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THE
EPORT AT LARGE
OF THE
CORONER'S INQUEST
ON
JANE WATSON,
AT MR. ROBINSON'S, IN OLD BURLINGTON-STREET;
WITH
MR. ROBINSON'S ADDRESS, &c.
TO THE INQUEST, AT LENGTH.
THE VERDICT, WILFUL MURDER,
AGAINST
MR. ROBINSON'S BUTLER, THE CORPORAL,
AND TWO SOLDIERS.
SPECIALLY REPORTED
BY WILLIAM HONE,
ONE OF THE EVIDENCE ;
AND REPORTER OF THE EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS BEFORE
THE CORONER'S INQUEST, ON THE BODY OF EDWARD VYSE,
ALSO KILLED BY THE FIRING AT MR. ROBINSON^S.
ILoiOum:
PRINTED FOR WILLIAM HONE, 55, FLEET-STREET.
1815.
Price Eighteen-pence.
J. M'Creery, Printer, Black-Horse-Court, London.
StacK
Annex
SS 3 !
TO THE READER.
t
ON the CORONER'S INQUEST being held on
JANE WATSON, who was mortally wounded
on the ?th of March, 1815, at the same time
that EDWARD VYSE was shot dead at the
HON. JOHN FREDERICK ROBINSON'S, M. P. in
Old Burlington- street, it became my duty to at-
tend that Inquest to give evidence, as I had
done upon VYSE's Inquest, touching the death
of the deceased.
This attendance afforded me an opportunity
of taking down in writing, at the time, and
reporting at length, the whole of the evidence,
&c. before the Inquest. The columns of the
newspapers being deluged by the influx of
foreign news, they did little more than mention
the Verdict.
The very interesting ADDRESS, which Mr.
ROBINSON delivered to the Inquest the ques-
tions they put to him his answers and every
thing that occurred during the REMARKABLE
INTERVIEW, I have carefully narrated at length.
VI
My Circumstantial Report of the Extraordi-
nary Proceedings before the Inquest upon
Edward Fyse, and this Report of the subsequent
Inquest upon Jane Watson, contain every parti-
cular attendant upon the deaths of the unfor-
tunate Victims; and present a faithful picture of
the Scenes exhibited at Mr. Robinson's, from
the time the Military entered the house, until
after the fatal events, which the Verdicts of
the two Inquests have pronounced WILFUL
MURDERS.
WILLIAM HONE.
Z3d March, 1815.
REPORT,
FIRST DAY.
JANE WATSON, resident at No. 5, Charles Street,
Long Acre, widow, aged twenty-six years, was mortally
wounded at the same time that EDWARD VYSE was
shot dead by fire-arms discharged from the windows of
the Honourable FREDERICK ROBINSON, in Old Bur-
lington-street, on Tuesday, the 7lh of March, 1815. She
languished until Friday Morning, the 17th, and then died in
great agony in St. George's Hospital, where she had been car-
ried on receiving the fatal wounds, and the following persons
were summoned as an
INQUEST UPON THE DECEASED,
* CHANTREY, Eglintoun- street, Pimlico, Sculp-
tor.
WILLIAM BRAMWELL, Ebury-street, Brandy Merchant,
(FOREMAN.)
* THOMAS HALL, Grosvenor- place, Stable-keeper.
* THOMAS CODING, Knightsbridge, Wine Merchant.
GEORGE JUDSON, Ranelagh-street, Pimlico, Tinman.
B
8
THOMAS CUNDEY, Ranelagh-street, Pimlico, Builder.
* HENRY LEWER, Ranelagh-street, Piralico. Clerk at
Messrs. Elliott's Brewery.
CHARLES BINGHAM, Ebury-street, Pimlico, Gentleman.
* JAMES PARMER, Arabella-row, Pimlico, Ironmonger.
JOHN CULLEN, Knightsbridge, Appraiser.
JOHN GOODENOUGH, Knightsbridge, Tailor.
ROBERT BURN, Knightsbridge, Tailor.
* JOHN PALSWORTH, King's-row, Pimlico, Bookseller.
* JOHN HILL, Little Eaton-ttreet, Pimlico, Carpenter.
THOMAS WOOTTON, King's-row, Pimlico, Farrier.
RICHARD DUNN, Arabella-row, Pimlico, Appraiser.
CHARLES CLEAVELAND, Ebury street, Pimlico, Vic-
tualler, Red Lion.
JOHN LINNEY, Pimlico, Tallow Chandler.
JOHN JACKSON, Ebury-street, Pimlico, Victualler, Three
Compasses.
* WILLIAM CADBEY, Chapel-street, Grosvenor-place,
Builder.
* JOSEPH SALMON, Halkin-mews, Green Grocer.
JOHN JONES, Ranelagh-street, Piralico, Linen Draper.
THOMAS EDKINS, Ebury-street, Pimlico, Carpenter.
Those persons whose names have this mark [ ] against
them did not attend ; the rest were sworn as the Inquest.
The Constable on referring the Coroner to the list of the
persons summoned, said, that Mr. CHANTREY could not
possibly attend upon the Inquest, as he was gone to take a
model of LORD CASTLEREAGH.
The following day, SATURDAY, at Half past twelve o' Clock
precisely, being the time for which the Coroner's Inquest were
summoned to meet at the sign of the TRIUMPHANT CHARIOT, in
Halkin-slrecl, Grosvenor-place,at the back of Si. George's Hos-
pital, the Reporter of this account of the proceedings attended a
few minutes before the time, and on entering the room, ap-
pointed for the reception of the Inquest, found the Coroner ex-
amining JAMES RIPLEY, the Butler to Mr. Robinson. Two
gentlemen who report for the Newspapers, and who took mi-
nutes at the Inquest on EDWARD VYSE, were also present, but
none of rhe Jury had arrived.
JAMES RIPLEY,
Butler to Mr. ROBINSON, stated to the following effect:
That on Monday Evening, the 6th of March, the mob as-
sembled at Mr. Robinson's house at about a quarter before Nine
o'clock. A person had previously arrived at the house, and
given notice that there was a great mob in St. James's Square,
and that they were inquiring for Mr. Robinson's house. They
shortly after arrived and destroyed the windows and railing in
the front of the house, and broke in and began to destroy the
furniture. The next morning, about half past ten, the house
was assailed in like manner, and they forced an iron bar through
the inner door; after which the horse-soldiers came up they
were then dispersed by the soldiers. In the course of the two
attacks, the iron railing, I think I may say the whole of it the
stone work, and gate, and all in the front of the house, were
forced down principally into the area. Witness does not know
whether any of the iron railing was carried off. Some of the
iron work was thrown on the balcony of the drawing-room
windows. Most or the whole of the drawing-room windows
were broken ; and the windows in thejhousekeeper's room were
broken, but, perhaps, they were broken by the fall of the
iron railing ; the window-shutters in the Drawing-room were
forced or split by the things thrown.
B 2
10
THOMAS THOMPSON,
Assistant Surgeon at St. George's Hospital, Sworn.
Deposed, that JANE WATSON was brought into St.
George's Hospital about eleven o'clock at night, on Tuesday,
the 7th of March. She had two wounds in the head, on the
lower part of the scalp, covering the parietal bone on the right
side of the head the two wounds were situated at about an
inch in distance, one above the other. I have regularly at-
tended her until the day of her death, which was yesterday the
17th instant, when she died at about seven o'Clock, as Witness
was informed. I have examined her head to day she was
also attended by Mr. Brodie, assistant surgeon to St. George's
Hospital. When Mr. Brodie saw the head, he had cat down
upon the head, and removed a great many pieces of fractured
bone. This day, on opening the head, we found a large abscess
in the brain, under the bone, where that was fractured ; the
bones between the two wounds, and in the neighbourhood of
the wounds, were broken or splintered in many places ; there
was a protrusion of the brain when she first came in. We
(omul no shot, and suppose that if she had been struck by a ball,
it had entered at the upper wound, and coine out of the lower
wound. We entirely dissected the brain, there can be no shot
there. The wound had more the appearance of being made by
bull or shot, than by any thing else. The upper wound was
a clean cut wound, the lower wound was more rough and
ragged.
JAMES RIPLEY,
fhe uller t
Asked if he might withdraw. He said that Howe and two
or three others, whose depositions had been taken before the
Inquest on Edward Vyse, were below, ready to be examined.
By permission of the Coroner he withdrew.
ANTHONY CELL, Esq. fht Coroner,
was not present.
JOHN HENRY CELL, Esq. his Son,
officiated as Coroner.
The Coroner then told the witness THOMAS THOMPSON, that
as he might perhaps wish to go back to the hospital, he should
11
be sent for when he (the coroner) was ready For him, for there
were not yet enough of the jury assembled to permit him to
administer the oath ; but two or three of the Inquest arriving
almost immediately, and twelve in number being present, the
coroner called over the list, the inquest was sworn, and WI LLI AM
BRAMWELL appointed Foreman. Proclamation was then
made for all persons who could give evidence touching the
death of the deceased, to draw near and attend the court.
The CORONER read the deposition of the witness, THOMAS
THOMPSON, he being present ; not having withdrawn.
The witness added, that the injuries he had described were
the cause of her death; but although he. was persuaded that
the wounds were inflicted by shot, yet from not having found
any, he cannot positively tell what actually occasioned the
death of the deceased.
The jury now proceeded to St. George's hospital to view the
body. There was a hole on the right side of the head, above
the ear, of an irregular form, and about an inch and a half
in diameter. The brain having been previously dissected, its
cavity was empty. The hair had been cut off from the head.
The features were regular and handsome, and the countenance
was not unpleasing even after ten days of great suffering,
and an agonizing death.
