Star.
London, England, 1821-02-08 00:00:00

THE KING V. THE EARL OF WESTMEATH.

Last Term Mr. SCA nLETr obtained a rule to thew
cause why a criminal information should not be filed
against this Nobleman, forlatiguage tending to incite
a Gentleman named Wood to a breach of the peace.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL and Mr. BRODRICK now
sheaved cause against the rule. An application had
been made to the Court of Chancery by Mr. Vs
who was Trustee under a deed of separation between
the Earl and Countess of Westmeath, on behalf of
the Countess. The next day a statement appeared.
in an Evening Paper, purporting to be a Report of
what took place in Court on that application, in w hich
the Counsel for Mr. Woes was represented to have
made observations, and stated circumstances, ex-
tremely prejudicial to the honour and character of
the Noble Earl, who, conceiving-that the statement
of Counsel must have proceeded from the instruc-
tions of Mr. Wood, called upon the latter Gentleman
to contradict such statement, and a Gentleman named
Stewart was the medium of communication upon the
subject. At first Mr. Wood disclaimed any know-
ledge of the publication alluded to, but did not deny
that such a statement had been made in Court in con-
sequence of his instructions. lie however said, that
he had no objection to meet the Noble Earl upon the
'subject when called upon. The matter, after being
the subject of communication between the parties for
some time, remained over until the close of last sum-
mer, when the case came on again before the Lord
Chancellor, and when the Noble Earl expected that
a contradiction would be given to the offensive state-
ment of which he complained. Being, however, dish
appointed in this, he sent a communication to Mr.
Wood, importing, that he was a liar, a hypocrite,
and one of the greatest rascals that ever pretended
to be an honest man. This took plaCe on the 16th
of August last, and Mr. Wood took no step against
the Noble Earl until Michaelmas Term, when he ob-
tained the present rule. The Learned Counsel con-
tended, that this was a case in which the Court, un-
der all the circumstances, would leave the complain.
ing party to seek his remedy by indictment, and not
interpose its authority by gi anting an information.
They dwelt upon theciicumstanceof Mr. Wood having
previously expressed his willingness to meet Lord
‘Vestmeatli—a declaration which plainly impo: ted
that he would not be backward in accepting a chal-
lenge, if matters proceeded to that extremity : and
they further observed, that the plaintiff had suffered
the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions to go by, without
taking any steps against the Noble Earl, thereby
manifesting no apprehension that the peace would be
broken; but above all, they urged, that the matter
had rested where it did, and that the Noble Earl had
not adopted any steps Which rendered it necessary for
the Court to interpose. A complete contradiction
was given to the offensive matter complained of, by
the Noble Earl.

, SCARLETT, in support of the rule, was pro-
ceeding, to observe, 'that the Noble Earl's affidavits,
now produced, were not free from insult towards Mr.
Wood, when he was stopped by
The CHIEF JUb rice, who said it was the duty of
the Court on all occasions to interfere for the preser-
vation of the public peace, and considering the rank
and station of the patties in this case, there appeared
sufficient grounds for granting the information. Rule
granted. CRIMINAL INFORMATION.
Mr. SCARLETT moved for a rule to spew cause
why a criminal information should not be filed against
two persons named Davy and Stone, now under con-
finement in the King's Bench prison, for alleged op-
pressive conduct in the abuse -of the process of this
Court towards a Mr. William Davy. The persons
against whom he moved had been in partnership as
merchants, in Devonshire, and were indebted to Mr.
Davy for very considerable advances, for which he
was obliged in the result to arrest them. After the
arrest a commission of bankrupt issued against them,
under which they admitted that they were indebted
to Mr. Davy, on the adjustment of their accounts, in
a sum of two thousand pounds. While they were in
prison, a message was sent to Mr. Davy, importing,
that he had better be cautious in his proceedings, for
that if he persevered in his action, they would have
him arrested, .would swear to debts to any amount,
and that they would ruin him. A few days after this,
namely, the 27th ofJanuary last, he was accordingly
arrested in three different actions at their suit, to the
amount of 144,858, the affidavit of debt being made
•
in prison, and no attorney's name appearing on the
process. Mr. Davy was then in London, living in
lodgings, and with no apparent prospect of procuring
bail. The Learned Counsel further stated, that the
writs were not made returnable until the end of
Easter Term next, so that Mr. Davy must remain in
prison. until. Trinity Term, unless he could procure
bail. He also had an affidavit that the officer had

written instructions not to take any undertaking for
Mr. Davy's appearance on any account.
The COURT, under the circumstances above stated,
granted a rule to skew cause.

The Colliers in the neighbourhood of Wellington,
in Shropshire, having, on Friday last, struck work,
and manifested a disposition to outrage and violence,
it was necessary to summon a part of the Yeomanry
from Shrewsbury. The summons was obeyed with
the greatest alacrity, and a troops soon arrived at
the spot where the greatest disturbance prevailed;
the Magistrates in attendance read the Riot Act,
but the Colliers would not disperse; several of the
leaders were apprehended,• and a rescue was at-
tempted, and in some instances the.attempt was suc-
cessful. The Magistrates endeavoured in vain to con-
ciliate the rioters, they became more violent, and k
' was necessary, from the attacks made upon the Yeo-
manry, and the determination to rescue the prisoners,
to fire upon'the rioters. One man was killed, and
two were wounded. Six prisoners were secured and
lodged in Shrewsbury Jail.
Tuesday, as Mr. J. Roy, a publican at Billings-
gate, was going along Lower Thames-street, a cart
passed, in which the driver sat without reins to his
horse, when Mr. Roy, in attempting to get out of
the way, was struck by one of the shafts, thrown
down, and one of the wheels passed over his legs and
broke them both. He was taken to St. Thomas's
Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.
—1

SHERRI FS
APPOINTED BY HIS MAJESTY FOR TITS TEAR 1811.

smut! WALKS.
CA am A RTllEN—Walter Rice Howell Powell, of Maesgyn, Esq.
Pamiocoice.—Joityli llarris, of Idanunwas, Esq.
CAitoicAs—John Vaughan Lloyd, of Miring, Esq.
GLamonc.tx—William Forman, of Penydarran, Esq.
ligreoN—Edward Janes, of Rolle End, Esq.
RaoNoa—Robert reel, of Cwmelan, Esq.

NOIITII WALES.
Mrstoxriu—John Nlytton,.f y Anal, Esq.
CAKNA ItWON—lowph • I ludtlat t, of Bunker. Esq.
ANGLESEY-34mA% Webster, of Derry," Esq.
Mosr.cosnotv—V.ilentine Vickers, of Criggion, Esq.
Dr:sumo—John Nlintlocks, Esq.
Fusa,--John Douglas, of Vyrne, F.sq.