Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

13 articles on this Page

GLAMORGANSHIRE.

News
Cite
Share

GLAMORGANSHIRE. GLAMORGAN SUMMER ASSIZES. On Saturday, the flrh instant, a numerous company ff the leading gentlemen of the county dined with the hijrh sheriff", Richard Turbervill Turbervill, Esq. at the Anarel Inn, Cardiff, and proceeded with him to meet -the Hon. Mr. Justice Bosanquet, the Jude on the circuit, for the purpose of escorting- him into the town. They met his lordship, at five o'clock, between "Roath and Rymny hridje. The high sheriff was accompanied hy the lord-lieiuenant, the Hon. W, B. <*rev, Capt. Smith, R N., Robert Jones, R. II, Jenkins, W. Nicholl, R. Hill, I. I. Basse If, T, E, Thomas, Waiter Coffin, Wyndham Iewig, T. W. Booker, I. w! Bennett, J. Homfrav, J. IWoggridge, Henry Lewis, 'j, N, Lucas, I H. Deacon, &c &c. Esqrs Colonels Cameron and Bourne. Major Edmondes. Revds Hoht. 'Knight,(sheriff'schaplain) GeorgeThomas,O.Jenkins, f, Casberd, Windsor Richards, &c. &c. His Lord- ship then proceeds to the Town Hall and opened the commission. On the following day the Judge attended divine -Orrvice at St. Mary's church, when a very admirable. I-ellmon was delivered bv the Rev. Robert Knhrht. (the Chaplain) from the viith Psalm, 9th verse "0 let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end, but guide thou the just." On Monday morning, at 10 o'elock, his Lordship proceeded with'Richard Turhervill Turbervill, Esq., the high sheriff, to the Town Hall, to commence the ,r als, and the undermentioned gentlemeu were sworn in at GRAND JURORS. Hon. Win. Booth Grey. Foreman. I. W. Bennett, Esq. John Mozsjridge. Esq. T, \V. Hooker, Ksq Whitlock Nicholl, Ksq. G. lio-irne, Thomas Penrice, Esq.' J. B. Bruce. Esq. J. Matthew Richards, Esq. Col. Nathaniel Cameron, Robert Savours, Esq. Thomas Charles. Ksq. Henry Seymour, Esq. Lewsrtn Hnpkia Daw Esq. Morgan Price Smith, Esq. Wm. Head Deacon, Esq. Thoina. E. Thomas. Esq. ttobert Jonu, Esq. I. H. Vivian. Esq. M. P. Henry Lewi*, Esq. Charles Wanle, fEsq. John Nicholas Lucas, Eq. William Williams, Esq. The usual formalities having been gone through, the learned Judge delivered the following chat.-e Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, Ii W hen last I had the honour of meeting you it was under circumstances far ditferelltfrom those at pre- tent existing, for then the country was suffering under a depression of trade and an extensive variety of diatress, too coninionly the haibinger of crime; and then, indeed, a heavy calendar of aggravated offences rendered the task of administering justice Mtremely painful. Far different, however, are the gratifying circumstances under which I now address you. Reviving trade and extending industry have brought a return of prosperiiy, and with it a diminu- tion of crime, under which we now have the smallest calendar of offences that has ever been known in the county. It has been too often my painful duty to trace out the causes of the increase of crime; and I have now the delightful occupation of accounting for the almost total absence of it, in a county possessing large manufactories of iron, copper, and tin, and a numerous population employed in various branches of trade and industry. G-ntlenien, this is most gratifying to me; and I -should not do justice to the county, if I aid not •scribe this to the practice of gentlemet) residing on their own property, by which trade is encouraged, education diffused, and immorality repressed, both by the exertions of an active magistracy, and, in a still greater manner, by constant examples of domestic virtue. Gentlemen, on this light calendar there are but two offences of a heavy die. or the-te, one is for cutting and maiming, and you will have to see, first slittlicr the injury imputed was done, and secondly whether it was inflicted with an instrument likely to imply the the intent to murder, or to do grievous bodily harm. You will-have to ascertain- whether it was done intentionally, and under circumstances bich. if death had ensued. wonfd have constituted the crime of milder if it be not so, the case amounts only to one of aggravated assault. I should observe however, that if the assault be on a peace officer in -the execution of his duty, then the case is one' in which the provocation given will not justify the injury done by the prisoner. Another case, not on the calendar, for forgery, will be brought before you; and the question for you here to conider will be in the first place, whether the instrument is forged; in the next place, whether the person who dealt with that instrument did so with a fraudulent intent, There is also a case of horse-stealing, which, if made 0.1, would formerly have been a capital offence, but gow, by a recent alteration in the