The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-07-29 00:00:00

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you concealed." The presecetor replied, that he was
no smuggler, and that he was without the means of
offence or defence. In a short time afterwards, the per-
mit having been examined, the prosecutor's horse anti
cart, and the spirits were restored to him without fur-
ther objection. It appeared that the prosecutor was
well known to the defendant, and that the latter had
previously dealt with him for spirits. His evidence
was corroborated by that of Mr. King, the publican,
and Mr. Hadrian, a stone-mason.
The prosecutor's permit was not produced, kis cart
had no name upon it ; hut that circumstance was ex-
plained by the tact, that it had recently been repaired.
Mr. Serjeant ONst.ow (with whom were Mr. Mar-
ryatt, Mr. Burney, Mr. Nolan, entillllr. Delany) ad•
dressed the Jury on behalf of the'flefendant,, without
calling witnesses, and comment # at considerable
length upon the evideuce addneed if support of the
prosecution, contending, that the prosecutor's own
conduct and uncivil language warranted the interpo-
sition of the defendant, who must he token to have
acted bona ji,:c under a supposition that the spirits
in question we're smuggled. He remarked, that this
was the more. manifest front the circumstances that
the prosecutor's name was nut on the cart, and that
the spirits were carried in qmintitie I S allowed by
law. It appeared that the rrosecut three casks
in his cart, :wo of which were ful the other
empty. The permit applied only to two casks, and
the appearance of a third actually led the defendant
to suppose that the prosecutor was smuggling. If he
acted under this impression, the defendant would be
entitled to a verdict of acquittal.
The Cot rr-dra IWE charged the htry, that if the
defendant was toms fide at ti,, under the impression
that the prosecutor w•; conveying smuggled spirits,
it would be their ilwr to fool him not guilty, because 11
he appeared to be a legally autho.dred offirer of the
Customs. At the same time, however, if they were of
opinion that lie had no ground for entertaining that
impressioti, they were hound to' find hiin guilty : or,
if supposing he had exceedieg hi. duty, ur had acted
nit!, inure violence than was justifiable, though he
conceived himself merely acting iu pursuance of his
ditty, still he would be guilty.
The Jury retired for about half an hour, and re-
turned a verdict of—Ouilty.

POLICE.

-.Ct.- •

M glom liorsz.—A pilaf; married woman, of
respectable connexions, w.:, ehArged by Mr. Mott,
jeweller, of Bilhopitgate..tr..et, with having robbed
him of two gold rinp, ,tiitier the following singular
eircumstamrs :-•-

Mr. Mutt stated, th t! 3! tire o'eloek on Thursday
evening, the prisoner e t..red his -hup, and asked to
see some wedding rh0.... Ile handed to her three
earth, containing each of them six gold rings, which
were slightly attached to tae card. The prisoner put
thew into her lap and began to examine them. The

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isitstme looked st Alsis proceesling Olt some canletais
for. he bad observed • gilt ?Mg upon one of boil'
fingers. She ietornod the card. to him after having
shaded them shout and selected a ring from the num-
ber, foe which she said she would Ore the price de-,
manded (ten shillings,) in a few minutes, if Mr. Mott
would consent to take the money in cepeer. Mr.
Mott then perceived that two of the gold rings had
been removed from the card, and that two gilt rings
had been substituted. He g.tve the prisoner to under-
stand that he guessed at what had taken plate, but
she most furiously denied the theft, loudly declared
her innocence of the intention to commit any wrong,
and called upon him to calve on immediate search.
The witness bad nut seen her chance the rings. Ile
knew the great trouble attending prosecutions, and
would willingly have put up with the loss, not odly
on account of that trouble, hut from a feeling of com-
passion for the female; but he was sure that she had
exchanged the rings. When he desired her to leave
his shop, she said she never would till she was
searched ; but before she desired to be searched he
had told her that it was not convenient to have it
done, upon which she became most violent. Witness
then told his servant girl and a young lady who was
in the shop at the time to search her. The rings were
not found upon her, hut his conviction was unalter-
able. He followed the advice of a neighbour, and
put her into the custody of an officer, by whom she
was taken to the Compter.
Mr. M. then told the Lord Mayor, that he did not
wish to prosecute. t
The Lord Mayor said he should willingly seemed
the intentions of Mr. Mott, if any doubt was enter-
tained by him as to the loss of the rings.
Mr. Mott said, it would be false and foolish in him
to question the manner of the loss. The cards were
filled with gold rings when he handed them to the
prisoner. There were other circumstances in the eon-
duct of the prisoner which would oonvincei any
reasonable ma that she bad substituted Ille
rings.
An officer who took her to the Compeer produces(
a gilt ring which he took from her glove in her
way to prison.
The prisoner declared, that her dealing with Mr.
Mott had been one of integrity. Het feelings upon
being suspected were greatly wounded, and she cal-
led npou her accuser to bare her sea ed. Hie sh-
ie r
rjectlon to leave `the shoVaroso mend . tom the siesiety
to have her character cleaned of a impatatioa. She
then most solemnly declared her innocence. ir
Her hasbaad. with considerable ability, *0116•Ii.
emitted Mr. Mott. He asked hint whether it teas libt
possible for his boy who remained in the stop in his
(Mr. Mott's) absence, to substitute the gilt rings ?
Mr. Mott replied, that his boy was all asszsep-
tionahle character; but whether he was or was not,

Ithis question was not effected by it. Heim rings were
not all gold, be should, upon banding thesis to the
lady, hare immediately discovered it. His MB spiciais
were first ',felted when he perceived the lady ►undle
the rings into her lap. Besides she paid foe the ring
she selected, upon getting a hint that she had abets
I. her possession.
The husband then appealed to the Lori illoyee flie
jastice.--Thoes was net, hfresaiatahted, any evil Ms
upon which his wilt .0814 be asmt►fitted Athol vin-
lair, to the law. Of t►e respectability itriti#Lehaese-
tor there was so question. The fact was ahad loot
her nedding ring, and helms afraid to ateolipn the