After the inquest had viewed the body, they returned to their
room, at the TRIUMPHANT CHARIOT public house.
JAMES RIPLEY, the butler, being present, the co-
rener proposed to read over the deposition of this witness,
which had been taken before the inquest, held on the
8th, 9th, 10th, and llth of March, on the body of EDWARD
VYSE ; and also the deposition of the same witness, which the
Coroner said he had been taking this day, before the Jury had
assembled, in order to save the jury time. The coroner further
observed, that if the jury wished to ask any questions of the
witness, in explanation, they could do so.
The coroner then proceeded to read the above-mentioned
deposition of JAMES RJPLEY.
The DEPOSITIONS of this and other witnesses before the
coroner's inquest on the body of EDWARD VYSE, being read as
evidence, it is necessary to refer to the Report of the evidence
upon that occasion.*
* See " A CIRCUMSTANTIAL REPORT of the EXTRAORDINARY
EVIDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, and INCIDEKTS before the CORONER'S IN-
QUEST on the body of EDWARD VYSE, who, on Tuesday Evening,
the 7th of March, 1815, was shot dead from the parlour windows of the
house of the Hon. F. Robinson, M. P. in Old Burlington Street.
Specially reported, and revised from minutes taken by the Inquest.
With the Surgeon's Report and other documents. By WILLIAM
HONE, me of the Evidence" with Wood-cut Illustrations, 6vo. 2>. 6</.
The reading ofjAMES RIPLEY'S deposition by the coroner was
interrupted by the jury putting questions to the witness. The
points upon which they required explanation are printed in
Italics, and inserted within crotchets [thus] with minute re-
ferences below to the particular parts of the " Circumstantial
report of VYSE'S inquest," in which they may be found.
Sutler to Mr. Robinson , sworn.
[The corporal told me he came for the protection of Mr.
Robinson's house.*]
Jury. About what time did the soldiers arrive?
Witness. About six or seven o'clock. About that time as
near as I can tell. I cannot say exactly.
[The witness look the man by the collar^ Stc.f]
Jury. This is very important. There certainly could not
have been that violence that could have justified the firing, if a
man could have been taken from the middle of the people in
this manner, by a single individual.
Witness. 1 did take the man. There were a great many
people.
One of the jury. It appears to me, that if there had been
a dozen peace officers doing their duty, the life of this poor
young woman would not have been lost.
The jury expressed their persuasion to the same effect.
Jury. Was the pistol loaded or not?
Witness. I desired my lellow servant
Jury. Answer directly yes or no.
Witness. It was with swan-shot.
[ After this witness loaded the pistol again, &c. ^c.J]
Witness. 1 loaded with shot.
Jury. And where did you fire?
Witness. Into the area.
Jury. Are you sure you fired into the area?
Witness. I am sure that I fired in the direction of the area.
There was no peace officer in the house.
I was obliged to keep away from the window. When I fired
I advanced from the folding doors to the window, and fired.
I fired because I presumed the under part of the house was in
danger. The pistol was loaded the night before after the first
attack. When witness addressed the mob, he felt secure, be-
* Circ. Rep. of VYSE'S Inquest, p. 24,
f Ibid. p. 25.
t Ibid. p. 26.
13
cause the military was in the house. The mob was quiet
whilst witness was talking to them. They had thrown in not
half a minute before. Witness did not see the deceased fall.
Had no authority to fire any farther than to prevent people
coming into the house. Had no police in the house. Was
protecting his own property as well as Mr. Robinson's.
Jury. What time elapsed after taking the man into cus-
tody, and the death of the woman ?
Witness. I suppose about two hours,
Jury. Will you say it was one hour.
Witness. I really cannot say.
Jury, Say as nearly as you can.
Witness. I think about two hours .
Jury. Will you swear it was oHchouv ?
Witness. I cannot say exactly, Sir. I should think it was
about two hours.
Jury. Will you upon your oath swear it was half an hour.
Witness. I really do not know, it is impossible for me to say.
After several other questions by the Jury to the same point,
to which they could obtain no satisfactory answer, they com-
plained of the witness's equivocation, and he was ordered to
withdraw.
WILLIAM SUTTON,
Footman to Mr. Robinson, sworn.
The Coroner proceeded to read the deposition of the witness
in his presence :
[One of the soldiers took the plslol, 6-c.*]
Jury. C ould you point out the soldier again who fired the
pistol ?
Witness. I don't know whether I could or not, Sir.
Witness heard the people say they would murder the ser-
vants. He was in the passage. He heard a voice say it. One
voice certainly. I was in the back room and heard it.
The Jury put various questions to the witness, to learn if he
could identify the soldier who Bred the pistol, which, he an-
swered in a way that the Jury deemed evasive.
The witness examined.
Tuesday evening, the 7th of March, about eight o'clock,
the mob threw and forced open the shutters that were fastened.
Heard a voice say they would break into the house. They
forced on some time. The soldiers fired blank cartridges, as
they told witness. The Corporal told him. Witness believed
* VYSE'S Report, p. 27.
it was the corporal by his voice. Knows the corporal. Should
know the corporal from a juryman in a corporal's dress. They
fired from the parlour windows and fan-light. They did not
fire till the windows were broken open. Witness gave every
man a horn of liquor a piece, and the corporal another horn.
It was a small horn ; it does not hold half-a-pint a piece. -.
Witness did not say any thing to the soldiers when he heard the
voice threaten to break in. Does not know whether the sol-
diers heard it. Witness never fired a gun or pistol off. Knew
none of the soldiers by name. Ripley fired. Does not exactly
know how many shot he gave his fellow servant. Never went
further than from the parlour to the hall.
'jury. Did you say any thing to the soldiers about firing?
Wilness. I did not.
Jury. What, did nothing pass after the firing, about the
people that were shot?
Witness. No, nothing. I did not hear any thing said at
all. A soldier asked witness for the shot. Witness fetched
the shot for the protection of the house. It was got after the
Monday night.
Jury. Who ordered you to get the shot?
Wilness. Nobody ordered me to get the shot.
Jury. Who ordered you to get the pistol?
Witness. The butler asked me to get the pistol.
The Jury inquired where he got the shot from; He avoided
the question much, but at length said that he got it from
Lord Buckinghamshire's; from his under-butler ; from Robert
Packer, he thinks his name was. Had got the pistols from
there. Was there and saw the shot there, and asked them to
give him some. The soldier asked him for the shot.
Jury. By what, or whose authority did you get the shot ?
Witness. By nobody's, I got it of myself.
Jury. What conversation had you with your master after
Monday night ?
Wilness I had noparticnlar conversation ; Mr. Robinson was
not in the house on Monday night ; he dined out, slept out,
dressed out. Witness saw Mr. Robinson on Tuesday morning.
Jury. How long was it before the young woman met with
her death that you saw Mr. Robinson.
Wilness. I cannot tell exactly. Witness dressed Mr. Robin-
son Tuesday evening. Mr. Robinson gave no directions to
witness.
Jury. What conversation did you have with Mr. Robinson.
Wilness. I cannot tell.
The witness being repeatedly pressed with questions to the
same effect, at length said that Mr. Robinson told him he
expected soldiers and civil power in the house, and that Mr.
15
Robinson sent him home to say, that if the soldiers were outside,
they were to come inside, but when the witness got home, they
were inside already. The witness could not tell whether Rip-
Jey addressed the mob or not. He might have done it. Wit-
ness did not know, although he was in the parlour. He could
not say.
The Jury considered the witness to evade the questions.
Jury. Have you ever spoken to the soldier that fired the
pistol since?
Witness. I have spoken to all of them.
Jury. But have you not spoken to that soldier iu particular?
Witness. I spoke to no one soldier in particular. I spoke to
all of them.
Jury . Do you know Mathews ?
Witness. I know the man I gave the shot to.
Jury. You do know him ?
Witness. I think I should know the man again.
When the firing took place, the witness heard the report of
a gun at the same time that the pistol went off: they were very
nearly fired together about the same time. Witness did not
hear the soldiers say they fired shot. After the firing of the
pistol and gun, there was no more firing : as soon as the firing
was over, witness heard a man was killed or wounded : recol-
lects no conversation afterwards : believes the pistol was fired
first cannot be positive. The man whom I gave the shot to,
and whom I saw load it, I saw fire it ; he was one of the pri-
vates. Has spoken to them all since : thinks he could point
out the man who fired the pistol. The house was assailed at
the time the pistol was fired : there were stones and brickbats ;
a great number of stones was thrown together: there was
throwing together. The soldiers went to the window, and my
fellow-servant, when he fired; and when he addressed the
mob.
Jury. Did any other of your fellow- servants see Ripley give
the soldier the pistol?
Witness. I think the coachman did he was standing by.
The coachman, the witness, the under butler, and the groom,
were in the room together: witness considered his life in
clanger was afraid of it, notwithstanding he was in the back-
parlour. Did not know that an accessary to a murder was
guilty of murder. Witness got the pistol on Monday, and the
shot on Tuesday. Mr. Robinson did not tell him to get it
had no conversation with the butler, when the soldier was
going to fire on the people : did not think any thing about
it, whether wrong or not did not think about it at all.
Before the examination of the next witness, the Jury objected
to the Coroner's reading over to each witness his deposition
16
before the Inquest held on Edward Vyse. They wished (o
examine the witnesses themselves, to enable them to judge of
the consistency of their evidence on that occasion, with their
evidence on the present.
WILLIAM SMITH,
Coachman to Mr. Robinson, sworn.
