The Sun.
London, England, 1834-07-02 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, JULY 1.

Sittings at Guildhall after Trinity Term, before the LORD CHIEF
JUSTICE and Special Juries.)

LATOUR V. WESTON.
This was an action for criminal conversation with the plain-
tiff's wife. It was a Middlesex cause, but removed to London
by consent.
Mr. Sergeant WILDE, for the plaintiff, stated that he was an
officer in the 11th Dragoons, who had distinguished himself in
the service of his country; and that the defendant was the
only son of a gentleman who had been a banker and brewer
at Norwich, where he had made a large fortune.
Mr. marjoribanks examined by Mr. Serjeant SPANKIE—Is a
partner in Coutts's house ; was present at the marriage of Col.
and Mrs. Latour in 1826 ; they lived together very happily ;
Col. Latour had considerable property, and had served in the
Peninsula, and was at Waterloo. In 1829, in consequence
of the failure of some speculations at Swan River, the plain-
tiff went to live at Boulogne, where be was followed by
his wife.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant TADDY—OOI. Latour was
about
years old when married, and Miss Innes was about
20 ; had not seen them since they went to Boulogne.
0
Mr. Hudson Gurney spoke to the plaintiff and his wife hav-
ing lived happily together. Mrs. Gnrney was her aunt, and
had partly brought her up, but after the marriage there was
great jealousy of interference in their affairs.. Col. Latour
was twice obliged to go to Boulogne, and was once in the
King's Bench prison. During all his difficulties. Mrs. La-
tour's exertions and zeal on his behalf were exemplary ; the
defendant's father was formerly a banker at Norwich, but he
is now living in Gloucester-place.
Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant TADDY—Miss Innes's father
gave her away at the marriage ; it was generally approved of
by the family ; Mr. Innes resided generally in Scotland ; Miss
Latour, the natural daughter of Colonel Latour, came to his
(Mr. Gurney's) house after the marriage, in 1826 or 1827 ;
she was about 17 at that time, and has since married Mr.
Lomax ; the younger daughter was at that time about 16 ; the
other child,-a son,•is now in the army in India.
Mr. Marjoribanks, recalled—The mother of these natural
children was dead at the time of the marriage.
Harriette Pullen was servant to Colonel Latour, at Bou-
logne. In August, 1833, he was in prison there ; Mrs. La-
tour lived in lodgings near the prison ; she went twice to the
prison with Mrs. Latour with their child then about twelve
months old ; she recollected being desired by Mrs. Latour to
go with her to Dover; they lett at twelve at night on the sth
of November ; they were accompanied by Mr. Weston and
the child ; she left them at Dover, and came home to her
friends.
Jane Blake was chambermaid at the Fountain Inn, at Can-
terbury. She recollected a lady and gentleman arriving one
Sunday morning in November last, between two or three
o'clock. They had a child with them, and staid a fortnight.
They went by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Weston. They
slept in the same bed.
Cross-examined—The gentleman appeared about 24 or 25,
and the lady about 27 or 28.
Mr. Clifton examined—Was formerly secretary at the
Victualling-office. He resided about six miles from Boulogne.
On the 10th of August, 1833, he became acquainted with
Colonel Latour in the prison at Boulogne, where he was con-
fined under an arrest, for which he afterwards obtained con-
siderable damages. He overheard a conversation between the
'plaintiff and defendant respecting Mrs. Latour. He was in
a neighbouring room, but tried to avoid bearing, and did not
hear clearly what passed ; it was a very angry conversation,
Colonel Latour calling the defendant strongly to account
about Mrs. Latour. Both before and afterwards Col. Latour
was much agitated in his mind and manner. In the early
part of his acquaintanCe with Colonel Latour, the latter was
visited daily, sometimes oftener, by his.wife and child. The
last time he saw her there was the latter end of Septem-
ber ; he was led to believe they were most attentive to each
other. On the night of the Ist of November, I was sitting
with Colonel Latour in the prison, when Mr. Weston came
up and forced himself between us and the fire • I made a
note of what passed before I went to bed; 'Mr. Weston
said, " I have come to call you to an account for using ex-
pressions before your servant respecting myself and Mrs.
Latour." Colonel *Latour replied, in a strong voice, " I
have done no such thing ;" upon which Mr. Weston said,
" Yes, you have ; you have stated it being evident
he was going to say something offensive to the honour of
Mrs. Latour, we jumped up to stop him, and Colonel La-
tour said, " How dare you, Sir, come to insult me here ?"
upon this, Mr. Weston, who was infuriated with wine, made
a violent rush at the Colonel, who caught hold with his left