The National Register.
London, England, 1819-03-14 00:00:00

CROWN SID.I!T.

Wu:cheater, March 8.

The only case of atrocity was that of Sarah Hunting-
ford, who was found guilty, on the clearest evidence, of
murdering her husband, Thos. Huntingford, at Portsea,
sm the 114th (Alan October.—He was upwards of 70, and
she of tin years of age ; they had lived together nearly
forty years, and no reason whatever was assigned at the
trial for her cruel conduct. It was proved, that at a
little before nine o'clock on the preceding evening, and
the last time they were seen together, she was reading
the Bible, and he was sitting near her. It was not known
at what time they went to bed, but at three o'clock in
the morning she was seen in the Yard, apparently ino eat
distress of mind ; and when showent up stairs again,
two other persons went up with her, and found ner
husband murdered, he having in and about his head
thirteen severe wounds and contusions; she then said
that two persons, who seemed like chnuney-sweepers,
hail come up stairs and murdered hitn, and that they
told her that they would murder her also, if she made a
noise. But this defence it seemed her Counsel aban-
doned, as it was endeavoured to prove, by various wit-
nesses, that she was insane, but as nothing of this sort
appeared either immediately before or after the act, the
!.earned Judge (NI r. Justice Best) thought this defence
not available, and the Jury agreeing with him, found
her Guilty on the whole imlictment —She was sentenced
to suffer the punishmeat of" Petit Treason," which was
put in execution tins morning, between eight and nine
and her body was afterwards sent to the County
Hospital to be dissected. She persisted in her not doing
the murder, hut said that the instrument which was
produced in court was not the instrument with which
he was killed ; she appeared to be quite a visionary, and
reconciled to her fate; when urged to confess, she re-
plied, that she would confess to God alone—that the
*ct of dying was only momentary and what she did not
fear. When broughtout of the Oaol she stepped on the
sledge with rumness, and did not appear otherwise even
when the fatal cart was removed, and she was launched
tow eternity.

Chem fora, March 10.
CROWN SIDE.

WALTUAM GANG.

\William Bush, Ittn---esWest;ood---, George Westwood,
Joseph Chesium. Robert Wolfe, banes Jeffery, and
Robert Litchfield, were indicted for burelariotisly break-
in stand entering the dwelling-house of John Citapinan,
at Waltham Holy Cross, in this county, and plunder-
ing the house of a variety of asides let out •Ate &u-
-thaw/cut.

'PARCH 14.

Mr. Jessup stated the case, which was proved by an
accomplice, of the name of Duvall, who gave the fol-
lowing account of the transaction:—that Wolfe, who
was the captain of the gang, on the nth of October,
met him in London, and told him that if he and Litch-
field would come to his house they would meet with
some others, who were to proceed to a house where they
could get a good booty, as they knew an old matt wh
had a good hoard. He accordingly met with Lit( lifi i/d
the next day at Hertford, and they went together to
Hoddesvloo, ,where they slept at the Red Lion ; the-y
staid there until four o'clock ; they went on to lininilvr,
where they crossed the fields to Mr. Chapman'slon:,,
which was a lane farm-house, in the parish of Wad-
them. They listened in a lane until it was quite dark,
and then they went to an out-house near the house,
where, by appointment, they were to meet Wolfe and
the others. Soon afterwards-Wolfc and the four where
joined them, and they all continued in the outdionte
until about eleven o'clock at night; they then went to
the house, and just then they saw the carter retm
with his wagi,ton, who had been to London ; he mi:
into the house and got a light, and went with anoiliei
lad into the stables. Some of them immediately In and
the two men together, back to back, and fastened
than to the manger, where Wolfe stood guard
over them. The others then went into the house,
and went up stairs, when they got into a sr on:
where they found twa men servants sleeping; they asked
them where was their master's bed room, and where
kept his money. The men were very much frialiteueil,
and replied, their master slept at another part of Cie
house, and that they did not know where he keit hit
money. A guard was left upon them, and they lito-
ceeded to the other stair-case; but here they found a
_strong door, which was fastened; they went out amd
got two plough-cutters, with which they immediately
shivered the door, and burst int!) Mr. Chapman's bed-
room ; he and Mrs. C. were in bed ; *hey demanded hit
money and his keys, which he gave them, and told them
his money was in a bureau below ; oh y went down sista
and broke open the bureau ; they also broke open an i on
chest, forced all the closets, and completely ransacked
the house, taking away considerably above tool. in too.
ney, plate, and three watches; and they regaled them-
selves with u ine and spirits, and took away the best par:
of a hint. The manner and circumstances of the rob-
bery were also confirmed by the servants, and Mr. and
Mrs. Chapman.
' lit confirmation of the testimony of the accomplice, it
was proved by the landlord at Hoddesden, that he and
Litchfield had slept at his house the night before die
robbery, and one watch was found in the possession of
Jefferey, and another in the thatch of Wolfe's house.
Mr. Corwood cross-examined the accomplice, but
not discredit his testimony.—The Jury found Mini ad
, Guilty.
, Litchfield was also convicted of another liirglary to
, the house of Nash Kemp, at Christall, a little sir p.
keeper. He was found the next day with all the goLds,
having stripped the shop.

