From Bury and Norwich Post (Bury Saint Edmunds, England) August 26, 1829; Issue 2461.

BURY.

At Maidstone Assizes, William Patterson, aged 39, who was apprehended in this town, by Caney and Ward, was indicted for stealing a horse and chaise, value £35 the property of John Gleid , a publican at Gravesend ("Duke of York" P.H.) who lets out horses and chaises. The prisoner hired the gig on the 7th March, to go to St. Mary Cray, 10 miles off; but proceeded to Bury, a distance of 108 miles, where he offered the gig and horse (which was then lame) to Henry Briggs, for £15 on the 10th of the same month, and Briggs agreed to give him £12; but by the advice of Mr. Frost, to whom he applied to advance the money, information was given, and the horse and chaise were seized. The prisoner was found guilty. He then pleaded guilty to another charge of stealing a mare and chaise from Mr. T. Scott, of Bexley. The judge (Gaselee) advised him to take time to consider, as his pleading guilty would make no difference to the punishment. He, however, persisted in his plea. His Lordship then said he would consider the case, but his impression was that he must leave the prisoner for execution. On Saturday however, his Lordship informed him that in consideration of his having been reduced by misfortune from a better situation, and in the hope that lenity might reclaim him, his life would be spared. The prisoner, who had been a writing-master, is said to have hired not less than 18 gigs at various places, and to have disposed of them for less than half their value. In a written paper addressed to the Judge, he pleaded in extenuation of his guilt, that when he carried off the property, he supposed he was only guilty of swindling.