The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-07-14 00:00:00

INQUEST UN ABEL GRIFFITHS.

L From circumstances ilhich have recently come to our
knowledge, we are led to think that, had due diligence
horn employed in collecting evidence respecting this re
volting case, the public would have unanimously acqui
eared in the verdict of the Coroner's Jury. On the Jury
breaking up, the Coroner, it is stated, gave directions
that the pistols, and any other property found on Abel
Griffiths, should be taken in charge by the officers, as
they became forfeited to the King. In this instance,
there was no supineness is the exercise of official
function ; and bad the pistols been examined, as care-
fully as they were assigned, a clue might have been
obtained which would have led to the circumstances to
which we have referred. The name of the maker was
on the pistols. He is a well known and respectable gun-
smith in Holborn; and, had lie been examined at the
Coroner's Inquest, must have explained the manner in
which the perpetrator of the parricide and suicide obtain-
ed po ion of the instruments by which the deeds
were effected. On the Saturday before the dreadful
catastrophe took place, it appears that a gentleman, with
whom the grin-smith was acquaint-d, Caine into his shop,
accompanied by another whom he did not know, but
who, he afterwards learned, was Abel Griffiths. The
latter, having assigned some plausible reason for his ap-
plication, requested his counpaniqn to solicit the loan of
a pair of pistols from Mr. P. The request was compli.d
wall; a pair of pistols, on the percussion principle, was
handed to the applicant; and the
.pistois were loaded in
the shop. On the Monday; immediately after the
gentleman who had accompanied him to the shop
11.,d learned the deadly use to which they had
been applied, he hastened breathless to the gun-smith,
and communicated the horrid tidings. These par its,
paralysed, we may suppose, by the thought of having
unwittingly contributed to the complicated catastrophe,
did not, like other acquaintance of the deceased, press
voluntarily forward with their evidence at the Inquest;
but, had the marks on the pistols been noticed, so as to
have led the Coroner to have summoned the maker, the
Jury would not only have learnt the important fart, that
Abel Graliths had with deliberation and address, bor-
rowed and loaded the deadly weapons, two days be.'
fore the accomplishment of his purpose, but have also
ascertained his appearance and mariner at the moment he ob-
tarried possession of the means of effecting his object. Other
witnesses, intimate friends of Abel Griffiths, had, in con-
sequence of the adjournment of the Inquest an opportu-
nity of attending; and they, it would seem, attended
spontaneously. They, however, came forward to testify,
tinily, respecting the irritability of his mind, for some
line previous to the perpetration of the deadly deeds ;
and though one of them was asked whether he had kept
pistols, the Coroner and Jury were satisfied on hearing
that the witness could not say whether lie kept nistols, or
how he came by them. It is strange that when a ques-
tion was asked about the pistols, the weapons themselves
were not examined and the clue,adierted to,pursued; but
the enquiry, it appears, was no sooner started than relin-
quished.
These pistols, if the statement referred to above be
correct, were ordered to be taken in charge by the officers,
as having become forfeited to the King. This order must
have been pronounced on the assumption that they were
the property of Abel Griffiths: hut if proved to bate
been lent, and to have been, bona fide, the property of
the maker, ought they not to be returned to him ?

A few days since, as Lord Glastonbury's gamekeeper,
at Hotley, was going his minis, about three o'clock in
the morning, he met a poacher, whom, having repeatedly
cautioned before, be endeavoured to seize; the fellow,
however, got away, and when a few yards distant, fired
at the keeper, and wounded him in the side. The keeper,
notwithstanding, again attempted to secure the man, but
he escaped behind a hedge, when,re-loading his gun with
a broken flint and the beau top of his ramrod, lie again
discharged it at his assailant, and wounded him in the
face. We understand the keeper has lost one eye, and
now lies in a very precarious state. The poacber was
taken at Hallatrow.