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE OF J. PAUL, ESQ.

A Coroner's Inquest was he:d on Thursday after.
noon, before Thomas Shelton, Esq. Coroner f..r
London, at the Committee-room of St. Glare)
Workhouse, on the body of John Paul, Esq. a incr.
chant in the City, who put an end to his existco
by drowning himself: The deceased was brother :)
James Paul, Esq. (who fought a duel with Si:
Francis Burdett) formerly a Candidate for West-
minster, who, it will be recollected, shot lidos: i
at his house in Charks-street, St. James's-sip:sr,.
and also brother to T. Paul, Esq. a merchant, Lite
of Birmingham.
John Stevenson, mate of the Humility sloq,
moored near Gun-shot Wharf, stated, that he saw
the body of the deceased floating on Tuesday rimm-
ing last; he gut it out of the water, and it 1%,;,
conveyed in a shell to the dead-house of S;:i.:t
Olave's.

Isabella Brown stated, that she was housekeeper
to the deceased, who had resided at No. 3, Circus,
Minories. He had been absent five weeks last
Tuesday, and for some days previously he was is
such a state of mind, and so exceedingly distressed,
.that she felt convinced he was not in his prop'
faculties; she believed his affairs were embarrassed.
For nights together he would leave his Led end
walk about the room like a person distracted, and
when she spoke to him he would burst into tears,
strike his hand in great agitation against his fors.
head, scream very loud, and appeared in great ter-
ror. She did not hear of the accessed until be was
found drowned. Ile has left finir children, the
youngest eighteen months old; his wife died twelve
months ago.
John Ratnsbottom, M. D. Old Jewry, stated,
that he was called in by the deceased's surgeon to
attend upon him, aid found him labouring under
disorder, both mental and bodily; be talked of las
disorder, but in such a manner as led him to suspect
his mind was impaired; he prescribed for him, and
called again on the Wednesday following, and was
intinmed that the deceased bad left home (us above
described) on the preceding evening. A letter,
written by the deceased, was found upon the table,
laddressed to his brother-in-law, Ur. Hpoewettsoa, ths

MARC!! 1.1.

