Westminster to wit

The Information of Francis Palmer< no role > of
No. 6 Gloster Row Shoreditch , Rebecca Matt his on
Niece to said Francis Palmer< no role > , and John Atkins< no role >
Constable to the Theatre Royal Covert Garden, taken
before me this 1st. day of January 1787 .

Who being on Oath severally say, And first the said
Francis Palmer< no role > for himself saith, that about half
past five o'Clock on Wednesday Might last as he and
his Niece were standing in the passage of Covent
Garden Theatre near the Piazza waiting for the Theatre
being opened, his said Niece informed him that she
fell a Hand in her Pocket, which induced this Informant
to Examine his Breeches Pocket, when he discovered his
left Hand Breeches Pocket in which was a Guinea and
Nine Shillings, Wind out, that this Informant instantly
put his Hand to his right Breeches Pocket (in which
was nine Shillings) when he discovered the hand of a
Tall Man who stood near him close to his said Pocket
which was turn'd out with Money in his Hand, That he
laid hold of said Man by the Collar and told him
that he had Robbed him when he drop't some Money
on the Stones, that he kept fast hold of said Man being
determine if possible to secure him, that the person
now present and calling himself Arthur Conolly< no role >
with others immediately began beating the Informant
by which means this Informant was obliged to let go
the Man who had robbed him and further Says he is
very sure the said Conolly struck him twice or more
and was principally the means of rescuing said Felon.
And the said Rebecca Matthison< no role > for herself Says
that on Wednesday Evening last between five and six
o'Clock as she her said Uncle were Standing in the
Passage of Covent Garden Theatre waiting for the doors
being opened, she fell a Man's Hand in her Pocket of
which she informed he said Uncle, who perceived both
his Breeches Pockets turn'd out, and his Money gone,
That he laid hold of a Tall Man who stood near him
and charged him with being the Robbed, when the
said