Star.
London, England, 1824-07-30 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

It is generally believed in the first lidilitaryarcies, that tke ques.
tion of the expediency of preserving our possessions in Western
Africa, at the expense of increasing the army, has at length been
determined in the affirmative. T►e reinforcements, however, will
be raised in a manner the least objectionable to then who are ad-
vocates for abandoning the scene of so much recent disaster. Two
Black Regiments are to be levied. which will prevent the expense
and delay of recruiting in this country. Two White Regiments
are, at the same time, intended to be formed from convicts, in the
same manner as the 60th was first raised, which will strengthen the
white population in our African possessions. These four afillawl=
with the increased strength of the Si West India Resilient,
Royal African Colonial Corps, will, it is supposed, prove saint
to make such a demonstration against the Askance's, and elf ether
enemies, as shall obtain a settled peace, and prevent a reeeneilte od
such reverses ai have been lately experienced. Of this force Major-
General TURNER takes the command ; Colonel SUTHERLAND, second
in command; and Major CHISHOLM will retain the important post
of Cape Coast Castle.
The Ist division of the 75th Regiment of Foot has arrived in
Dublin, from Gosport.
The Ist division of the 31st Regiment of Infantry will embark
for Portsmouth on board the transports that conveyed the Ist divi-
Bon of the 15th to Dublin.

The 86th Regiment has marched front Armagh to Newry.
The Yd Battalion of the Ride Brigade has marched from' Lime-
rick to Templemore.
The Slith Regiment of Infantry,has moved from Cork to Mantel.
The Olith Regiment has marched from Enniskillen to Boyle.
The 734 Foot has moved from Castlebar to Athlone.
The 4th Regiment of Dragoon Guards has been ordered from
Newbridge to Dublin.
The sth Regiment of Dragoon Guards is ordered to march from
Ballinrobe to Dundalk.
The 7th Regiment of Dragoon Guards is ordered to march from
Dundalk to Newbridge.
The 9th Regiment of Light Dragoont (Lancers) has been or-
dered from Cahir to Dublin.

The 18th Regiment of Infantry has arrived in the lonian Islands
from Malta.

The 93th Reement of infantry, which embarked in April at
Portsmouth, has arrived at 3lalta.

The 78th Regiment of Foot (Highlanders) is ordered from Kil-
kenny to Dublin.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTIMOUIII, JULY 29.—Wind E.—Arrived the Lord Beresford
steam-packet' from Jersey; Sir Francis Drake ditto, from Ply-
mouth ;Camilla ditto, from Havre ; and Circassian, I.)ustrow.strz,
from Loodou for India.

jinx gg.--Wind Easterly. Passed through from the
River, the Foxhound, EMNSPIT, for the South Seas; Jane, 1111A1TN,
for Gibraltar; and Ann, W.s.rsorr, fur Smyrna.
Laysaroox, low 28.—Arrived the Jackson, TATLOIII, from Que-
bec—ealled 30th June, in Company with the Rob Roy and Scotia,
for Liverpool—spoke the Julius Cesar, from London, off Green
Island; on the 14th inst. in lat. 51. long. 40. passed the brig Mar-
garet, from Quebec for Liverpool: Lady Skerbrook, S.tacowett,
from Pictou—sailed the 3d inst.; the Maria was to sail on the loth,
and the Enterprise the 14th, for Liverpool; on the 19th inst. in
Ist. 52. long. 22. spoke the Sir James Ketnpt, from Quebec for
Kinsale: Columbus, Tnomsoe front Miramichi—sailed Ist inst.
Mars, EVANS, from Newfoundland; Caroline, —; Julia,—,
and Brothers, Thomson, from Trieste; Susan, —; and Blossom,
WILLI/MOON, from Leghorn. The Latona, Mitts., from London
for Bengal, was spoken with un the 6th inst. in lat. 36.30. long. 15.
and the slackarel, Roseau, from Sicily for Rio Janeiro, on the 7th
inst. passing the Gut of Gibraltar.
WATEIVPORD, JULY 26.—From the Ist of September, a floating
light is to be stationed off the Coning Islands, outside the Saltees,
between the Wexford coast and the coast of Wales. The light will
be off the small island called Coningbeg, to distinguish *from the
larger, called Coningmore. The floating light ship is liked with
three masts, on two of which lights are to be hoisted. She is to•
bear, by compass, &E. A E. from the great Sakee Istand -24 miler;
W. 8. from Tosser Rock, 22 miles ; N.W. front Hook Tower,
the Eastern entrance of Waterford harbour, 14 miles. • • •
A letter from the Agent to Lloyd's at Constantinople,•
dated the Rsth of June says—" A proclamation has just
been received by all the legations here, transmitted them
by the Greek Authorities, dated from the Mills of Nau-
plia, the substance of which is to declare, that knowing
of many vessels under European flags having been
freighted to the Turkish Government, as well at Alex-
andria as Constantinople, for the conveyance of sup-
plies to the fleet, and for other objects, is the present
contest, they are warned from so employing themselves,
as being contrary to the neutrality avowed by their
various Governments ; and it is consequently declared
that vessels and crews taken under such citcumstances
will be treated as enemies, and that orders have been
given to sink, burn, or destroy them."
A letter from the Agent to Lloyd's at Smyrna, dated
June 18, says—" Since the %I instant we are without
any British ships of war in port. Yesterday, sailed to
join the Captain Pacha at Mitylene, a Turkish frigate
and a brig of war, having under escort a fleet of small
craft with about 5,000 troops. Report says a large force
is destined to.attack the island of Ipsara. We are sorry
to say some disorders were yesterday committed by the
troops : to-day perfect order and tranquillity is restored.

