Star.
London, England, 1816-12-07 00:00:00

THE LATE RIOTS.

EFURTIIIR PARTICULARS.)
The younger Watson, of whose identity as the
persoa'who shot Mr. Platt there is now not the slight.
eat doubt, it is supposed is soon likely to be in the
hands of the Polite. Government, we understand,
has.received pretty accurate information of his route,
and besides two rewards already offered of £lOO by
the City of London, and £5O by the Parish of St.
Sepulchre, for the apprehension of young Watson,
the person supposed to be guilty of shooting at Mr.
Platt, Government last night issued a Proclamation,
offering a further reward of &NO for his aorelsenrion.
The examination of Preston, Hooper, Cashman,
Carter and Gamble, at the Mansion House, did not
take place yesterday as was expected, but they were
all in waiting in the custody of the Officers.
The LORD MAYOR, who had been at the Office of
Lord Mtivit.t.s upon the subject of the discharged
seamen, as will be seen in another part of our Paper,
subsequently had an interview with Lord &MOUTH
upon the riots. His Lordship, we understand, re-
commended iii the strongest manner the necessity of
holding a public examination of the elder Watson,
numerous individuals, as well by letter as otherwise,
having stated that they were prepared to identify
that person. 4 number of persons indeed hourly
present themselves-as—thollansion House, who can
speak to the conduct of one or other of the parties in
custody, and who were observed as most active in
the disgraceful scenes on, Monday last. Under these
circumstances, and the necessity tf being provided
with the best possible evidence, the Loan MAYOR
deemed it most prudent to postpone the public exa-
mination of the rioters until Wednesday next. _

From all the circumstances which ;ive transpired,
and which for the present are very properly known
only to the Government and some of the Magistrates,
it was yesterday stated by his Lordship tha: the plan
was much more general and extensive than was at
first imagined. The attempt at insurrection was cer-
tain, as well as the being provided with arms. This
latter fact is not only established by the declaration
of some of the parties in custody, but by the accounts
delivered from several quarters of the purchase of
shot and powder on the morning of Monday. Mr.
Hawkins, of Bishopsgate-street, in particular, dis-
posed of a quantity of powder and small shot early
that day, but his servants who supplied the persons
who purchased these articles, had of course no appre-
hension of their design. Some of the parties, how.
ever, who so purchased, can be identified. Whether
the plan of the rioters was to commence in the morn.
ing or at night, is not ascertained ; •but from the de-
claration of Preston, who charges young Watson with
precipitancy, it appears that the operations were not
•
to commence till dark.
Preston still maintains a high and indignant tone.
He talks more enthusiastically than before of the
extent and nature of the plot, and adds, that no less
than three hundred thoeuad persons were enrolled in
the cause I Hooper, who states Preston to be the in.
stigatcr and great +machinist of the conspiracy, bat
declared that the two Watson:, himself, and Preston,
were in concert together in Spa-fields on the morning
of Monday. By some accident, however, when the
party left that place, with the younger Watson at
their head, for the purpose of advancing into the
City, they lost sight of each other, but Hooper after-
wards saw the former in the midst of the mob in
Cheapside. Hooper also acknowledges that he was
himself with the party in the Minories at three
o'clock. The latter fact, indeed, can be attested by
a witness who saw him there, and who, from the
circumstance of Preston's being lame, is more certain
of the fact. Another Gentleman of literary notoriety
can speak to the union of Preston, the Watsons, and
Hooper, in Spa-fields. A man named Thistleton,
also, it is discovered, was most active in the various
scenes of the rioters, but he is not yet secured.
We stated yesterday that two lancets were found
in the shop of Mr. Beckwith since the commission of
the outrage on Monday, and that on them were en-
graven the letter W. Upon a close examination,
however, of these instruments yesterday, the name of
Watson was discovered legible upon the inside of
each. Mr. Beckwith attended the Mansion-14 Am
yesterday, as did his boy, John Roberts, who was in
the shop with Mr. Platt at the moment the rioters en-
tered. He is an intelligent lad, and describes most
accurately the person of the young man who shot
Mr. Platt (corresponding entirely With the person of
young Watson), also of the man, a sailor, who was
most active in plundering the shop of arms. Mr.
Beckwith states, that the assassin of Mr. Plitt (as
I before related) deliberately loaded a case of duelling
pistols, which he carried away ; and it is a singular
coincidence, that on the night of the elder Watson's
arrest at Highgate, the two persons in his .conspany
who escaped discharged each a pittOl. The Ler.ti
Mayor suggested the necessity :of Roberts, the boy,
being taken to the Compter, where he might possibly
identify some of the parties in • custody, to whom be
was ordered admission on Sitexcleya thistaresing•
Two lettets were yestarday put Ina lands of