On Tuesday, about 8 o'clock, the witness saw people out-
side there were six soldiers and a corporal inside the house :
a little time after, stones and, he believes, brickbats were
thrown, and broke open the windows. Sutton was in the back
room' the folding doors were open. Does not know how the
shutters were fastened : they were broken open several times
before they fired. Heard one of the soldiers ask Sutton if he
had got any small shot? Did not see any given does not
know what they loaded with. Heard the soldiers tell the mob
they fired with blank cartridge cannot tell how the shutters
were fastened. When the shutters were broken open, they put
chairs against them, or tacks, or any thing at hand ; they had
not time to fasten them. Witness was alarmed for his life.
[Mr. CELL, the Coroner, now arrived ; and, after remain-
ing about an hour, withdrew.]
The soldiers had some supper; perhaps a little after eight.
Does not know what they had to drink ; saw them drinking
some ale. Witness was close to the soldiers when he gave the
soldier the shot : heard no conversation amongst them ; heard
no orders to them to fire, by the corporal, the butler, or any
other person : gave no orders himself. The coachman had the
small pistol. Ripley fired his pistol off some time before the
last firing : should know the man who fired the pistol : believes
that if the young man himself had been called in at the former
examination, he would have said himself that he had fired the
pistol. Does not know how many soldiers were in the front
room at the time of the firing: thinks that the soldier fired the
pistol from the window nearest to the street door. Heard the
cry of murder after it was all over. Did not hear the soldiers
say any thing afterwards. Was in the parlour at the last dis-
charge. There were two or three firings, as quick as possible,
after the soldier had fired the pistol. Believes there was firing
over the fanlight. Saw the soldier fire the pistol from the
window next the street door. Cannot say which soldier fired
the pistol. Did not see Mr. Robinson on Tuesday. Witness
had a pistol in his pocket, which he received from Sutton.
Sutton did not tell him what it was for : Sutton did not say any
thing to him. Did not tell him to do any thing with it, nor
17
what it was for. Did not tell him it was loaded: nothing
passed when Sutton gave him the pistol. Did not ask him to
take it. Does not know whether it was loaded : cannot tell
whether it was loaded or not. Witness said nothing to Sutton
when he took it. Sutton might have asked witness to take the
pistol. Recollects that Sutton gave it him to protect himself.
Jury. Was it loaded, or not?
Witness. 1 did not examine it.
Does not know whether it was loaded or not. Upon his oath
does not know whether it was loaded or not. Never said it
was loaded. Swears he never said that it was loaded, or that it
was not loaded. Did not examine the pistol : did not see
it loaded. Heard nothing from Sutton of his getting shot from
Lord Buckinghamshire's.
Heard the soldier ask William Sutton for the shot. Witness
is sure he heard two or three guns go off altogether, at the time
the pistol was fired. Witness then heard the cry of murder :
he then went down stairs. Witness was frightened then; but
not so frightened as he had been before. At the time of the
firing, there had been throwing. At the instant the soldiers
were firing, the people were throwing into the house. The
soldiers said nothing when the cry of murder was heard nor
the servants, nor himself. Saw no Horse- Guards.
MRS. BRITTON,
Of No. 5, Charles- street^ Long Acre,
Stated, that JANE WATSON, the deceased, lodged in the wit-
ness's two pair of stairs back room. The deceased was a
widow, and had been married twice ; both her husbands had
been drowned ; her last husband had been dead about two
years. On the day she was mortally wounded, she was de-
pressed ii, her spirits. She said to the witness in the fore-
noon, " To-morrow will be two years since my husband was
drowned." She told the witness she should go to Somerset-
house, and inquire about her husband's affairs. She went out
with the papers relating to her husband's concerns between one
and two, and returned in the afternoon. A few minutes before
eight the deceased went out again, and the witness heard, about
a quarter before eleven, that she had been shot in Old Burling-
ton-street. The deceased had probably gone to Burlington-
street through curiosity ; but was the last person in the world
that the witness should in the least suspect ot being riotous, or
any thing like it. She was a remarkably well-disposed, dis-
creet, and amiable young woman, and, as the witness under
stood, had just got a situation as dresser in one of the theatres.
The deceased has left a fine little girl, between six and seven
18
years of age, an orphan. The deceased's mother keeps a little
public-house at Plumstead, near Woolwich, but is not in cir-
cumstances to enable her to bury her daughter. The child is
upon the parish, who allow half-a-crown a week towards its
support. The witness concluded by expressing a hope, that
the gentlemen present might be able to do something for the
poor orphan.
. The above witness not being able to state any thing touch-
ing the death of the deceased, was not sworn.
AMELIA DAVIS,
Of No. 2, Duke's Court, Duke-street^ St. James' 's, widow,
Sworn .
Witness has been a widow above a twelvemonth. Knows
nothing of the deceased. Never saw her before the night of
her death-wounds. On Tuesday evening, the 7th of March,
witness put her children to bed, and went to Berkeley-square.
She left home at half past eight exactly; looked at her watch
the moment before she went out ; went merely out of curiosity
to see Lord Darnley's, in Berkeley-square, and other houses,
which she heard in the course of the day had been damaged.
Went quite round Berkeley- square. Looked at Mr. Yorke's
house, in Bruton-street ; stopped looking at Mr. Ycrke's house
some time. Entered Burlington-street from Clifford-street.
There were then very few persons in the street; it was just
about nine o'clock ; there were about twenty persons about the
nd of the street. The horse-guards were in the street ; they
were riding two and two up and down the street. I was stand-
ing on a step with two young women. The deceased was
standing there when I went. The people walked about. The
horse-guards soon drew up in a line before Mr. Robinson's
house, and then, on the word of command, they all went away
together. I remained there, and the deceased too, and we
talked quietly between ourselves about the Corn Bill, saying
what a pity it was that they should destroy the houses, and
such like, because it would do no good ; it would only make it
worse. I think it was I who said so. The deceased agreed
that it was a pity to destroy people's houses, and a pity that
people could not keep their boys in, and not let them come to
such a place as that. A few boys had began to collect opposite
the house. The people said what a pity it was they should
suffer boys to throw stones. There was not a great collection
of boys. Saw some of the boys. There were people walking
before the house, passing and repassing. There were some of
all kinds, men, women, and children. There were a few more
collected after the horse-guards went. The men and women
19
gassed through the boys, but did not mix with them, as wit-
ness perceived. There were a few stones thrown. The wit-
ness walked up and down the street about three times, on the
side of the way opposite to Mr. Robinson's house, the deceased
having hold of her arm. It must have been after nine when
the guards went. Cannot exactly say exactly how long after the
guards went that the stones were thrown. Did not see any
thing thrown. Heard stones thrown at Mr. Robinson's house, but
did not see them thrown. I thought at the time I was walking
there, I was as safe as if I had been in this room ; but before
this, being near Clifford-street, I heard guns go off, and then
I returned to the step. The people were not off the pavement ;
they were not in the middle of the road. Cannot say how
many. Witness does not think more than fifty. The deceased
never left witness's arm all the evening. Cannot say how
many not more than fifty, if so much, were attracted by the
firing of the guns.
The deceased and I then walked only the space of two houses,
when she fell from my arm. I heard three or four guns go off;
to the best of my belief there were three or four. She fell,
and I was in a float of blood myself, from being hit by a shot.
1 felt my jaw very much shattered. It took a small piece out
of my chin. The deceased lay on the pavement some time be-
fore she was carried away. The Horse-Guards, when they
came up, said, " Bear the bodies off." The deceased lay near
twenty minutes before she was carried off to Mr. Tebbs's, in
Bond-street. There were three bodies laying when the Horse*
Guards said " Bear off the bodies." Those were the words
they used. The people did not appear to be riotously disposed.
Witness was in Burlington-street from nine till the deceased
was shot. Saw the deceased EDWARD VYSE laying just by the
kirb. The people were principally on the pavement opposite
Mr. Robinson's street on the side of the way opposite to Mr.
Robinson's house there was room on the pavement for people
to pass and repass. It did not appear to witness that the people
were riotously disposed. If witness had thought there had
been any danger, she should not have remained. Saw the,
lower shutters of Mr. Robinson's house open and shut a little
way several times, for people inside to look out. Witness
could see the hands that opened the shutters, but could not see
faces. The upper shutter opened and shut twice; it was
opened much wider than the others. She could see the bodies
of persons inside ; but whether military or not, could not tell.
At one of the times when the lower shutters were opened and
shut, witness saw the flash, and heard the report from the
vacancy between the shutters.
Coroner, " I wonder that you did not go away then."
20
Witness^-" I did not think there was any danger. There
were very few people. The people did not think they were
firing any thing but powder. It was not what could be called
rioting."
PHILIP CHAFFEY,
Footman to Lord Somerville, 28, Hill-street^ Berkeley -square^
sworn.
[This witness was sent by Lord Somerville, to give evidence
before the Inquest, in consequence of his Lordship having
been made acquainted by him with what he had seen of
the affair in Old Burlington-street.]
The witness was in Old Burlington-street about five minutes
before the deceased was shot, on Tuesday evening, the 7th in-
stant. Witness was passing accidentally through the street.
It was ten, or a little before ten o'clock. There were very few
people in the street. About thirty. Some were opposite to
Mr. Robinson's house. There were no Horse-Guards in the
street. There was no riot; but as boys will do, they threw a
stone at the house, and there was a rattling. It might have
been thrown at the windows. It might have been a stone or a
log of wood. Upon which there was firing of guns from the
windows. Cannot say whether it was one or two, or more.
The witness was hit with something at the upper part of the
face, near the right eye. Was about twenty yards from the
house. It left no mark. The deceased fell just before me on
the ground. I nearly fell over her. She lay on the pavement
of the opposite side of the way to Mr. Robinson's house. I
said to a tall thin woman, who then stood by, " there is a woman
down; whether she is wounded or fell down I cannot tell."
