The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-08
A Painful Case
Painful Case.
an account of recent trial at tie Old Bailey in Lon
don, Lord Chief Justice IindaI presiding.

an account Of recent trial at tie Old Bailey in Lon
don, Lord Chief Justice 1indal presiding.
George Hammond, portrait painter. was placed at the
bar, TO be tried on an indictment found against him by
the grand jury tor wiful murder, with malice afore
thought Of George Baldwin, rope dancer and mounte
bank. The prisoner was man OF middle height, but
slender form. His eyes were blue and mild His whole
being gave evidence Of subdued sadness and melancholy
resignation. He fortyone years Of age had soft
voice. and his appearance and bore testimony
his being man OF distinguished education, in spite OF
On being called on TO plead the prisoner admitted that
he did kill Baldwin, and he depored the act adding. how
ever that his soul and he did not believe
himself guilty. Thereupon jury was empanneled to
try the prisoner. The indictment then read to the
jury, and the act OF killing being admitted the govern
men rested their case and the prisoner was called upon
The prisoner then addressed himself to the court and
my lord" said he, "my justification is to be found in
then four years of age, the sole memorial left OF my be-
loved wife, whom had pleased God TO recall 10 Him
sell lost her; but did not her die, as had seen
her mother die. She dsappeaTed-she was stolen from
me. She was a charming child. and but tor her had
nobody in the world to love Gentlemen, what have
suffered cannot be described-you cannot comprehend it.
have expended in advertising and fruitless searches
everything possessed-lurnture, pctures even to my
clolhes All have been sold For three years. and on
foot have sought for my child in all The cities and all
the villages in the three kingdoms As as by paint
ing portraits had succeeded in gaining little money,
returned TO London TO recommends my advertisements
IN the newspapers Al length, on fruay, IAN OF
April last, crossed the Smith6eld cattle market In the
centre Of the market troupe OF mounebanke were per.
forming their feats- Among them child was turning
on its head its legs the air. and it's head supported by
halberd A ray from the soul of its mother must Al
that moment have penetrated my own, for ne 10 have
recognised my child IN that condition. II was my poor
child Her mother would perhaps have precptaied her
self towards her, and locked herself in her arms As
for me, a veil passed over my eyes. | threw myself
upon the chief of the rope dancers. knew not how II
was |, habually gentle, even TO weakness, seized him
by his colhes-I raised him in the air then dashed him
10 the ground-then again. He was dead. Afterwards
/ repenied what had done. AT the moment | regretted
that was only able to kill but one"
Lord Chief Justice Tindal-" These are not Christian
sentiments. How can you expect the court and jury to
look with favor your defence, or God TO pardon you
If you cannot forgive"
Prisoner know, my lord, what will be your judy
men and that of the jury but God has already pardoned
me; feel it in my heart You know mott knew not
then-the whole extent OF the evil that man had done
me. When some compassionate people brought me my
daughter in my prison she was loRger my child she
was no longer pure and angelic formerly; she
ruped body and soulher manner. her lang usge, infa
NOUS like those OF the people with whom she had been
living She did not recognise and no longer recog
missed her myself. Do you comprehend now' That man
had robbed OF the love and soul OF my child And
IL have killed him but once
Foreman" My lord we have agreed in our verdict"
Chief Jusice."l understand you, gentlemen, but the
law must take its course. must sum up the case and
then you will retire 10 deliberate"
The chief justice having summed up the case the jury
retired and IN instant after returned into the court with
verdict, "Not guilty"
On the discharge OF Hammond the sheriff obliged
TO surround him with an escort The crowd OF women
and men was immense. The women were determined
to carry him off in triumph. The crowd followed him
all the way TO his lodgings with deaening shouts and
huzzas