The Sun.
London, England, 1833-07-05 00:00:00

ROLLS COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

His Honour the Mislee of the ROLLS, after disposing of
about 30 consent cases, proceeded with eauies ill his general
paper, none of which possessed any points of the least public
interest.

The following notice was put up in the Court, by order of
his Honour, to-day :—" The Master of the Rolls will in future
strike out or the Paper every cause in which the title and
prayer shall not have been ddiveral to the Secretary."

VICE-CHANCERY COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

His Honour the VIC-CHANCELLOR Proceeded with curs
to-day, none of which were of any interest to the public. V/

COMMON PLEA S.-(THIS DAY).

cLEca V. LAVFEii.

This was an action brought by the plaintiff td recover a
compensation for injury he has sustained from the publication
of a libel by the defendant, reflecting upon his character and
conduct. The plaintiff and defendant arc merchants at Liver.
pool trading to Africa, and the plaintiff had formerly been in
the employ of the latter, and commanded a ship of his on the
coast of Africa. In ednsequence of some disagreement they
separated, the plaintiff first going intd the service of Messrs.
Horsforn and Tobin of Liverpool, and a year or two after-
wards trading to Africa on his own account. The libels com-
plained of were contained in certain letters written in
1S 0, by the defendant, to four of his own Captains on the coast
of Africa, in which he stigmatised the plaintiff as having all the
mischievous propensities of the monkey, the ignorante of the
ass, and the ingratitude of the hymna combined in his own
person, trusting that if the monster crossed their path they
would convince him that they were men above his level. These
letters (which also gave his captains certain advice touching
his commercial affairs) were sent out in the very ship
the plaintiff Was commanding, which belonged to Messrs.
Horsforn and Tobin. Captain Hall, one of the persons in the
employ of Laffer, having died in Afriea, the letter came into
the possession of Mr. Scott ,the surgeon of the ship, and by him
was shown to the plaintiff. The libel also hinted that the pro-
perty acquired by Captain Clegg in the defendant's service was
dishonestly come by, and that he (Laffer) had knowledge of
certain bodily infirmities of the plaintiff which would prevent
his marrying a young woman to whom he was theft paying his
addresses. The lady in question, however, had since becdme
Mrs. Clegg.
Mr. Sergeant SPANItin (with whom was Mr. Sergeant STE-
VENS) contended that the above facts were not sufficient to sus-
tain an action of libel, for that these were confidential com-
munications from the defendant to his captains, arid riot In-
tended for general circulation. There was no intention at
all of publishing these in that criminal and mischievous
sense, for which a party ought to be responsible.
The Jury (which was a special One) returned a verdict for
the plaintiff—Damages 3001.

OLD BAILEY-(THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.

John Williams, aged 27, described as a shddniaker; was in-
dicted for breaking and entering the dwelling house of Mf.
Algernon Disney, and stealing various articles of wearing
apparel. The prisoner was one of the class of thieves denomi-
nated the "swell mob." He was well dressed, and had a
formidable pair of mustachios.
It appeared that, on the night of the 31st May, the prosecutor
had occasion to I.ave home for a short time, arid On his return
he found his street door open, and a middle door in the pas,
sage, which had been fastened with one of Bramah's patent
leeks, broken to pieces. A pick-lock key was in the street
door lock. Suspecting that thieves were in the house, he
requested Mr. Cohen, a neighbour, to watch the door while
he went for the police, and In a few minutes the
prisoner and another man rushed out of the house, both of
whom Mr. Cohen seized, but one of them succeeded In getting
away. The police having arrived, the prisoner was given into
his custody; and upon examining the house two crow-bars,
called " Jemmies," a phosphorus box, and a dark lantern,
were found. Several drawers and boxes had been broken open,
and their contents piled up in two parcels on the floor 1 so that,
no doubt, the thieves had been disturbed. The prosecutOr
missed only three spencers, and a few small articles, which
were probably carried off' by the prisoner's companion.
The jury found him Guilty. It was stated that he had been
several times in the House of Correction, on charges of felony.
Catherine Weeks was charged by the coroner's inquisition,
with the wilful murder of her female bastard child.

