Births
On the 26th ult. the LADY of the Rev. J. Bradshaw, of Lambeg, of a daughter.
Marriages
On the 24th ult. by the Rev. Wm. Carr, Mr. JOHN JOHNSTON, of this town, to SARAH, daughter of Mr. Wm. Gordon, Malone.
Deaths
On the 9th ult. at her house in Henry-street, Belfast, in the 76th year of her age, Mrs. EDITH BELL, relict of the late Mr. John Bell, of Lurgan.
On the 23d ult. at Ballymena, of a rapid decline, Mr. JAMES STEVENSON, Jun. aged 29 years.
Clippings
In the Matter of ROBERT CAMPBELL,
TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, on MONDAY the 21st day of April next, at the Hour of ONE o'Clock in the Afternoon, on the Premises,
That FARM or PARCEL of LAND in the Townland of DRUMREAGH, in the Parish of KILLINCHY, and County of DOWN... JOHN LAMON, Assignee of the Estate and Effects of said Insolvent. CARRICKMANNON, March 21, 1828.
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In the Matter of ROBERT IRWIN, an Insolvent.
TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at the House of Mr. JAMES FREEMAN, Inn-keeper, in the Town of KILLYLEAGH, on TUESDAY, the 22d day of April next, at the hour of TWELVE o'clock Noon,
THE FEE SIMPLE of that FARM or PARCEL of LAND, in the towland of BALLYMACASHEN, in the Parish of KILLINCHY and County of DOWN...Immediately after which will be set up and Sold, about 4 Acres of LAND, late the property of Insolvent, situate in the townland of BALLYMACREELY, in the Parish of KILLINCHY...JAMES HAMILTON,Assignee of the Estate and Effects of said Insolvent. KILLYLEAGH, 21st March 1828.
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TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION,
On WEDNESDAY the 23d of April next, at ONE o'clock,
THE MILLS, KILNS, DWELLING-HOUSE, and FARM, situated and near to the Village of CRAWFORD'S-BURN, the Parish of Bangor and County of Down, lately in the possession of Mr PATRICK WIGHTMAN deceased...
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NOTICE.
SUCH Persons as stood indebted to the late Mr. ALLEN RALPH of COMBER, are requested to pay the amount of their respective counts to us at Comber...
JOHN ALLEN, HUGH FERGUSON, JAMES DALZELL, JAMES RALPH, EXECUTORS....
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COUNTY OF ANTRIM ASSIZES,
(Continued from our last.)
CARRICKFERGUS -- THURSDAY, MARCH 27.
John Sergeson, for stealing a sheep, the property of Mr. Charles Hamill.
Charles Hamill -- Lives near Larne; lost a sheep in Dec.; was selling some in Smithfield, Belfast; had about 20; missed one of them about the evening; saw it again dead in Sergeson's house the next morning; It was fresh killed; prisoner is a butcher; could not swear to the mutton; got the skin in the same place; had a mark on the sheep; is positive the sheep was his; could not identify the prisoner. -- Not guilty.
Pat. M'Quiggan, for stealing a set of brass weights, on the 10th August last.
Andrew Law, sworn -- Lives in Fountain-street, Belfast; lost a parcel of weights; kept them in a shop; did not miss them till he was sent for by Mr. Ireland; had them in his shop the Saturday before; is positive they were his.
Tobias Gilmor -- Purchased metal weights in Belfast, from Mrs. Dillon; sold them to Mr. Ireland; knows Mr. Law;he claimed the weights as his.
Ann Eliza Dillon, sworn -- Purchased a set of weights in January last; bought them from M'Quiggan; the weights were in the store; sold them herself to the last witness. -- Not Guilty.
William Stockman and Alexander Boyce, for stealing horse harness, belonging to John Rogers, Carnmoney.
Pat. M'Cann -- Identifies prisoners; prisoners offered to sell the harness to witness; suspected they were stolen; got them taken up by Sergeant Lindsay. Both Guilty -- to be transported for 7 years.
Anne M'Guckin, for stealing two pieces of calico -- Transported for 7 years.
Mary Burke, for stealing a pair of spectacles, a purse, &c., the property of Peter M'Farland.
Peter M'Farland -- Was in Belfast on 1st February; met two young women; conversed with them about his going home; one of them put her arm around his neck, and the other into his breeches pocket, and took out the purse with the money. -- Not guilty.
Arthur M'Kenna, for having Bank of Ireland notes In his possession, knowing them to be forgeries.
Anne Armstrong -- Lives in Fountain-street, Belfast; saw M'Kenna; he came with a bottle for a pint of whiskey; gave a note to change.
John Armstrong -- Went to the Northern Bank to see if it was good; they said it was bad. -- Guilty; transported for 14 years.
Thomas M'Kibbin, for having In his possession a forged note of the Bank of Ireland, knowing it to be forged.
Henry Thomas -- lives in Belfast; knows M'Kibbin; he was in witness's shop in December last; prisoner called for change of a note; agreed to take the note if he would take 5s. in copper; prisoner refused and went away; came back again for a pint of whiskey; got the whiskey; witness gave him 20s in change; he paid for the whiskey; witness gave the note to Betty Price a servant girl; she returned it, because it was bad,; witness locked it up in a desk.
Betty Price -- went to M. Keely's with the note, and he said it was bad.
Guilty - To be transported for 14 years.