•.. . •
hi Dial) dKkti44:* -o;ut by. Mr. Beckwith. which
proved to, he-Mit:found upon
:young Wa,vin, ad
dressed, " Mr, Pt!estnni" the other by a Mr. Curtis,
of G.irvell street, who inidestakes to idenuly some
of the rioters, Gamble in particular, whom he saw
discharge and reload their pieces on Monday, at the
at
tote Rolmhenre:tlen they 'were deprived of their standard
Exchange.
Cashman, the sailor, who pretends to have been
for.- isfied es ith a musket at St. Paul's, confessed, soon'
after his apprehension, that he haJ "had a sp?11 in
his torn at the colours," meaning that he carried them,
but-states that he was tumble to furl them.
The claimants for Inst fire arms are numerous at
the Manshin.house, and various weapons continue to
be brought in.
Thomas Fiend, the Blrough officer, yesterday pro-
duced a pistol, which had been taken as hereafter
described. Its. fellow had been already lodged with
Mr. Hobier, at the Mansion-house, and the pair prove
to be the property of Mr, Beckwith.
Friend stated, that on Thursday evening a woman,
nameJ Elizabeth Owen, had gone round to the shops
of various pawnbrokers and others to pledge or sell
the pistol in question, but in consequence of the no-
tice issued by the Loan MAYOR, she was invariably
refused by the parties to whom it was presented. At
length having carried it to the house of Mr. Willis,
of Highstreet, in the Borough, information was
given, and Friend after some difficulty traced her,
and she was brought .before Sir Joust EAMEII. For
the possession of the pistol she accounted by stating,
that on the day of the riot she met a man close to
the Mansion House, who had picked it up, but fear.
eng suspicion he gave it into her charge. This person,
from her description, is well known, and will of-course
be called upon to account for the transaction. The
woman has found bail for her future appearance.
Yesterday, at Worship-street Office, an investiga.
don took place before JOSSPH Mossa, Esq. respecting
an elegant fowling-piece found in the house of Benja-
min Rayner, butcher at Hackney.—lt appeared he
informed some of his neighbours of the gun being in
his possession, and that one of the parish constables
seized it and brought it to the Office, when it proved
to be one of those taken from the shop of Messrs.
Potts and Co. gunsmiths. in the Minories, by the
rioters on Monday Lift.
The butcher being asked how it came into his pos-
session ? he said, a young man, named Jacob Abra.
ham, with whom he was acquainted, met him on
Monday evening . he had the gun in his hand, which
he said he found in the street, and gave it to him,
desiring him to tind an owner for it; not thinking 9f
any harm, he retained it in his possession until the
constable took it from him. 011 being asked where
he bad been on Monday ? he replied, that he was at
a gentleman's house, named 13ritton, until past three
o'clock. Mr. Potts attended, and stated, that at two
o'clock his house was surrounded by an immense
mob; his men shut the door, but the leader of the
rioters threatened to shoot the person at the door, it
he did not rerenit them to enter. On gaining ad-
mittance, they seized a great quantity of arms of
every description, consisting of guns, pistols, swords,
kc. and fired several shots over the fan-lights, re-
peatedly threatening to shoot him. The number of
arms taken away exceeded a cart load, and the gun
now produced is one of the same.
The butcher was desired to put on his hat, but Mr.
Potts and one of his men who attcndrd• could s,ok, re-
cognize him as one of the party who entered the shop.
Tise Magistrate said it would scarcely be credited
that any respectable tradesman could be so infatuated
as to join in such disgraceful proceedings, but as the
gun was found in his possession, he mutt account how,
it came there by producing Abraham; he would
allow him a few days to do so, and to bring forward
evidence where he had been during Monday—This
he promised to do, and the case was at present dis
charged.

