The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1822-12-17 (London, England)

ESSEX WINTER ASSIZES.  The Assizes for this county ended at Chelmsford, on Saturday, about had% e o'clock. The remaining cases in the calendar not already teported, were destitute of general interest. The Grand Jury found a bill of indictment against a man, not in custody, charged with wilful molder. Seven capital convictions took place during the Assizes, but only one unhappy man was left for execution, namely, Benjamin Cooper, who was convicted 'on Friday of breaking and entering the dwellinghouse of widow lady at Thazted, in this county. during the time of divine service, on Sudday. the 4th of September, and stealing money to the amount of 1701. The Hon. Mr. Baron Charms', in passing sentence, addressed the wretched convict in the following terms : t. Benjamin Cooper, yes shad convicts* of What broken Into the dwelling-house of •dosipsegsttsle wiawiffilidgt who is the proseeutrix ow this messies and 14401111 OW WilihrtsbitY which site had, with becoming piety, dweeeld to tbei Illerfiee of God, to perform your wicked task, which, undoubtedly, you must hate had some time in centemplatlon. You had executed your plan with a degree of ability and contrivance, and with such success, as to make your offence amount to a very heinous crime. You had plundered this lady of property to a very large amount, and you had executed your object under such circumstances, and carried your offence to such a degree, as to make it no longer a subject of regret, that to break and enter a dwelling-house in the day-time in the absence of the Jakob', tants, and steal property therein to a large amount, Is made a capital offence. You have, therefore, drawn epee yoveself the vengeance of the law, and young as you are, yes mast pay the forfeit of your crime. lam not aware agog edrenmstance is your case which can avert the awful sents *bleb must be speedily carried into executiou. Gladly Inlaid I Nina held of any suggestion which might he fairly urged Is your Omer, to mitigate the severity of the law ; but you stand at the bar of justice convicted of a most dangerous offence, witheat may am redeeming fact in your case. I warn you, therefore, to prepare for that ignominious death which justly awaits you as the consequence of yourcrime. The heaviest sentences( the law must be pronounced and executed upon you. No Moor or mercy is to be expected on this side the grave. Betake yourself, then, to earnest and hearty prayer; to a speedy repentance of such sins as you may have committed in that world which is about to close upon you for ever, and endeavour to prepare yourself to meet your Creator. My paliful task Is to pronounce the awttl sentence of the law, which is, that you, Benjamin Cooper. be taken hence to the place front whence you came, and front thence to the place of execution, where you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord nave mercy on your soul!", The unhappy man earnestly implored for mercy, but was removed from the bar. He was a well-looking young fellow, and cocducted himself with great propriety and decorum during his trial. The calendar at Maidstone contains a catalogue of upwards of a hundred prisoners, many of whom are charged with capital offences. Amongst the latter is the case of a man named Robert Hartley, who. stands indicted tinder Lord Ellenborough's Act for maliciously stabbing Captain Owen, of the Bellerophon convict ship, at Sheerness, on the 29th of A'sgust, where the Prisoner was confined as a transpot t after having been convicted of a capital offence. Ho had obtained a commutation of the punishment of death to that of transportation for life, under pretends of giving some important information respecting tiro murder of the late Mrs. Donatty,