Mary O'Neill, for stealing a bed-quilt, the property of Charles Dicks, of Broughshane, on the 27th October last. -- Guilty; sentence deferred.
Thomas Whitford, indicted for stealing a sheep from Henry Simms, near Carrickfergus. -- Not Guilty.
John Fleming, on two indictments, for assaulting Ann Bamber on the 7th July, near Ballymena, and taking from her divers articles, her property.
Ann Bamber, sworn -- Remembers 7th July last; was on the road that night; met a person that night who walked with her a little piece; witness was then turning away, when he seized her; saw a man at a ditch and called to him for assistance; the man at the ditch came forward, and then they both knocked witness down on the road; identifies prisoner as one of the two who knocked her down; they took a silk shawl and handkerchief, and a cotton one, and about 3s. or 4s.; also a lancet; saw the silk handkerchief about prisoner's neck in Ballymena. Not Guilty on first count, but Guilty on second-transportation for life.
James Hamill, for breaking into a house with intent to steal.
Felix O'Neill, sworn -- Heard a disturbance between one and two; was awakened by his grandmother; . went down stairs; saw Hamill passing down the hall; pursued him; had known prisoner before and identifies prisoner. -- Guilty -- transportation for life.
Henry Patton, for the manslaughter of John M'Guckin.
John Donaldson -- Knew J. M'Guckin; saw him in Ballynure in October; saw prisoner and deceased together that day; they began fighting; saw deceased bleeding; he died soon after.
Samuel Kirk, sworn -- Remembers being in Hill's house; knows Henry Patton; saw deceased strike a stranger; Patton came out of a closet, and took M'Guckin's cause; deceased shoved Patton across the table; went out of Hill's house; saw them about 15 minutes after; Patton and the strange man on the one side, and M'Guckin on the other side of the street; saw deceased strike Patton. -- Guilty.
James Hovey and Charles Black for uttering base money. -- Black Guilty, Hovey Not Guilty.
Ann M'Kibben for having base money in her possession with intent to pass. -- Guilty in one count, but not in the second -- imprisonment six months.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 28.
John M'Kinley and Thomas Bailey, indicted for burglarlously entering the dwelling-house of Richard Greer, of Lisburn, on the 12 Oct. last. M'Kinlay, Guilty; transportation for life. Bailey, Not guilty.
John M'Bride, for a burglary in the house of Wm, Webb, of Belfast; and for stealing some articles of clothing, on the 29th Oct. last. Acquitted of the burglary; but Guilty of the felony. Seven years transportation.
Susannah Donnelly, for uttering a counterfeit half-crown, at Lisburn, on the 1st Feb. last. Guilty; six months Imprisonment, and find security for other six month.
BURGLARY.
James Thomson was indicted for a burglary In the house of Thomas Dunn, of Dobb's-Land, and for carrying from it various articles on the night of the 10th January last.
Margaret Hawkins sworn -- In January last, she was living with Thomas Dunn as household servant. About 8 o'clock on the evening of the 10th, she and her master went out to supper the cows., Some persons came into the cow-house, and knocked out the candle: From the noise she thought her master was choking. She crept in under the cows and getting up by means ofstakes that were there, she escaped through the roof, and alarmed Mr. Dobb's labourers.
Mr. Dunn -- Recollects the circumstances detailed by the last witness. -- The men wanted arms and money. They got him down after considerable resistance, and took from him a latch-key, the key of his desk and six shillings in money. -- They then left him for dead. Prisoner had been a labourer in his employment. He had seen him that day near the house about one o'clock. A case of mathematical instruments, some plate, and a gun were subsequently missing from the dwelling-house.
Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn. -- Remembers the night of the robbery. Knows the man that first came forward to her where she was sitting at her honest industry at her wheel. -- That man was James Thomson; the prisoner. Before the men entered, the door was shut. She was not in sight of the door, but she heard it opened with a latch key. She was sitting by the kitchen bed-side, the quilt of which they pulled over her head, and struck her and, teated her very severely. They swore profane oaths and demanded money. Sometimes she could partly see what was going on. A man went into a room off the kitchen, and broke up a cupboard. She is sure there was at least two men. They entered between 8 and 9 o'clock, and went off between 9 and 10. One kept the bed-quilt over her head, while the other plundered the house. She attended before the magistrates, but did not lodge examinations till last Wednesday. Is not sure that she told the magistrates that she knew the prisoner when he entered. She cannot say that she did not before the magistrates apply merely the word suspicious to her knowledge of the prisoner.
J. Wilder, a policeman, went to Thomson's house on the night of the robbery, and observed that he had on a clean ironed shirt. He did not seem much alarmed. His wife offered to produce a light.
Charles Kennet. -- Was present when the prisoner apprehended. There were no persons in the house but the prisoner and his wife. After he was in custody he overheard a conversation between him and his wife relative to the charge on which he was apprehended, which the prisoner then did not know. He said to her, that it must be for the robbery in Mr. Dunn's, and that no person could have informed against him, but Mrs Dunn or the servant.Prisoner alleged to him, that he had been at home the entire evening except a short while that he had been out to skin a horse that had died of the glanders. Afterwards he said, he had put it off till morning, and it appeared he had been out for two hours.
John Donaldson. -- Recollects having gone for prisoner on the night in question to skin a horse for him, which, however, they deferred till next day. He left his house to return home about half past 8 o'clock. He lives a mile and a half from Dunn's.
