Star.
London, England, 1818-06-24 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, JUNE 23.

RAMSEY V. DESANCLS, BAYLEY, AND ANOTHER.
Mr. GURNEY sated that this was an action brought
nominally against the Sheriffs, but in fact against J.
and G. Bayley, the officers, by the plaintiff, who had
kept a ;espectable academy at Muswell-hill, for an
assault and false imprisonment. It would appear, in
the course of the case, that on Sunday, the Bth of
March, the two Bayleis forced their way into the
house of the plaintiff, and, with great violence, took
Mr. Ramsey away from his house, and brought him
a prisoner to town ; and they now pleaded in excuse,
that they had previously arrested Mr. Ramsay on the,
17th of February, and that he had escaped. He
would call his witnesses, and leave the Jury to say
how far the defendants would be able to substantiate
this defence.
Mr. A. Young was at Muswell hill on the r7th of
February. Witness, Mr. Ramsey, and Mr. Noel,
walked there from llighgate, in the evening ; when
they arrived near the house, .they were accosted by
the two Bayleys, who said they had a writ against
him. Mr. Noel said he was Mr. Ramsey's attorney,
and would undertake for him to any amount. The
defendants acceded to this proposition : they went
into the house together, and some wine was put on the
table. Ikre it was arranged that Mr. Noel should
undertake for Mr. Ramsey from four o'clock on that
day, and they received 51. as their fee. The under-
taking was drawn and signed by Mr. Noel, and de.
1 ered to the de fendants.--E1 tete the under taking
v--as put in and read.J— After this was settled, the
et2fendants said they had heard at a public-house
that some of his duns were troublesome, and they
recommended him to go to town as soon as possible,
aad offered him their chaise to go. He declined their
offer, however, and went on his own poney: They
did every thing they could to hasten his departure.
On the Bth ofiklarch witness was again at Muswell-
hill, with Mr. Ramsey, Mr. Noel, and Mr. Pluck ,
it was Sunday, and about eight o'clock in the even-
ing. They were prepariug CO come to town, when
the two defendants rus'‘ed ini o the room after Mr.
Ramsay. Mr. Noel asked them what they wanted?
they said Mr. Ramsey ; they were determine ' to
lock him up ; they were satisfied with Mr. Noel's un-
dertaking, but he was deceived in Mr. Ramsey's
character, and to-morrow would thank them for
what they had done. Mr. Noel still remonstrated ;
and said it was Sunday evening, and if they touched'
Mr. Ramsey they would do it at their peril, It was
ultimately settled that they should all go to town—
Mr. Ramsey went into the nursery, where Mrs.
Ramsey was; who had lain in but a few days. One
of the Bayleys was standing at the door, yet the other
attempted to get in, and, notwithstanding Mr. Noel's
remonstrance, forced their way into the room, where
they treated Mr. Ramsey with considerable violence.
Ultimately they all went to town, and were taken
to a lock.up house, where the witness and Mr. Noel
signed a bail bond ; and, about twelve o'clock at
night, Mr. Ramsey was liberated.
Cross-examined—Witness was a ship-broker, and
had been for some years. He never was a bankrupt
bet once, that was in 1812. ; lie had known Mr.
Noel eighteen months, and Mr. Ramsey upwards of
tweety years—Mr. Pluck was the person who suc-
ceeded Mr. Ramsey in his school—Mr. Ramsey was
now in the reles of the Bench. When the Bayleys
were at the plaintiff's house en the rth of February,
about half an hour was occupied in making the ar-
rangements. The defendants expressed themselves
perfectly satisfied with Mr. Noel's undertaking. Mr.
Noel lived in Gray's Inn-place, and Mr. Ramsey in
Warwick, court. Mr. Ramsey had lodgings. Mrs.
Ramsey bad been confined about a fortnight pre-
vious to the 17th of February. The undertaking
was given before Mr. Ramsey left the house; witness
was certain the officers knew of his going away; he
took tea with them; and when hewent away wished
them good night. The officers staid about three quar-
ters of an hour afterwards. When the defendants
came to Muswell-hill, on the Sth of March, witness
recollected there was a cry of rescue from the bai-
liffs, and that a window was thrown up ; but witness
was certain Mr. Ramsey never attempted to escape.
Some blows might be given to the officers, but wit-
ness did not see it. They drove fast to town ; but
there was no wish to get from the officers, all they
desired was, to get to London soon, that the business
might be settled before twelve o'clock.
Mr. Noel, attorney to the plaintiff, corroborated
the testimony of the former witness, as to the conduct
of the defendants, on their first visit to Muswell-hill.
He gave a check on his banker for 51. to Mr. J.
Bayley, the check was given a quarter of an hour
before Mr. Ramsey left the house. Mr. J. Bayley
went and ordered Mr. Ramsey's horse round to the
back door, and saw him off. Witness afterwards
came toown with the two defendants in their chaise.
Witness had offered a bail-bond ; but the defendant,
J. Bayley, said he was satisfied, under the circum-
stances of the case, without one. Witness then pro-
ceeded to give an account of what passed at Mus-
well-hill on Sunday, the Bth of March. The de-
fendants arrested Mr. Ramsey about eight o'clock,
and he was detained till near twelve, before the bail-
bonds were signed.
Cross-e.ranimed.—Witness was sworn on the New
Testament : he never swore on the Old. Whether
Mr. Ramsey would take the benefit of the Insolvent
Act or not, depended entirely on his creditors. Wit-
ness never was discharged under an Insolvent Debtors
Act ; but he had been a bankrupt twice in the course
of 15 months, and was certificated. He was passed
on the Tuesday, and his certificate gazetted on the
Saturday following. He had not given a bail-bond
in this case, because it was not required, and it was
not usual to give it, unless it was required. In this
case it was not required, and he did not give it. An
indictment for an assault was now pending against
the witness, in consequence of what occurred at
Muswell-hill on the Sth of March.
Miss Eliza Ensor was at Muswell-la on the 17th