Children of Haddock Thomas and Grace Hughesdon

822. GEORGE LANCASTER was indicted for stealing, on the 15th of January, 1 bag, value 2d.; 6 sovereigns, 1 half-sovereign, and 2 shillings; the property of William Hughesdon, his master.

WILLIAM HUGHESDON. I am a smith and brass-founder, and live in Butcher-row, Deptford—the prisoner was in my service for upwards of four years. On Saturday, the 15th of January, I was at the Compasses public-house, and a little after nine o'clock I delivered to him six sovereigns and two shillings, and then gave him a half-sovereign to give to my daughter. I gave him a sample bag, counted the money over to him, and he put it into the bag. I told him to go home to my house, and get Mr. Ward's bill, and pay it, 6l. 1s. 9d., and leave a half-sovereign at home for my daughter. I saw no more of him till the Wednesday morning following, when I came down stairs, he was sitting in the kitchen. I said to him, "You scoundrel, get out of my place," and he went. I gave information, and that evening he was taken.

MARY ANN HUGHESDON. I am the prosecutor's daughter. The prisoner came to the house about ten o'clock on the 15th of January, and I gave him the bill, and the note of the men's wages, which was left with me—when I gave him the note, he said I was to send for all I wanted out of the money I had got. I had got 1l. 19s. of my own—he said it as if it was a message—he did not complain of losing any money—the men are paid at Ward's public-house—the note contains the particulars of what is to be paid to the men—my father keeps three men—the bill was not receipted as it is now when I gave it to the prisoner.

GEORGE WILSON. I am a policeman. I apprehended the prisoner in Butcher-row, Deptford, on Thursday, the 20th of January. I told him he was charged with stealing 6l. 12s., the money of his master, Mr. Hughesdon, and he must go with me to the station—in the way there he said his mother was gone to have some bills printed, and he hoped he should find it. I said, "Find what?"—he said, "The money,"—that he had lost it in Flagon-row, that he took a half-sovereign out of the bag, and let it drop between his fingers, he looked for it, but could not find it. I asked him if any person saw him looking for it—he said "No," he did not make his loss known, fearing anybody might pick it up and keep it—he said he then put his hand into his pocket and found the other money was gone—that he ran home directly, and told his mother he had lost a half-sovereign, and must have his clothes to pawn directly, to make up the money to give his master—I asked if he pawned them—he said "No," that he sold his hat the following morning for 2s.—if he was at the Compasses, and had to go to Butcher-row, Flagon-row would not be in his way—he would pass the end of it—he would go right through Flagon-row to go to Ward's from the Compasses, if he went there first—I found no money on him.

JAMES WARD. I keep the Fishing-smack public-house, in Old King-street, Deptford—I am in the habit of paying Hughesdon's men. On Saturday, the 15th of January, the prisoner did not bring me any money—he came there about seven o'clock in the evening, and brought me one roan's bill of 1l. 1s. 6d.—in addition to the amount in the bill he produced I had made out a bill on Friday night, and sent it to Hughesdon's house—he did not bring me the bill of 6l. 1s. 9d.—he brought me no money at all, nor did he complain of losing any—I paid the roan 1l. 7s. 6d. and said to the prisoner, "George, you have not brought the money"—he said, "No, master is not come home yet, but I will go and fetch him"—I saw him again about eight—he brought the other two men with their notes—I said again, "George, you have not brought the money"—he said, "Master has not come home"—I said, "Until your master sends the money, I won't pay any more"—he then went again to fetch the money, and did not return—I did not see him again till he was in custody.

Prisoner's Defence. I lost the money in Flagon-row, and could not make it up to repay my master—I took the half-sovereign out of the bag as I went along, because I should give it to my mistress—it must have got out of my hand—I was looking about for it, but could not find it—and when I looked into my pocket for the bag with the other money, it was gone—I went home and told my mother, and next morning went and told my mistress, but she would not believe me.

GUILTY . Aged 20. Recommended to mercy. Confined Six Months.

Mr. William Hughesdon, protesting against the undue advantage which had been used towards the Liberal party that day, said that the schemes of the Monopolists would be rendered abortive, for it was his fixed determination to appeal to the Lord Chancellor, as according to the donor's will this election ought to have taken place twelve months since, whereas it had been delayed up to this moment to serve the views of a few interested parties.

Mr Sandom, the vestry clerk (laughing): If you pursue that course it will only be putting money into the pockets of the lawyers.

Mr. Hughesdon: But not in yours though; we will take care of that.