The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-09-01 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

back to the place she come from; but, upon entering bier-
lie's-rents, the refused to tell him where she lived. He,
however, learned teems woman who was in the lane, that
As lodged at the top of the farthest house. Farb, who
had not been idle, at that moment appeared with Smith ion
his custody, having found him in Rebecca Watson's room,
surrounded with cambric muslin, calico, hombaset, Ice.;
there were also a bed, bolster, and blankets, which ap-
peared to bare been just brought into the room. Fash
stated, that he went front room to room in the house into
which he was informed the goods had been carried, and,
that in Rebecca Watson's room be found the goods he had
now to produce.
. Here he exhibited nine pieces of cambric muslin, four
pieces of check Carlisle gingham, four pieces of home-
bleached dowlas, nine pieces of calico, one piece of black
twilled lambent, and one piece of shirting calico. The
witness added, that Smith's boots were covered with dust,
as if lie had just come from the country; that he was con-
stantly in company of the female prisoner, who was a
very bad character about Fleet-market, and that he beck-
oned to the coachman to draw np to the door. Against the
watchman there was no charge, except merely that lie
lived ip the room below that in which Rebecca•Watson hail
resided, and that he did not appear desirous of giving as
much information as he ought to have given on the subject.
Smith said that he was a horse-dealer, but it was for
knackers lie dealt; that be lodged any where, and was ig-
norant of the articles produced, to which lie begged leave
not to lay no sort of claim.
Elisabeth 'Roberts, a woman who lives in Merlin's-rents,
stated that she saw the gentleman (Smith) come down
stairs ftom Rebecca Watson's room, accompanied by the
female prisoner; that he went to the coach duor and took
out a bed and bolster, and a bag containing something
heavy, and handed them to Rebecca Watson, who then
walked up stairs followed by him. Rebecca Watson in her
defence arid, that she being an unfortunate women, and of
course obliged to look out for the cheapest way of life,
purchased the bed and bolsters of a Jew in Rosemary-lane,
paid a man for bringing them home on his shoulders ;
tharbeing in immediate want of a little money, she took out
her gown to pawn it, and While she was out the officer ap-
hrehended her. But this was not the only calamity she
ad to deplore. As ill-luck would have it, when she was
going out she left her door open, and some person took
the liberty ornot only walking in, but of filling her room
with the articles that had jest been shown.
It was stated, that soon after the goods were brought to
Merlin's-rents, Watson went out with a small parcel, no
doubt fur the purpose of raising money to psy,the coach-
man.
Alderman ANSLEY, upon examining the goods, found
bleaching marks upon sonic of them, which induced him
to think that they had been bleached at Foster Reynolds's.
Upon the calico was marked, 6th month 4th day. The
watchman was discharged ; Smith and Watson were re-
mended. _ _