We then saw the blood coming from her mouth. In about
five minutes the horse soldiers came. At the time of the firing
there was no disposition to riot ; the people were very quiet,
only that something was thrown at the house; a stone or some-
thing was thrown at the house; a stone or something.
THE CORONER read the deposition of Richard Burton, the
Corporal, before the Inquest on EDWARD VYSE.
ADJOURNED until MONDAY next, at half past
Twelve o'clock.
;. '
SECOND DAY.
AT A MEETING of the INQUEST, held at the Triumphant
Chariot, in Halkin street, Grosvenor-place, on MONDAY,
the 20th day of March, 1815, at half-past twelve o'clock,
pursuant to the preceding adjournment.
ANTHONY CELL, Esq. the Coroner,
was not present.
JOHN HENRY CELL, Esq.
officiated as Coroner.
GEORGE ULPH,
Private in the 3d Regiment of Foot Guards, sworn.
I went into Mr. Robinson's house on Tuesday, the 7th of
March, at about six o'clock, perhaps about half an hour after-
wards. Graves was put my partner at the kitchen door. We
were there all the evening. We never moved. Stones came
against the door, and into the area. Against the kitchen win-
dows and against the door. There were a great many stones
thrown. Could hear the voices of a great many persons in the
street. Could not hear any thing that was said. Thinks the
persons in the parlour might have heard better than he could
below. Cannot say whether there were one hundred stones
thrown, or not, or what number. We had a little beer, not
very strong beer ; it might have been ale. Had no beer from
any public-house ; had not more than a pint altogether ; had it
out of a horn. Did not hear the servants say any thing after all
was over. None of the servants was with us at the kitchen
door. The Horse-Guards came up as soon as we got up stairs.
The corporal did not order us to do any thing after we
came up.
Jury. During the time you were at the kitchen door, was
there any report of a pistol as having been fired down the area
of the kitchen ?
Witness. None whatever.
Jury. No rattling of shot down the area, as if fired from
above?
Witness. None.
There were a great many stones thrown, they broke the
shutters open several times.
One of the Jury stated that the shutters of the house were not
broken they were not destroyed.
Never heard any body fire into the area. To the best of my
knowledge no person fired into the area. If any person had
fired into the area from the parlour window, witness must have
heard it. I cannot tell exactly when the firing began. Graves
was stationed with me. When I came up, the parlour was all
dark. Cannot tell who was then in the parlour. Cannot.tell
who the men were that were stationed in the parlour, nor
which men were at the hall door. The butler gave us the
beer. Cannot tell whether it was the man that had the pistol.
Did not see any man with a pistol. Cannot tell how the par-
lour window shutters were fastened. Saw them when he came
up. Did not see them broke one was broken.
A Juryman stated that the pannels of the shutters seemed
about three-eighths of an inch thick.
Received and returned twenty-one rounds of ball cartridge
entire. Returned them to Jones, the armourer. My comrade
never fired whilst we were at the kitchen door. Nobody came
down to us during the time we were stationed there.
The Jury requested that JONES, the Armourer , might be
sent for. i; ^
We returned our ammunition in the pouches to the Ar-
mourer. It is the duty of the corporal to see the ammunition
returned. It is the duty of the corporal of the company. It
was not his duty.
A Letter being delivered to the CORONER, by the Constable,
from the HON. JOHN FREDERICK ROBINSON, M. P. who was
waiting outside the Inquest Room, the Coroner read it to the
Jury. The following is a
(COPY.)
Monday, March 20, 1815. .
" SIR,
" Having understood that, in the course of the
Inquest held before you on Saturday last, several questions
were asked of my servants in which my name was mentioned,
I feel it to be my duty to offer myself to you and to the Jury,
in order to give any explanation that may be required upon the
subject. I should wish, also, to state to the Jury some cir-
cumstances connected with the state of my house, previous to
the different attacks upon it, which appear to me not to be
immaterial to the justice of the case.
23
11 1 request lo be favoured with an answer, and to know
whether my testimony is to be admitted or not.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
T. ROBINSON.
Addressed to the Coroner.
The Jury ordered Mr. Robinson to be admitted.
MR. ROBINSON'S INTERVIEW WITH THE JURY.
Mr. ROBINSON entered the room attended by a gentleman
who expressed some doubt as to the propriety of his ap-
pearance.
The CORONER said there could be no deubt of his right to be
present if he thought proper, that it was an open Court, into
which any person might come that chose. He could not pre-
vent any person coming in it was an open Court. The
gentleman seated himself for a minute or two, and then with-
drew.
Mr. ROBINSON alluded to his letter to the Coroner, and said
he came in consequence of some questions having been asked of
his servants, on Saturday, respecting what had taken place
between him and them before the accident, and that he wished,
himself, to explain and state to the Jury every thing in his
power.
Mr. BR AM WELL, the Foreman, stated to Mr. Robinson,
that he had inquired of Mr. Robinson's servant what particular
conversation had taken place, on Tuesday, between Mr. Robin-
son and the servant.
Mr. ROBINSON delivered himself in words to the following
effect.
" I cannot recollect any particular conversation that took
place. I presume that I am asked to state the particulars of
what took place that morning (Tuesday) and the preceding
evening. I think I saw the servant in the morning of Tuesday,
who stated that the people had attacked the house that morn-
ing, that they had entered it, and destroyed a figure up stairs
in the window.
" I wished to state the cause of the house being attacked,
and the reason of my application to the Secretary of State for
protection. It was for the purpose of informing the Jury to
this effect, that I certainly did desire my servant Ripley to state
to the Jury, what took place on the Monday, which I understood
he did. "
The Jury said that RIPLEY had not himself acquainted them
with any thing of the sort.
24
The Coroner said that he had taken the deposition of Ripley
to that effect, which he had read over to them.
The Jury replied that the deposition was not taken in their
presence ; that what had been read to them had been written
before the business of the Inquest commenced, on the first day
(Saturday), that it was taken; when they were not present; and
consequently when they had no opportunity of examining or put-
ting questions to Ripley.
Mr. Robinson resumed,
" I had reason to believe, in the course of the Monday,
from common report, from no particular information, that there
would be disturbances in the town. I removed my wife that
morning, I had previously settled with her that she should be
removed ; on stating to RIPLEY that I should not come home
that night, I said don't alarm yourself or your fellow servants.
Take no particular precautions, I do not suppose they will do
me any mischief, only keep at home, and don't be out of the
way; don't shut up the windows earlier than usual, but be in
the way, and look to the door. I only expected my windows to
be broken, and had made up my mind to the consequent trifling
expense.
" Whilst I was at the House of Commons, that evening, I
was informed by a Member, that he had met a mob, who
said they were " going to break Mr. Robinson's windows."
Not long after I had more particular information. I learned
afterward that the mob not only broke the windows of the house,
but the railings, which they used against it; that with the stones
of the railings and the steps, they had attacked and entered the
house, and broken two chairs and a table in the hall, the pieces
of which they also used to finish the breaking of the windows.
I learned too that the troops had come up, and the people dis-
persed.
" Finding that the attack on my house was of a very different
kind from what I expected, that the mob desired to avenge them-
selves on me personally, I thought it my duty, whilst in the
House of Commons, to write to the Secretary of State, which I
did, stating the particulars, and that for ought I knew, my pro-
perty, and the property and lives of my servants were in dan-
ger, and I requested that a military force might be sent to my
house for the protection of my property and the lives of my ser-
vants. I did this under the persuasion that without such pro-
tection there was no security. I received no answer from Lord
Sidmouth, but I understood, that on information being receivr
ed from Burlington-street, that Lord Sidmouth had sent troops
previous to the receipt of my letter.
" The next morning, at tea, my Butler came to me, and
stated the dilapidation and the threats against me personally,
and against the lives of the servants also. He also informed
me, that between nine and ten that morning, the mob had again
attacked the house ; that they had used extreme violence, and
had attempted to force open the house; that the soldiers, who
had been sent the night before, had withdrawn at day light; and
that no one was at the house to protect it, from that time until
the time he came to me. Very soon after, the footman came,
and informed me, that after Ripley had left the house, the mob
had succeeded in breaking into it ; that an actual entrance had
been effected soon after Ripley left. In consequence of this in-
formation, and the apprehension of the servants, I felt it my
duty to write again to the Secretary of State for some soldiers,
and desired him to take care, that whatever force was sent there,
should be kept there permanently. It being my decided opi-
nion, that if they were not there permanently, neither the pro-
perty nor the lives of the servants would be safe.
Jury. " Why did you not call in the civil power?"
Mr. Robinson. " My expectations were, that it was abso-
lutely necessary to have both civil and military protection, and
I did think, that no protection other than that would have been
sufficient for the protection of my property and the lives of my
servants. I certainly did think it my duty to afford them my
protection.
" In the course of the morning I told the footman to take
care that the soldiers were placed in the house. I believe I
told them both, both Ripley and Sutton ; and my reasons for
desiring that the soldiers should be placed in the house, were
these in the first place, as they were sent for my protection, I
thought they were entitled to the shelter of my roof; and in the
second place, as the iron railing, in front of the house, had been
totally destroyed, and as the door, which had been forced open,
had been barricadoed subsequently, as well as the means would
allow, it appeared to be perfectly clear, that if any attack were
made on the house, as I apprehended, and the soldiers had
been placed outside of the house, and they had been attack-
ed by superior numbers, they could not have afforded protection
to the house, and would have had no retreat from superior
numbers, who might press upon them.
Jury. * Then of course we are to understand that you gave
orders to call in the soldiers?"
Mr. Robinson. " Most undoubtedly I did. I believe I
told both Ripley and the footman, that in my opinion they
ought to be inside in the house."
