The Sun.
London, England, 1828-08-08 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 8, 1828.

SOCIETY for the DISCHARGE and
RELIEF of PERSONS IMPRISONED for
SMALL DEBTS, throughout ENGLAND and WALES,
established 1772.
PRESIDENT—The Earl of ROMNEY,
VICE .PRESIDENTS.
The Lord DE DUNSTANVILLE.
•
Lord KENYON.
The Right Hon. ROBERT PEEL, M.P.
_ Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, Bart. M.P.

TREASURER--BENJAMIN BOND CABBELL, Esq.

AUDITORS.

CHAS. E. PIGOU, Esq. and JOHN PEPYS, Esq.
Craven-street, Strand, August 6, 1825.

The cases of 69 Debtors were this day Considered, of
whom 57 were approved, four rejected, six inadmissible,
and two referred for character.
Two hundred and twenty-eight Debtors, of whom one
hundred and eighty-six had wives and five hundred and
furtY-two children, have been discharged from the Prisons
of England and Wales, since the meeting held on the 2d
"July, the expense of whose liberation, including every
expense connected with the Charity, was 506/. 7s. ; and
the following

BENEFACTIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MONTH S
REPORT:- s. d.
Robert Batson, Esq. Treasurer of Captain 100 1) 0
Curtis's Charity 5 0 0
Compromise for an assault upon the son of Mr
Sherreff, keeper of Aylesbury gaol, remitted
by W. Gleadah, Esq 5 0 0
The
Hun. Robert Henley Eden?M.P. ...... A. f 5 0
Then-Las Wrightson, Esq. A. 2 2 0
C. Hutchison, Esq. Executor of W. Hutchi-
son, Esq. deceased, for a Legacy left to the
Society, 1001.—less duty, 10 per cent 9O 0 0
he Dowager Countess of Radnor A. 5 5 0
Aiieo moos
'"e Countess of Balcarras 4 0 0
The lion. and Rev. St. C. Cost, 2 yrs'. subscrip 4 4 0
the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville A. 2 0 0
"atnuel Mitchell, Esq., 4th donation 5 0 0
The Rev. Dr. Frewin A. 2 2 0
kiehard Berens, Esq. two years' subscription... 4 4 0
~,
Rey. G. Waddington, per Cocks and Co. A. 2 2 0
R'ehard Terry, Esq., per Willis and Co.
2 0 0
-e Rt. Hon. Ld. Dynevor, per Hoare and Co. 10 0
Sir Thos. S. Gooch, Bart. M.P., per ditto A. n 3 0
~o6n Spencer Stanhope, Esq.
Half a year's Dividend on 1,000/., 3 per Cent
Console given in perpetuity by Sir Francis
urdett,ice-President
nW. 2/ EM. I/ C. 11. 21., A Lady 11. 6 0 0
r,„ •, •,
4MI in the Letter Box, 1/., ditto, 108 1 10 0
th 4enefactions are received by Benj. Bend Cabbell, Esq.,
Treasurer, No. 1, Brick-court, Temple ; also by
t
thie following. Bankers, Messrs. Drummond, Cocks, Herries,
th4Otnersleys, Hoarea, Whitmore, Veres, Dorrien ; and by
e ccretary, No. 7, Craven-street, Strand, where the
":01" may be seen, by those who are inclined to support
\\rhe Charity, and where the Society meet on the first
e4lnesday iu every month.
ROBERT BALMANNO, Secretary.

THE POLSTEAD MURDER.

TRIAL OF W. CORDER.

NORFOLK CIRCUIT.

BURY ST. EDMUND'S, THURSDAY, Auc. V.

The anxiety to witness the trial of this prisoner
was manifested by the assembling of hundreds of
well-dressed persons of both sexes, round the front
and back entrances to the Shire Hall, at the early
hour of five o'clock in the morning ; and notwith-
standing the rain continued to fall incessantly, they
remained (except those who were carried away in a
state of exhaustion from the pressure of the dense
crowd) till nine o'clock, when the Lord Chief Baron
(Alexander) arrived near the Hall. The external
regulations were so bad, that nearly a quarter of an
hour elapsed before the few Javelin-men who were
in front of the Court could force a passage to give
his Lordship and the High Sheriff ingress to the
Court. The moment his Lordship gained admis-
sion, the scene that presented itself in front of the
Court beggars all description. The barristers who
attend this Circuit (and amongst them we observed
the Counsel for the prosecution) were endeavouring
to force their way to the hall-door, sweating and
struggling against the opposing pressure of the
crowd, and some of them at the moment they had
almost attained their object were carried back to the
verge of the crowd in an exhausted state. When his
Lordship had taken his seat on the bench, the names
of the Jury who had been summoned to try the pri-
soner, were called over; but the crowd was so nu-
merous, and the Sheriff's force so ineffective, that it
was impossible to make way for them into the Court.
—They were, after the lapse of nearly an hour,
brought over the heads of the crowd into the passage
leading into the Hall; some with their coats torn,
their shoes off, and nearly fainting. We never wit-
nessed anything like it, the pressure of the crowd at the
trial of Thurtell, at Hertford, was not a tithe part
equal to what presented itself on this occasion. At
an early hour great numbers assembled round the
gaol, to take a view of the prisoner as he passed
into the Court. He left the gaol at a quarter before
nine o'clock, previous to which he attired himself
in a new suit of black, with much care, and combed
his hair over his foreheacl, which he had previously
worn turned up in front. He is not an ill-looking
man, and appears about twenty-four years of age.
It may be said of him, that he is not otherwise re-
markable than as appearing sulky and ill-tempered.
After he had dressed himself, he said to an officer
who was present, " I understand there are a great
number of witnesses to be called against me ?" The
officer replied, " Yes, about twenty-four." Corder
said, " What are the names of the Judges ?" On
being informed, he said, " I believe they are very
old men, and are very humane Judges." He was.
told they were exceedingly humane ; Corder replied,
" Well, whatever may be my fate, I shall meet it
with fortitude." He was removed in a chaise cart
from the gaol to the Hall, and he hung down his
head all the way ; but he seemed little affected by
the shouts and hootings of the thousands who were
congregated. On his being taken into the felons'
room in the lower part of the Hall, he said to Mr.
Orridge, the Governor of the gaol, " What a great
number of persons—l scarcely ever saw such a
crowd." Corder's wife's brother was introdueed-to
him; and the former being in tears, Corder told him
" not to give way to grief on his account, as it might
turn out better than he might expect."
Twelve Jurymen were at length assembled, after
challenge of two, and William Corder was called up.
On entering the dock, he bowed respectfully to the
Court, and during the reading of the indictment
seemed very attentive. (The indictment contained
eleven counts, and whilst the Clerk was reading the
tenth, the crowd overpowered the officers, and there
was a tremendous rush into Court) The prisoner,
in a clear and distinct tone, pronounced the words
Net Guilty.
A well-executed model of the Red Barn and pre-
mises was placed on the table of the Court. It
seems to have taken its name from the tiles that
cover part of it, and consists of a long wheat barn,
with two divisions for corn, between which is the
floor for threshing out the corn, and whereon the
waggons are driven iii harvest time, on one side
tiled, and on the other, a chaff-house also tiled. Be-
hind the barn is a projection or lean-to, and round a
farm-yard, yet further in the rear, a thatched shed
for shelter of the cattle in wet weather. Tlie long
roof of the barn was also thatched. There is a gate
at the end of the yard, dividing .the thatched shed.
The Jury were sworn, and the prisoner given in
charge. The crime was committed on the 18th of
May, 1827. Amongst the numerous counts, one
charged the shooting the deceased on the left side of
the face with a pistol--with having stabbed her on
the left side between the fifth and sixth ribs with a
sword—with having strangled her with a handker-
chief, and with having smothered and suffocated her,
by burying her beneath the barn floor.
Mr. ANDREWS (with whom was Mr. KELLY)
opened the case for the prosecution at half-past ten.
He stated the prisoner to be the son of respectable
parents at Polstead. His father was a farmer there,
and, after his death, his mother, with the assistance
of her sons (the prisoner one of them), carried on
the farm. Maria Martin, with whose murder the
prisoner stood charged, was in a humble walk of
life. The prisoner and deceased, previous to May,
1827, became intimate, and an illegitimate child
was the fruit of that intimacy. The child was
weakly, and afterwards died. The prisoner had
been heard to say to Maria Martin, " You will
be taken up on account of another bastard child
you have had." She said to him, " If I am to
go to gaol, you shall go too." Thew had been heard
to quarrel also about a five-pound. note. On the
18th of May the prisoner came to the deceased, and
said, " Now, Maria, you have been disappointed a
great many times; you shall go with me." She
objected, because people would know her. It was
agreed that certain clothes should be taken in a bag,
and also in the bag was put a basket containing a re-
. ticule. Corder left the house by one door, and the
girl by another. From that period none of the girl's
friends had any tidings of her 'except such as the pri-
soner himself had given. Previous to their quitting,
Corder told her that Baalem, a constable, had shown
him a letter, directing him to take her up on a charge
of bastardy. Various pretexts were made use of
cboyutnht feorh
prisonererabsence to tli the
fromfriends them, h
oefruth
ande
deceased
fu r
thei r
to
not
t-
hearing from her. In answer to ,a
question about
her having more children, he said, " No, she will
have no more. She has had her number." He
was asked whether she was far off. He answered,
" No, she is net far from home. _ She is where I can
go to her at any time, but no one else can see her !"
After the harvest was got in, Corder left Polstead.
with the person who drove him, he said,
pnHhe
had
is‘vay
not seen Maria Mrstin since May." Before
he went he shook hands with the father, saying, " I
shall marry your daughter soon, and havebought a new
suit of clothes for the purpose." Subsequently, in Oct.,
the father received a letter from prisoner, stating, that
the deceased and he were married, and expressing
surprise that no reply had been received by her to a
letter she had written about the marriage. The
parents at lengt:t became suspicious about the fate of
their daughter. The father became anxious to search
the barn. He went and searched, and in the upper
part of the barn the body was found. The father,
the mother, the sister, and the surgeon, would describe