A man of the name of Benjamin Adams, employed as
an iron•boiler maker in .n extensive manufacturing es-
tablishment near West Bromwich, was on Saturday se'n-
night charged before the Rev. David Lewis, at Oldbury,
with soliciting another workman, in the same line 01 bu-
siness, to leave this country and proceed to France, for
the purpose of obtaining employment there; and after a
full investigation of the case, he was committed to the
county gaol to take his trial at the ensuing Stafford As
sixes for the offence.
1

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

PRESTON RACES, WIDNZSDAY, JULY B.—(Cox-

ctunso.)
The Earl of Derby's Plate of 701., for 3-yrs old, 7st.
6-yrs o/d. 3st. 71b.—Heats two miles awl a distance.
Mr. Ferguson's b. e. Wanton, 4 yrs 6 2 1 I
Mr. Reed's gr. c. Marauder, 4 yrs . I 4 9 9
Mr. Kirby's b. c. Orator, 4 yrs 4 1 S
Mr. Hutchinson's b. c. Landlord, 3 vrs 3 3 4
Mr. Clifton's h. c. I.ythom, 3 yrs..
'Wanton was the favourite at 8 to 4 apt him ; 6 to 4 asst
Lytbom ; 9to I agst Marauder; 3to lgs• Landlord.

Marauder, the second hest, agst the end bat little
betting : 2to I agst Wanton ; and 2to I agst Orison. After
the second heat, Orator became the favourite at 6 to 4 agst
him ; and 2 to I agst Wanton, who won the heat, and he.
come 6to 4 sgast Marauder. But few Mier close ran heats
than those four we scarcely ever saw—every inch of ground
being disputed, and Wanton's well-knowa bottom won him
the plate by barely at length.

THURSDAT-(LAST DAN).

A Plats of 701. given by Samuel Horsmks and Edmund
Hornby, Esqrs. for all 4ges.-3-yrs old, bat. 10Ib.; 4-yrs
old, Bst. 21b.; b•yrs old, Sat. IIlb.; 6 and used, 9st.
—Heats, 2 miles and a distance.

Mr. Fergnson's b. o. Sir Anthony, 3-yrs.
Mr. Clifton's b. h. Peter Lely, b•yrs
This was a good race, end won in high style by Mr. Fer-
guson'. Slr Antbony.-6 to 1 on Peter Lely.

MATCH.- —lllk. M. Steel's br. f. by Milo, out of Madryns,
beat Mr. James's br. f. by Whisker, date by Sir David.—
Two miles for bOgs.—A good race.-6 to 4on Whisker.

A Sweepstakes of 100 gs each, h. ft—One a4lla and a quer-

ter.
Ld Stamford's fir. c. Falcon, by Bastard 1
Ld Grosvenor's Lady-day, sister to_Fakou II

Three others paid forfeit.-2 to loa the triaser.—A good
race.

The Aberdeen subscription in aid of the Greeks is go.
ing on with great spirit. A sum little abort of .E 101)
being already advertised. The Re►. Mr. Z'emp!e'on,
Aberdeen, is to bring the state of the Greeks under the
notice of his congregation, by a sermon to be preached
in his own (the Associate) Chapel, on the evening of
Sabbath se'nnight. It is to be hoped that this metholl
of awakening attention, and of affording an opportunity
to contribute, will be generally adopted.—(.lonerose
Review.)

Attempts having lately been made to put into circula-
tion some of the 51. notes of Messrs. Taylor and Lloyds,
of Birmingham, stolen from the Balloon Post Coach in
December last, we again caution the public against taking
any 5/. notes of that firm, except such as have " a Bee-
Hive" on the face of them. The public are alto c,
into u-
tioned against an attempt to throw circulation some
of the old Newark Bank of Pocklington and Co. whip h
failed some years since. Two men have recently been
apprehended at Nottingham for passing them in that
town.—(Coventry Herald.)