The Coroner having proceeded in committing to paper por-
tions of Mr. Robinson's statement, a Juryman suggested, that it
would not be proper to take any part as evidence that was
merely hearsay, and that he conceived they could only receive
c 2
as evidence, what Mr. Robinson himself actually knew. The
Jury concurred in this opinion, and wished that part of Mr.
Robinson's communication to be expunged, which could not be
admitted as evidence in a court of law;
Mr. ROBINSON resumed,
" I wish it to be distinctly understood why I came here.
I certainly feel that I am placed in a situation of peculiar de-
licacy finding, that on the former Inquest (Vyse's) no state-
ment was permitted from the servants, as to the attack of the
preceding night (Monday), and that the evidence of a woman was
received as to some supposed expressions of my servants on
Monday night, or Tuesday morning, I thought it was essential
to fair dealing, that it should be stated what had taken place
the night before the accident ; that the transactions of Monday
night should be stated, as the soldiers were sent in consequence
of what took place then, and on Tuesday morning, in conse-
quence of my requesting that a permanent protection might be
sent there,"
A Juryman stated, that at half-past ten or eleven on Tues-
day morning, he had seen the Horse Guards in the streets.
Mr. Robinson. There were horse-soldiers in the street, but
that was not the kind of guard I wished to have ; the Cavalry
were for the protection of the street, I wished to have Infantry
for the protection of the house and I thought it extremely
strange that the Infantry were withdrawn.
Jury. " Do you occupy the whole of the house ?"
Mr. Robinson, " I occupy the whole of the house it does
not belong to me."
The Jury thought that as Mr. Robinson's statement related to
the Monday and the Tuesday morning, it could not be evidence ;
that their concern was with the business of Tuesday evening.
Coroner. " This is a court to take evidence on both sides."
The Jury acquiesced, but contended, that they had only to
inquire touching the death of the deceased, which had taken
place after the Horse- Guards left the street on Tuesday night
at past Nine o'clock.
Coroner. " I confess that I do not agree in opinion with
.either the present or the former Jury I think the Tuesday was
a continuation of the Riot on the former evening [Monday],
and that it was all one act."
A Juryman stated, that the Cavalry had been in the street
nearly the whole of Tuesday that he had been at each end of
the street, and they would not permit any person to enter the
street without his being attended by a soldier to the particular
house he wished to go to in the street.
The Jury told Mr. Robinson that they thought his statement
27
as to the Monday night and Tuesday morning could not be re-
ceived as evidence, but they wished to give him every oppor-
tunity of explanation, and particularly as to the conversation
he had with his servants in the course of Tuesday.
Mr. Robinson said, that he would, if he could recollect all
that took place, but he really could not recollect what took place,
he no doubt inquired what had occurred he no doubt expressed
himself very warmly he certainly wished to learn all that he
could understand of the affair at his house. Mr. Robinson
could not give tbe Jury any further particulars of the conversa-
tion. He had nothing' to conceal, but could not remember any
thing else.
Jury. " Did you give orders for the Military to come in?"
Mr. Robinson." Certainly I did."
Jury. " Did you give your servants orders to procure fire-
arms, or to load them?"
Mr. Robinson. " Certainly I did not. I had a double
barrell-gun fee. in pieces, and locked up; and if 1 had been in
the house, I should most certainly have armed myself."
Jury. Do you conceive that your servants were at liberty to
arm themselves the people for instance that merely opened
and shut your door?
Air. Robinson. " In my opinion the servants did right to
arm themselves, the propriety or impropriety depends on cir-
cumstances."
Jury. " In your opinion as a Senator, as a Member of
Parliament, do you think that your servants were justified in
going to Lord Buckinghamshire's, and getting shot and fire-arms
to fire on twenty or thirty people before your door?"
Mr. Robinson proceeded to answer this question, but seeing
the Reporter of this account of the proceedings before the Inquest,
who sat at his elbow, taking down the answer, he begged, that
as it formed no part of the evidence, his mere opinion might
not be committed to writing. The Reporter acquiesced in Mr.
Robinson's wish, and that gentleman concluded by expressing
his opinion.
In answer to questions by the Jury, Mr Robinson said as
follows. I never gave my servants orders to procure shot. I
certainly did desire that there should be soldiers in the house
with fire-arms, I did expect that the house would be attacked
with a view to gain an entry, and in my opinion an attack on
the door is an attempt to commit felony. It is impossible to
detail a particular conversation with the servants.
Jury. " Did the Footman tell you that he had got fire-arms
from Lord Buckinghamshire's."
Mr. Robinson. " I cannot recollect."
Jury. " Or any shot ?
Mr. Robinson." I cannot say." " I have no doubt that
28
I said the house ought to have been defended. I did order the
soldiers to have refreshment."
Jury. As you have been at the house since Tuesday, you can
probably say what is the state of ihe window-shutters they
were broken open it appears what is their present condition?
Mr. Robinson. " They are cracked."
Mr. Robinson replied as follows to other questions put by the
Jury.
The window-shutters are cracked Some of the pannels are
cracked They were forced open. There are no holes in the
shutters through which anything could be thrown. The fasten-
ings to the shutters are a sort of common fastening. Cannot
tell precisely what kind of fastenings. Cannot say any thing
about ihe fastenings in particular.
The Jury asked Mr. Robinson, if he himself really supposed
there could have been what could be called Riot, when Ripley
himself had gone into the crowd, and taken a man out of it,
from among the rest of the people, and carried him away?
Mr. Robinson. " Ripley told me that he had taken a man
into custody, and that he had been obliged to let him go."
The Jury said, that Ripley had taken the man into Clifford
street, where he let him go, upon condition that he acknow-
ledged he threw a stone, and would not do so any more.
The Jury pressed upon Mr. Robinson the unreasonableness of
supposing such a kind of assemblage at that time as could have
been considered riotous, or generally ill disposed.
Jury. Did Ripley tell you he had addressed the mob?
Mr. R. He did say that he did put his head out of window
and address the mob.
The Jury said they were obliged to Mr. Robinson for what
he had said.
Mr. Coroner presumed Mr. Robinson's deposition might be
taken.
The Jury said that the greatest part of what Mr. Robinson
had related, was not evidence.
Mr. R. "If you heard one person as to what passed before
Tuesday, I think you ought to take ray evidence. I understand
questions were put to my servants relative to circumstances be-
fore Tuesday, and I did think that I ought to give what evi-
dence I could relative to the former transactions."
A conversation ensued between Mr. Robinson and the Jury,
in the course of which Mr. Robinson repeated, that in the second
letter he had addressed to Lord Sidmoulh, that of Tuesday, he
had requested that whatever protection was sent to his house
should be there permanently.
" For the soldiers being in my house on Tuesday night, the
whole responsibility rests on myself and Lord Sidmoulh."
A juryman, said that Mr. Robinson might, if he had thought
29
proper, have filled his house with military ; the business of
the Jury was to inquire how the military in his house had con-
ducted themselves ; and to determine from the evidence, whe-
ther whilst they were there, they had not committed murder.
The Coroner said, that the affairs of Monday and Tuesday,
were one continued act of riot, in his opinion.
The Foreman said that the Jury were not to be dictated to.
They should, according to the best of their ability, upon their
oath, determine how the deceased had come by her death, and
declare it by their verdict.
Mr. Robinson adverted to the evidence of his servants, and
in particular to that of Ripley ; when [the Jurymen observed
to Mr. Robinson, that his servants came prepared to give them
every information, but what they wanted, and had so evaded,
equivocated, and prevaricated, that if such evidence had been
given at the bar of the House of Commons, they would have
been committed.
Mr. Robinson withdrew. As soon as Mr. Robinson had
left the room, the Jury said, that as his coming there was for
the purpose of explaining and relating the conversation he had
with his servants, and as when they wished for the particulars
of the conversation, he related nothing, they concurred in opi-
nion, that his appearance there was attended with no advantage
to their inquiry.
WILLIAM GRAVES,
Private in the 3d regiment of Foot Guards, sworn.
The Witness was stationed, on Tuesday evening, the 7th of
March, at the bottom of Mr. Robinson's house. It was about
six when witness first went in. He had twenty-one rounds of
ball cartridge with him. He was not ordered to fire, and did
not fire. His comrade was George Ulph. No servants were
there. He had one horn of beer. Was at supper when the row
began, and the soldiers were called up to go to the kitchen door.
Whilst there, a great many stones were thrown. Heard no re-
port of a gun coming down the area. Cannot tell what time
he went to the area door. Was stationed there about an hour,
when Herbert called us up. He is a soldier. Herbert
was stationed up stairs. He was the man that called us
up. He said himself that he called us up. I asked the cor-
poral if he called us, he said no. Did not see any of Mr.
Robinson's servants, until after the Horse Guards came up.
Saw them in the parlour after the firing. Heard " murder"
cried whilst down stairs. Heard the people say, " If we did
not open the door, they would break it open and murder us."
Thought they would have murdered us. Cannot say how many
30
were outside. Had two horns of beer after the firing, during
the night. Heard no disposition to riot whilst eating and drink-
ing.
Jury. At what hour was it the people said they would
break in, and murder you?
Withess. I think it was about half-past seven.
It was about a quarter of an hour before the firing. Has no
idea as to what time it was. Cannot say what time it was.
Cannot tell how long it was. (Reminded of his knowledge of
time as a soldier).
The witness being very much agitated, was desired to collect
himself, and keep cool.
Thinks it might be an hour, or not more than an hour and a
quarter after he was stationed, that he heard the people say they
would break in, and murder the people inside.
Had twenty-one rounds of ball cartridge, returned twenty
rounds. He drew his charge at the armoury. The armourer
saw him draw it. It was blank. He has the ball at home now.
