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PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ADVERTISER.

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Vol. 111.]

CHARLOTTETOWN, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1840.

. [No.15].

mBBONISM IN NEWFOUNDLANDL-A'mocrons VILLAINY. (From the Public Ledger, of May 92.)

We briefly adverted in our last to the'brutal assault and mutilation of the person of Mr. HER- IIAN Lo'r'r (overseer in the Public Ledger oflice,) in the high road between Harbour Grace and Cnrbonear, at noon day, on Friday, the 15th instant ; and we now proceed to develope the historyof the villanous ttansaction from its first Inception to its bloody consummation; prefer- ring to lay before our readers the several deposi- tions taken before the police magistrates, as more satisfactorily illustrating the whole business.

It will be remembered that in February last we gave. some brief account of the seizure oer. LOTT in a by-street, at night, and of his forcible conveyance to some unknown house, where he was, under circumstances of great intimidation, anterrogated upon various matters connected with his employer’s affairs. Depositions were taken before the magistrates relative to this mys- terious business, but it was deemed prudent, and necessary to the ends of justice, to withhold the

art-iculars of it from the public, until it should

Ive undergone the most minute investigation; but the time is now arrived when it becomes a duty to expose the whole matter.

‘The following are the facts and circumstances deposed by Mr. LOTT t—-‘ ' ’

“ The following statement of a circumstance that occurred on the night of the Twentieth of

_ February, [840, which, however incredible and mysterious it may appear, is neverthelessa true and faithful account of the whole afi'air :—

“On Thursday night, between the hours of ,Ten’ and-Eleven o’clock, 1 left the Public L'etl- ger printing oflice for the purpose of taking a abdrt walk, there being very little business then in hand—On my return home about Eleven o’clock, as I was turning the corner at the head of Queen Street, adjoining the dwelling-house of Mr. Daniel Hennessey, a voice hailed me, and called “ LOTT l” Hearing myself named in such I. familiar manner, and thinking it was some of the youn . on of Mr. Winton’s establishmentpl immediate y responded “Yes,” and‘w’vaited to

see who it was that had thus called? me. Pre- man approached mefromr _ ' of they road opposite Mr.”D. Hennessey’sri’ on com-

ingup to me spoke to me in the follow’iving man- ner—" Come back with me as far as the Orphan Asylum School, for young Winton is up there very tipsy, and will not come home!” I just I gave a look down, thinking I should see some one belonging to the house. Not knowing the persdn who told me this tale, I hesitated for a moment or two, when he assured me that unless ' I went up and brought him horrie some “ hurt” might happen him.—I returned with him, and we had not proceeded many steps when we were joined by another, who said “ Are you going up

again 1” to which the other answered “Yes.” -—Proceeding up the Theatre hill, and passing the house lately occupied by Mr. Boyd, along the lane behind the house now occupied by' Mr. Thomas Williams, and on coming to the crOss toads, immediately behind the house lately oo-

. cupied by Mr. Beyers, I was suddenly pin' had ‘by one of the mentying my arms at the el ows, behind my back, at the same time the other per- son took my handkerchief out of my jacket pock- et and tightly bandaged my eyes. While this was enacting, I endeavoured to disengage my- self, and asked them “ Why are you serving me in this manner—I am sure I did nothing to you." —“ Hold your tongue and be quiet—follow us and no harm shall happen to you.—But if you

' ddn’t be quiet it will be‘worse for you—to now «comic along.” Saying which he turned me round Moe, after which the two men led me along at rather a quick pace, in what direction I am una- ‘blo, to tell. As nearly as I can recollect, l was Walking in this manner for about a quarter of an hour, and towards the end through deep snow ; -—not a word was spoken either by the men or, ‘myselfduring our‘progress, until we came to some asteps, when I was told to “ lz' ,” and on so doing went up two or three steps ; a knock was made at the door by one of my conductors, and it appeared as if itfipened with the force of the knock, for we did not wait a minute after ascending the. ' steps. I was then taken into a room, the ddor ’ “which was already open, for I heard it shut after Irrawas in. Being} in the room I was left as X {incited with only one person for a few minutes, (still blindfolded) when he was relieved by ano- they, who shortly afterward removed the hand- lerchid from my‘ eyes, but still kept my arms- bound.’ When the handkerchief was removed, I discovered I was ins small room, closely hung with somede onhite sheeting or calico—even the ‘cez'fing'was likewise covered. At a small table‘near, [fireplace on the bare hearth (on

which there, ‘ I wood burning") Were seated two indifiafllm; ' lately disguised in black, hav- 0“ 80"!“ 9'! " ‘ "to _ those worn by ministers ;v

their heads an ffies’were'talso‘ covered with a kind 01' 61088 black skullvcap, merely leaving Ipertures for the 'eyes and mOuth,--on the table hm “mm were PenS. ink, and paper. Pre- mtly one'of them began to «question me nearly, ‘3 f0"0W9. the Other preparing to note dowu what

pooled, while the man who removed the handker-

A l u . - r w u - v r,rm---—.t:-,:mm—u- «er-um:- -.

chief from my eyes still remained behind me, also disguised in face, but not in clothing. The first question put was,—

i ” What is your name, sir’l—Herman Lott.

