The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-03 00:00:00

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HUNT'S CONFESSION.

The following Confession was made by Hunt
to Mr. lIARm 13:R, his Solicitor, previous to his
Trial, for the reasons he assigns in the commence-
ment ; and a Copy of it, signed by the Prisoner,
has been since deposited at the Office of the Se-
cretary of State :

As the issue of the present Prosecution is extremely uncer-
tain, and as the consequences to me are very likely to termi-
nate fatally, I feel it a duty which I owe to society to make a
full and true confession of all the circumstances attending the
melancholy death of Mr. Weare, and also of my acquaintance
with, and knowledge of, the parties implicated in his murder.
I am anxious to perform this duty previous to the termination
of the trial, in order that if I should be doomed to suffer, my
mind after conviction, may be composed, and that I may not
be interrupted by any importunities or applications for con-
fessions, or other worldly considerations, but that I may be
able to employ the whole time allowed me in' this world to my
devotions, and my endeavours to make atonement to the Al-
mighty for my crime. I do, therefore, now make this true and
honest confession, and desire that it may be considered as my
solemn dying declaration.
About three years ago, when I kept the Army and Navy
Coffee-house, in St. Martin's-lane, I first became acquainted
with William Probert; I bad seen him before in company with
Mr. Noyes, his brother-in-law, at the house of my wife's sister,
Mrs. Mountain ; but I did not then know who he was. While
Coffee
euslitommsfetir wine, and
called wasle d keepingo n Mr. Noyes
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severalthe Armytiin times
solicit Navy
I was at last induced to give him an order for Port and Sherry
to the amount of 10 or 12 Pounds. A few days after this order
was executed, Noyes brought Probert to my house, and in-
troduced him to me as his wife's brother. After being three
months in business, I found the house did not answer my ex.
pectations; the rent and taxes were so high, that I was unable
to pay my way and keep up my credit; and besides, I had
given a warrant of attorney to Richard Thomas, from whom I
had taken the house, for nearly 8001. to be paid by monthly in-
stalments. These payments not being kept up, the warrant of
attorney was put in force, and I was obliged to surrender to the
Fleet Prison, where I was confined for seven months, and then
took the benefit of the insolvent Act.
When I got my liberty I went to reside at Paddington, near
my mother's, and on the scanty. assistance she could afford me
I was obliged to depend for my subsistence. About six months
after this I. removed to Latnbeth, and set up the business of a
blacking-maker; and while there I frequented a public-house
near the Horse Guards, called the Suttling House, kept by one
Mr. Childs, where I often met with Wm. Probert and Thos.
Noyes. Probert always treated me with great kindness, and
used to observe'how happy he should be if I could get into the
public line, so that he could afford ine some assistance.
On the day that Thomas Thurtell's trial took place against
the Fire-Office, I called by chance at the sign of the Mitre and
Dove, the corner of King-street, Westminster, kept by Wm.
Hall, whom I well knew. While I was there a gentleman, who
said his name was Leach, entered into conversation with me,
and said that although he was unknown to me he had often
been in my company and heard
me sing a very excellent song.
During our conversation a Mr. Ensor, whom I had seen at
Mr. Bent's, a publican, at Stangate, one of whose daughters
he was paying his addresses to, came in, and said to Leach—
s. It is time for us to go into Court;" and after asking me how I
was, he said they were subpoenaed on the trial of a friend of
theirs, named Thurtell, who kept the sign of the Cock, in the
Haymarket, and if I was not engaged, I might as well go into
Court with them, and join their party at theelinner, which was
provided after the trial was over. I accepted the invitation, and
a verdict being given for Thurtell, all the party, very much de-
lighted, proceeded to the Cock, in the Haymarket, to dine.
While we were at dinner Mr. Probert entered the room, and
taking a seat next to use, shook use by the hand, and expressed
his surprise at seeing me there, as well as the pleasure he
should have in hearing me sing. I stopped till eleven o'clock,
and then went away without taking leave of the party.
In about a week after 1 met Probert accidentally at the west
end of the town, and he introduced me to Tetsalls, where, by
his request, I sung several songs; and at parting, he in-
vited me to meet him the next morning at the Cock, saying, lie
could be of service to use. I went accordingly, was introduced
by Probert to John and Thomas Thurtell, and stopped to dine
with them, but nothing particular passed. As Probert omitted
to explain in what way he could serve me, I went the next day
to the Cock, and was invited up stairs by John Thurtell,
where I found Probert; and,_ they pressed me to dine with
them, which I did ; and afterwards Probert asked me to walk
over the water with him, saying, he wanted to speak to
me on particular business. I agreed to go with him, and,
on our way, Probert said to me—" Hunt, I will tell you
something in confidence, but I beg of you never to divulge it,
as I am the only person Thurtell has made acquainted with
what I am about to tell you." I promised secrecy ; and he
then said " You know Thurtell has obtained a verdict against
the County Fire Office for nearly 2,0001. s and as that verdict
will make his own and his brother's credit stand well, they in-
tend to avail themselves of it, to get whatever goods they can
with acceptances, then sell them, and put the money into their
pockets, together with the money from the Fire Office.—
Thomas Thurtell will then become a bankrupt, and work his
way through the Commission as well as he can. Now if you
will consent to take some of their acceptances, go with them
to different tradespeople, and purchase articles for the Thur-
tells, you shall be allowed so much in the pound for all the
goods you can obtain." I told Probert that 1 would do what
they desired, but that I did not much understand the business.
From this time I became a very frequent visitor at Thur-
tell's : Prohert and Noyes were almost constantly there, and
no uharge was made for whatever I had to eat or drink. In
about a fortnight after Probert first mentioned Thurtell's af-
fairs to me ; he called use into a private room to Thomas
Thurtell, told him he had made me acquainted with what
was intended, and that as he had known me for some time,
Thurtell need be under no apprehension of danger. T. Thur.
tell then said—" Mr. Hunt, I will satisfy you for any goods
you send here, and for which my bill is taken ; and if you can
get my acceptance discounted, you shall have a share." This
occurred about the beginning Of September, and both of them
said that no time was to be lost in getting whatever they could,
as he, Thurtell, would have to go into the Gazette soon after
the November term commenced. Another fortnight elapsed
without any thing being done, and then Probert Hunt
your appearance is very shabby, I will get Thurtell tcegive you
his acceptance payable at his bankers, in Pall-Mall, where he
keeps an account, and no tailor will refuse to take such a bill
for a suit of clothes." He afterwards gave me a bill for WI. 10s.