It was not the business of the corporal on duty with them that
day to see to the ammunition of the soldiers. He did not be-
long to the same company. Cannot tell whether any person
fired into the area. Does not know whether any pistol was fired
down into the area from the parlour window, or not. Thinks
if a pistol had been fired down from the parlour window above in-
to the area, he should have heard it. He did not hear any, and
therefore does not believe that any was fired down. If two
persons at the parlour window fired together, and one fired di-
rectly straight forward, and the other down the area, he thinks
he should have heard the difference. Did not hear any person
in the area. Stones were thrown down the area. Did not see any
soldier in a foraging cap. Is certain of it. Cannot say but that
one of the men up stairs might have had a foraging cap on.
Cannot tell which were the two men stationed in the dining
room up stairs. Herbert, Mathews, Pawley, and Clements
were stationed up stairs, but cannot positively say at what parts.
JOSEPH PAWLEY,
Private in the 6lh company, \sl battalion 3d regt. of Foot
Guards, sworn.
The witness does not know the name of the Captain of the
company. Knows him very well, but does not know his name.
The officers are changed very often. Entered Mr. Robinson's
house on Tuesday, the 7th of March, about six or seven o'clock,
about three quarters of an hour before he was stationed. When
he went in first he sat down. Had a horn of beer. Had a
mouthful of victuals. Was stationed at the door with Clements.
31
Was there a very few minutes, when a great number of stonei
were thrown against the street door. Thinks it was about seven
o'clock. .It continued some time. About half an hour or bet-
ter, at intervals. Heard a voice cry out " open the door. If
you don't open it, we'll break through, and destroy the house and
you to." They were knocking at the door, at the rapper, some
with stones. Seemed to be a great many. Thought his life
was in danger. This was about a quarter of an hour. It was
not at the time of the firing. Never fired off his piece. Wit-
ness loaded. Had twenty-one rounds of ball cartridge. Loaded
with powder only. Saw Mr. Robinson's servants occasionally
in the passage. Returned twenty full rounds, and a ball.
Did not hear them in the parlour. Cannot tell where the but-
ler was. Cannot tell whether the corporal ordered witness to
load. Witness is sure he bit off the ball. Corporal ordered
witness to load with blank cartridge. Witness's comrade fired
blank through the fan-light. The corporal did not see him
draw his charge. The corporal was gone to the magistrate.
The other soldiers were present, and saw him draw his charge.
Cannot tell when the firing was in the parlour. Witness's
comrade had not fired through the fan-light when he heard the
cry of " Murder." It was not till after the cry that he fired.
Thinks the firing was about nine. Cannot read or write. Un-
loaded his musket by reversing it. Powder fell out. It was
in the street he unloaded it. Did not stoop down to pick it up.
Returned twenty-one' rounds to the armoury. Fifteen to the
corporal of the pioneers, and six to the armourer. Gave in the
one ball as a charge. Always gives ammunition to the pibueeer
corporal when he has an extra quantity. Had fifteen rounds
from the Sergeant, and six from the non-commissioned officer
he fell in with in the morning ; gave fourteen complete rounds
and a ball without cartridge to the Pioneer Corporal ; when
ordered into the street, stood abreast; the Corporal was away
about half an hour with the Magistrate the Magistrate took
him away The Magistrate with his officers took him away I
should have fired if they had oppressed us, and broken in I did
not fire because I was not oppressed The Corporal ordered us
to prime and load, but did not order us to fire Witness said
nothing to his comrade when he fired through the fan-light, nor
did his comrade say any thing to him Witness had his bayonet
in the scabbard when his comrade fired does not know
whether his comrade at the time he fired had his bayonet on or
not.
WILLIAM CLEMENTS,
Private in the 3d Res,, of Foot-Guards, sworn.
if
The witness went into Mr. Robinson's house about 6 o'clock:
all went into the back kitchen. The servant took us down to
shew us where to put our things : the first thing we had was
one horn of beer a piece. Sat there about two hours. The
man-servant took us all up stairs, and shewed us where we
were to be stationed. He took the whole up, and shewed us to
our different stations. Witness was stationed in the passage at
the street-door, with Joseph Pawley: was stationed by the
corporal and the servant. Ulph and Graves were stationed
below : Herbert and Mathews were stationed in the parlour.
We were only taken there te be shewn our places, and then we
went down stairs again. We sat for some little time, perhaps
near half an hour, and then we had something to eat some
bread and beef, and mutton. We had nothing to drink then.
Before we had done eating, we were called up. All went to
their stations. A crowd was round the door. Gould hear
they were there, by the brickbats and stones thrown at the
windows and the door. Could tell there were brickbats thrown,
by what came in through the fan-light. This continued for per-
haps an hour not constantly. It was about 8, or a quarter
past 8, when witness was called to his station. The shutters
were broken in : I could hear them whilst I was in the
passage.
[Mr. GELL, the Coroner, came in, and remained about an
hour, and then went away.]
Witness heard a gun go off from the parlour after the throw-
ing had been about half an hour, or more. Cannot say whether
it was a musket or a pistol. Was certain it went off from the
parlour. Witness then wenHnto the parlour to see what had
happened: remained there two or three minutes. Cannot tell
what conversation passed. The corporal, and Mathews and
Herbert were there. The servant was in the parlour who had
stationed them there.
[Mr. Robinson's butler, footman, and groom, were then
ordered into the Inquest-room, and the witness identified
JAMES RIPLEY, the butler, as having stationed the sol-
diers.]
Witness does not know who fired. Saw no pistol. The
corporal and the two soldiers had their muskets in their hands.
In a few minutes after the witness had returned to his station,
the mob came up, and threw stones and brickbats, as before,
into the passage. It continued about 10 or 15 minutes. I got
no blow from any thing, but something dropped on my arm.
33
Heard a voice say, from outside the door, " Let us begin and
pull the house down." Some one made answer, and said,
" So we will." The people who spoke were close to the door.
Stones might have fallen upon those who said so. Witness then
heard something like pulling up of stones or bricks outside the
door. Witness then levelled his piece through the fan-light,
and fired it. It was only loaded with powder. I cannot say
whether I fired first : there were three or four went off nearly
at once from the parlour. Was induced to level his piece,
from believing they were going to pull the house down. Can-
not tell how many stones were in the passage : did not count
them. Cannot tell how many brickbats were there. Did not
see a bit of brick so big as a half brick. Cannot tell how much
the stones and things thrown would make whether a wheel-
barrow full, or a bushel-basket full, or how many cannot tell
at all.
The armourer, Thomas Jones, gave witness six rounds of
ball-cartridge; first Herbert gave him six, Sergeant Massey
gave him six; witness left his ammunition in the armourer's
room in the pouch, no particular men were present ; the armourer
ought to have been there to receive the ammunition, but was
not ; left nineteen cartridge and two balls in his pouch did not
unload his piece at the street door recollects some man trying
to unload his gun, he reversed it on the ground as if to throw
out the powder ; did not see the man stoop to pick any thing up
should not have fired ball unless the door had been broken open,
and he had been obligated to fire. People were at the door when
witness fired. The corporal ordered us whatever we did not to fire
off with ball, he desired us to bite off the balls ; witness cannot
tell whether he fired off first or not ; the pieces fired so near to-
gether, he cannot tell which fired first ; there were three or
four fired including his own witness p<imed and loaded again,
loaded again with pnwHer; did not fire with ball, because he
had not orders knew himself better than to fire ball without
orders. It is very easy for a man to put in a ball, if he is
obligated to fire with ball. Is certain Pawley did not fire ; the
Horse-Guards came up and cleared the streets. In a minute after
the firing, heard " Murder" called. When witness fired he
was close to the door, and levelled upwards through the fan-
light. There was no firing but by the witness, and from the
parlour.
THOMAS WHITE,
Of 39, Broad-street, Carnaby market, Cabinet-maker, sworn,
On Tuesday evening, the 7th of March, witness went into
Old Burlington-street about ten o'clock, a few minutes before
34
or after. Walked through the street, from curiosity, to see
what havoc the public had made at Mr. Robinson's house.
Went to the front of the house. A dozen or fourteen persons
were directly opposite to Mr. Robinson's house, on the same
side of the way. They were not on the pavement, but as near
to the kirb-stone as possible. They were apparently men and
lads. Some were lads. Witness believes there were persons
passing and repassing on the opposite side of the way. Those
on the opposite side the way appeared to be merely passing
and repassing, but could not exactly say, it beiag rather dark.
Some of these twelve or fourteen persons were talking to a
soldier and a person in coloured clothes at the window next
door. They were tantalizing the soldiers in consequence of
a gun having been previously fired. They said to them, u you
had better load, or charge, with e'ghly shillings" The soldier
spoke in a very brutish savage kind of way, " you had better
mind what you are about," or " how you conduct yourself,
or you will find to the contrary." He said this, or words to
that effect. Witness then immediately went, in an oblique
direction, towards Burlington Gardens ; and before he had
got three parts of the way across the road obliquely, witness
heard a small stone, or bit of brick, or something of that kind,
thrown against the house ; it sounded as if against the sashes
or shutters, and witness instantly heard the report of three guns
or pieces ; two nearly together, and one almost momentarily
afterwards. Instantly, as I. stepped on the kirb the deceased
dropt directly before me, at the distance of about thirty yards,
in an oblique direction from Mr. Robinson's house. The
soldier that spoke seemed intoxicated he seemed so by his
speech. He had his gun levelled on the window sill. There
was a person in plain clothes at his right, shorter in size than
the soldier. The gun was not presented as if it was aimed at
any person in particular, \\\\t the bayonet wac fivp.H, and I did
not see it at first, but the moment I did I went away instantly,
for the soldier spoke in. a savage brutal manner, and I really
was afraid of some mischief happening. I saw no disposition
to riot. There was no body of people to make it. The right
hand parlour window shutter was open. There was another
soldier in the room, and a light in the back parlour, and some
persons there. Witness heard at the moment that there was
a man shot at the other end of the street.
