The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-17 00:00:00

I saw Mr. Willis, who was managing clerk to Messrs. Meux,
Reid, and Co. Lucas was at the door of the Magistrates' room.
I was there near an hour and a half before any thing passed
between us.
The witness was about to relate what had passed' between
himself and Mr. Lucas, when
Mr. GURNEY objected, that as this was conversation be-
tween third persons, totally unconnected with the defendants, it
would not be admitted.
Mr. SCARLETT contended that it was admissible, as the wit-
ness was about to say what Lucas had told him respecting the
conduct of the Magistrates.
The CHIEF JUSTICE was of opinion that the evidence was
inadmissible.
The witness proceeded. Dell's license was refused in 1816,
and restored in 1817. He had kept the Hat and Feathers, in
Wilderness Row. His brewers were Meux, Reid, and Com-
pany.—Mr. Willis was there at the time. Mr. Wigram, a
partner in the house of Meux, and Company was there also. He
wrote his name on a card, and sent it into the room to the Magis-
trates. Sir Nathaniel Conant came out, and he and Mr. Wig-
ram went into another room. Mr. Dell afterwards had his
license restored. He had scarcely any tap-room at all. He had
two doors to hi, house when his license was renewed. The
Queen's Head is about ten or twelve yards from my house.—
That has got two doors, and their license has never been taken
away. Their brewers are Meux, Reid, and Company. There
are two doors at the Coach and Horses public-house, and the
Jerusalem Coffee-house. Ten butts of beer is considered as a
large quantity of beer to sell in a month. Twenty pounds for
spirits is a small account for a public-house to sell in the month.
Cotterell lives within 500 yards of my house.
The petitions made by the witness were now put in, and
read by Mr. ABBOTT. They were signed by all the inhabitants
in the street. The substance of them was a statement of the
regularity and propriety with which the prosecutor conducted
his house.
Cross-examined by the SOLICITOR GENERAL—I settled my
account with Meux and Company in 1815. I can't swear that
I had any beer after July from them. The first dealing that
I had with Messrs. Barclay and Company was in 1815. A
man named Stallis, served in the tap-room before Lawless
came. There was a passage separating the tap-room from
the gin-shop. There was a counter in the gin-shop. There was
a door communicating with the passage and the street. There
was a door on the right leading to the gin-shop, and on the left
leading to the tap-room. The whole profit on a but of beer is
somewhere about 21. At the time that I spoke to Sir Nathaniel
Conant, at the Freemasons' Tavern, he was busy licensing pub-
lic houses of another district. The Magistrates said they were
perfectly satisfied with my character. In 1817, I believe
that neither Doctor Owen nor Hr. Wicks was present at the
meeting. Dr. Owen was there in 1819. Messrs. Williams
and Goddard are now my solicitors. I never knew of any such
body as the Society of Publicans. There was a Committee
appointed by the Publicans since the last trial; and Messrs.
Henderson and Smith are their solicitors; I keep the Coach
and Horses public-house in Holborn ; I also kept the Queen's
Head public-house in Chandos-street for 14 months. I have
received a subscription since the last trial, on account of my
expences, to the amount of 4 or 500/. ; before the prosecution
was commenced I received 501. The subscription is now going
on. I don't recollect that I said I had received the 50/. when
fittaa orittnined at the last trial.
Re-examined by Mr. SCARLETT —There is a similar gin-
shop in every public house ; persons might have either gin or
beer there. The summer of 1815 was the last time I had any
beer froth Meux, Reid and Co. On the 28th of September 1
had a final settlement with them, both for the beer account and
money borrowed. The sum I had borrowed was 4001. I bor-
rowed that sum from Barclay and Co. to pay Meux and Co.
Thomas Hill—l was high constable of the Finsbury Division
in 1816; it was part of my duty to superintend the conduct of
the public houses in that division, and report them to the Ma-
gistrates, if I saw any thing improper. Mr. Meek's house was
always conducted with the greatest propriety. I remember the
house a great many years. Mrs. Meek was there about two
years. I recollect the house as a public house these 30 years.
and I don't know any house more calculated for the convenience
of its customers. I reported this public house to the Magis-
trates in 1816, but I made no complaint of it. I attended the
Magistrates on the 3d of September. William Clark, the con-
stable, came before the Magistrates, and said it was fitted up
for a spirit shop. I said I had no complaint against the house.
His license was afterwards suspended. I accompanied Mr. Sellon
and Mr. Cotterell to Mr. Meek's house, and they expressed
themselves perfectly satisfied with it. They did not desire him
to stop up one of the doors. At the meeting of the Magistrates,
as soon as Sir Nathaniel Conant entered, Mr. Meek was de-
sired to witharatw. When he entered, he asked if the license
of the Green. Alan had heen passed, and if it had not he had
something to say of it. Mr. Richards was desired then to lay
the license aside. There was no discussion concerning the
license before Sir Nathaniel Conant came in. Sir Nathaniel
Conant, Dr. Gaskin, and Mr. Mills voted against, and Mr.
Cotterell and Mi. Sellon for the license.
Cross-examined by Mr. GURNEY.--I had occasionally bor-
rowed money from the publicans. There are about 20 public-
houses in the space of about 150 yards in that neighbour-
hood.. Whenever any objection is raised against a license, it
is' usual to refer it to the adjourned day. There were near
forty referred to the adjourned day in 1816. Besides Mr.
Dell's house, there were two other houses whose licenses were
suspended until the adjournment day. The Angel public-
house in Goswell-street was deprived of its license in 1817.
That house was supplied by Messrs. Meux, Reid, and
Company.
Re-examined.—l have complained of several public-houses
to the Magistrates, but their licenses have not always been
taken away.
Thomas Robins.—l was chosen headborough of Clerkenwell
in 1816, and afterwards churchwarden ; I visited Mr. Meek's
house on different occasions, and always found it conducted
with great regularity and decency. I lived close to the house.
His tap-room is a great deal larger than many others. There
was no house in the parish conducted with greater propriety.
When Mr. Meek's license was taken away, I was churchwar-
den.- -211.1 r. 211 ills, Mr. Collins, the chairman, and other Magi-
strates,• were present on that occasion. I went to the Sessions-
house with Mr. Meek. Mr. Collins told me if I had any
thing disrespectful to my of Meek, he would hear me.
George Dell, examined by the COMMON SERJEANT
kept the Hat and Feathers public-house, in Wilderness-row, in
1816; I used to deal with Aleux, Reid, and Co. till near the
month of Sept. I said a short time before the 3d, that I would not
take any more beer, and demanded a settlement. When I paid
the account, I ordered six butts of beer. This was never sent
me. The next year 1 got my license. When I saw Mr. Collins
on the.24th Sept. he said that Mr. Reid was a particular friend
of his, and he was very sorry he could not give me my license in
that year, 1816. 1 used to sell about two or three butts of beer a
month, and more than 100/. worth of spiritous liquors at the bar.
Before the year 1816, there had been several complaints made of
my beer. I told Lucas, that I must cease to deal for beer with
Messrs. Meux, Reid and Co. Between September, 1816, and
September, 1817, 1 had no communication with Lucas or Willis,
except at the Sessions-house ; there was no promise made to me
in 1816 about renewing my license in 1817. I did not make
any arrangement with Lucas about taking my beer from
Messrs. Meux and Co. if I obtained a new license.
Cross-examined by Mr. GURNEY—Several drivers of carts
bought liquors at my shop to carry into the country.
The SOLICITOR-GENE eat, now addressed the Jury for the
defendant, Mr. Collini. He contended, that in a case like this,
it wasnecessary to prove that the defendants had prevented
the prosecutor from obtaining his license, through malicious
and corrupt motives. The question was, not as to his being
deprived of his license merely, but whether the defendant had
deprived him of that license without legitimate cause ? With
regard to the latter, there was an Act of Parliament passed in
the reign of George the Second, by which it was enacted, that
any gin shop keeper having two doors to his house, the one
leading to a shop for the sale of spirituous liquors, and the other
for the sale of beer, might be deprived of Isis license. 'When
the Jury came to consider all the circumstances of the case, and
had heard the evidence that he should adduce of the respect-
ability of Isis client, Mr. Collins, it would be utterly impossible
for them to convict either of the defendants.

