144. John Cossett proceedingsdefend , of St. Paul Shadwell , was indicted for stealing a pewter tankard, value 2 s. the goods of Linnell Lee proceedingsvictim , January 12 .

Linnell Lee. I live at the Sun Tavern at Shadwell : last Saturday night between ten and eleven a man* comes in who has a mock voice, and I understanding since that the Prisoner is a slight of hand man, I saw something between his legs, and upon that I enquired what tankards there were, and there was one missing. I said to my servant, I believe the man in the box next to the door has it between his legs. My man went up to him, put his hand between his legs, and said, now I have got what I wanted, and took it from him.

* One Stephen Moore < no role > . who keeps the three Tuns in Ayloffe Street Goodman's Fields, and husband of Ann Moore < no role > , who was examined upon the Trial of Henry Sims < no role > , Trial 140.

Q. What did he say when the tankard was taken from him?

Lee. He said he was going to shew me a slight of hand trick; I believe he took it to be a silver tankard.

William Paine < no role > . I took the tankard from between his legs - he had it concealed between his thighs.

Prisoner. When I am out of business, I shew tricks to divert people. I have been often at your house, and you have given me leave to do it, and I thought I might take the freedom with you.

Q. Did you ever give him leave to shew tricks in your house?

Lee. I believe he did about two years ago.

Prisoner. There is one Stephen Moore < no role > , a man who has two voices, was diverting some gentlemen in the house, and I thought at a proper time to shew them a fancy, for I always carry a live pidgeon, and I took this tankard to make use of upon that occasion.

Jury. Was he shewing any tricks at that time?

Lee. I did not know he was in the house.

Alice Knabb < no role > . I never heard a mouthful of ill of him in my life.

John Ravenscroft < no role > . I live at the three Tuns in the Old Bailey, I have known the Prisoner four years, his character was always that of a very honest man: he was my servant two years ago when I kept a coffee-house in Smithfield. Guilty 10 d.

When the Jury brought in their verdict, the Prisoner said, how do you know what I designed to do with the tankard?

[Transportation. See summary.]