Star.
London, England, 1820-04-03 00:00:00

THE SUPPOSED PERPETRATOR QF THE

MURDERS AT IVOUOVICIi

At an early hour on Thursday morning, the inha-
bitints of Woolwich were on the alert, in the expec-
tation that the supposed murderer would soon arrive.
Ee,reral i.:rsous went oa the road to meet him, and
others took th..:ir station in those directions where
they thought it was most probable they would have
an opportunity of seeing him. Many false alarms
were given, and much mortiticatian was in conse-
quence experienced. At last, about eleven o'clock,
.Ridout; the High Conrtable, and the two Mr.
Jacksons, came down by the first Woolwich coach.
The former immediately proceeded to the Castle
Tavern, at which the Bench of Magistrates were ex-
pected to be assembled. These Gentlemen had not
-yet come, and Mr. Ridnut went to Dr. Watson's
house, and reported that the prisoner would-not
arrive before six in the evening. The secrecy which
was observed with respect to this communication,
had the effect of keeping a crowd assembled in front,
of the Castle Tavern the whole of the-day, which, as.
the evening approached, became still greater. The
Justice-romo was crowded the whole morning.
• At six o'clock, the Rev. Dr. WATSON and Mr.:
V:EBB took their seats, and in a quarter of an hour
afterwards, loud shouts announced the approach of
the prisoner. In a few minutes the chaise was driven
up to the door with great difficulty, and a passage
was Made by the Constables. The prisoner now
seemed sinking under the weight of his feelings, and
it became almost necessary to carry him up stairs.—
He was conducted into a back room, to afford him •
an opportunity of collecting himself. He was scarcely
able to hold up his head, until relieved by a.flood of
tears. Ile said he could not bear the shouts of the'
people. At his own ir luest, the handcuffs were
then taken from his wrists, and he was furnished
with a glass Rf rum and water. The wounds on his
head, received at Portsmouth, were visible, and ap-
peared to have bcen carefully dressed. He is a man
about thirty-e Wit }ears of age, about five feet eight
inches in height, dark comrlexion and eves, and his
features, although irregular, nut displeasing. He
speaks with the Irish accent, being a native of Ar-!
snag)). IL.. said he had been fourteen years in.
the King's service.
• At a quarter before seven, the Magistrates directed
that the ?risoner should be brought before them.—
This order, hi consequence of the immense mass of
spectators collected on the stairs, was with difficulty
obeyed, and the prisoner was led to the bar by Mr.
Hunt and Mr. Hill. His countenance was flushed,
and he did not venture to look round.
Dr. AV A'A'SO N.—Who is th!, nun?

Mr. name i> Ja:nes Nisbet : and I bring him here
3mder the Authority of Mr. CARTER, a Magistrate of the Bo-
bough of Portsninuth, upon sJ;picion If having been concerned
in the crimes of murder, arson, ar,dis,:rglary, in this County.
Dr. W.cisotr.—Who are you ?

Nr. ar:. jailor of the prison of the Borough of
Portsmouth, and I atn the bearer of a letter to Mr. Stace, a
ALgistrate of thi. town, explanatory of the circumstances under
which appear before you.
Dr. Warsox.—Mr. Stace is not present, but we are autho-
rised, in his absence, to open any later connected with his Ma-
gisterial duties. Produce the letter.
Hrs r handed in the letter, and it was read by Dr. Wat-
son. It simply stated that the prisoner, James Nesbet, having
jean apprehended in the Borough of Portsmouth, upon suspi-
cion of murdvr and 7-irson, committed in the County of Kent,
underwent several exami,:ztlons, and several depositions were
taken, which confirmed the suspicion against him. Under
these circumsta-tces, the Magistrate before whom be had been
brought (Mr. Carter), felt it his duty to send him to the local
Authorities where the crime bad been committed, to be dealt
♦rith as they might think fit : he bad also intrusted to his Offi-
cers, Messrs. Hunt and Hill, copies of the depositions which
bad been taken before him.

Dr. WATSO.—Have you sot the depositions to which this
letter refers?

Mr. HVIZT.—I have: they are here.
The depositions were handed to Mr. Moore, the
Clerk of the Magistrates, to be read. Mr. Moore
immediately read them. They were in substance as
fullows :