law, is punishable \Ii il h transportation. Gentlemen, I think it tinneces- Jury to trouble you with any farther observations, and yon will now retire to the discharge of your important duties." In a short time, a true hill was found against Henry fisher, aged 35, for stealing a gelding, value IOI, the pro- perty of Elizabeth Morse, of Courtown farm, in the parish of Swansea. Mr. Sockett conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Vaiiglian Williams the defence. The facts (as stated in the Gaxette and Guardian, of June I) were fully proved tv- u Thomas Morse, son of the prosecutrix, tfichard Lewis, James Thornton, constable, and the urose- entnx- r Prisoner, in his defence, said he bought the horse, at a date pTior to that when it was lost, and gave £11 for it. kir. V. Williams, for prisoner, pleaded that he could produce witneises to character, but could not afford to hr,ng them from Devonshire, his native county. Guiltv t ""reported for life. Mr. Sockelt applied to his Lordship to grant a remunera- tion to the constable for his extraordinary diligence. The -learned Judge enquired what the expences of the consta. ble had been and was informed 2J 18s. He orderccllJÏOl to he paid 21.2s. besides. niiTZ bl" fWr fo,md aSain8t WiUiam V'illiamt, and David Jones, of the parish of St. Pagans, for forging the *igna ureof the Kev Henr Llewellyn to a bond for 100007 to recover 50001. v,vw«. f r. Sockett, for the prisoner Williams, pleaded that an action had been commenced against the prosecutor in this action for the recovery of t6his bond, and that he, a' attendant to that action, had put in two pleas, the second V which alleged, not that the bond was forged, but that it Dad D^cn obtained by fraud and covin. 1/e contended t.iat, as this was a very serious charge against his client this plea should be admitted as evidence. Mr. Evans, on the other hand, saiti, that though this was the plea, the record denied that the deed was executed by prosecutor, v After an argument between tl.e counsel on this point, tJie learned judge decided that the cause should proceed. In swearing in the jury the prisoners challenged about three. fourths of the jurors named. vMr. Evans then »tat<>*H as *this was a ease of felony, althonl,h, hy a recent Act of Parliament, it was not now capital felony, he would coafine his observations to a simple statement of the case. The prosecutor was a Bachelor of Divinity, in, he believed, the 78th year of his uge, bad never mairied, was strongly devoted to his reli- gious duties, and had little intercourse with the world. Fiie prisoner, IVil:i.ims, was a common carpenter, whom prosecutor, about four years ago, had received into his employ, from motives of compassion, believing that he had suffered some injury, and Williams being at the time distressed for want of employ. By a strong appearance of religious feclinrr, attendance at Church and at the Rev. Gentleman's player meetings, Williams in that time got into favour with prosecutor, and there was a considerable intimacy and confidence between prosecutor and him, and, in respect to things which Williams, from time to time, bought for prosecutor, there was an account generally sub- sisting between them. Things thus went on till February last, when prosecutor, in settling a small account of about 30i. thought it necessary to ask from Williams a written statement of accounts. About eight or nine days after, the prisoner came to the prayer meeting atnight, and staid nfter the others, as if waiting to speak to the Rev. Gentle. inan. Afr. Llewellyn said he could not speak to him that night, as he was to pray in the house of a woman who did not understand Welsh but afterwards, in going home to ms house, he met prisoner, who said, what do you mean by wanting that statemene of accounts ? Prosecutor an. SW'^re< 0nl>" want 8he-.v it to my nephew. Prisoner •aid,' people say you want to ruin mc,' and some warm langunge followed, when prosecutor said, I sec you are getting into a passion, and 1 shall take my leave of yoti. risoner went next day to Mr. Bassett, an attorney, at eat and told hina to proceed to recover 10001. part _principa and 2501. inteiest on a bond for 50001 which he held of prosecutor. Mr. Bafssett wrote accordingly, to pro- secutor, who went to his nephew, and showed him the note. .e nex mnrujn^ early, Mr. Edward Turbervill Llewellyn, nephew to the Hev. Gentleman, weut to Cardiff, to Mr. Reece, the Rev. Gent^emau's solicitor, to take immediate I steps in the business. Mr. Recce, who is a cousin of Mr. | E T. Llewellyn's, was from home, and Mr. 15. T. Llew- ellyn left directions for him, as soon as he returned, to call immediately. Mr. Basseti afterwards accidentally met Mr. Llewellyn W illiams, formerly solicitor to prosecutor, and exhibited to him the