The JURY ADJOURNED at a little before six o'clock until half
past seven precisely, when they again assembled.
35
ROBERT PACK,
Under butler to Lord Buckinghamshire, in Hamilton-place,
Piccadilly, parish of St. George, sworn.
Knows nothing of the death of the deceased. Knows James
Ripley and William Sutton, servants to Mr. Robinson. Saw
William Sutton, footman to Mr. Robinson, at Lord Bucking-
hamshire's house on Tuesday morning, before twelve o'clock.
Had no particular conversation with him, except about some
shot Sutton asked witness to give him. Witness had a
bag of shot, of the size uf peas, in his hand when Sutton
came to the house. Witness was then loading a brace of
pistols belonging to Lord Buckinghamshire. Su ton never said
a word to witness about any thing that happened at Mr. Ro-
binson's the night before. Sutton asked witness to give him
some of the shot. Witness never loaded those pistols before.
He always had a brace of pistols of his own loaded. Witness
does not know how it was, but so it was that he loaded the
butler's pistols that day. Does not know whether Sutton
saw him loading the pistols. When Sutton came, witness had
loaded the brace of pistols. The pistols were not in the room
when Sutton came to witness for the shot. Witness was in the
pantry when Sutton asked for the shot. It is usual for witness
to put the shot away with the pistols, on loading the pistols,
immediately. Witness, to the best of his knowledge, was put-
ting away the shot when Sutton came in. Does not recollect any
thing that passed, but Sutton asking witness to give him some of
the shot. Cannot at all say what quantity. To the best of
witness's knowledge, not more than two dozen. Put them in
a bit of paper. Sutton never said any thing of the purpose for
which he wanted them. He said " will you give me some of
those shot ?" and I gave them to him. I really did not ask him
what he was going to do with it. Saw Sutton this morning.
Sutton borrowed no pistol of me, nor did James Ripley. The
witness was most particularly pressed respecting the conver-
sation between him and Sutton, and particularly as to whether
Sutton had not said any thing whatever respecting what had
taken place at Mr. Robinson's the night before, but the witness
positively denied that Sutton had said any thing about the affair
at Mr. Robinson's.
WILLIAM SUTTON,
Footman to Mr. Robinson, re-examined.
. Witness borrowed the pistol from Lord Buckinghamshire's
butler. Witness took a note to Lady Buckinghamshire, and
36
JRipley \gzvt witness a note to MITCHEL, the butler, in con-
sequence of which he gave witness the pistol. The note was
to borrow the pistol. Witness asked the under butler for the
shot. He had not the shot. The under butler went for it.
He went for it into another room. Witness knew the under
butler had shot, because he saw him with some when witness
was there before in the course of the day. Witness had been
backwards and forwards all day with notes. Cannot say what
time he went there first, nor where he saw the shot. It was
somewhere at the lower part of the house. Saw the under
butler with the shot. It was in a bag. Witness knew it was"
shot. Saw the under butler teeming the shot up and down in
his hand. Cannot tell how many shot he had. Cannot tell at
all Not how many dozen. Not whether it was a tea-cup
full. Cannot tell any thing of the quantity. Cannot tell what
pocket he put them into, whether the waistcoat pocket, or the
coat pocket, or the breeches pocket.
The shutters were nailed up, a carpenter nailed them up.
They were fastened up and nailed up. Cannot tell whether
they were barred. They were barred up. Therrott was the
carpenter who nailed them up. Cannot tell who used to bar
the shutters up at night. Will not swear what kind of bars
they are.
The Jury proposed that the soldiers should be called up, for
the witness to point out the man to whom he gave the shot,
and whom he saw load his piece with it, and fire out of the win-
dow. The Witness inquired whether all the soldiers had been
examined. The Jury desired to know of the witness, his
reason for the inquiry. He said, that he did not know whether
he should be doing right in pointing out the man, and requested
to be informed, by the Coroner, if it was proper. The Co-
roner said, certainly, if he knew the man; and all the soldiers
having entered the room, the witness pointed out RICHARD
MATHEWS.
I saw him, Mathews, go to the window, and discharge his
piece, after he had loaded it with the shot I gave him. Can-
not say whether any other man had shot in his gun, but
Mathews. Cannot say how many shot he gave him. Mathews
fired both the pistol and his own piece, he fired them nearly
together. Does not think Mathews was at all intoxicated.
Certainly not from what witness had given him, or seen
given him. Believes Ripley was in the room when the shot
was fired : when Mathews took the pistol out of Ripley's hand,
he fired it so immediately that witness thinks it impossible that
Ripley could have left the room. Heard the reports of guns
at the same time that Mathews fired the pistol and gun.
Mathews fired the pistol and gun. Never saw Ripley fire but
once, 'when he fired it down the area. It was loaded with
shot. It was fired twenty minutes before the last firing. The
pistol was loaded when Mathews took it out of Ripley's hand.
The different pieces went off as near as possible together. There
were three or four, they went off " clap, clap," as quick as pos-
sible. Cannot say whether three or four went off. Mathews
fired both off almost together. He fired so quick together that
witness really cannot say which he fired first.
ROBERT PACK'S
Examination resumed.
. ; .'jt
Never saw Sutton more than once on Tuesday morning. Not
more than once that day. He might have been at the house,
and witness not have seen him.
The butler came to witness after he was a-bed on Monday
night, about twenty minutes or half-past ten. He said he
wanted the pistol I had in the cupboard, and I got up and gave
it him. It is a pistol used by a footman when he rides post,
a holster pistol. The butler did not tell him what it was for.
Nothing passed at all. Really does not recollect a word pass-
ing between Sutton and witness when the shot was given. Saw
Sutton to-day, but no conversation took place respecting the
business of his coming here. It was one of the pistols that
witness constantly had in the pantry with him. Should
know it.
THOMAS JONES,
No. 10, Castle Yard, Westminster, in the Parish of St.
Margaret's, Sworn.
Witness has the charge of the arms and accoutrements be-
longing to Col. Stewart's company. Cannot state the number
of ball-cartridges he delivered out. It was the duty of the
corporal to take account of the ammunition. Remembers de-
livering ammunition to the six soldiers, but cannot tell how
much. It is impossible for him to recollect. He kept no
account. The men were not on regular duty. Upon regular
duty always kept an account of the ammunition. George
Ulph's piece, No. 626, was never fired off. There was one
other piece that had not been fired, but cannot tell which.
Herbert said, " I fired some blank cartridge," he said to the
witness, " it must be washed." Cannot tell whose pieces
had been fired out of; there had been four pieces fired out of.
The corporal did not belong to my company, I had nothing
to do with his piece. Is sure there were four out of the six
38
pieces fired out of. Had no corporal in the way but himself,
and cannot say what ammunition he delivered out. Took no
account of it. Upon my oath, two of the pieces had not been
fired, and four of the pieces had been fired. If a man had
drawn his charge, it would have been different from a piece
that had been fired. When upon regular duty a regular ac-
count is kept. If any is missing, then, it must be paid for.
It must be paid for by the man who is deficient. This was not
regular duty. There were a great many men out that night,
and witness had to give ammunition to all. To some he gave
sixteen, some twenty, some twenty-four rounds, just as they
wanted it. It is quite impossible for him to say what he re-
ceived back from any man.
RICHARD BURTON, Corporal,
Re-examined.
Did not see Mathews load with shot, or ask Sutton for it, or
take it, or see him with a pistol, or any body else with a
pistol, or a pistol at all. Cannot say which of Mr. Robinson's
servants was in the room at the last firing.
RICHARD WHITE,
39, Broad-Street, Garnaby Market, Sworn.
Went out with his brother to Old Burlington Street, at very
near ten o'clock, to see the outrages that had been committed
at Mr. Robinson's. There were very few people in
the street. There were fourteen or fifteen persons on the
pavement very near to the windows, they were on the pave-
ment. There was a soldier had a musket over the sill of the
window. The people said to him, " You will only fire eighty
shillings," or " Bullock's Blood," or something to that effect.
The soldier said if they did not mind, they would find to the
contrary, or to that effect. The words were hardly out of his
mouth, when witness heard a stone thrown against the house.
They fired instantly I went towards Burlington Street. I heard
a terrible cry of " Murder," and was afraid my brother was
killed. He saw his brother holding the woman's head between
his knees her friend was with her. Heard the Horse-Guards
coming in, and endeavoured to persuade his brother to go
away, as the Horse-Guards were then coming into the street.
There were a few persons at the end of the street as witness en-
tered it. The people did not appear disposed to be riotous.
When the woman dropped, three pieces went off. The
window shutters were not open at the window farthest from
the door, and, therefore, thinks it likely the guns were fired
59
from the window next door. Upon his oath, the window
shutters of the window farthest from the door were shut. Can-
not positively say that they were. The instant he heard the
first gun go off, he turned his back away, and went off. When
witness first went off, a soldier was at the window nearest the
door, with his musket levelled over the sill of the window,
and, I believe, there were two persons in coloured clothes
standing by him. Was exactly at the end of Mr. Robinson's
house when the first gun went off. Witness then made off as
quick as possible, and found his brother as before mentioned.
Witness and his brother then went away, and left the woman,
as he supposed, dead. The Horse-Guards were arriving a
the time.
THOMAS MITCHELL,
JSutler to the Earl of Buckinghamshire, sworn.
