The National Register.
London, England, 1811-09-01 00:00:00

A -
.546

He had not however relinquished his designs on the complai
nant, for on the Ilth of December, he sent for Mr. William
West. a brother of Mrs. S. and of Mrs. Kitson, to come to his
house.
On this occasion, Mrs. S. in the presence and hearing of the .
defendant, asked her brother, if he did not recollect the com-
plainant coming there (Mr. Wrn. West's house) one evening to
see her sister, who happened to be out; and if he did not recol-
lect also, that she (Mrs. S.) had told him that Mr. Kitson had
behaved rudely to her. Mr. Wm. West having answered that
be recollected Mr. Kitson coming, but not Mrs. S.'s complaint,
the defendant expressed his surprise that he should not remem-
ber so extraordinary a circumstance, and asked him if he had
nor observed something singular io the behaviour of Mrs. Ster-
ling and the complainant towards each other on the evening of
the 6th December, when 'the defendant and his wife were on a
at the complainant's house. Mr. West denied this ton, but
with a view to prevent the destruction of the peace of the
family, was prevailed on to recommend to Mr. Kitson to send
a written apology in the following terms
Deaa &TPA LIN G—T had left my
.home this morning under a
full idea of paying you my respects in person. Rut having been
disappointed by the non-attendance of my gorewalla, I take the
liberty of forwarding you a few lines and requesting your answer
of the same.
I have now to acknowledge that whatever I have done or said
or given you the least uneasiness, it was not from any bad inten-
tion or motive, as God is my judge, and have to ask yours and
Mrs. Sterling's forgiveness of the same, which I do most solemn-
ly ask yours and Mrs. Sterling's pardon; your answer I shall
wait with much impatience. Your's, &c.
R. S. K ITSON.
Such an apology as this, however, was not what the defend-
ant required, notwithstanding his professions to Mr. West on
this subject. It was his object to terrify' and persecute the com-
plainant into some speciho acknowledgment under his own
ha id. We accordingly find Captain S. on the same day on
which he recei-eed the above !eats- from Mr. Kitson, returning
the following nate in answer :
Sia—ln reply to your's of this morning, I have to inform
you, that it is not my wish to see you at my quarters any more.
. A hull and candid acknowledgment of all the faults is what, I
desnanded, and nothing short of it will satisfy me, whenever
you are to acknowledge the time, place, &c. and the liberties
that were taken; I am already in possession of the facts in writ-
ing from other quarters: on your candour alone depend! my pro-
ceedings. You had therefore much better shopten the unhappi-
ness of all parties. It is far from my principles to wish for the
destruction of any man, or his family. Put your hope in God's,
forgiveness, and rely on my generosity. I am, &c.
Tuesday, r2th December. J. STERLING.
Return this letter with your immediate answer.
The defendant did not suffer his brother-in-law to remain
long unmolested after this. On the next day (the .13th), Mrs. S.
se• t the following lett,r to Mr. Kitson
it—l take the opportunity of informing you, that unless you
a Tree to Capt. S—'s pwoposals, and give him an immediate
and satisfactory answer when he calls at the bunder to-day, it
is his determination to lay' the whole affair before the Recorder's
Court, which will not only bring disgrace on me, and our fa-
mily, but be your ruin—do therefore, for God's sake, settle
matters with him at once, and release the from misery. Return
this note immediately per bearer, as I am under a promise to my
husband not to correspond or have any thing whatever to say to
you in future. I am, &cc. AMY STERLING.
Mr. Kitson upon this called upon his solicitor, Mr. Sandwich,
and informed him of the unfounded charge Captain S. had
made It..ainst him, and of his threats to proceed at law against
him. :Mr. Sandwich told him not to be alarmed, that Captain
S. in his opinion, never would venture to proceed against him,
but told, him to be on his guard, as he suspected it was his de-
sign to extort money from lum. Mr. Kitson then proceeded to
Mr. West's, where he had not l:en long before the defendant
came.
- After some conversation the defendant asked Mr. Kitson to
go ss Ws bins to the bunder; the complainant at first hesitated,
and refused, not willing again t 4 expose himself to such an in-
terview as had occurred on the 7th, and being more particularly
averse to such a meeting after what had passed between him
and his solicitor. He at length, however, consented to go.
On arriving at his rooms, the defendant ordered the door to be
shut, and then, by putting Kitson in fear and terror, induced
him to sign for 0,000 rupees, and also the following declare-
-el m).
Bombay, I.3th December, 1800.
(W 4 do swear, and as I shall answer to God at the Day
of iuditment, that I will not at any time or on any account wbat'
over declare or dfscover to any person or persons the Whiskey
and connexion that took place between me and Amy West

y • •Nb . • •11
• TIIE NATIONAL RFGISTE-R•

.1!!!!.. 7 ^ 7•••• '77.;

