363. JAMES IRONS proceedingsdefend was indicted for stealing a wooden tub, value 1 s. and a gallon of geneva, value 4 s. the property of Thomas Langdale proceedingsvictim , June 7th .

WILLIAM BOSWORTH < no role > sworn.

On Wednesday the 7th of June, between six and seven o'clock at night, I saw the prisoner coming up Field-lane with a tub of liquor; he said to me, Bosworth, I know you are an officer, will you drink with me?

It was geneva was it? - It was by the smell as it passed me. I did not taste it. I said no, I will not drink, where did you get it? he said, At Mr. Langdale's, and if I would go, I might get as much as I could drink. I said I would not touch a drop of it. The next day I met him, but we did not speak together. On the Friday-week following, it was search-night, then I apprehended the prisoner.

Are your sure the prisoner is the person you saw with the gin? - Yes; I knew him before.

What is he? - I believe he calls himself a hay-seller.

How far from Mr. Langdale's did you meet him? - About half way up Field-lane.

Do you know where the prisoner lives? - Yes, at Cow-cross, in a court facing the Castle.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I have not spoke to this gentleman since last Bartholomew-tide. I deal in the same business as he; he and I had some words about a horse; he jawed me about it, and said he would be revenged of me. He reported that I asked him to drink, and said, D - n my blood, there is liquor enough running down the kennel. I never asked him to drink.

For the Prisoner.

WILLIAM PARKER < no role > sworn.

I have known the prisoner fourteen or fifteen years. On the 7th of June he was in my company from twelve at noon till nine at night.

What are you? - I buy and sell horses.

Where were you at that time? - We were at the Horse and Groom three hours.

How do you remember it was the 7th of June? - Because it was the day Mr. Langdale's house was demolished.

How came he to be so long with you? - We were out together; he was part of the time at my house in the bowling-green alley, Turnmill-street. My house is half a mile from Mr. Langdale's; he came at twelve o'clock. We were at my house about an hour, and we were some hours going backwards and forwards in the street.

What to do? - Watching if there were any horses to be bought. I pick up horses in the street. We went to the Horse and Groom, in Turnmill-street, about half after four o'clock, and staid till near nine; there were in company with us William Kitchen < no role > , Samuel Roberts < no role > , and Peter Scarborough < no role > .

SAMUEL ROBERTS < no role > sworn.

I am coachman to Mr. Hayward, and Mr. Bolton, at the Green-park coffee-house, Piccadilly.

Do you know the prisoner James Irons < no role > ? - I have known him about a twelvemonth; he has a very good character as far as I have heard. On the 7th of June last I was sent by my master to sell a horse that had the glanders. I came down to Hockley in the Hole, to Mr. Parker's; he was not at home; his wife sent for him; she said he and Irons were together. I found the prisoner with Mr. Parker and Mr. Kitchen at the Horse and Groom, about five o'clock, as near as I can guess. I staid there till better than half after seven.

How long did the prisoner go away before you? - I found him there, and left him there. Parker was in company there all the time,

Who was in company besides? - Peter Scarborough < no role > , and William Kitchen < no role > . He went there to look after a horse he had lost.

What did you drink during this time? - We had three pots of ale to the best of my knowledge. As I came back I saw Mr. Langdale's house pulling down, and the things demolishing as fast as they could.

PETER SCARBOROUGH < no role > sworn.

Do you know Irons, the prisoner? - No. I was never in his company in my life before that night, the 7th of June. I went with our coachman who was going to sell a horse. I had the misfortune over night to loose a horse, and I went there to look after it.

You went to a publick-house? - Yes. I do not know the sign; we were there about four o'clock. Bosworth left us about five o'clock.

What time did you go into the publick-house? - After five o'clock.

Who did you find at that publick-house? - Parker and James Irons < no role > drinking. About a quarter after seven, not finding the horse, we went to advertise it by Temple-bar.

How long did you stay at the publick-house, in Turnmill-street? - Till about a quarter before seven o'clock.

Did not you stop at Mr. Langdale's? - No.

Did not you go to look at Mr. Langdale's house? - I was no nearer than Hatton-Garden.

Where was the prisoner? - We left him and Parker drinking.

WILLIAM KITCHEN < no role > sworn.

You know Samuel Roberts < no role > ? - Yes.

Was you in company with him on the 7th of June? - Yes.

Did you go to the publick-house, in Turnmill-street? - Yes; I think they call it The Stove; I know the landlord and the house very well; the prisoner knows me well, and he knows I know it.

Do you know the prisoner? - Yes, I know him well; I have known him about a year and an half; I never heard any thing ill of him before.

Did you see him any where on the 7th of June? - I came into his company about five clock, at The Stove, in Turnmill-street; Parker was with him and me when I went there to Roberts and Scarborough.

Who came in to you? - A great many people came in, but I went in to wait till Roberts and these men discharged their business.

Did they come to you? - Yes; the prisoner and Parker and I were there till about half past six, it might be a quarter or half an hour past six, then Roberts and Scarborough came, as they had promised me before.

How long did you stay after they came there? - A considerable time, I suppose when I went there it wanted about a quarter of eight o'clock; we did not hear of any rioters till we were coming home; and on Saffron-hill we met the men with some gin.

Do you know the Horse and Groom? - No.

Do you recollect what time Roberts and Scarborough came into The Stove? - I think, to the best of my knowledge, a quarter past six or more, it was some where thereabout; he took me to his house to show me his tan-pits, after he had bought the horse.

Who is that? - Bosworth, he bought the horse about a quarter before five of Roberts.

What time did Bosworth leave you. - About five o'clock or a little after five o'clock.

When Bosworth left you did you go to this publick-house? - I went to the publick-house and took Irons with me.

Where was Parker? - Parker was along with us.

And Roberts and Scarborough did not come till half an hour after six o'clock? - They came about a quarter after six, I did not look at the clock.

Did you see Roberts and Scarborough the day before? - Yes, they called at my house.

Where were they from five to six o'clock; - They went with Bosworth to drink; sixpence was to be spent on the buying of the horse.

He staid with Bosworth till past six o'clock? - Yes.

To Bosworth. Do you know The Stove? - Yes; I was not in the house all day.

EDWARD LLOYD < no role > sworn.

I am the master of the publick-house.

Where you in court when William Parker < no role > and Roberts gave their evidence? - I was not.

What is the name of the publick-house? - The Horse and Groom.

Does it go by the name of The Stove? - Sometimes, as a nick-name.

Do you remember the prisoner being in your house on the 7th of June? - Yes; from five o'clock till after seven; these three men were in company with him,

Did they come together? - I cannot say that they came together all at once, I believe Parker and the prisoner came in together, and another with them, and the other two afterwards.

What time did the other two come in? - A little after five o'clock I belive.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the Second London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.