Star.
London, England, 1820-02-26 00:00:00

Tte soldiers arri/ect smartly after, when.all
the shots woks nearly fired.
Juryman—Did the warrant specify the nvture of the meeting
of these persons?
A. It mentioned that it was an illegal asltemblage.
Juryman—And you acted upon that warrant ?—A. We did.
Juryman—How niany shots were fired altogether?
A. There were twenty.
Juryman—Do you know whowas the person guarding the
lottom place when you entered?
A. Heard that it was a man (,f colour.

NVitness continued—There was a light, but he did
not take particular observation. Surman was dan-
gerously wounded in tke head by a shot; three shots
Went through the hat ofiVestcOt, and he was wounded
badly in the hand by a shot. On the lights being
put out, several of them were going down the steps ;
tvitness heard a voice say " Kill the ," but
'could not say whether it was Thistlewood's. Wit-
!less pretended to be one of their party in the dark,
And said, " Aye, kill.them!" they thinking be was one
°I their party, he escaped without any injury. Wit,-
ness had Ere-arms about his person, but they .flashed
in the ;nn. When the soldiers came, the deceased
was found lying on his face in the loft, quite dead.
lie was cautious not to fire in the dark, as he might
kill his partner instead of another. The following
articles were found is the place, which witness has
got in his possession: eight hand grenades, and one
very large one, like a canister, with ropes bound
round it; several bullets, pistols, swords, bludgeons,
&c.—CHere he produced one of the balls, which he
found on the floor of the loft; they are in an un-
finished state, and calculated to do more mischief;
three dozen bayonets, with screws to fix cn the end
Of a stickj .Tliere• was not a shot fired until Smi-
them the deceased, wax stabbed, nor was any sort of
violence effered. A great nuapber of ball-cartridges
were found, the bayonets were quite new, but rough
and unfinished. Several of the persons escaped with
their swords and other weapons, it,being dark. Three
muskets were also found in the place, or in the pos-
session of persons; several others were at the Office.
Jaws /X is, being sworn, said, that he was a con-
stable and conductor-of the patrole at Bow-street.—
He resides at 22, Paradise-row, Palmer's Village,
Westminster. On Wednesday night last, about hall-
pastleven o'clock, witness, Richard Smither& (the
diiceasedf, John Surman, and William Gill, were di-
rected to proceed to the corner of John-street, Edg-
ware-roa4, as quick as possible, and there they should
meet Mr. Birnie, the Magistrate, who would give
them farther directions and orders. When they ar•
rived at the spot they found Mr. Birnie, who inquired
if they had seen anything of the nilitarr, as he ex-
pected them every minute? They answered, " they
had not." In about twenty minutes be called them
together, and mine inquiries were made as to what
number might be in the room, and whether Thistle-
wood was there? Mr. Birnie then gave him a war-
rant, signed by Mr. Baker; to apprehend Mr. Arthur
Thistlewood, and thirteen more. Mr. Birnie was
ggiven to understand, that Thistlewood and about
oartken more were in the room. Witness had not
the warrant in his possession. He believed it bad
since been given to Mr.Birnie. The latter asked how
many Officers there were, and if there were enonsh
to apprehend the party ? Sinithers answered—le,
they could secure forty. Mr. Rirnie said there must
have been some mistake about the military, as they
• iyught to have been there half an hour before. They
then proceeded to the house without them, and
Ruthven opened the door and went in first ; witness

