The National Register.
London, England, 1823-03-23 00:00:00

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LAW INTELLIGENCE.

(ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OP CHANCERY.
TVEaDAY, Staiten IS.
LORD PORTSMOUTH.
Mr. Hart, in rising to bring thin subject before the Covet,
said, " There is a petition in the matter of Lord Portsmouth,
which your Lordship was pleased to order to come on this day.
The petition, my Lord, is that of Walter Skirrow, Esq. and
prays that the rare and custody of Lord Portsmouth might be
entrusted to Joseph Draper Coombe, Esq. as provisional Com-
mittee, uutil a permanent committee was eppointi.cl ; and in
the event of his Lordship's being pleased not to grant the
prayer of the petition, then that some (Aber Version might be
appOinted, in order to secure the comfort and happiness of the
Noble Loril." The petition also preyed that Mr. Skirrow
might be at liberty to pay over certain sums of money, out of
the fund then in his hands, for the maintenance of his lordship.
The lord Chancellor, after some prefatory remarks, said—
" Let my Lord Portsmouth be removed by Mr. Coombe to
lurstbourne. Let the greaten care-be taken of him ; and if
there is any disturbance likely to be made, let the application
be made to the Court." His Lordship declined making any
order as to costs, but said, that if Mr. Skirrow advanced any
reasonable SUM for the maintenance of his Lordship the court
-would take carb he should not suffer.

MEM'.
Matostone, FRIDAY, MARCH el.---MURDIR OP
• Ma. SMITH, OP LEWISHA/4.—John Coleman was in-
dicted for the wilful murder of Mr. John Smith, at
• Lewisham, on the nil of December last, by shooting
hint with pistol loaded with powder and a leaden
bolo.
'This case excited very general interest, and lasted the
greater part of the day.
It will he recollected, that in the morning after Mr.
Smith was wounded, a carpenter's stock and centre bit
were picked up under the window at which he was
wounded. This implement was traced to the possession
- of the prisoner, and was one of several carpenters' toils
stolen front Mr.l3utkland, a cartentter at Deptford.—
When the prisoner was apprehended he made a state.
latent of facts, Many of which were tiow contradicted.—
The prisoner was folly committed for trial oat the Gth of
January. On the Bth the magistrates at Greenwich re-
ceived j letter front the pi isoner, requesting the presence
. of one of thins at the gaol to hear sonic statement lie
bad to make. Accordingly Colonel Forman and Mr:
Bicknell, the magistrate's clerk, went down to Maid-
stone gaol oit the uth, and saw the prisoner, when he
proposed to make a declaration respecting the murder.—
lie was distinctly told over and over again, that no
statement he could make could avail him to defeat the
course of justice. Ile then said he hoped his statement
would entitle hint to the Royal mercy, and that he
would be adintited as an accuser against his accomplices.
Attain he was distinctly told, that he hail been commit-
ted upon a chain of evidence 'which satisfied the minds
of the magistrates, and that any statement he should
then make would be received against him. Notwith-
standing this warning, lie made a full conlession that he
was one of a party of live or six men• that attacked Mr.
Smith's house on the night in question, fur the purpose
0, robbing it, that lie hail used the centre-bit above-
meutiontal. In the party were two nephews of the de-
ceased, and one of them was the person who acotaily
discharged the pistol which effected the murder. It ap-
peared that 100/. each had been offered fur the apprehen-
sion and conviction of any of the offendera implicated
in this diabolical traasaction, by the friends of the de-
ceased, die Blackheath Association, and the parish of
Lewisham. On the 4th of dal, a proclamation was
'MIAOW(' in the London Gazette, reciting the circum-
stances of the murder,that rewards to the•antount of awl.
had been offered, and then promising the King's pardon
. to any of the parties concerned in the offence, who
should give evidence against any of his accomplices, ex-
cept the hand that actually fired the gun.
Mr. Andrews, for the prisoner, contended that the
statement made by the prisoner iu gaol was not admissi-
ble in evidevee against him, and must be considered as
protected by the King'a proclamation referred to.
Mr. A dolplots answered the objection by saying, that
the statement was made, amtwithstandtaig the repeated
caution that it would not avail him, and consequently
could not be affected by the King's ?decimation.
Mr. Baron Graham said he should admit the evidence,
but in a case of this description he should hereafter deli-
berate with other authorities on the point, and if the
result should he fasourable to the prisoner he should
have the benefit of it.
The prisoner said nothing in his defence.
The learned Judge summed up the evidence, and the
the Jury found the prisoner—Guilty—Death. The sen-
tence was respited for the present.
STAFFORD NISI PRIUS COURT.

