[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 21 Dec 1816 - Local News (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 21 Dec 1816   (p. 2, col 6 and p. 3, col. 1-2 + 4)     [continued] 

 

Court Martial.—On Monday last, a Court Martial was held in St. Cuthbert's Lane, on Richard SPINK, a private belonging to the 13th
Light Dragoons quartered in this city; the charge was founded on the following circumstances, which were clearly proved:—Some time
previous to the escape of the prisoners from our gaol, (as related in our two last numbers) SPINK was on guard at night, before the
felons' cells, when one of the prisoners called to him and asked what time it was; having received an answer, the felon asked him if
there was any way of escape out of the gaol? SPINK replied that he did not know, the place was very strong. Other felons then joined
in the conversation, and they told the soldier that if they could get out they would not mind one hundred guineas; after learning
SPINK's name and where he was quartered, the conference ended  for that night.—A few days after this, a man and woman (HAMILTON's
wife) called at SPINK's  quarters and enquired after him; they gave him a letter from the felons in the gaol, and invited him to
adjourn to another public house to drink, which he did. There the man and woman produced twenty pounds in notes, and a silver watch,
which they gave him under a promise that he would connive at the escape of the felons on a certain night when he was to be on guard:
the plan was, that some persons were to come over the outer wall and rescue the prisoners, and that SPINK was to suffer himself to
be disarmed, bound hand and foot, and be left with marks of violence about him. All this he agreed to readily and took the money;
when the night came he mounted guard expecting the deliverers, but no rescue was attempted. A few days afterwards the man came to
him again at his quarters without the woman, and asked him for the money and watch, which he returned, but the man gave him five
pounds, desiring him to say that the rats had eaten the notes if the woman enquired for them:—this he also agreed to. Soon after
this the same persons together made another call on him and invited him to drink with them at a certain public house in Rickergate;
he went, and there found four men, who had iron wrenches, &c. in the corner of the room, which they told SPINK were for the purpose
of liberating the prisoners, and they craved his assistance as before, offering him twenty pounds for the trouble, which he
promised. However, this plan, it now appears, was relinquished for the one which succeeded so well, and HAMILTON's wife got the
Landlord of the Inn to apply to SPINK for the money, before the escape, which she thought he still retained; but he, true to his
instructions, answered—the rats had eaten the notes! He was threatened that his officers should be acquainted with his conduct, but
this was of no use; the rats had eaten the notes, and how could they be restored?—Subsequent events led to the discovery of these
facts, and being proved, SPINK was sentenced to receive 150 lashes, which punishment he underwent in the Castle, on Wednesday. 

 

LITTLE, one of the felons who escaped from our gaol, and whose re-capture we mentioned last week, was brought back here on Tuesday
night. When examined he was very impertinent, and gave no answer that could be relied on. He was apprehended at Millthrop, in
Westmorland, for a robbery, and immediately lodged in the house of correction at Kendal. No further intelligence has been received
of the three who remain at large. Great exertion has been made, and is making, to retake them. 

 

Fatal Accident.—As Sarah, the wife of J. FARLHAM, barber, of Wigton, was attending to the boiling of some potatoes, on Saturday
evening last, her clothes took fire, and before any one could arrive to her assistance she was nearly scorched to death, having
expired in a short time after. She was at the advanced age of eighty-four. 

 

Caution.—A few days ago, as one of the female servants of Thomas DIXON, Esq. of Calthwaite, was about to kindle the fire in the
morning, not being able to light a match from the tinder, she incautiously took from a shelf a paper, containing about three ounces
of gunpowder, and pouring some into the tinder-box, the whole exploded with a terrific noise, and severely scorched her and another
female servant; but we are happy to hear that both are in a fair way of recovery, and we sincerely hope this may be a caution, and
prevent servants in future from resorting to such a dangerous expedient to light fires. 

 

Relief of the Poor.—A meeting of the principal inhabitants of Whitehaven was holden on the 13th instant, at the Public Office in
Lowther-street, for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of the labouring poor, and the best and most
effectual means of affording them relief. Thomas HARTLEY, Esq. was called to the chair; and the business of the meeting proceeded
with the most perfect unanimity;—a Committee was chosen—Resolutions adopted—and Subscriptions opened.—The new works in the harbour,
we understand, will be begun immediately. 

 

The Whitehaven Paper, under the caution of "Beware of Counterfeits," noticing the liberation of Lord COCHRANE from prison through
the pence of the poor, says,—"But, notwithstanding this, there are people travelling, even in the northern parts of the kingdom,
begging for pennies, under what pretence, we know not; but, certain it is, that one of these 'emissaries of misrule' was in this
town last week, and intimated something about the County,—the County of Cumberland it was supposed,—having deemed itself in some
respect interested!!!—Who has ever heard of so mean a specimen of swindling, or so impudent an insult offered to Common Sense!" 

 

It is said that Messrs. POLLETT, BIRD, O'NEIL, and LITTLE, the convicts who lately escaped from our gaol, are about to open a penny
subscription to defray the expenses incurred by their late journey, and for the purpose of reimbursing the money spent in the
purchase of files, saws, &c. with which they cut off their irons! 

 

On Saturday last, was convicted before the Rev. T. LOWRY, D. D. and John HEYSHAM, Esq. John BOWMAN, of Warwick, in the penalty of
£5, for killing a Salmon after the season expired; and Isaac BOUSTEAD, of Rickerby, for a like offence, in the like penalty, and for
default of payment, was committed to the house of correction for three months. 

 

On Friday night, or early on Saturday morning last, the barn of Thomas STAGG, of Sowerby Hall, near Tarraby, was broken open, and
five pecks of wheat and two pecks of barley, which had been prepared to be taken to the market, were feloniously stolen and taken
away by some person or persons unknown. 

 

It is said, that Mr. BECKETT is to accompany Earl TALBOT, as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.—In the mean time he is about to lead to the
Hymeneal altar one of the daughters of the Earl of Lonsdale. 

 

We are sorry to have to announce the committal of not less than ten prisoners to Lancaster Castle within the last week. 

 

At a public meeting holden at Newcastle, last week (see last page), one of the speakers adverted to the once-projected Canal from
this city to that town, and its mere mention was followed by long and loud applause. This shews the estimation in which the
important project is still held in that quarter; and may it not be enquired if a more proper time than the present could be found to
carry it into execution: when both labour and materials are at half price? The advantages of such a work have already been
repeatedly laid before the public. With a well constructed navigable Canal, Carlisle would become one of the first towns in the
kingdom in a very few years. It is impossible, we should think, that men of property could employ their money more to their own
advantage or to that of their country, This indeed would be a profitable method of employing the labouring poor. 

 

The wreck of the Peggy, BRYDEN, a trader from London for this port, with merchandize, on the rocks at the entrance of Shields
harbour, on the morning of the 6th inst. was mentioned in our last. Part of the cargo has been saved; but shameful scenes of pillage
took place; and there being several hogsheads of rum on board, many of the robbers got intoxicated in the most beastly manner. Crew
saved. The vessel is a total wreck. We have since heard, that the cargo, worth £10,000, has been mostly saved; some of it much
damaged. A crane was erected temporarily on the bank, and the goods hoisted up thereby.—Newcastle Courant. 

 

The Sarah and Mary Ann, CHRISTIAN, of Maryport, is arrived at Belfast from Mirimachi, all well. 

 

 

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