James Stewart. -- Proved that about eight o'clock prisoner went out with Donaldson to skin a horse. George Irwin gave similar testimony.
Hugh M'Dowell could only say that prisoner had lived with him five months, and had served him faithfully. He declined giving him an additional character.
Margaret Stevenson, a young girl, deposed, that on the night in question, she was in James Thomson's and he was in the house till about 8 o'clock. He then went out, and returned in about an hour. She and her mother were lodgers with Thomson. They went to bed about 9 o'clock, and at that time, Thomson was at supper. She did not see him going to bed. He had not on a clean shirt, but a calico one, which he had put on the Sabbath before. This, the witness thinks, was on Friday.
The testimony of Margaret Stevenson, the mother of the last witness was similar. The prisoner was found guilty and the learned Judge after an impressive address pronounced on him sentence of death, to which be listened wIth apparently hardened indifference. He is a stout, middle aged man, and his countenance has in it an expression of dark ferociousness. We understand he has a wife and a large family of children.
William Boyd, Matthew Boyd, and Pat Butler, were tried for slaughtering horses at Cromac, near this town, on the 12th of Oct. last. The principal evidence against these men, was that of Francis Dalton; and he was proved to be a man actuated by malice, and who could not be believed upon his oath. The prisoners, who have been in gaol since October, were accordingly Acquitted.
Michael Sheals, for an assault on John Downey; also, for stealing from him 7s 6d. in Belfast, on 18th November last. Guilty; transportation for life.
Robert Swan, for stealing two casks, on the 6th Aug. last, the property of A. O'Hara, Esq. of Gl[-? -]an, Ballymena. Guilty; three months imprisonment at hard labour.
William John Whitla, for knowingly having in his possessions a forged Bank of Ireland note. -- The prisoner pleaded Guilty; 14 years' transportation.
[This is the same person who is charged with stealing, last summer, two bank post bills, for £100 each, from the trunk of Mr. Trotter, who had lodging at the time in the house of the prisoner's father, at Ardglass. This depraved young man had been educated, as a surgeon, by his father, who is a respectable retired Clergyman.]
Philip Nugent, for knowingly having in his possession a forged Bank of Ireland note. -- The prisoner pleaded Guilty; and was sentenced to 14 years' transportation.
Andrew M'Conroy, alias Mullholland, for stealing two pigs, the property of Martha Bell, on the 28th Feb. last. -- Guilty; sentenced to 7 years' transportation.
STABBING.
Joseph Hunter was indicted for stabbing Pat. M'Gahan, with intent to kill.
Pat. M'Gahan -- Was in Ballymena in Dec. last; was stabbed between 7 and 9 o'clock, by prisoner, in the left side; prisoner was calling out, "to hell withPapists;" witness was on his master's business;prisoner had a dog with him; his master's son called prisoner and his dog both Papists; chased the boy; the boy ran to witness for refuge; prisoner "squared" at witness, and witness "beat back;" prisoner then stabbed witness; witness then struck prisoner.
Bridget M'Clusky sworn -- Lives In Ballymena; was there all 14th Dec.; heard a noise in the street; went to the door and looked out; saw two men, prisoner and M'Gahan; the men had, some words together; soon after, one of the men called out that he was stabbed.
John Ross, Surgeon, sworn; Lives in Ballymena; saw M'Gahan after he was hurt; examined him, and found a wound in the left side; must have been inflicted with a sharp instrument, -- Not Guilty.
Mary Ann Devlin was indicted for stealing a sovereign, on 12th Feb. last, from James Douglas, in Belfast -- Guilty; transportation.
EMBEZZLING PROPERTY.
Michael M'Anully, clerk to Messrs. Ledlie and Ferguson, of Antrim, was indicted for embezzling certain sums of money.
Samuel Donaldson -- Is clerk to Ferguson and Fowke, and was so to the late firm of Ledlie and Ferguson; knows prisoner, who was in their establishment as rider, or collector, for the paper department; recollects having gone out himself to collect, in October, and prisoner told him not to call on certain persons, mentioning Wm. Hudson and David Scott, as he had got the money, and laid it out for his own use.
Wm. Hudson -- Knows the firm of Alex. Ledlie & Co.; knows also the prisoner, who came to him sometime before for the amount, £6, 11s, 9d. due by him to the firm; he paid the sum, and prisoner put a settlement on the bottom of the account.
John Francis Ferguson -- Was one of the firm of Ledlie & Co. in August last; prisoner was in their employment last Christmas, but left it without giving notice; recollects Wm. Hudson and David Scott being debtors to their firm; recollects having seen prisoner at Newry, and had a meeting with his friends, but forgets the period; when prisoner left their employment, he was examined before Mr. Clarke, the magistrate, and desired to come again, a few days after which he did punctually. Guilty.
STEALING LINEN.
Margaret M'Ilvenna, for stealing 2 pieces of linen, the property of Messrs. Barclay & Co. on 24th Nov. last.
Thomas Dollard, sworn -- Identifies prisoner; lives in Larne; saw her in November last; bad two pieces of linen, with her; it was about sunset; prisoner had fallen; witness saw it while helping her up.
Mr. Barclay, sworn -- Keeps a bleachgreen near Larne; prisoner was brought up to him by Dollard; missed the cloth from the bleachgreen consisting of 52 yards. -- Guilty.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 29.
HOUSE ROBBERY.