LAW REPORT. •

-
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, JULY 20.

CRlbt. CON.—PETER U. HANCOCK.
Mr. BROUGHAM opened the pleadings. -This was al
action brought against the defendant for criminal con.
versation with the plaintiff's wife. The defendant
pleaded the general issue.
Mr. SCARLET? stated the case. His Learned Priensf
had told the Jury the nature of this unfortunate case.
He was extremely sorry that cases of this kind were s,)
frequent ; but in this particular one, he was sure tie
Jury would feel with him for the pain and heartfe4
anguish into which the plaintiff had been plunged. /;,)
occurrence of the kind with which he (Mr. Scarlett)
was acquainted, affected his owattaind so sensibly. Ti
'plaintiff, Mr. William Franklin Peter, was :oboist thirty.
seven years of age, and was descended from an
'and respectable family in Coinwall. Early in life I.c
went into the naval service, and had enjoyed the honour
of being present at the consummation of uur naval
',glory at the battle of Trafalgar. He was put on
pay at the peace, and afterwards engaged in the met-
chant service, being entrusted with the command of a
ship bound to the South Seas. He made two voyages.
In 1817, he was married to the Lady who was the sub-
ject of the present unfortunate action. Her name Was
Miss Jane Mary Margaret Beckwith, daughter of the
Reverend Mr. Beckwith, Minor Canon of the Cathedral
of St. Paul, and Rector of St. Alban's, Wood-street.
After their marriage, it was arranged that she should,
reside with her father, and in the spring following she
presented her husband with a son, the fruits of their do.
mestic happiness. On the second voyage she accompa-
nied her husband to Plymouth, and returned to London,
where she produced a daughter, the only surviving
pledge of their marriage. On his return he became part
owner of the vessel, and as she expressed an unwilling.
ness to remain at home, he took her with him as a com-
panion on his voyage. In the summer of 1819 they pro-
ceeded to Buenos Ayres, and round Cape Horn, to Val-
paraiso, where they remained till 1820. The ship was
sold at Valparaiso, and they came home passenger&
On their return, she took up her residence in the house
of her father. Captain Peter's father dying at Falmouth,
he went down to Cornwall to settle his father's affairs.
During his absence Mrs. Peter went to reside at a house
which was purchased at Moulsey, where she continued
till the unhappy event which separated her for ever
from her affectionate husband. Mr. Hancock was a part-
ner in a wholesale house in the grocery line in the city
of London, and between the family of Beck with and Han-
cock there subsisted a very friendly Intimacy. The de-

