From the Kentish Gazette, 27 July 1810.

FIFTY GUINEAS REWARD.

A PRIVATE SOLDIER, of the name of JAMES LEWIS, late in the 1st battalion of the 38th regiment of foot, having been barbarously murdered in the "Sun-Inn," Sandgate, without having given any provocation or offence, on the night of the 23d or morning of the 24th of July, 1810:—

Any person giving information of the offender or offenders leading to the conviction of him or them, (within six months from the date hereof,) shall receive a reward of FIFTY GUINEAS, by desire of Lieut. Col. Greville, and officers of the 38th regiment.

W. Hopper, Adjutant. July 25, 1810.

From the Kentish Gazette, 31 July 1810.

An inquest was held at the "Ship Inn," in Sandgate, on Wednesday, on the body of James Lewis, a soldier in the 39th regiment, who was inhumanly murdered early on Sunday morning, by a gang of smugglers, from Folkestone. Although the Jury sat from eleven o'clock in the morning till nine at night; during which time a great many witnesses who were present when this horrid deed was committed, were examined; the evidence was so vague and contradictory, that but little light was thrown on the subject. It appeared that four soldiers of that regiment hearing a disturbance up stairs, where the smugglers were, went to enquire the cause; they threatened to put the soldiers to death if they did not instantly depart —they went immediately to their quarters. The unfortunate man was sitting quietly with a female and a comrade in a room underneath, when a number of these fellows rushed into the room, and dragged him from the house by the hair of his head; kicked, beat him with a bludgeon, and jumped on him — in short left him apparently lifeless; on being brought into the house he instantly expired. On opening the body, it was discovered that the spine was completely lacerated through by a violent blow, and near two quarts of clotted blood in the chest, which was the cause of the mans death. The conduct of the landlord (whose evidence was one tissue of prevarication) was highly reprehensible — although a constable he never even endeavoured to enforce good order, but on the contrary, when applied to by the sufferer's comrade for protection, saying he should be murdered, unless the landlord would protect him, instead of offering him an asylum or temporary concealment, he pushed him away.

The smugglers immediately pursued him; the man, after a few blows, pretended to be dead, they believed him so, and forced him down the privy, by which means he escaped, but with some severe bruises. No one of the witnesses afforded any clue to the perpetrators of this unprovoked, cold-blooded, and atrocious murder. Nearly 100 persons beheld the barbarity, yet all that were examined, positively swore they did not know one of the offenders — true it is, that not a man was to be found who had interfered or stretched a hand to save a fellow creature’s life!!! The Jury, after a long consultation, brought in a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

Colonel Greville and the Officers of the 38th have offered a reward of 50 guineas for the discovery of the offenders.

From the Kentish Gazette, 31 July 1810.

July 30. The shocking murder of James Lewis, at Sandgate, has been the subject of a very close investigation, before the Magistrates, and General Murray, Colonel Greville, and other Officers of the 38th regiment, in the Guildhall here.

At the close of the examination on Friday, three persons were committed to our Gaol on suspicion of being implicated in the murder; all of whom were on Saturday fully committed for trial, and a guard placed over them.

The greatest credit is due to John Bateman, Esq., our worthy Mayor, for his strenuous exertions in this unhappy business, and the other Magistrates for their cordial co-operation. And, notwithstanding the malevolent constructions placed on their conduct by a few unthinking and ignorant persons we are persuaded they will experience ample compensation from the reflection of having performed an arduous, though painful duty, as well as from the admiration of the rational part of the public.

From the Kentish Gazette, 31 July 1810.

On Wednesday last an Inquest was held at the "Ship Inn," Sandgate, on the body of James Lewis, a soldier, in the 38th regiment, who was murdered, with circumstances of much brutality, early on Tuesday morning preceding in an affray at the same house, when, although the Jury sat from eleven in the morning till nine at night, during which many witnesses, who were present at the time, were examined, yet the evidence, was so vague and contradictory that nothing could discovered to criminate any of suspects; the Jury in consequence, after a long consultation found a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

From the Kentish Gazette, 31 July 1810.

A farther investigation by the Magistrates of Folkestone took place on Friday and Saturday last, when three persons of the name of Pegden, Kennett and Pates, were fully committed for trial. Several more it is thought will be apprehended. Much credit is due to the Mayor and Magistrates tor their exertions to discover the offenders.

Three men named Pegden, Kennett, and Bales, were fully committed for trial on Saturday by the Major and Magistrates of Folkestone, for the wilful murder of James Lewis, late of the 38th regiment, who was killed at Sandgate on Tuesday last; General Murray, and Colonel Greville, attended the examination, which nearly occupied the whole of Friday and Saturday; and another meeting of the Magistrates was held yesterday. Several others, it is expected, will be apprehended.