Joseph Burgess stated, that he resided in Glassons-place, St.
Giles's, and was the parish apothecary. On Monday, June 24,
he was called by the parish beadle to see a female child. It
was in the possession of the beadle in the dead.house of the
workhouse. It appeared to him not to have been born many
hours, and it was a fine, healthy, well-formed, grown child.
When he examined it he found the naval string twisted three
times about its neck. The face was very much swollen, and
had a very dark livid appearance. His impression was, that
the child had breathed, but had been strangled by the naval
string. He examined it minutely externally, but found no
marks of violence about the body. The lungs were taken out,
and they floated on the water, and showed the child had
breathed. The lungs appeared very healthy. It frequently
happened that the naval string got round the neck in the birth.
It was separated, but that was not uncommon. There was
nothing to show that the child had come by its death by other
than natural means. The child might possibly have met its
death accidentally in the birth.
Mr, Justice GASELEE said there was then an end of this case,
unless there was any thing in the other depositions to support
the charge of murder.--(On looking over the depositions, his
Lordship ordered other witnesses to be called.)

Cole, the beadle, said that before the Coroner he was directed
by the parish authorities to keep the prisoner, in the weak
state she was in, as long as possible in the workhouse. He,
however, took her the same evening to prison, as the governor
of the workhouse said he could not make a prison of that house.
Marian Allen, a widow, stated that on the :nth June the
prisoner told the surgeon that the child was accidentally born in
the privy on the 20th, and that as there were no signs of life
she was frightened, and she took it up stairs and put it in a box
until the following Sunday, when she went and deposited it in
a privy, where it was found.

Cross-examined by Mr. CLARKSON—This was on Friday
last, and she was then very weak. Mr. Burgess, the doctor,
and witne,s, told her she need not answer any questions ; but
they had asked her questions before that caution. She said
she was not aware that she was going to have a birth ; believed
it was prisoner's first child. Had known several instances of
involuntary and accidental births, where it has been the first
child.

Elizabeth Dodson stated that she had known the prisoner
ten years. Last Monday week, the 24th June, she went to
her privy, and found the deceased child there. She sent to the
workhouse, and the beadle came and took it away. The
privy was close to witness's kitchen, and as the outer door
was generally open, those who knew the way might go there.
The prisoner knew the way, and witness had seen her go there
on the Sunday preceding. Had not seen her for a year and a
half before, so that she had no opportunity of seeing her in the
fa:any way.

Cross-examined--Prisoner had always borne the character
of an inoffensive, mild person.
His LORDSIIIP said the cnarge now was concealing the child,
and asked what she had to say in her defence.
The prisoner merely said that it happened accidentally.
His Lonnsnie ordered Rosina Gordon to be called. She
stated that she was the prisoner's sister. Did :lot know of her
being with child. Witness had baby clothes in her house, and
the prisoner knew it. On Friday last she told witness she had
taken some of those clothes, and ,vitness found that she had.
Mr. Robert Drake examined for the prisoner—Was a furrier
in Piccadilly. Had known prisoner, who was his forewoman.
Knew her ten years. He always entertained the highest opi-
nion of her humanity.
By his LORDS/lir—Did not believe she had ever had a child
before.

By Mr. CLARKSON— If the Court should deal mercifully with
her, 1, would find her employment again.

Mir. Barclay, a furrier, in Regent-street, had known pri-
soner ten years, of which she had been in his employ seven
years. He gave her an excellent character for humanity and
kindness of disposition.
Several other witnesses gave her a similar character.

His LORDSHIP, addressing the Jury, said, the prisoner was
not under an indictment, for the Grand Jury had thrown out
the bill; she was therefore now charged by the coroner's in-
quisition. He was of opinion that there was no foundation
for the charge of wilful murder, but by the last statute on this
subject, a party might be found guilty of concealment, and
liable to be imprisoned for any time not exceeding two years.
It would therefore be a question, whether the prisoner had
concealed the birth of the child. Now it did appear that the
birth might have been accidental; and although she had not told
any one in what state she was, yet she was provided with baby
clothes. In considering the case, if there were any doubt, the
Jury should take into consideration the very excellent character
she had previously borne.
The Jury found her Not Guilty of the murder, but Guilty
of concealing the birth of the child, at the same time strongly
recommending her to mercy.
Mr. Justice GASELEE said the recommendation should re-
ceive every attention.