Pendant succeeded his father and uncle, and the greatest
intimacy took place between himself and the plaintiff.—
Several letters from the defendant could be produced in
evidence of his warm feeling and attachment for the
plaintiff. But he (Mr. Scarlett) did not impute to the
defendant the design of seducing the plaintiff's wife, at
the time of their mutual friendship. During Mrs. Peter's
residence at Moulsey, Mr. Hancock went down every
Saturday and Sunday to visit her, and spend the time
with the family. Some time before Christmas last, Mr.
Peter was engaged in an arbitration of a difficult na-
ture in town ; Mr. Hancock urged by letter that Mr.
and Mrs. Peter should make his hotise in Bread-street.
hill their home, while be should be engaged in the ar-
bitration; and said if they did not comply he should
blame the inmates of the Wood-street Rectory (Mrs.
Peter's father) for it, and Mr. Peter must therefore pre-
vent the coolness which that would occasion. Mr.
Hancock had written some poetry in the letter, which
amused the Ladies exceedingly, and it must have bect
very good, as they are allowed to be the best judges of
poetry—(Laughter). They came up to his house in
Bread-street; and it happened shortly after that they
went to Grove Cottage, Moulsey. Mr. Peter was obliged
to come to town early in the morning, and came by the
stage. Mr. Hancock was to have followed him, and to
carry Mrs. Peter to town with him in his own carriage.
The children were to come by the stage. Mr. Hancock,
instead of coming to town in a short time, remained
with Mrs. Peter till five in the afternoon. This was on
the sth of January. The coach did not come so early
as expected. They came in the evening to Mt s. Ilan-
cock's mother's house. Mr. Peter thought nothing of
their stay in the country, so confident was he of the af-
fections of his wife, and the disinterested friendship of
the defendant. A few days afterwards Mr. Peter had
occasion to go to the country—he was than happy—
' most happy in the endearments of his amiable%wife.
his return to town, Mr. Peter, on going into the boil.:e
of Mr. Hancock, was met by a person at the door, who
hastily put a note into his hand, and hurried away.—
The note was to the following effect :
" Captain Peter—You little expect the intrigue that's going on
between your wife and Mr. Hancock; look in the little trunk, .red
you will see the letters passing from them daily ; they sleep togethLr
when you are from bone."

He acted upon this suggestion. It happened that Mr,
Hancock pressed him to take a dressing-box into his
bed-room which he did not want, but his wife prevailed
upon him, and he took it. He went abruptly into the
bed-room, where there were two servants at the time,
he opened the trunk with great agitation, and grand the
parcel of letters, he then opened the dressing-box, and
found enough to convince him that his future happi-
ness in life was blasted. Thus the Jury would see, that
he had laid the guilty secret before them. He did not
knew what could give a higher colouring to the case.
Those who knew lite, knew too well the insidious arts,
the professions of ardent vows, and the unconquerable
passion of love, by which persons like the defendant
endeavoured to seduce the objects of their illicit desires.
The Jury would find it insinuated in some of the letters
that Mr. Hancock had an early attachment for Miss
Beckwith, but if such were the case, what could have
been more easy than for a Gentleman of his wealth
to obtain her ? He and Mr. Peter were of the same age,
and it would be too much to suppose, if any affection _ 1
.Ad
subsisted between him: and Miss Beckwith, that she
would have refused him. He (Mr. Scarlett) vrould
produce letters from Mrs. Peter to her husband while
abroad, expressive of the, tenderest affection, and 11
would also produce witnesses who had seen them bait
abroad, living in the utmost harmony. He would defy
the other side to shew that the plaintiff had any doubt
of the affection of his wife till the calamity burst all at
once on his mind. The correspondence was carried elk
in the house—a proof of the caution and decorum with
which the parties conducted themselves in the presence
of third persons—he was so consummate in the arts of
hypocrisy and treachery. In the several letters to Mos..
Peter, the defendant endeavoured to persuade her of
her husband's want of love, and of his own uncooqiiri.
able passion. The letters were written with great wA; ni.!l
of affection, and in a good style. He addressed
Peter as " My dearest Jane"—", True affection, my
Jane"---" I him no other tie on your affection but your
reliance on my truth and hontrur"—" William (her bus-

