The Sun.
London, England, 1833-10-29 00:00:00

HATTON-GARDEN.

Yesterday the Rev. Mr. Smith, the preacher, of
Penzance, was charged with having committed n
breach of the peace under the following circum-
stances:— . _

It appeared from the evidence of sergeant Nesbit,
6 E division, that on Sunday afternoon, about half-
past two o'clock, he was passing through Totten-
ham-court-road, when near Whitiield's chapel he saw
a sailor carrying a large placard, announcing that the
Rev. Mr. Smith, of Penzance, was about to hold a
meeting and preach on that spot. A great concourse
of persons had assembled, and a temporary pulpit
was erected, which the Rev. Gentleman ascended,
and commenced by reading a chapter from the New
Testament, and then giving out a psalm, which was
sung by the mob. He then began to pray, and at
three o'clock the carriage-way and foot-pavement
were so blocked up that no one could pass. He
suffered the Rev. Gentleman to proceed thus far,
when he went up to him, and touching him on the
arm, intimated to him that he ought to have selected
a more proper place to preach in, on which the
Rev. Gentleman said he was only acting in accord-
ance with the commands of Jesus Christ, who had
ordered him to preach in the open- air, and that he
was determined to do so. He then informed Mr.
Smith that it would be his duty to take him into
custody if he persisted, and he was ultimately
obliged to put his threat into execution, when the
temporary pulpit was torn down, and, with the
sticks and poles forming its construction, an attack
was made by several of the mob, and the utmost
riot and confusion prevailed, and with much difficulty
the Rev. prisoner, and some of his followers were
taken to the station•house.
Another witness corroborated thii evidence.

Mr. LAING inquired of the defendant what he had
to say ? The Rev. Mr. Smith (in a firm, melan-
choly tone) That I have been most grossly and
infamou•ly treated.
Mr. LAING—The charge against you is for caus-
ing a breach of the peace by preaching in tha public
streets. Mr. Smith--I preach in the open air by
the command of Jesus Christ, and I am determined
that nobody shall prevent me doing so.
Mr. LAING—Then we will see whether the law or
you is the strongest. Mr. Smith—That you may
do, but you shall not make me leave it off. It is
ordered by Jesus Christ, and communicated through
the Scriptures.

Mr. Reid, undertaker, of 53, Goodge-street, Tot-
tenham-court-road, stated that the police caused all
the dis.urbance; there was nothing to cause their
interference.

Mr. LAING—How many persons were there as-
sembled ? Mr. Reid—l dare say four or five
hundred.

Mr. LAING—And who caused that mob to as-
semble ? Mr. Reid—They assembled to hear Mr.
Smith.

Mr. LAING—Then you have proved the case
against him yourself.
The Rev. Mr. Smith—lt is really inconsistent
with common sense and reason. You will allow the
exhibition of " Punch and Judy," and other sense-
less things, to collect a low mob in your thorough-
fares,but because a minister of the Gospel of Christ
feels disposed to preach in the open air, with the
purest of intention, he is to be interfered with by
a police force, and rudely dragged through the
public street, in the disgraceful manner that I was.
I have preached in every part of England, Ire-
land, &c., and you shall not prevent me doing so
again.
Mr. LAING—Then you shall find bail.

The reverend gentleman was about to address
Mr. Laing, when he was ordered to be taken away
from the bar; which was done, and he was locked
up.
A host of persons, his friends, were waiting out-
side the office, who freely expressed their indig-
nation. .

Mr. LAING, on looking through the front window
of the office, inquired what was the cause of the
crowd. On being informed that they were Mr.
Smith's followers, and that a man was walking
about with one of the reverend gentleman's placards
announcing a meeting, he ordered the officers to
bring any body before him causing a breach of the
peace. " We'll see," said Mr. Laing, "if this fel-
low is to create a diturbance, in defiance of all law."