Thomas S./ore, aged 23, a soldier, was indicted for maliciously
stabbing Charlotte Andrews, with intent to murder her, or to do
her some grievous bodily harm.
The prosecutrix stated, that on the 3d of June, at 11 o'clock,
she was in Mari, Wood's room in Pye-street, Westminster.
She was shellinglome
peas for supper. Two soldiers tried to
come into the room, but she shut the door, telling them there
was no room for soldiers. One of the soldiers took the key
out of the door, and Mary Wood went out after them and asked
them for her key. They said they had not got it. Witness
then went out and asked for it, but they said they had not got
it. Mary Wood then threatened to give them in charge to the
police, and said she would follow them. One of them (the
prisoner) said be would knock her down if she followed them.
She said she would, and he took some thing from behind his
coat and struck at her, but missed her and hit the door. Wit-
ness did not see what it was he hit at her with. He then hit
witness with it on the left side of her head. Witness then
said she would follow him and give him in charge for striking
her. He then struck at her again, and in trying to save her-
self she received a cut in her hand, but could not see what he
struck her with. It was a pointed instrument, and went into
her thumb. Witness followed him, and met two policemen, who,
however, refused to take him, her head .nd hand were bleed-

ing, and she then followed him to the Broadway, where ate
met a corporal, who took him into custody. At the watcl
house witness saw the prisoner's baytineti and she was confi-
dent that the prisoner had struck her with it. The same night
she was taken to Mr. Davis, a surgeon, and was prevents.
from going gliottt her business, in consequence of the wour,'
in her head, for nflif dap':
Cross-examined by the pfisatelever saw you before, hut
knew it was you who struck me. I did n'Of dMke you. Shoule
not know the other soldier, who was very Oef. my liveli-
hood by selling fruit in the streets.
Mary Wood stated that she saw the prisoner draw his bayts.
net, and dab at her With it; but it struck the wall. She a!so
saw him strike the P'itesecuirik on (be left side of the head with
the bayonet. Witness was frightened and ran into her room,
and did not see the secofid blow infticted on the prosecutrix.
Witness afterwards saw him in the cMitody of the corporal.

• Another witness identified the prisoner, as having struck the
prosecutrix with the bayonet.
Mr. Davis stated that he dressed the prosecutrix's wound
in the head. A point of fey'roe instrument had pene-
trated through the integuments. TYe wound was an inch
long. It had gone to the bone, but the seatti was not laid
bare; the instrument had touched the bone. It could-
not have been made 14' the butt-end of the bayonet, but by
the sharp end. It was not a dangerous wound. A wound in.
dieted on that part of the head might have penetrated the
skull, and then it would have been attended with dangerous
consequences. There was a cut on the prosecutrirs hand
which must have been cut Wlth the sharp edge of the bayonet.
David Smith. Corporal in the Coldstream Guards, in which
the prisoner was a private, stated, that Ott the night of the 3d
June he was in the Broadway, Westminster, whett he saw the
prosecutrix, who gave the prisoner into his custody. The
prisoner had a drawn bayonet it! his hand. He delivered the
prisdncr in custody at the Station-haw, The prisoner was
intoxicated. Witness produced the bayonet.
The prisoner said, at he and his companion were going past
the girl's door, which they found open, they looked in, and
asked if she was engaged. She that the cloy:, and he
then walked away ; but she and the other girl
ran after theM, and alarmed them. The prosecutrix
struck him a severe blew, and was assisted by a man,
who, he believed, was her bully. A crowd was raised, and he
was severely handled, and in the scuffle he was obliged to de-
fend himself as he best could. He added, that in the neigh-
bourhood of Py&street, where the lowest characters lived,
there was a strong feeling against the soldiers.

The Corporal was recalled, and examined by the Jury.
He said he saw the prisoner in the midst of a crowd with his
bayonet, grid threatening to stab every one whet Came near him.
The prisoner bore a bad character in the regiment.
Mr. Justice J. PARE summed up the evidence, and JIM
down the law as applicable to Cases of this description. He
said the Jury would consider whether the intention of the pri-
soner was to give a mere blow, or whether be intended to kill
her, or do her sense grievous bodily harm; and under such
circumstances (without receiving that provocation then the
death would have been manslaughter) as that, if death had
ensued, it would have been murder.
The Jury asked if they could find the prisoner guilty of any
miner Offenee ?

His Lollllsiili Mid they could not upon this charge ; if they
found him not guilty oti this capital felony, he could be indicted
for a common assault.

The Jury then acquitted the prisoner.
Akliard Goulee, aged 30, was indicted for breaking and en-
tering the dWellingzhouse of Saul Levy, and stealing a great
quantity of jewellery. . .

