Middlesex

The King
agt
Searle}

Maurice Devine< no role > of the Parish of Saint Paul Shadwell
in the County of Middlesex Poulterer maketh Oath and Saith that
he this Deponent was sent for to Attend before Mr Justice Sherwood
on or about the Twentyeth day of May last at the Public Office at
Shadwell in Order to see if he this Deponent Could Swear to the
Prisoner Searle who was then before him upon the Oath of an
Accomplice, for Robbing this Deponent of three Geese And this
Deponent Saith that he informed Mr. Justice Sherwood that he
could not Swear to the Prisoner Searlenar neither did he this
Deponent Know that he had lost any Geese at the time Sworn
to by the Accomplice And this Deponent further Saith that he is a
Widower and has a Family of Six Children to provide for
And this Deponent further Saith that as he happened to Pass by
Justice Sherwood's Door on Friday last he being entirely ignored
of what he was to do in the Affair he inquired of the said Justice
who was standing at his Door if any thing and what was
further to be done by him this Deponent who told him he was
fearful he was too late but bid him go to Hicks Hall on the
Morrow to present an Indictment which this Deponent accordingly
Did before Nine O Clock on Saturday last when much to his Concern
he found the Grand Jury had been discharged on friday afternoon
so that this Deponent could not Commence any Prosecution
And this Deponent saith that he did not defer or Neglect to
Prosecute the Prisoner through Favour or with any Design of
any Sort, but through Ignorance in Matters of that Sort
entirely

Sworn in Court at the Old
Bailey this 9th. day of July 1771 }

By the Court.

Maurice Devine< no role >