The Sun.
London, England, 1804-03-07 00:00:00

DURHAM, MARCH 4

THE Poll was opened on Friday mart-jingo as was
expelled ; and to prevent tumult and conNsion, it
was agreed between Mr. SHAFTOE and Mr. TivEb
DELL, that they should pursue the cundtkk'ob_
served at the last elettion, and potririlallieil' It
will net, therefore, be known who has the best of
the contest, until one party finds it difficult ftimake
up his tally It is supposed 'that the contest will
terminate about Wednesday.

Fk 1161.'r. -Mr. Shaltoe, 76 i Mr. Tweddell 78
SATURDAY'S Shaltue, 192 I Mr. Tweddell 194

The reason of Mr. Tw EDD EL L being two ahead,
arises froin two voters of Mr. SHAI.TOE'S hating
been objeCted to.

CORN EXCHANGE, MARCPI 7.

To-day there are not many fresh samples of grain
arrived ; higher prices 'are isked for Wheat ; we
have some fine Foreign at hand, that is in demand,
and sells at sgs. per quarter ; in Barley, Malt, or
Pease, we see little fluatiation ; Tick Beans are
cheaper—not having many; and hut few Foreign
Cargoes come in, they are considered a ruing ar.
tick fur the present ; the Flour Trade is brisk.

Wheat 3os a 43,5 a 54s od
Fine ditto - 555 566 6d
Rye - - -23 s .a Sts od
Barley - - iSs a 1.35 6d
Malt - - 485 a 555 od
White I'ease 335 a 405 ott
Beans 3os a 363. ad

Tick Beans -25 S a 31s od
Oats -17 s a 2.05 a 23s od
Jand ditto 24; a 25 6,1
Rape Seed - - 351 a 381
Fine Flour -40 s a 44s od
Seconds 35s a
.4os od

THE WHIG CLua. —Yesterday there was a
Meeting of the Whig Club at the Crowrrand An-
chor Tavern, the Duke of NORFOLK in the Chair.
The most remarkable thing that occurred was a
Speech from Mr. Fox, of which the following was a
part

" He would not take upon him to -assert,. that the Mem-
tiers of the present Adniinistration were men of no capaci-
ty ; their friends, those who supported them, admitted
that they were weak and inefficient. But what was the
claim of such a Ministry to support ? Had they not chine
into power upon the ground of being eneanies to religious
toleration,
.upon-opposing, those measures tiMcli were-neces-
sary to forma real union -of mind and afkdiati with the ,pCo-
'pie of Ireland ? If in sonic respects they were inefficient,
.they had been efficient enough to pass a Bill
.of Idempity
,for
some of the worst as of their predecessors, thus holding out
the example of impunity for all mal-administration in future.
In some of their own ads they had gone lengths to which
none of their predecessors had ever ventured. They had in
.eMel said, that. the King's Civil List should be unlimited,
and that, whatever, might be its nominal amount, His Ma-
jesty was at liberty to_spcnd whatever he pleased. They
had been efficient enough, to make Peace, and what they
had called a solid Peace, but Which in their hands had been
only a hollow truce. They. had since.been efficient eno4h
to plunge the Country into an unnecessary. War, which' they
could neither carry on with vigour, nor terminate with ho-
nour, They were efficient enough, therefore, if not to ;do
any thing good, at least to do mischief, and they had
atted so as to justify an opposition to the bad measures of
'which they are guilty. There could not be a more fatal error,
than.to imagine that weak men Were not likely to do mis-
chief. Weak men,. though incapable of serving their Country,
had the means, it in high stations, to involve it in the' most
dreadful calamities. Bat without farther inquiry into the
measures of the present Ministers, it was enough at present
-to say, that they stood in those principles which the Club
had been formed to oppose ; that they. were enemies to rcli-
gious
.toleration, and that they had involved the Country
its an unnecessary War, and had brought it into extreme
danger. That we were in extremedanger was admitted by all,
it was the constant theme of Ministers thentselves, and it
was fit that they should be called to account for those dan-
gers, and to answer for the measures which they had pro..
vided to -repel them. The Volunteer Force had been the
subject of much discussion, and whatever opinion might be
formed of the mode in which this Force was to be employed,
there could be no doubt that the cliOrts of the Volun-
teers had been most glorious to them as individuals.—
But even with this Force, on which they relied so much,
Ministers had involved themselves in .disputes. After ac-
cepting the services of Volunteers, they shewed every dispo-
sition to render the service no longer voluntary. In this
contest the Volunteers , had obtained a most decisive
tory, which he hoped would be a prelude to a victory over the
other Enemies of the Country, should the French attempt to
invade this Country.- Ministers, indeed, had since pre..
tended that they did not intend to compel the Volunteers to
serve, though they had contrived, several months to do it ;
and, perhaps, in the same manner the French might: say,•
that, after all the bustle of Invasion, tliv.never meant se-
riously td invade us. But whatever were the intentions of
the• Enemy, he had no doubt that they wouldbe repelltd
by
the spirit and courage of the Country."
The Master and Wardens, of the Bakers' Company
waited yesterday on .the Right Honourable- the L 0 RD
M.AyoR, to set, the Assize of, Bread, when his Lord.'
ship. continued
itehien. Atsosaifz e
otih,
Wheaten,sam eas f 1
ore, viz.
and 7d. of
Household-Bread., •
-

THE TRIAL OF THE CORDONS.