followed nest, and the other Officers close to him ;
he observed a man with belts on, a fusee upon his
arm, and a sword by his side, and Ruthven desired
some person to cake charge of him. The prisoner
was taken by the collar, and en turning him
round he observed he was a man of colour. At
that moment Ruthven was at the foot of the lad-
der; he went up, and witness followed him as fast
as possible, accompanied by Smithers and others.
Before he got up the ladder he heard a clattering of
swords—he at that moment heard Ruthven say, 1, We
are officers—lay down your arms." Upon getting to
the top of the ladder, Ruthven turned a little to the
left, and he observed a number of men falling back
to the other end of the room, apparently all armed.
There were four men backing into a little room on
the right, all armed with swords or cutlasses, and a
tall man immediately brandished his sword at him,
with his foot extended in a fencing attitude; he (wit-
ness) held up his staff in his left hand, that the man
might see it, and his pistol also in his right hand.—
There were several lights then on the table, and wit-
ness desired the man to desist, or he would fire. At
that moment Smithers rushed past him (witness),
and endeavoured to get round into the little room.
The tall man drew his hand back, and made a thrust
at Smithers with his sword, which entered. the de-
ceased's breast. Smithers immediately held up his
hands, exclaiming, " Oh, my Goo !" when the wit-
ness instantly fired off his pistol at the man who had
killed him, but missed him. Smithers fell .against
him, and a rush then took place ; the witness was
knocked down the ladder from the top to the bottom.
He immediately made to the door, when two or three
other shots were fired off in the stable by some of the
party. He heard a cry of " stop him," and saw a
man running 9n the opposite side of the way, when
he pursued and took him. In laying hold of him,
the prisoner made a cut at him Ab ith a sword. His
name is Davidson. Witness believes him to
.be the
same man who kept the dQor he had in his posses-
sion a fusee, such as the light horse make use of. He
is quite sure that Thistlewood was the man that killed
Smithers ; it was done with a thrust. The moment
Davidson was secured he returned to the place.—
The p isoners were all disarmed and taken into cus-
tody by the soldiery, when they proceeded to tie
them together. As soon as they were all tied toge-
ther, he went to Smithers, and found him lying on
Lis face dying, or dead. He found a horse-pistol,
tome ball-cartridges, and bullets. lie was able to
tecognize Thistlewood, but no one else.
Juryman—Are you positive of the identity of Thistlesveod?
Witness—Most positive; I feel Ds hesitation on the subject.
[Here the witness handed some of the bullets,
which he had taken, to the Jury.]
A Juryman—CLooking at one of the bullets.]—
This ball is made of pewter. I suppose these vil-
lians had been stealing pewter pots.
The Jury thought it was necessary that the war-
rant on which the officers acted should be produced ;
in consequence of which a messenger was sent to
Mr. Baker, at Marlborough-street, to procure it.
Wiltioat Westcot, of 17, Simmons-street, Sloane-
st:eetXtaelsva, being sworn, said that he belongs to
•

Foreinan.—C silty !
Corcrior—h Widians nevidoon guilty of Murder or *isslinagh-
ter ?---.Fortman—Guilty of Murder!

