799. THOMAS GREENOUGH proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 24th of October last, with force and arms, one warrant for the payment of money, value 76 l. 18 s. dated 24th of October, 1783; signed by John Peton < no role > and John Swift < no role > , directed to Messrs. Fuller, son, and Co. for payment to Mr. Abraham House < no role > , or bearer; the same being then the property of the said Abraham House proceedingsvictim , and the said sum of money therein mentioned, then due and unsatisfied .

JOHN BOWLES < no role > sworn.

On the 24th of October, I received this draft of Messrs. Peton and Swift, for the use of my brother, Mr. Abraham House < no role > , who lives in Somersetshire; I put it into a little red book that was in this inside pocket; in the evening I went to the play, I did not discover that my pocket was picked till the next morning, then I went to Fullers and desired them to stop it, they did stop it, and stopped the man.

WILLIAM JONES < no role > This name instance is in set 1357. This set is in the group(s): GarrowsClients . sworn.

I am clerk to Messrs. Fuller and Co. this draft on the 25th of October came to my hands, the prisoner brought it, I am sure of that: I saw him come into the house, put his hand into his waistcoat pocket and presented the draft; I then went up to the counter, and asked him in these words, pray what is yours; he said, I have a draft, I said, how would you have it, he said, bank notes; I particularly asked him a second time, would you have it all in bank notes; he said, bank notes; he did not say, he would rather have it in bank notes, but bank notes: I then said, very well, I went along the counter, I shut the door and desired him to walk into the counting-house, I asked him when he came into the counting-house how be came by the draft, he said he received it of a basket woman, I asked him if he gave any value for it, he said no, I then sent for a constable.

(The draft read.)

"24th October, 1783.

"Pay to Mr. Abraham House < no role > , or bearer,

"76 l. 18 s. Peton and Swift." I am sure of the draft, here are the initials of my name, which I wrote immediately.

Prisoner's Council to Prosecutor. Was there any particular crowd in going into the play-house? - Yes, I believe the play had begun, I felt my pocket-book about an hour before I came from the Castle in Wood-street, I had not drank I suppose more than half a pint of wine, I believe I did not lose it going in; I did not get into any company there, I stood in the pit, whether I lost it in the house I cannot tell.

Did you examine your pockets when you came out of the play-house? - I did not, I then went to Medley's coffee-house in the Strand, to spend the evening, I staid about an hour and an half, then I came home to the Blossoms-inn.

Did you speak to nobody coming home? - There were many girls that laid hold of me, some by the sleeve, and some by the coat; I talked with one of them, she was a west country girl from Exeter; I did not stay with them any considerable time.

You could not part with your country woman immediately? - I staid with her a minute or two, we were not familiar at all, she asked me to give her a glass of wine or to sleep with her.

You refused all her solicitations? - I asked her why she gave herself to this way of life, I said it was a pity, she said she was in and could not get out.

The minutes might slip fast away; had she any west country women with her? - Not as I know of, there were many women round her; I do not know exactly whereabouts it was.

You did not keep your hand in your pocket all the time I suppose? - No, I did not put my hand in my pocket that night.

Did you find any more of your country women going home? - No, nor no other women.

Was your coat buttoned or not as you went along the Strand? - I do not know, it was very hot in the play-house, I remember unbuttoning it there, but whether I buttoned it after I cannot tell; I was perfectly sober.

Court. Have you any reason to fix upon any place where you lost it? - I have not, I look upon it that when I was with the women, was as likely a time for my losing it as any in the course of the evening; it was rather past twelve when I left Medley's.

You do not remember seeing the prisoner at the play-house? - I do not remember seeing him in my life till he was in custody.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

On the Saturday morning a woman brought the note to me, and asked me to go and receive it; accordingly I went with it and they stopped me: here are gentlemen that can prove where I was that evening, the woman could not read I believe.

Court. What woman was she? - I believe she was an unfortunate woman, she said she would meet me at twelve o'clock.

THOMAS BERGROVE < no role > sworn.

I keep the Sun in the Wood in Little Turnstile, Holborn, I know the prisoner, he lodged at my house about a fortnight, and did so on the 24th of last month, that evening he spent with me in Thames-street, at the Bear, we met about eight and staid till eleven, he was in company with me all the time, and another gentleman from the country, one Hawkins, he is here; the prisoner went home with us and went to bed.

Do you remember any body calling on him in the morning? - Yes, there was some woman called on him in the morning, and spoke with him at the door, I saw them converse together, but what it was I cannot say; I am sure he lay there that night.

Court. Was the prisoner an acquaintance of yours before? - Very little, I knew him by sight.

What business is the prisoner? - I cannot say.

HENRY HAWKINS < no role > sworn.

Deposed he was a farmer at Shunnell, and he spent the evening with him and the last witness, and came home with them at eleven.

Court to Bergrove. Did you ever spend an evening with the prisoner before? - Yes.

When? - I cannot recollect.

Why do you recollect this evening in particular? - By the prisoner being taken up the next day.

JOSEPH UMPLEBY < no role > sworn.

I keep the Bear in Thames-street. Deposed that the prisoner and the two last witnesses were at his house on that night from eight till eleven, as before mentioned.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the second London Jury before Mr. Justice NARES.