torn-tutor, of Merit-lane, which he read, and from
its contents he was convinced the deceased had made
Away with himself. The letter is in the possession
of Mr. Hewettson.
Mr. Shallartl, nssistant-surgeon to Messrs. Can-
dell, in the Minories, stated, that he attended the
deceased on the Sunday before he left home ; he
was labouring under the effects of laudanum which
he bad taken ; he called iq Dr. Ramsbottom, and
he prescribed an aperient medicine, which relieved
the deceased ; he thought the deceased was not at
times in his sound mind ; he talked confused and
incoherent.
The Coroner said, that it was for the Jury to
say, in the first place, whether the deceased drowned '
himself ; as he had not any business to transact by
the water, lie thought they might safely say that he
did: the remaining question to consider was. whe-
ther the deceased aas in such a state of mind at the
time as to be accountable for his conduct, or whether
he was insane and a lunatic ?
The Foreman returned a verdict—" That the
deceased drowned himself, being at the time in a
state of great irritation of mind."
Coroner.—" Do you mean to say that he was
only irritated; because a man may commit an act in
a state of the greatest irritation, and yet be answer.
able to the laws for the offence ; for instance, if one
man shoots another, he may be excessively irri-
tated and yet be sane at the time."
Foreman (after some consultation with his bro-
ther Jurors).--" We are of opinion, he was so far
insane as not to be accountable for what he did."
Coroner.—" Then your verdict is, " The de-
ceased drowned himself, being at the time in a state
er insanity."
Foreman.—" Yes, that is our opinion."

In consequence of the great fall in the market for
raw cotton, expresses have been sent from Liver-
lerpool, over land to Calcutta, in order to counter-
mand, as speedily as possible, any further shipments
of that article. An absolute engagement is said to
have been entered into by the persons bearing the
expresses, to deliver them, allowing for' accidents to
hfe or limb, in three mouths from the date of leav-
ing England.
Advices from Jamaica to the 29th January state
the arrival at Kingston of the schooner Juliana from
Angustura; the captain of which reported, that just
I.ctore he sailed a report had reached that place, of
the Royalists having been detbated, and Cumana
captured, on the 28th of December; and that a
great number of troops bad deserted, and repaired to
the standard of the Independents. To-morrow we
shall hear that the Patriots have not a man left in
South America, and so on, alternately !

POlitt.
.....
GUILDHALL

Robbery ea lans.—On Friday Bartholemew Brongh-
too, the naval officer, whose examination was postponed
ou Wednesday lasi, in consequence of his attempt to
destroy himself, by taking a large dose of laudanum,
was again brought up before the Sitting Mag'strate, Mr.
Mderman Christopher Smith. The prisoner has been
attended-since NVeditesday by Mr. Hoz, the apothecary
to the litsour-street Conti/ter, and, although recover-
ed from the effects of the poison, was still in a weak
state, and was therefore allowed a chair at the bar,
during the examination.
Th: first witness called Was Taylor, the head waiter
at he White Horse Inn, Fetter-lane, who deposed, that
the prisoner had a bed at their house a few nights before
Christuist-day, and again on the night of the 31st of
December ; that on each of those nights, gentlemen who
slept in the house were robbed ; that the prisoner was I
therefore suspected; and on his coming again on the
loth of Feln tsar'', he was recognized, and taken into
custody.
George Shufflcbottons, of Macclesfield, arrived at the
White Hone tun, on the 27th of December last, and
remained there till the Bth of January following; at his
ruing on the is,. of January, he discovered that he had
been roW,ed, during the night, of upwards of 2001.
consisting of one 100/. note, and several la, and
IL notes: the times were stolen front out his pocket-
case; which was in his. coat pocket, on a chair near his
bed; the chamber door was not locked, but be heard
the utaid-servant shut it after her when she took away
the candle. The itxd. mite ha had received from his
brother.
Thomas Shufftehottorn, of Exeter, lin emdraper, broth er
to the last witness, paid his brother It/01. on the evening
of the 31st of December, ainoug which was a IOU!. note
he bait received at Messrs. Itankey and Co.'s, Fen-
rhurch-street, in payment on a letter of credit in his
favour, from Messrs. Williams, Cross, and Co., bankers,
kiceter. lie k 's the note produced is the one he paid
las brother, because he 11.1 d taken the numbers 01
the two notes of iOO/. each, which he had received
from Messrs. Hankey, and he had the other in his pos-
lehsloo ill the morning when he beard of the robbery.
Williani Wright, eleik at. liankey's, paid the last
witness the notes for Messrs. Willianis's check t they
eahluted of two.notes, 1001. several bl. and 11. now'

THE NAIIONAL REGISTER.

