The Sun.
London, England, 1826-08-04 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

MAIDSTONE....AVXDNIESDAY, Auo. 2.
The commission was opened yesterday by Mr. Justice
Holroyd and Mr. Sergeant Onslow (instead of Baron
Graham, who has been recently attacked with a severe fit
of the gout.)
Mr. Justice Hoiroyd shortly charged them, and called
their attention to the state of the calendar, which, though

numerous, did not, he was happy to see, contain many
cases of an atrocious nature. _

The Grand Jury having returned into Court, found a
number of bills; amongst them is one for forgery, against
John Peels otherwise George Watson, merchant, whose
exploits in this way have been so remarkably extensive,
that,it is supposed he, has committed this offence in every
county in the kingdom. He was shortly afterwards placed
at the bar, and buying been arraigned in the usual form,
he requested, ai hour and a half to consider what plea he
should givo.
Mr. Ju'stice Holroyd.—Certainly ; let him have time to
consider: his plea.
This prisoner was then removed, and was subsequently
Owed at the bar, and indicted for having forged and
ut"..ered, knowing it to be forged, a certain bill of exchange,
'.mounting. to 37/. 11s. 6d., purporting to be drawn by
Nathaniel Underwood, with intent to defiaud Thomas
Beeching and others.
[The transaction took place on the Ist of June last, at
Tunbridge Wells' and the particulars have been recently
detailed m our police reports.]
The prisoner.--I plead guilty.
Mr. justice Holroyd.—lt is my duty to tell you, you
must not expect your conduct, in thus pleading, will
afford any ground for mercy being extended to you. if
you wish any further time to consider your plea, you May
do so.

The prisoner.—l have considered it. lam guilty, and I
said so from the first; nor do I expect any mercy to be
shown to me on account of my plea of guilty.
This was delivered in a firm tone, and the prisoner's
conduct made a deep impression on the Court.
Mr. Broderick, who was for the prosecution, said the
prisoner's conduct had not proceeded from any communi-
cation with the prosecutors (the Society of Bankers for
the Prosecution of Forgeries), but was solely the prisoner's
own act.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—Let the plea be recorded.
This being done,
Mr. Justice Holroyd said, " Prisoner, are you aware
there are other indictments charging you with the same
offence ?"

Prisoner—l am, my Lord; and lam equally guilty.
He was thth arraigned upon a second indictment, charg-
ing him with forging, and uttering as true, a bill of ex-
ehange,, purporting to be drawn by Alexander and James
Lidttie, for 3.5/., with intent to defraud Mr. John Steward.
'Mr. Justice Holroyd humanely said," Though this may
be too late, yet I wish to know, do you understand you are
pleading guilty to a charge which affects your life ?"
Prisoner.---I do.
Mr. Justice Holroyd(after consulting with the Clerk
of the Assize).—You may take time until to-morrow
morning to consider your plea.
Prisoner—No, my Lord, Ido not wish it. I have made
up my mind.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—With a thorough knowledge
that your pleading guilty cannot be the slightest reason for
affording you mercy
Prisoner (dejected.)—Yes, my Lord, with that thorough
knowledge.
A death-like silence pervaded the Court.
After a few minutes, Mr. Justice Holroyd declined
passing sentence, and. the prisoner was removed from the
bar.

,The prisoner's self-possession did not desert him through-
out this appalling situation. It was rumoured throughout
the Court that he would stand his trial, though he had,
since his apprehension, determined on the line of conduct
which he this day pursued, and the postponement which
he requested itithe early part of the day, gave a kind of
v!onfirmation to the report. That, however, did not pro-
ceed from any thing like hesitation, as it was solely salted
to enable him to execute a conveyance, which had been
in preparation, of some property, the fruits of his plunder,
in favour of an unfortunate female whom he seduced from
her,friends, and who Was for the last two years his asso-
ciate in the daring schemes by which he levied contribu-
tions upon the public • arid thus, by a strange anomaly in
our criminal code, whilst the personal chattels of the cri-
minal are pronotmced forfeited, he is still allowed to exe-
cuts deeds by which landed property to any extent may be
conveyed, if executed previous to arraignment and con-
viction. We understand that the prisoner is from the
neighbourhood of Cockermouth, and is most respectably
connected there. He was employed as a commercial tra-
veller for many years by a first-rate, house, and having be-
come a defaulter to them about seven years ago, he ab-
sconded, and has ever since pursued the course which has
led him to his fate. He is stated in the calendar to be
only 38 years of age, and appeared at the bar plainly
dressed in a blue sailor-like jacket, and drab kerseymere
pantaloons.

NEWCASTLE, MoNDAY, JULY 31.
The Assizes for this city and Northumberland termi-
nated on Saturday night, and some desire wan manifested
by the Mayor and Corporation as to whether the sentence
of the law would be carried into effect upon any of the
prisoners, more particularly on Bambrough, for forgery.
The cause of this anxiety is, that there is an ancient cus-
tom of this corporate city, in the event, upon the depar-.
tore of the Judges of Assize, of no prisoners being left
for execution, to present them with a half dozen pair of
gloves each, with also two pairs to each of the Judge's'
officers and attendants. Late last night a conference was
held by the Judges, at Mr. Baron Bullock's. lodgings ;
during the continuance of which, it Was said, a point in
• the case was discovered, which would Warrant the exteu-.
sion of mercy to Bambrough ; therefore, an order was sent
to the Mayor and Corporation, and to the keeper of the,
city gaol, upon the subject, and at eleven o'clock last
night the customary present of gloves was received by
their Lordships, who this forenoon left for Carlisle.—
ince the condemnation of 13ambrough, on Saturday
evening, he had given himself up entirely to despair.
yesterday he seemeaunable to speak or rise from his bed,
and declined all nourishment. Ile was frequently heard
to say yesterday, " Oh that I, who have lived so respec-
tably in my native place, should be hung there at last !"
This morning it was thought necessary to inform him, that
at present there was no fear of the sentence being car-
ried into effect upon him,and he has become more tranquil.

CARLISLE', Tuzsmkr, AIM. I.
GOWN SIDZ.

ee..*Rlt

ilannah Grave, a prepoikeseing yo f
dieted for privately stealing in a-dwell' Igo ra.e, WaS
in"
tity of lace, &e. the property of Mrs. ;g "5e a tan-
Margaret Nicholson,
of Cockermouth, in this eounty.
The facts being proved in evidence,
The Jury said, they did not believe-the facts had been
proved in evidence.
Mr. Justice Park (warmly).—Why so, gentlemen ?
Juror.—Beeause the prosecutrix did no see her staid
the lace !
Mr. Justice Park.—Did you ever see a man Commit a
robbery ? If so, it is not very common., Or did you ever
see a murder committed These cases are generally
proved by circumstances alone. Sir,
iour op-
niott you are trot fit to be a juror. In this case the law
has 'done all that is required ; the prosecutrix has proved
the property found in the prisoner's box to be her's—now,
what more its required ?
The jury then consulted, and at length said, they found
the prisoner guilty of having the lace in her possession.
Judge.—That won't do. I can't take that verdict.
Foreman.—Well, then ; guilty altogether.
The verdict of Guilty was then recorded, and the pri-
Enter, after anladmonition, was sentenced to three months'
imprisonment, and be kept to hard labour.
Richard Batl'ehofohn Thompson, and Mary Cooke,