264. John Kearney proceedingsdefend , of St. Michael, Cornhill , was indicted for stealing 40 pounds weight of copper, being forty mathematical plates engrav'd, val. 20 s. the property of William Meadows proceedingsvictim , May the 6th .

William Meadows < no role > . I am a bookseller , and at the late fire in Cornhill I lost forty mathematical copper plates, engraved. Mr. Reynolds (a bricklayer) brought the prisoner to me with these plates, and asked me whether they were not mine? and I told him they were.

[The plates were produced, and Mr. Meadows swore they were his property .]

Mr. Reynolds . This fellow was employ'd as a labourer , in clearing the ruins after the late fire; and while the men were gone to dinner, I saw him with these plates on his shoulders; they were in a bag.

Q. When was this?

Reynolds. The 6th of May, I stopped him and asked him, what he had got there? He said, he had some old iron and old lead. I examined what they were, and thought they must belong either to Mr. Meadows or Mr. Brotherton, because it was about the spot where their houses stood.

Q. Are these the plates you found in the possession of the prisoner?

Reynolds. I have had them all this while in my possession, and they are what I found upon the prisoner.

Q. What did he say to you?

Reynolds . He said he bought them for six-pence.

Q. Did he tell you he bought the bag, and all the things in it, for six-pence?

Reynolds. He said he bought the bag, and all that was in it, for six-pence.

Q. to Mr. Meadows . Was there any direction given to any body, when any of these things were found, to carry them to any particular place?

Meadows. I ordered a man to be there, to take care of every thing that was taken out of the ruins .

Hugh Murray < no role > for the Prisoner. I have known the prisoner about four year, and never heard any thing but that he was a very honest man.

Q. What is he?

Murray . He is a sailor.

Q. What family has he?

Murray . I think he has three children , but I did not enquire into his family.

Francis Fulbrook < no role > . The man has dealt with me three quarters of a year , and paid me very well.

Q. What did he buy of you?

Fulbrook . Gingerbread; his wife fells it; I never heard any thing against him.

Q. Did he use to go to day labour.

Fulbrook . Yes, sometimes; and sometimes he worked at a brewhouse.

Ann Curning < no role > . I have known the prisoner several years, and he worked for brewers and other people.

Q. Did he use the sea?

Curning . I never was with him at sea; but he has left that off.

Q. How long has he left it off?

Curning. About twelve months.

Mary Ring < no role > . I know the prisoner very well.

Q. How long have you known him?

Ring . I have known him long enough.

Q. I ask you how long you have known him?

Ring. I have known him twenty years, and knew his father and mother, but never knew any harm of him.

Guilty.

[Whipping. See summary.]