487. Benjamin Coates proceedingsdefend , was indicted for stealing half a pound of nutmegs, value 3 d. half a pound of chocolate, value 2 d. a pound of hyson tea, value 6 d. the property of Thomas Sharp proceedingsvictim , September the 5th .

Thomas Sharpe < no role > . I live at the corner of Mark Lane ; on Monday the 4th of September I missed a pound or two of hyson tea, which I had bought but a day or two before; I challenged the prisoner about it, and said I was sure there was none of it sold, and believed he knew something of the tea; he said he knew nothing of it, and about the same time I lost a pound of chocolate: the next morning I got up pretty early, and slipped into the compting house, I believe the prisoner did not suspect me to be there; between six and seven the prisoner went behind the compter , and took six nutmegs out of a drawer, and put them into his pocket, I went out and got a constable , I Mr. Wardley, who is our gate keeper at Algate : I thought it better to take him in the street , than in the house, and I sent him for some water , and then Mr. Wardley took him, and we took the nutmegs out of his pocket, and we took him to his lodgings where he used to lodge when he was out of place; and in the prisoner's box there was a pound of chocolate and some tea.

Q. Can you be certain that that tea was yours ?

Sharpe . No, I cannot, but he owned he took a pound of hyson tea, and a pound of chocolate; I said these are my goods, and he said they were; I told him I would make it easy, and as we were carrying him before my lord mayor, he got away, but was taken again in Seething Lane, in about five minutes time: the reason of my laying those goods so low was because his parents are very honest people. Guilty . The court ordered him to be publickly whipped in Fenchurch Street .