The note produced, No. 19,151, for Mi. dated Deeem- '
ber 11, 1818; is one of the notes he so paid.
John Kimbell, shopman at Mr. Herge's, mathema-
tical instrument-maker, 199, Piccadilly, said the pri-
soner came to their shop, on the Ist of January, about
twelve o'clock at noon, and purchased a sextant, for
sixteen guineas. Witness told him it would take about
an hour to adjust the instrument, and asked where he
should send it to; the prisoner then gave his name and
address, " Capt. Wishart, Hatchett's Hotel." He then
tendered a hundred pound note in payment; there nat
being sufficient in the till to give change, he (witness) ap-
plied to his master, liorn whom he received a 40/. note,
a 251. and a 20!. whichl he gave to the prisoner, who
gave him the difference, and then went away. The
prisoner called again in a hackney-coach, before the
sextant was adjusted, said he was going off directly, and
could not wait, but must have the instrument as it was,
and it was accordingly delivered to him.
Mr. Berge made a memorandum of the 100/. note,
when he received it from the List witness, on the Ist of
January, and identified the note produced as the one he
had so received ; the 401. note he gave in change was
No. 5,272, dated 21st October, 1818.
Charles Edward Waller, clerk in the pay-office at the
Bank, proved that the 401. note so dated, and numbered,
was paid into the Bank on the Ist of January, by some
persuu, who described himself as Mr. Lyney, Ne. 1,
Cowper's-court, Corithill, who received iii payment Int ty
I!. notes, numbered front 1.i,469 to 15,508 inclusive, ail
dated Bth December, in t 8.
Edward Farev, keeper of the pnblic house, the sign
of the Marquis of Cornwallis, Warren-street, Fitzroy-
square, proved the receipt of two I!. notes, dated Decent--
ber Bth, 1818, and. numbered 15,500 and 15,506, from
the Captain Broughton, who resided at that time at Nu.
46, Warren-street.
Mr. G. Shuffiebottom being further questioned, said
that the thief took all the notes that were in his pocket
case, but left several bills of exchange, which were in
the same pocket of the case with the notes.
The prisoner, by the advice of Mr. Harmer, his solici-
tor, declined making any defence ; and after some con-
sultation as to the form of the commitment, was fully
committed to Newgate, both for the burglary, and also
for steaiine, itt•the dwelling-house to the amount of above
aus.

MARLI;OROUGNPSTREET.
A Beadtc outwitted —John Kendrick, a beadle of St.
Giles's in the Fieals, brought to this office a gentleman
charged with riding one of Johnson's hobby-horses along
the footway pavement of Great Quecn-street, in the said
palish. The gentleman was convicted in the penalty
of a. under the Nletro;,olis Paving Act. The gentleman
then laid an information against Kendrick, for running
the same through Queen's-court, (a paved one) in the
said parish, oft tile way in the watch-house, which was
proved by a witness.—We need not inlorm our readers
that he was himself likes% ire very justly convicted in the
penalty of 21. which he was inhumed by the worthy
Magistrate (Mr. Elnan,) he umst pay, amidst the laugh-
ter of a very crowded office.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' ACT.
[room The Norwich Courier.]

