The Sun.
London, England, 1835-03-05 00:00:00

MARYLEB ONE.

Joseph Collins and William James Thompson, two young
men attired in ragged sailors' dresses, were yesterday placed
at the bar before the sitting magistrate, Mr. RAWLINSON,
charged with stealing a horse and cart, value 301., the property
of Mr. John. Spells, landlord of the White Horse, South
Minster, Essex.
Police constable, S 200, deposed that on the previous after-
noon, he received information that two men' of suspicious ap-
pearance were staying at the Cricketers' Arms, St. John's
Wood-road, having arrived there on Monday night, with a
horse and cart, supposed to be stolen, which they had put up
at Mr. Arnold's livery stables adjoining. Witness, in conse-
quence, proceeded to the house in question, and found the
prisoners in the tap-room. He questioned them as to how
they became possessed of the horse and cart, (on the latter of
which was the name of John Spells, South Minster, Essex,)
when Thompson replied that it belonged to his brother-in-law,
by whom he was employed. Having ascertained that one of
the prisoners had offered the horse for sale, he took them both
into custody, and on searching Thompson found a letter ad-
dressed to Mr. Spell, the contents of which are as follows :
" March, 3, 1835.
Sir,—DO not alarm yourself about your horse and cart,
which are safe at the Cricketers, St. John's Wood, London.
No blame is attached to the poor sailor whom you sheltered in
your stable on Sunday night. " W. J. WILLIAMS."
Charles Cook, stableman to Mr. Arnold, stated that the
prisoner brought the horse and cart into his master's yard on
Monday night, and asked him if he could bait the horse till
the following day, when he replied in the affirmative. The
next morning Thompson, after saying that it was the property
of his brother-in-law, asked him if he would buy the horse,
which he should have for 91. 9s. Witness said he thought
that was too much, when the prisoner, having considered a
long time, said, " Well, give me five sovereigns, and it's yours."
Witness was just then called away, and nothing more passed
on the subject.
There being no further evidence, the prisoners were asked

if they had anything to say, when Thompson entered into a
rambling account, - the substance of which was as follows :
He was a sailor belonging to the brig Nina, which a short
time ago set sail from Ireland with a cargo of oats, bound for
Scarborough. They had not been long at sea, however, be-
fore he experienced such ill-treatment from the Captain, whose
name is Novell, that he resolved to run away, which he did in
an open boat, and after beating about for two or three days, ar-
rived on Saturday last a little below Gravesend, where he
landed, and giving the boat into the care of some of the Coast
Guard, proceeded into Essex. On the road he met with Mr.
Spell, who, having heard his story, took him home and allowed
him to sleep in his stable. He remained there all the next
day, and on Sunday night, knowing that he had some friends
in London, he put the horse to the cart and rode towards town ;
when within five miles of Whitechapel church he overtook his
fellow-prisoner whom he requested to get alongside. He had
never offered to dispose of the horse, and wrote the letter to
Mr. Spell to tell him where to find his property. His reason
for signing his name " Williams," was because he should not
be suspected.
The other prisoner corroborated this statement as far as re-
garded himself.
Mr. RAwLINsoN, after remarking that Thomson appeared
to possess a great deal of art and impudence, ordered both
prisoners to be remanded till Wednesday next for the attend-
ance of Mr. Spell.