18. CHRISTOPHER PLUMLEY, otherwise HUGHES, otherwise SPENCER, otherwise GRANT proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 978. , was indicted for stealing a bay gelding, value 5 l. the property of Thomas Smith proceedingsvictim , October 23d .

THOMAS SMITH < no role > sworn.

I am a livery-stable-keeper . On Tuesday the 20th of October, the prisoner and a woman came to hire a chaise of me; they said they had hired chaises of a Mr. Warren before, but he being out had recommended them to me; the prisoner wanted the chaise the next morning. I asked his address; he said, No. 6, Duke-street, Smithfield. I sent and enquired after him, and heard a good character of him. I took it on Thursday morning myself; he said it was to go to a common (I forget the name) two miles below Woolwich; he said he should return by seven or eight in the evening; I said then, I would send my man to bring it home; he bid me do so, and he would send me the money for the hire of the chaise. I sent my man at eight in the evening; he staid till ten, but the chaise did not come. I heard nothing of it till the Saturday following, and on Monday I saw my horse and chaise which I had let to the prisoner at the George in Drury-lane, in the possession of one Nelson. It was that which I let to the prisoner.

JOHN BURTON < no role > sworn .

I was sent for on Thursday night to the Blue Boar in Holborn. I did not go that night; I went at eleven o'clock the next morning; I was then applied to by the prisoner to buy some articles of furniture, as I am a broker; then he mentioned a horse and chaise; he was exceedingly drunk; I did not care to deal with him; I thought he had borrowed the chaise, and was going to dispose of it. I went to the public office in Bow-street, and gave information of it, and the horse and chaise was removed to the George in Drury-lane. I was at the George on the Monday, when Mr. Smith saw the horse and chaise; it was the same that had been offered to me. The prisoner was very drunk at all the different times that I saw him.

Cross Examination.

There was another person in company, I believe, a Mrs. Grant? - Yes.

She and you have been long acquainted, I believe? - No. I never saw her but once before.

Was not there a good deal of joking conversation between you and her about the horse and chaise? - No.

You remember the cypher on the chaise; did not you say it was her husband's chaise? - No; she said so.

Have not you been the fabricator of this business? - I have been the fabricator so far as this; I went to the public office in Bow-street.

Do you believe the man was so drunk that he did not know what he was about? - I believe he meant to return it when he was sober .

Prisoner. I leave my defence to my counsel.

JOHN HANNS < no role > sworn.

I have known the prisoner between eight and nine years; he is a tailor ; I believe him to be a worthy honest man; I never heard to the contrary.

RICHARD BRIDGES < no role > sworn.

I have known the prisoner between nine and ten years; I never heard any thing but honesty by him; he bears the character of an honest industrious man.

JOHN BURNS < no role > sworn.

I have known the prisoner six months; I always heard an honest character of him.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.