CLAIM' TO THE BARONY OF STAFFORD.—AIR GEORGE
JERNINGHAM, DART., V. BEECH.
This was an action of trover by Sir Geo.,Jerningliam,
the proprietor of Stafford Castle, and of huge estates in
Its vicinity, against the defendant, a timber merchant, in
the borough of Stafford, to accuser the value of an ash
tier and two alders, his property. which had been wrong-
fully converted to the defendant's use.
The following are the circumstances out of which this
action arose :—ln December last, a person, calling him-
self the Hon. James Stamp Sutton Cooke, arrived in
Stafford, and laid claim to the estates on which Sir Geos ge
Jerningliam and his predecessors have been in possession
fur inure titan a century, on belie!, of his brother, to
whom he gave the title of Lord Staff:rd. He sour hire-
rested a number of the populace in his cause by, the
boldness of his measures and the liberality of his promises.
Ile appointed gamekeepers to the manor of Forebridge.
in winch Stafford Castle is situate, and by a miunctscre
obtained a few hours' possession of the castle itself, which
Is usually open to the inspection of the curious. Notices
were to lite leahislis of Sir Grer2e Jerninglians, re-
tlit•s to pay their rents otly to I:04e, the
4tithht:ecti agent of litA brother, and threatening them
nub ch.:fess: sin Mc tluy should tt•fus:: Ise comply. Ls

THE NATIONAL REGlgnil

order to induce them to attorti to the new claimant,l
were offered them at tow rents, on the payment of a pre-
mium, and a day appointed to receive the rents ill aricar,
half of which only were required in consequence of the
pressure of the times. 011 these representations, some of
the tenants actually made payments, and receipts were
given them for the sums. In the mean time, Mr. Cooke
prooeeded to employ men to fell timber on several parts
of the domain, which they did, attended by a rabble, and
in the whole felted between 70 and SO trees. Although a
hand-bill was issued, and served on all timber dealers in
Stafford, slot to purchase any of these trees, the defendant
amid others !semiotic possessed of some of them, and obsti-
nately detained them from the owner.
The defendant in this action was one of the persons
who were thins delnded. It was waved that two alder
trees and one ash tier., cut on the lauds of Sir George
Jerisinghans on the 14th of January in this year, were
conveyed to his premises, and that lie refused to deliver
them up when demanded by the agents of Sir G. jeniing-
ham. The value of the trees was proved to be 21. 15s.
The learned Judge, in his charge to the Jury, expressed
his strong reprobation of these proceedings. To try a
chain, of right, it would lie eeough to cut a twig or lake •
away a clod of earth; and theiefoie this apt. in of depre-
dation mud violence was einitely without excuse. • 'flue
Duly doubt its the ease was, whether the conduct of the
defendant did not amount to felony; to this point the
evidence did not quite come, but it was extremely neat
it. It was tight the people of this town should be aware,
that if trees were wrongtielly severed one day, without a
shadow of excuse, and taken away the next, the patties
who lent themselves to such a taking would have to au-
swer as felons in another Court.
The Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages,
21. 15s.
lam! V. BARNETT.
This was also an action of trover by Sir G. Jernlngliam,
to recover the value of trees felled under the same cir-
cumstances as those which gave r ise to the last cause.
The Jury found a verdict. for the plaintiff—Damages,
71. 7s.

IN THE COURT OF THE SHERIFF OF STAFFORD.
SIR GEORGE JERNINGIIAM, BART., V. JAMES STAMP
SUTTON COOKE.
This was an action of trespa►s brought against Mr.
Cooke himself, for the dam Age committed by his orders,
in cutting down trees of Sir George Jet ' ghouls. In this
case, the defendant did noePleird, hut antlered judgment
by default, and the present inquiry was held to assess the
damages.
It was proved that 74 trees in the whole were felled on
seven different farms in the occupation of Sir George
Jer ll ill gbant's tenants. 01' these, five only had not been
recovered ; but the -damage beyond the value of these
arose from the cutting of trees unfit for feilinge from the
improper manner iu which the trees were cm; and from
the expenses incurred in bringing back the trees trona
the rations places to which they had been conveyed. On
one occasion the defendant was she wit to be present, and
giving money to the workmen who performed their office
in the midst of the ralilde. I'lte whole attic damage was
estimattd at 341. I.
Mr. Caldwell, who acted AN assessor to the Sheriff, left
the Jury to say whether th.a acts complained of were
sufficiently shown to be the acts of Mr. Cooke, mid to
what extent the plaintiff had sustained injury.
The Jury assessed the damages at 341. 154. 341.
SECKERSoN V. SIA4I.Ev, CRANK, AND sMITR.