llow-szazur.—On Saturday a woman named. Jane John-
son, who miserably exists upon the wages of prostitution,
was placed at the bar, charged with robbing her lodgings
of a feather bed, &r. It appeared that she lodged in the
house of an old man named Best, in -Clement's-lane, and
had so done for upwards of four years, during which time
she had paid her rent regularly, but having been ill lately,
she was reduced to great distress, and was tempted to pawn
the bed, &c.
George Donaldson happened to be in the office when the
charge was made against her, and, to the great surprise of
the Magistrate, he instantly volunteered to replace the'pro-
perty. The woman had once sive(' his life-,Mie said, by
giving him notice of a plot laid by two notorious characters
to murder him, and he would never see her go to prison fur
a crime committed through distress, if his worship would
consent to let him *make all right.
His worship did consent; and George having paid the
amount, the woman was liberated.
IlaTzon-oalinesr.—On Saturday Mr. John Skein, land-
lord•of the Red Lion public-house in St. John street road,
was charged before A. S. Lona, Esq. with having the
door of his house open, and seven ;Jerson, drinking and
smoking thereat five minntes past four o'clock on the preced-
ing Sundayafternoon, being the timeofdiviae service. The
defendant did not deny the charge, but pleaded in mitigation
that he acted the same as his neighbours, under the impres-
sion that he was to keep closed only from three till
four o'clock. Ile was convicted in the penalty. of forty
shillings and coats. Mr. LAING informed him that a second
offence of the same kind would subject him to a penalty of
ten potted% and that the hours he was to keep his house
shut on Sunday were from half-past ten in the forenoon till
one ; and in the afternoon from three till five. Mr. LAING
then gay! Mr. Scott, the Churchwarden, strict orders to
see that all the public houses in his parish, of what de•
scription suever, were close shut up, and no persons drink-
ing in them at the abovementioned hours on Sundays,
and such as he found offending to summons, and. all should
be fined.
J. Patrick, a butcher in Aylesbury-street, was charged
with having his shop door open and serving a customer on
the preceding Sunday morning. He _was convicted in the
full penalty, ss.and costs.
Mr. LAING then ordered Mr. Scott to summon all shop-
keepers and trades-people, of whatever description, whom
lie found following their. usual daily occupations on the
Lord's day, and all, without exception, should be fined,
for he was determined to put the law in force against
I them.
LIABILITY OF/ SPECIAL CONSTABLES TO SERVE IN THE
MILITIA.—It was yesterday decided by Sir Daniel Williams
and Matthew Wyatt, Esq. as Deputy Lieutenantof the Toni-
er Hamlets, that the law relative to the militia knows no
thing of special constables, and that filling this office does
not excuse a man from serving in the militia. From their
judgment an appeal lies to the Quarter Session; but Mr.
Edward Rose, of:II, Red Von Street, the special
.constable
whose refusal to serve in the militia gave rise to the question,
did not seem disposed to appeal front this decision.
INTERESTINGCASE —MA asnortounit-STREET.--Satitrday,
Mr. Wm. JOSEPH IVALTERS, son of the Store and Maga-
zine keeper, of Hyde Park, was brought up on a warrant
charging him with haring assaulted James Laing, a soldier
of the Grenadier Foot Guards, while on duty as sentinel.
From the soldier's statement and other evidence, it ap-
peared, that n day or two since, he was placed on duty as
sentry at the magazine stores, in Hyde-park, and the
corporal of the retiring guard directed km not to allow any
stranger to approach the magazine, with the exception of
an old grey-headed man (defendant's father,) and accord•
ingly. as he was pacing his post, about the twilight of the
day, the defendant made his appearance, and was walking
past the prescribed bounds direct for the magazine, when
the_ sentinel challenged him ; however, of this he took no
notice, save a smile of derision, and continued his course
vauntingly along. The sentry pursued, and stopping him
directed him to retire, and at the same moment observing,
if he were a gentleman, he would have at least stopped
when challenged by a soldier, performing the important
trust of a sentry.;" bet the defendant in reply, declared he
tread pass to the magazine, and showed some keys. The
soldier said, no individual, but one of the very opposite de-
scription of hint (defendant) was to pass, and be could not'
allow ani other, therefor.; be was determined be should
retire. the defendant rudely insisted upon proceeding, de-
claring lie was authorised by the King, and holding such
• an high authority he would act upori it. The soldier again
reiterated his order, reminding him that if any resistance
was made, it would to him prove fatal, as he was ho tad to
keep his post at all risk, and proceeded with his musket to
back the bold intruder, who. with some determination
, resisted, end threatened to back the sentry into the Serpen-
• , tine-river. Another sentry hearing the altercation came up,
I and finally, the Serjeant of the Guard arrived, and, ng
; the defendant was anthorised, allowed hint to pr4eid, and
changed the sentinel. The business being alerwerds made
• s

known to the brigade. (Acre, he directed eorottrsr, bat left'
the soldier tolls option, who having some stubborn notions
,of right, said be would appeal to the law, and endeavoneed
to have imbstantial justice for the assault upon him
iidually, leaving his situation out of mind entirely, and
hence arose this proceeding.
The defendant said he was bound to visit .the Magazines
at any risk, ard in consequence of the soldier intemperat, ly
stopping him, some dispute arose; the soldier saw the
brass keys, and most have known he was duly authorised.
He was acting for his father there, and the soldier should
not have acted upon a mere verbal order,, without consider-
ing its effect.
Mr. DYER, the Magistrate, s till of all duties that of a
soldier placed on duty as sentinel, was theimost important,
and should be held sacred, as he was responsible for his acts
daring that period, and certainly was bound to erey his
order; and as this business seemed to hare originated in
mistake, an arrangement, perhaps, would be admissible.
After some conversation between the parties, the soldier
appearing inclined to receive back his expenses, and
withdrawthe charge, without any further remuneration, the
defendant was held in his own sureties to appear at the
Sessions.
'Pussies POLICE.-131PORTANT TO THE MERCANTILE
INTEhEST.—On Saturday William Craig, who stood re-
manded on a charge of having in his possession 1561b5. of
fine hyson tea, Value 59/. was brought before J. C. Erode-
rip, Esq.. for final examination.
In this case it will be recollected that in consequence of a
species of supposed smuggling having been carried on in
the eastern parts of the metropolis; the chief surveyor
obtained a search warrant, and in searching a stable belong-
ing to the defendant, lie found the tea in que.tion, which
in his last examination he said he had from a Mr. Norman.
The Surveyor General attended on the put of the
Company.
Mr. John Parson Erle deposed, he is warehouse.kiteper
to the Honourable East India Company, and it belonged to
his department to sign permits. On the 4th •of August
last, witness received a paper, purporting to be a discharge
paper from 31easrs. Child and Company, to deliver certain
property; upon which lie granted a permit. The two
chests of tea found upon the prisoner's premises were part
of this property.
Philip Hankins deposed, he is a Locker of Excise, in
Crumbed Friars tea warehouse; his department is to " call"
the numbers of the teas and parcels wanted; when they are
lowered into the yard they are examined, to see the number
agrees with the discharge paper; upon which it is his duty,
on being satisfied, to return it to the Locker's box, which
is accessible to any person who may feel inclined to steal
Mon.

