The Sun.
London, England, 1833-09-04 00:00:00

LONDON SESSION 7'',.-(THIS DAY.)

These Sessions commenced this morning before the
Lord Mayor, the Recorder, Aldermen Brown, Cowan,
Fairhrother, and Thorpe, the Sheriffs, &c.
The RECORDER, after the Grand Jury had been sworn,
proceeded to address them. The Learned Judge said it
was quite unnecessary for him to detain them at any
length, as the calendar with one exception presented nu
feature of novelty; en that exception it would be necessary,
however, to make a few remarks. They were perfectly
aware that in order to nut an individual in course of trial,
it was necessary not only that there should he a majority
of the Grand Jury, but that that majority should consist
f twelve. With reference to the case to which it was
necessary more particularly to advert, it was the case of
Sarah West, who was described as sixteen years of age,
and charged with the manslaughter of her own brother,
who had been placed under her care by her father, in c,.0-sequence
sequence of the recent death of her mother. She
was charged before the Coroner with the manslaughter of
the child, not by any imputed act, but in consequence of
neglect and inattention, which caused his death. The
first inquiry for the Gentlemen of the Grand Jury would
be whether the treatment the child had experienced from
the young woman, as stated by the witnesses, was such
as occasioned the death, for, unless it did so, it would
amount to nothing. On first view of the deposition, he

(the Leazned Recorder) thought it might be necessary to
draw some distinction between the charge of murder and
manslcughter ; but on looking- more carefully over those
depositions, he did not think the Grand Jury could com-•
to the conclusion that it was occasioned by any wilful act.
There might, however, he strong grounds for supposing
criminal neglect ; aid it the Grand Jnry found that,
considering the delicate state of the child's health, there
hai been that neglect whicli would lead co the child's
ale oh it would be their duty to find a bill for man-
slaughter.
John Simmons was indicted for an assault upon a
virago of a washerwoman. named Jane R-berts, on the
25th of June list. It appeared from the evidence chat
the complainint was a tenant of the cic fendant's, who had
several houses in Culluto.street, Fenchurch-street. Some
time since, in consequence of non-payment of rent, an
execution was put in her house at the instance of the
defendant, since which time a good deal of ill f cling had

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existed between the parties. On the day in question,
according to the statement of the prosecutrix, the defendant
struck her with his fist on the nose, and c illed her several

opprobrious names. Several witnesses were called fur the
defendant, who stated that the complainant had repeatedly
shook her fist in the face of the defendant, who only put
up his band to defend him•elf.
The Jury found the defendant guilty; and the Court
sentenced him to pay a fine of 40s.
John Stevens Forsyth, a respectable person, was in-
dicted by Mr. Michael Colter, the warehouseman of
Friday-street, for a violent assault upon him at the Excise
Coffee House, on the 15th of June last.
Mr. PHILLIPS stated the case on behalf of the com-
plainant. Mr. Colter was a warehouseman, carryin4 on
business in Friday-street, and bad been obliged, in
consequence of money transactions between him and the
deferoant, to commence an action against him in ihe
Marsinilsea Court. On the evening in questi-n Mr.
Colter went in company with a friend, named Simpson,
to the Excise Coffee House, where they met with the

defendant, who instantly began a volley of abus., and
thrust the copy of the writ, issued by the complainant,
in his fsee with a stick, which led to a general quarrel,
when the assault complained of was committed.
After an ineffectual attempt by Mr. Bodkin, the counsel
for the defendant, to settle the matter,
Mr. Colter was callel in and examined by Mr. Philips.

The manner in which this witness conducted himself
throughout his examination caused considerable merriment,
and frequently the strong censure of the court. On being
asked• by Mr. Phillips what be was, Mr. Colter stated,
with the utmost sang froid, that he was a trades ran in
one county and a gentleman in another—(laugl.t r)—and
what was a greater point than all, he was out of debt,
which some vagabonds were not.--(lncreased laughter.)
On June 15, he was at the Excise C..ffee house, uh.re he
saw the defendant, who commenced reading a latitat
which he (witness) bad taken out against him, mAing
all the fun imaginable of the name of witness, and calling
him a swindler, usurer, and several other opprobious
names ; after be had concluded reading the sheet, be put
it on the end of a stick and thrust it into the face of the
complainant. Went into the box where the Defendant
was sitting, and began to smoke a segar with his friend
Mr. Simpson, when the Defendant came and struck him
a blow on the face. A general quarrel then commenced,
a regular stand up fight took place, when the Defendant
gave tvitnees such a punch on the nose that he was obl.ged
to retire up stairs to have it adjusted, the Defendant
having turned it aa ry.—(Great I tug s ter. )—The wi'ness
gave other evidence of the assault in the m ,st laughable
manner, letning upon the desk of the witnesses box in
the most careless manner, and appearing to eye the Court
and all around him with the most sovereign contempt.
On being cross-examined by Mr. BODKIN—He stated
that the reason he went to sit in the box with the defend-
ant, was a desire to get out of the co.npany of millers into
that of gentlemen, but lie had found himself very much
mistaken.—(Laughter.) The defendant having proved
himself to be a .--- blackguard, and unfit to associate
with gentlemen like witness —(Great laughter.) The blows
he had received from the defendant, had done his nose so
much injury that by it had bled ever since.—(Great
laughter, in which the Lord Mayor heartily joined.)
Mr. Bomms—Will you swear that? Mr. Colter—
yes, I will by --.—(Great liughter.) I have sworn it.
The Loan MAYOR said if Mr. Colter continued to
make use of such expressions be must fine him.
Mr. Colter-0, I'll not use them again. 1 beg your
Lordship's pardon, but when a mares vexed he cannot
hip using them some times.—(Laughter.)
The RECORDER asked the jury whether they cool I place
any reliance upon the evidence of a gentleman who had
conducted himself as Mr. Colter bad.
The jury said they certainly should not.
Mr. G.lter then left the time.
Mr. Simpson, a silk mercer in 11,gent-street, proved
the assault, and the defendant, under the advice of his
counsel, retracted his plea, and pleaded guilty, the Court
ordering him to be fined Is. and di.eharged.
Martha Fitzmorris was found guilty of assaulting
Eizsbetti Walter, and ordered to enter into her own re-
cognisances in 201 to lc,t p the peace.
The Court then proc.eded with parish appeals.