The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-21 00:00:00

JAMES COCKBURN BELANEY.

The excitement created by the trial of this person on
the charge of murdering his wife, at Stepney, still pre-
vails in North Sunderland and its neighbourhood, where
the miserable man resides, and has been living since his
acquittal. On Monday evening last the populace col.-
lected in great numbers about eight o'clock, and paraded
the streets and lanes in and near North Sunderland,
with three effigies, the first representing Belaney, the
second " the archfiend," and the last one of Belaney's
friends, who resides in Newcastle, and who took a very
prominent part in the late trial in favour of the prisoner.
On the procession reaching the gates of Belaney's house,
about nine o'clock, they began to set fire to the effigy
outside the gates, upon which Belaney rushed out of the
house, and fired off a pistol in the direction of the crowd,
but he was glad to make a hasty retreat, dropping his
pistol on the way. His conduct so exasperated the
populace, that they commenced a general assault on
Belaney's house, battered in the shutters, and
demolished the glass frames. Haring effected an en-
trance, they destroyed everything that came in their way.
In the confusion Belaney effected his escape, and he con-
trived to elude the vigilance of his pursuers by secreting
himself in a neighbouring cornfield, otherwise there is
little doubt his life would have been sacrificed. The
crowd then set fire to the gates and to two of the figures,
and finally suspended that representing Belaney by the
neck from the chimney-top of a house on the opposite
side of the road, where it remains attracting the atten-
tion
of the curious. The house on the following morn-
ing had all the appearance of a place that had under-
gone the fury of a military assault, the walls being
battered as if struck by hundreds of cannon-balls. But
the work of destruction did not end here. The populace
again assembled on Wednesday night, and burnt the
premises completely to the ground. The situation of
Belaney's home was a very romantic one. It is at the
end of the village, near the edge of the cliff overlooking
the sea, the drawing-room windows being only a few in-
ches from the summit of a fearful precipice. It was built
according to a plan laid down by himself, and has long
affording food for gossip among the rustic population of
that locality. It is not true, as stated in some of the
Newcastle papers, that Belaney had ensconced himself at
Cleadon, near Sunderland. His brother, the clergyman,
had been on a visit there, and hence the mistake arose.

We have received the following additional particulars
from an occasional correspondent residing,in the neigh-
bourhood.

BURNING OF BELANEY'S HOUSE.

During the time the conflagration was proceeding, va-
rious articles of furniture were flung out of the windows,
in order to save them from the devastating element, but
they were instantly flung back into the flames by the
mob, and in a short time everything was consumed. Be-
laney effected his escape, and it is not known whither
he has directed his steps, but I have been informed
that during this morninglhe was seen walking on the
quay in this town. The news of the destruction of his
property is hailed by all with delight ; and two or three
persons, in my hearing, on being informed of the event,
expressed their sorrow that he was not consumed as well
as his property. The popular indignation towards him
knows no bounds ; and if he remain in this neighbour-
hood much longer, his life will certainly be sacrificed.
It is said that the shopkeepers in North Sunderland have
refused, ever since the trial, to sell him even the neces-
saries of life ; and indeed this is not to be wondered at,
considering the light in which he is regarded here by
everybody. I have conversed with many persons about
him, and not a word of commisseration towards him has
escaped from one of them. A hand-bill, one of which I
enclose, has been circulated extensively in the district,
and is known to have excited Belaney's ire. How be can
have the effrontery to remain at North Sunderland, with
hundreds about him thirsting for his blood is a mystery;
it is supposed that he was at first determined to brave
the popular feeling, and by residing, as usual, in North
Sunderland, to endeavour to stamp on the mind of his
neighbours the idea, that by so doing, he was innocent ;
last night's proceedings will, however, convince him that
North Sunderland is no longer an abiding place for him.