Oti Tuesday hat, a Meeting seas held at the Hall in the
Nlatket, to petition Parliame..t on the subject t r the Insol-
vent Debtors' Acts.
Alderman Broome was called to the Chrtr, who opened
the business, by stating, that the grievance under which
i.e raercantile and trading part of the community laboured.
in emesequeuce of the present In•o`vent Debtors' Acts, had
lid to the present Meeting, and that it seemed to he the
most proper time now to address the Leg:Ordure on the sub-
ject, as the term for which those Acts had pawed was draw-
lug to a close.
Alderman Hawker said, he believed the Chairman was in
possession of a Petition, which he requested he would read.
The Chairman having read the Petition,
Alderman /boars said, that though he approved of many
parts of it, he thou4ht its language was scarcely strong
th to be address, d to the I louse on the present orcasbia.
Ile should, therefore, request Mr. Adam Taylor to read one.
a hich he tl ght would more fully embrace the object of
dfar Meeting.
I Mr. A. Taylor having read it,
Mr. E. Tayior said, he rose to give the measure his cor-
dial support.- There was tin doubt but the Legislature, in
piesing Acts fur the Relief of Insolverit Debtors, had been
actuated by motives of humanity ; and as comparatively
few Member., even of the Lower House, were practically
conversant is ith mercantile transactions. it was not to be
wondered at that they had been led by their feelings to
attired, w
hat they regarded us a necessary protection for the
unfuttonate debtor. against the cruelty and hard-hearted-'
tress of obstinate and merciless creditors; hut the practical
operation of this d law had beet' to afford a legal
NMI lion to a t lass of persons of the most worthless
sham.deserip-
Every man at all extensively concerned in trade,
knew that creditors in g,netal were very far front being
meta id SS ; rhea when au honest disposition was evinced on
the 'rare au debtor, it woa:d be difficult indeed to she W
an
instance in which it had not been met by a corresponding
lenity on the part of his creditors. Ile believed, where oat
balance of a merciless me ditor existed, there would bo
found to be tin hundred fraudulent debtors: yet for these
persons the law had interposed; for us bitterer might be the
intention of its flamers, thews/gnat erred was to dept ire
creditors of their just demands. Under the commission sit-
tit% in London to execute the Acts, caw, involving pro-
perty to the amount of more t4llll a 111111101/ Of motley had
been disposed of, while the average dividend fur the creditor
had not exceeded a farthiag in the pound and he be-
lieved, that of all the debtors who had been liberated under
the At t in the County of Norfolk and the City of Norwich,
nothing had in any case been received by the creditors. It
am therefore deur, that if the or igin of .ischi nu Act was
hotuality, the effect will injustice. It had Dap attempted

to revise and amend the first Art; and we were led to ex-
pert, that the obnoxious parts which it contaiued would be
ameoded, but no change to any extent bad taken place—
the same system of fraud and perjury went on, and be feared
that nothing short of a total change would pruducesellicieLt
protection to the fair trader.
Alderman Bolingbroke said, that one principal defect in
the insolvent Acts, was the time allow ed to debtors before
they were called upon to give op their effects to their credi-
tors. As the taw now stood, a fraudulent debitsr had every
facility for making away with his creditor's property, be-
fore he was called upon to deliver it up. lie thought if the
Insolvent Acts could be in 'lbis respect amended, the con-
sequences would be highly beneficial. It was from the vac
rims suggestions which petitions on this subject from dif.
ferent parts of the kingdom would contatiOthot the Legi-•
lature would derive information as to the °purloin of intr.
collide men.
Mr. Moore said, that in more than 60 cases In which
insolvent debtors had beea discharged under his own
knowledge, iii not more than two, had any money been paid
into the receiver's hauls, and even of those, nothing had
ever been received by the creditors.
Mr. Robert Browne said, that he differed in opinion with
those gentlemen who had spoken, ns to the principle of the
law. Ile thought it not ouly founded in humanity, but jus-
tice. The power of' imprisonment for on unlimited time
was too much to place in the hands of individuals, wl a
might, and who certainly had (as tippei.red by the ceteris
before the Legislature, at the time of the passieg the r t
Insolvent Act) abused it for the purposes of oppress' aid
revenge. Nothiog could be more fair and equitable than
the principle of a remit boeorom. If a creditor obtain ed
the property of his debtor, if he got all that he was possessed
of, what noire ought he to ask) Gentlemen had dwelt op. n
the evils attendanntpon the Acts in question; but he would
ask, had there been no compensating advantages w-
iloubtedly there had. In inlet • cases property had Leen di.
aided among creditors. though he admitted such instances
were rare. But it should he remembered, that of the per-
sons who had participated In the benefit of the Acts, many
were of a description 110 laW could reach, such as gamblers
and swindlers; these men under the old law would equally
have cheated their creditors. It was alleged that these
species of crimes had increased. To this it might be illi-
swered, so had e • is of all kinds, and we ought not, there-
fore, to be suiprised that fraudulent • debtors had increased
in a considerable degree. lie admitted that the law might
be beneticially rceisel ; but still he conceived the principle
on which it was founded, was perfectly equitable
Mr. E. Tailor :aid, it was hoot the operation of the luvr
they must form their conclusions: there had been evident e
abtindatitly stelicient to prise, that it had pt oduced most
unjust efferts. Ile thou2lit, without giving any o,iiiiion as
to \I hat anietultnettl! thotilil he in rile in the La, the appli.
cation to Parliament sitoald consist of u state:two! of facts,
leaving to the Legislate; e to provide a remedy fur the
grievance etimplaine:l of
Mr. Eitoter bald, that the prayer of the Petition was ;
too sweepiog a nature to me. t with his approbation—it
went to the boot repeal of all the Ili,solveot Debtors' Acts.
This pettier, of course, if granted, would leave us subject
to all the acknowledged !tad hips nod evils attendant upon
the old law. It had been !argued, as if roguery en the t
of debtors hod been occasioned by these Acts; the contrary
was notoriously the fact. Untler the old law the same per-
jury not fraud were practised I in dishonest debtor could
equally waste his creditor's property in gaol. Ile mould
recommend, therefore, an alter:dim' in the prayer of the
Petition. so as to recognize the principle on w h can the pre-
sent Arts were passed, and yet to ask, for such alterations as
experience had proved to he necessary. It was of I.re:it
intim, nonce that a creditor should have early and i tttt
possession of an insolvent debtor's efli•cts $ and he 0w.A1,1
.% as secured, the evils nitendnut on the present Act would
removed, and its beneficial intentions secured.
An amendment to this eilect wos tacit mote to the pros rr
of the Petition, and read by Mr. A. Taylor; after wlrtcis 3
was unamit:lnsly adopted by the Meeting,

