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searching Mr. Blackburn's house. These consisted of a number of stamps, which had apparently been cut off from deeds, and other instruments of different denominations, from the value of 50l. to 18d. There was also a small paper of gum found. Some of these were contained in envelopes, with an indorsement describing their contents, in Mr. Blackburn's handwriting. All those with the indorsement were described as spoiled stamps. There was also a kind of sketch or design of the words, denominating the value of different stamps, similar to the dies engraved by Mr. Topham, and which had figures and writing. Mr. Atkinson said, he believed the writing part was in the handwriting of Mr. Blackburn, but could not speak to the figures, or the words resembling printing; but Musgrave, who had formerly been Mr. Blackburn's clerk, said he believed the whole was the writing of Mr. Blackburn.

The prisoner, after a pathetic address, called upward of twenty witnesses to character, who stated, that they had known him a very considerable time, and that they always considered him as a man of the greatest honour in his profession, and of the strictest integrity. Mr. Justice Le Blanc then charged the jury.

The jury retired about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, and in about a quarter of an hour returned into Court, and pronounced the fatal verdict of guilty.

William Bagnall, the elder, William Bagnall, the younger, and Thomas Bagnall, a father and his two sons, were placed at the bar, and tried under the act of the 42d

of the King, for coining and counterfeiting certain silver pieces, resembling the dollars issued by the Governor and Company of the Bank of England.

Mr. Serjeant Bosanquet stated the case to the Court. By the Act of Parliament upon which the present indictment was framed, the offence with which the prisoners were charged was punishable with fourteen years transportation.

John Foy, a police officer, deposed, that the prisoners lived at No. 9, Seward-street, Clerkenwell, and that he having received information from some of the neighbours whose houses overlooked Bagnall's workshop, repaired there, accompanied by his brother and two others. They waited till they heard the machine at work, and then two of them knocked at the front door, whilst two entered from behind. The elder Bagnall opened the door, and on securing him they found four dollars apparently new, and resembling those issued by the Bank, in his hand. The eldest son was observed to drop six similar pieces on the approach of the officers. The machine.or press was so heavy that to work it with ease and expedition, he believed would require the exertions of three persons. Besides the pieces found on the two elder prisoners, there was an iron tray containing one Spanish dollar, several with the impression hammered out, and a paper parcel containing thirty fit for currency. To the identity of these, as well as of the dies for making the impression, he could speak positively, having made his marks upon them at the time. On taking the prisoners

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prisoners into custody, the elder Bagnall observed, that he trusted the officer would represent the business in the most favourable light, as he had not employed base metal, but had only changed the impression of genuine Spanish dollars.

The testimony of Foy was confirmed, in all its material parts, by the other witnesses.

Mr. Alley now took an objection, founded on the expression of the act, which, in the part enacting the penalty, only referred to the "said" dollars. Now, the "said" dollars, it appeared, by a preceding clause, were dollars issued at five shillings currency, but the dollars which the prisoners were charged with having counterfeited were issued and circulated for five and sixpence. However nice the distinction might appear, such distinctions were always received, when they could be at all established in favour of the accused; so that in the case of a man who had stolen a horse, it was determined that he was not within the reach of the statute which inflicted the penalty of death on the offence of stealing horses; and a new act was made in consequence.

Mr. Barry, on the same side, argued, that this was not the offence distinctly pointed out by the preamble of the act, which authorised the Bank to issue dollars at five shillings, on obtaining an Order in Council for that purpose. It did not appear by the evidence, however, that the Bank had ever obtained an Order in Council to enable them to issue dollars at the nominal value of five and sixpence.

Sir Simon Le Blanc over-ruled both objections, on the ground that the dollars now in circulation, only purported to be, and were originally issued as five shilling pieces. That they at present circulated at the rate of five shillings and sixpence, was for the sake of public convenience, and upon an undertaking on the part of the Bank, to take them back at a future period at that value.

The elder Bagnall then put in a written paper, in which he solemnly declared that he never had the intention to commit a fraud, nor any knowledge that he was transgressing the laws of his courtry. He had made the dollars in the course of his business as a dye. sinker, and in the execution of an order which he had received from a person, who said he intended to circulate them in Holland. Whatever the Court might determine with respect to himself, he hoped they would consider his sons as innocent, and as acting under his influence. He should call witnesses, who he trusted would prove that up to this period of his unintentionally erring, he had maintained the character of an honest man.

Several witnesses gave the prisoners an excellent character, and stated that the machine in question was employed by the Bagnalls, as dye-sinkers and ornamental engravers.

The jury, after a few minutes consideration, found all the prisoners guilty; but recommended the two sons, one of whom is 26, and the other 18 years of age, to pardon, as acting under paternal influence.

Abstract

Abstract of an Act for extending the Trial by Jury to Civil Causes in Scotland.

In the preamble it is said, that whereas Trial by Jury in Civil Causes would be attended with beneficial effects in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, it is however expedient, that such trials, for a time to be limited, should in the first instance be confined to issues directed by either division of the Court of Session. The Court of Session is in consequence empowered, in all cases wherein matters of fact are to be proved, to direct issues to be sent to a court to be appointed for the Trial by Jury.

