157. JOHN FERGUSSON proceedingsdefend (a Black ) was indicted for that he, on the 2d day of March , 10 lb. of lead, of the goods and chattels of James Mitchell proceedingsvictim , did rip and cut, with intent to steal , against the statute.

JAMES MITCHELL < no role > sworn.

We have a rope-ground; John Mayor < no role > and William Moffat < no role > are interested in the walk; it is near Limehouse-hole; it is covered with tiles; over this rope-ground there is a road runs at right angles; on theright-hand, as you pass the road, is a building called the rigging-house, the gable-ends are eight feet high: when I came home, the prisoner was in custody: I examined the premises on the 3d of March, and found the lead ripped from the two gutters between the rigging-house and rope-house, not taken away; it was ripped from the nailing, and left there, and two marks of a knife; the tiles were taken off, and a hole made in the roof of the buildings.

GEORGE SCATES < no role > sworn.

I am foreman to Messrs. Mitchell and Co.: I was going down their premises; I heard the tiles rattle; I stepped out a little, and saw the prisoner taking the tiles off; I waited some time; next morning I searched, and found the lead ripped; there were two or three feet ripped from the nails; I cannot tell the weight of the lead.

A WITNESS sworn.

I was coming from the water-side; I heard there was a thief; I was set to watch him; I saw him laying in the gutter; I watched him till he dropped through the hole; then he came towards the gate, and I took him.

THOMAS HEBTHORPE < no role > sworn.

Corroborated the testimony of the last witness.

GUILTY . (Aged 30.)

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Lord KENYON.

[Transportation. See summary.]