.LAMI

11111111

Bow-street Police Office. Oa Wednesday wightlalqK a- ° the I#l7 wishedisited tfiAtStit 2 quest gee wMat
Ihe was sent for by Mr. Bjrnie, to go .with a party to ibe tbought of some importance, before tle ve:rilici'
Joho-street.
,On his arrival at the plaeof he saw a I ills proammeta upon all the prisoners. fie 4tHhed.
nun, something like a butcher, who made a rat' at .:to know whether thole who might have met for a dif-'
him to get out, when the person attempted to get i ferent purpose, were equally guilty of the murder
something from his side, and the witness hit him on i. with Thistlewood?
his eye, and knocked .him- down; he was then se- The Coroner replied, that there could be no doubt
cured ; while he was in the act of handcuffing him, that they were implicated in the murder al much as
hi heard a rush, and saw Thistlewood, who had Thistlewood himself, for whatever illegal purpose
previously fired a pistol into the stable, coming dOwn they might have-met. They had impeded the officer
the ladder, flourishing his sword, and upon looking in the execetion of his duty, and one of them had
round and seeing what Westcot was doing, he deli-
killed him.
berately fired off another pistol at the witness's head. a A Juryman—if any of the prisoners bad been put in the same
Westcot was knocked down, and Thistlewood made t deo:lan:en utkwood, they would probably have acted i u the
siigiehis escape out of the door (as he supposed), it being Another Juryman—But are those who surrendered them.
dark. If witness had not stooped down, he must selves equally guilty ?
• fouer—There can be no noubtd of it. They were all amem•
have been shot. Three balls went through his hat ;
ihblede
whole. It
one
Iciomismon urp ,
in
iiitenieact of
aIL lofnae
mit the
an inai act
di:
he was also hit on the flesh of his fingers, and theclearly mous:dera
ball went through the cuff of his coat. He pursued to do a mischief to another, and, instead of killing hint, happens
Thistlewood, but lost sight of him, and the other to kill a second, it is equally murder as if he had killed the man
person .also escaped. He (witness) returned, and'saw he intended.
A Juryman—Another doubt arises in my mind. Had not
Smithers dead. these men a right to defend themselves, after the pistol had been
William Giles Frankland, a watchman, being fired by the nicer Ellis?
sworn, said he lives at 11, Mary-la-bonne-court. On Coroner—Certainly not: there cannot be a doubt upon• it.
Wednesday night last, at half-past eight o'clock, he The Jury, by their Foreman, then pronounced a
took Ings into custody while he was being pursued
verdict of " Guilty of Murder" against the follow-
by Brookes, whom he had fired at, and threw the ing prisoners:
pistol away. Bro sites called out, " Stop thief!" The James Ings, Charles Cooper, Richard Tidd, John Monument,
ball passed through two coats and a waistcoat of John Charles &range, Richard Blackburn, James Wilson,
Brookes', and also grazed his skin. Witness and James Gilchrist, and others unknown.
,Si n.'kes took him in ' custody to Mary-la-bonne In the course of the day, the afflicted parents of the
watch-':rise The prisoner was searched, and seven deceased visited the body, and shewed much feeling
or eight balls were found upon him, and likewise upon the occasion. 'The old couple were so decrepid
some powder. He had sonic sacks and a belt, but as scarcely to be able to get up stair's. Smithers was
nothing was found in them. a. stout handsome man, 33 years old. •
Serjeant Legge, of the '2d battalion of Coldstream MORE ARRESTS.
Guards, was next examined.—On Wednesday even-
In consequence of private information received
ing last I was called up about eight o'clock, and re-
yesterday by Lavender and Bishop, the Officers, that
cetv -.I owe' s to march to John-street, Edgeware
Robert Harrison, late a private in the 2d Regiment
roa I. I was then quartered in Portman-street Bar-
o. f
_Life Guards, had been seen to go into the stable
racks. A picket, usually employed on occasions
whoop the military is required in aid of the Civil in cato-street, on Wednesday last, where the gang
had assembled, the Officers made diligent inquiries
Pow ?r, was ordered out. It was commanded by
C
respecting him, and they learnt that since he had aptain Fitzclarence. Upon arriving at John-street, been discharged
n from the 2d Regiment of Life
tve were unable to ascertain the spot whither we ,
Guards, he had been working as a baker in Padding-
ough . to proceed, and the Captain advanced to as-
ton, where he also lodged, but from which place he
certain what we were to do. When he returned, he
had absconded. This confirmed the information they
ordered the picket to advance at double quick time.
hadreceived, and they had then no doubt but that he
Upon reaching the stable in Cato-street, I ob-
was one-of the Cato-street gang of assassins, but could
serve! a man standing with a pistol in his hand.—
nkot learn anything respecting him, either at the ba-
He presented it at Captain Fitzclarence, and I
beet or at the house where be lodged. However,
knocked it aside with my pike. I then seized the
they proceeded in their inquiries among his connexions
muzze-end of the pistol with my haul, and a scuffle
and relatives, and at length they had a strong suspi-
ensue I between the man and myself about the pistol.
tins that he was concealed at his sister'
s, in Gravel-
I kept* firm hold of•it till it went of, and the ball lane, in the Borough ; to which place ty went,
;mum •by my arm tore the cloth of my sleeve,:is made a rush into the h and there found him.—
(Whit is here exhibited the sleeve of hi:
coat' which He made no resistance, althounh he is a powerful
appet-ed-to be very much torn). P
in wrestling with man, and above six feet high. . lhe Officers brought
the pri.orier I held my face down to the lock of the •
pistol; and, bun to the Office, where he soon afterwards under-
d, as it went off, the ball grazed my right
went an examination before the Magistrate, RICHARD
eyebro v. As soon as the piitol was discharged, the BIRNIE, Esq. when he was identified as one of the
prisone• let go his hold. I secured him, and deli-
desperate gang who were in the loft, and standing
vexed h. m over to the Police. I believe the person's
near Thistlewood at the time he coolly and delibe-
name ii Tidd. After this skirmish I followed my rately murdered the courageous but unfortunate
Officer and part of the picket up the steps into the Smithers. He was clearly seen, and his person well
loft. The greater part of the picket had reached the identified, there being eight or ten candles burning
loft before I was disengaged from the prisoner.— in the loft when the Officers entered it. He gave