OXFORD ASSIZES

BEFORE ME, JUSTICE LAW.RENCE AND MR. JUSTICE 1..1'

BLANC

THE Commission was opened .by Mr. Justice
LAWRENCE, on Monday, March 5.
The following is a list of the Grand jury :
The Marquis of BLAND OR 0, Foreman.
Rt. Hon. F. Lord Spencer Aleander James, Esq.
Sir Christopher Willoughby Charles Brown, EN.
John Fane, Esq, Thomas Toovey, Esq.
Oldtield Bowles, Esq. Wm. Henry Ashurst, Esq.
William Lowndes, Esq. Robert Veers, Esq.
Thomas Stonar, Esq. George Ciarki2, Esq.
Francis Pennystone, Esq. tuba Bust, Esq.
john Spencer, Esq. Francis Wa.,;tie, Esq. ,
Henry Calveley, Esq. .. . Willi,n Fahher, I,.:iq.
Geo. Frederick Stratton, Esq. Michael Co;.gan, Esq.
John Lenthall, Esq. WilliaM lemmett, Lsq.

Mr. Justice LA4ItEileE then addressed the Grand
Jury in the follo,,;'ing terms:

GENTLENIEN,

" It will not he necessary for me. to detain you
long, explaining the Law on the difffrerit cases now
to be brought under your consideration. They are
but few in number ; the most considerable, and that
which will require your most attentive consideration,
is the one founded on the Ad of the 3d of King
Henry VII. which makes it capital felony for any
person forcibly to take away a woman for the pur-
pose•
of enjoying her property, marrying her, or
defiling her person. This Statute very, properly pro-
vides for the safety of those who, either.byhere-
ditary descent; marriage, or any other means, come
into posiessioh of consider: le property, who would
other Wise be liable to fall a prey to violence and in..
justice. Now, in order to prove a felony, and bring
it within the meaning of the Statute, it is necessary
that I should state to you, that three things are re-
quisite, in order to prove the crime against which
this statute was wisely enatled, and has since been
particularly enforced. In the first place; the Statute
supposes that the woman is possessed of pro-
perty ; secondly; that the person who takes her
'away is actuated with the lucre of gain, and has a
design upon that property ; and thirdly, that he takes.
her off, either with the desigo of marrying her, or
violating her person. With regard to the first, it is
supposed that a woman haS property ; but when she
is married she cannot have any property of her own o
however, if her affairs are in the hands of trystees,
and her property invested with them, it amounts to
• the same thing,,4ria is eqUally felony, and comes
within the meatitng of the Statute. Secondly, it .is
auppoied that the. possession 'of property lays at the
foundation of this'erime, and tilat the person offend-
ing is instigated by the hopes t. 4 obtaining it, which
he endeavours to accomplish by illicit means, and to
Prevent which this Ad was very properly made; for
if the property of women, whether hereditary or
hoWsoever entailed on them, be not secured by
law, infinite iiiichiefs would accrue to society by
the rapacity and profligacy elf individuals. The
third thing necessary to constitute the crime is
the marrying the woman forcibly taken away, or de-
filing her Person It is hardly necessary that I
should explain ro you what this means; it signifies
that carnal knowledge or connexion between the
sexes, which, When force is used, would be deno-
minated a rape. It order to constitute this a capi.
tal offence, it most be proved that force has been
used; and in order to bring it within this indid-
ment, it must be shewn that 'force has been used in
this Co'Onty. Now, though force may have been used
in anothCr county, if it is not proved to your saris-
faaioti that it has been committed in this county,
where the indidment is laid, you cannot receive
such evith-lice as sufficient to warrant the conviction
of the prisoners; but if the evidence adduced be-
fore you he sufficient to prove that force has been
continued in this county, that will be sufficient to
establish the guilt of the Prisoners, who will then
become liable to the penalties of the Statute. Sup.
pose a man, who is indicted for larceny, steals goods
in one county, and exposes them to sale in another,
he is guilty of stealing thein in the place where
he carries them, and is obnoxious to punish.
ment equally as if he stole them there. Gentle-
men, if the fad of force be proved to your sa.
tisfadion, that is, if she has been forcibly brought
out of another county into this against her own in-
clination, and by,coMpasion from the Prisoners, it
will be sufficient, to'Crituinate them ; and it will not
be material to inquire, whether the defilement of her
person took place by force, or with her own con.
sent. This distindion would have been necessary
id the case of a rape ; but the charge here is of a more
serious nature, and depends entirely upon the ques-
tion, whethei force has been wed to bring her into
this County ? The other offences, Gentlemen, to
he brought under your consideration, are of an in-
ferior nature; one, indeed, for taking money out
of a Letter sent to the Post-Office, is of an alarm-
ing nature, and regards the security of society, the
welfare of individuals,- and the prosperity of the re-
venue. Gentlemen, you will decide on these cases
in proportion to the evidence you receive, and make
your report accordingly."
The Grand Jury, after sitting several hours, and
examining sixteen Witnesses, returned, at six
o'clock, a true Bill against Lockhart and Lauden
Gordon.