A representation having been made to his Majesty that
two men (namely, Wm. Nadin and Win. llubney) sen.
tenred at the last assizes for Nottingham to be tranoport-
ed for life, were innocent of the offence with which they
had been pharged, and had been mistaken for other
characters, a gentleman holding a high official situation,
was directed immediately to go on board the vessel in
'which the men were embarked, and which was waiting
only for a fair wind to set sail for New South Wales, and
make the necessary inquiries of the individuals them-
selves. The result proved so far satisfactory, that his
Majesty was induced, without delay, to grant them a free
pardon. When the pleasing intelligence was announced
to the men, they received, at the same time, a certificate
of their good conduct, together with a pair of handsome
trewsers, being the only article of apparel they appeared
to stand in need of. The clergyman on board the vessel,
as a proof of his good opinion,likewise made each of thent
a handsome present; and after they had bid adieu to
their late unfortunate companions, there were presented
to each of them three pounds to defray their expences
home. They arrived in Nottingham on Saturday se'n-
night, and after seeing their friends, waited upon the
worthy Mayor, to thank him for his kindness and
humanity towards them.—lt is pleasant to add, that two
respectable gentlemen in the town have taken them into
their employ.
A very extraordinary circumstance occurred at Crow-
burst, near Battle, on Friday se'nnigbt. A respectable
lady, named Fost-r, made a chicken pie for the family
dinner, of which she, her two daughters, and grandson
partook; shortly after their repast. they were all suddenly
taken very ill, and only one of the daughters cool I suc-
ceed in getting to bed, the others being rendered incapa-
ble of the exertion. Fortunately a miller, t..ho came to
leave some flour, found them in this desperate situation,
and uppecting they were labouring under the elf cis of
poison, immediately procured the aid of a medical gentl -
man, who applied the proper remedies, and we are happy
to add, that all, with the exception of the grandson are
considered out of danger. This unfortunate affair is still
enveloped in mystery.

At an early hour :u the morning of Tuesday week, a
Are was discovered in the warehouse of Messrs. flanks
and Co. of Great Charles•street, Birmingham. The fire,
at first, appeared to threaten the destruction of the whole
premises ; it was, however, ultimately subdued by the
exertions of the firemen, without effecting m aerial da-
mage. Strong suspicion being entertained that the fire
was wilfully occasioned, a reward of 50/. has been offertd.
for the detection and conviction of the parties.

Sunday se'nnight, hetweeo the hours of two and fete
o'clock in the afternoon, some person or persons broke
into the dwelling-house of Mr. Lake, farmer, at Fake°.
ham, and after forcing four locks, they succeeded in car.
vying off eight pounds in bank notes, gold, and copper.

An inquest was held on Saturday se'nnight, at Wal-
tham Abbey, on Mr. J. Johnson, a gentleman in tbeern-
ploy of Government, in the powder-works there,who was
struck by the lightning on the Friday preceding, whilst
in his ofhre in those works, into which be was observed
to go but a very short time before he was discovered a
corpse, lying on the floor. The electric fluid bad pene-
trated and laid open his hat, passed completely down bis
right side and leg, and escaped through his shoe, which
was burst open at the side. A book, which he bad ap-
parently been reading, was lying open on the desk. The
Jury returned their verdict that the deceased was kiUed
by lightning.
On Tuesday, the Ist inst. the body of John Pope was
interred in the church-yard of Lattitner's, near Chesham.
The deceased had been parish clerk of the hamlet up-
wards of 64 years, and he never failed daily to wind up
the clock of the church Ca upwards of 43 years.
Coax ESCHANGE, Juiv 14.—The very large arrival' of
last week, added to tolerable fr, eh supplies of Cornerthis
morning's Market, occasion a considerable show of sam-
ples; and the late weather being considered favourable to
the crops.l causes much dulness, to prevail in sales to day.
Wheat sells so very slowly, that ev. u the primest parcels do
not reach last Monday's prices by es. per qr., and other qt)a-
lilies are nearly unsaleable at present.—Barley buds very
few buyers at last quotation.—Beans and Peas are bath ra-
ther cheaper.—Oats are so plentiful that sales cannot be ef-
fected without submitting to a reduction cared D. pe- qr.—
The top price of boar is at length settled at Ms. per sacs.
SMITIIIIRLD MARKET, JULY 14.—The supply at mar-
ket this morning was rather short, and there was a num-
ber of inferior descriptions of Cattle.—Mutton Is high
in price. Lamb ntaitrains last we,k's prices, and /Beef
may be quoted as per last market day.

