779. GEORGE GRACE proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 29th day of June last, two half-crowns, value 5 s. and 5 s. 6 d. in monies numbered , the property of William Mills proceedingsvictim .

The witnesses examined apart at the request of the prisoner.

JANE MILLS < no role > sworn.

My husband keeps a public house , at Frogmore, Hampstead ; the prisoner and two other men came in, some asked for brandy and water, and some did not, two of them had a glass of brandy at the bar, the prisoner had nothing to drink: I never saw any of them before; they gave me a guinea, I went up stairs to get change, and they followed me to my own door, they pushed the door against me, I bid them go down for I was coming down, but they did not, they stood upon the stairs, then the prisoner wanted his guinea again, and I gave it him, and they asked me to go back to my room to see if I had not a guinea of this year, eighty four; I told them I had not one of that date; as they could not persuade me into my room again, they went down stairs, and I followed them, they got two half-crowns and five shillings and sixpence in silver upon the stairs, they bothered me out of it, they had it by way of change.

Who did you give the two half-crowns to? - To the prisoner; then they all three went away as fast as they could, they had a horse and chaise, my husband was out, I have no body lives with me but my husband and children, my house is just below Hampstead church, I went out as soon as ever I could, and more people followed; they were taken about five in the afternoon, one was taken, and the other two was rescued out of the coach; they were taken up at Paddington, one said he was a parson, and he would go and clear himself.

Court. Did you get your money again good woman? - No, Sir.

Prisoner. Please to ask her, whether I took it out of her hand by main force? - No, Sir, not by main force, it was by juggling the change backwards and forwards.

Did she give me the change out of the guinea? - That is the man that had the silver.

JOSEPH GOULD sworn.

I pursued the prisoner, and several more were after him, and I took that gentleman at Marybone, about one o'clock, I was just come from market, I was selling garden stuff about the streets, and very badly we were used.

How came you to take the prisoner? - Several of the neighbours went, and so I took my horse and rode after him; I live at Hampstead.

At what time of the day was it you went? - I cannot tell what time of the day it was, I was just come from market, I took him at Paddington, there were two men with him coming out of a public house.

You fetched a constable? - Yes, we brought the prisoner to the prison house.

Prisoner. Please to ask him, whether I strove to rescue, or any thing of that kind? - No, you was in the coach, we had you safe enough, you would have lamed us if you could.

Prisoner. Had I any thing to lame you with? - You would if you could.

WILLIAM LAWRY < no role > sworn.

I took the prisoner at Paddington.

What day was it? - The 29th of June, about five in the afternoon, he came out of a house, and was getting into the chaise, says I, where are you going, says he, into the chaise, says I, but you shall not.

What was you reason for taking him? - I am a butcher at Hampstead, I heard the alarm of their robbing this woman, they drove very fast, there were three in the chaise.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

Please you, my Lord, I was with two more young fellows in the chaise, they asked me to have a ride, I was drinking, and what was transacted I know no more than a baby; they think to cast me for this, and get the reward, and the woman said she would not get her dinner till she had her revenge: I have made all enquiry after my witnesses, and they are not come to town.

Court to Mrs. Mills. What is your husband's name? - William Mills < no role > .

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice GOULD.