The Sun. — 1844-11-27 (London, England)

THE SLAVE TRADE ON THE COAST OF AFRICA. Mr. PRENDERGAST and Mr. CLARESON appeared to make an application on the part of Captain Thomas Jennings, late of the Augusta, who was charged with slave trading on the Coast of Africa. Mr. PRENDERGAST prayed that his Lordship would enter at once upon the trial this session, or at least fix a time for it, as Mr. Jennings's character and prospects were greatly injured while the present charge of felony was kept suspended over his head. The injury was the greater, as that gentleman solemnly protested that the accusation was a most unfounded one. Mr. PAYNE opposed the application upon an affidavit of Sir George Stevens, which was read to the Court. It would be quite impossible to proceed with the trial until the presence of Captain Hill, who was at present in command at the Bolam River, could be had in this country. That would, at the lowest computation, involve a delay of six months, and on that ground he moved that the application be dismissed, and a postponement granted for that time. Lord DENMAN said that Captain Jennings bad already urged a plea in another Court, that he had been already tried for this, offence, which plea had been dismissed. Had it, however, been held good, there would have been no necessity for Captain Hill's evidence in the case; but now that officer's evidence was indispensable. He would, therefore, order that the trial take place in the coming January Sessions. Three young men, labourers, named William Sadd, Henry Clow, and George Henry Vaughan, were indicted for feloniously assaulting John Augustus Lock, with intent to murder him. A second count charged them with a common assault. Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Doane appeared for the prose. cution ; Mr. Prendergast for the prisoner Sadd, Mr. Payne for Clow, and Mr. Ballantine for Vaughan. The person assaulted, John Augustus Locke, a sworn constable at Nicholson's wharf, had taken a drunken person into custody for obstructing the business there, and while conveying him to the station-house, he was surrounded by a mob, among which the prisoners were conspicuous who committed the assault complained of, and released the prisoner. They were at a subsequent period taken into custody. The prisoners were this day tried for the common assault only. Evidence having been given, and the counsel for the prisoners having severally addressed the jury, Lord DENMAN summed up, and the jury, after consulting together, returned a verdict of Guilty against Henry Clow, but recommended him to mercy on account of previous good character, and Acquitted the other two. His LORDSHIP then said that the prisoner had been eonvicted of a brutal and cowardly assault, but in consideration of the good character he had received, and the recommendation of the jury, the punishment inflicted would be lighter than the crime deserved. The sentence was that he be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for six calendar months, and at the end of that period enter into his own recognizances in 50/. to keep the peace for two years. The additional charges upon the calendar since last Monday are twenty-seven, consisting principally of larcenies from houses and from the person. No charges of a particularly heavy character are added.  CLERK_ENWELL.—(