At Om General Meeting of the PM, ing Commissioners, 1.. 'd
nn Tuesday last, the Won log Report was received ftoin
the Committee appointed at the preceding meeting, to take
consideration the best means of eat ins into ct the
It esolotiou of the Commissioners I-espy:ling the lightinc part
of the city with gass anti generally revising the act.—•' I ha
in consequence of a letter received hoot Mr. Dortinvott,
one of the l'arliamentary Agents, it is expedient to delay
-.try application to *Purlinment fur an amendment of the
present act ti,l the ne.l:l Session." 1 t appeared the general
sentiment of the Meeting. ;:tat it *mild, under sill eirr
!.tances, be hitter to defer any application for the pre- ekt,
as by the nest year the .utiject in geic.ral aould undergo ts
more mature cansidcration, the etreet of the new valuation
he more ,Trtainly knou u, and the future pants of the Com-
missioners he more correctly ascertained.

On Wednesday se'nnitht a fire broke out in the
charoilin;,noffice •f Mr. Barber, of Hempnall, which
threatened the destruction of several thatched dwellings
adjoining, hot by the activity of the neighbours, and th.:
wind lying in a favourable direction, the devouring tic.
meet was gat under without further damage than the
demolition of the premises in which it commenced.
Last week a Granary belonging to Mr. It. Decker, of
Walsinghatn, was broken into, and fifteen Coombs of
oats stolen therefrom ; a very liberal reward has been of-
fered, but the offenders still remain undiscovered.
Os Friday last Richard Holliday, of Walsingham, a
boy about seven years of age, being left by his mother
in charge of two others %ottncer than himself, was its
the actor putting some potatoes in the boiler, his cluailts
caught fire, and be was so dreadfully burnt. that be lan-
guished in excruciating pain till the evening, %hen
he expired.
Sir Win. Windham nailing, Bart. High Sheriff of
Norfolk, has appointed James Taylor Margitson, Esq.
his Under-Sheriff. The business will be irausacted as
heretofore in this city.
At l)ownham Market fair, on Wednesday se'nnight,
there was the largest chew of hogses ever remembered,
though little business was done, except its prime stock
which 'nought eausurdivary hioh pica!

• ...oil