the body, the dress, and their identity. In company
with a local officer, Lee, the police-officer, appre-
hended the prisoner at Ealing, who, on his apprehen-
sion, denied having known Maria Martin. He thrice
denied having known her. Lee searched the house,
and found a black velvet reticule, to which Mrs.
Martin, the mother would speak. Pistols were also
found in the house by Lee, and a sword, which had
been compared with the hole in the stays, and a
hole in the left side of the body. It had been
sharpened for the prisoner before he left Polstead,
and seen in his possession there. These were the
main facts that would be deposed to; there were
others upon which he (the Learned Counsel) did not
feel it necessary to dwell. He next alluded to the
various idle and unfounded_ reports which had pre_
wiled; and after cautioning the .Tury to dismiss all
prejudice from their minds, at eleven o'clock con-
cluded an able and temperate address, calling upon
the Jury to discharge their duty according to their
oaths. During this address the prisoner stood un-
moved.

Anne Martin is the wife of Thomas Martin, of
Polstead. Her husband had a daughter named
Maria. Knew the prisoner at Polstead 17 years
years, who was acquainted with Maria intimately.
He became so about 12 months before May, 1827.
He came to her cottage frequently. In 1826 Maria
was with child ; she was not delivered of it at her
father's house, but at Sudbury. Cannot say when
she left; she returned to her father's about seven
weeks before the 18th May. The infant she brought
died about a fortnight afterwards. Corder conti-
nued to come after. (Whilst the witness was under
examination, prisoner was busy writing a note.)—
Has heard Corder and deceased converse together;
not about the child, but about the burial of it. (The
prisoner here took a pair of spectacles from his
pocket and put them on.) He heard them talk of
the child as connected with Sudbury, and at diffe-
rent times about a five pound note. The deceased
always told prisoner he had taken the child's bread
away and her's. (He had acknowledged this child
as his.) She had had another child by another mall.
It was after this prisoner had been told by the de-
ceased that he had taken away their bread. Had
heard him say to deceased that the parish officers
would take her up for her bastard children. It was
before the 18th May; could not hear what else was
said. About a week before the 18th heard them
talk about the note. The 18th May was Friday.
On the previous Monday Corder came and remained
half an hour. Maria went away with him. She said
she was going to Ipswich. She was to remain at
Mrs. Corder's, at his home, till Monday morning.
They went away together. She came back between
three and four o'clock in the morning. Witness saw
Corder on the Monday. Heard him tell Maria that
he should go to Ipswich on Wednesday night, and
should drive her thither. They did not go. Cor-
der said it was Stoke fair, and gave that as a rea-
son for not going. He was at the cottage two or
three times on the Monday. [The prisoner looked
very steadfastly on the witness with his spectacles
on.] Maria and he then fixed Thursday night to
go. They did not go. .Corder gave as the reason
the dangerous illness of his brother James, whose
death was hourly expected. On the Friday witness
was at home and Maria with her. Saw Corder that
day. He came betwixt 11 and .12 o'clock. Wit-
ness was up-stairs with Maria. Corder came up to
them. Said to Maria, " Conte Maria, make haste,
I am going." She said, " how can I go at this
time of the day ?" He replied, " Never mind."
She said, " How can I go at this time of the day
without any body seeing me ?" He replied, "Never
mind, you have been disappointed many times and
shall not be again." Witness remained in the room.
Maria said, " How am I to go ?" He said, " You
can go up to the Red Barn, and stop till I come to
you with my horse and gig." Things were put
into a bag. She said, " How am I to order my
things ?" He said he would take them and carry
them up to the barn, and come back and walk
with her. She repeated her question. He said,
" There's none of my workmen in the fields or near
the barn, and I'm sure the coast is quite clear."
Then the things were put into a brown holland
bag, which belonged to Maria. There were a
reticule, wicker basket, a velvet reticule, two pair
of black silk stockings, a black silk gown, a cambric
skirt, and several other things. Witness would know
the reticule; had seen it frequently. Corder took
the bag in his hand, and went away with it. Maria
then dressed herself in men's clothes. Don't know
where she had them from. They were blue trowsars,
striped waistcoat, and brown coat. Witness helped
her to dress. She had on also her shift, under petti-
coat, stays, a white handkerchief, a green and red
striped, and a silk one. The petticoat was flannel;
the shift was of Irish linen. Witness had seen the
shift more than once before; Maria made it herself.
Tke stays were of white jean. Witness had seen
her doing something with the stays before that
day ; she laced them on, The day before she
went away, she put the busk and bones in; the busk
was of ash, and went down the front ; Maria had
put it in instead of bone ; witness had seen it more
than once before it was put in. Master Rainham
made it. She had shoes on of damask satin, with
leather foreparts. After she was tlms dressed Cor-
der returned. Witness saw him. Maria was pp
stairs then. Witness saw Corder before she came
down. He said, " Mrs. Martin, the reason I go to Ips-
wich to-day is, because J. Baalem, the constable, has
come into the stable to me to-day, and told me that
he had got a letter from Mr. Whitmore from Lon-
don, and in that letter there was a warrant to have
Maria taken up and prosecuted for bar bastard chila
dren." Maria remained still up stairs. Witness
said, " Oh, William, if you had but married Maria
before the child was born all this would have been
settled." He said, " Mrs. Martin, don't make your-
self at all uneasy, for I'm going to Ipswich to-day
to get a license to he married to-morrow waning,"
Witness said, ",William, what will you do if she
can't be married ?" Corder assured her Maria
should be ' his lawful wife before he came home.
Witness repeated, " What willyou do if you can't?"
He said, ." I'll get her a place somewhere till such
times as we can he married." Maria came down
after this, and asked witness to go into the yard to
see if there was any body about to see her go away.
She was then in man's clothes. Nothiag was said
about the clothes. They went away. Maria had a
man's hat on, and in her hair a large comb, and two '
side combs. She had ear-rings. She had had
these a good while. Witness had seen them fre-
quently. They went away about half-past twelve.
They went oat at different doors. He went out at
the ot
sr nextnot road.front
of
Theytile house. Maria went call it the fipnt dear,
but
out at what is called the back door, which is in fact
the front. They went; she by the field and the
fen, and met him is the road. Witness saw them
