Star.
London, England, 1821-10-05 00:00:00

evidence. After complimenting the able manner in
which the defence was carried on, he said their whole
attention was to be directed to the first and third
Charges,-for the second had been given up, however
relevant; that, in his opinion, the circumstances at.'
tending the affray brought the assembly clearly within
the definition of a mob laid down by Mr. Hume,
though the people might have had no premeditated
intention to interfere with the military ; and if the
Jury would be of this opinion, all the prisoners, as
they were present in the mob, would be equally
guilty, notwithstanding the same specific acts of vio-
lence could not be brought against them all. And
that as to the assault, &c. he would make no com-
ment on it, but refer the Jut y to their own notes of
the evidence, acquainting them, at the same time,
that it was perfectly competent to find the assault not
proven, or proven, and with or without the aggrava-
tion, just as they thought warranted by the circum-
stances of the case.
The Jury retired about eleven o'clock at night, and
were ordered to 'return their verdict next morning,
the Court being unable, from fatigue, to wait them,,
having already sat on this trial about twelve hours.
The Jury gave in their verdict next morning, find-
ing the assault proven by a plurality of voices—the
mobbing unanimously not proven; and found them
Not Guilty 'of the resistance and obstruction.
The LORD JUSTICE CLERK then passed sentence on
the prisoners, ordaining them to be for three months
imprisoned in the jail of Wick ; and the Munros to
pay each of them a fine of £3O sterling.
There was no other business before the Court, and
it immediately adjourned.

POLICE.

MANSION-HOUSIL—CHARGE AGAINST A SOLDIER.
—A Gentleman applied to the LORD MAYOR for a
warrant against a corporal of the Coldstream Foot
Guards, under the following circumstances :
The applicant stated, that on the 17th of last
month, as he was walking up Ludgate-hill, he was
suddenly, and with great violence, forced into the
carriage road, when, on turning round, he perceived
a band of soldiers, to one of whom he addressed
himself on the unnecessary and outrageous violence
ith which he had been pushed into the street. The
leading soldier, who was a corporal, answered him
in the most insolent manner, cursed him, ordered
him to get out of the way, and raised his hand as if
it was his intention to stab him. The complainant
was much alarmed at this action, and retreated into
the shop No. 23, for safety. He appealed to the,
Lord Mayor whether an assault of such a nature,
committed by a soldier with his bayonet fixed, should
be suffered to pass without punishment? The com-
plainant said, he had followed the soldiers to their
barracks, and obtained the name of the aggressor,
and he now wished for a warrant from his Lordship
to apprehend and bring him to punishment.
The LORD MAYOR said, that however the aggressor
might deserve to suffer punishment, it was not for
him to adjudge or inflict it. All he could do was,
to hold the aggressor to bail or to keep the peace, or
to answer the charge at the Sessions. As there was
little fear that the soldier would run away, the best
way to act was to indict him at the Sessions ; and
then if a true bill weft found, a warrant would fel-
low of course. His Lordship expressed his strong
sense of the nature of the outrage which the soldiers
were but too prone to commit in the crowded streets'
of London.
The complainant said, he should follow his Lord-
ship's suggestion, and left the Office. He, however,
soon returned and said, that probably the soldier
would be removed, when it was heard that this com-
plaint was made against him. Indeed it was pos-
sible, that before the indictment could be prepared,
he might be removed, by course of service. Upon
these grounds he had thought it prudent to return,
and submit to his Lordship the necessity of issuing
his warrant to secure the offender, and oblige him to
find bail to answer the charge, which he conceived
to one of the most serious nature. Ile knew there
was some law or regulation in country towns, for
obliging soldiers with fixed bayonets to march in
the carriage *ay. He did not know whether there
was any obligation upon them to do so in the crowded
streets of London, where such a precaution was so
much more necessary.
'llw LORD MAYOR said, he was aware of the seri-
ous nature of the assault, but as the matter had been
suffered to sleep so long, it would appear unneces-
sary now to issue a warrant, particularly as the Ses-
sions were so near.
The complainant accounted for the charge not be-
ing. brought forward at an earlier period, by as-
suring his Lordship that he had been obliged to go
out of town immediately after, and had but just re-
turned.
He had applied at Bow-street, supposing
that the Magistrate for Middlesex had jurisdiction'
over all within the County, but was informed that he
had no jurisdiction over the City. The complainant
added, that he did not know but that the soldier
inipt have been removed during his absence.
Ihe LORD Macon suggested the propriety of
ascertaining that fact.
The complainant said he should make the inquiry,
and wait upon his Lordship next day.
Gottortma..—The Parish Officers of the City Li-
berty of St. Andrew's, applied for a third summons
against Mr. Palser, to shew cause why a warrant of
distress should not be issued, to levy for the Poor-
rate, upon his goods and chattels, they having con-
vinced Mr. Alderman Waithman, the .Alderman of
the Ward, of the propriety thereof. In reply to this
it was asked, was it fair that Mr. Palser should be
summoned before each of the twenty-six Aldermen
as they attended in rotation, till one of them might
be found who would risk the.consequence of grant-
iag the warrant? The case had already been heard
before Mr. Alderman Brown, and twice before Mr.
Alderman Wood, and the parties were not now better
prepared than before, to shew that the house was
within their jurisdiction. Mr. Alderman Smart
said, he always conceived the duties of the Alder-
man within his Ward, with regard to Poor-rates, was
distinct from those of the Alderman when acting
judicially. In signing the Poor-rate, the Alderman of
the 'Ward acted ministerially ; and it was not for
him to investigate or object to items ; but in granting
a warrant of distress, he acted judicially, and it be-
came him to make inquiry before he did so; such ap-
plications should always be made to the Alderman
!sitting at this Office. With regard to Mr. Falser, as