feelings,
and it became almost necessary to carry him up stairs..—He
was conducted into a hack roam to :Ilford him an iipportii-
nity of collecting himself. He was scarcely able to hold
up his head until relieved by a Hood of (ears. He said he
could not bear the shouts of the people. At his own request
the handcuffs were then taken from his wrists, and he ions
furnished with a glass of ruin mind water. The wounds on his
head received at Portsmouth were visible, and appeared to
have been carefuily dressed. He is a man about SS years,
of age. about five feet eight inches in height, dark complex-
ion and eyes, and his features, although irregular, not dis-
pleasing He speaks with the Irish accent, being a
native of Armagh. He said he had been fourteen years in
the service.
At a quarter before seven the magistrates directed that the
prisoner should be brought before them, this order, in con.
sequence of the immense mass of spectators collected up
*lairs, was with difficulty obeyed, nod the prisoner was led
to the bar by Mr.Hont and Mr. Hill. His counteuance was
Bushed, but he did not ventnre to look round.
Dr. Watson.—Who is this man?
Mr. Hunt—His name is James Nesbet ; and I bring him
here under the authority of Mr. Carter, a magistrate of
Portsmouth, upon suspicion of having been concerned
in the crimes of murder, arson, and burglary in this county.
Dr. Watson—Who are you ?
Mr. Hunt—l am gaoler of the prison of the Borough of
Portsmouth, and 1 am the bearer of a letter to Mr. Stace, a
=vistrate of this town, explanatory of tne circumstances
which I appear before you.
Or. Watson—Mr. Stace is not present, but we are autho.
sized la his absence to .pen any letter connected with his
magisterial duties. Produce the letter.
Mr. Haat banded in the letter, and it was read by Dr.
Watson. It simply stated that the prisoner, Jaines klesbet,
having been apprehended in the Borough of Portsmouth,
open impieion of murder and arson committed in the county
of Kent, he underwent several examinations, and several
depositional were taken which confirmed the suspicions against
him. Under these circumstances the magistrate before w I
he had been brought (Mr. Carter) felt it his duty to send
him to the local authorities where the crime had been
committed, to be dealt with as they might think fit;
lie had also intrusted to his officers, Messrs. Hunt and Hill,
Copies of the depositions which had been taken before him.
Dr. Watson—Have you got the depositions to which this
letter refers ?
Mr. Hunt—l have: they are here.
The depositions were handed to Mr. Moore, the clerk
of the magistrates to read. Mr. Moore immediately read
them. The particulars of which we have already given.
Dr. Watson.—Are there any other witnesses present to
give oral testimony with respect to the charge against the
prisoner, in addition to the depositions which have been
just read?
It may be necessary here to state, that the magistrates
were all eatly in possession of a great volume of evidence
taken by them immediately after the discovery of the
minder. This went to explain all the circumstances con-
nected with the first discovery of the lire in Mr. Parket 's
house—the subsequent discovery of the half consumed
bodies of Mr. Pinker dud his housekeeper—the state of
the premises, and a description of the property lost.
These was also the testimony of some persons who had
seen Nesbet in Woolwich just before the murder—it was
suspected on the day on *hien lie ars iced at Portsmouth.
These pei soils acclaimed tor their Inn stating this to t
before, Irian their disiiirlinetion to be consideied Modul-
en against a Milli, %%hose life they might, by such iiii-ails,
he insti timeidal in sacrificing. No person having MIS nCI ed
Dr. Watsuies input y, he immediately addressed the pri-
soner, who had been permitted to sit while the Poi tsinouth
depositious were read, and who had kept his head let:lined
against the liar, and said, the nest step wont(' be f r the
prisoner to say any Wile; which he ptee<rd,amid which the
clerk would as tte down. There we no compulsion, how-
ever : he was atliberty' to speak or not. Let Cie p.iMiMl
say any thing he aisles to inform Mini.
Nesbet mints stood tip, and, with his eyes gist towaids
the ground, said, " The depusitions are all ii,:lit, ..acetit
that oft be girl, and she has sworn false; she aielovs taai
it was a 51. and not a 10i. note I gave in pay Mi. l', ;c.
I have nothing to say about any thing else ; but l cam
bring plenty of peoeie to make their affidavit that what
she has sworn is fajoe.
Dr. Watson —lf pm are able to do this, it will be very
valuable testimony on your ti
The worthy alog.sti ate then consulted with Mr. %Veld:),
and it was readoud to commit the ai istioer t4thioiri, neon
the depositious Whit li hail been taken, to Malik! one gaol.
Mr. Jackson Wass then called, and baring auiswcic.l, be
acknoa ledgeo that he tad signed the depusitioli beating
his name at Purtsimnith.
Dr. Watson.-1t w ill be necessary that we have Mess's.
Daley and Croatia d.
Nesbet now stain stood up, and in some agitation said,
You tired not si.iid fur any pet sou; nobody in Wool% telt
knows a.i.y thing at all abuitt my doings.
I)r.lVaison.—Tiiere are persues in Woolwich who know
something of your transactions lately.
Nesbet.—You have no reason to call for them, for they
know uothing of we since I Intl away from Denton (the