SICC)ND DAY-MARC A 1 6.

It haying been previously under Stood that. the
trial of LOCKHART WO LAUDEN GORDON, would
commence this morning at seven o'clOck, the
Town, Hall was completely invested before day.
light, and notwithstanding the rain came down
in torrents, the multitude increased every minute
till at last the avenues leading to the 'Hall were
blocked up. At seven o'clock precisely, the
Judge Sir SOULDEN, LAWRENCE, Knt. and J.
LANOsTEN, Esq. theHigil Sheriff, arrived, but wt re
unable to ascend the stair-case leading to the CroWn
Court for a considerable' length of rime, the ja-
velin men and the constables having lOng before been
prevented from keeping any thing like a passage to
the principal entrance. Here 'a scene of the greatest
disorder presented itself, disgraceful to any corpo-
rate town, but especially to a city that boasts
its well-regulated police, • and - afteets, in many
particulars, to hold out an example to the
other parts of Great Britain. The: officers
were compelledto cut their way through the crowd,
many were wounded, but the greater put: were


br:.lisecl. and trampled upon by the mot•e'rnhult and
kletermined assailants. The .pickpackets too,
'voured by the gloom of, the morning, made a
Most ample collection ; and many who suCceed-
ed in obtaining admission, were made to pay
hand,omely for the gratification of their eager en-
rioSity. One person, a farmer. looking Man, lost
sol. worth of Bank-notes, and many others their
wai-ches and considerable sums of money. graving
ascended into the Court Room, the persons who had
thus risked their lives and their property in the at-
tempt, found the whole area fet apart forjnstice,
with the eXception of the Jury Box, and a few stars
for the Counsel, were filled with persons who had
placed themselves in the Grand Jury Room,•and on
the arrival of the judge, inundated the whole space
deseribed. This our Reporter conceives to have
been wholly without the knowledge of the nudges
who, on a personal application the. previous even-
ing for admittance, most po,itively stated, that
no partiality should be shewn, and , that all
alike should take their chance for places, with
the exception of Gentlemen interested in the pro-
gress of the Trial. The result proved,' that hiF;
Lokiship's determination was abortive, and the
places for public accommodation were seized by
Persons who insinuated themselves with the Court
through a clandestine passage. it was impossible
that the individuals without. the area could hear
with any distin&ness the proceedings of the Court
and as our Reporter was so situated, it will not
be expeaed he should give more than an outline of
a trial which has excited so much interest, a lid t.he
management of which, as far as regarded the ac.
commodation of the Public, so badly conducted, and
so eartially dealt out. There was a continued riot
throughout the whole trial : the crowd wore their
hats, and set the constables at defiance, each geer-
ing and laughing at his own and his neighbour's in_
con v enience.

Abut eight o'clock Mr. LOCKHART GoR. noisr
and Mr. ',AUDEN GORDON were put to the bar.
They bowed respeclfully, and while the indictment
was reading, appeared extremely attentive to the
different ways. in which the offence charged against
them was put. They were well dressed, and nose
sessed the air of Gentlemen. LOCKHART wore
mourning, and LAUD EN was dressed in a dark
green mixture coat. The indiament contained i 6
counts, and charged them generally with forcibly
raking, seizing, and carrying away RAcHAF
FANNY ANTONINA LEE, for lucre of substance,
from her house in Bolton_row ; and afterwards de_
filing her at Tetsworth, in the County o(.Qxford,.
to the great displeasure of Almighty God ; to, t!
disparagement of the said. RACHAEL ; to the
comfiture of her friends ; to the evil example of
others ; against the form' of the statute; against
the King's peace, his crown.and dignity.-To this
Indiament the Prisoners pleaded Nat Gutilty,-..a-nd
were immediately put upon their deliverance.-Mr:
FULLER. opened the pleadings; when

