170, 171. (M.) Samuel Massey proceedingsdefend and George Blessett proceedingsdefend were indicted for assaulting James Chapman proceedingsvictim , with an offensive weapon called a pistol, with a felonious intent to take the money of the said James, against his will, &c . Feb. 10 . *

James Chapman < no role > . I live in Little Wyld-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields . On the 10th of this instant at night my wife was in bed, there was a knock at my door; I went with a candle in my hand, in a candlestick; I opened it; the two prisoners rushed in; Blessett came foremost into my parlour, the other was following him; Blessett clapped a pistol to my breast, and said, deliver, or you are a dead man; I had a scuffle with him, and my candle went out; I called for assistance, and William Brown < no role > , who lately came from the East-Indies, happened not to be in bed, he came down; I had wrenched the pistol from Blessett's hand, and had him by the collar; Massey came in with this large stick in his hand (produced in court;) he cried to the other, down with him, down with him; we secured them and got other assistance, and sent them to Covent-garden Round-house; I believe Blessett had been in my shop that day three times.

Q. Was any thing taken from you?

Chapman. No.

William Brown < no role > . I lodge in the prosecutor's house. About a quarter before eleven that night I was not gone to bed, I heard a knock at the door; I heard Mr. Chapman go to the door, and ask who was there; soon after the door was open I heard a noise, and went down; the first person I catched hold of was Massey; I held him by the collar; he attempted to get away, he could not; then he cried for mercy; I got my back towards the door, and we secured them, the candle was then out; (the pistol produced in court;) it was loaded.

David James < no role > . I lodge at Mr. Chapman's; I and David Lewis < no role > were gone to bed; Mr. Brown came home about a quarter after ten; he was sitting on his bed-side; presently I heard Mr. Chapman call, thieves, thieves; Mr. Brown ran down, and I followed in my shirt; he clapped his back against the door that they could not get out; I saw a pistol in one of their hands.

David Lewis < no role > . I ran down also; I saw the prisoners first in the passage; David James < no role > had secured one, and Mr. Brown < no role > the other; I brought a candle down in my hand; I saw the pistol taken from one of the prisoners.

Blessett's defence.

Mr. Chapman swears I put the pistol to his breast, I had not the pistol in my hand; when we went into his house, we had no intention to rob or hurt him.

For the prisoners.

Bartholomew Haseldine < no role > . I have known Blessett some years; I looked upon him to be a very good apprentice; his master desired I would go with the lad to Sir John Fielding < no role > ; when examined there the prosecutor said, he did not understand what was said; he said there was something muttered, but he did not know what, when they came into his house.

Prosecutor. I said to Sir John, Blessett put a pistol to my breast, and said, deliver, or you are a dead man; this evidence came to my house that morning, and brought two or three more with him, and said, I ought not to prosecute them, they were young youths.

Charles Harris < no role > . I have known Massey sixteen or seventeen years; I live within two or three doors of him; I always looked upon him to have a very good character.

George Patley < no role > . I have known Massey two or three years, he has the character of a very honest lad.

William Pestel < no role > . I have known Blessett above half a year, and Massey two years; I have heard good characters of each; I would trust Massey with any thing in my power.

Massey Acquitted .

Blessett Guilty . T .