1)204) has constant access to you; but Mt, you only see
toe as a whispering, deceitful, hypocritical 'wretch."
No words could give a better description of him than
his own. The subsequent parts of the letter expressed
the utmost ardour for her ; a bridegroom in the arms
of Ins bride could not picture up love more passionately.
In another letter from the dressing-box, he said, u I would
sooner forego the extatic pleasure of Saturday and Sun-
day (meaning his visits to the Grove Cottage) than the
hope of going with you to the theatre." He said that
her mother was the cause of the doubts which had been
cast upon her reputation. " A woman's fame is like the
bosom of a peaceful lake, let it be ever so calm a breath
will disturb it." Tho defendant was indeed " a detestable
fellow," according to his own words—he had cast a
dark shade over the future lot of her life. He had done
this for some few moments of extatic delight, which he
knew would be short—for the seducer finds it but a short
gratification, and turns away with disgust from the vic-
tim of his seduction. In another letter he alludes to the
possession of her perkon in his own house—" It makes me
distracted to steal to those embraces which shall in fu-
ture be mine—mine alone—and from which no

---r.--" But he would read no more. The Jury
would find that the plaintiff and his wife were happy—
happy in themselves--happy in the friendship of the
defendant, who had professed a fervour for the husband
which was romantic and sentimental. What case could
call for more damages? The plaintiff was deceived and
misled in every thing. On the other hand, what could
palliate the guilt of the defendant? He had known the
Lady from infancy—she was the friend of his father—
the daughter of his father's friend, and the fond wife
of a man for whom he had expressed the purest affec-
tion. He sought, by a base and hypocritical passion,
to seduce her irora the arms of a tender husband, the
extent of whose affliction had since affected his mind.
But no damages could alleviate his loss—on returning
to the bosom of his family, he found his fond wife se-
duced, and his infant daughter an orphan—all caused
by the friend of his bosom. But the Jury would-ex-
press their deep sense the injury sustained by the
amount of the damages.
Alexander Indeman produced the marriage register.
Joseph Lee, parish Clerk of St. Alban's, Wood-street,
was at the marriage—knew Mrs. Peter from a child.
Miss Peter, sister of the plaintiff, examined by Mr.
BAOUGHAAI.—Her brother was a Lieutenant in the Navy
at the time of his marriage—since commanded a mer-
chant vessel—plaintiff's family lived at Devises. In
1818 witness last saw them at Helston, in Cornwall—
her brother came there to place his wife under his
father's protection on his going to South America—wit-
ness was in company with them every day—she accom-
panied witness afterwards into Wales, and then she went
to reside and 4e-in at her father's, in London—they ap-
peared to live on the most affectionate terms--witness
and she corresponded—the produced letters are Mrs.
Peter's hand-writing.
Captain Wright went out to Buenos Aryes in the ship
commanded by the plaintiff; Mrs. Peter went with her
husband; they seemed very much attached; never saw
married people live more affectionately together.
Wm. Crozier was mate of the brig Indian; Captain
and Mrs. Flier were at Valparaiso, from whence wit-
ness came passenger with them to Rio Janeiro ; witness
was forty or fifty days on board with them. The In-
dian was sold, and they came home in the Lord Cath-
cart together. It was impossible any couple could live
more affectionately together; saw them at Mr. Han-
cock's, in Bread-street, London ; also at Mr. Beckwith's,
the Lady's father, living on the same terms.
Crou-examined by the Arrouisr-GarizaAa—Mr. Beckwith has
ass and daughters besides ; did not know of any quarrel, or of
pilaff's leaving his wife at Valparaiso; does not know of their
laying had a quarrel since in London, but hu heard as much.
By Mr. BROUGHAM—There was some quarrel be-
tween him and the Governor of Valparaiso; remem-
bered seeing Mrs. Peter in Wood-street, after this affair;
when she mentioned that Peter had left her, witness
said to her " never snind; he'll come back to the cottage."
Mr. Heise, Sulicitor, of St. Ives—Knew the Rev. Mr.
Peter, Minister of that place,plaintiff's father ; also knew
Mrs. Peter; whilst living there, she was received into
the first families ; saw nothing incorrect in her conduct.
Mr. George Dickson lived at Buenos Ayres—Plain-
tiff and wife lived with witness there, and seemed per-
fectly happy.
Mr. Hatfield, auctioneer at Truro, knew plaintiff's
father, who died in 1819, when plaintiff came down as
his father's executor, and staid there about two months ;
iniess sold his father's effects.