Mr. MILLS, of Counsel 16r the Prosecution, ad.,
dressed the Jury in a speech of two hours long. He
began by stating, that the case he had to lay before .
them, was as extraordinary as important ; imputing
to the Prisoners one of the most outrageous aitacki
upon an unproteded female, that the catalogue of
crimes could produce. The enormity of the offence,
was the greater, as it was committed by men whose
education and rank in life pointed out a different line
of conclua. One was the unworthy member of a Reli-
gion, 'the moral precepts of which, had he practised
them, would have suggested the criminality of the
undertaking, and the other an Officer in His Ma-
jesty's Service, where it was natural to imagine he
would have imbibed sufficient honor to have pre-
vented the commission of so gross a violation of the
chastity of a defenceless woman. The Learned Counsel
next adverted to tip accounts published in the News.
papers, which he described as highly indecorous, and
particularly mentioned a suppmed interpretation of
Mrs. LE V.'s dream,lor which,he said,tliet e was not the
least foundation. He had mentioned those bras to
guard them against prejudice,and trusted they'would
lay aside all they had heard or read, and attend only to
the evidence produced before them. He then entered
into an explanation of the Statute of the 4th Henry
VIII. which alike went to the prote6tion of Maidi;
widows, or wives, possessed of real or per'so'nal es
tates, in their unprotected state. If either'of them
should he forcibly carried away for lucre of sub-.
stance nand afterwards married or defiled, then
the crime 'was complete, and the punishment was
death, without the benefit of clergy. Within the
meaning of that Statute, it was his duty to predi.
cate, the Prisoners had placed themselves, The
Jury however would remember, that not only tak-
ing away by force from her house was necessary,
bur, that force roust be plainly shewn to exist from
that time till the completion of the crime at Tets..
worth. The learned Counsel then detailed the fads
in the case, which have already appeared before the
arid renders a repetition unnecessary.
Several Witnesses were then called, who proved
the order given by LocKHAtur GORDON for the
chaiSe to be at Bolton-row at seven o'clock; also
the subsequent force used to convey. Mrs. LEE from
her own house.

Mrs. LEE was next called, who having first
seated •hersell in a chair provided for her, repeated
,the same testimony she gave on her examination
before the Magistrates, at B:)w.street, with no
variation 'whlatever: - This 'occupied a space of
two hours, when Mr;.'ABROTT proceeded in' his
Cross-examination, and drew from the mouth .of the.
Witness an admission that put.an' end at once to the
Indictment. -She adirkitted that when in the chaise
on the road to -Uxbridge, she had said to LAUDEN
GORDON, that she found it useless to make further
resistance, and tearing from ter breast a gold locket
and a camphire bag, she exclaimed, ‘,‘ the charm
that has preserved my virtue hitherto is dissolved,
adding, as she threw it away, now wetcome plea.
sure." It also appeared, that when she went tä biz('
at .letsworth, she desired the chambermaid to tell her
husband that 'he might come
,to bed in ten minuses.

The' Learned JoLige observed, that it was impos. 7
sible he should permit the trial to proceed further.
The force hid nut been carried into the County of
Oxford, and
.the PristinerS ,must be acquitted. At
the iatne• time he could hot help remarking, that
their cOnd-ua was slianiettil in thc'extremes partici].
lady thati-ofLOCKHART Gottnoisr, Whose duty it
:I wasp he being 4-Cfcisywan,7iu instrUet 'and guide

On
.Triday evening, an elderly Lady passing
AiderSgate.street, was met by a tall man, who
drew her arm from her muff, and run an instrument
through it. She shrieked, and fainted. 'A person
near ran after him. He fled, without staying to,
take mit' the instrument, which is described like
two bAkins fixed. She
.fell on it, and broke her
arm in tViso places..

- .
" CITIZEN FIRST CONSUL,
" The Senate• has been usually accOtOrneti to wait itipon
yon for the sole purpose of presentict& their :thanks for .the
glory to which you have elevated the Republic, ancl.forle
wisdom and vigilance of your adiranistraLon.
• " 'This day, they are brought-hither by the profound indig-
nation which •is excited by the Plot just discovered, and_
which the Agents of England have instigated.
" It is al-Hiding for hut-dimity to set the Chiefs of a Nation

. • ---- '
LONDON: rrintedby 'BUCHANAN :MeliftLLAN, (olltim-street;.'CgtentliGire&ii);:ihrci l'ublished byAlt.( !GER SCZIP Pi; COICAS M 144)1.16 tree Crosvenor7ssUfe);
At the 517141.0 Ft ice, No. Z, Strand; where Adverthements, Ordeis fort the Paper, Letters for the Editor, Sec. (toihpaid), must be .aaaresstd; - • -