The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-07-01 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'S UENCH.

Friday, June 30.
ITTrI!tGS lICTORC Loan etLEKsoaavcn, If
WEbiIIINITICR. HALL.
NEALE V. CONANT) ESQ.

• Mr. PARSE stated this to be an action for false
itaPrisuument against Nathaniel Conant, Esq.
and it would not be supposed by any 'body, that
be had an intention of stating any thing against
this gentleman's general character; he believed
him to be as respectable a Magistrate as any in
this metropolis; he had the honour of being ac-
quainted with Mr. Conant, and he knew him to
be a perfectly respectable individual, as well as an
upright Magistrate in his general cOnduct, and
there was nothing in this action to affect his rha-
racter—morally speaking ; but he was civilly re-
sponsible for the act which he had dune, and for
w hie) he was called upon to answer on the present
occasion.

The charge .against Mr. Conant was, that he
had intprisotted the Plaintiff, that was, without
issuing a warrant to apprehend him, or take the
information of the witnesses in his presence, and
compelled hint to give him hail;which practice was
ag&iist law.
Mr. Cockayne (Mr. Neale's attorney) proved
the service of a notice on Mr. Conant, such as the
Act of Parliament of -the 21th of Gee. H. re-
quires to be given to Magistrates before actions
shall be brought against them for any thing they do
in virtue of their uniceas Magistrates.
Samuel Adam Crisp gave au account of the off:
ccrs of Mariburough.street coining to the house of
Mr. Neale, at Knightsbridge, on the Gth of Oc.
tuber, 1806, saying they had instructions (ruin
Mr. Conant, that there had been a great disturb-
ance in the house in which Min Danis then was,
belonging to Mr. Neale; in Lower John.street,
Golden-square, and insisted that he must gu with
them. Fast, they desired him to go with them to
Marlborough-street. Ile did not go at first ; bet
afteiwaoho tr) people came, and is mob .c.ullected
about the street, and a constable of the name of
Petheril insisted on taking Mr. Neale before the
Magistrate,
_saying, that he had ill-used Miss Da.
tic Mr. Neale ~aid he bad no restraint on Miss
Davis. What did they want with hint ? They said
they had come from Mr. Conant, and Mr. Neale
mast come along with thorn. He said, " What
should I go along with you for—have you any
thing against ine ? I have done nothing : if Miss
Davis has dune any thing that is indecent, she must
auswer fur it. I have done nothing. %What have
you against me—have you a warrant ?" They
said, " No, we have nu *arrant. Mr. Conant
desires that you will go to Marlborough:street."
Mr. Neale said, " Have you a warrant against
me?" They said, 46 No, we have Mr. Conant's
orders, and you shall go." Mr. Neale then said,
" Show me your warrant. if I must go ; I d,, not
know what I have done; if I must go, be kind
enough to let this gentleman (meaning witness)
call a coach."—No, they said, he slautthl not hue
a coach ; and they dragged him to the Poiiee.or
nee, whither a mob followed them. This hap.
pearl abort twelve o'clock on the Gth of Or.
tuber.

Ile underwent a long and sharp cross-examine.
lion by Mr. Garrow, when he said that he wrs an
assistant, succeeding the servant of Mr. Neale a,
the Annuity Bank at Knightsbridge; had been a
tradesman 16 years in Russel-street, Covent-gar.
den ; Miss Davis he newer saw at Knightsbridge
but once; be should take her to be about four or
five.and.twenty. He could not say as to her
beauty ; but she seemed to bet delicate worms.
Mr. Neale constantly lived with Mrs. Neale at his
house at Knightsbridge; he dill mot know any
thing of Miss Davis having kept Ituswarriagt, nor
of her being ill-used by Mr. Ngllll.. litMtd her
ravings frequently—it was usual. He .did nut
know that she was.. kept in.apartments that were
unlit for her.; never went up to them. Mt. Neale
desired him once 'or twice to called on a medical
man to come to Miss Davis, to give things' to re-
lieve her. lie did not know that,slie'wes locked
np without any person in the • house with her.
He did Hot hear Mr. Neale say to the Police
Officers, That hi would nut go for any
damned Justice. of the. Peace. lie knew Miss
Davis fur two or three week!, , but did nut
know how M r. Neile beeanie acquainted with her,
'nor did he ever hear of any complaint made by
her against Mr. Neste. Me always understood
"that her rooms were well furnished ; nor did he
ever hear there was ally improper intimacy be-
tween Miss bevis and Mr. Neale. He under.
stood that sbe-was embarrassed fur debts, be had
seen servants apply to her fur wage* ; but knew
nothing of her carriage or servants in livery.
She did not dine with Mr. Neale; but her din.
aer was cut for her, and she had plenty of
victuals, as she had never complained for want of
any thing that tie knew of.
Ann Osbura bad been some time servant to
Neale, at his house in Lower Joit-street,
Golden-square, where Mr. Neale sometimes
slept ; but his family lived it Knightsbridge.
The witness lived with him before Miss Davis
CAM there, which she supposed to be about
eight or nine months before this business at
Marlborough-street. She gave a long account
of the conduct of Miss Davis. She said Miss
Davis was much addicted to drinking; that she
streak spirits very much ; would alitiqs rase Mgr
. •