meet. They both got over the gate, and went
across the field togethet. The gate is from the
road into the field. The name of the field is Hare-
hill Field. They walked both together. There is
a path in the field. There is a barn near the field
—it is the Red Barn. There are two fields be-
tween Hare-hill and the barn. They went across
the field towards the barn. Saw neither of them
afterwards that day. Has not seen Maria Martin
since. Corder had with him a gun when he went
away. He said, in reply to witness's question," Is this
gun charged, William ?" " Yes;" and she added," then
I'll move it away on account of the child." Maria
had a green cotton umbrella, the handle at top was
of some sort of bone. It was fastened with a but-

ton. Witness had seen the umbrella before fre-
quently. Saw Corder next on the Saturday night,
but did not speak to him. She was near to him,
but she was in a shop, and he was in the chamber,
where she supposed his brother James lay ill. Saw
him next on the Monday morning at her house, about
nine o'clock. Witness said, " William, what have
you done with Maria ?" He said, " I have left her
at Ipswich. I have got her a comfortable place ;
she is going down with Miss Rowland by the water-
side." Witness said, " William, what will she do
for clothes ?" He said, " Miss Rowland has got
plenty, and would not let me send for any."
added, " I have got a licence, but it must go up
to London to be signed, and I can't marry until a
month or six weeks." He said further, " I have
changedacheque for 201. and given her the money."
Witness asked which way they went to Ipswich ?
He said by Stratford. Witness said, " where did
she dress?" He said she put her things on •at the
barn, and put the great coat over them to hide her
till they could get into a bye lane. The great coat
and hat were put into the seat of the box, and she
put her own hat on. Witness's son is named
George, who told her something which she after-
wards mentioned to Corder. It was on the 18th
of May George told her this. Witness men-
' tinned it to Corder the next week after
Maria was gone. She said, " William, you did not
go from the barn so soon as you told me you should."
He said, " Yes, that I'm sure I did, for I left within
half an hour or three-quarters of the time I left
here." She said, " No, William, that you did not,
for my George saw you go down the Thistly-lane
with a pick-axe on your shoulder." The Thistly-
lane is near the Red Barn. Corder said, " That was
rot me. It was Tom Acres, who had been planting
trees upon Mr. Hoy's hill." The prisoner's brother
James died about Polstead fair time, in July, last year.
Saw prisoner frequently between then and SepteMber.
Sometimes two or three times in a day. He al-
ways said she was purely well, and was at Yarmouth
at home there with Miss Rowland, Sometimes
witness (lid not see him for a day. It was when he
told them he was going to see Maria, On inquiring
after Maria on his return, he always answered,
" purely well." He said, " I shall take her home
at Michaelmas, and put her into the farm." Never
received any letter from Maria after this. Used to
ask Corder why Maria had not written ? He said,
" she has got a bad hand. He often said this. Re
came to take leave of witness before he went away
from Polstead. Said he was going to the water-
side for his health. Should go to Yarmouth, and
take Maria with him, and be married at Ipswich.—
Did not see him again till he was apprehended.
Has not seen the dead body : she was ill at the
time, Has seen all the articles of dress foand.---
Maria had a wen upon her neck. She had had 4
cough a good while. One of her teeth had been
drawn, and one had decayed out. One, the left
side of the upper jaw—the other, the right side of
the lower jaw, she believed. A silk handkerchief
was round the neck—it was of yellow flowers and
red ground. It was put over her chin and ear-rings,
On witness inquiring for this, Corder said it was
lost. Remembers -James Corder's funeral. Pri-
soner
was at it. Witness was there. Prisoner had
with him an umbrella. It was Maria's, James was
biiried a little time after Maria had gone away.—
Witness, after the funeral, had a conversation with
Corder. She said, " William, you had got Maria's
umbrella at your brother James's funeral," He
said, " It was not Maria's, but Deborah Prykes',
and I. am going to send it home. It was not
Maria's, but one just like it," Again, a week be-
fore he went away, he said, "I have been to Ips-
wich to see Maria, and should have got dripping
wet if she had not lent me her umbrella, which I
am to return to her." She came from Yarmouth to
Ipswich with Miss Rowland, Corder had shown to
witness a gold ring a short time before his brother
Thomas was drowned. He said it was Maria's
wedding-ring. He said he had bought it at Col-
chester, Maria and prisoner had been that day away
together. Witness saw two pistols in Corder s pos-
session after Maria came home with the infant child
from Sudbury.
Cross-examined by Mr. Ilitommei—Has three
children under her care; her husband's, besides
Maria. Maria did not seem to be anxious to be
married to Corder. They were not. absent three
months when they went to Sudbury. Prisoner
brought deceased home in his gig, knowing the
death of the child. It died in her arms. They
went away together to have it buried. Knew no-
thing about the child not being buried at SudburY.
Never made any inquiry about it. Maria always
told her it was buried at Sudbury. Corder told her
the two nights they were absent they were at Mrs.
Corder's. Maria said so too. They told witness
to tell the father they had been to Sudbury. Maria
dressed a little fine. She and her sister sometimes
quarrelled about it, and she, and witness, and her
father too. Maria was sometimes very low about it.
When they went away, on the 18th, Maria's sister
and George were present. No secret was made
about it. Corder snapped his pistols by the fire,
when he showed them. On that day he took two
slices of ham from his pocket for Maria. He gave
money to the witness weekly for the child. She lied
five pounds a quarter for her child by Mr. Matthews.
Never heard the bastardy wasraat mentioned by any
one except by Corder. Maria never went out of the
door after she came from Sudbury, except the two
nights, and the Sunday night prior to the 18th of
May. Airiness and her husband were afraid Maria
would be taken up. When she went away on the
18th she was crying. Corder often braight a gun
to the house. Was examined before the. Coroner
(Mr. \Yuman), who is also attorney for the prose-
cution. Mr. Wayruan, the Coroner, examined her
upon her oath. No Magistrate was there, nor was
the prisoner ; he was in gaol at the tinie. Does not
know whether Corder was in the so= at the In-
quest when she was examined. Thomas Corder was
drowned before the 18th of May. The marriage
was talked about at that time. Corder, when they
;Fere talking about the five-punar;ote, said, Ss Uaria,
don't talk about it; as long'as jl have a shilling, you
and your child shall not want." They seemed very
fond of each other.