bond. Mr. L. Williams imme- diately said the bond was a forgery, and exhibited it to prosecutor. Mr. Llewellyn, till that time, had never known of such bond, and he said it could not be his writing but an imitation. The learned counsel said he should prove certain facts, which would show how this bond was concocted. It bore date 2nd August 1831, and and the first notice that the Rev. Mr. Lleweilyu had of it, was the 2nd of March 1833. The two prisoners went to one Llewellyn Prosser, whom the learned counsel desig- nated as a quack doctor, at Cardiff Heath, and desired him I to draw up a bond for 50001, from a gentleman. They went together to a tavern, called the Rummer, at Cardilf, where Williams produced a bond stamp, which Prosser filled up for 50001. Nothing further was seen of this bond till the 29tli of Pebruary 1832, when it was again shown to Prosser, at Cardiff. Williams then said to Prosser, I have received half a year's interest on the bond, and you, who drew it up, are the right person to witness my signature to the receipt. The prisoner Williams then signed a leceipt, which will be seen on the bond, for 125/. as half a year's interest upon it, and Prosser signed as witness to the signature of W iiliams. It is fortunate, said the learned counsel, that I losser is still living to depose to these facts, as otherwise it might be supposed that Jhc Rev. Mr. Liew- ellvn had, in the presence of Prosser, acknowledged the validity of the bon,], by a payment of interest upon it. Richd. Bassett, Esq. of Bouvilston, solicitor, deposed, that at the instance of Williams, he wrote to crosecutor. to demand payment of lOOm" and 2501. interest on the bond was surprised that in three days he received no specific answer; was talking with Williams in hisofficc about it, when he saw lfr- Llewellyn Willliams pass by; spoke to him about the bond, and that gentleman immediately said it must be a forgery appointed to meet him the following dav, when prisoner brought the botfd, and Mr. Llewellvn Williams pronounced it a forgery prisoner insisted that it was not so, and pointed to the receipt for interest upon it, as a proof that it was genuine prisoner was taken before two magistrates and committed for trial; witness declined being furtber eoneerned for him has frequently seen Erojecutor's writing; should at first sight have thought it is signature, but not so on a near examination. Thomas LlleweHyn Williams, Esq., solicitor, confirmed the foregoing testimony. Rev. H. Llewellyn, was upwards of 70 years of age, believed he should be 72 in August. The Rev. Gentleman confirmed the statement of the learned counsel, distinctly saying, I swear I never executed this bond, nor paid interest on il." The Rev. Gentleman was cross-examined by Mr. Sockett with great harshness, but nothing was elicited to shake his statement. Recollected one John Thomas, a carpenter, coming to his prayer meeting one evening; never heard Williams say, when desired to give a statement of his account, how can you expect me to give a clear receipt when I hold a bond of your's for which the interest is not paid f" Edward Turbervill Llewellvn, Esq nephew to prose eutor, confirmed the statement made as to prosecutor consulting him about Mr. Bassett's letter, and his calling on Mr. Reece on the subject. Llewellyn Prosser got a little money sometimes by doc- toring, but waii a schoolmaster. About two years ago the prisoners came to his house to write summut for them, to fill up a bond for a gentleman He did iio. There was no seal on the bond. On the 29th of February, 1832, he signed as witness to the signature of Williams, that he had received half a year's interest, but he saw no money paid. The Rev. Jaineq Thomas had seen the writing of prose- cutor believed the writing on the bond not to be his the character of prosecutor's writing was straight, and this was a crooked hand; and the two L.,s and the y were of a different character from prosecutor's writing. The Rev. Richard Pritchard, and the Rev. EvanJones, bad known the prosecutor about -50 years; been in the habit of corresponding w-itb him and believed this uot to be his writing. Thomas Charles, Esq. had known prosecutor 40 years; often seen him write believed this not to be his writing. The prisoner, Williams, put in a written defence, in Welsh, pointing out the improbability that he should, if the bond were forged, demand payment of it from the prosecutor during his life, instead of waiting till his death. He alleged that the bond was given for his good conduct and attention to the prosecutor; that it was filled up by Prosser at Mr. Llewellyn's request, as he wished his rela. tions not to know of it; that since the execution of the bond he was seized with a giddiness in his head, by which he was incapable of managing