Star.
London, England, 1820-03-14 00:00:00

THE KING V. MAXWELL AND COEN.

The prisoner was first charged with a misdemean%
our, under the 15th and 16th of the King. The prop
secution was supported by the information of a per,
son named Townsend, who had been murdered since
last Assizes. When the case for the Crown dosed :

Mr. BLAKNEY, on behalf of the prisoners, claimed
a right to address the Jury) which was conceded by
the Court. He, said, he never rose under the pressure
of greater embarrassment. Crimes of the blackest
die have disgraced this country, and, in particular;
one of peculiar atrocity., namely—assassination.. lid
deplored the death of Townsend. Under a particular
Statute, the informations of a murdered manbcould he
given in evidence, which, 9f necessity, deprived the-
parties charged of the benefit of a cross-examination.
Had Townsend lived to be produced on this trial, his
cross-examination would have displayed a melan-
choly illustration of the demoralization of society,
for he, on a former occasion, admitted that he had
professed a vat iety of religious tenets. He was what
is generally denominated a Free-thinker ; but let his
religious tenets be what they may, he was consigned
to a premature grave by a banditti of assassins....
Mr. Lllakney said he had been for several years em-
ployed as the advocate of prisoners, and he had en•
deavoured to discharge his duty by them conscien-
tiously. He should now take leave to digress from
his professional duty, and as a Gentleman of this
County, born and educated in it, he would say, with
feelings of the deepest regret,- that his native county
had been disgraced by an accumulation of outrage.
He would advise those deluded pcoFle who heard
him to discontinue their wicked schemes; to turn
their minds to industry ; and to take up "and consign
to the tribunal of justice such strangers as should,
from time to time, come amongst them for the 'pur-
pose of disseminating sedition. He cautioned them
from enrolling themselves in rebellious associations.
—They had been seduced into the commission of
crimes repugnant to human nature, by the machi-
nations and blandishments of designing traitors, act-
ing in contravention of all law, human and divine.
He admonished .his auditory to adopt the advice of
their Clergy, to be amenable to the Matistrates, and
to take warning by the sad, ye; salutary example, be-
fore them at this Assizes—six culprits sentenced to an
ignominious death, eight hurried away Orin the
dock, without being allowed to take a parting fare•
well of their families, and sent off for transportation
to a foreign land, and sex eral others found guilty of
minor offences. He trusted that the people of the
country would implore •the forgiveness of their Goo,
return to the paths of industry, and cease from their
pursuits.
The Learned JUDGE returned Mr. BLARNEY thanks
for his manly and well tuned appeal to the feelings
of the people, and hoped it would hake a lasting
pression on their minds.

I

I

SOll-2'IIWARK BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Seventh Anniversary Meeting of the above
Association was held yesterday evening, at the Bri-
tish and Foreign School Society's House, in the Bo-
rough-road, and was most nume:-ously and respect-
ably :kttended.
At six o'clock, the Rev. Dr. THORPE, the Presi-
dent of the Society, took the Chair, supported. by se-
veral eminent Gentlemen.

The Report was then read. It began with alluding
to the attempts of infidelity since the last Meeting,
which called forth and required greater efforts than
on preceding years. It also stated, that the support
given to the Society during the last year had been
very gre.lt, particularly among the labouring claws,
who were the sinews of Uible Societies. The Report
further stated, that dui ing the last year nearly three
hundred Bibles and Testaments had been distri-
buted, and that the subscriptions for the same period
amounted to upwards of £2Ol, £39 of which had
been collected by the Ladies' Association.
The amount of Bibles distributed since the forma-
tion of the Society was 210.5, and of Testaments 482.
The amount of subscriptions during the seven years
vas £1287. The Report concluded by calling on
the friends of the Association to renew their efforts in
this great cause.
. Mr. THORNTON and the Rev. Mr. KIDD addressed
the Meeting.—Thauks were voted to the Chairman,
and an adjournment took place.