The National Register.
London, England, 1813-12-05 00:00:00

THE NtTIONAL RECISTFAI:

none. Rhodes theta went up
to go to his box to get-some ck
in the house, and then went away he got no money to witness's
knowledge. At about half-pa-t twelve or one o'clock he returned,
and witness went fora peace officer ;he found Presto, and brought
him. When he and the deceased entered the warehouse, Rhodes
was up in Mr. Hide counting-house. Presto went and looked
in, and said, " IVhat you have got a pistol, have you ?" or words to
that elect. Rhodes answered, " yes I have : and I have got ano-
ther." Presto then stepped back a yard or two, and observed, " he
has got pistols, but I'll come round him just now." After waiting
for about a minute, or !lenity so long, he rushed into the counting-
house, aced struck Rhodes on the legs with a stick. At this instant
the pistol went off, and Presto dropped dead. He never stirred
after: he did not groaii' or even sigh : lie was shot quite dead.
Rhodes was then seemed. Witness was instantly sent fur a sur-
geon. and saw no more.
The witness was then asked what lie knew of Rhodes before this
happened. He said, that Rhodes had been clerk to his eerie for
about seven yews. about two years ago, something happened, and
Rhodes wrote several threatening letters. On being asked by the
Coroner, did he know of his own knowledge, that Rhode. had
written. threatening letters? hi answered, No ; he had heard so.
This part of his evidence was expunged. Ile never- knew where
Rhodes had been for the last vest.; it. was kept a secret.
Question by a juryman, " DII you think Rhodes a man of de-
ranged mind?' " No ; I never did : he was snaky ; he ►.? tiled the
petty cash every week ; I did not know lie was in St. Luke's."
Mr. James diaries said he was clerk and warehou-eman to the
Messrs. Haigh. The boy belonging to the premises came to his
private house at aboitt seven o'clock on Monday morning, and told
him Mr. Thomas Rhodes was there. Ile was astonished, and took
time to consider what he should do, and thought he had better set
otl iustaa:'y to St. Luke's, and Wing some one to secure him, which
be did ; but when they cgme, he was gone. Thiel witness was a
contidt ntial servant of the Messrs. Haigh, and he knew Rhodes had
been confined. Witness said, Rhodes had been sent to St. Luke's
to keep him from doing arise:Ail.
" He was sent there because he was insane?" —Witness did
not think him insane : he repeated, " the fact was, he was sent
there to keep him from doing mischief." " What do you mean by
mischief?" " Ile had written letters, and threatened Mr. Haigh's
lite." Mr. Haigh ordered him to St. Luke's. Rhodes returned to
Aldermattbury at about one o'clock, or before ; when lie came they
shook hands. Rhodes looked at some pieces of prints, and observed,
they were the same as when he left them. Rhodes was at fluxion
before lie was sent to St. Luke's. Mr. Haigh called witness away
front the conversation with Rhodes, to consult him what was best
to be done, and it was agreed to send for an officer ; and in bait an
hour Presto came. The men from St. Luke's came before Presto,-
hut they did not like to take Rhodes. Rhodes then got into Mr.
Haigh's counting-house, and pelted out a pistol. The witness de-
scribed the manner in which Presto approached him, and of the
firing off the pisesl, in the same way as the last witness, with the
exception that he did not see Presto sti ike Rhodes over the legs,
or at all. One of the keepers and witness rushed into the count-
ing-hare, and after a hard struggle overcame Rhodes and secured
him. The witness was then pressed as to why RhAes war first sent
to a mad-house at Ifoxton. He said, "it was for ITre safety of them
all that he should be centhied."
Question.—" Did on think hitn insame when he was first sent ?"
—Answer, " No, I did not ; but always thought he possessed Bel-
lingham principles, and that he would kill somebody. Mr. Haigh
hat received several threatening letters front him, and really did
not know what to do with him." Rhodes was of a very milieu dis-
position, positive and very determined, and would carry through
whatever he fixed on. Witness could not bring his mind to think
he was imsatie ; lint thought he was sent to Hoxton because they
did not know what to do with him. Witness was asked if he
could form any idea what was the origin of his malice aeainst Mr.
Haigh : witness answered, he fancied it was because Mr. H. would
not assist him with 40 or 50,0001. Rhodes, he said, had got an idea
into his heal. that lie could make peace for all the world, and ac-
tually had a paper printed by Mr. Handcock. It began, " A young
man, bred and born an Englishman ;" it then quoted a passage from
the hook of Isiah : it.was signed at the bottom, " Thomas Rhodes,
No. 16, Alilesoianbery." Witeess pointed out to Rhodos the ab-
surdity of this paper ; Rhodes immediately acquiesced, and berried
to the printer to have the papers suppreAed; they were suppressed,
and witness toes not believe any of them got into circulation.
This took place about thirteen months ago. Witness was asked
• if he could tell why ai ler what rcasuu Rhodes demanded so large