This witness gave her evidence very well.
Thomas Martin, is a mole-catcher at Pe,lstpdt—
itlihia was his daughier; she ‘4ll4abnut 2ii years old
in May last year ; the last time he saw her was on
the 17th of May ; did not see her on the 18th; he
went out early. Knows the prisoner, who had been
in the habit of coming to the house of witness fre-
quently. Found out on the 19th that they had
gone nw4v. Saw Corder on the Sunday sit his
house, wfio said, I have taken your daughter to
Ipswich, to be Married to her, but the licence must
go to London before we can be married." Corder
said he had got her the place with Miss
a sister to a young man Ile had gone to school with
at Hadleigh. Saw him frequently afterwards, till
September, and the answer to his enquiries always
was, that his daughter was quite well. Ahota a
month or five weeks after she went away, witness
first asked Corder why she did not write. The
answer was, "a sore on the back of her hand pre-
vents her holding a pen," Asked hint once after
that the meaning of her not writing. Corder said,
,‘ She is so full of business that she has not time to
write." Corder came to take leave of witness in
September. Had seen him about a week before.
Said he had got a new suit of clothes to be married
in. After this witness received two letters; they
were given to Mr, Wayman, or somebody, at the

first examination. Heard nothing more from him
after those letters. Searched the Red Barn en the
19th April last, in the front of which there is a yard.
The witness described the model. The gate ►s six
feet high, or perhaps higher. Some one was with
him. The bays of the barn were covered with litter.
Mrs. Corder's bailiff, William Pryke, was in before
him. They began to poke down in the straw to see if
they could find anything; the straw was thick, and
they removed it ; at the second or third time of rolling
it off, they found some large loose stones in the bay,
on the right going in. Witness thought there must
have been something there, for the
,earth seemed
to have been disturbed ; poked down with the handle
of a rake and mole-spike he had with him ; he turned
something up black (Pryke assisted him), and some-
thing that appeared to be flesh stuck to the spike.
Previous to this they had cleared the earth off a few
inches down. Both were struck upon► seeing this,
and waited for some one to come and help. The
mole-spike is round, and sharp at one end. Pryke
went to see for somebody; they did up the doors,
and witness waited near the barn. It was on a Sa-
turday. No one came back with Pryke. Witness
went home, and returned in about two hours. Went
into the barn with Pryke and William Bowtell.
They cleared the earth away till they came to a
body. They then cleared towards the head part,
and found a handkerchief that appeared to be tied
round her neck. The outside of it seemed of one
colour, but on undoing the folds they could see the
colour. They then cleared towards the feet. The
body was lying down, but not stretched out. It
occupied about three feet and a half. The legs were
drawn up, and the head was bent down a little into
the earth, There were three of them, but they did
not know what to do without somebody else. Wit.
tress went away, and returned to the barn with one
other person. Found Pryke and Bowtell there.
They had not then gone so far as to find the shoes.
Got Mr. Whitmore, of Polstead, to come, who came
and advised witness to lot it alone till the Coroner
came, who came on the Sunday, and witness was
present, as was Mr. Lorton, the surgeon. The
body was then taken from the hole. They put a
door down, and raised the body up to it. When
they turned the mouth up I thought it looked like
my daughter's, Maria Martin. She had a wen on
the centre of her neck. She always had a husky
sough a year before she went away. The things
found upon the body were given to Baalem, the
constable. (Witness described the things.) The
shawl was underneath the body wben it was taken
up. There were ear-rings and a busk with the
stays. These were partly decayed. There was
something that looked like the piece of a shift.
Combs were taken out of the hair,

Cross-examined by Mr. TiRODt:RICK—Pryke and
myself tried to find'the body; we had tried about
with the spike before the litter was removed; it
produced a piece of flesh about two inches deep on
the spike; I know it was very near the hip
where the spike struck, about the middle of
the body ; I was examined at the cock, at Polstead,
three weeks ow the Inquest, by the Coroner, who
is the attorney for this prosecution ; I was examined
on my oath ; there was no Magistrate or Jury pre-
sent,

Mr. ANDREWS--It was at the Inquest.
Mr. BRODERICK--NO, Sir, the attoruoy for the
prosecution examined the witnesses ou oath; no Ma-
gistrate heitig present at the time; the body had
been again taken up.