Mr. John Joseph Killey was executor of defendant's
uncle; is a wholesale grocer; always considered him in
good circumstances ; his uncle left him 16,0001. besides
a fourth of the residue when his younger brother comes
of age (now fifteen); that will amount to 5,0001. more;
the rent of the landed estate, which he takes the whole
of, amounts to 8401. a year ; he succeeded his father as
partner in the wholesale grocery business, which is very
extensive. Being shewn several letters, proved plain-
tiff's hand-writing ; Mr. Hancock's age is about twenty-
even or twenty-eight.—Letters from Mrs. Peter to her
husband, the first announcing the birth of a son, were
here red, couched in terms of great affection.
Mr. SCASLETT observed, the license described Mrs.
Peter as a minor.
Mks Peter re-examined by Mr. Seas-sort to the band-writing of
.1!1. Peter, in a letter addressed from St. lye's, to her husband, at
lnrouth :—" My dear and faithful William, my sweetheart, &e.
tting to make you a father before your return, may Goo spare it
:z our comfort, honour, and happiness. I am much indebted to the
L'Auess of your relations, and am delighted with your sister. Your
fritr won't part with the medal you obtained fee the battle of Tea-
-1:43: out of his hands, but shewed k me. Affection would induce
tt to turn to the other side of this letter to write further to you.-1
Ma! Goo bless you, my dear William.—Adieu, your ever dear," &c.
Another letter, announcing that she hourly expected to make
tin the father of another dear baby, to reward him for his toil and
`:4l6tr. That a Mr. Williains, of Cardiff, in Wales, believed her
Lt a single woman. That she could be happy with her husband
I"• 4,•Y place. I an: very glad you have left off grog, and prefer
Aftecion4te letters to the plaintiff's father from defendint Were
^ne. with theisp verses :
" An Inn is life's epitome,
And, a wise saw to borrow,
`Which shews of life the brevity,
we come to-day, and go to-morrow"—(Laughter).
".no-aer, enntaining a critique on some verses written by the
t—
;hat they were greatly in vogue among the Ladies.
.',uses lived set vant with Mr. and Mrs. Peter, at 'their
Moulsey ; Mr. Hancock, the defendant, used
IF crime there on a Saturday and stay till Monday ; on
of January last Captain Peter got up at seven ;
llrs. P. made breakfastfor hint; Hancock came on the
c
tturd.ty
and remained till the Monday after Mr. P.
Away ; the childoen went off by the coach at four.
"'Ness, as ected, broup,ht defendant's gig at four,
W3S desired to bring it back at five; Mrs. Peter and
tl'.e defendant drove off in the gig for London ; witness
lint see his master for some days after.
t`min44-ei oninrd by the Arroamar-Gesettas..—Mr. Hancock, on
1 r ''":4situn, used to come down with his servant on horse-
, • . he generally came duav‘p in his gig, and used to drive Mis.

Peter out in its he uteri to be a gdod deal in the mien and Gelds;
used to read to her on the sofa.

