Star.
London, England, 1803-07-15 00:00:00

J. A !V r g 1. L IC;E NC E.

COURT OF KINWS BENCH, TUI.V

THE RING V. II crteßw ANn Ikt‘CoMr.9l._

, .
Mr. WOOD opened the pleadings, from which it
appeared that this was an information agairdl the de-
fendants, for a confpiracr to defraud Government
by means of falle vouchers, &c.
The Arroaasv GENERAL. after a few prelimi-
nary oblervations, laid before the Jury the faeis
which he was to prove in evidence. He Rated that
Mr. Hepburn was Lieutenant Colonel of the 311 l re-
giment of foot, and Mr. M'Cummin, the Paymafier.
In the lafi war the regiment ivas fent out to the Well
Indies. It was then a Omni-and firong, but ft fuffer
ed feverely from the unhealthinefs of the climate.—
The charge ;spina the defendants was, that they had
taken advantage of thefe unhappy circumflances,
and by faille mutters had defrauded the public. It
would appear that they had rated privates as fer-
jeants and corporals, and that they had drawn pay
for men who had been for Tome time dead. Wben
be had finifhed his pointed obfervatiuns upon thefe
practices,
The mufter rolls and pay lift of the regiment for
three half years, from the 14th June, 1796, to the
24th. December, 1797, were put in and-proved.
Serjeant Morton was then called, who Paid he had
abed as clerk to the regiment. When he made the
returns he was dcfired to keep all privates who died,
except in a military hofpital, two days upon the roll
after they were dead. This could not be done with
fucb as died in a military hofpital, as their deaths
were regularly regiftered and reported. The pri.
Yates Rill living were frequently returned as ferjeants
and corporals. Once when the witnefs rensonarated
with the Paymafter, the latter obrerved. in the pre-
tence of Captain Sullivan,: that he was nut of pocket
for money he had paid for rations. and that this was
the only way in which he could reimburfe himfelf.
Five or fix men were afterwards examined, who
were particularifed in the information as having been
returned as nomcommiflioned officers, while they
(erred and were paid as privates. They (wore that
they were privates, and received no more than their
pay ; and by an infpalion of the rolls and lift it ap-
peared that they were returned non-commiffioned
officers' and that money was drawn to pay them as fuch.
Mr. tamps, Counfel for Mr. bl,Cummin, ob.
terve), that after fuch evidence it would be an abufe
of the time of the Court were he to attempt to prove
that his client Mould be acquitted ; and this was not
the perited foe. *feting any thing in mitigation of pu-
aifliment. ' •
Mr.:Graas.raide livery ingenious fpeech for Col.
Neptuirn. He imputed every thing that had been
done to the Paymafter, and maintained that the Co-
lonel had filmed the faire returns through inadver-
tence, and without any fraudulent motive. Morton,
the "nsOft material winters for the profecution, he
ilsould completely Contradift, and flew to be unwor-
thy of credit.
Captain Sullivan being accordingly called, (wore
that he recolfetted of no fuch converfatinn as Morton
bad defcribed ; and that M.Cummin never ufed fuch
expreffions in his prefence. The witnefs allowed he
bad been obliged to refund a rum of money he had
received from the regiment Rock purfe.
Sit James Pulteney (poke to the defendant's cha-
raaer. He Paid he knew Colonel Hepburn, and con.
aderedlim a an of honour, and quite incapable of
alrand apon.Governtnent.
Other WitneffesWere called, but did not appear.
. Lard ELLasamtonort obferved, that thefe enor.
mous frauds, which were daily brought to light in
t:fits of Jake, were moll alarming to the public.
negligence in filch a cafe implied a high degree
or criminality,. He in whom great confidence was
repofed incurred a heavy refponfibility, and he was
not to be excufed if frauds were praaifed which it
was his duty to prevent. But it was here insporfible
to fuppofe that the defendants were not both conrci-
one of what was. going on. On opening the rolls the
tit thing that appeared was a return of 42 ferjeants
when there were oillt i.to men in the regiment. The
Jury hasnedietely found both defendants Guilty.
tag KUM V ICARR.
Mr. GARDOW, who opened this cafe, Rated it to be
a profecution of the left importance to the country.
It was for enticing a perfon of the name of George
Pondn, a weaver in horfe hair, tO go to Altona, where
he was for fore time engaged in a manufaflory.—
The defendant told him it was abfurd to live in this
country, where a man mull (terve, when he might
go to-another conntry, where every thing was cheap,
and where be could have plenty of work.
Mr. EasILINI, on the part of the defendant, admit-
ted the immenfe importance of the profecution ; but
denied that his client had been guilty of the charge
imputed to him.
He called feveral vritnelfes to prove that Pontin
Ira. on board the Royal William, and had rtsifeon-
duaed hintfelf during the mutiny ; and that he was
not to be believed on oath.
Thefe witneffes did not make sk deep impreffion on
the Jury, and they found the defendant Guilty.

Yeflerday Richard Sibley, a man of Colour, was
brought before the Sitting Magillrates at Bow areet,
charged with various acs of fwindling, It appeared
that the prifoner lodged in COnduit.firect, in great
keeping a man 4rvant, and pretending to be a
Weft India merchant. A number cf tradaTmen at-
tended, and proved the Initialer having obtained
goods under various pretences. He was committed
for further examination p4.Monday next. The man
who afted as kis fervant was likewife committed.
A young man, who it appeared was the fon of a
Clergyman in the North of England, was charged
with frauds on two refpeßable tavern keepers, and
was committed for further examination.

Mr. GRIIY, who kert the Belt &raze Coffee-
Houle on Latsgate Hill, went out on Wdenefilay
morning laft:ta a gig with two &adieu (boys); and
coming home'down GrAy's-Inn•Lane, towards Hol•
born, the Fi^ trofortimatc:y came in contad with a
returned chalk, the err.cotron wag fo great, that the
poll boy was threun (lathe parement,and
killed on the frt. 0:.3 t! two chil-
dren, were thrown r.•t t 11,7 orpil!e. ode I one a
the children r, i. t!. ^ °titer child
Lad t,ii atm dresdft i.-
I.inifed;—:ind rt. Gt... 7 •ttas takes bum;
Cptcchlcfs ::;11 r,.matias.