566. (L) CHARLES MORTON proceedingsdefend was indicted for stealing sixteen pieces of silver, value 5 s. the property of Benjamin Bickerton proceedingsvictim , July 14 . ++

Benjamin Bickerton < no role > . I am a silver-smith , in Jewin-street ; the prisoner has worked with me about a twelve month; I had great reason to suspect he had robbed me; I took more pains to weigh the work, and found about 20 oz. deficient in a week; I charged him with robbing me; he denied it; I said have not you sold some silver to a refiner? he said first, he had sold 20 ounces, and then 20 more; I asked him if I should go and search his lodgings; he agreed to it; I went with him, and he made a push to go forward; I then said that looked as if he had something he had a mind to secret. I then went to the Mansion House, and got Mr. Tinsdale to go with me; we took him back to my house, and then went to his lodgings, where we found about 14 or 15 pieces of silver, makeing about an ounce, which Mr. Tinsdale has got. (Mr. Tinsdale produced the pieces of silver.)

Prosecutor. There is my mark on them, they are all my property; they were designed for shirt and breast buttons; we found other pieces of silver which I cannot swear to.

Prisoner. I have had different dealings with my master; he told me I might always take silver to do a job, and I was to account for it.

Q. to the Prosecutor. Have you allowed him to take silver to do a job, provided he would account properly for it?

Prosecutor. I never in my life gave him any such permission; he never asked any such thing.

Mr Tinsdale. I went to Mr. Bickerton's house; the prisoner was there, and he confessed he had robbed his master at different times; I went to his house; when we came there he denied he had any thing of his master's in the house. I searched, and found the silver in a china pint mug; he then acknowledged he had taken it from his master.

Prisoner's Defence.

Mr. Tinsdale wanted me to confess I had taken 200 ounces. I bought the shoe clasps of him.

Prosecutor. I don't charge him with that; I don't swear to them.

Prisoner. My master was sick in the country; I took the silver and was to account for it.

For the Prisoner.

Edward Darvill < no role > . I am a silver-smith; the prisoner served his apprenticeship with me; I found him an honest lad; he was out of his time in April 1769. There never was a better apprentice.

Edward Leopard < no role > . I am a journeyman to Mr. Darvill. I knew the prisoner when he was an apprentice; he was always an honest, sober, just youth to his master.

Henry Webster < no role > . I am a chaser. I have known him about six or seven years; his general character is exceedingly good; I never knew any harm of him.

John Price < no role > . I work for the jewellers. I have known him from an infant; I never heard any thing amiss of him in my life; I would trust him with any thing.

John Loud < no role > . I am a watch-chain-maker. I have known him about four or five years; I never heard his character called in question till yesterday morning; I would have trusted him with any thing. He has worked for himself several times.

William Spicer < no role > . I am a watch-maker. I have known him a twelve month; I always thought him a worthy honest man as ever I knew.

Thomas White < no role > . I am a victualler. I have known the prisoner about seven years; I never heard a bad character of him in my life.

William Lockwood < no role > . I am a stationer. I have known the prisoner about seven years; he has a good character; I never heard any thing amiss of him till this time.

Mary Nicholson < no role > . I have known him from a child: he is an honest, sober man, worthy to be trusted.

Ann Ashley < no role > . I have known the prisoner between two and three years: he is a sober, honest, industrious man.

William Sibley < no role > . I am a shoe-maker. I have known the prisoner between four and five years: he is a very sober, honest man; I never heard an imputation on his character.

Ellis Milner < no role > . I have known the prisoner about two years and a half: he is a very honest man; I never heard any thing to the contrary.

Guilty . B .