Saul Levy stated, that he i,;ids a jeweller, and lived in
the Commercial-road, Stepney. On Saturday, the 15th of
June, be left home to go to the synagogue. About three
o'clock a policemen came to him, with a friend of his, and
shoWed him some prdptrty which he recognised as his. There
was a great number of gold arid silver articles. He then went
home and missed his property. His shop had been entered by
the windows having been broken open, and the property which
had been shown to him by the policeman, taken away.
Edward Self, a traveller to a wholanle house, stated that on
the 15th of June he was near the prosecutor's house, and saw
three suspicious looking men on the opposite side of the w.iy.
The prisoner was one of them: He passed them, and, on
turning round, he sat' the prisoner cross the road, and go to
the side private door of the preiseetrtdr'S hotße suspecting
their designs, he procured two policemen; and infotrned them
what his suspicions were; when they got beck nearly opposite
the prosecutor's house, witness went into the shOp by Mr. Arm-
strong ; in a feW minutes they saw the prisoner come out of the
prosecutor's shop door. The policeman went across and as:
cured the prisoner and took him batlt to the prosecutor's house.
The private door was opened by the servant girl, who slam-
med the door to as if frightened. The prisoner was then taken
into the prosecutor's shop, and found on him five skeleton keys
and one picklock, besides a large quantity of jewellery.
John Easterble, a policeman, took the prisoner into
custody, as stated by the last witness. The witness pro.
duced the property found on the prisoner. His hat was
half full of silver boxes, gold brooches, necklaces,
and other articles. There was a slim *llk-Jug, seven negli-
gees, two large silver table spoons, '2O scent boxes, '2B brooches,
seven necklaces, eight silver caddy spoons, &c. There were
also some skeleton keys and a picklock. One of the keys
opened the private door as well as the shop door, and another
opened the parlour door. The prosecutor identified the pro-
perty as his. The value was 641.

The Jury found the prisoner Guilty.
Michael Healey was indicted for stealing four seals, a key,
and ring, the property of Mr. Wm. Brook.
The prosecutor was a hardwareman and jeweller, in Tuthill.
street, Westminster. As Mr. Green, surgeon, was passing
near Mr. Brooks's shop he hEard a crash, and looking round
be saw the prisoner's hand in a broken pane of glass in the pro-
secutor's shop window. Mr. Green seized his hand, and found
it bloody, having been cut with the broken glass. In his hand
were four gold seals, a key, and ring. The prisoner, who was
intoxicated, said he had done it to get transported.
The prisoner was found Guilty.

NEW COURT.
(Before Mr. Sergeant ARABIN )

James reevellian, a young urchin only 7 years of age, whose
head hardly reached above the bar, was indicted for stealing
on the 23d of June from the person of Ann Robinson, an
infant, a necklace value 3s. The case failed against the pri-
soner in consequence of the principal witness, Sarah Robinson,
a child nine years of age, stating that she did not think the
prisoner at the bar was the person who took the necklace.

Mr. Wontner stated that he understood the prisoner was a
very bad boy, and requested that Mr. Alderman Kelly would
endeavour to get him in the refuge. This the worthy Alder.
man said he would do.

The father of the boy here stepped forward, refusing to part
with the child.

The Jury stated that they had very little doubt that
the prisoner had committed the theft, and cautioned
the father to mind what he was about, as they
understood that he encouraged him in his thieving propensities.
The father strenuously denied this, and still persevered in hav-
ing his child.

Mary Thomas and Mary Smith, two ill-looking women,
were indicted for staling from the person of Samuel Farring-
ton, a native of Stafibrdshire, twelve sovereigns. It appeared
from the statments of the prosecutor, that on arriving from
the country, he fell in with the prisoner Smith, whom he
treated to some gin at a public-housc in the neighbourhood of
Gcswell-street, who persuaded him to accompany her to the
house of the other prisoner, where he was robly.,d of his
money. The jury found both prisoners Guilty.
Mr. Sergeat ARABIN refited to allow the prosecutor his ex-
penses, who said he hoped the case would not get in the papers.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.-(THIS DAY.)

John South and William Grceu were convicted of stealing a
pair of boots, the property of John Thomas. A certificate was
put in to prove that Green had been convicted of felony at the
Old Bailey, and sentenced to imprisonment, and to be
whipped; whereupon the Chairman sentenced him to seven
years' transportation ; and ordered South to be kept to hard
labour for six calendar months.

James George was convicted of assaulting Mary Andrews,
in the Edgeware-road. The prosecutrix was in an advanced
state of pregnancy at the time, and the defendant and two
other men wantonly pushed her into the road, and otherwise
ill-treated her.—Verdict, Guilty.
The COURT sentenced him to pay a fine of 101, with liberty
to speak to the prosecutrix.

THE ARMY.