The National Register.
London, England, 1820-04-03 00:00:00

lOWAScript.

LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 3.
Three o'Clock, p. m.

The Paris Papers of Thursday state, that the
King is better. The spasms in his stomach were
a!armingly severe, but they fortunately yielded to
mustard-seed fomentations applied to his feet. His
Majesty has much gout in his system, and his de-
bility must increase, being so afflicted, that he is
not able to take sufficient air and exercise. Since
his illness he has transacted business with his mi-
nisters, and received the visits of the Archbishop of
Paris and Prince Talleyrand. While the people of
Spain have thrown off their yoke, we are concern-
ed to find that in France the Bill for restraining the
Freedom of the Press is passing through the Cham-
ber of Deputies. The second article, enacting
'• that no journal or periodical work should be pub-
lished without the authority of the King," was,
after a feeble opposition, adopted. The third ar-
ticle, importing " that the Royal authority should
only be granted to those who proved that they had
conformed to the conditions of the first clause of the
law passed on the 9th of January, 1819," was
then put to the vote, and also adopted. The fourth
article was next brought under consideration of the
Chamber, it is as follows.—" That before publica-
tion of each sheet, &c. the manuscript shall be
submitted by the Proprietor or responsible Edi-
tor, to a previous censorship.' M. Savoye Rollin
proposed, as an amendment to this article, that
the reports of the sittings of the Chambers
should be exempted from the censorship; but it
was lost, on a scrutiny, by a majority of 127 to 119,
after which the original article was adoped.—The
next unpopular measure is that which relates to
personal arrest, similar to the suspension of the Ha-
beas Corpus Act in this country. When we look
to the glarious revolution in Spain, we find that the
Peninsula has almost alone escaped the influence of
the Holy Atheism. Those brave Spaniards who
were a few days ago denounced by our ministerial
prints, and some of the French journals, as Rebels,
are now at the head of the Government, and, how-
ever mortifying it must be to those who have thus
insulted them, they must now be 'treated with as
though they were legitimates At Taragona, on
the Bth ult. the Garrison declared for the Constitu-
• lion. The Governor, and the Lieut.-Colonel of the
regiment, were arrested, and the Members of the
Junta were installed amidst the acclamations of the
people. Wednesday last the Spanish Ambassador
at Paris took leave of the King, previous to his de-
parture for London, charged with a mission, it is
said, from his Sovereign, Ferdinand, to the King of
England.

This day it a close Holiday at the Bank and Stock
Exchanze, but a few lieivate sales have been effected
at 63g for the Accoant.
The Leeds Mercury says—" It has been commu-
nicated to us, that a number of strangers (emissaries,
we believe, we may call them) are passing through
the country, instigating the people in the manufac-.
wiring districts to arm ; and we feel, it to be our
duty to put the public, particularly the distressed
maoufacturers, upon their guard against their dan-
gerous machinations."
On Thursday evening a General Assembly of the
Royal Academicians was held at their apartment:; in
Somerset-house, when Sir Thomas Lawrence, Knt.
was duly elected President of the Royal Academy,
i 3 the room of the late Benjamin West, Esq.
Saxton and IVilde arrived at Manchester on
Wednesday, on th,:ir return from York. They were
r.7ceived with lct,3 cheers by some than:el:els of
the populace, whom Saxton harangued, until the
appearance ache Boroughreeve awl bead constables
iedutril him to de.ist
Eireiian Popfirice.—Mr. D. W. Harvey, now M.
P. fin: Colelie.,:er, ennvassc.l a Quaker on a Sunday,
who reprehended him fitr working on that s:,cred
day, and referred him to u pestage in lily writ,
which says, " thou shalt do no manner of work.
&c." Nlr Harvey replied, very true, friend, 1,7::
there is another puiemoe that seems to have escaped
your ree.illeetior, which says, 1" make your calling
Efation sure r