The court instituted for this purpose is to consist of one Chief Judge, and two other judges, nominated under the seal of Scotland from the Senators of the College of Justice, or Barons of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland, and to hold their places ad vitam or ad culpam. The issues sent to this court may be tried before one or more of these commissioners, the chief commissioner being considered the presiding judge. The causes may be tried either in Edinburgh, or, in time of vacation, in the circuit towns. The judge or presiding judge, to make a return to the Division or Lord

Ordinary directing the issue, of a copy of the jury's verdict, and to report the proceedings on the trial, if directed. The jury to be summoned in the same manner as at present to the High Court of Justiciary; the number summoned, not to be less than 36, nor more than 50. The names of all such as are not challenged, to be put in a balloting box, and 12 to be drawn out for the trial. Either of the parties to be allowed to apply for a special jury. Verdicts to be given by the agreement of the whole number of jurors; and if they do not agree within twelve hours, to be discharged, and another jury summoned; or else the division of the Court of Session which directed the issue, may dispose of the cause in the manner at present practised. The Court of Session and the Commissioners of the Jury Court may from timė to time appoint a committee, for the framing of rules and regulations respecting the form of process and manner of proceeding in the Jury Court. The provisions of this act to endure for seven years and no longer; and returns to be made to parliament of the proceedings had under the act once in every year, for the purpose of framing such future regulations as may be necessary.

PATENTS.

PATENTS.

From November 1814, to September 1815.

Robert Dickinson, for improvements in the art of sadlery.

Ditto, for improvements in the manufacture of barrels and other packages.

Robert Salmon, for improved movements in working cranes, mills, &c.

Edward Glover, for an apparatus for extracting bolts, nails, &c.

Hen. Julius Winter, for a method for giving effect to various operating processes.

John Fr. Wyatt, for a new kind of bricks or blocks applicable to various purposes.

Joseph C. Dyer, for improvements in machinery for manufacturing cards, for carding wool, cotton, silks, &c.

James Smith, for a self-acting sash-fastening.

W. Everhard Baron von Doornich, for improvements in the manufacture of soap.

John Vallance, jun., for an apparatus for securing brewers' vats or store casks.

Robert Dickinson, for improvements in implements relative to navigation.

Edward Jordan and William Cooke, for an apparatus for the detection of thieves.

Frederick Koenig, for improvements in his method of printing by machinery.

John White, for a method of making candles.

Joseph Harris, for improvements in military clothing.

John Cattler, for improvements in fire-places, stoves, &c.

Christopher Dill, for a mastic

cement.

James Collier, for an apparatus for raising water, &c.

Frederic marquis de Chabanes, for a method of extracting more caloric from fuel, and applying it to warming rooms.

John Carpenter, for an improved knapsack.

Jean Raudont, for improvements in dioptric telescopes.

James Miller, for improvements in the apparatus for distillation.

John Wood, for improvements in the machinery for spinning cotton-wool, &c.

Joseph and Peter Taylor, før improvements in weaving mixed cloths of cotton, worsted, silk, &c.

James Thomson, for improve ments in printing cloth of cotton or linen, or both.

William Griffith, for an improved toast-stanyl.

R. Jones

R. Jones Tomlinson, for improvements in constructing the roofs of buildings.

William Moult, for a mode of evaporation and sublimation. Joseph Burrell, for a safe-guard on getting in and out of carriages.

Jonah Dyer, for an improved machine for shearing woollen cloth. Samuel Brown, for an improved rudder and apparatus for governing ships.

Richard Smith, for improvements in smelting and refining metals.

Thomas Bagot, for a machine for passing boats from a higher to a lower level, and the contrary, without loss of water.

William Vaughan Palmer, for a method of twisting and laying of hemp, flax, ropes, &c.

William Losh, for a plan for furnaces to heat boilers and convert liquids to steam for the purpose of working machinery.

Ralph Dodd and George Stephenson, for improvements in the construction of locomotive engines. William Michell and John Lawton, for a lock and key applicable to various purposes. Thomas Deakin, for a portable ments in the steam-engine. kitchen.

Joshua Shaw, for improvements in the glazier's diamond. William Bell, for a method of making wire.

Dudley Adams, for improvements in the construction of tubes and other parts of telescopes.

William Wood, for the manufacture and application of materials to render ships and other vessels water-tight.

Robert Dickinson, for improvements in the fabrication of sundry tools and implements.

John Mills, for improved elastic stays.

Eliz. Beveridge, for an improved bedstead.

Thomas Potts, for the production of pure fresh warm air,

Jonathan Ridgway, for a method of casting and fixing metallic types upon cylinders.

William Bell, for improvements in the apparatus for writing or designs.

Henry Houldsworth, for a method of discharging air and steam from pipes for heating buildings.

Charles Gent and Square Clark, for an apparatus for winding silk.

Michael Billingsley, for improve

Sam. John Pauley and Durs Egg, for certain aërial conveyances to be steered by philosophical, chemical, or mechanical means..

Jacob Wilson, for improvements in bedsteads and furniture.

William Bush, for a method for preventing accidents from horses falling with two-wheeled carriages.

Peter and John Martineau, for methods of refining certain vegetable substances.

J. J. Alexander Maccarthy, for a method of paving streets, roads, &c.

Charles Pitt, for a method for the secure conveyance of small parcels, &c.

Samuel Pratt, for a wardrobe travelling trunk.

Archibald Kenrick, for improvements in mills for grinding coffee, malt, &c.

John Pugh, for a new method of making salt-pans.

Jonathan Ridgway, for a new method of pumping.

John Kilby, for improvement in the art of brewing malt liquore. John

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