The King agst. Thomas Simons< no role >

On the Prosecution of Edward Longden Mc. Murdo< no role >

In April last many Pieces of printed Cottons belonging to the
Prosecutor and his late Partners Charles Greaves< no role > and William Hodgson< no role >
were unloading from a Waggon standing opposite their Warehouse in
Cheapside , these Cottons are carried upon Mens Shoulders from the
Waggon into the Warehouse, and it being the Spring of the year, a Time
in which Linen Drapers are busy in procuring Summer Paterns, and the
Manner of unloading the Waggon draws to the place a great Number of
Persons, amongst whom came the Deft who in Understanding is very
Weak and had only been in London about a fortnight, coming out of
Northamptonshire where his Parents live & are Persons of unblemished
Reputation-Mr. Edward Vint< no role > a Linen draper who was looking at the
several Paterns of the Cottons and assisting in taking them out of the
Waggon said to the Deft ''here do you take one of the Pieces'' which he did
and went with it as far as the fore Horse of the Team where he was stop't
by the Prosecutor and taken into Custody and carried before Alderman
Hammett, and the Deft saying nothing for himself before the Alderman
except that his Countenance would clear him, was committed to Wood
Street Compter to take his Trial at the following Sessions at the old Bailey
Upon this Occasion the Prosecutor entered into a Recognizance to
prosecute the Deft, and Mr John Leeke< no role > and Mr Edward Vint< no role > two Linen
Drapers who were present at the unloading of the Waggon entered into
Recognizance to give against the Deft.

It is apprehended the Deft, being of such weak Mind as above
mentioned, entertained no felonious Intention, but thought the Persons
at the Waggon were giving away the Cottons, and several credible
Persons afterwards came on purpose out of Northamptonshire to the
Prosecutor and satisfied him of the Character of the Deft's Parents, and
testifield verbally that they never heard of his being guilty of any
Theft, upon which the Prosecutor and his Witnesses declare further
proceeding in this Business.

Notice having been sent to the Prosecutor and Mr. Leeke and
Mr. Vint that their Recognizances would be estreated an application
was made to Sir Benjamin Hammett< no role > , who the last Session sent a