Reexamined by Mr. Seas:me—When she rode out with de-
tenant her little girl went with them—they used frequently to be
seen sitting on the sofa together alone in the room.
Harriet Harmond, servant to Mrs. Hancock, of Bread-
street-hill—Mr. and Mrs. Peter were there; they had a
bed-room; witness used to take a dressing-case, by
directions of Mr. Hancock, to and from Captain Peter's
room to Mr. Hancock's ; witness has remarked that
Captain Peter made no use of it, he said that Captain
Peter had the key of it ; remembers Captain Peter
coming into the room when witness and another were
making his bed, about nine or ten o'clock, when he took
some keys and unlocked a little trunk of his wife's, in
which he found some letters; that note is like the hand-
writing of G. Coleman, a porter in Hancuck's house,
whom his master transported for theft ; has seen defen-
dant come out of Mrs. Peter's room during the plain-
tiff's absence, between nine and eleven in the morning,
which struck witness as remarkable, and she mentioned
it to her female fellow.servants. When Captain Peter
took the letters from his wife's trunk, he seemed to be
in great trouble; he never returned to Hancock's holm
After that morning; remembers the Copelands coming
to a dance at defendant's house during the Peters' visit;
Mrs. Peter danced with Hancock; old Mrs. Hancock'
is a widow; Mrs. Balls also came there with her
daughter; Mrs. Peter's child slept with her in the same
bed ; also when her husband was at home.
By the Jury.—The first child died, this was the youngest; wit-
ness's sister is still in the service of Mrs. Hancock ; soon after the
discovery Hancock went to Pads.
Mrs. Morris assisted at Hancock's to make the beds ;
remembers Peter coming into his wife's room with his
hand pressed to his forehead ; saw him unlock the box
and take some papers out in great agitation.—CLetters
from defendant to Mrs. Peter were here put in and read.)
M You are his wife—cursed thought !—but he never has nor can
that ardour of attachment—that undenying love ; 0, no, no!
t;shaenssl gazed on that lovely face, my whole frame was shivered
with delight. What was my delight on opening the box, to find
my Jane had not forgotten me. I wish to forget my troubles on
your bosom. If I cannot bear to be parted from you for a day, bow
shall I endure life when you go to blotilsey ? Your love has granted
me everything. A woman's fame is like the bosom of a tranquil
lake—the least breeds will disturb it. You see what a base hypo-
crite I am ; but I have loved you fervently, with a love only the
grave can terminate or disturb. It makes me distracted when I
think you have a husband. Heaven bless you, my beloved Jane—
Goo bless you, my dear.—Your constant and ectionate friend,
" JOHN."

Another :
a You cannot conceive my disappointment when I open the box
and find no letter from you."
further reading of these letters was so fulsome and dis-
gusting we are obliged to drop the pen.)

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL addressed the Jury for the
defendant, whose unhappy conduct he did not mean to
palliate. His Learned Friend (Mr. Scarlett) had the
cards in his own hand. He had produced many wit-
nesses to substantiate his case, but had only brought
forward one witness belonging to the family, who had
seen the parties together for one day. He had produced
evidence of their being extremely happy at home and
abroad—in England, in Buenos Ayres, and Valparaiso;
but he had not dared to bring forward any members of
the family, because, on their cross-gamination, things
would come out which would throw great doubts on the
Lady's happiness with het husband. The Jury had been
told, that if Mr. Hancock was so disposed, he might
have married Miss Beckwith ; but at that time, the time
of her marriage, Mr. H. was only twenty years of age.
After hit marriage the lady had gone abroad, and it,
was only on her return that Mr. Hancock's early affec-1
tion was renewed. They lived together with rest in-
timacy during Mr. Peter's absence in Cornwall, and
while his wife resided is London. The Jury would find
that at Moulsey, in London, and elsewhere Mr. Peter
was absent in the garden and the fields, while his wife
was reclining on the sofa with Mr. Hancock, all with
her husbands knowledge. He left them amusing them-
eelveson sofas, reading novels, romances, and love-poetry.
SCAILLST2....That is all mere supposition.
The ATTORNEY-GINIRAL—His Learned Friend said
it was not true that they read romances; but did the Jury
think they were reading sermons?—(Loud laughter.)
The defendant's letters confirmed it. To be placed at
the side of a beautiful young woman on a sofa, was a
dangerous trial for a Gentleman's virtue. It would be
idle to deny that the act of adultery had taken place.
But admitting that, there was much to be allowed for
the defendant, who had been attached to the Lady from
his boyish years, and would have married her but for
his uncle, and his own minority. Only four letters from
the Lady to her husband had been produced. Surely
she had written many more ; but it had not been deemed
advisable to produce them, as they would shew a
change of feeling. In a short time her husband's af-
fections cooled, and it was not strange that the kindness
of her early loier should not be unwelcome to her.
The LORD CHIRP Juarica summed up. There was
so doubt of a criminal connection between the defen-
dant and Mrs. Peter ; it remained for the Jury to say
what damages should be given—reasonable and tem-
perate damages they ought to give, considering all the
circumstances of the case.