Robert Harper, for a robbery in the house of Mrs. Ann M'Cracken, near Ballycastle.
Wm. Simpson -- Knew Mrs. Ann M'Cracken -- on the night of 25th August last, saw two men in her house when witness came from the field -- the prisoner was one of them -- he asked his mistress who they were -- she said they had come from her friends and were to sleep there all night -- a bed was prepared for them -- when the girl said the bed was ready, one of them went out of the kitchen and immediately came back -- the prisoner took down the blunderbuss which
Continued on page 4
was over the chimney, and asked witness if he kept that to shoot strangers -- witness said it was kept to defend the house -- witness at the time was shaving himself -- he got a blow from behind on the head with the blunderbuss, but witness was not knocked down --the other man produced two pistols -- and they tied witness, Alex. M'Fadden (the servant boy,) and the servant girl -- they said they would not tie the mistress -- they asked the keys from her -- they then forced them all into a room, and fastened them in -- heard two low whistles and a cough -- heard drawers opening, &c. -- they were kept in the room near an hour -- when they came out the men were gone -- the blunderbuss, a pair of trousers, gloves, a bridle, a pair of spurs, and all the money in the house were taken away -- some sheets and table-cloths were missed afterwards -- indenties one of the spurs, which he saw afterwards in Ballintoy on prisoner -- a grey horse was also taken from the stable -- the horse was brought home again in ten days by their own boy.
Cross-ex. -- Has been with Mrs. M'Cracken about three years -- was at one time turned off by James Harper his mistress's nephew -- he said witness took too much upon him -- he had been there about half-a-year at the time -- his mistress is a very old and infirm woman -- was away from the house a few days only -- when he was sent for again -- Jas. Harper was then gone, but came again that night, and they slept together -- it is said prisoner is James's cousin -- witness has the management of every thing -- witness was not lookingfor anything when the old lady died -- witness bought the horse for Mrs. M'C. -- never heard that Jas. or Robert Harper claimed the horse -- never heard that prisoner purchased the horse from James Harper.
Jane M'llroy, is servant girl to Mrs. M'Cracken -- was there on 25th August last -- about 8 o'clock two men came into the house -- prisoner was one of them -- never had seen him before -- they asked if a boy named Simpson stopped there -- she said there was -- they said they came from the co. Derry, where Mrs. M'C's friends lived -- they were going to Ballycastle to purchase horses, and had been recommended to come there by her friends -- her mistress took them to the parlour and gave them something for supper -- Simpson came in when they were in the kitchen -- when Simpson was shaving himself, she seen prisoner strike him over the head with a blunderbuss, which he had taken down from above the fire -- he had frequently asked if it was charged -- she went to open the hall door, but found it locked and the key away -- the two men then tied them all three and put them into a little room -- Mrs. M'C. was also put there, but she was not tied -- her mistress is upwards of 80 -- heard prisoner demand keys from her mistress, which she gave them. Cross-ex. -- Simpson had the management of the house -- heard that James Harper, her mistress's nephew, was jealous of Simpson's influence with his aunt -- it was current in the country that she would leave part of her property to Simpson -- heard it said that these two men came to preventSimpson from getting possession of the property.
The evidence of Alexander M'Fadden, the servant boy, was of a similar tendency.
A. M'Neile, Esq. -- Is a magistrate of this county -- the prisoner was brought before him, and he had some conversation with him -- he said he was the person who had committed the robbery and had taken away the horse -- that he had sold the horse, and from his information witness was able to recover the horse to the owner -- he made no mention of having a property in the horse -- Cross-ex. -- He said that it was James Harper induced him to do what he had done. -- At the time he was taken he had a horse with him which he had purchased with the money he got from Mrs. M'C.'s horse. Three men were examined for the prisoner, who gave him good character. -- Guilty; transported for life.
STABBING.
John Christie and Charles M'Ilroy, for an assault on John Adams, and stabbing him with a knife.
John Adams -- On 5th Dec, was at Ballymoney about 9 o'clock -- opposite Mr. Moore's brewery there was a crowd in the street, and witness went to see what it was, when Christie gave him a jundy -- witness then gave him a push, when Christie stabbed him twice with a large butcher's knife -- was confined for a fortnight. -- Cross-ex. -- There was a great crowd, and Christie might have been forced against him -- was going to his work at the brewery -- had done nothing to Christie before he was pushed -- did not see M'Ilroy -- after he was stabbed he struck Christie.
Christie guilty -- M'Ilroy not guilty.
BURGLARY.
George M'Erlane, for a burglary in the house of Felix Canovan.
Felix Canovan -- On 5th Dec. between 7 and 10 at night, a party of people, 6 or 7 in number came to his house and forced in the door -- it had been latched -- they had arms -- one of them presented a blunderbuss at witness -- and swore "hell to his soul but he would wreck his body" -- there were two other guns -- a gun was taken away from witness, which he had found that day in an old lime-kiln -- did not know who it belonged to -- is a game herd to Lord O'Neill -- the men also broke his window -- after going out they fired a shot and huzzaed, shouting victory -- two or three remained on the outside -- his wife asked them what they wanted, they said they wanted the firelock -- she said they should have it if they would not frighten the children -- witness knew none of the men. -- Cross-ex. -- They took nothing but the firelock -- the prisoner is the son of a very respectable farmer -- lives about two miles from witness.
