Trial Of Mary Blandy Part 12

Cross-examined--Did she give any reason why she desired to go away?--No, she gave none.

How long had you lived there?--A twelvemonth.

What has been her general behaviour to her father during the time you were there?--She behaved very well, so far as ever I saw, and to all the family.

Did you ever hear her swear about her father?--No, I never did.

[Sidenote: R. Fisher]

RICHARD FISHER, examined--I was one of the jury on the coroner's inquest that sat on Mr. Blandy's body on Thursday, 15th of August. As I was going up street to go to market I was told Miss Blandy was gone over the bridge. I went and found her at the sign of the Angel, on the other side of the bridge. I told her I was very sorry for her misfortune, and asked her what she could think of herself to come from home, and if she would be glad to go home again? She said, "Yes, but what must I do to get there for the mob?" I said I would endeavour to get a close post-chaise and carry her home. I went out through the mob and got one, and carried her home. She asked me whether she was to go to Oxford that night or not. I said I believed not. When I came to her father's house I delivered her up to the constables. When we were upon the inquiry before the coroner a gentleman was asking for some letters which came in the time of Mr. Blandy's illness. I went to her uncle, Stevens, to see for them. She then asked me again what the gentlemen intended to do with her, or how it would go. I said I was afraid very hard, unless she could produce some letters to bring Mr. Cranstoun to justice. She said, "Dear Mr. Fisher, I am afraid I have burnt some that would have brought him to justice." She took a key out of her pocket, and said, "Take this key and see if you can find such letters in such a drawer." There was one Mrs. Minn stood by. I desired her to go with the key, which she did. But no letters were found there. Then Miss Blandy said, "My honour to him will prove my ruin."

What did she mean by the word "him"?--Mr. Cranstoun--when she found there were no letters of consequence to be found.

[Sidenote: Mrs. Lane]

Mrs. LANE, examined--I was with my husband at Henley at the sign of the Angel on the other side of the bridge. There was Miss Blandy. The first word I heard Mr. Lane, my husband, say was, if she was found guilty she would suffer according to law, upon which she stamped her foot upon the ground, and said, "O that d.a.m.ned villain!" then paused a little, and said "But why should I blame him, for I am more to blame than he, for I gave it him, and knew the consequence?"

Did she say I knew or I know?--I really cannot say, sir, for I did not expect to be called for to be examined here, and will not take upon me to swear positively to a word. She was in a sort of agony, in a very great fright.

[Sidenote: Mr. Lane]

Mr. LANE, examined--I went into the room where the prisoner was before my wife the day after Mr. Blandy's death. She arose from her chair, and met me, and looked hard at me. She said, "Sir, I have not the pleasure of knowing you." Said I, "No, I am a stranger to you." She said, "Sir, you look like a gentleman. What do you think they will do with me?" Said I, "You will be committed to the county gaol, and be tried at the a.s.sizes, and if your innocence appears you will be acquitted; if not, you will suffer accordingly." She stamped with her foot, and said, "O! that d.a.m.ned villain! But why do I blame him? I am more to blame." Then Mr. Littleton came in, which took off my attention from her that I did not hear so as to give an account of the whole.

[The letter which Littleton opened, read in Court.] Directed to the hon. William Henry Cranstoun, Esq.--

Dear w.i.l.l.y,--My father is so bad, that I have only time to tell you, that if you do not hear from me soon again, do not be frightened.

I am better myself; and lest any accident should happen to your letters take care what you write. My sincere compliments. I am ever, yours.

The Prisoner's Defence.[12]

[Sidenote: Mary Blandy]

My lords, it is morally impossible for me to lay down the hardships I have received--I have been aspersed in my character. In the first place, it has been said that I have spoken ill of my father, that I have cursed him, and wished him at h.e.l.l, which is extremely false.

