941. HENRY MOORE proceedingsdefend and RICHARD DODD proceedingsdefend were indicted for feloniously assaulting John Cotton proceedingsvictim , Esq ; on the King's highway, on the 25th of September last, and putting him in fear and danger of his life, and feloniously taking from his person, and against his will, one silk purse, value 1 s. two gold sliders, value 4 s. two guineas, value 2 l. 2 s. and one half crown, value 2 s. 6 d. the property of the said John .

The witnesses examined apart at the request of the prisoners.

JOHN COTTON < no role > Esq; sworn.

We were stopped in a lane called Salmon's Lane , between Stepney and Limehouse, between seven and eight in the evening, there were myself, Mr. Akerman, Mr. Bigby, and a Mr. Martin; I believe at the first of the coach being stopped I might be asleep, but I saw a man at the window with a drawn cutlass, swearing many oaths, demanding our purses and our watches; the man who had the cutlass in his hand had a crape on his face, I gave him my purse directly, it contained two guineas and a half crown; he had taken the purse of Mr. Bigby, who was in the coach with me; Mr. Bigby asked him to return his purse again: just about that time there was a noise and a call of stop thief! and they made off over the fields; the door of Mr. Akerman's side was open, and he jumped out immediately after them, Mr. Martin jumped out at the same time; the men were taken about five or ten minutes after.

Did you see any thing more of your purse? - I saw the purse by the thief-takers who took it from him.

Did you see the persons who were taken? - I saw them the next morning, I did not follow them, I came home directly, it was a hackney coach; Mr. Akerman and Mr. Martin pursued to a ditch, about ten yards, and came back to the coach; Mr. Bigby staid in the coach with me.

Prisoner Moore. Can you positively swear I was the person that took the money from you? - No, I cannot swear to the man, because he was craped.

- BIGBY sworn.

These are the people I saw before the Justice at Shadwell; we came up from Blackwall a little after dinner, and were stopped about half after seven in the evening, on the 25th of last month, a little on this side the bun-house in Salmon's Lane, three men stopped us, two of which we only saw at that time, with cutlasses and threats: Captain Cotton < no role > and I both gave our purses; we heard a cry in the adjacent fields, and they ran away. Mr. Akerman lost his seals, and I lost my purse, in which was a guinea and a King Charles's farthing; they were taken from fifteen to seventeen minutes after the robbery; I did not see them that night, I sat in the coach; Mr. Akerman and a young gentleman got out of the coach and pursued them, there was a ditch, and I saw one of them jump into the ditch, and the water went almost over his head: I saw them the day after.

RICHARD AKERMAN < no role > This name instance is in set 4413. sworn.

My Lord, on Saturday the 25th of last month, I had been to dine with some friends at Blackwall, and coming home in the evening in a hackney coach, with some of the gentlemen that had hired the coach in the day time, they took me to bring me home with them, I think it was between seven and eight, somewhere on this side of Limehouse Church, near the place that they call the bun-house; there came two people and opened one each coach door; there was a cutlass put in and held to my stomach, the point very close, and demanded my money and my watch; I told him I had no watch, no money; they swore that I had a watch, and that they would have it; my seals as I sat upon the seat were seen on my breeches, they said, damn you, you have a watch, and I will have it, and one of the prisoners came to my breeches, I thought to pick my pocket, I said, damn you, I have no watch, or something like that, and I put my hands to my watch and found my watch was safe; then immediately there was a snatch, and a cry of stop thief, and the men ran away; I got up to jump out, and was going to take out my watch to leave behind the seat, and I found my seals were gone, and part of the chain; I thought to run after them, but there was a wide ditch for me to get over, so wide that I thought it was very likely I should be in the middle instead of jumping over it; they got over, and I afterwards was sent for, and the next morning a person called for me, and shewed me my seals and a part of the chain of my watch.

Court. Who was the person that came to you the next morning? - One of the people that apprehended them, I really forget his name, there were two or three of them came together, he has the chain and seals, and has kept them in his possession ever since; on Tuesday I was obliged to attend the Magistrate, Mr. Staples, at his office; the two prisoners at the bar were brought there, they asked me if I knew either of them; I told them no, I did not, neither do I; I have not the least recollection, they had something over their faces, what it was I cannot tell, I do not know that I particularly minded.

Jury. Were they masked? - I did not observe the mask, the other gentlemen said, the man on my side had a crape, and they said the man on my side had a crape, but I was intent on my watch, I did not look much at the man.

JAMES BAYLEY < no role > sworn.

What is your business? - A sawyer.

Did you see any thing of this affair? - Yes, I and another young man were going across Limehouse-fields to Stepney, the other young man's name is Joseph Rawlins < no role > , he is a Quaker, that is the reason that his name is not down here, we saw the coach going down, we saw three men running towards the coach, and the coach stop; we hallooed to the coach, we heard somebody halloo, and we ran up, and the young man that was with me had an umbrella, he flung down the umbrella, and one of the gentlemen jumped out; they jumped over the ditch, and I jumped over as hard as I could after the men, and one of them was taken in London-street, he was taken by an exciseman.