Ann Canovan, daughter of last witness -- Gave the same evidence as her father -- prisoner was one of the men who came in -- they said they would wreck her body. -- Cross-ex. Prisoner lives about 4 miles from witness.
Bridget Canovan, wife of the first witness -- Gave a similar evidence -- the prisoner was one of the men. -- Cross-ex. He had been sometime in the house before -- he did not do a ha'porth.
DEFENCE.
Thomas Dool -- a butcher to trade -- knows prisoner's father -- was in his house between 5 and 6 in the evening of 5th Dec. and remained till 10 o'clock -- was cutting up and salting a carcase of beef -- prisoner was at home that evening -- he was helping witness -- at 25m. after 8 (according to a man's watch) prisoner was sent to the stable to look after a horse, and witness did not see him afterwards -- the distance is between 3 and 4 miles between M'Erlane's and Canovan's houses -- there was a throng of people in the house on account of the severe night, and people coming from Ahoghill fair -- M'Erlane's keeps a public house.
John Mellon -- was in M'Erlane's house on the night of Ahoghill fair -- remained there till after 8 -- saw prisoner there till that time -- it was Wednesday.
Charles M'Cann -- was at M'Erlane's on Ahoghill fair night -- saw the prisoner there till after 9 o'clock, when witness left the house. -- Cross-ex. -- Is a carpenter, and had been working there -- slept there on account of the stormy night.
Pat. M'Erlane, father of the prisoner -- on the evening of Ahoghill fair his son was at home -- witness described how he was employed during the evening -- saw him till about 9, when he returned from the stable with the servant boy, Jas. Hughes -- Ahoghill fair was on a Wednesday.
James Hughes -- Lives at M'Erlane's -- on Ahoghill fair night prisoner slept at home.
Guilty -- Death recorded; transportation for life.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
John Gillon and Maria Buttle were indicted for a highway robbery on Mary Wallace, taking from har a shawl, a cap, an umbrella, and £10 worth of silks and linens.
Mary Wallace sworn -- Remembers the 16th August; was on the road from Belfast to Antrim; had a bundle on her back, containing £5 worth of linen, and £5 worth of silks; when about a mile from town, was overtaken by four persons, two men and two women; they asked how far she was going? answered Antrim; it was between eight and nine o'clock; all went before but the woman; said they would stop for her at a public-house on the road; the woman asked what she was carrying; said old clothes; came to two hills with a hollow; began to suspect, and prayed that her life might be spared; the women caught her by the cloak; indentifies the woman; one of the men then got up and knocked her down; indentifies him; broke her arm and thumb, and three of her ribs; the woman (prisoner) jumped on her and broke her ribs; took the bundle, an umbrella, and 2s 01/2d.; the goods in the bundle were £5 worth of silks and £5 worth of linens and muslins; never saw prisoners before; has no doubt of them; they made off when some travellers came up; she lay ill one month on the way, and one month at home; sent word to Belfast about it, and lodged examinations; did not see them from the robbery until this moment; they were discovered in consequence of the description she gave of them.
Chas. Noble sworn -- Is a police-officer in Belfast; remembers Mary Wallace complaining of a robbery; described the persons who robbed her; complained of a woman stealing her cloak on 14th August; named Maria Buttle particularly; asked her how she knew her, said she knew her from a person in Ballycastle; described the male prisoner exactly as in the dress in which he was taken; knows the man to be a bad character. -- Guilty; death.
ASSAULT.
George Stevenson, on 12th Feb. last, for assaulting Walter Ferguson, and also firing a gun at him with intent to do him bodily harm.
Walter Ferguson sworn -- Remembers 12th February; was sentry at the grave yard in Belfast, to watch the corpse of Dr. Bailey; between ten and twelve, was sitting in the sentry box in the grave yard; saw five or six men going towards Dr. Bailey's grave; one of them said that there was a watch on the grave, and another replied there was not; they then said, let us go forward and see; one of the sentinels challenged, and cried "who goes there;" they did not return any answer; challenged again; they ran then to the north side of the grave yard; stept upon a tomb-stone and then on the wall; one of them, when he was upon the wall, fired a gun or pistol; witness's comrade returned the fire, and then they all ran away; the sentries followed, but could not catch them; when they came back, the corporal of the guard was standing at the gate, with Stevenson prisoner.
William M'Pherson sworn -- Was standing at the barrack door; ran out when he heard the shots; found the prisoner inside of the gate; took him into custody; prisoner said he was come to see his father's grave.
John Mackay corroborated the last witness's statement -- Not Guilty.
MURDER.
William Whitford was indicted for aiding in the murder of Wm. Baxter on the 26th Jan. last at Larne -- (Alexander Whitford, the murderer, has absconded.)
John Baxter, sworn -- Is the brother of deceased; was at Larne with him on 26th Jan.; a neighbour was with him, and some girls; went into a public-house; Alex, Whitford came in to see if his brother William was there; he and prisoner had some words; prisoner left town with witness and deceased; deceased lagged behind; witness turned back to look for his brother; found him dozing on a bridge; roused him to come home; went on together; they overtook the Whitfords; heard his brother say, "here's a lone place and we'll try it;" witness said not, for he (deceased) was drunk; Alex. Whitford had a loaded whip in his hand, and laid on deceased with it; witness had a hold of William Whitford; Wm. Whitford turned round and fought witness; there were two engagements; Alexander Whitford's whip broke, when Wm. Whitford told Alex. Whitford to lift a stone and knock out his brains; Alex. Whitford went to a ditch and took up a stone and struck deceased on the head with it; deceased immediately fell back flat; witness went up to his brother; found him bleeding in the road; died on the 16th night after;put him on Whitford's car, and took him home.