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

COMMITTAL OF NESBET,
Tin lOPPOS&D fiRPRTRAffuR Of IMM MURDERS •t

WOOLWICII•
At an early hour on Thu,sdsy morning the inhabitants of
Wuolwieh were on the alert, in the expectation that the
supposed murderer wouldsoon arrive. Several persons went
on the road to meet him, amid others 104 their station is
those directions where they thought it most p:ultable they
would have au opportunity of seeing him. Many fuse
alarms were given, and much mortification was in conse-
quence experienced. At last, about eleven ecluck, Mr.
Radom, the high constable, and the two at r. Jackson', carne
down by the first Woolwich coach. The former immediately
proceeded to the Castle-tavern, at which the bench
of magistrates were expected to be assembled. These
gentlemen had not yet come, and Mr. Midget went to Dr.
Watson's honer, and reported that the prisoner would not
arrive before six hi toe evening. The secrecy which was
observed with respect to this communication had the elect
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.
Posit: o'clock the Rev. Dr. Watson and Mr. Webb took
their seats, and in a quarter of an boor afterwards loud
shouts announced the approach of the prisoner. In • few
minutes the chaise was driven up to the door with great dif-
ficulty, and a passage was made by the constables. The
prisoner now seemed sinking under the weight of his feelings,
and it became almost necessary to carry him up stain.—He
was conducted into a back room to *turd him an opportu-
nity of collecting himself. He was scarcely able to hold
up his head until relieved by a flood of tears. He said be
could not bear the shouts of the people. At his own request
the handcuffs were then taken from his v rises, and he was
furnished with a glass of ruin and water. The wounds on his
head received at Poi tsmouth were visible, and appeared to
leave been carefully dressed. Me is a man about 38 years,
of age. about fire feet eight inches ire height, dark complex.
inn mid eyes, and his features, although irregular, not dis-
pleasing. He speaks with the Irish accent, being a
native of Armagh. Ile said be had been fourteen years in
the service.
At a quarter before seven the magistrates directed that the
prisoner should be brought befure them, this order, in corn
sequence of the immense mass of spectators collected up
stairs, was with difficulty obeyed, and the prisoner was led
to the bar by Mr. Hunt and Mr. Hill. If's countenance was
flushed, but be did not ventnre to look round.
Dr. Watson.—Who is this man?
Mr. Hunt —HOriame is James Nesbet ; and I bring him
here under thteautherity of Mr. Carter, a magistrate of
Portsmouth, spots suspicion of having been concerned
its the crimes of murder, arson, and burglary in this county.
Dr. Watsun—Who are you ?
Mr. Hunt—l am gaoler of the prisms of the Borough of
Portsmouth, and I am the bearer of a letter to Mr. Since, a
magistrate of this town, explanatory of we circumstances
under which I appear before 3tos.
Dr. Watson—Mr. Stace Is not regent, bat we are 'mho•
rigid in his absence to open any letter connected with his
magisterial duties. Produce the letter.
Mr. Haat handed In the letter, and it was read ',lsy Dr.
Watson. It simply stated that the prisoner, James Nesbets
baying bees apprehended la the Borough of Portsmouth,