.. . . ..
dhe beadle fistoticated, although quiet
.wlocl! ,
sober. licit so much was sfiti given to spirlb
that she would send the witness with hei clothes
to pawn• the% for niotiry: to • buy liquor, and
1 which the witness' was always obliged to comply ,
with ; for she threatened t& knock her on the
head when she refused. Mr: Neale always told
her not to let Miss bans drink spirill; but that
ins of no avail, she would have tiisai, for she
was much snare powerful than the witness. Miss
' Davis was under no restraint whatever.; but
might go out when she pleased, only she sal-
' does did so ; sometimes she would go out to buy a
bonnet of a pair of aloes, or something of that
sort. She then gave an account of the manner
in which Mr. Neale was treated before the Ma-
gistrate, she being there, but not examined upon
oath. " The Magistrate," said she, 66 asked
Miss Davis if she had any thing to say against
Mr. Neale, fur. his misconduct, or any thing
that she had suffered ?" And Miss Davis said,
" No, she had not." Then the Magistrate asked
me, if .1 had any thing to alledge against
him for his conduct . to Miss Davis durinz the 1
time 1 was in the house-? I said, N0...-No !
other person was asked a question.—Mr. Mont, '
the opposite neighbour, was there; but he was
nut asked &question, to my recollection." The
witness then said that she was asked this question
about the conduct of Mr. Neale in his presence,
and the Magistrate then said to Mi. \eale some:.
thing which she did nut hear ; but he then cam.
milted Mr. Neale ; and. Mr. Neale said, " What
do yea commit me for ?. What is the reason for
it? You have nut take:rine up by a warrant ;
you commit me for no fault." Thu Magistrate'
said, " Cumthit him directly." • This he said. to
the constable, to take ,sir, Neale into custody,
where he staid until he could Iliad bail.. „lle was
not taken out of the house, "but he was kept there 1
some time.—Lit turned out to be about three.
quarters of au hour.j—his then gave a tong ac.
count of herself, and the family tif Mr. Neale,
whom she hail been servant to, and had left more
1!
than once or twice; had been lod4ed iii the watch.
_house by Mr. Neale two or three times; and
would not stay any longer, because she and Miss
Davis were locked in by Mr. Neale in the night,
and had no means of getting nut until he calm
back in the morning, and he sat up until ten, ,
eleven, twelve, one, or two, in sometimes writing,',
at his office. Saw him take Miss Davis once ur 1
twice to Vauxhall. The withess came back to the
I service of Mr. Neale at Lie request.of Mrs. Neale,
1 fur the purpose of taking care of Miss pavis.
Mr. John Hunt was then examined.—lie said
1 that he lived opposite to the house of Mr. Neale, '
I in LowcrJuhu-street, Gulden-square, but had in)
intimacy whatever with him. In October, IStni, I'
he recollected, on the night between the 4th anti j
Ai,• or rather about two iii the morning, he heard
the', Most dreadful noise and a cry of merinos Au
thil his faintly could nut nit; wentto the wiodoa
and saw the young Lady opposite to him, in the
house of Mr. Neale, in a state of tiaturr, qeite
naked ; she was tailing bitterly against the cue.'
duct of Mr. Neale, saying, "-The • villain will
ienrder nie,"-1 asked her )• ." is Mr. Neale in the
house?" " Yes," said she, ".and the villain is,
behind, and lie is going to murder Inc." The !ali-
nes' then told the watchmen to open the dour ;Itt
which lime Gregory, one of Police-officers .ot
Marlborough-street, came up. They (hived ttpc'ii
, the kitchen window, and entered the:house, and
the screaming ceased. • This gentleman went after-
wards to the Pirliceodhce, where lie taw Mr.
Neale 'and Miss Davis. Mr. Neale put •1„lie
situation to her before the Magistrate, whether
Ise bad used her ill ? dud she said " No." he
Magistrate, Mr. Conant, asked Mr. uieale how
tie came to use the ladj so; and he made the best
story he could, but appeared rather angry ; and
!,,iIJ, is that all, or what nest, or something yt
that sort.