Thomas Kirkpatrick, sworn -- Is a physician; was called to visit deceased, on 31st. Jan.; examined him; his skull was fractured; conceives that it was from a stone or whip, or other blunt instrument; thinks the wound was sufficient to cause death. -- Not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter; transportation for life.
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RECORD COURT -- SATURDAY, MARCH 29.
BEFORE JUDGE JEBB.
Thomas Wallace for stealing three sheep -- Guilty; transported for 7 years.
Wm. Logan, for stealing ten hanks of yarn, the property of Robert Kerr; Larne, on 3d March inst. -- Guilty; six months hard labour in the House of Correction.
Archd. M'Neill, for stealing 7 sheep; the property of John Caldwell.
John Caldwell -- On 20th December last seven sheep from a field -- in a day or two following he got two of them alive in Doyle's Carrickfergus, ten miles from his place, also the skins of some other sheep which he knew to be his.
--------- Doyle, a butcher in Carrickfergus, purchased some sheep from prisoner, which were afterwards claimed by last witness -- Guilty; transported for 7 rears,
Robert Campbell, for stealing a coat the property of James Caruth, at Roughforth -- prisoner had been in the employment of Caruth, and went off on the morning of 28th Jan. with several articles his property -- prisoner was afterwards taken at Antrim with the property in his possession. -- Guilty. -- 7 years transportation.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
Hugh Irwin, for robbing Wm. Moore on the high way.
Wm. Moore -- On 8th March witness had been at Ballymena market, where he had drank a little, as he always does when he goes to market but he was able to do his business -- he was returning home on horseback in company with prisoner, Wm. Warwick and M'Cluskey -- they stopped at James Frew's house in Connor, where they had some betting about horses, and witness took out his pocket book, which contained £30 -- Irwin advised him to put it up, and assisted him to put it in his pocket. After they left Connor, Irwin complained that witness's horse was skittish, which was not the case -- he then pulled witness off the horse, and when he was down M'Cluskey opened his breast, and prisoner took out his pocket book.
Cross-examined -- Prisoner said witness's horse was wild, put him on his own horse, and went home with him -- when witness got home he told he was robbed, but did not say who robbed him -- after Irwin was gone he told his wife that Irwin had robbed him -- Irwin told his wife that he had taken the pocket-book for safety and that James Frew had it -- Irwin and the other two men came before Mr. Clark the magistrate on summons, but Mr. Clark did nothing. -- M'Clusky and Warrick were also accused of aiding Irwin in the robbery -- Warrick was never in custody.
William Warrick on being called appeared, and was also put on his trial for robbing William Moor.
Mr. Moor continued -- Irwin is a neighbour and is a respectable man, and he would have trusted his life to him before this -- he is a weaver and a farmer -- Warrick has a very good character -- M'Clusky who has gone off, has not so good a character.
James Frew, inkeeper Connor, saw Moor at his house -- he was shewing a pocket book -- he was in liquor -- next day Moor's son came enquiring about the pocket book.
Thomas Ben. Adair, Esq. -- Knows Irwin and Warrick; they are men of good character.
Mich. Andrews, Esq. -- Has Irwin a number of years -- he considered him a most respectable manufacturer.
Several other persons gave Irwin and Warrick excellent characters. -- Not guilty.
The learned Judge addressed Irwin, and said he entirely concurred with the verdict of the Jury; but as it appeared evident that Mr. Moor had lost his money while in his company, he hoped that he would use every exertion to recover it for him -- It was stated to his Lordship that a reward has been offered for the recovery of the money, to which Irwin had subscribed liberally.
Mary O'Neill and Elizabeth Agnew, stealing from George Gray, in Belfast, on 19th Feb. last.
Geo. Gray -- Was taken into a house In Belfast by Mary O'Neill -- he was followed in by a number of men, who beat and abused him -- O'Neill cut his pocket off with 30s. in silver -- after beating him severely they left him -- he was sober at the time. -- Cross-examined -- About two years ago he had accused Mary O'Neill of robbing him; she was tried and acquitted -- Guilty.
The foreman of the jury stated that he was desired to recommend them to mercy, as some of the jury had doubts of the accuracy of prosecutor's evidence. -- 12 months hard labour.
Margaret Stewart, for exposing her infant child.
Cecelia M'Neill -- Lives near Glenarm -- In Feb. last, prisoner came to witness's father's house with a young chIld, which she said was five weeks old -- she said she had come from the county Derry -- that witness's nephew, Henry M'Neill, was the father of the child -- had seen prisoner before in the house -- between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, prisoner laid down her child at the father's door -- witness heard the child scream -- and on going to the door she found the child, and saw prisoner going away. -- Not guilty.
Cath. M'cann, for stealing a horse collar the property of Jonathan Munn, Belfast.
Jonathan Munn -- Is agent to a cart Co. -- on 2d March his gate was forced open, and a horse collar was stolen, whIch he afterwards found with Mrs. Marshall, pawnbroker. -- The husband of prisoner was in his employment.
Mrs. Marshall said, the prisoner gave her a horse collar in pawn about 7th March -- it was afterwards claimed by Mr. Munn. -- Not guilty.