Mr. GURNEY, on the part of Mr. Mills, contended that there
had been no real evidence given of any conspiracy on the part
of the defendants. The whole case depended entirely on
prejudice and surmise. Nor was it probable that men like
his client and Mr. Collins should, for the sake of obtaining
some paltry advantage for Messrs. Illeux and Co. deprive the
prosecutor of his license. He therefore hoped, that when he had
called the numerous witnesses then in Court to the honour and
integrity of his client, the Jury would have no hesitation in
acquitting the defendants.
The SoLict TOR-GENERAL now proceeded to call witnesses
to the character of Mr. Collins.
Mr. Baron Garrow, Lord Dungannon, Sir Gilbert Blaine,
the Rev. Dr. Hyslop, Colonel Macdonald, Mr. Const, the
Chairman of the Middlesex Sessions, Samuel Hare, Esq., the
Rev. Wm. Birdwood, Abraham Chanibers, Esq., R. J. Cham-
bers, Esq., Mr. Musgrave, William Mellish, Esq., Colonel
'Wilton, the Rev. William Wilton, John Wilton, Esq: the
Hon. Rev. John Turner, and George Meredith, Esq. all proved
that as far as their experience extended, both in public and pri-
vate life, Mr. Collins could not be surpassed in benevolence,
kindness, honour, and integrity.