•
The plaintiff in this ease is a solicitui resoling near
Stafford, and agent to Sir George Jer • ;ham, of whom
he hulls it considerable tarm. Ouf the 1 tilhuf Jamul.),
last, while he was absent limn home at the sessions, the
three detendanta, who arc labourers in Stafford, entered
his house under preteece of dfdraining ter 1,0001. arrears
of I CHI, due to " Lord Stafford." • They began to take an
inyeitiogy of the goods, but were put out by the servant,
of the plaintiff. At four in the afternoon they retnriteds
attended by a crowd of people, and attempted to gain
admission to the house, but bound the doors locked and
barred, to prevent their entrance. They then made their
way to the stables and back yard, where they began to
take an inventory of the goads, butt were expelled by the
constable, Niter considerably alarming Mrs. Seckerso g
and die family. On die following day, while Mr. Seeker-
sun was at the sessions, they came again, end the front
dour having been opened to admit Mrs. Williams, widow
oldie late Mr. Sergeant Williams, who came to visit Mrs.
SeckeillUll, they entered, passed through the parlour into
the kitchen, and begin] again to make a catalogue of the
goods. They were again expelled; and, in consequence
of their bits usions, the duels were barricadoed for several
days.
The Jnry assessed the damages at 201.
alit °BURGE JSRNINGHAM, BART., V. DEAKIN.
This was an action of trespass against the defeigalent,
who is a gunsmith at Stafford, for beating the covers of
Sir Geo. Jerniughanes pi esti yes for game. It appeated
that he had done so on eight several days. It was tinder-
stood, but did not appear in evidenye, that the defendant
was tale of the persons appointed as gamekeeper by Mr.
Cooke.
The Jury assessed the damages at 51. .
ROBINS v. CRUTCHLEY.
This was an action by a tenant of Sir G. Jerningham, on
• whose lands timber bail been cut, against the defendant,
who hod forcibly entered his close to lake it away.
The Jury assessed the damages at 20s.
DORCHESTER ASSIZES.

norBSBRY AT MILTON ANBEY.—']'humus DONSIfh and
Thomas Harvey were charged with having eutered the
dwelling house of Lady Careline Darner, at Milton Abbey,
and t testing au immeuse quantity of silver plate, amongst
which were I -21 i silver plates,five large silver find baskets,
ten dishes, IIN spoons, arid 4,000 ounces of plate, of a
miscellaneous description. William Harvey, one of her
ladyship's lootinen, was charged as au accessory before
the fact.
'rite evidence for the prosecution having been gone.
through, the Jury deliberated a few minutes, when they
returned a verdict, finding Thomas Harvey and Dossiter
guilty of the burglary, and William Harvey guilty as ac-
cessory before the fact.
After a solemn pause, Mr. Baron Hullock put on
the
black cap for the hut time. His feelings were so power-
ful, that it was with difficulty lie addressed the prisoners.
—The learned Judge passed the sentence of death upon
the in ibUtlCrs in u Manlier which did not leave a dry eye
in the Coon t. Harvey, at the Claleillg la, tell
down and was curried nut senseless, Thos. Harvey was
tonewltot aft( cittl, but it,oitet vras WIMUYej.

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BOXING ON movLsEr HURST.

