The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-02 00:00:00

HUNT'S CONFESSION.

The fJll3winz Confeision was made by Hnnt to Mr.
/Lamer, his solicitor, previous to his trial, for the reasons
he assigns in the commencement ; and a copy of it, signed
by the prisoner, has been since deposited at the office of
the Secretary of St ste _

As the issue of the present prosecution is extremely un-
certain, and the consequences to me are very likely to ter-
minate fatally, I feel it a duty which • I owe to society to
make a full and true confession of all the circumstances at-
tending the melancholy death of Nlr. Weare, and also of
my acquaintance with, and knowledge of, the parties im-
plicated in his murder.
I am anxious to perform this duty previous to the termi-
nation of the trial, in order that if I should be doomed to
suffer, my mind after conviction may be compoom, and
that 1 may not be interrup?ed by any importunity or ap-
plications for confessions, or other worldly considerations,
but that I may be able to employ the whole time allowed
me in this world to my devotions, and my endeavours to
make atonememt to the Almighty for my crime.
do, therefore, now make this true and honest confession.
and desire that it may be considered at my solemn dying
declaration. _ _

About three years ago, when I kept the Allay and Navy
Coffee House, in St. Martin's-line, I first became acquainted
with William Probert; I had seen him before in company
with Mr. Noyes, his brother-in-law, at the house of my
wife's sister, Mrs. !goo/stain ; but I did not titer. know who
he was. While I was keeping. the Army and Navy Coffee
House, Mr. Noyes called on tne I times to solicit my
custom for wine, and I was at last induced to give him an
order for Port and Sherry to the amount of ten or twelve
pounds. A few days after this order was executed, Noyes
brought Probert to my house, and introduced him to me as
his wife's brother. After being three months in business,
I found the house did not answer my expectations; the
rent and taxes were so high, that I was unable to pay my
way, and keep up my credit; and besides, I had given a
Warrant of Attorney to Richard Thomas, from whom
had taken the house, for nearly WO/. to be paid by monthly
instalments. These payments not being kept up, the war-
rant of Attorney was put in force, and I was obliged
to surrender to the Fleet Prison, where I was confined
for seven months, and then took the benefit of the Insolvent
Act. _ _

When I got my liberty, I went to reside at Paddington,
near my mother's, and on the scanty assistance she could
afford me, I was obliged to depend for my:subsistence.
About six months after this, I removed to Lsmheth, and
set up the business of a blacking-maker; an.l while there I
frequented a public-house near the Horse-Guards, called
theSuttling House, kept by one Mr. Chills, where I Wade
met with William Probert and Thomas Noyes. Probert
always treated me with great kindness, and used to observe
how happy he should be if I could again get into the
public line, so that he could afford me some assistance.
On the day that Thomas Tuurtell's trial took place
against the Fire Office, I called by chance at the sign of
the Mitre and Dove, the corner of King Street, West-
minster, kept by Wm. Hall, whom I well knew ; while
was there a gentleman who said his name was Leach, en-
tered into conversation with me, and said that, although
he was unknown to we, he had often been in my campsoy
and heard me sing a very excellent song. During our
conversation, a Mr. Ensor, whom I had seen at Mr. Bent's
a publican, at S•angate, one of whose daughters he was
paying his addresses to, came in and said to Leach—" It
is time for us to go into Court :" and after asking me how
I was, he said they were subpcened on the trial of a friend
of theirs, named Muriel!, who kept the sign of the Cock.
in the Haymarket, and if 1 was not engaged, 1 might as
well go into Court with them, and join their party at the
dinner, which was provided after the trial was over. t
accepted the invitation ; and a verdict being given for
Thurtell, all the piny, very much delighted, proceeded to
the Cock, in the Haymarket, to dine. While we were at
dinner, Mr. Probert entered the room, and taking a seat
next to me, shook use by the hand, and expressed his %a:-
prise:at seeing me there, as well as the pleasure he should
have in hearing me sing. 1 stopped till eleven o'clock,
and then went away without taking leave of the party.
In about a week after I met Probert accidentally at the
west end of the toun, and be introduced me to Tetsalls,
where, by his request, I sung several songs : and at parting
he invited me to meet him the next morning at the Cock,
saying, he could be of service to me. 1 went accordingly,
was introduced by Probert to John and Thomas Thurteil,
and stopped to dine with them, but nothing particular
passed, As Probert omitted to explain in what way he
could serve me, I went next day to the Cock, an I was in-
vited up stairs by John 'Martell, where;l found Probert;
and they pressed me to dine with them, which 1 did ; and
afterwards Probert asked me to walk over the water with
him, saying he wanted to speak to me on particular busi-
ness. 1
agreed to go with him, and on our way,. Probert
said to me—" Hunt, I will tell you something In confi-
dence. but I beg of you never to divulge it, as I am the
only person Tburtell has made acquainted with what I
am about to tell von." I promised secrecy ; and he thee
said— • s • • • • • • • • *

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