Mr. GURNEY now called witnesses to the character of Mr.

Lord Teignmouth Sir James Shaw, Wm. Smith, Esq. M.P.
Charles Grant, Esq. Joseph Butterworth, Esq. John Scott, Esq.
Charles Elliot, Esq. Robert Humphrey Martin, Esq. Robert
Hague, Esq. Mr. Robarts, Alderman Brown, Robert Stevens,
Esq. and Chas. Pellotts, Esq. proved, that the best encomium

they could pass on thecharacter of Mr. Mills, was to equal him
to Mr. Collins.
The LORD CHIEF JusTrcE-having summed up the evidence,
remarked to the Jury, that the point for their consideration
was, whether the defendants had maliciously, and corruptly
deprived the prosecutor of his license. In deciding on this
point, they were to consider the excellent character those
two Gentlemen had received from the numerous and very
respectable witnesses who had' appeared before them. If they,
were really of opinion that the prosecutor had been deprived of
his license through corrupt motives, it was their duty to find
them guilty, but if not, they must acquit them.
The Jury, after about half an hour's consideration, returned
a verdict of—Not Guilty.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, DEC. 16.
POINGDESTRE V. BELL.
This was an action against the underwriter to a policy of in-
surance effected on a cargo of mahogany shipped at Honduras,
on board the ship Robert, for London.
Mr. Sergeant LENS stated the case to the Jury. It would
appear that, in consequence of very bad weather encountered after
leaving Honduras, the Robert was obliged to put into the Ha-
vannah. There the Captain endeavoured to get her repaired ; but
on examination it was found that she was so much damaged that
it would cost more than the value of the cargo. The merchant to
whom the Captain had consigned the vessel,had the ship and cargo
surveyed four times, after these surveys he thought it was best
to sell it, for the benefit of all concerned. The sale of the ma-
hogany produced about three thousand pounds. A great part of
it was damaged by salt water, and would if kept be liable to be
worm eaten. It would have taken six months to repair the
ship, if there were means of doing so. The person to whom
the Captain had consigned had not these means, and therefore
he could not have done any thing else than sell the cargo.—
Under these circumstances, the Learned Serjeant submitted
that his client was entitled to recover for a total loss.
The Captain died at the Havannah, and the mate took the
command. He was now called, and proved these facts. On
his cross examination, he admitted that several vessels were at
Honduras at the time. Two captains refused to bring home
the mahogany. 'Witness came home in the ship of one of
these captains, and brought some of the mahogany with him,
but was obliged to cut some of the pieces to get them down the
hatchway. Witness did not ask all the captains at Honduras
to bring home his cargo.
Three witnesses were called, who proved that part of the
1 mahogany was damaged by the salt-water, and would have be-
come worm-eaten if kept long.
Mr. Sergeant VAUGHAN, for the defendant, contended that
the plaintiff had no claim for more than an average loss;
that the car& had been sold without necessity ; and that
such necessity should be clearly proved before the plaintiff
could recover. It was held by the late Lord Ellenborough,
that a greater blow could not be given to the commerce
of the country, than admitting the principle that captains
could sell cargoes without the strongest case of necessity.__
Nothing but the most urgent necessity could justify a captain
in selling in such cases. He then called two Captains of ships
who were at Havannah at the time of this transaction, who
proved that they would have been glad to have brought the
mahogany to England, but they had not been applied to.
Mr. Justice BURROUGH summed up the evidence, and the
Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for an average loss onb
FIRE IN TIIF, WEST INDIA EXPORT D