The Jury consulted for a few minutes, and returned a verdict for
the plaintiff—Damages, £5,000
This announcement was received with dearonstrations of joy, and
some chipping was heard, which the Judge strongly reprobated.

Letters have been received from Batavia, dated the
26th of March. They communicate intelligence of
considerable importance. The duties on British manu-
factures had been raised in Batavia from six to thirty-
five per cent. This change had produced a great sen-
sation among the merchants. Accounts had been re-
ceivedrespecting Mr. Thornton, the English merchant,
taken by the pirates; be was still detained at Ritti (Su-
matra), and they refused to let him depart under the
enormous ransom of 40,000 dollars, about 8,6001.
Malacca has been declared a free port.
Private letters from Lima, up to the 10th of March,
represent that city to be in a very disturbed state. Pre•,
vious to the arrival of the Spaniards in the city, nothing'
was seen but robbery and bloodshed; but on their en-
trance tranquillity was, in some measure, restored.
The work of purification at the Millbank Peniten-
tiary being completed, it will be re-opened on Monday
next, and there is no doubt it will soon have an abund-
ance of inmates.
The heat °lithe weather in France appears to be ex-
treme: persons of both sexes, labouring in the 'fields,
have dropped down dead from the heat. Birds also
have fallen dead fiom the same cause, both in France
and
ruined to
alarming
the latter
t ctountrj vegetation has been
Who is the author of " The Hermit in Edinburgh,"
just published Tis the question in all circles. That be is a &Ma-
mma and a scholar—one well acquainted with high life, and yet a
playful actor in its drama, is evident. We admire, at the samr
time, hi, patriotism and liberality ; there is po national prejudice
about him ; and it W certainly commendable in a Scot to correct
own- country by the light towels irr entertaining satire. This
la truly worth perusing.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
HERTFORD, JUL? 29.
Jones flitch was indicted for a burglary In the dwel-
ling-house of Thomas Pratt, at Sawbadgeworth, in the
night of the Ist of April, and stealing four watches,
twenty-eight thimbles,and various articles of plate to the
amount of 201.
A witness proved that the prisoner had been seen lurking near the
prosetutor's house, about nice in the evening before the robbery.
The prisoner now said, in his defence, that be had seen a man
drop the boodle, and he picked it up, not knowing its cootents.—
The Jury, under the Learned Judges directions, found the prisoner
Gatilky—Deeth.
OXFORD, JULY 28.
This afternoon, Mr. Justice PARK arrived in this city,
from Abingdon, and instantly proceeded with the High
Sheriff, &c. to the Court, and opened his Majesty's Com-
mission. The Judges will go to Church to-morrow
morning, and the business of the Assize will after-
wards commence.
BUCKINGHAM, JULY 28.
John Norris Andrews, a publican, re4ding at Olney,
was indicted for having, on the 4th of November,lB22,
administered certain drugs to Frances Mary Wells, with
intention to procure abortion.
F. M. Wells examined—She had gone to the pri-
soner's during the illness of her aunt, who lived with the
prisoner, which was in 1821, and afterwards staid with.
him as a servant, but without receiving wages ; she had
intercourse with the prisoner for the first time in June,
1822; she became pregnant in August, and communi-
cated that fact to the prisoner in two months after-
wards; he expressed a hope that such was not the fact,
and asked her to take some drugs to get rid of the
child; she consented, and fetched some (which she spe-
cified), to procure abortion ; she had done so at the pri-
soner's desire ; in the first instance she succeeded ; she
afterwards had another intercourse with the prisoner,
and again became pregnant; she was delivered of the
child, for the support of which prisoner had allowed
her ss. a week ; that allowance had since been disconti-
nued. She went to a Magistrate to swear the child to
the prisoner, and she had then stated the circumstance
of her former pregnancy, and of the means taken to
procure abortion. _

- Cress-examined—She had never exposed her person to any man,
nor had intercourse with any other man.
A little boy in the defendant's service corroborated her testimony
as to the purchase of the drugs.
The prisoner made no defence, but called the girl's
uncle, who deposed that he would not believe the gill
on her oath.

