Star.
London, England, 1819-09-06 00:00:00

LANCASHIRE ASSIZES.

LANCASTER; SEPTgIiBER 2.
The Judges arrived here yesterday and
opened the Commission. This morning.the Judges
attended Divinstiervice, and then proceeded to busi-
ness. Every seat in the Court was crowded, and ele-
sandy dressed,Ladies not only occupied the gallery-
appropriated to witnesses, but part even of the Grand
Jury box. Some persons could not account for this
unusual assemblage. The attraction, however, was
soon found out. Mr. HUNT was observed immediately
behind the Counsel's seat, and before the Grand Jiiry
lox. Mr. H-ait.sisa sat on his right hand, and Mr.
PEARSON on his left. -
In calling over the names of the Justices for the
County, the following Gentlemen answered to their
names, and thus furnished evidence that they were
to form the Grand Jury :
Lord Stanley, John Rlackburne, Esq. FAlward Bootle
braham, Esq. Amend Hornby„ Esq. Willilllll Bassadell, Esq.
Thomas Clayton, Esq. Robert Townley Cross Vat. James
Reardon, Bay., John F.ntwistle, Esq. William Rea. Esq. John
Hargreaves, Esq. Robber H EaVq.ohn Idornbr, RIR. James
Hargreaves, pct. Robert gh, 'Thomas Lyons, Esq.
Thomas Lister Parker, Esq. I.
S. Philllclaq. Robert Towdley
Parker, Esq. James Shottleworth, James' Stark*, Fsaq.
Peregrine Edward Townley, Esq. Thud Wil"1, Esq-
i
When their names were again called n order to
be sworn,
Mr. Hunt rose and spoke to this effect—My Lord,
I wish to address your Lordship with an observation
at this stage. My name is Hunt. I intend to pre-
fer bills of indictment before the Grand Jury' for ca-
pital felonies committed in this County. The rela-
tions of persons so accused ought not to be Members
of the Grand Jury, before whom these bills are to be
laid. I heard names called of persons related to
those against whom I am to lay bills of indictment.
I submit that those who are related by ties of blood
or marriage, are very improper persons to inquire
into charges of felony, of cuttmg and maiming with
intent tb till, and of murder.
Mr. Baron Woon--I can hear nothing at present
upon that subject.
Mr. Hv%T—The thing is. my Lord, novel and un-
precedented in thi,s country. • I believe no precedent
can be found in the criminal records of -England.
But in Ireland such proceedings have been frequent,
and Mr. Baron George, at Trim, laid• it down that
none connected with the accused by marriage or con-
sanguinity. could sit upon the Grind Jury. Now
Mr. Wilbraham Egerton is related by marriage to
Mr. Hulton. (The Clerk of Arraigns here said that
there was no such name called). Mr. Bootle Wil-,
braham is related to one of the parties. I therefore
protest against his acting, and submit whether he
Might not, from delicacy,-to decline acting, if no law
compels bim?
Mr. Baron WOOO--There is a great variety of
other bills to inquire into, and no objection can be
made to Mr. Wilbraham respecting them. He can
withdraw when your bills are inquired into.
Mr. B. 'Wmattettnet—My Lord, may I say a few
words? •

Mr. Baron Noon—Surely.
Mr. 11. WILISRAHAM—After the singular and un-
precedented manner—
Mr. Baron Woon—Certainly it is so.
Mr. B. WILBRAHAM-1n which I have been men-
tioned, I feel myself called upon to say, that although
it did not enter into my apprehension that any bills
of this were to be inquired into; yet, in cane-
quence of observations which I felt it my duty to.
make as Chairman of the Quarter Sessions et Lint.
pool, I resolved to take no part in inquiries d 011•
fleeted with these transactions; mid I appeel to the
Noble Foreman, whether I did nut my to film, that
should think it my duty to retire. I ellOctive my-
;elf equally competent to inquire into dew matter*
as into any others ; yet I thoughtjt better to take no
part in the inquiry. I am more' nestrly related to
another of the Gentlemen alluded to, who Is m ne-
phew, than to the Gentleman named. I bellytsw Lad-
ship's pardon for having offered these observatioos.
Lord STANtiv--Aithough it mut 1,0 perfectly
unnecessary, I beg to add my testimony to this con-
irersation ; and to say further, that I stated in seply,
that it was utterly impossible for him to know what
evidence was to be produced ; and that he ought to
attend and hear the evidence, and retire afterwards,
if he thought proper.
Mr. Baron Woon—He should retire only on in-
quiring into the evidence on those bills.

Those whose names we have given having then
been sworn, and the Royal Proclamation having
been read,'
Mr. Baron 'Wool, thus charged the Grand Jury :
de It is unnecessary for me to ;fate to Gentlemen of
your experience and knowledge the nature of your
duty. lam sorry to see so heavy a Calendar for ca-
pital offences. I also observe at the end of the Cie,
lendar the names of several persons under the serious
chafe of conspiring to disturb the peace and tran-
quillity of the country. I have no doubt but you
will with patient investigation inquire into all mat-
ters that shalt-be laid before you. I have nothing
futther to say, but that you will carefully examine
the evidence, and if, reasonable and probable grounds
!appear in that evidence, you will put the persons on.
their trial."

The 'Calendar. contains '75 prisoners :-1 for wilful
murder; 13 for highway robbery ; 11 for burglary ;
9 for uttering, and 6 for possessing, forgid *La of
England notes; 2 for child minks.; 5 for petty
larceny; 2 for stealing in a dwelling-house; 1 for
horse stealing; 1 for personating a pensioner, in or,
dee to obtain' his pension; 11 for manslan&hter; 1
fur forging a Bill of Exchange; 4 for uttering base
money; 1 for an attempt to commit an unnatural
offence ; and 7 (for offences which we give in the
words of the calendar) charged in the fcdlowiag teems :
John Adamson, aged '25, committed by John Har-
greaves, James Hargreaves, and Lawrence Halsted,
'Entices, Bcl August, 1819, charged with having as
aimed the character of a Delegate or Representative,
at a Public Meeting unlawfully convened, and held'
near Burnley.; mid with having, in ,the character
aforesaid, at the said Meetiriguased certain seditio*
expressions, with intent to eseite contempt nal4l ohs-
the Laws of

. „
respect to the Laws and Cowit:siker of the realm if such wild theories
and with having in histoieeision, with intent to pub- ,gate iln& the idle wen
lisp, certain seditious andlibelldue gapers mid writ: and industry, where
irip, tending to vilify the Coasaiosemain oturch 43431-148460:43r daraisl
eed *ate. - ;? ••• • Wow cia existences!
till&Jwint Adermliaqb.o9: liaef idrethetand of it
laWia.sig, Aka Thackei.Wastan.4o, 4SaniiicLaoryorik a *taw Oki 06'w ilia"
Sl, and Rata Wild. 22, committed by William Ma: the covert of the wadi