Daily American organ., 1856-08-20
An Account Of a Recent Trial at the Old
Baily, in London, Lord Chief Justice
Tindale presiding. ..#

George Hammond, portrait painter, was placed
at the bar, to be tried on an indictment found
against himself by the Grand jury for the wilful
murder, with malice aforethought, of George Bald
win, rope dancer and moultebank The prison.
er was man of medium height, but slender form.
His eyes were blue and mild. His whole bearing
gave evidence of subdued sadness and melancholy
resignation He was forsy-one years Of age, had
soft voice, and his appearance and manner bore
evidence to his being man of distinguished edu-
cation, in spite of the poverty of his dress.
On being called on to plead, the prisoner admit
ted that he did kill Baldwin, and he deplored the
act, adding however, that, on his soul and con-
science, he did not believe himself guilty. There
upon jury was empannelled to try the prisoner.
The indictment then read to the jury, and, the
act of killing being admitted, the government
rested their case, and the prisoner called upon
for his defence.
The prisoner then addressed himself to the
court and jury
"My Lord, said he, my justification is to be
found in a recital of the facts. Three years ago,
lost daughter, then four years of age, the sole
memorial of beloved wife, whom it had pleased
God to recall to himself lost her, but / did not
see her die She disappeared-she was stolen
from me- She was charming child and beside
her / had nobody in the world to love me. GEN
tlemen, what have suffered cannot be described; ;
you cannot comprehend it. / had expended in
advertising and fruitless searches everything l
possessed-furnture, pictures, even to my clothes
ALI have been sold.
For three years on foot, had been seeking for
my child in all the cities and all the villages in the
three kingdoms. AS soon as by painting portraits
had succeeded in gaining a little money, re-
turned to London to recommence my advertise
ments in the newspapers. At length, on Friday,
the l4th of April last, crossed the Smithfed
cattle market. In the centre of the market
troupe of mountebanks were performing their
feats Among them was child turning on its
head supported on halberd. A ray from the
soul Of its mother must have penetrated my own,
for me to have recognised my child In that condi-
ton. 1t was my poor child. Her mother would,
perhaps have precipitated herself towards her,
and locked herself in her arms. As for me veil
passed over my eyes. knew not how it was-I,
habitualy gentle, even to weakness, seized him by
the clothes-I raised him in the air, then dashed
him to the ground--then again; he was dead.
Afterwards, repented what had done. At the
moment, regretted that was able to kill but one.
Lord Chief Justice Tindale. These are not
Christian sentiments. How can you expect the
court and jury to look with favor on your defence
or God to pardon you, if you cannot forgive"
Prisoner. "I know, my lord, what will be your
Judgment, and that of the jury; but God has al
ready pardoned me; feel it in my heart. You
know not, knew not then, the whole extent of
the evil that man had done. When some compass
sionate people brought me my daughter in prison,
she was no longer my child; she was no longer
pure and angelic as formerly; she was corrupt
body and soul; her manner, her language, infa-
NOUS like those with whom she had been living
did not recognise her myself Do you comprehend
me now ? That man had robbed me of the love
and soul of my child. And IL have killed him
but once"
Foreman my lord, we have agreed on our
verdict"
Chief Justice "I understand you, gentlemen,
but the law must take its course. must sum up
the case, and then you will retire to deliberate"
The Chief Justice having summed up the case,
the jury retired, and in instant after returned
into court with verdict Of Not guilty"
On the discharge of Hammond, the sheriff was
obliged to surround him with an escort. The wo-
men were determined to carry him off in triumph.
The crowd followed him all the way to his lodgings
with deafening shouts Of huzzas.