The late alarming increase of wandering indivi-1
duals in the City, chiefly discharged seamen, is now
likely to be abated. The repeated applications of the
LOUD MAYOR to Lords MELVILLE, BATHURST, and
SIDMOUTH upon the subject, have at length been an-
swered. A few days since the LARD MAYOR was
favoured with a letter Irons Lord BATHURST respec-
ting the matter, and yesterday he had an interview
with Lords MELVILLE and SIDMOUTH. The result
was, that Government have coincided in the propo-
sed plan of the LORD blaring, and have ordered a
ship to be provided for the reception of discharged
sailors and soldiers, foreigners, who may have been
in the service of this country. The vessel, we under-
stand, will be of the largest class, and will be moored
at st:me convenient part of the Thames for the pur-
pose of receiving the description of persons stated.—
It is intended, if possible, while they remain on board
waiting the opportunity of ships to carry them to
their several 'countries, a system of employment will
be devised. The Consuls of the different nations, it
is expected, will co operate in the design, and, inde-
pendent of the proposed resource, Governmen; stated,
that they will themselves require the aid of at least
300 men early in the ensuing spring.
The LOUD MAYOR declares, that if the plan stated
had not been adopted, the system of vagrancy at pre-
sent so universal, could not have been checked. The
Compter, Bridewell, and ether places, are at present
overflowing with wretched creatures, who are without
a parish or a home in this country.
Two young Ladies, residing. in Mansion House-
street, Kennington lane. of the names of HARRING-
TON, were met by a ruffian, dressed as a sea officer,
near Newington Causeway, early on Thursday even-
ing. He followed them some distance, and was very
pressing in his importunities, which they endeavoured
to avoid by frequently crossing and stopping. S p-
posing the fellow had left them when proceeding
along the South.east side, they were assailed by the
same rulE in, .who drew a dirk from his pocket and
wounded the elder of the young Ladies severely in
the hip. We .regret to state, that the monster fled.
An English soldier of the 43d regiment, under the
Duke of , WELLINGTON, named &hat Pansy, was
hanged on the 16th last, in presenee of the regiment,
for robbery.
Monday a Gentleman undertook to ride from
London to two miles beyond Cheltenham, in six
bouts, 4,0 e distance being 100 miles) which he at-
, complistird 15 minutes within the given time ! -
.Hcarisci,The liourids of R. S. LLOYD, Esq.
will Ant on Tuesday, at Boxted.street (Melford
ICountry ) ; Wednesday, nut fixed ; Saturday Wen-
ham Thiclts--Each day at ten.

.

• LA, INTRI.LIGENeE.
$.5.i.; :5 OENCH, DEC. 6.

cooß•r OF

TAE WING V. WILLIAM CAM' AND WILLIAM CANTER..

This was an indictment against the two Defer:dant,.
for .a conspiracy and fraud Trpon Government, in
using false weights, at the London Docks, for the
weighing of sugars. It appears that, by a late Act
of Parliament, to protect the sugar trade, the mer.
chant was allowed to export crushed sugars at a
drawback allowed ; and in order to ascertain the

weighh of the sugars, the cnsk was first weigbed by
itself. Al terwxrds, when the cask was filled, the

whole w.is weighed, and the amount of the weight of
the c.tsk taken off as a tare. The witness proved
that it was the business of the two Defendants, one

of whom was superintendent of the sugar ware!;ouse,
to syvigh the casks for.this purpose ; and in doing so,
they used a Illse weight,. plugged with lead, which
gave the cask 2lbs. greater weight than it really was,
by Thc,Lu, of which, when the cask came to he re-

weigi,ed Ow sugar, 2lbs. was allowed more than
ought to It tve. ty•ett, and 21bs. greater amount 'of

sugar to rrccivt• drawback.
The tact 11..ing proved, Mr. BOLLAND, for the De.
fendants, cocitenied thAt this was not done with any
fraudulent intent, VA that the merchants had often

complained that they were allowed less for the c•slc
than its te.il weight—that the cask frequently being
in the wet after it was weighed empty, acquired
greater weight at the second weighinz, and they
were only allowed its dry weight 0 and that it was to
correct this error that the Detend.ints glint the 2lbs.
in the first in empty weighing. - •
Lord ELLmasonoucts said this wont' not justify
their using the false weights. biit advised (hit they
should be found guilty only on the count for false
weighing, Rad not of the conspiracy.
Verdict—Guilty of fraudulent weighing.

THR KING V. THE REV. JOSHUA KING AND OTHERS.