The MAGISTRATS reprobated this mode of conducting
public business of such importance.
The prisoner declined offering any defence, and was
fully committed to take his trial at the next Old Bailey
Sessions.

WORSHIP lITIMET.-OANCI oP ROB/MRS.—It may be re-
collected that last year upwards of 40 burglaries were com-
mitted within three months in Stoke Nen ington and its
neighbourhood, when a nian named Jeffs, supposed to be
the le.der of the gang, was apprehended for a burglary,
and afterwards transported for seven years. For soul,
time the detection of their chief seemed to suspend the
activity of these depredators, bet during the last few
months they have resumed their guilty lahours, and have
heroine more desperate. In consequence of some informa-
tion Vann, the officer, had received. be and Mance went
on Saturday, the 29d of August, and apprehended a man
named John Crisp, at No. 5, Church row, St. Luke's, and
searched the house, in which they found all sorts of wear-
ing apparel and linen, and some of it with marks, and also
ladies dreFAes, which left no doubt of the property being
The property was immediately advertised, and
Crisp was remanded till last Saturday, when 111 rs. Wyatt,
of Hornsev, and one of her female domestics, attended,
and proved that on the 2d of July the dwelling-house was
broken into, and property to a 'huge amount was stolen,
amongst which were a number of things now produced by
the officers.

James West, the seivant of Mr. Wyatt, of Newington-
green, also proved that his master's house was broken into
on the 27th June last, and a robbery committed; and he
identified several of the articles produced.
This witness, looking at the prisoner at the bar, observed
that he then had on his neck a checked muslin hardker-
chief, very like one +thick was stolen, and on its being
taken off, lie identified it as his own.
The prisoner, whole a very stout and determined character
here looked fiercely ail the witness, and said in a low tone,
" give you one in a minute," and to prevent his striking
the witness, even in the presence of the Magistrate, the
-officer Waters was placed between them.
Mr. Tarrant, of Newiogton-green, also appeared, and
proved that his ho se was broken into on the 7th of July
last, and that it was secured when the family went to bed.
The robbers had forced a closet door and stolen plate and
other property, amongst which were a watch, and about
fifty child's frocks. In the prisoner's house the officers
found several of the frocks, and a duplicate, which led to
the production of the watch, which were immediately recog-
nized by Mr. Tarrant.
Mr. bey
considered the evidence sufficient to send
the prisoner for trial in two cases, for stealing 40s. in the
dwelling-house, and in the last case for a burglary com-
mitted in the night.
The prisoner was again placed at the bar with three men,
named &Sexier, Street, and Car, and also IPelmalt,
already charged with a burglary in the City-road, and sop-
metia to belong to the same gang. At Cox's house, at
Enfield, Mance found a pocket handkerchief, stolen from
Mr. Wyatt's, at Hornsey. Mr. Barton and Attfield took
Bellcnger and Street at a woman's house in town, where
they found some handsome glass ware, which Bellenger
said he found; bat his daughter, a little girl, said if
she must speak the truth, it was brought to her father's by
Welman.

All the prisoners were then remanded for further inquiry.l
In going out of the office, Street said he would first have
his dinner, and immediately commenced an attack upon ;he
officers' sod had he not been overpowered, he would have
fouffitbis way out of doors.
UNION HALL.---IMPORTANT PUOLICANS.—Saturday,
Mrs. Smith, the receiver, and the Publican's wife, mentioned
before as hating disposed of brewers' casks, were brought
to the office by Rice, the officer.
Mr. Cowell, the complainant, is an ale and table beer
brewer, in Great Suffolk Street, in the Borough, who sent
the two casks in question to.the publican with beer, and
after they were emptied she sold them to Mrs. Smith in the
Minories.
Mr. Cowell's cooper swore, that the casks were worth 351.
when disposed of. and were at present worth 30s. He iden-
tified the casks to be his master's.
Mr. BACK, Solicitor, in Verulam-buildings, Gray's-inn-
lane, is the Solicitor for the " Society of Brewers, which
has been formed for the purpose of preventing publicans
selling the musks of the brewers who supply them with ale
and beer.or to prosecute them when they have been found out
to have done so, and which publicans have been doing to
an enormous extent._ _ _ _

Mr. CHAMBERS—Then do you mean to press the charge
against this woman ? We have heard that she was ex-
tremely poor, and driven to dispose of the casks through
waut.

Mr.. Bacx had no vindictive feelings towards the poor
woman. nor did he individually wish her io be punished.
but be appeared not only for Mr. Cowell, but for the
Society.
Mr. CHAMBERS.—Then you bad better consult the
Society.
Mr. BACK had done so. and the Society wished to press
the matter.
Mr. Citations—Are you aware that to make it a felony.