Ani Martin--I am the sister of Maria Martin;
I remember my sister leaving our house on the 18th
of May with Corder; she had men's clothes on; I
saw her before she put her hat on; she had a comb
in her hair; I heard say Maria was to change her
dress at the barn ; Corder said they were to be
married by license next day ; I have seen Corder
repeatedly since; he told me Maria was living at
Ipswich ith a lady and gentleman, and she had
gone with them to the water side to wait till she
could be married; I have" seen a dead body; I
saw it on a Sunday in April last, when the Coroner
was there ; I saw the body taken out of the grave
in the barn, and laid upon a dear ; I had seen the
body before; it was my sister's body; I knew it by
the things she had on, by her features and her mouth,
and her face generally; there was ?, siitc and a cotton
handkerchief on the body; the cotton one was a
green striped one; it Was round the neck part
when I first saw it; I can't say the last time I saw
it ; there were also ear-rings ; I saw one in one of the
ears; I had seen my sister; when she was alive,
wear these ear-rings; my sister had lost two teeth,
one on the right side, and one on the left; the one
on the left was the upper jaw, and the one op the
right' the lower jaw ; she had a wen on her neck,
and was troubled with a dry cough for some time ;
they were James Corder's clothes which Maria
wore when she went away; I heard Si'illiarn, Corder
say they were James Corder's,
CrosS-examined by Mr, PRENDERCAsT.—Maria
was crying wilen she left home; I have not heard
my sister say she was going to be married to Cor-
der; I understood they were 'going to be married,
because William Corder said so; I was in the habit
of quarrelling. with Maria sometimes, and so was
my mother, but not very often.
George Martin—l alp a brother of Maria Mar-
tin, and am nine years of age. I remember Maria
going away with William Corder. She went alone
when she went out of the door. William Corder
was at my father's that day, and he went out at the
same time. Corder had a glut wth him. He said
the gun was loaded, Itie :iaid to my mother, " don't
let the ehiid meddle with the gun; it is loaded."
Ire had a bag, which he carried up to the barn
fore. It was about half-past twelve wheo my sister
went out. I never saw her afti.'r. I saw Corder
after, the same day. I saw him come from the barn
with a pick-axe, it: was about half-past three o'clock.
149 wa;i going homewards from the barn. Ile came
over the corner of Broad-field, and then went along
Thistly-lane, and that was in the direction of his
own house. I saw oohody else at the time. 1 was
iii I,Velb..*ld, It was about twenty rods from him.
I was cutting grass for the donkey. I knew Corder
very well, and I am quite sure it was him. My sister
Maria was crying when she went out of doors.
Phoebe Stow, examined by Mr. El;,:txr—l lived
at Polstead, and knew Corder. My house
is aqut thirty rods from the barn ; it is the
nearest cottage to the barn; I remembey Ore pri.
saner calling at my cottage in MT( last year, I can-
not say the exact day, but it was about one o'clock ;
I had known him fos agoodmanyyears; he said to me,
" Mrs. Stow, has rot your husband got an old siiade
to ieua me ?" I got a spade and took it to him ;
was unwell at that time, having lately lleen confined;
he said, " how are you ?" I said, "'very weak, an4_
very low ;" he said 'c ott look had enoughz 'Qat),
am in each a hurry I cannot stop to talk to)11,_,1
he then went away ; I was co!lfikcf 91.1 thh 4i'ltcwa's
April, and was churched that day' month
led the
before I was churched that Corderrdbec:,
twain that
spade; I do not remember seeing Co
I can't say who
day; the spade came Wk.,.
was ibnutnitY;utihN°vtilts'h Coohred(elar);'
brought it back Corder
last harvest ; I began the cOlver"
was dead and b:aried, and
I asked him where the child was that Maria Martin
had by him; he it
she would never have any more said she is a
young woman, and she certainly would have more
children yet; no,
he said, Maria Martin will
never
be troubled with any more children ; I said,
what
do you go by ? fie said, she has had her number ;
I said, that neither you nor I can tell that ; he said,
I can, but I'll tie Cursed if ever the will have any I

it 5.......
_,,,,...
ir-1 ' • '
more; I 84,:dritifri.iy yi;til--", .' ::•It*Maria
' 7 .7
Martin, why\ 7.t youlivf.-Aj,th.,ber , ~ e answer-
ed, she is li'kel.`e I 44 :go txt )* at' day or any
hour, just wheA " I ji.4e; I.saidv ?erhaps you are
rather jealous when you are away from her—perhap,
you think somebody else is with her; he replied,
when I am not with her, I am sure nobody else i,.
TIP. th her.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRoDERICK—I am not a
gossip; I am not a talkative woman; I don't know
that Corder managed his mother's farm ; I know no-
thing about it ;he was looker-over of the land ;my
husband worked on the farm, but I know no more
for that ; I had lent the men tools at chance times ;
I had never lent Corder any tools before; I did not tell
my husband that Corder had borrowed a spade, and
had mentioned lending Corder the spade before I
was examined by Mr. Wayman; I was examined
before the Jury at the time they went to the .barn,
and also at the Cock public-house; I did not say
one word of the conversation with Corder about
Maria Martin having no more children at the time
I was examined before the former Jury ; I was exa-
mined afterwards at Mr. Creswell's, the Magistrate ;
I was sworn; but the prisoner was not present. It
was at that time I mentioned the conversation I had
had with Corder.

Re-examined by Mr. KELI.I"---I was asked no
questions about conversation with Corder at the•
Coroner's Inquest.
By Mr. BRopEtucK—The other cottages, nearest
the barn are half a mile from it. • .

Rachael Bugg, examined by Mr. ANDREWS-1
live at a farm-house at Polstead ; I remember Cor-
der coming to my house in harvest time, about Au-
gust, 1827; he said that Maria Martin would never
he my mistress, for she was gone to France with the
steam-packet.
William Martin, examined by Mr. KF,LLY-1 arn
a first-cousin of Maria Martin, and I know the pri-
soner; I had a conversation with the prisoner, in
August last year, concerning Maria Martin ; 1 asked
him where she was ; I understood she was at Sud-
bury ; he replied that she was not, but she was
where he could see her any day that ha liked; this
was at the prisoner's house, .and he gave me a phut
of harvest beer, and I told him lint to talk load, fev
fear the people indoors should hear him.
Francis Stow—.l am a labourer, liVing at Pol-
stead ; I harvested with Mrs. Corder last year; thk•
prisoner managed the business, and paid me ; I knot,
the Red Barn; the first corn off Mrs. Corder's land
that year was put into the Red Barn ; I attended
with nearly the whole of it; I believe i unhitched
the two first loads; the prisoner came up while
unpitched the first or second load ; they were put in
the bay where the body waa found ; I do not know
of the prisoner giving callers to put the corn there
there was a lock on the door; the bays of the bas
were ready foddered (littered) when we got the eon
to the barn; I recollect Corder coming one day,
either at dinner or beavor (lunch), and saying that,
he would give me a pound note if I would curt h;.s
throat; he was smiling at the timo,
Cross-examined by Mr. BRODERICK.+:Mv wife
never told me she had lent the prisoner a spade;
mentioned to the Jury that the prisoner offered me
a pound to cut his throat.

