Star.
London, England, 1821-05-04 00:00:00

Plt EVENtIVE SERVICE.

Yesterday, a public examination of the men charged with the
murder of Mr. S::ow, of the Preventive Service, took place at
Bow-street Office, before liknahn thaw, Esq. the Sitting Ma-
gistrate. The prisoners are five in number, three having been
admitted evidences for the Crown. Their names are Jane's
West, WiMans Beer, John Richardson, Thomas Richardson, and
William Williams.

David North, Quartermaster of the Severn, employed on the
Preventive Service, deposed to the circumstances of the outrage,
in consequence of which Mr. inow was killed. He stated, that
after that Officer was hemmed in by the smugglers, he attempted
to get to his assistance, but such a heavy fire was kept up, that he
found it impossible, and was obliged to retreat.
George Griffiths (an accomplice) swore, that on Monday
evening, the 50th of April, he was engaged by the prisoner,
James West, to assist in" working" (the phrase for runaing the
cargo) a boat that night at Ilerne Bay. Witness and a great
number of other persons met that evening, afterwards at the
Grove Ferry, between Canterbury and the lteculvers, and pro-
ceeded from thence to the house of the prisoner, John Richard-
son, where guns and pistols were distributed amongst them, with
about seven or eight rounds of ball-cartridges to each armed
man. It was arranged, that those who were armed, should cover
those who were not, while they worked the goods, which were
to be put intywo carts, provided for the purpose. There were
about 60 men in all of their party. They then proceeded to the
appointed spot, in a meadow, at the back of some houses, at
Herne Bay. and arrived there at about a quarter before three
o'clock on Tuesday morning. Shortly after, the boat landed, and
at the same time witness saw two men, who he believed were
of the Preventive Service, standing a few yards from them, and
he saw one of them snap a pistol twice, but it did not go off. His
party then fired, and the marlin had seen snap the piaol drew
his cutlaas, and rushed in amongst them, and witness saw no
more of him—(This is supposed to be Mr. Snow).—They ef-
fected a landing of sixty tubs of spirits, which were conveyed
away in carts; all the prisoners were present.
The witness, in answer to a question from Mr. Maim, said,
he fired himself six or seven times, but only with powder. Ile
tore the bullet from each of his eartridges—Olere the prisoners
were observed to smile, as if in astonishment.l
James Smith, another accomplice, stated nearly the same facts
as the last witness. Ile admitted, that he said nothing about the
matter until he was ifi custody.
Edward Wyman, also a party in the affray, was next called,
and described the plans of the smugglers more minutely than the
others. •By his statement, it would appear that they are quite
systematical in their operations, and act almost with the pre-
cision of disciplined men. It was, he said, agreed upon that
they should proceed to the spot in small bodies, by different
roads, and to arrive there precisely at the same period, and the
armed men were then to form into two bodies of equal number,
and to fall, one to the tight and the other to the left of the place
t.f landing, and those without arms were to work the goods
under their protection. The landing of the goods was effected
in this manner, a constant firing bring kept up. After the boat
had pushed off, witness saw a man lying on his back upon the
beach, and called out to him " halloo, and he replied, " lam
a dead man." Witness did not stop to assist him, but men..
tioned it afterwards to his companions, who said, " it was only
sham." James West was the master of the company, and paid
witness seven shillings for his night's work. He fired twice or
three times himself.

Mr. Joan, the Solicitor for the Admiralty, then requested
that the prisoners might be remanded for a week, observing,
that his 31ajesty's Law Officers had not yet determined whether
they should be prosecuted for the murder, or under the Statute
for unlawfully assembling with arms, &c.
Mr. Haassza— Here is not much to affect them under either
charge.
Mr. Jones—That is for the Jury to determine, Mr. Harmer.
11r. Halmos—You have only the evidence of three fellows
who were themselves carrying arms.
Mr. Junes—Pray, Mr. Harmer, who told you that ; in law,
are they not good witnesses?

..
Mr. Hwamsa—l know perfectly weU they are competent ; but
as to their credit—

Mr. Jorms—On that, I say, the Jury will decide.
Mr. Burls: then ordered that the prisoners should be brought
up again on Thursday next.

The proceedings at Guildhall yesterday, skew that
the forgers of LI Bank of England notes are unusu-
ally active in the issue of their base trash, as their
reign appears to be drawing towards a conclusion.
The Public would, therefore, do well to pay particular
attention to all the notes offered to them. As to the
immediate circulators, they have our pity mingled
with our reprobation. But we confess that it appears
to us almost incredible, that proper industry would not
lead to the discovery of the prime villains, the forgers,
themselves; more particularly now, when their agents
are not only so numerous and likewise so indiscreet,
either through youth or long impunity. Six individuals
were yesterday brought up at one Public Office only,
for the crime of issuing forged notes. It must surely
be possible to trace the articles of which so many
agents are the venders or circulators, to their origi-
nal source. It would be a most happy conclusion of
this small note currency, if a whole horde of the vil-
lains who have been so long, and we fear so lucra-
tively, employed in forging them, could be brought
to the gallows. The ghosts of those who have died
in their service call for such a saciifi‘e.