Cross.exxnabied uy bir.Gattitow. lrhisGen-
tleman said that thu noise from the shrieks of this
unfortuuately was extremely inconvenient to
the neighbOurnuotl, and had been often repeated
fur a tortmght-before the parties went to Marl-
borough-street. Sorry he was to say, that the.
noise and screaming were like that of a woman
in the pains of labour, as—Gool God deliver
wts !—Jesus Christ deliver me !—and even these
ejaculations • titre interrupted by shrieks still
more violent. And as to the appearance of this
poor creature, Grid forbid he should ever see Such
another! Milli& • itself could nut exhibit ft
Mort misdrable_ipectiek! Ho had seed her in
Her better dais. ° He was eqt
.c.'rtain it was she
that came to the door:of Neale in her chariot;
but, except fur the alteration which disease hail
made in lift, he shoe* iwt hate had any doubt
it was she who Uscd to curvet~ to the door, of Mr •
Neale in tier dbiiriot Fake, _
_eittainly once . had
chariot and equipage. IVlttut thp
Police •011 ice ought. jo ttgga iecu Apitiketl to 7.in
behalf of this unhappy Iwuagasseraati, who.vv*s
once a blogining beautiful -.yon.n.g !Ask; ;_ het at
the time he illuiltsl to, the mostquiserable looking
crentate be ever beheld. ,

The recognizance of bait, ..sehte% Mr. Neale••cis.:
tcred into 4ofure. Mr. einutut,. was.theu read, ti
prove thathelhad beessleld tvbail. •
Mr. liam.ist, clerk to biri .Neale, swore,••that•
he had• beeisfor five weigiidown in &Atilt- WAlei
fur the purpose Of- &that out • Mis.naiis, to
subpccus liar as a witn►ss•inPhis cause, but With-
out edict ;. had seen' her ante near Haverford.-
weet ;'but be had•refased lo list kopit whore
site.was.
Mr. GAURCiW (hen-made a very strong speech
against Mr. Mealy • Whim ho denotainatsd, by
way of derision, a .humane money-leader, , and
charitable benevolent assistant of the distressed ;
observed that Miss Davis was a young, beatitifal.
and blooming creature. .when she lied, in an evil
hour, come within •the gripe of Mr. Neale ; and
that she came at first to hnn in her own cha-
riot ; afterwards same to dwell in his money-lend-
ing shop at Lower Jehii-street,• Gulden-square,
where Mr. Node dealt out his bencielencu to his
fellow-creatures itt atilietion ; where this beau-
tiful young creature was literally Starved almost
to death; and whe're she became frantic. She
was locke herself la by lai'. is this house) without

_,.