his affairs; that when prosecutor demanded an account, he (prisoner) had said, how can I give you a clear receipt when I hold your bond, with the interest not paid?" and that prosecutor had answered, that he could not pay it then, but would soon do so; that the other prisoner, Joues, his brother in-law, was acccused, only to prevent him from having the benefit of his testimony. The prisoner Jones said, that when he came to Cardiff he had no intention or idea of forging the bond. He came with his brother in law to Cardiff, to buy things, and bad no interest in the bond. Sarah Bennett deposed, that 15 months ago, she was servant to Williams, the prisoner. Remembered a conver- tion between prosecutor and her master, in which prose- cutor Mud, bethought Williams bad told the women about the bond, for that his family were very cross about it. Cross-examined.— Was about a yard and a half from them at the time of this conversation; they might have gone out of her hearing if they chose. John Thomas, a carpenter, was at a prayermeeting of the Rev. Mr. Llewellyn's; went there at Williams's request; followed him and Williams, as they were talking together. in the way from the meetinz to Mr. Llewellyn's house; overheard prosecutor ask Williams for clcar receipts Williams said, how can I give clear receipts, when I have I vour bond, with the interest, unpaid. Prosecutor asked if the time was up; Williams replied it was up since the beginning month; prosecutor said ho could not pay him that night, but soon would. Several witnesses spoke to the character of the prisoners, but of all these witnense* who were asked if they knew why Williams left the employment of a person named Morgan, said they did not know. The learned Judge snmmed up very minutely, and the jury returned—Guilty of the fraud, but not of the forgery. The judge said, that the verdict must be decidedly either guilty or not guilty. After some time the jury returned, Not Guilty. There was loud cheer- ing and clapping of hands, which was immediately sup- pressed. William Gardner, late of Eglwysilan, aged 21, was tried on a charge of cutting and maiming. Mr. Vaughan Williams stated the case. On the 5th of April the prisoner, with other associates, was at Caerfili fair, playing at an unlawful game called thimble rig. A constable named John Jones, about 10 o'clock, observed four persons playing at this game. of whom he attempted to apprehend one but, by the violent resistance of pri- soner and his confederates, his attempt was defeated. About nine at night, this constable, with the assistance of Edmund Harris, went to apprehend the prisoner, who was at a public house called the White Lion. and Harris saw him go to the back of the house, where he shut himself up in the privy- Harris went thither to apprehend him, and prisoner struck bim three violent blows on the left side. A bystander, who interposed, received from prisoner one blow on his hand, by which he fouud that he was cut with a sharp instrument. Harris, who was grappling with pri- soner, on receiving the blows, was badly hurt, and was taken borne with assistance. The following day he perceived a long wound on the left side which the medical" gentleman who attended him said was probably inflicted with a knife. The learned gentleman, after reading, and commenting upon. passages in several statutes relative to the case, called John Jones, who deposed that he was constable for Eglwysilan, and attended the fair at Caerfili on the 5th of April; saw there the prisoner, whom he knew as a thimble player, and others of his company. Betvveejv two and four he called one T. Richards to assist him, and appre- hended one of the thimble players, whom prisoner and two of the other thimble players then rescued. The next time be saw prisoner was about nine in the evening, at the White Lion; he then tried to apprehend him: a scuffle ensued, in which witness received a heavy blow on the ear from prisoner. He took out his staff and knocked prisoner down, who in about a minute got up and beat witness, there being about 20 persons in the house who appeared to be of prisoner's gang, and pushed witness out of the house. HLe then met lfarrill also a constable, and asked his-assist- ance." They went first to Mis. Ward' next door to the White Lion, then to the garden of the White Lion, where the prisoner was in the privy. The two constables at- tempted to apprehend prisoner, whose associates came out into the warden. Prisoner made a strong resistance, and witness wbt appeared to be a pocket knife, the blade about an inch and a half or two inches long, in his hand, while prisoner was striking Harris. Witness struck pri. soner on the arm with his staff and did not see the knife after. Priioner and Harris who were grappling, fell together inlo a