•
Sterling, nor any of the circumstances connected with the ar-
rangement which has taken place.,
Witness, R. S. KITSON.
Jaindon Petlagee, P.
•
These Papers the defendant insisted on the complainant.signe
ing immediately. At this time the complainants agitation was
so great that he at first signed his name in the place where the
witnesses usually sign theirs.
Such are the circumstances under 'which the complainant
charges the bond. to haVe been executed.
On the other hand the defendant alleged in his answer that the
execution was altogether voluntary on the part of the complain-
ant, and that it was done in pursuance of his own previous pro-
mise to secure some provision. for the defendant's wife, in case a
separation should hereafter take place between her and Captain
Sterling, in consequence of the criminal intercourse between the
complainant and Mrs. Sterlirg, which the defendant charged
was confessed and acknowledged by the complainant himself to
have taken place.
The defendant, in his answer, attempted to support the alle-
gation of a criminal intercourse, by the production of a corres-
pondence whith had. taken place between himself and Mrs.
Sterling. This correspondence consisted of two of the most
extraordinary letters that ever were written. They were as
follow :-=- .
My DEAR AMY.--It appears to ere that you feel yourself auk-
wardly situated when in company with Mr. Kitson. Pray Amy
what reason can you give your husband for so extraordinary a
kind of conduct towards your brother'-in-law. I have observed a
something of the same descripton in his conduct towards you,
all of which bespeaks a reserve at present unaccounted for; this
being the case, and my sole object that of laying a foundation for
our welfare and future happiness, I conjure you in the most so-
lemn manner not to hesitate ofie moment in making me acquaint-
ed with the original cause for such conduct, it being impossible
for me to feel happy while so situated. Amy, nothing is further
front my thoughts than that of treating you with unkindness or a
want of attention, and sorry am Ito say that I suspect from my
own feelings for sonic days past that it has made my conduct ap-
pear to you as bordering on both. This letter will now explain to
my dear Amy the cause thereof, and I sincerely hope w 11 nst
only draw such a candid explanation from you as to reconcne my
feelings, but also that forgiveness for my past conduct which
your generous breast may consider requisite. Be therefore aware
that what you write inc in reply to. this is founded in truth : I am
not to be trifled with, nor is it my wish to know more than
the facts; on these alone depends the point of view in which
I am to look on this dubious affair, let what you w rite be
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help
you God, and renounce the Devil and all his works ; fur in the
event of its proving hereafter to be the contrary . I am determined
never to see you more. Let me, therefore, again conjure you
to be candid with me on this occasion, and you know how dearly
I love you, put your confidence in the Almighty's forgiveness for
all your sins, and rely on tny generosity towards you.
Atny, my Dear, you have it in your power, perhaps for the
last time, to make us both continue happy, by a fair acknow-
ledgment of the original cause of your reserved conduct towards
Mr. Kitson : do not, therefore, make a sacrifice, in your power
to avoid it by telling the truth ; I want to hear nothing from
ou but what is right, and what you tan swear to, and let no-
thing tempt von to the contrary. Put your hopes in God : I
have promised to forgive and pardon your past misconduct ; you
have, tliernfore, nothing to fear from me, but. you cannot expkt
the Almighty's forgiveness if you tell a lie. i: Al be with you ;
may he grant you his aid :aid as• limn/ e on all o:easions, is the sin-
cere wish. Y our most affeati nt: at e 1, ashand ,
Dec. 5, 1809. JOAN STERLING.
. MY DEAR STFALING—In answer to your harsh letter of this
day, I have to inform you, that the reason I felt so awkward
1 when in company with Mr. R. S. !citron, aril inatts with his
having taken very improper liberties, and behaved in a very rude
manner to me in the trout varatula of my brother's house at BY-
culla, which was as follows :—Nlr. Kitson, who was under pro-
mise of marriage to my sister Mary, came to Byculia one evening
between four and six months ago, as nearly as I can recollect.
Finding th my sister was gone to town on a visit, he requested
me to go
and sit with him in the front varanda, adding, that
he had some good news to communicate to me. After being
seated a short time, he commenced, telling me that Capt. Ster-
ling, whom I had once before se, n at his garden, intended to
pay his, addresses to me. Capt. Sterling being a person for whom
I had formed a great regard from the first moment I was in. his
company, and not conceiving that'my intended brother-in-4w
. would.think of behaving rude to me, I listened to his story with
gteat attention, and was so overjoyed to.find, that the very per-
son for whom! unknowingly bore a great attachment, intended
tb gay his addresses to me, that I was quite overjoyed. This be-
ing observed by Mr. Kitson, and .00 person or light being in the
d varanda, he seized me round the waist * ' ' e * *