come suspictuo of murder amid arson committed iu the comity
of Kent, he underwent several exuativatioas, sad several
deposition+ were taken which cue firmed the saapicirms against
him. Under these circumstances the magistrate before whom
be had bee. brought (Mr. Carter) felt it kb duty to send
him to the local authorities where the crime had been
committed, to be dealt with as they might think it;
he bad also intrusted to his officers, Messes. Hunt and Hill,
copies of the depusitioos which had been taken before him.
Dr. Watson—Have you gut the depositions to which this
letter meters ?
Mr. Hunt—l have: they are here.
The deposit' were banded to Mr. Moore, the clerk
of the magistrates to read. Mr. Moore immediately read
them. The particulars of which we have already give..
Dr. Watson.—Are there any other witnesses present to
give oral testimony with respect to the charge against the
prisoner. is addition to the depositions which have bees
just read?
It may be necessary here to state, that the magistrates
WPIV &seedy in possession of a great volume of evidence
taken lay them immediately after the discovery of the
ttttt oder. This went to expisin all the circumstances con-
nected with the first discovery ot the tire in Mr. Parker's
house—the subsequeut discovery of the half consumed
bodies of Mr. Pettier and 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 Nesbit in Woolwich just before the murder—it was
suspected on the day on which be arrived at Portsmouth.
These persons ace 000000 fed fur their not stating this fact
before, &um their disinclination to be cousidereil lawm-
en; against a man, whose life they might, by slick means,
be hist, linielital in sacrificing. Nu person having Answered
Dr. Watson's inquiry, he immediately addressed the pri-
soner, who bail beta permitted to sit while the Portsmouth
depositions were Feast, and who had kept his head reclined
against the liar, and said, the next step would be for the
ieoner to say any thing which be pleased, and which the
clerk would write 'lon n. There was nu compielsiou, how-
eve, : he wits at liberty to ape.k or not. Let the prisoner
say any thing he wishes to inform ns of.
Nisbet now stood rep, and, with his eyes cast towards
the !pound, said, " Tile depositions are all except
that of the gin 1, and slit• lime sworn false; she knows that
it was a 51. and lett a 101. note I gave to pay Mr. Cole.
I have nothing to say about any thing else; hot 1 cast
bring pieta), of people to make their affidavit that what
she has sown is false.
Dr. Watson —lt you are able to du this, it will lie very
valuable testimony on your trial.
'flue worthy aiagistrate then consnhrd wills Mr. Webb,
and it a as re.1)11.1.1t to Cllllllllit the prisoner forthwith, upon
tilt depesitioes whirl' had liven taken, to Maidstone
Jaeloon Na. then called, .11111 having answyrcil, he
ark tiooleilged that he Icad sigited the deposition besting
his name at Pus 'smooth.
1)1.. Watson.—li will be necessary that sue have Messis.
Dairy and Claus NO.
Neshet now ay nut stood tip, and in sotto- agitation said,
You nerd sand send for any pit's sOll itoi.olly in Woooa nth
knows any thing at all 611,.111 my doing,
I)I.WAISOIL,TOCI 0: are persunsiii Wu,,lwieli who know
sr 'milting of your transactions lately.
Nisbet.—You have stn rf son In (mil for them, for they
' now nothing of we since 1 ran away.frout Batepten kale