This was an indictment on the prosecution of Jo-
seph Merceron, Esq against the defendant, the Rec-
tor of the parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal-green, Jo.
siah Boydell, John. Wilson, Edward Wilson, and
W. H. Drewett, parishioners and vestrymen.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in opening the case of
the procreator, expressed his regret that the dispute!
' between the patties had been transfeired to A Court
of Justice. Mr. Merceron, however, had serious
ground of complaint against the defendants, and had
been compelled to ask redress at the h/nd, of A Jury.
l'ite prosecutor was a gentian:in wh had Icing been
in-the commission of the peace for the county, and
had many years tilled the important office of Trea-
surer of the parish. of St. Matthew, Bethnal green t
having been unanimously electeA and re.ele.ted so:.
cessively, with the exception of one or two years,
when Ins accounts were minutely examined by the
individuals who succeeded him, and, .ts might be et- •
pected, found in every particular correct. It was
not the intention of the Leaned Counsel to desaiii
circurnstarces of the p trochtal differences that had •
lately arisen ; but whatever they here. the Jor y would
be of (-pinion to-it fir• lit pl ice for t Loa, agit.i.loo was
not the parish cliitich, especialy dnring-, service.—.
Such a tint?, and such a ;dace, It id, however, been
chosen by the Recor himsiT, who :tad &ate the shay
of the day, and who, aster it WAS concledcd, handed
to the Clerk the libels from wipe' the prosecutor
now sought a vindication. Tile dist libel was pub..•
lisited in this indecorous manner on Sunday the 21st
April. when the whole congregation heard-the lit.glWl
charges it contained against the character and cone
duct of Mr. Merceron, and wft-1, wohout a brea.ll
of decency as well as of the law, coild make no re-
ply to free himself from the accusations. If any well
founded complaints existed against the prosecutor in
the administration of the duties of his office, all he

wished was a lull and fair inquiry, and, if fund
guilty, he would submit to any punishini nt his of-
fence might merit. To charge him with fraud and
misconduct, in the way pursued by the defendants,
was neither just nor legal. The first libel was signed
by the defendants, Messrs. Boydell, J. Wilson, L.
Wilson, and Drewitt, (among others who had not
been prosecuted,) as governors and vestrymen of the•
parish of St. Matthew, 11-tlinal•green, and it pones.
ted against the illegal and arbitrary proceedings of
vestries held on the 15th and 16.1, of Apo', and re.
quired that anraler shoUld be called " 1,,r the pur-
pine of taking' into considerati,n the piozeedings of
the said vestries, anti the arbitrary and overbearing
conduct of Joseph Merceo'n, Esti/ ai wed at the said
vestry as on other such occaesons." A limber object
stated in the libel was, to discuss the propriety of ap-
plying for a inalulamns foe the election of proper offi-
cers, " and also to take into consideration the
conduct of the said Joseph Merceroe, in withholding
a proper supply of m0n..1 to 'Le overseers of the said
parish, to enable theme to re i. ve the pour thereof,
thereby compelling the overieeis to advance their
own private money, or otherwEe to sutler the pout
to go unrelieved, while the said Josepn Merceion„
as treasurer, holds very large balances in his hands
unapplied, for this and other purposes." A further
purpose of the vestry was defiled in. the lihel to be,
to settle some
.mode of more minutely auditin•,.,, the
accounts of Mr. Mer:eron, and of placing all sums
exceeding £lOO in the Bank of Eogland, not to be
removed without the signature of the treasurer and
a certain number of the Governors. What an
Christian spirit such 'a publication must exalt lit*
the performance of Christian duties, it was not.necei-
sary for the Learned Counsel to state: what hottile
proceedings occurred between the 21st of April and .
the date of the publication of a
.second libel, in pre7
cisely the same indecorous and unjust& ih.t fiwiner•
on the 12th May, had nothing to do wttn this (Nei-
lion. That second libel commenced nearly *in the
same form, complaining of procuedtags .at previ-
ous vestries, and claiming that another shins d be
called, from which boys and others who were soot
I vestrymen, by whose votes 'Mr. Mer.:.-rni Ltd ob-
tained aft undue show of hands, should be ex:hided ;
the follJtving additional libellous paragraph o AS sub-
joined :—" And further..lo take into consialvration
the disgraceful. atici:asalid+lous measures addpted br
the said Joseph 'Mere:ern:a toyrevent 'free and,opm
discussion et the subjeeti for:which the Vestries were
called, when they are 'opposed to his 'plains, br to die
tyrannical system adopted, and •persevered• in for.
years, and particularly manifested in the. proceedings
of the Vestry on Wednesday, the 24 h of April, and
to consult on the belt mode of V.lxtaining free and
impartial discussion;' dec. The • lase' 9ifestion:otoyi
these documents was, *nether 11)0 iiVte Ithels,Ohitb
the Learned Counsel' telt assured rid loan eould.dent;
and uuless this prosecution had been instituted to re-