Did you come up when he was taken? - Within a little while afterwards, only one of them was stopped in London-street, we were bringing him along to the Justice's, and when we came across, the other was stopped by one Mondham, a labourer; some of the people were for stopping, and others were for letting him go: when we came up, we told the people what he had done, so they both went to the Justice's with us: Moore was searched before we came to the Justice's, at the public house, and there was one purse found upon him, and two guineas, and two gold sliders in it, and in another purse there was a half crown, a King Charles's farthing, and a guinea.

Do you know what became of the two purses? - One of the runners, one Orange had them. I was not present when the other was searched.

Had Moore < no role > any arms? - Not that I know of; Moore was stopped in London-street, the other prisoner was brought to the Justice's.

How do you know the other man that you found in the custody of somebody else was one of the persons that they had been pursuing? - Because the people said he ran fast.

Prisoner Moore. Can you swear that either of us were the men that stopped the coach? - No.

Court. Do you swear that Moore was the person you had been following? - No, I lost fight of them in one of those fields, I never got fight of him till he was taken at Ratcliff-cross.

You leaped one or two ditches in pursuing these men? - Yes, I went over one ditch and one bank, I saw them all three jump over the first ditch.

Did you see one of them jump short, and so fall into the water? - No.

Were any of the men that you overtook wet? - No, not that I know of.

JAMES TITTERTON < no role > sworn.

I am an Excise-officer, on the 25th of September last, about twenty minutes or half past seven, I was upon my business, going up London-street, I heard the cry of stop thief, and I stopped the prisoner Dodd; a number of people were running, he begged of me to let him go, I believe I swore I would not, he said, I have done nothing, he clapped his left hand to his left hand pocket, he had a great coat on, I was apprehensive he was going to draw a pistol upon me, I could plainly perceive he threw something away, a light was brought, and on searching on the spot, there was a part of a chain with three seals, and a crape, they were picked up and brought to me; and I delivered them to one of the runners at the Rotation-office, a man said, here, I have picked up this; upon examining it, there was a guinea, and a ring with a seal to it, a cypher with R. A. I think to the best of my recollection; the servant of the house found this cutlass the next morning, standing up in the corner; the prisoner Dodd was the man I stopped, the other prisoner passed me in the street, while I had hold of this man by the collar, he had got as I thought a stick, but it proved afterwards to be a cutlass; I saw him make several blows at the people, as he passed along.

The remainder of this Trial in the next Part, which will be published in a few Days.

THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING's Commission of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol Delivery for the CITY of LONDON; AND ALSO The Gaol Delivery for the County of Middlesex; HELD AT JUSTICE HALL in the OLD BAILEY, On Wednesday the 20th of OCTOBER, 1784, and the following Days;

Being the EIGHTH SESSION in the Mayoralty of The Right Hon. ROBERT PECKHAM < no role > , Esq; LORD MAYOR < no role > OF THE CITY OF LONDON.

TAKEN IN SHORT HAND BY E. HODGSON, PROFESSOR OF SHORT-HAND; And Published by Authority.

NUMBER VIII. PART II.

LONDON:

Printed for E. HODGSON (the Proprietor) And Sold by J. WALMSLAY, No. 35, Chancery Lane, and S. BLADON, No. 13, Pater-noster Row.

MDCCLXXXIV.

[PRICE SIX-PENCE.]

THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS UPON THE

KING's Commission of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol Delivery for the CITY of LONDON, &c.

Continuation of the Trial of Richard Dodd < no role > and Henry Moore < no role > .

Prisoner Dodd. Will you swear that I threw these things out of my pocket? - I have not a doubt, but I will not swear positively.

Court. I do not understand the distinction? - By the motion of the man it appeared to me to come from him.

What is the difference between swearing positively, and saying you have not a doubt, do you or do you not believe that he did? - To the best of my knowledge he did, I do not pretend to say positively, he had a great coat on, he seemed very much agitated, and it was in motion, and on a light being brought the things were picked up.

WILLIAM GLASS < no role > sworn.

I am a shoe-maker, in Queen-street, Ratcliff, I was sitting at work, and heard she cry of stop thief, I run out immediately, and one of the prisoners run up London-street, which is a small distance, and was stopped just as I came up to him, and somebody said, he had thrown away something, and called for a light, and before the light came I picked up two seals, and a ring with a seal in it and a cypher, they were to a steel chain, which I delivered to Mr. Cole, one of the officers of the office, he has them here to produce.

Who was the person that was stopped? - That was the prisoner Dodd.

Prisoner Dodd. Can you swear whether I dropped them or not? - No, I cannot do that.

JOSEPH HARRIOT < no role > sworn.