On Monday evening after the attack on Mr. Robinson's house,
witness received a note from Ripley, Mr. Robinson's butler,
brought by William Sutton, the footman, the purport of which
was, that if I had any fire arms, he requested I would send
them by the footman, as they had that night experienced a very
desperate attack at the door, and the windows were broken in,
and they had no arms of any kind to defend themselves, for
they expected another assault. On this witness went to Robert
Pack, the under butler, who has pistols for the protection of
Lord Buckinghamshire's plate and other property, and asked him
to give witness a pistol. I told him what had happened at Mr.
Robinson's. He got out and went to a closet, and took from it
a pistol, which he delivered to the witness, who gave it to Wil-
liam Sutton. (Witness looked at the pistol, believed it to be
the pistol, but could not positively swear to it.) It had been in
the under butler's possession many years. Does not recollect
what ammunition the under butler gave him. Saw Sutton once
on the Tuesday, but he might have been there several times
without witness seeing him.
The CONSTABLE was sent to Mr. Robinson's house for the
pistol, which he brought with him. It was loaded with pow-
der, and eight shot, of the same description as those produced
from the brain of EDWARD VYSE, upon the former inquest.
The constable had unloaded the pistol, and produced it, with
the powder and the shot loose.
40
ROBERT PACK, re-examined.
Does not recollect the last witness having told him any thing
respecting what had happened at Mr. Robinson's house, at the
time witness gave him the pistol. The witness was shewn the
pistol.
Witness. That is the pistol. It was loaded with powder
and shot.
The Jury seeming disposed to close their inquiry, the CORO-
NER proposed to close with the examination of the next witness.
WILLIAM HONE,
55, Fleet-street, Bookseller, sworn.
The Coroner produced the deposition of the witness before the
inquest on EDWARD VYSE, and asked him if he meant to vary it
at all. The witness answered in the negative, and the Coroner
read the deposition as evidence upon the present inquest.* The
witness added, that it 'was not inserted in the deposition, although
he had deposed, that had two horse soldiers, or the officers who
took the man into custody, as related in witness's deposition, been
in attendance, and done their duty in Burlington-street, they
could have cleared it of the people at any time the witness was
there.
The Jury wished to see MR. BRODIE the Surgeon of St.
George's Hospital, who was assisted in dissecting the brain of
the deceased, by THOMAS THOMPSON, whose evidence had been
received the first day. Mr. Brudie being sent for, the constable
returned with Mr. fhompson, who said, that Mr. Brodie was
not at the Hospital, and as it was then half-past eleven o'clock,
the Jury declined fetching him from his house in Sackville street,
but put some questions to Mr. Thompson, relative to the exami-
nation of the brain of the deceased. Mr. Thompson, in explana-
tion, said, that Mr. Brodie and himself had carefully examined
the brain of the deceased, and found no ball or shot, and the
witness had no douot whatever, of the wounds having been
produced by a discharge from fire-arms; but witness, who
is a young man, spoke with considerable diffidence as to the
kind of shot or ball which had made the perforations: upon
the whole, he believed that the wounds were inflicted by a ball,
and this persuasion was grounded on the very unusual density
and thickness of the deceased's skull, in that part, which lie
thought could not have been penetrated by shot.
* VYSE'S Report, p. 18.
41
At ten minutes before twelve o'clock at night, the Jury in-
timating to the Coroner that they did not require further
evidence, h proposed to read over the depositions ; but they
stated, that they had given close attention to the evidence, and
would not trouble him ; they merely required to be alone, for
the pwpose of considering their Verdict.
The Coroner expressed considerable regret, that his conduct
on receiving the Verdict brought in by the former Inquest on
EDWARD VYSE, had been misstated. It had been alleged, he
said, that he had with that Verdict received certain RESOLU-
TIONS of the Jury,* and he wished any gentlemen then present,
and he knew there were some, whs had witnessed the close of
that Inquest, would state what really did take place, and as far
as depended on themselves, contradict the erroneous allegation.
The Reporter of this account then said that he was present when
the Inquest on EDWARD VYSE gave their Verdict, and that, on
the Foreman having delivered the Verdict, he presented the
Resolutions on which the Jury had grounded it, which the Co-
roner declined receiving, saying all that he wanted was their Ver-
dict, he had nothing to do with their opinions. -f
The Coroner said, lie hoped that if the gentlemen of the pre-
sent Jury thought proper to come to any resolutions, that they
would see the propriety of not letting such resolutions meet his
eye, all that he could receive from them would be their Verdict,
whatever it might be ; as Coroner he could neither record or
notice any thins: else.
The Coroner and strangers then withdrew, and left the Jury
to deliberate at ten minutes before twelve o'Clock.
At half past twelve o Clock, the Jury announced to the Co-
roner that they were ready ; and when he entered the room,
the Foreman of the Inquest returned the following
VERDICT,
" Wilful Murder, against JAMES RlPLEY,
RICHARD MATHEWS, ROBERT HERBERT, and
RICHARD BURTON, by firing ball, or shot, from
and out of Fire-arms, from the windows of MR.
ROBINSON'S house in OLD BURLINGTON-STREET,
PICCADILLY."
* VYSE'S Report, p. 68.
t For the particulars at length, autl tie Resolutions alluded to, sec
also VYSE'S
42
When the Coroner had recorded the Verdict, he filled up a
warrant to the constable, committing the corporal and the two
soldiers to Tothill Fields priion, and authorizing the appre-
hension of James Ripley, the Butler, and his committal to the
same prison. Ripley had left the house when the Jury were
about to retire.
The following persons who had given evidence, were then
called,
1 'homos Thompson. William Clements.
William Sutton. Thomas White.
Amelia Davis. Robert Pack.
Philip Chaffey. Thomas Jones.
William Smith. Richard While.
George Ulph. Thomas Mitchell.
William Graves. William Hone.
Joseph Pawley.
They all answered to their names, and entered into recogni-
zances of Forty pounds each, to appear and give evidence at
the ensuing sessions ; and THE BEADLE of the Parish of St.
George^ Hanover-square^ was bound over on behalf of the
parish, then to prosecute RICHARD MATHEWS, Private in
the 6lh Company, 1st Battalion 3d Regiment of Fool Guards;
ROBERT HERBERT, Private in the same Company; RICH-
ARD BURTON, Corporal in the same Regiment, and JAMES
RIPLEY, Butler to the HON. JOHN FREDERICK RO-
BINSON, of OLD BURLINGTON STREET, on the Inquest's Ver-
dict of WILFUL MURDER.
The business having concluded about One o'clock in the
morning of Tuesday, the 21st of March, 1815,
THE COURT was dissolved by Proclamation.
THE END.
43
Just Published^ by William Hone, Bookseller, 55, Fleet-
street, in Svo. price 2s. 6d.
A CIRCUMSTANTIAL REPORT of the Extra-
ordinary evidence and proceedings before the CORO-
NER'S INQUEST, on the body of EDWARD VYSE,
who, on Tuesday evening, March 7, 1815, was SHOT
DEAD from the parlour windows of the House of the
Hon. Frederick Robinson, M. P. in Old Burlington-street.
Specially Reported, and Revised from minutes taken by
the Inquest, with the SURGEON'S REPORT, and other
Documents.
BY WILLIAM HONE,
ONE OF THE EVIDENCE.
TO THE READER.
HAVING been present in Old Burlington-Street on Tuesday
Evening, the 7th of March, at the time of the firing from the
windows of Mr. ROBINSON'S house, I was unexpectedly called
upon to give evidence before the Coroner's Inquest, and I was
the first witness examined upon the second day's sitting.
Mr. CELL, Jun., who examined all the witnesses after the
first day, after taking my deposition, in the presence of the
Coroner, and after I had subscribed my name to it, presented
me a blank sheet of paper, and requested that I would sign it
in the part he pointed out, towards the bottom corner of the
sheet.
I hesitated, and expressed a wish to know for what purpose
a blank paper was given me to sign.
44
Mr. CELL said, that it was a matter of form ; it was requi-
site that there should be a Copy of my Deposition signed by
myself; and still presenting me the blank sheet of paper, he
said, " You will sign this, and we shall put a Copy of your
Deposition upon it afterwards."
I said, " Sir, I cannot sign a blank paper. I will wait, if
you please, or I will wait upon you at any time, any where you
will have the goodness to name."
Mr. CELL. That will not do. It must be done here
now.
Myself. I am very sorry, but I cannot sign a blank paper.
It is impossible, and (turning to the jury) to say the least of it,
it is irregular.
Mr. CELL. Very well you must wait then.
After the lapse of about an hour, during a short pause in the
examination of a witness, I stood forward, and said :
*' Mr. Coroner, Sir. I beg pardon for the interruption,
but I have particular business, and if you will permit me to
withdraw, I will attend here again in an hour, or two hours, or
any where else, if you will permit me."
Mr. CELL. No. You must wait now. You must attend
the Inqutst till the business is over.
The inquest adjourning that evening, I was induced, on my
attendance on the following day, to take minutes of the proceed-
ings ; and in particular, to take down the "Testimony of the Wit-
nesses , in the words wherein they delivered themselves. This
I continued until the Verdict of the Coroner's Jury was re-
corded, after midnight, on Saturday, or rather on Sunday
morning, the 12th instant.
In doing this, I exerted myself to report every syllable that
was uttered in evidence, with scrupulous fidelity.
The preparation of that part of the report which embraces
the proceedings before I attended to be examined, and conse-
quently when I was not present, has been most essentially
assisted by the minutes of the Gentlemen of the Jury, which
they permitted me to use as I thought proper; and those
Gentlemen themselves have, upon my solicitation, personally
aided me in endeavouring to present a faithful report of the
proceedings of this important Inquest.
WILLIAM HONE.
J. M'Creery, Printer, Black-Horse Court
London.
CAL! F0% OF-CAL! FO/?
f,
1