...1

ji
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I . . .
couar OF CHANCERY. Jo
„
WARD OF CHANCERY.
, • • MARIAM V. nansarile
Mr. Hine, at the rising of the Court, made an applica-
tion to the petition of a Oentieman, who is the elder
• • brother of a youn;.l lady of the same of Eleanor Marsack,
to restrain a:Mr, Brown from marrying his sister, if the
cemasony hail not been :lreasly performed ; and further
that. he ihoeld be compelled to deliver the lady to her
s friends forthwith, and that he might be enjoined hence..-
forth front all'interconn.e.with her personally or other-
wife. The facts o( 'b case were shortly these:—The
. lady, a ward of the Court, bad just attained her six-
few!' year, and was entitled to a considerable fortune on
her condor's:of age; who Hr. Brown was a person of
a eery limited income. This gentleman, however, alleged
• that the lady had already become his legal wife; that
the marriage took place with the consent of the mother,
now residing at Weymouth ; and that they were living'
- to tether very happily as ;unitised and wife Mr. Hatt,
en behalf of the applicant, desired that if Ate ceregpony
hail so totally taken place, that then the said Mr. Brown
should he ordered to lay before the Master a draft of the
settlement he proposed making for his wife.
The LORD Cusisetwoo, after inquiring whether the
• facts above stated were verified by affidavit, desired that.
Mr, Brawn, married or not, should attend the Court on
Thlusday mond de with the mother ; and that. if he were
not married, hi should he compelled to delis er the lady up,
said restrained from any further intercourse with her.
111611 COURT OF ADM I RA LTY,SaTuanaat, JULY ie.
• risilLit 851100.
rriin JEAN Itlarmua.—Lord Sruwitt.t proceeded to
give his jodgment in this case. He ob dit was a
rani of claim on a bankrupt's property, for man's work
ijone hr a female, on board the aboveinentioned vessel-
Slitetirmed for services done as cook and steward, and
also for sloop-keeper. The Captain employed tli is woman,
Eloaltath Stephens, who it the suitor, to perform those
offices, and as such it is now too late to turn round and
elect her claims, on the ground of her sex. It may be
ssid•that a person performing such services usually per-
forms the part of a mariner ; it has been proved that she
performed the services a mariner usually dm 1, taking
her turn at the helm, tier hands and arms being as brow-.
ry and robust attire rest of the clew. The next ques-
Von was that of a ship-keeper ; this she performed while
the ship lay in dock, and as she performed such service,
she was not to be debarred on account of her sex.—
Man's labour is performed by women in many countries;
a•d even (contiomed his Coriolis') in our own we have
heard the m perform military exercises, we have heard
them stand by the guns of a man-of-war, others perform
the part of a soldier, The name of Joan of Arc is known
to mooch to her glory, and to our disgrace for the
deeps sha suffered. Elizabeth, of blessed memory, every
one Must recollect was present in many acts of intrepidity
aid:valour. The Countess of Pembroke and Muntgoone-
rysEke, once acted as High Sheriff, sat with the Judges
On the Circuit, and even officiated on the execution of
eriininals. It did not appear to him (Lord Stowell) that
the lex could be allowed as a disqualification ; it might
be unseemly, but they must employ other persons, and
he much doubted whether they could turn round upon
tlittm on account of the sex. the owners say they did
mot know she was employed in the vessel, bat they should
not have left the management of the ship to the Captain.
Upon the whole, he was of opinion she was entitled to
the remuneration in her affidavit : sloe chinos 601., and
in another she demands 901. In order to show that be
m ould not distress the bankrupt's estate, he would give
the suitor the lower sum, and would sign his decree for
sucks purpose on the next Court day.

~..*tgp..

V

ASSIZE IN 11:LLIGENCE.

