The Sun.
London, England, 1829-06-19 00:00:00

EDINBURGH.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY, JUNF. is.
Yesterday, John Stuart, blacksmith, and Catherine
Wright of Stuart, were put to the bar, and pleaded
not guilty to the charges of murder, as also theft.
The minor proposition of the indictment contained
these words, " Feloniously administering laudanum,
or rather narcotic and deleterious substance, aggra-
vated with intent is aforesaid :" in so far as on
the 15th of December, on board the Castle Toward
steam-boat, plying on the river and frith of Clyde,
then on her voyage from inverary to Glasgow, and
when the boat was on her way between Tarbert and
Glasgow, they did administer to Robert Lamont,
merchant and farmer at Balligarton, parish of Kil-
ninian, in the island of Ulva, Argyleshire, a quantity
of laudanum, or other narcotic and poisonous sub-
stance, which they mixed up with a quantity of
porter or ale; and the said Robert Lamont having
partaken of that mixture, fell into a profound sleep
and state of stupefaction; and while in that state,
they abstracted from his pockets a leather pocket-
book, containing ten batik notes for one pound each,
and a two pound note of the Leith Bank, and
other property ;
.and in consequence of having
drunk of the said poisonous narcotic mixture, so
prepared and administered, the said Robert Lain?in
lingered in a state of insensibility until the morning
of the 16th December, when he died, and was thus
bereaved of life and murdered. The indictment,
which was also laid on the statute 6th Geo. IN .
c. 126, charged the panels with, at same time, ad-
ministering‘ a similar mixture to John Lamont, Ca-
therine M'Pate or 'McPhail, and Margaret McPhail,
their daughter, with the intent to murder or dis-
able them.
In consequence of some informality in the indict-
ment, the SOLICITOR. GENERAL moved that the diet
be deserted pro loco et tempore, and the prisoners
re-committed on a new warrant. We understand a
trial upon a new libel will take place in three weeks,

We are happy to learn, on the authority of a
gentleman residing in this town, who had the honour of
conversing with the KING a week or two ago at Windsor,
that his MAJESTY is in the full enjoyment .of excellent
health and spirits. The gentleman alluded to was, at the
express direction of his MAJESTY, who condescended him-
self to give orders to an attendant to that effect, sbewn the
whole of the Castle, including the new and magnificent
state apartments, and also the beautiful scenery at
Virginia Water..-Brighton Gcixofe.

Stevens, a Bow-street officer, deposed to the fact
of his taking the prisoner into custody.
Mr. Thomas Hamlet proved that the signature
to the cheque was not in his hand-writing.
George Coombes, the accomplice, who is still in
custody, was then examined, and repeated his former
testimony with respect to his acquaintance with
the prisoners. After describing several meetings
which they had had together, he said that they met
together at the coffee-room in Pickett-street, in May,
when Martelly asked Conway if he felt inclined to
commit another forgery. Conway said he had no
mind to do so, and witness said the same. Mar-
teliy observed that he was in want of money, and
must have some. Soon after, witness, Martelly and
Conway met together in St. James's Park, when
Martelly pulled a cheque-book of Messrs. Coutts
from hispocket, and said that Conway was going to
put his signature to one of them, and that he (Mar-
telly) should present it. Witness told Conway
that he would be very foolish to do so. Witness
then declined having any thing to do in the matter,
and went away. On the following day witness met
Conway, who told him that Martelly had presented
the cheque at Messrs. Coutts and Co., and that he
(Conway) remained outside, and after waiting some
time he saw Martelly taken off to Bow-street.
Witness and Conway met the next morning, and
Conway said he would write a note to Sir H. Bir-
nie, and that the signature to it should correspond
with that which the cheque bore. _

Cross-examined by Mr. C. PHILLIPS—I refused
to have any thing to do with the transaction, be-
cause I thought it dishonest to do so after having par-
ticipated in the other forgery. The number of
crimes I have committed so oppresses me, that I
cannot count them, I came here to-day for the pure
love of justice, and no other motive.
By Mr. CLArtx,soN—Upon my oath I have not
come here expecting to save my own neck. I do
not, however, believe I shall be prosecuted. 1 ex-
pect I shall not be prosecuted. I must have told a
lie when I said I came here for the pure love of jus-
tice.

The Jury,after consulting for about three minutes,
returned a verdict of Guilty against Martelly, and
Not Guilty as affecting Conway.
The moment the verdict was pronounced, the
prisoner Conway fell senseless in the dock, and in
that state was carried out of Court, followed by Mr.
Box, the surgeon of Newgate. Martelly heard his
sentence without appearing to be much affected by it.
The trial lasted until past seven o'clock