[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 28 Aug 1824 - Cumberland Summer Assizes (18)

[petra.mitchinson at doctors.org.uk]

Saturday 28 Aug 1824   (p. 2, col. 3 - p. 4, col. 5)
 
CUMBERLAND SUMMER ASSIZES, 1824. 
 
CROWN BAR: MR. JUSTICE BAYLEY. 
 
FORGERY. 
 
[continued] 
 
The note was put in and read. It was compared with 4th and 5th counts,
charging the intent to defraud JOHNSTON and Co. and Elizabeth CHERRY. 
 
Mrs. CHERRY recalled by Mr. JONES.-When I am out of the way or busy, my
sister goes to the pocket-book in reference to any business of the house. I
am a widow-she assists me: she does not pay any money, but she sometimes
goes to the book, which is kept up stairs, under lock and key. 
 
By the Court.-I have no reason to suppose that my sister went to the book to
take any notes out between receiving the note, and giving it to Mr. DAWSON. 
 
The prisoner declined saying any thing himself. His Counsel called 
 
Mr. AIREY, of Keswick, black-lead pencil maker. He said he had known
prisoner several years, and never knew any thing against him-never found any
thing but honesty in the transactions which he had with him. He gratuitously
taught the Sunday school. 
 
John ROBSON, of Keswick, saddler, had known prisoner ever since he came to
Keswick, and never heard any thing but well and respectable by him-he keeps
a shop and has his name over the door. 
 
Abraham BARRETT, of Caldbeck, draper, had known the prisoner from a very
early period, and never heard any thing but the most strict propriety in
regard to his moral conduct. 
 
Mr. James MOSLEY, of Whitehaven, had known CRAMPTON more than 12 years, and
never heard any thing but good of him. 
 
Mr. PICKUP, of Carlisle, joiner, also gave him "the best of character both
for honesty and principle," having known him seven years. 
 
James SCOTT, of Kirkoswald, had known the prisoner since he (witness) was
eight years of age-never heard any thing against him; he was always well
brought up. Has not known much of him during the last few years. 
 
Joseph RICHARDSON, of the same place, butcher, went to school with CRAMPTON,
and never heard any thing against him. 
 
James IRELAND, of Hilltop, parish of Hesket, spoke to the same effect-had
not seen him much for the last five years. 
 
Joseph JOHNSON had not seen the prisoner these ten or twelve years-but knew
him at Kirkoswald, and he always bore a good character. 
 
The Judge summed up at great length. The points for consideration were
these: Is the note put in to-day the note that was uttered to CHERRY? If so,
is it a forged note? And did the prisoner utter it, knowing that it was
forged? The charge of forging might be rejected altogether; it could not be
proved; for even if it were established, it could not be shewn to have been
done in this county, and that was necessary to conviction. They should,
therefore, dismiss the forgery from their minds, and look to the uttering,
which was equally a capital offence. His lordship pointed out the bearings
of the evidence in every sense, and impartially commented on probabilities
and improbabilities, concluding with an injunction, to give the prisoner the
benefit of all doubts. 
 
The Jury were absent nearly three quarters of an hour, when they returned a
verdict of GUILTY, but recommended the prisoner to mercy. 
 
Mr. Justice BAYLEY addressed the prisoner to the following effect:-William
CRAMPTON, you have been found guilty on very clear evidence. Nobody can
doubt your guilt; to my mind it is quite clear, and therefore I consider the
verdict a correct one. The Jury, however, in consideration of your
previously good character, and in consideration of other circumstances
peculiar to your case, have recommended you to mercy, and in consequence
your life will be spared. But consider, I beseech you, what a serious
offence it is of which you have been found guilty. Consider your
situation-the father of a family; your wife, who had a right to expect
comfort and support at your hands, deprived of that expectation; think of
your children, who had a right to look up to you for example and the means
of life, left to derive from others what you have denied them. You have been
well brought up. For many years, at least, you preserved a good
character-and if you had not been most unfortunately drawn away by a
pursuit, which I dare say has left you poorer than you were, instead of
richer, you might have continued in the path of respectability. But you have
quitted that path-you have inflicted an injury on society, the effect of
which is to carry distress among persons and families in humble situations
of life. This injury you have done by putting in circulation forged
instruments of deception-and there is too much reason for concluding that
your's is not the crime of uttering only. Your life is given you; and I hope
you will in future consider the magnitude of your crime, and sincerely
repent it. You, a Sunday Teacher, so to conduct yourself-you, who once every
week at least addressed your Maker, and endeavoured, or pretended to
endeavour, to train up young people! I hope you will look back with
penitence: and not only look back, but also look forward, and consider what
may become of you in another world, without contrition and amendment. I have
forborne to pass sentence of death upon you; I shall order it to be
recorded; and the circumstances of your case have induced me thus early to
let you know my determination. Your ultimate fate depends upon another
quarter. 
 
 
[to be continued] 
 
 
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