The National Register. — 1811-12-15 (London, England)

MURDER. Monday evening, as a person of the name of Ashburn, who, lives in Gravel-lane, Rateliff-highway, was talking with some others, at a public-house, over the late horrible murders, the sensations he experienced were so strong, that he made a Confession to them of a murder committed by one Thomas Fontzick, a Portuguese, who underwent an examination before the Bench of Magistrates, at the above Office. Ashburn, stated, that he was at Gravesend at the time the Arniston, Bait ladiaman, .was about proceeding on her first voyage, which he supposed to be near Is years ago. As he was returning to London in one of the Gravesend boats at night (the day he does not perfectly recollect), he observed a wherry come along side the boat with three passengers, one of whom was the prisoner, a sergeant, and a publican, since dead; when they. came •n board, a dispute arose respecting a young man, who was said to be crimped by the prisoner, although the sergeant declared he had enlisted. him. Blows ensued, and the sergeant was knocked down into the wherry. The witness did not exactly know, which of the party struck the blow, but that the prisoner jumped on him, and he heard three crushes of his bone*. He did not see his body thrown overboard, but only the sound of something falling into the water. On their landing, be missed the sergeant, but saw Font zick and the publican. Mrs. Ashburn, the wife of the witness, was on board, and partly corroborated the testimony of her husband. She stated that it was very dark, and being asleep below, she was awoke by the crashes; but only knew of the murder from her husband having frequently mentioned it when he was in a state of intoxication, and that she admonished him to silence on the busi ness. The Magistrates asked Ashburn his reason for withholding the statement for so long a period ? The witness replied, that he was afraid of getting into trouble, and that he shoutd be murdered. He was then questioned by the prisoner's Solicitor, whether he knew the name of the master of the boat, the re— sidence of the publican, or the place of landing ? To these interrogatories he gave no satisfactory answer. Mr. Markland questioned Mrs. Ashburn respeciing ler hus— band's state of mind in his frequent fits of intoxication, and she acknowledged her husband scarcely knew what he said. Its  I'9B  worthy Magistrate then. informed the prisoner that h duty to remand hint, for further investigation. Yesterday, Thomas Fontzick underwent another examination. Edward Collier, a master of the Gntvesend boats, 1? years ago, den used to his knawledge of a scuffle, but never heard any mention of the murder, and he believed the story devoid of foundation. Charles Bowtill, the. young Min mentioned as being the cause of the quarrel, explained the circumstance of his being enlisted by the se: jeant .putting a shilling into his hand, which was given to him to pay for some beer. I'he serjeant insisted on carrying him away, when he resisted, and Fontzick came to his assistance. A scuffle ensued ; the serjeant was knocked down i:tto the ferry; hut the witness stated that seeing the se jeant the morning following, and fearing he was in pursuit of him, he ran away, and never saw him since. James Uraters corroborated the testimony of the last witness. When • this event happened it .was dark, the serjeant was knocked down, drew hi, sword, which was broke, and thrown overboard. and Fontzick jumped on him, but stated that he raised himself up, went ashore to seek redress, saw him next morning, but ne-' ver since heard what became of him, nor heard of the supposed murder. Aft-er the worthy Magistrate had attentively considered the evidence of the IA ittle,ses against the charge made by Ashburn, tie declared that the duty he owed to himself, and the faithful discharge of his situation imperiously demanded his strict hivestigation into the alleged Murder. He had written to the Government Offices to make inquiry, but having at that time received no answer, and being satisfied tik wns no positive I,roof of guilt, he should hold the prisoner to bail, himself in WI. and twp sureties of ‘2:::1. each. The Court v. as extremely crowded. Funtzick is a respectable atm, and appeared much agitattd.  it is