•Li

HANTS ASSIZES.-W INIIIIESTER, SATVRDAT,

J!LT 12.

The business of the Assizes concluded this day.—The
f Blowing prisoners were found Guilty, and sentence o
.Penth recorded against them, but not passed, in con-
formity v,ith the late Act, which gives the Judges th e
power not to pass sentence of Death where they do not
wean to order execution on the criminals, viz.:—
Henry Crockford, for a burglary at Clanfield, and
stealing a gpantity of cheese, bacon, soap, &c., the pro-
per:y of IViliiam Atkins; Wm. Shepherd, for stealing
three ewe sheep, the property of W. Lane, of Kingstm•
borne; Wm. Young, for stealing a pony, the property of
H. Withers, of Ediog, which he offered for sale the next
day at Shaftesbury, Dorset; Christ. Richards, aged 14,
for breaking into the dwelling house. of J. Ingram, at
Wymering, and stealing a watch.—John linswood, for
becaLing into the store of Thomas Uowden, of Michel-
deter, and stealing ten tods of wool.—Francis Leonard,
21, (formerly a Captain's Clerk in the Navy), for person-
ating the name teid diameter of Thomas Pearce, a sea-
man, supposed to be entitled to prize money for his ser-
vices on hoard H. M. S. Liverpool.—W. Kingston, 27,',
and John Phillips, 23, for stealing tw•o cheeses, the pro-
erty of Miss Kitty Dowling, in the parish of St. Mary
Bourn.
The above prisoners stand reprieved as a matter ofl
course, as all capital convicts, who receive sentence of
death, in future will be left for execution.
Au indictment preferred against Miss Drew, for per-
jury, arising out of the case of Drew v. Green, tried at last
Assizes, was thrown out by the Grand Jury.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—Oxman, FRIDAY EVENING.
These assizes have just terminated. There have been
swarms of harrister::, but a dearth of briefs ; and during
the whole circuit, as yet, we have icarcrly one case of
public interest.
The commission opens to•morrow (Saturday), at IVor-
rester. Mr. Curtvo.mi joined the circuit at Ibis place,
and appeared to be well received. The sentences of the
capitalcouvictshave been all commuted to transportation.

SHERIFF'S COURT, HERTFORDSHIRE—SATURDAY.
PRYON V. DALLY.
The plaintiff is a brewer at Baldock, in this County, in
extensive business ; and the defendant is a medteal swatc-
h jotter In the sante town. The action was brought to
s.r.moyer damages (rote the defendant for saying cm repeat-
ed occasions, that this plaintiff had used drugs, and parti-
culaey tobacco, in manufacturing his beer; that he, the
defendant, had analysed the plaintiff's beer, and had its a
phial proved that tobacco was used in the composition there-
of. This he repeated on many occasions, with a strong as-
severation, saying, that he wished Goo might never permit
111 to take Ira hand from the table on which he laid it, if
what he said was not true. This was the substance of the
d:tclaration. The defendant pleaded the general issue, and
suffered judgment to go by default, and now come into
Court wittiest either Counsel or Attorney.
Mr. A ookeaws (with whom was Mr. Pelee) at-ted the
ease tothe Jury, and ob d, that aithough ju the town
where. the plaintiff lived, and was well known. he could
rot suffer, by such slander as the present ; yet when 'a me-
dical Man named it his business to travel from alehouse to
alehouse, repeating the same slander, and vouching it up-
r.is the credit of his supposed skill In chemistry. It was n
to be expected hut the t some pe'rsona would he frond suffi-
ciently credulous to believe such a statement. The Jury
must be sensible that in such • case damages could be no
compensation ; hut to give small or trill.ng damage; would
be so add thinr sanction to scandal, which the defendant
had not dared to justify; and therefore it was Lis duty
to ask at their hands such damages as would marls their
sense of the injury which had been done. He regret-
ted that ti,c defendant had not put austificalon upon
the reior.l, because then, in the face of the whole cottn-
-14 might have proved that the plaintiff was incs-
' that nisi& was attributed to him. lie was also

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