This celebrated plain was on Wednesilay a scene
of
_slaughtir, in a battle which stands as high in
pugilistic history as any heffire recorded. The
heroes for the day's diversion were Arthur Mat-
thewson, a Birmingham man, and Israel !Masco, a
Jew, who had slic..vn off in the London prize ring.
Belasco was backed at 6 to 4.
At one o'clock the men entered the ring, doffing
first :;,;:;,r castors in as a signal of defiance, end
cunishing battle followed. Joshua
conflicting ant;
Hudson ant Randall accost ."1::!-Ikews"n: and
Belasco and Richmond officiated for Israel Belasco.
Both men stripped very prime, and went to work with much
earnestness. Arthur showed must muscle, and connoisseurs
decided lie was the strogest man stripped. Arthur bit short,
short, and Belasco broke his ground upon saving poinis.—
Arthur placed a right banded hit upon the err of his adversary,
which we. returned upon the bead without visible marks ; in •
close the Jew slipped down.
2. A scientific round, and much equal fighting. It was
discovered that the countryman was not to be played with. A
smart rallying round took 'dime with equal advantages, hits
having been put about moat willingly. Belasco gut a hear/
light banded bit upon the bead, with which be went down,
rather from the effect of a slip, than the wei.2,lit of the hit.—
Arthur %hewed first blood from the teeth, at getting tip for the
nest round.
3. Belmico placed. first hit upon the month, and his adver-
sary returned short. Belasco hen the worst of the round, and
be was thrown. In the weariag system the men were equal
in fighting, but Arthur was the quickest and strongeie—the
floor d his adversary from the elem.-2 to I on Arthur.
The 4th, sth, and fith rounds were most gallantly contested,
and each had alternately best; but although Belasco had more
finished science than his adversary, yet be was over-run by
quickness and science, and was thrown by strength. Wpm°
',radioed the hit a Is Randall, with the left hand at the body,
the rigt guarding the head, with some effect.
Our space will not allow tie to go WW the fight at length, and
few ob ions will suffice.
In the 7th round, when both were weak, the men met at the
ropes and became dreadfully tired. The weaving system fol-
lowed, and strength gave Arthur the best of it. It was a manly
rallying round before the close; but Arthur in 'playing at the
head, beat his adversary in playing at the body.
Belasco got away from the close work, fey leaving his ad-
xersary's strength to foil itself. It was nearly equal fighting
Until the lAtb round, when Delano placed a flash and chat-
tering hit upon the bridge of his adversary's nose, and which,
from the swelling following, threatened to sow up both the
eyes. The countrymen was thrown in a struggle.
The ring was a deluge of claret after this, and to describe
one round like the last would fiuish the fight. It should not
be omitted that at one time Belasco was hit after having been
knocked out of the ring. Both were lijt to a stand still in the
17th round; and in the 19th round Arthur recovered a hit,
and by Joshua Hudson's advice •lirew out the left hand at the
head, which has caused an extra profusion of clrret in the neat
round, when by a finishing stroke the battle was woo.
The scond match was between Sampson, the
Birmingham youth, and Hall his townsman, who
was defeated by Neale, the Streatham lad. Hall
_ _

had beat Sampson, near Birmingham, wheh Samp-
son was off his legs. Hall was beat in two rounds.
Sompson put his body into " physic" and his head
into " Chancery" in the first round, and in the
next he replenished his dose, whioli gave him a
finisher.

General Dumourier died on Friday last in the
85th year of his age, at Turville, Henley-upon-
Thames.

List week Joseph Bonus Zonetta was committed to
Rochester gaol, citarged with a violent assault on Mr.
Ciiilfey, of Troy Town. it appears that the pri-
soner, an itinerant Italian, had been paying his ad-
dresses to the onaid-sers ant at the PoiAlaild Arms, slid
to !inward his son, hail made her several presents; but
the LaiLur lemon that while his presents were accel.t
tile person of an Englislooilii, a soil of St. Crispin, was
inelerretit and having tailed in nhtaiuin4 his ohjeci, or
a return 01 the articles presented to her, he, on Monday
evening, between nine and ten o'clock, commenced an
assault, by first attacking tlw favoured swain, whose
now he seized between his teeth, and which, in all
probability, would have been sacrficed, but he the cir-
cumstance of his having forced his finger against the roof'
of the assailant's mouth, which c ((((( petits( him to let go
Lis hold. An Italian who interfered also had his
shunt's very severely bitten by the prisoner. He then
wised the girl by the throat, tnrew her down, and began
beating her in a most savage manner, alike same time
declaring he would der her. The landlady, greatly
alatined, called for assistance, and Chaffy having. fiat
arrived!, he seized the prisoner's arm is prevent further
injury to the girl. The infuriated onon.ter immediately
turned on the person who thus restrained him, and in
ass instant bit out from his cheek a piece of flesh of ron-
pi•lersble substance, and the breadth at a crown piece.
For this last offence he was committed.

Oa Thursday last P. Woodgate, Esq. of Tunbridge,
• received information fmm a person who would not un-
close his authority, th it his house would be broken open
that night. After soon• consultation it was agreed that
Mr. Woodgate and his two men servants should be on
the watch, and keep a candle ready lighted in a, closet
close at hand. About half-pest twelve o'clock, t!tey
heard Vie thieves ipproach, who soon succeeded in un-
locking the door by llleJuis of a fake key, and immedi-
ately began to force the hulls. Every moment expet ting
them t i enter, the party within doors became alarmed,
when Mr. Woodgate hastily seizing the light, fell over
a chair, the no se of which alarmed the burglars, and
occasioned their speedy retreat. On the next day infor-
mation was received that two melt had been stopped by
the patrol of Seven Oaks, ou whom were found a centre
bit and other implements. They were committed to
Maidstone gaol. One of them being a native. of the
town, and formerly a servant in the house occupied by
Mr. Woodgatc.