William Martin recalled, :ittd examined by Mr.
Ilnotnßictc---I was not examined before the Coro.
per's Jury ; I never was examined any where except
at this place.
W. Townes, examined by Mr. KELLY—I live at
Polstead ; I have been a good many years in Mrs.
Corder's employ. W. Corder assisted in managing.
her farm; I know the Red Barn ; I assisted in fill-
ing it with corn last harvest, sometime in the fore_
part of August; it was filled by order of \V;.iliam
Corder. I heard him give the order to put the
wheat there. Ho named the field America MI. I
do not know that ho said which bay it was to he
put into.. The corn was commonly put into the
right bay, It was littered before the corn was put
in. It was an old litter, but 1 can't say how long
it had been in. It was s,O littered that the earth
underneath could not tata seen. The barn was deare:it
from corn before Stoke Fair, which is on the lea
of May. I threshed the last wheat that WaS put in
the barn last year. I began to thresh it in Febreary
last, and finished in March. As I took out the
sheaves as soon as I had room, I began to lay th:,
straw. I did not remove the old litter in
this. I could not see the ground.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRODERICK-4i is usual
to litter the bays before corn is put in. I have
known Corder eighteen years. I never saw hint out
of temper. He was a very good..natured man to ore,
He lost three of his brothers and a father within the
last two years.

Wm. ilryke—li am farming bailiff to Mrs. Cordei•,.
I recullee4 Corder leaving Polstead for Colhester,
on the 18th of September, 1527. I had conversation
with him respecting the business, as I wac; going to
manage it I wanted to learn all about it. Mari:%
M4rOn's name was mentioned. He said he had not
zeen her since May. He said no more, only he
spoke very highly of her. I assisted Thos. Martin
in searching the barn., Martin discovered the place
where the body was. I had a rake in my hand, and
assisted t 2, remove the earth. The body was lying
on, the right side, doubled up. I attended again on
the Sunday morning, when the Coroner's Jury was
there. I locked up the barn on Saturday night, and,
unlocked it on Sunday, and found the body in the
same state.

Cross-examined—The prisoner had been very
ill
before I drove him in September over to Colchestei.
He said that Maria Martin was a deserving girl, and
5p01,,0 of her with great affection ; I was not exa-
m;ned before the Coroner; I was there the whole
of the day ; an application uas made to the Corona
to LAW Corder present while tise witnesses were,
being examined before the. Jury, but he refused,
LORD CIIIEFBAW,),N—That is somewhat singu%r,
is it not ?
Mr, I3RoDstacK—Yes, and also singular that the
C'Qrpner should swear witnesses three week; after-
wards, no Magistrate or Jury being present, and, in
addition to that,should '
he also be attorney for the
prosecution,

Witness continued—The prisoner was a good-
botuted man, There have been preachings near the
barn, but not in the barn,

LORD CHIEF BARON--What'preaching ? Is not
that very unusual ?
Mr. BRODERICK--Yes, my Lord; there were
preachings, and thousands of persons present ; and
the prisoner treated as a guilty man before his trial.
Witness—There were 5,000 persons to hear the.
Parson preach ; his name is Young.
LORD CHIEF BARON—Scandalous ! Was the
preacher a Member of the Church of England ?
Witness—No, my Lord, a Dissenter; I
knoll
also puppet•-shows carried about, rm. _ "--le , and
1 ._senting the
that bills have been placarded about the mr4...,_,,
scene of the murder.
Coroner, said,
Mr. ANDREW'S,
on the part of M. li,
he ri - • i avman the
p o..ner was admitted •
the Inquest-room, and the, evidence into
the 16th of May,
was read over
to him.
ti b M A
(Nee two letters given y r. J.NDREWS —I pro-
father of the deceased. to me by Mr. Martin, the
correct plan of the it The map produced is
.zt
Stoke Fair fell on
la the barn
li:ehxatnintine
1827. I was
out of it. before that time, and the corn was
Mr. Chap

Cross-examined--I was bound over to prosecute ;
I was Churchwarden of Polstead; I knew of shows
Preachings, but I did not interfere, as I did not
know I had power to interfere; there have been
shows in Bury during the Assizes on the subject of
the murder—a Ca»zera Obseura ; I did not interfere.
Re-examined—I am not a Magistrate of Bury,
and had na power to do so.
Thomas Martin recalled—l received two letters
from the prisoner—one dated 18th October last
year, and the other dated 23d. I gave them to
Chaplin; these may be the letters, but I can't say.
George Gardiner, examined by Mr. ANDnEw:;—
..

I believe- the two letters produced to be the hand-
writing of the prisoner ; I have correi-ponded wir h
him frequently, and saw him write; 1 had a eenver-
sation wit!' Corder about the middle of summer la, t,

year, before harvest, and I asked him where Maria I
Martin was ; he said she was all right enough, and
he believed she was under Mr. Mathews's protec-
tion
at that time.
The letters were put in and read as follows :
" London, Bull Inn, Leadenhall-street,
" Thursday, Oct. Is, IS2I.
" Thomas Martin—l am just arrived at London upon
business respecting our family affairs, and am writing to
you before I take the least refreshment, because I should he
:
in time for this night's post, as my stay in town will be very
short, anxious to return again to her who is now my wife,
and with whom I shall be one of the happiest of men. I
should have had her with me, but it was her wish to stay
at our lodgings at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, which
she described to you in her letter ; and n e feel astonished
that you have not yet answered it, thinking illness must
have been the cause. In that she gave you a full descrip-
tion of our marriage, and that Mr. Rowland was daddy,
and Miss, bride's-maid; likewise told. you they came with
WI as far as London, when we continued together very com-
fortable for three days, when we parted with the greatest
regret. Maria and myself went on to the Isle of Wight,
and they both returned home. I told Maria I should write
to you directly I reached London, who is very anxious to
hear from you, fearful some strange reason is the cause of
your not writing; she requested that you would inclose
Mr. Peter's letters in one of your own, should he write to
you, that we may know better how to act. She is now
mine, and I should wish to study for her comfort as well
as my own. Let us know all respecting Mr. Peter, and if
you can possibly write by return of post, direct for Mr.
W. C. at the above Inn. Maria wished me to give her
love to Nancy, and a kiss for her little boy, hoping every
possible care is taken of him, and tell your wife to let
Nancy have any of Maria's clothes she may think proper,
for she says she have got so many they will only spoil, and
make use of any she may like herself. In her letter she
said a great deal about little Henry, who she feels
anxious to hear about, and will take him to herself as
soon as we can get a farm whereby we can gain a
livelihood, which I shall do the first I can meet
worth notice, for living without some business is very ex-
pensive, still provisions are reasonable in the Isle of Wight :
I think cheaper than in any part of England. Thank God

we are both well, hoping this will find you all the sane.
We have both been on the water, and have had some sea
sickness, which I consider have been very useful to us
both. My cough I have lost entirely, which is a great con-
solation. In real truth I feel better than I ever did in my
Site only in this short time. Maria told you in Ler letter
Low ill I was for two days at Portsmouth, which is seven
miles over the water to the Isle of Wight, making altogether
ftS9 miles from Polstead. I would say more but time will

not permit, therefore Maria unites with me for your wel-
fare, and may every blessing attend you. Mind you direct
so Wm. M. C. at the Bull lnn, Leadenhall-street, London ;
write to-morrow if you can, if not, write soon enough for
b'atAirday's post, that I may get it on Sunday morning,
when I shall return to Maria directly I receive it. En-
close Mr. Peter's letters, and let us know whether be has
acknowledged little Henry. You must try and read my
scribble, but I am afraid you will never make it out.—l
remain, your well wisher, W. C.
" P.S. I think you had better burn all letters, after
taking the directions, that nobody may form the least idea
of oar residence. Adieu.
" To Thomas Martin, Polstead, near Stoke

by Nayland, Suffolk, with speed."
The above letter was answered by Martin deny-
ing the receipt of any letter from his daughter, and
thereupon he received the following:—
" October 23, 1827.