Sometimes little family affairs have happened, and he did not speak to me so kind as I could wish. I own I am pa.s.sionate, my lords, and in those pa.s.sions some hasty expressions might have dropped; but great care has been taken to recollect every word I have spoken at different times, and to apply them to such particular purposes as my enemies knew would do me the greatest injury. These are hardships, my lords, extreme hardships, such as you yourselves must allow to be so. It is said, too, my lords, that I endeavoured to make my escape. Your lordships will judge from the difficulties I laboured under. I had lost my father--I was accused of being his murderer--I was not permitted to go near him--I was forsaken by my friends--affronted by the mob--insulted by my servants. Although I begged to have the liberty to listen at the door where he died I was not allowed it. My keys were taken from me, my shoe buckles and garters, too--to prevent me from making away with myself, as though I was the most abandoned creature. What could I do, my lords? I verily believe I must have been out of my senses. When I heard my father was dead, and the door open, I ran out of the house and over the bridge, and had nothing on but a half-sack and petticoat without a hoop--my petticoats hanging about me--the mob gathered about me. Was this a condition, my lords, to make my escape in? A good woman beyond the bridge seeing me in this distress desired me to walk in till the mob was dispersed. The town serjeant was there. I begged he would take me under his protection to have me home. The woman said it was not proper; the mob was very great, and that I had better stay a little. When I came home they said I used the constable ill. I was locked up for fifteen hours, with only an odd servant of the family to attend me. I was not allowed a maid for the common decencies of my s.e.x. I was sent to gaol, and was in hopes there, at least, this usage would have ended. But was told it was reported I was frequently drunk; that I attempted to make my escape; that I never attended the chapel. A more abstemious woman, my lords, I believe does not live.

Upon the report of my making my escape the gentleman who was High Sheriff last year (not the present) came and told me, by order of the higher powers, he must put an iron on me. I submitted, as I always do to the higher powers. Some time after he came again, and said he must put a heavier upon me, which I have worn, my lords, till I came hither. I asked the Sheriff why I was so ironed. He said he did it by the command of some n.o.ble peer on his hearing that I intended to make my escape. I told them I never had such a thought, and I would bear it with the other cruel usage I had received on my character. The Rev.

Mr. Swinton, the worthy clergyman who attended me in prison, can testify that I was very regular at the chapel whenever I was well.

Sometimes I really was not able to come out, and then he attended me in my room. They likewise have published papers and depositions which ought not to have been published in order to represent me as the most abandoned of my s.e.x and to prejudice the world against me. I submit myself to your lordships and to the worthy jury. I can a.s.sure your lordships, as I am to answer it before that grand tribunal, where I must appear, I am as innocent as the child unborn of the death of my father. I would not endeavour to save my life at the expense of truth.

I really thought the powder an innocent, inoffensive thing, and I gave it to procure his love. It has been mentioned, I should say I was ruined. My lords, when a young woman loses her character is not that her ruin? Why, then, should this expression be construed in so wide a sense? Is it not ruining my character to have such a thing laid to my charge? And whatever may be the event of this trial I am ruined most effectually.

Evidence for the Defence.

[Sidenote: Ann James]

ANN JAMES, examined--I live at Henley, and had use to wash for Mr.

Blandy. I remember the time Mr. Blandy grew ill. Before he was ill there was a difference between Elizabeth Binfield and Miss Blandy, and Binfield was to go away.

How long before Mr. Blandy's death?--It might be pretty near a quarter of a year before. I have heard her curse Miss Blandy, and d.a.m.n her for a b.i.t.c.h, and said she would not stay. Since this affair happened I heard her say, "d.a.m.n her for a black b.i.t.c.h. I shall be glad to see her go up the ladder and swing."

How long after?--It was after Miss Blandy was sent away to gaol.

Cross-examined--What was this quarrel about?--I do not know. I heard her say she had a quarrel, and was to go away several times.

Who was by at this time?--Mary Banks was by, and Nurse Edwards, and Mary Seymour, and I am not sure whether Robert Harman was there or not.

How was it introduced?--It happened in Mr. Blandy's kitchen; she was always talking about Miss.

Were you there on the 5th of August?--I cannot say I was.

Do you remember the prisoner's coming into the washhouse and saying she had been doing something with her father's water gruel?--No, I do not remember it.

[Sidenote: E. Binfield]

ELIZABETH BINFIELD, recalled--Did you, Elizabeth Binfield, ever make use of such an expression as this witness has mentioned?--I never said such words.

Did you ever tell this witness Miss and you had quarrelled?--To the best of my knowledge, I never told her about a quarrel.

Have you ever had a quarrel?--We had a little quarrel sometime before.

Did you ever declare you were to go away?--I did.

[Sidenote: Mary Banks]

MARY BANKS, examined--I remember being in Mr. Blandy's kitchen in company with Ann James.

COUNSEL--Who was in company?--I do not remember.

Do you remember a conversation between Elizabeth Binfield and Ann James?--I do not remember anything of it.

Do you remember her aspersing Miss Blandy's character?--I do not recollect.

Did you hear her say, "She should be glad to see the black b.i.t.c.h go up the ladder to be hanged"?--She did say, "She should be glad to see the black b.i.t.c.h go up the ladder to be hanged."

When was this?--It was the night Mr. Blandy was opened.

Are you sure it was that day?--I am sure it was.