Other witnesses were called to discredit the girl's tes-
timony, and to shew that her conduct was lewd and dis-
solute in the extreme. For this purpose they stated a
number of instances of gross depravity, which they de-
scribed as having been committed in concert with them,
and which were such as to disgrace themselves most
completely.—Two Medical Gentlemen were also put
into the box, one of whom stated, that he attended the
girl on the 2d of August, 1822, when she exhibited every
symptom of having previously procured an abortion.
Several witnesses were called to give evidence as to
the prisoner's character, and they stated generally that
he was seriously disposed in his character, that he had
studied the classics, with the intention of taking orders,
and that he had been accustomed to keep company with
the young clergymen of the [dace.
The LORD Cum, BARON summed up.—The only
question, therefore, for the Jury, was to say whether
they thought that evidence was sufficient to destroy
their belief in the girl Wells's testimony. His Lordship
then read over to the Jury, the evidence produced both
for the prosecution and defence ; and commented with
great severity on the testimony of the witnesses who
had deposed to the various acts of lewdness and de-
pravity committed by them and the girl in concert
together. He had never heard such base and depraved
conduct so willingly and shamelessly avowed in a Court
of Justice ; but still that of itself was not sufficient to
' destroy the credit of their testimony, although It clearly
Proved them to be most infamous and profligate wretches.
With respect to the evidence of the prisoner's general
character, it was always held by the Judges to be no
answer to a clear and positive charge, fully made out
by credible testimony. However, when the evidence of
the charge was doubtful—when the minds of the Jury
hung in suspense as to the proof of the alleged crime,
then the testimony of his general character, if good,
was properly taken into consideration, upon the question
of probability. Upon the whole, therefore, the Jury
would say whether they believed the testimony of the
girl Wells; and as their opinion was upon that point, so
would they find their verdict. _ _

The Jury retired for nearly an hour, and then returned a •er-
dict of Guilty.
The Loan Cum Boum sentenced the prisoner to one year's im-
prisonment, and to pay a fine of £lOO, and to be further imprisoned
till that fine was paid.

ABINGDON, JULY se.
John Cases and John Nash, two young men of decent
appearance, were indicted for taking by force 2s. from
Martha Hopkins, on the highway, on Saturday last.
Martha Hopkins, the prosecutrix, a girl of 19 or 20
years of age, told her own story. On Saturday last, she
wen; to Oxford from Abingdon, where she lived, and
returned about eleven in the morning. The two pri-
soners, one of whom, Casey, had a wooden leg, followed
her out of Oxford along the read. She turned to cross
the fields by a footpath, and they followed her, and
made overtures to her to walk with them. She refused,
however ; but they still pursued her ; overtook her;
threw her into a ditch, and one of them took indecent
liberties with her, which she resisted. In the struggle
they took away her pocket, which contained two -shil-
lings ; she regained the pocket ; but they laughed at
her, and kept the money. One of them took ott a pen-
knife, with which he threatened to cut her arm off, and
actually scratched her hand. At last, an old man came
up, and she ran off to Abingdon. This witness under-
went a long cross-examination from Mr. SHEPHERD,
William Hunt said, he saw the prisoners walk from
Oxford with the woman. He afterwards heard her cry out,
and she complained to him that they had treated her
James Fletcher said, the field where the transaction
occurred belonged to his uncle. He saw Casey eater,
it with the woman, and afterwards asked for a recom-
pense for the trespass on his uncle's land. Casey pulled
out a heap of sovereigns, and said the woman had
robbed him of one of them. He accordingly charged the
woman with the robbery, which she dented with tears,
and said she would have the men taken up for ill usage.
The prisoners severally made long addresses to the
Jury, in which they detailed the circumstances of the
case in a manner unfit for the public eye. They asserted
that the woman was voluntarily in their company, and
had snatched a sovereign from Casey, which he regained
after it fell to the ground. Their statements gave a sew
colour to the facts stated by the prosecutrix, and cor-
responded very exactly with the circumstances deposed
to by the other xritiesses.

Mr. Samna said he had several whassisi to mil, if Jury
k necessary to ►ear him
The Jury said it was unnecessary, and immediately teemed a
verdict of Not Peaty.
This case terminated the Amities. L the Nil Prim Natant
occurred of the least Interest. Only four canons were altered for
trial, and two of those were without defence.

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