V. 7 3r -
tiny other rook Bets
,tetrs •ar bread, and
jaunt ore' drop of trett.r to rdiSi, bad absolute.
ly naked. It was in thit state '6( horror that she
shrieked, as Mr. Rent had' proved; and on ilia
night in question, the Police oilmen broke i.rtir
the house antler the authority of Mr. Conant,
gentleman whom he prris.-.1 higuly, buy rtio
would have deserved to sutter death, if tee Tad no:
interposed his authority.
Dere Lord ELLEmuotioncit aserted, that it
would he a ttbef upon haastrn nature to suppose
that a Jury could be collected from human betur,
who would give any damager more than nominal
to such a Plaintiff as /,!ic, Orel' if the Magistrate'
had acted without taking a regular information
on oath, and without i.suing a warrant to appro.
head the Plaiatitf fur this atrocious misconduct
towards this unhappy „young woman. But it
the Magistrate had so dune, tire act could nut be
defended in point of law.
Mr. GARILOW said be had a oompicte justifies.
(ion in law, as well as he,,had immorality, for he
had taken regular information ; had issued a war.
rant, which warrant was drily esceuted, and Neale
had been heard before hostas.committed, and cal.
led upon to give bail. •
lle then called- Mrs.. Ilunt, and another wit.
'less, who proved that Miss attie came at first
in her chariot tit the house of Mr. Neale; that was
about IS months heroic rho Marlborough-Strcct
I'ullets affair ; fur the last six mouths, of which Sias
had been in the house of iNcale,
Mrs. Ryan, the matron of the St. James's
parish.workhouse, proved that bliss Davis came
under hr care, when she appeared the usost.mi.
serable being, in point of mind, she-ever bey
held, and most deplotably earaciatod• in body.
At first she could hardly he prevailed on to taito
any_ thing; but she did at last; nod the was there
as suell.treated as any lady in the land could be,
althOugh nut with a!l the ceremony of high /ire.
She appeared to be apprActisivc of death, and. in
that stateriplaitied..." 0, that vil!aiti Neafe 1.- I
am in 1,1:s situation, And near my de.ith, thrott*lt
that. .villain Neale !"....Suon afterwarth S!:c
Milt! totally blind; 'ass hhwever•betieir'Seibbrlv ;
but her mind appeared to'b,; entirely gone: Citior
discovery of hdr relations, she taiceti down to
Pern!)rokeshirtt, and acto:upatiled by thia.witne,a
and others; they were met by 'her religions, and
site a is delivered.• ILI them 'at Narbeth, in, Pew.
brokushiCe.
_ .

Ureeory and Pcthcril, tie' of the Mariborongh-
vtrect l'Olictrofficert, thel gave a full accounc of
their fruisrnri open the dour of Neale's•hons..
I,o44.l46lintstri4,.iti eeasequence of the cry of
Murder!' Whim.ittey.entered,litcy found
this poor ereatereinit.asjtad,been dtscribrd,
seletely Asked: fragtie2-Ahe fell, not from
iittoxieatiotr, but weaknose, lo •t birch
blood, they covered thee: wills et• -bithkct,
awityin a coach:- •Thati- they Yhtated
CQUILII4* whet dirreted•thertf to ro
and deli Neale.: tot came before Mat, which
they did, •9:1 heidendo • Theyorel itetleV,4la titig
l.istefusal, upon whichMi.coettat kook ffiefnfor.
mation of Pctlestin epos oath, *mod ILT,irraet
to apprehend Neale. Ti.ey• went iith it, told
hitti they had a •worrant, and took him by force,
after be had presented a pittoWand said.: woold
sliont.otie of them. Thal, wlsva .be mime before
the•rMagistrateptic had 'a• reav b4ring.i that
bl-1. Hunt was exaniitied at 461.4 Ate witnesses
:it that. hesiitig*; Chit alllhe yttleuisea %*ii4).12.•
mitred 611. oath • that NeileCwils„ashoit whatitOtad
to say fur blih:eif tifiew"he hadlsiiic4.4434l.,
formes ; said he did nod metre „there Iso.antwer
tintaitions•-th #ignate hhorifo :go, Ilea -the
iety * t *as proilgetwla-eneintil t =stein
lions which Were lyslies before the Magistrate, all
perfectly regular,. on oath. •! • • • . • 4•-• •
Upon this, Mr. PARVliitlio could-not 'eon.
tend any linger...that-1M Plateitilr could. !nAliitain
this nctiotur—ifetuusf lie n'titisuited.

L E Li.aush h It4i ciWrved, thaelte
stood Mr. Conatt to lie a ItirylatriligeS •and re..
gular, us Kell as diligent Magistrate im the liCraice
of the Police ; but, if he had beam irregular, the
verdict must have been against him, however,
'boating this case might be to the feelings of all
who heard it ; but here he was quite regular, and
the Plaintiff* was nousuite.l.