310. WILLIAM DAVIS proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 21st of March last, one iron chain, value 15 s. and one brass sheave, value 2 l. 15 s. the goods of William Langrish proceedingsvictim .

WILLIAM LANGRISH < no role > sworn.

I am a wharfinger , at Stone-wharf, Limehouse-hall ; I lost an iron chain, and a brass sheave, we missed it on the morning of the 21st of March; I never saw the prisoner till I saw him before the justice, I was informed, that the prisoner, and a chain and sheave were stopped, I went to the watch-house, and knew them to be my property.

GEORGE WYNNE < no role > sworn.

On the 21st of March, I was coming from Burnley, between ten and eleven, I saw two men going as I thought pretty heavy loaded, I asked the watchman, if he had examined them, he said no, and I went with him, and we found something with in their bags, it felt like a sheave and a chain, and I desired him to take them to the watch-house; the sheave, that man had on his back, and this chain Saliman had on his back.

Are you sure the prisoner was one of the men? - Yes.

(The chain and sheave deposed to by the prosecutor.)

Prisoner. Whether he knows any thing of Saliman? - I never saw him in my life to my knowledge, I was angry enough the next morning to think he was got away.

THOMAS MANSFIELD < no role > sworn.

I know they are my master's property.

JOHN JONNS < no role > sworn.

I am a watchman, on the 21st of March, about half after ten, I was standing by my box and I heard somebody crying out watch three times, I went down below the church, there is a dead wall, I stopped there, and I heard somebody coming along, I waited till they came to me, I asked them what they had got, they said a chain belonging to Mr. Johnson of Whitechapel, they said, they stopped at Poplar drinking a pot or two of beer; I thought any working man might do so, I asked them if they were sure they were right, they said they were, I let them go, and just coming over Limehouse-bridge by the watch-box, Mr. Wynn and some more gentlemen were coming over, and Mr. Wynn said, these men were heavy loaded, then I stopped them, I am sure the prisoner was one.

Which was it that said, we have been to drink a pot of beer? - I believe it was the other man, I think he gave me all the answers.

JOHN ABRELL < no role > sworn.

On the 21st of March, between eleven and twelve, this man and Soliman was brought to my charge, and I took them in custody.

Prisoner to Prosecutor. Do not you know Soliman? - Yes.

Did not he work for you? - Yes.

You never saw me before? - No.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I had been at work at Black-wall, and I overtook Soliman coming with these things in a bag, he asked me if I was going to London, I said, I was, he asked me to help him, he took the sheave out of the bag, and carried it himself, and I carried the chain.

Court. How came Soliman to escape.

Abroll. Our watch-house is very small, and has no conveniency, and the prisoner desired to go and ease himself, I sent the watchman with him, and he returned; Soliman also asked the same favour, I thought it natural, as this man returned the other would, but he run away from the watchman.

The Prisoner called four witnesses who gave him a very good character.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the Second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice NARES.