When I reached the loft, I discovered a table hi the denk,proof of his having been there from several
centre of it, nearly covered -with pistols, blunder- evi
Wounds in his body, which, AO doubt, he received in
busses, ammunition, and other arms, of Various de- the affray, and which he could not satisfactorily ac-
scriptions. Three men had then surrendered—l count for. He was committed for further examination.
think their names were Monument, Cooper, and Gil- At an early hour yesterday Isorning, Lavender and
Christ. Ido not recollect what Police Officers were Bishop, the Officers, went dared to a miserable ho-
present at the time. Upon looking on the floor, I vel in Brooks'-mat ket, Holborn, and apprehended
saw the deceased lying dead at my feet. His body Robert Adams, in put once of a warrant granted
was examined by the picket, and I perceived the against him. He folleWed the trade of a shoemaker.
wound on his right breast. I was ordered back to He some time since It/as a private in the Royal Horse
the Barracks fir a reinforcement, and when -I re-
Guards, in which he served five years. He very
turned, the whole of the prisoners taken, at that mo- much resembles Thistlewood in person, but has a
meat were collected in the loft. Upon the arrival cast in his left eye. He is suspected to be one of
of the reinforcement, the prisoners were conveyed to those who escaped out of the window of the loft, on
Bow-street. Wednesday night, in Cato-street. He exhibited a
Here one of the Jury observed, that the Inquest most wretched appearance; indeed, the whole of the
had proceeded far enough to ascertain the acts of prisoners were in a most filthy, dirty state—the only
Thistlewood. The Coroner replied, that those who
clean man among them was Davidson, the Black.
were aiding and abetting in the murder were equally
Adams, together with John Symonds, the footman to
guilty as the principal, and it would be necessary to Miss Streattield, in Upper Seymour-street, were con-
ascertain who they were, and what they did. veyest by Lavender and Bishop to the Secretary of
Here the examination was interrupted by the ar- States Office for the Home Department, at twelve
rival of the Messenger, with a letter from Mr. BAICZR, o'clock, where, at one o'clock, another meeting of
and was to the
the Magistrate,
following effect :
you, that I granted a warrant on Wanes-
to the Coroner. It was read aloud, Privy ouocillors took place, to investigate and bring,
•• I beg te inform
to condign punishment these daring conspirators.
day, the aid instant, for the apprehension of Arthur Thistle-
—The Council was attended by the whole of the Ca-
wired, and several others, on a charge of felony, and that I al. binet Ministers, the LORD CHANCILLOR the ATTOR-
torwards received from ll& Ellis an order to lay it before the Nu. and SOLICITORGENZRAL, and all the Privy
Privy Coancil, on the examination of the prisoners when ist cos. Councillors who attended the Meeting on Thursday,
tody. It has not yet been returned to me, nor do I think that .
names we gave yesterday. The evidence
I shall be able to obtain it at the present moment. Perhaps it whose
would be better to adjourn the Inquest for the present, and i against Symonds and Adams_ not being in an ar-
will endeavour to get it for you to-morrow, or send you the in- ranged state to lay before the Privy Councillors, the
formation on which it was issued." prisoners were referred back to Bow-street Office,
William Salmon, of Edgeware-road, tailor, deposed, and the Privy Councillors proceeded to hear die evi-
that on Wednesday night, about eight o'clock, on dence of Captain FITZCLAKIINCE, the Non-commis-
passing through Cato-street. he heard Mr. Westcot sioned Officers and privates of the Guards, who were
say that Smithers had been stabbed, and saw two or of the party sent to assist the Police in the attack
three persons come out of the stable door ; one of upon the gang of assassins assembled in the stable
them was a tall man, with a dark coat, who cut at and loft in Cato-street, John-street, Edgeware-road.
him with a cutlass; he was cut through his panta- The-examination of the military occupied the atten-
loons and coat; several shots were also tired and tiers of the Privy Councillors till four oclock, when
flying in the street, apparently from the windoW of they adjourned. Symonds and Adams were inter-
the shed. resided by Mr. Btasna, and this occupied so much
Here the examination of the witnesses terminated, time, that no witnesses were examined. Symonds's
and the Coroner expressed a wish to receive some in- investigation lasted between two and three hours.
formation respecting the Christian names of those Symonds aard'Adams were detained in custody.—
who had been described as having been apprehended Jilrouks, the patrole, who was shot at three times, in
in the stable. He thought there was no distinction the stable, gave his evidence before Mr. Mama,
between the case of Thistlewood and the other priso- from which it appeared, that a pistol-ball had en-
ners: they all entertained the same mischievous de- tered the arm of his great coat, passed through• all
sign, and shelved their purpose but toe plainly, in his clothes, and bruised his shoulder, but did not
being so well furnished with fire-arms, hand-gre- wound him, and there is no doubt but that it was
nades, &c. He wished to know whether the Gentle- owing to his being thickly clothed, having two coats,
men et the Jury were satisfied with the evidence al- two waistcoats, kc. which saved him from receiving
ready received? Ira mortal wound. He was asked if he could identify
A Juryman said, he wished to put a question to! the man who shot at hiin ? he replied, he had not
.Ruthven, the Officer, before the verdict was pro-; the lea,t doubt of the man being lugs, the butcher,
trounced ; but Mr. Pyall, the summoning Officer,. who was apprehended in Cato-street, and who was
stated, that Ruthven had gone away. - one of the nine that were committed, on Thursday
The Coroner wished to know whether Ray of the;
o_yet ht, to the House of Correction from the Secretary
Jury r, g,uired an adjournment of the Inquest ?—if States Office for the Home Department ;he saw
they did, he would willingly attend to their request.i him distinctly present the pistol, and.. discharge it at
The Jury unanimously declared that they were sa- him ; he had a perfect recollection of his person.
tisfied, and the Coroner, in a formal manner, asked,
—He had since searched his lodgings, and found a
Is Arthur Thistlewood Guilty or Not Guilty of! variety of papers, bet nothia,g ot a suspicions nature,.
Murder ?" except a large ticket
.with hleroglyphic and emble-
matical engravings on it, which he did not under-
•stand ; and he supposed it to relate tp Freetresourb,