ditch, and witness secured prisoner and lodged him in the black hole. Edmund Harris was next examined, and confiruied this statement, adding, that when he met Zones coming out of the White Lion he was all bloody. Prisoner knew that he, witness, was a constable. He received three blows from prisoner, after which he fell with him, and when he attemppted to rise he could not do so; was carried home ar»d put to bed • wr.s ill all night; and the next morning J-Jones called on him; he examined his side, and found blood and a cut, apparently produced by a knife. Had medical assistance, and was confiued to his bed five days. On cross examination he said, that in the scuffle he had bold of prisoner's neck-cloth, and prisoner of his, each twisting the other tight; when he seized prisoner, prisoner bawled oin for a knife. This witness produced the clothes be wore at the time, which were cut through, and the shirt very bloody. Edward Evans, blacksmith, brother-in-law of the lMt witness, who heard of the scuffle and came to give his assistance, confirmed several parts of the foregoing state- ments, The prisoner cross-examined all the witnesses with great shrewdness, and with a talent for browbeating which was quite surpassing but he conld throw no suspicion on the testimony. He said in his defence, that the two constables were accustomed, for drink and bribes, to connive at him and others playing at thimble and that this prosecution was got up only because he would not bribe them longer. He could bring a hundred people to testify in his favour as to this transaction, hut he could not pav there, and they would not come for nothing. He was an "injured man, but he trusted that the jury would do him justice Vcrdict— Guilty, transportation for life. 1 his man has obtained notoriety in the neighbourhood of Merthyr, under the nick name of Cock^/Bill." 'lJl:K V. John Jones, shoemaker, of Llantvissent, was indicted for perjury, in having falsely and maliciously sworn that Robert Thomas, of Glyn, in that parish. had been a dealer ill catrle and a chapman, by which he was rendered liable to the operation of the Bankrupt Act. It was clcarly proved that Mr. Thomas had never been, as represented, "i or a chapman and that since U'e year J8-J, he bad only occasionally bought cattle for his own use. It appeared, however, that the prisoner laboured under some decree of imbecility of mind, and on that ground the jury found a verdict-Not guilty. Vdttam Walter." aged 34, blacksmith, charged the oath of John Davies, with cutt'm°- and maiming, was discharged bv proclamation, prosecutor not appearing. Edward Thomas, aaed 49, labourer, Morgan Edmund, aged o3, labourer, John Davies, acred 21, cordwainer, surrendered in court, a true bill having been found against them for perjury, were convicted, and sentenced, the two former to 12 months' imprisonment, the last six months hard labour and J. Davics to nine month. the last three months hard labour. PRISONERS IN CARDIFF GAOL AND HOUSE OF COR KECTION t onvicted of Felonv ..4 Transportation 1 Misdemeanour 4 Bastardy >EATfr.^ This fair is not on the 22nd of this month, as stated 10 the Gazette and Guardian, but on the 31st. MERTHYR—We understand that the licensing day. for the sale of game, will be Friday, the 26th iuBtant, at the Bush Inn, Merthyr. The day for granting1 licenses to innkeepers and victuallers, is fixed for the 30th of August next, at the Castle Inn. laos TRADE.-The iron trade C-ontlitues brisk at the former prices. FATAL ACCIDF.NT. -Yesterday, a, younlt man named David Voyle, 20 years of age, a miner at Dow- lais, when he was about to begin his work in the mine, was killed by the fall of a large stone on his head. He was the sole support of an aged mother. MERTHYR POLICE.—James Meredith, William Morgan, the younger, John Morgan, Edmund Howell, Daniel Williams, Daniel Thomas, William Parry, Thomas Lewelyn and William Morgan, boatmen, were convicted on the 5th instant, before J. B. Bruce aud W. Thomas, Esqrs.; James Meredith in the mitigated penalty of 40s. and costs, for negligently suffering his boat to strike and break the Aberfan Lock gate— William Morgan, the younger, in 5s. and costs, for throwing small coal, and other rubbish, into the said canal John Morgan and Edmund HoweP, in 20s. each, ind costs Daniel Williams, in 10s. and costs Daniel Themaø, William Parry, Thomas Lewelyn at d William Morgan, in 5s. each, and costs, for navigating the aid canal without hauliers or drivers to attend _n-

MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY SESSIONS.

l Hh CA M BRIA N Q UA R TER…

[No title]

THE CHURCH'S RICHESfr .

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. j

SHIP NEWS.

Family Notices

Advertising

.their horser. __) i MONMOUTHSHIRE.

[No title]

CONVOCATION. ) .

[No title]