I was standing in the passage of my own house, when I heard the cry of stop thief; I live at the Ship-tavern, Radcliff-cross, I went out immediately and saw the prisoner, and followed him to Mr. Saunderson's walk, I helped to take him, he had a hanger in his hand, and lifted it as if he intended flinging it in the river, but it fell upon a craft; when I found he was safe, I went to Mr. Green's and told him, they sent a runner, and he was brought up to the office.

Did you see it taken up? - I saw it after he was taken up, I saw it in his hand, I did not see him searched.

Prisoner Moore. Do you swear that I was the person that threw it away? - Yes.

Do you swear that was the same hanger that I threw away? - There was a hanger taken up very much like the hanger you flung away.

But do you swear it was the same? - That is impossible.

EDWARD MENDHAM < no role > sworn.

I am a labourer, I live in London-street, I heard the cry of stop thief, I looked up the street, and saw the prisoner Moore run down with a naked cutlass in his hand; and I stepped across to stop him, and he made a cut at me, then he flung away the cutlass, and I collared him; he offered me a guinea to let him go, and I would not take it; he attempted to fling the cutlass into the Thames, but it fell into one of the crafts.

Did you see it picked up? - No.

Was you by when he was searched? - Yes, I was.

What was found upon him? - There are two guineas, a half crown piece in one purse, and a farthing, I believe it was a King Charles's fathing, and a ring or something like that in the other.

Who has the purse? - One of the officers.

Prisoner Moore. Did I offer you a guinea? - Yes.

Did any body else hear or see me? - No.

Why there were a matter of a hundred people round? - There was a waterman alongside heard you offer it, but I do not know who the man was.

So they only go by your bare word.

ANDREW BURGESON < no role > sworn.

What are you? - I am evidence against Mr. Moore, I took him at Ratcliff-cross.

What is your business? - A waterman, I was standing at Ratcliff-cross causeway, between seven and eight, on the 27th of September, in the evening; I heard the cry of stop thief! and I saw More run down the street with this cutlass in his hand, and I saw him throw this over into the craft, I immediately seized the prisoner, and there were twenty people round us, I left him with them, and I went and picked up the cutlass.

Was he searched? - Not at that time, he was searched at the Justice's.

Prisoner Moore. Do you swear that you saw me heave that cutlass away? - I have sworn it.

Prisoner. How can you swear that is the same cutlass? - I am sure there was no other in the craft, I saw him throw it over a waggon under handed, I run after the cutlass, and a boy in the craft picked it up, and delivered it to me, but the top of it was broke.

THOMAS COLE < no role > sworn.

I am an officer, I belong to the Rotation-office, Mr. Green's, at Shadwell; I was going to execute a warrant, and saw a great mob in the street, at about twenty doors from the Justice's office, the people said, they wanted an officer, and I took charge of Dodd, and took him by the collar into the office; I searched him and found nothing upon him but two shillings, there was one Mr. Gass, who said, he found these seals, and they were given to me; also a crape, the crape was given to me by Mr. Titterton, an Exciseman.

Have you had it ever since? - Yes.

(The chain and seals shewn to Gass, and the crape to Titterton.)

Cole. This crape was picked up and produced to me by a young man, servant to Mr. Ansell, a baker.

(The chain and seals deposed to by Mr. Akerman.)

Mr. Akerman. Here is a ring seal, with my cypher, and two other seals, which I have had many years, the chain is here, and here is my watch, my Lord, with the other part of the chain that answers to it.

JOHN FORRESTER < no role > sworn.

I am headborough of St. Paul, Shadwell, I was present when Moore was taker, Dodd was brought to the office, the people said, the companion was at Radcliff-cross in custody, I took him to the public house, opposite the office, and searched him; I said to Moore, Harry stand up, knowing him, and under his hams, Orange found two purses, I took him before the Justice, there were no proceedings that night, the Justice asked him how he came by those purses; and he said, how do you think I came by them, why I stole them; the next morning I got up, and heard who it was that was robbed.

Prisoner Moore. It is of no use to ask a question of that man, for he thinks no more of taking a false oath, than a hungry man would of eating his breakfast.

JOHN ORANGE < no role > sworn.

I am an officer of the Rotation-office, I was present when he was examined, I found two purses under the knees of his breeches, under his left ham; I unbuttoned the knees of his breeches, and took the two purses out.

(The purses deposed to by Mr. Cotton and Mr. Bigby.)

PRISONER MOORE's DEFENCE.

I had been down to Black-wall, on this Saturday; coming up in the evening, past Limehouse church, I saw some people runing over the fields, and two or three of them jumped over a ditch, that was close to me; one of the people that had brown clothes on, hove two purses and I picked them up, and run with the mob to London-street; when I was taken, I was affraid of taking out the purses' to give them, for fear they should think I was the person that stole them; I have witnesses to my character.

The prisoner Moore called two witnesses who gave him a very good character.

PRISONER DODD's DEFENCE.

I have nothing to say, they did not find any property, or any thing about me, they only stopped me, as they would another person.

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

RICHARD DODD < no role > , HENRY MOORE < no role > ,

GUILTY , Death .

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Lord LOUGHBOROUGH.