The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-08-17 00:00:00

POLICE.

MaNstox-noesc.—Yesterday, Mr. Murray, the Se-
eretary of the " Constitutional Association," attend eal
rpon the Lord llayoo-, and preferred a complaint.
upon the oath of George Holt, of Union-street, Balite
bridge, acconntaot, against one Charles Sanderson.'
for publishing a printed book,. which the iofonnant
verily believed to be a scandalons, blasphemous, Rio
'pious, and seditieus !Biel, of and root erning the (hi-
vernment, Laws of the Kinzolotti, the Holy Scriptures,
'Christian Religi,mn, &c. To the affidavit was annexed
a copy of the pamphlet. which was entitled " .‘n Ad-
dress to the Reformers of tireat Britain, by K. Car-
file."
The Loan %Jon did not grant ths rearm
immediately, on the application, boo took liar% pft.
ruse the pamphlet alleged to he liloellons. Hirtftl•
ship took the opinion of one of the law authorities of
the City upon the matter, His Lordship soon after-
wards intimated that he should grant the warrant.—
The complainant. Holt, having been sworn to the
truth of his affidavit, a warrant was given to Brand.%
the 31 a rshalman, to apprehend the '6oh-id:tat charted;
when the Lord Mayor desired it might he served im-
mediately. that the party might be put to as little in-
convenience as possible. At a little before one o'dock,
Braude returned with his prison. r, and the Justice
Boom was itnme.liately Crowded with persons, tuitions
to witaess the proceedings. The prisoner is a simple
looking young boy, apparently nut more than 13 yaws
of ay., and appeated excevtively frightened at the pro-
ceedings which were going on.
lieorlle Holt, the complainant, haring been sworn,
shortly deposed, that he bought the pamphlet it. goes-
tiOn is Junc last of the prisoner, who was servioi in
the shop, No. 55, Fleet-street.
A person vepped forwar I after the complainant bad
hero examined, and requested to know what had seen
deposed
The party was asked, whether he attended as the
solicitor or the friend of the prisoner, and who be was;
The individual replied, that he attended rather as
the friend than otherwise of the pi,or hot-. who was
quite destitute. His (the speakoor's) name was Mason ;
he was a printer, resitting in Clerkenwell-green. The
evidence having been stated to Mr. Mason, be said—
Me Lord, it appears that the witness has only stated
that a certain book was sold to him, without venturing
to swear that it was an illegal book. Now, me LoroL
I should submit that evidence to that effect 1-.lsould he
given before the prisoner can be required to find bail.
The Lott!) 3lAvon replied, tha,l he had hioncolf read
the whole of the book, anti had also talea a legal
opinion Noon it, and had come to a conclusion that it
was of a nature which called upon him to regal's/ *he
prisoner to find bail to answer to a Jury for its publi-
cation. _ _

Mr. Mason—l :lo not know whether lam right, but
from what I have neat of the common law, I have uri•
derstood that a boy ander the age of I-I cannot commit
a misdemeanour. being supposed at that age to he in-
capable of discrimination. If lam correct in this po•
sition, no bail can hr asked of the prisoner.
It was here etplained w Mr. Mason, at coosider-
able length, that be n•as mistaken in his law, as were
these who bad pl.iced tae prisoner in the situation in
which he stood. _ _ -

Mr. Mason then requested. go an indnlgence. that
The prisoner nii;ht he remanded, in order to give an
opportunity fur his bating legal assistance. Hit re,
questett this indulgence with the more conGslt..
when be recollected that when Mr. Murray hall been
brought before his Lordship. hit: case was renitintied
froin week to week. Ile said if the prisoner 'build
not,be able to find bail, the prisontuen' in the test in-
`stance would he punishment, and it was deciding to
his prejudice to say, that the matter was of a nature
fat which he ought to find bail. He therefore wished
to bare the opportunity of legal as‘istance, so adswef
the charge preferred against the privation

'lle Cone Alfonso •. 4I hr should sot accede tot,
irequest. fde luoi already etAteti Isis lalliniqn.diat
defendant ought to 6f:41 bail. fle .lid rat deer.'
the matter. Ills 'Lordship said that

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