constable from whom lie escaped In &hali's case). No-
body knows any thing of my doings but myself; and it is
hard they should suffer for me. Neither my own family
nor any body else know any thing of what I done. Auy
thong I did myself Pll stand by it.
Dr. Watson was then proceeding to make some further
observations, when
Nesbet said—May I speak again
Dr. Watson.—Certainly.
Nesbet.—The woman that swore against me at Ports-
mouth is a common prostitute, and it is hard her affidavit
should be taken against me : it was all through vexation
because she lost a fancrinan thrones me.
Dr. Watson.—To all these facts it will he important
for you to produce witnesses on your trial.
Mr. Jackson was then bound over in a recognisance of
601., to prosecute the prisoner for the treble crime of mur-
der, arson, and burglary ; and in another sum of 601.
to answer for the appearance of his son, who is • minor,
to answer and give evidence on the trial.
Nesbet begged to know if he might have the money and
wearing apparel which had been taken from him.
Dr. Watson said, that whatever mourn necessary to be
produced in evidence should be given to hint. In the
interim be should be provided with every thing necessary.
Nesbet said, he was only anxious, it any thing Afield
happen to him, that his wife might have his property.
The prisoner was then recouducted to the room front
whence he had been brought. He was mach agitated;
he said to a gentleman who entered into conversation with
him, that he knew the property to be Squire Parker's;
bat he bought them from three fellows. He bad ambit%
to do with what was alleged against him.
The gentleman said, that it would be most fortunate fur
him if he could prove the truth of this statement.
Some of the other witnesses who were present IN the
justice-room were subsequently bound over to give eel..
deuce ou the trial. Among those was Mr. Patten, the
surgeon, who declares the wounds visible en the persons
of Mr. Parker mad his housekeeper might have been in.
Sided by one sad the same instrument. and by one and
the same baud.
Daring all these proceediap the crowd in front of the
Castle continued to increase, and at length became so
oppressive, that a guard of artillery soldiers was called
out to preserve order.
Mr. Ridout finding there was no chance of the populace
dispersing while the prisoner remained, resolved to
remove him at once to the watcb.hoisae, where every Ne-
cessary accommodation was provided for him. The
handcuffs were then put apse his wrists, and be was con-
ducted on foot to his place of confinement : be was guard-
ed both by a civil and military force, and was followed
by the crowd in an overwhelming mass, and was wills
great difficulty safely lodged in his prison. It was a late
hour before the throng dispersed When all was quiet, Mr.
Moore, the clerk of the magistrates, called at the watch-
house, to see that every necessary precaution had been
adopted. The prisoner re him, and said be was
innocent of what was laid teats:large. Mr. Moore said
he should be most happy if be was able to prove his
words.
Nesbet then said he should not be he Maidstone gaol
three weeks.
Mr. Moore asked what be meant; and reminded him
that the offence imputed to him was net
Nesbet said he knew that, but he would write to Mr.
Moore within I weeks. and make sense disclosures which
would astonish bits, sad at the same time prove his Sara
inuocenee.
Mr. Moore sincerely hoped this might be the case, and
left him. During the night Mr. Ridout, Campion, and
Hampton, remained with the prisoner, affording him
every refreshment he required. Having expressed a
strong desire to see his family before fie went to prison,
Dr, Watson humanely determined to gratify him; and as
he was to set off for Maidstone on the ensuing morning at
seven o'clock, he desired that his family might attend at
his house, at that hoar, for the purpose of having as ht-
terview.
They all attended at the time appointed. Mrs. Nesbet.
who is rather a good-looking woman, bearing an excellent
character, did not seem so sens=bly affected by the site.
alien of her busband as might have been anticipated.—
The children were all dissolved itt an agony of grief, and
the prisoner himself was greatly affected Soon after
this meeting he set off in a post-ehaise, accompanied by
the high constable, Campion and &maps sssss tor Maid-
stone, where he safely arrived in the auiddse of the day.
and was delivered with proper preterite:a to the pole r.
lee Laws leave of Mr. Ridout he was again much agita.
tell, and promised to write to him at Winne/leis
Mr. Hunt, the gaoler of Portsmouth prison, and Mr.
11111, returned home yesterday. They bore a letter from
Dr. Watson, to Mr. Carter.
Constant anxiety and unremitting zeal have been dis-
played by Di. Watson, Mr. Surer, and Mr. Webb.
throughout the whole of their painful duties.
The property which leas devolved upon Mr. Jackson, it
is said, exceeds 15,0d01.

_
It is generally known that at Trentham-hall,
when the family is there, a stated relief is given to
all poor travellers ; it was at first established for
poor labourers going and returning in harvest time,
but it has for many years been general for all that
apply, except soldiers in parties The provision is
a piece of good bread, weight fourteen ounces, and
a pint of good table beer. The lodge not being
seen from the road, at some distance, it could not be
supposed that such numbers would apply, so us to
give regular employment for u porter, and requiring
considerable trouble in obtaining a regular supply
of bread and beer. The average ',umber that call
for this relief is from fifty to a hun.lreil
At Mr. Price's (of liyal, near Worcester) sale of
cattle a few clays ago, thirty nine lots, each contain•
in!, but one cow, calf or heifer, proditeci 1,4171.85.
6(17; one of the cows knocked down for 1271.,
another in calf for !091. 45., and a third for 1031.
Thirteen bulls, of nova, various a.. produced 1,9081. 185.
c, •
one of winch fetchedilleaS•

I.OrDON : Printed :nu! Pubii lied by the Proprietor SWIM
TWICG, at the Otr-e, Pieta Street, where All Letters, to
to the Editor, fie. frost paid) must b.: taldwital.