- -1-..11Ai 2

im'Z',4,lDMiafiligia

land lie-took it to a FfeethltlOlie Lodge to *sae lii•
quiries respectipg it, but there it was denied to be
anything relative to Freemasonry; he therefete
suspected it to be some private insignia to answer
some diabolical purpose, and determined to mak*
further inquiries respecting it.
William We,tcet, another of the Pattole, produced
his hat as a relic of'the battle of Cato-street. It had
three large holes in the crown of it, through which
balls had passed. He saved himself from being run
through the body with a sword by one of the bl'xsd•
thirsty villains, by his instantly closing in upon him,
when a brother officer coming up to his assistance,
they overpowered the murdering wretch, and se•
cured him. He escaped being shot, by wearing at
the time a remarkably high-crowned had.

THE DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT.
The discovery of the infamous wretches, and their
intended diabolical act, is next to a miracle, as we
have it from good authority. A man called at the
Earl of HAIIROWBY'S house, in Grosvenor• square, on
Wednesday morning, between eleven and twelve
o'clock, and inquired of the porter if the Noble Earl
was at home? who replied in the negative. The matt
appeared very urgent to see the Earl, but the porter
did not give him any hopes 'ot accomplishing his
object, owing to his refusing to tell his business, and
it not being usual to admit strangers to see the Noble
Earl under such circumstances ; the man, however,
persevered, stating the absolute necessity of his seeing
the Noble Earl, and making use of the following
strong expression—" that if he did not see the Noble
Earl, the porter would not be sitting in that chair
(meaning the porter's chair in the hall) to-Morrow."
The latter was induced to believe that the man had
something serious and alarrning to communicate to
the Earl of HARROWBY, and he then told him that
the Noble Earl was riding in the Park, and directed
him to die most likely part in which he could be
found, and described his groom and the livery he
wore, &c. The man, in consequence, hastened with
all speed to the Park, and discovered the groom as
described by the porter, hailed him, and asked if the '
Gentleman before him was the Earl of Hnattown?
The groom replied in the affirmative, aqat the man,
told him he wanted and must speak with him. The
groom informed his Noble Master, when he stopped
his horse, and the man presented a letter to him,
which the Earl opened and read, and having informed
him that he had a deal more to communicate, he dis.
mounted from his horse, and walked and talked with
the man for some time.

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