"Thomas Martin.--I received your letter this morn-
ing, which reached London yesterday; but letters are not
delivered out on a Sunday here, that I discovered on making
inquiry yesterday. However, I could not get through my
business before this afternoon, and am going &min to Poets»
mouth by this night's coach. I have been ibis Ai); to the
General Post-office, making inquiry about the letter Maria
sent to you, on the 30th of Septeinber, which you say never
came to your hands. The Clerk of the Office traced the
book back to the date it was wrote, and he said a letter
directed as I told him to you never came through their
office, which I think is very strange; however, I 'am de-
termined to find out how it was lost, if possible. But I
must think of coming over the water to Portsmouth, which
I will inquire about to-morrow, when I hope to find out
the mystery. It is, I think, very odd that letters should be
lost in this strange way—was it not for the discoveryof our
residence, I certainly would indict the post-office; but I
cannot do that without making our appearance at a Court
Marshal, which would be very unpleasant to us both. You
wish for us to come to Polstead, which we should be very
happy to do, but you are not aware of the danger. You
may depend, if we ever fall into Mr. P.'s bands, the con-
sequence would be fatal—therefore, should be write to you,
or should he come to Polstead, you must tell him you have
not the least knowledge of us, but you think we are gone
to some foreign part. I think, if you do not hear from
him before long, you had better write and tell him you
cannot support the child without some assistance, for we
are gone you know not where. If you tell him you hear
from us he will force you to say where we was; therefore
I think it will be best not to acknowledge anything at all.
I inclose one pound, and you shall hear from us again in a
short time; this will not reach you before. Wednesday
morning, as lam too late for this night's pat. You said
your wife did not like to take any of Maria's clothes ; she
said in her last letter that her old clothes were at their ser-
vice—l mean your wife and Nancy; but she shall write
again as soon as possible. I must now bid you adieu ; the
coach will start in about ten minutes. I have been so much
employed all day, I could not write before. Believe me to
be your well-wisher for your future welfare, W. M. C.
" To Mr. Martin, Polstead, near Colchester (post-paid)."
Peter Mathews, Esq., examined by Mr. KELLY—
I reside in London, ma have relations at Polstead ;
I knew Maria Martin, and also the prisoner, w.
Corder; I knew Maria Martin for some years; I
saw her the last time, I believe, on the,3lst August,
1826 ; I was at Polstead in July, 1627, and slits,
Corder thrice; I conversed with him on the subject
of Maria Martin ; I wished to see Corder, to make
inquiry of him respecting a note which I had lost;
it was a 51. Bank of England note; I put a variety
of questions to him respecting the .cote and letter,
and he said he knew nothing of them ;,;‘ told him it
tivas a letter which I had sent on the 3d of January,
1827, with a 51. note inclosed, awl he d'aiett all
knowledge of it ; I had a second interview,:
with
him, in consequence of a letter, tne prisoner brought
to my sister's house; I have in my possessesa
letter, which I received from the prisoner in August;
I produce it; I believe it to be the prisoner's hand-
writing; I had a subsequent conversation with him
eferring to this letter.
Gardner the witness was recalled, and proved the
letter to be the hand-writing of the prisoner. A
few lines of the letter were read; it acknowledged
Mr. Mathew's forbea-sance, in not prosecuting him
for stealing the Si. note from the letter.

Mr. Mathews continued-.4 produce another letter,
which I received from the prisoner in August, 1827;
it is in the band-writing of the goner.
Sunday Afternoon, Aug. 26, 1827.
Sin--In reply to your generous letter which reached
me yesterday, I beg to inform you that I was indeed hum.
cent of Maria Martin's residence at the time yOu requested
me to forward the letter I took from Brandford, and will
candidly confess that Maria has been with a disAant female
relation of mine since the month of May. About five
weeks ago they both went into Norfolk to visit some of
my kindred's friends. On Friday week I received a letter
from my kindred, who informed me that Maria was some-
what indisposed, and that they were then in a village called
Horingby, near Yarmouth. I returned an answer by the
next post, and inclosed your letter for Maria, which I
found reached her perfectly safe. As I took the Yarmouth
coach last Wednesday from Ipswich Lamb Fair, and went
to Horingby, when I was sorry to learn that Maria's indis•
paeitiou Waa caused by a sere gathering on the back of her

hand, which caused her great pain, and which prevented
her from writing to you, as her fingers are at present -im-
movable; knowing you would be anxious to hear from
her, I particularly wished her to write the first moment she
found herself able, which she promised very faithfully to do.
I gave her a particular account of our dialogue at Polstead
Hall, not forgetting the remarkable kindness I experienced
from you, which 1 shall 9ver most gratefully acknowledge,
and likewise return you my most grateful thanks for your
goodness in respect to the enterprise on my account when
in London.l remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
" WM. CORDER.
" P. S. I have already inclosed your letter for Maria,
with my own, which I shall post with dais immediately,
and beg permission to add, that I have fully determined to

make Maria In) bride directly I can settle our family
affairs, which will be about a month or six weeks' time.—
Tell them Maria will continue with my kindred. In con-
cluding, if I can at any time render you any service what-
soever, I shall he most happy to oblige, as I am truly sen-
sible of your generosity.
" For Peter Mathews, Esq., tenfield, near
Wokingham, Berkshire."
" Benfiehl, near Wokingham, 2d Sept. 1827.
" Mr. Wm. Corder,—l received your letter on Tuesday
last, and thank you for forwarding my two enclosures. 1
was so' ry to hear of the painful swelling upon the back of
Maria's hand, and from not hearing from her I fear she is
still suffering much pain from it. I will thank you to add
the necessary direction to the enclosed, and forward it to
her immediately. Let me know her full direction, that I
may write to her if necessary without troubling you with
the letter to forward for the future. From the postscript
in your letter I am glad to find your willingness to make
good your promise to Maria. I wish to be a friend to all,
and with a sincere wish for her happiness awl future in-
terest, and with a friendly feeling for your own welfare, and
for the sake of your worthy mother, who has recently suf-
fered such heavy affliction in her severe bereavement of
your father and three children, I am desirous of giving you
and Maria my friendly counsel upon the measure you have
in contemplation. For the advantage, interest, and future
happiness of all parties, my advice would be offered to you
both ; and after I had, satisfactorily to my own mind,
performed that kind duty, I should, with sincere good wishes
for her happiness and your own, leave the matter to your
own joint reflection and determination.—l am your's, &c.,
" P. MATHEWS."