'OCK

A fire, the consequences of which might have
been most calamitous, broke out on board the
ship William and Alfred, at one o'clock yester-
day morning.—The vessel had been visited by
the Dock Company's Police, and all fires found
extinguished, on the preceding evening. An ap-
prentice who was on board, and who declares
that he raked out the fire and threw water on it
at seven o'clock in the evening, before going to
bed, was woke about midnight by a suffocating
smoke, and, going aft, found the cabin deck on
frre, about four feet from the stove in which the
fire had been lighted on Sunday ; he gave the
alarm, and the Dock Company's constables and
Waterman came to the spot, and were immediately
joined by the principal Dock Master and all their
resident officers.---This ship was made fast to the
South Quay, where she was lying, and the
vessels on each side of her instantly removed ;
the wind most fortunately blew from the
north, and thus the risk of the fire commu-
nicating to other vessels was obviated. Four
engines belonging to the Company were instantly
brought to bear, and were afterwards aided by
others from London. By extraordinary exertion
the fire on deck was shortly subdued ; but as it
was impossible for any person to go on board, in
consequence of the' smoke, the flames between
decks could not bo got at, and it was deemed
absolutely necessary to scuttle the ship. By this
means the whole was extinguished before day-
light. The arrangements of the Company to
guard against calamities of this kind are, fortu-
nately, very complete, and this is an extraor-
dinary instance of their efficacy. The afterpart
of the ship, and the mizen mast, were entirely
destroyed, and some damage has been done to
the main mast and rigging. The William and
Alfred was bound to Dominica, and fortunately
had no goods on board.
RIVAL WATCHMEN.— The Magistrates of
Marlborough-street Police-Office were occupied
yesterday, for a considerable time, in the inves-
tigation of an affray between the watchmen in
the parishes of St. Ann and St. Giles. The facts
were wholly unimportant, and the case, which
the Magistrates did not determine, was referred
to the Vestries of the respective parishes, but
the evidence exposed a most reprehensible state
of the " Watch and Ward " in that quarter of
the town. It appeared that in the parts
where these parishes join each other, a sort
of border war is maintained by these faith-
ful guardians of the night, and so much
jealousy of each other exists, that in streets
where the two sides are in different parishes,
no assistance will be given, even in the
utmost extremity, by the watchmen who do not
belong to that side where the occasion originates.
It was stated, too, that they are liable to a fine
for leaving their own beat, or parish, under any
circumstances. When the Vestries have inquired
into the particular circumstances of the case,
they will probably review .also the general regu-
lations of the parishes. The public require, in
this district, all the protection possible, and
ought not to have it impeded by quarrels among
the watchmen, or their unwillingness to assist
each other because they receive pay from different
employers.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.—The smack Duke
of Wellington, of Ilfracombe, J. Ley, master, sailed from Pen-
zance on the 3d instant. 'When off Lundy Island, they en-
countered a severe squall of wind, and soon after the master
complained of illness, when the mate, an able seaman belong-
ing to Penzance, named Tomkin, advised him to go below, as-
suring him that he might rest assured every possible care
would be taken of the vessel. With this advice he complied,
and remained below all night, during which the vessel was kept
under easy sail. In the morning he came on deck and said he
was better; when after walking about for a few minutes, he
laid his hands on the rough-trek and said, " Good bye, lam
going," and jumped overboard. The boat was out as speedily
as possible, but before any assistance could be afforded, he
sunk. The mate immediately took the vessel into Newport,
from whence he has written to the friends of the deceased. Mr.
Ley was not a regularly-bred seaman, having been originally a
house carpenter.—( Cornwall Gazette.)
SUDDEN DEAlll.—Saturday evening, as Ste-'
phen Lewis, a watchman of St. Batolph, Aldgate,
was sitting in a chair, at his house in Plough-
court, High-street, Whitechapel, he suddenly
expired. He formerly was a respectable gun-
maker in the Minories.