James M'Ilroy, for stealing money and a shawl the property of Dan. Kelly -- Acquitted no prosecution.
Daniel O'Neil, was charged with stealing bank notes the property of James Boyd.
James Boyd -- Lives at Larne -- on 4th Sept. he put up a parcel containing £24 in notes and sovereigns, which he gave to Robert M'Allister, agent to the Larne coach, to send to Belfast -- it was addressed to James Wharton, and never came to hand -- on Wednesday following saw the prisoner (who is porter to the Larne coach), in the police-office, Belfast, who said he would swear that he gave the parcel to Mr. Wharton's daughter. -- Not Guilty.
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CROWN COURT -- BEFORE JUDGE JOHNSTON
John Shaw, whitesmith, Belfast was indicted, for that he being declared. bankrupt, and duly sworn to make delivery of all his property to his creditors, did steal and embezzle part of the property to the value of £20 and upwards, In order to defraud his creditors. The Counsel for the prosecution stated that in consequence of the absence of a material witness who had left the country, they found themselves compelled to drop the prosecution. -- The prisoner was accordingly acquitted.
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BELFAST SHIP NEWS.
The Dowson, Captain Boyes, has arrived from Liverpool, to take out goods and passengers to Quebec. -- See Ad.
The schooner Express, Sexton, for London, sailed on Sunday.
The steam-ship Chieftain, Owens, for Liverpool, sailed this day, Tuesday, the 1st April, at 11 o'clock forenoon and the Corsair, Goodwin, on Sunday, 6th April, at one o'clock in the Afternoon.
Smack Herald, Shaw, for London, clears on Saturday. The steamer Fingal, Robt. P. Ritchie, Master, for Greenock and Glasgow, sails on Sunday, 6th April, at one o'clock in the afternoon.
The unrivalled Sheffield steam-packet, Richards, sails for Liverpool on Thursday, 3d April, at ten o'clock morning.
The steam-packet Shamrock; Montgomery, sails for Dublin on Thursday, 3d April, at ten o'clock morning.
The steam-packet Erin, M'Kibbin, for Plymouth and London, on Sunday 6th April, at one o'clock afternoon.
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THE BELFAST NEWS-LETTER.
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TUESDAY -- APRIL 1.
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ASSIZE REFLECTIONS.
We have paid considerable attention to the Assize proceedings at Carrickfergus, which have just terminated, and to the proceeding's at the different Assize Courts throughout the country. The subject is one of universal interest, and brings under review a variety of important considerations. A few general reflections then, may not be deemed out of place.
The first thing that strike's us in the general complexion of the proceedings is, that at least one-third of the offences that have been subjected to the cognizance of the Assize Courts, might with propriety have been dispensed of at the Quarter Sessions. Every person knows that punishments should be proportioned to offences, and that when there is a preponderance on the side of severity, the moral power of legal visitation on the minds of the community is proportionally lessened. The benevolent tendencies of human nature rise in opposition to the resentment of ordinary wrongs, when we feel assured that the threatened punishment considerable exceeds in intensity of suffering, the evil that has been inflicted. On the other hand, the vicious and the unprincipled, taking advantage of the humane forbearance of the generality, are encouraged to extend their unchastised villainies, or, sensible that greater and less offences cannot always be sufficiently distinguished on the graduated scale of punishment, they fearlessly plunge into scenes of deeper criminality, so that what was at first but a contemplated offence against an individuals property, is extended to his person.
These observations will be found applicable to penal inflictions in general, and a sense of their truth no doubt first suggested the propriety of investing Judges with a discretionary power of mitigating punishment -- a power which we observe with pleasure has been very generally exercised on the side of mercy. Still, however, the existing possibility that in case of conviction, the result may be the visitation on the offender of the unqualified rigours of the law, can be safely used as an argument against bringing before an Assize Court, an offence of a minor character. In such a case, there is a moral certainty that lenity will be used, but it should never be presumed on. Besides, when the offence is not of an aggravated kind, the prosecutor is probably put to inconvenience, and in addition to his sentence, the prisoner is exposed to considerable hardship, and is final -- dismissed from confinement a worse character than he was when first committed.
To the habitual recurrence of scenes of transportation, may be traced the comparative contempt of that mode of punishment which is evinced by many. Its terrors become obliterated by its frequency; and it is to be feared, that curiosity spreads over the unknown region, the magic of fancied happiness. Were it possible to employ in the construction of public works, and under a rigid system of discipline, a plurality of convicts, we have often thought that the moral power of penal infliction would be considerably increased. The community would have continually before them, living examples of the effects of crime; while the degradation and the servitude to which the unhappy outcast of virtue would be reduced, could scarcely fail to inspire their associates with a salutary fear of transgression. When the sounds of terror reach us from a distance, they become necessarily fainter from the medium through which they have to pass; but the most inconsiderate of human beings instinctively starts from his state of self-security, when he sees its alarming forms visibly embodied before him.
These reflections have been suggested by the general complexion of the cases which have principally engaged the attention of the Assize Courts. We do think that in many instances, it would be advantageous both to the accuser and to the accused, to have the merits of their respective causes investigated before an inferior tribunal, and in this conclusion we are supported by the opening observations of the Hon. Baron M'Clelland last year at Carrickfergus, and by the expressed opinion of many other distinguished Judges. It is a serious hardship to individuals, to be imprisoned for four or five months in a place in which the moral contamination of a county is concentrated, when there is a probability of their being finally acquitted; or when the offences with which they stand charged, are not of a very serious character. In addition to the final awards of justice, injury is thus done to the physical and moral constitution of the accused, while not the slightest advantage accrues to the community.
