The Sun.
London, England, 1818-01-24 00:00:00

CRIMINAL INFORMATION.

Mr, BoLLAND moved for leave to file a criminal
information against a person of the name of Ro-
bert Dawe : the aPplication was made at the in-
stance, and on the behalf of 'a Gentleman of the
name of Martin Annesley, ‘vho was advanced in
life, and was.one of the senior Aldermen of the
Borough of Reading. By the affidavits it ap-
peared, that a person of the name of Allen had been
convicted at a late Quarter Sessions, at which
Mr. Annesley presided; of embezzling the property
of his employers ; hut in consideration of his age,
the prisoner being 130 years old, andmf the good
character he had previously borne, he was Sen-
tenced only to a short imprisonment and a whip-
ping. About a week after he had been committed,
the Surgeon Of the Gaol called upon M. Aunts-
ley, and stated, that in consequence of the illness
of the prisoner, it would be iinproper to inflict the
corporal part of the punishment at present, and
it was in consequence postponed, until his health
was perfectly restored. According to the report
of the same medical attendant, even then, out of
compassion, the gaolor was directed' merely to
pass the whip over the back of the offender, with-
Out inflicting auy pain, so that that part of the
• punishment was merely nominal. Allen, however,
'ied before the .period of his'confinetnent had ter-
Minated, anti Mr. Hobert Dawe had thought fit
to write a letter, and some verses, in which he
attributed the death of the unfortuate man to Mr.
Annesley, who had only. acted as the organ of the
rest of the Bench of Magistrates in passing the
sentence. The letter' was' addressed to a Mr.
Hobert.
Lord ELLutsita?;a6l3l.lH.—The letter and verses
were not printed ?
Ser.' IliiLL'ANn replied in '
the negative. The let-
.
te-, after "noticing other 'papers, proceeded dins':
--•.` I have been at: poor Allen's to inquire about
his case, and I found it just as I stated, namely,
that Mr. Annesley was the cause of, hii punish-
ment and death. Can he sleep ? Yet he knows
that the blood of Chriit cleanseth.all sin. I had
a relation in the Sante circumstances' at Bristol,
&c.; but Bristol is not_ so evangelical a town as
Reading. Some men here hold-that Bibles Make
us better than good deeds." This was signed "Ro-
bert Dawe, and a postscript was subjoined, in
which he stated something he had learnt regard--
• ing the Bible Society; to which MF. Annesley be•
longed. The verses it was unnecessary to read

publicly delivered in a-CoUrt of Justice, pieces of
the kind .generally excited a smile, if npthing,
1110 re. ; the'poern, if the natite it deserved, repre-
sented that Allen's Ghost -came to the bedside of
Mr. Annesley, charged him with being the cause
of his death, and dis.played the wounds he had re-
ceked from the lash of the executioner : it con-
cluded with this slanza—
" To all this Annesley gave belief,
" Yet did his spirits soon retire,
" And swore that the next petty thief
" He would both flog and flay alive!"
Under these circumstances, he hail thought that
the proper course of proceedingwas to apply for
the interference and protectiou of the Court.
Rule to slim cause granted.
CONTEMPT 'OF COURT.
THR RING V. MARIA PHILIPPA DOBBIN.

On the motion of Mr. RICHARDSON, the de-
fendant, an extremely Interesting and. pratty
woman, was brought up to answer a contempt of
Court, in refusing to deliver tip to her husband
the body of her dal. The proceedings in this
case ;were several times delayed, first by Mr. Rill,
the defendant's Counsel, who wished for an allow-,
mice of further time, es there were many reasons
which he should have to argue in explanation of
the defendant's conduct. This was refused, as a
contempt of the authority of the Court did not
admirof 'any indulgence. Mr. Richardson then
hoped that the Court would give leave to the de-
fendant to answer the contempt ; it was a fatrily
disptee, and his client would be extremely. sorry to
press matters to the utmost, provided .the object
which the husband of the lady 'had in view was
put in a train of being settled.. •He should,be per.:
fectly satisfied if the lady would undertake to appear
before their Lordships with the child, within any
reasonable time.

Lord ELLENBaTIOUGI-1.-You hear, Madam,
what the Counsel says; it is for you to determine
what you will clo.
Mr. RICHARDSOII.—h is necessary, my Lord,
that as little time as possible should be lost, as
the husband is attending in town expressly for the
purpose.
The Lady continuing silent, the Court again
called upon her "to make up hit. mind -upon the
subject.
Mrs.•Dcibbitt; lifter some.hesitation.—l am de-
termined not to give up the child.
Lord ELLENBORoUG:H was remarking upon the
coutnmacious conduct of the defendant, -when

Mr. BILL observed, that the Lady could not
have nnderitood the nature of the question'which
had been put to her. He requested leave to speak
to the lady upon the subject, and they according-
ly withdrew from. the Court, which proceeded to
dispatch the other business of the day.
Atter some little interval, the lady again 'ap-
peared, and as soon as an opportunity offered. of
her again addressing the Court,
Mrs. Dobbin said,—l prefer going to prison, my.
Lord, to giving up the child to such a‘ father ; I
cannot give up the child. to such a father.—The
Lady addressed some further observations to the-
Court, hilt in so low a tone of voice, that it was
impossible to collect any thing she said. She was
then sworn to answer the interrogatories which
were for the first time legally exhibited to her ;
having done so, the Court granted her further
time for reflection, and called upon her recogniz-
ande to continue their liability.