Mr: Mathews resumed—When I saw the prisoner
in July, 1827, he said Maria was living somewhere
in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth. I made a me-
morandum in my pocket-book of the evening—it
was the :31st July. He connected Maria Martin's
name with the 51. note. I left Polstead on the 9th
of August, 1827. I had a conversation with the
prisoner the 9th of August, about a letter which I
had written the day before, and directed to Maria
Martin. The prisoner said he really could not tell
how to forward it by post, for he could not tell what
direction to put on it. I told him I was afraid he
was deceiving me, and I must insist upon his for-
warding it. He said he would forward it—he did
not exactly know where she was, but it was some-
where in Yarmouth. I met the prisoner on the 19th
of November afterwards, near Somerset-house.
I asked him if he had forwarded a letter to Maria
Martin, inclosed to him for her on the 2d of Sep-
tember? He told me that he had. I told him that
I was surprised at not receiving any answer, or any
letter at all from the young woman. He said either
that he had, or he thought he had, written an an-
swer. I told him the only letter I had received was
the one dated the 2Gth of August. I put it to the
prisoner where Maria Martin then was. He said
he had left her in the Isle of Wight. I told him
that her father bad written to me once or twice, and
that be was uneasy at not knowing where she was.
He said that he had written and informed her father
where she was. I asked him if he was married, and
he said no, and he had not yet settled his family
affairs, and assigned that as a reason for the delay
and not having married her before. I can state posi-
tively to the 19th of November, because I was
leaving town that day.

James Lee, examined by Mr. ANDREWS—I am a
police officer at Lambeth-street; on the 22d of April
of this year, I went to Grove-house, Ealing, where
the prisoner resided, at ten o'clock in the morning;
I saw the prisoner, and told him I had a little busi-
ness with him ; he said, walk into the drawing-
room; I did so; arid told hini I was an officer from
London, and came to apprehend him on a very se-
rious charge ; I told him he must consider himself
My prisoner; he said very well; I said the charge
was about a young woman of the name of Maria
Martin, that he formerly kept company with; I said
that 'she had been missing for a length of time, and
strong suspicions were attached to him ; I said to
" I believe you know such a person, a young
woman you kept company with in Suffolk ?" he
said no, he did not know such a person; I said, " did
you never know such a person ?" he said no, and
that I must have made a mistake, for he could not
be the person I wanted; I' said, " no, I have not
made a mistake—your name is Corder, and I am
certain you are the person; I told him to recollect
himself; I had asked him twice if lie knew such a
person as Maria Martin, and I would ask him a
third time; he replied that he had never known such
a person ; I then took from his pocket a bunch of
keys, and took him to the Red Lion at Ealing, and
on the way I told him the kody of the young woman
had been found in his barn; he made no remark
then, and we proceeded to some distance, when he
asked when was the young woman found? I told
him on Saturday last ; he made no further reply ; I
then left him at the Red Lion in custody, and re-
turned to his house • I saw Mrs. Corder and her
brother, who shewc me into a
.dressing-room; I
opened two writing desks with the keys the prisoner
had given to me, and I
Mr. BRODERiCK objected that the mere circum-
stance of the prisoner having given the witness :a
bunch of keys, which opened some drawers, did not
warrant the reception of evidence as to any property
found in the house.

.
Mr. ANDREWS replied he would obviate the dif-
lied ty.
Examination continued.—l had some conversa-
tion with the prisoner respecting some pistols I had
found in, the house. As we were coming to Bury
gaol, he said (to the best of my recollection) that he
would make me a present of them.
[The'pistols, in a black velvet bag, were then
so.ner to hear
tiagt6rsingtEighteeP'i
pro-
duced, but immediately put by].-1 don't recollect
that any' thing -had previously passe'd about the
pistols ; lig told me he had bought them when he
was 10. years of age, at Ipswich ; this was when I
Npviossi,tbiric.nnginghitri to'nury gaol at Polstead. I had
then„beeft examined before the coroner, and my de-
was, reduced, to writing. I took the pri-
nioit soh,:
:tbieol,eainasukt read over to him, and
Tm hi
dressing-roomneey
INvvearsehaarnon
mEbbaagleirn.ogn
alapfound i nt h
pistols.e
Mr. ANDREWS again called for the production of
the pistols, •
Mr. BRODERWK objected, that it did not appear
that the pistols were the prisoner's, or found in his
house; for non constat that the house was the house
of theprisoner, there being other persons,
T tiDt..-They werein my
By the 0,, ,- room all the
time the prisoner was there.
The CHIEF BARON--.. think T 1 I should be straining
the point very far, if I rejected this evidence. .
(The pistols were then produced.)
Examination resumed—On the 30th of April I
found a sword there, which I had previou,ly taken
from the nail on which it hung when I was formerly
at the house. '
Robert Offord—l am a cutler, residing at Had-
leigh, in this county. Last year the prisoner called
at my house; this was in the latter part of March or
beginning of April, 1827. He brought a small
sword, and said, " Mr. Offord, I have brought a
small sword, which I wish to have ground as sharp,
as a carving-knife, for the use of a carving-kni .
He wi.Thed to have it done, and be would call for it
that night. He said he had got a cousin about mar-
fel

rying in about a fortnight. , I think I should know
it again.
Lea was then recalled, and produced the sword
he found in the house in which he had taken the
prisoner. It was in a trunk in the dressing-room.
Offord recalled—ldentified the sword as the one
he had sharpened for Corder. (It was about two
feet in length, crescent-shaped, and perfectly bright.)
Offord's examination continued—l ground it up
quite sharp. It took a good deal of labour to sharpen
it up bright. The prisoner tool: it home the same
evening.
Cross-examined—l will not swear that this was
not before. Christmas, 1825. I don't keep a job-
hook, and speak only from recollection. I was
working by candle-light; and so I do at Christmas-
time.

Re-examined—There are two or three stains
which are now on the front and the side, which
were not on it when I delivered it to the prisoner.
'There are two or three scratches on it. There is a
spot or two on it at the back,and some elsewhere sear
the point. I can't say if they were on it when I
gave it back to Corder.
George Gardner (looks at the s word.)---I have
seen one like this in Mrs. Corder's house.
Cross-examined.—There was an alarm that Mrs.
Corder's house was about to be robbed, in the spring
of 1827. I sat up all night, and this was in the
house. There had been robberies in the place about
the time, and the people armed for their protection.