The prevention, rather than the strict punishment of crime, is the real object of all criminal jurisprudence; and towards that object the efforts of genuine patriotism should be directed. One of the most effectual means of its accomplishment, is the production of virtuous habit, by a judicious system of intellectual training. It cannot have escaped observation that the majority of those unfortunate beings who periodically crowd our Courts of Justice, are persons whose ignorance is proportioned to their progress in guilt. We are justified then in concluding, that between them there is a near connection. The moral agencies of virtue can exert themselves only in an intellectual arena that has been cleared by education, of the spontaneous growth of vice. It is pleasing to reflect, that a sense of the importance of this subject is not now limited to the closet speculations of the philanthropist; but that it has made its way into the world, and practically directed the conduct of communities. There is scarcely now a village without its library, or a landed proprietor without his patronized seminary of instruction, in which the minds of his dependants are trained to those habits of rectitude and subordination, which laws may enforce, but which their armed terrors cannot generate. That the system has been successful, may be inferred from a striking fact which we believe can be substantiated, viz, that amongst the crowd of youthful delinquents that hare been for several years periodically convicted at Carrickfergus, scarcely a single Sunday School scholar has been found. They have been generally individuals whose education has been neglected, who have contracted habits of indolence and dissipation, and who have been thrown amidst the rocks and the shallows of life, undirected by an enlightened purpose; ignorant of their own destination, and perhaps despising the offered assistance of others.
An inquiry into the causes of criminality presents a number of curious, but not always satisfactory speculations. Each particular case has its peculiarities, though there are certain leading characteristics which are common to all; and amongst these, intellectual degradation, and a disinclination to industrious employment, will be found the most prominent. We have some reason to suspect that attachment to ardent spirits will, on examination, turn out to be a general precursor of crime. -- Money must be procured to meet the demands of dissipation, and hence the origin of those expedients which frequently terminate in capital violations of the law. -- It is impossible, by political enactments so to adjust all the circumstances which operate on the moral tendencies of the public, as to cut off entirely the facilities of sensual indulgence, nor would such a result be always desirable. In the present case, it would be destructive to an important branch of the revenue, -- But it is not to the impracticable hypothesis of removing the external sources of crime that we must look for the security of national morals, but to the general prevalence of a well-regulated system of mental cultivation. When that consciousness of native dignity, which not even the bitterness of adversity can extract from the enlightened, is corroborated by moral and religious considerations, it constitutes against the progress of crime a more effectual embankment, than the aggregate of all the external obstructions that have been raised against it since the days of Draco.
THE NEWS-LETTER.
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BELVIEW (FORMERLY LAGAN HILL)
HOUSE AND LAND, TO BE LET,
THIS beautifully situated Country Seat, formerly the residence of the Reverend BLANEY MITCHELL, is situated a short distance from Strandmillis, and adjacent to the Botanic Garden, and less than a quarter of a mile from the River Lagan. There has recently been a considerable sum of money expended on it in useful improvements. The LAND contains about Six Irish Acres, and is neatly ornamented with well-grown planting. The GARDEN is cropped and well-stocked with Fruit Trees, and the HOUSE commands a fine view of the Harbour and Surrounding Country.
Application to he made, at No. 14, Donegall Square East.
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TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION.
Upon the Premises, on THURSDAY, the 3d of April next, at the hour of ONE o'clock in the afternoon,
THAT DWELLING, HOUSE & PREMISES; with the YARD and OUT OFFICES attached there. to. being No. 19, in John-street, Belfast, lately occupied by ROBERT GRAHAM, deceased ; -- and also that DWELLING HOUSE and YARD, next adjoining thereto, now in the occupation of SAMUEL LOWRY....
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In the Matter of JOHN THOMSON, a Bankrupt.
TO BE SOLD by AUCTION, at the COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, Belfast, on FRIDAY, the 18th day of April next, at ONE o'clock, the Right, Title, and Interest of the Bankrupt in the undermentioned Premises in and adjoining the town of Carrickfergus, in the county of Antrim:--
No. 1. -- The HOUSES, BUILDINGS and GROUND in the Irish Quarter, and the CORN MILL, KILN and GROUND attached thereto...
No. 2. -- All those PREMISES in North-street, consisting of a DISTILLERY, MALT KILN, DWELLING-HOUSE, and FIELD attached...
No. 3. -- ROSEBROOK FARM, containing 16A. OR. 28P. Irish Plantation Measure, adjoining Carrlckfergus...
No. 4. -- All those PREMISES, in West-street, formerly occupied by Alexander Gunning, as a Brewery, and now converted into DWELLING-HOUSES and OFFICES... sterling. '.
The PREMISES, in the Irish Quarter, lately occupied by Richard Allen... consisting of DWELLING-HOUSES, OFFICES, and a large YARD, which would make an excellent Inn Establishment...
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NOTICE.
I HEREBY Caution the Public not to Credit my Wife, MARY THOMPSON, any thing on my account; as I am determined not to pay any Debt she may contract after this date.
GEO. THOMPSON.
Belfast, 31st March, 1828.