“ What persuasion are you 'l—A Protestant.

“Was not your father a Catholic and turned Protestant ’l—No. I should like to know what reason——

“ You are to ask no questions.

“What occupation do you hold in Mr. Win- ton’s office, a compositor, or pressman, or what ’l’ —‘ A compositor.’ ' '

‘ Are you not the overseer of Mr. Winton’s of- fice ?’-—‘ Yes.’

‘ How long have you been so 35—} Since last Spring.’ ’

~‘Then you must be in Mr. Winton’s confi- dence ’l’——‘That I cannot take upon myself to say whether I am or not—I might be.’

.‘ Well, you are perfectly acquainted with everything that transpires in the printing oflice, of course ’l’-—‘ Yes, but a printing-office is a place of secrecy, and Iam bound to keep secret all that happens there.’

‘ You must answer every question that is put to you here in a satisfactory manner, and that without e’quivocatiom—Were there not 350 cc- pies of the “ Public Ledger” privately struck off, and sent to England, containing the libel on Judge Bourne l’—‘ No.’ i

‘That libel was in type, was it not'!’—‘ You know, I dare say, that a copy of the " Ledger” was taken from the office in an improper man-- ner, it having been pulled before the corrections were made by Mr. Winton in the first proof sheet.’ . ,

‘ Is that really the case ’l’-—‘ Yes.’

‘ And what became ofthe copy ofthe Ledger ?’ —" I do not know; perhaps you know better than me.’ .

‘ No impertinence here, sir.’

‘ What gentlemen are in the habit of visiting Mr. Winton’s house on the nights previous to the day of publication l’—‘ I know not. On those nights'my business is in the printing-office. and notin the "parlour—1t is impbssible for me to know what gentlemen may be in the dwelling house on those nights.’

‘ Speak truly, and he not afraid. Are not Mr. Hogsett, Mr. Boyd; ‘Dr. Kielliy, Mr. Brown, and Father Ivers, when he was here, in the constant habit of visiting Mr. Winton ’l’-—‘l Would‘ not know Father Ivers were I to see him; neither do I know what Mr. Brown you mean.’ ' V

‘ Father Brown.’—‘ I do not know hifn.’

‘ Well, as regards the others ’l’—-‘ I have told you I do not know him.’ v.

‘ You do know, and therefore answer without equivocation.’—‘I cannot answer, 'unless by de- nying all knowledge of the matter.’ ’

‘ Did not Mr. \Vinton secretly shelter Dr. Ki- elly in his house at the time that the officers of the House of Assembly were in search of him 'l’ —‘ I did not see Dr. Kielly, and I cannot say whether he was in the house, or not.’

‘ Were you in the‘house at the time Mr. Beck, the sergeant-at-arms, called ?’—‘ No.’

‘ Are you not aware that Dr. Kielly left Mr. Winton’s house that night about 12 or 1 o’clock, accompanied by some of Mr. Winton’s establish- ment, and went to his cottage at River head. It was on a Saturday night—recollect yourself?— ‘ No. I do not know anything of the kind.’

‘ Is there not a secret way from Mr. VVintou’s house into Mr. Hogsett’s 'l’—‘ N0. At'the time that some carpenters were employed about the premises a board was knocked down, which opened a communication between the two yards, through which Mr. Hogsett’s domestics would sometimes comefor water.’ /'

‘ And there is no secret doorway 'l’—‘ No.’

‘ What is the circulation of the Public Led- ger ?’—,-‘ Something under [ ’

‘That won’tdo; you must \answer truly all questions put to you here.’ .

.‘ What complement is pressed off—you must be able to anSVver .that.-—-[ ,‘ ’

"Do you recollect ‘what was the number of the petitions of the Merchants and Traders se- cretly printed at your office and sent to England ’l’ —‘ I do not know what became of them after they left the office, neither do I recollect what number was struck off. I am not aw e that it was done secretly.’ 1 _

‘ Did not you yourself press them ofi'—-—recollect and answer fairly‘?’-——‘ After a little hesitation, I answered. “Yes.” ’

‘You say youstruck them off, and yet yousay you do not know what was the number‘printed— that is strange 'l’——‘ No Ido not recollect.’ ‘

‘ Does Mr. Winton keep fire-arms in his house ’l’—-‘ I believe he has some.’

‘ Are they not kept loaded l’——‘ I do not know.’

‘Does Mr. Winton, do you know, carry fire- arms, pistols, for instance, about his person 2’— ‘ 1 I am not in the habit of searChing my master’s pockets, therefore I cannot say whether he does or not.’ , '

‘rYou have been gold before that you are to give no impertinent acqswers. Should it be re- quisite or necessary you will be kept here until it pleases us'to let you free—search may be made for you—4t will befruitless.’-—Upon hearing this, I immediately told him .that'this was a busy night

with us-that long before this I was required in the Printing-office, that I would incur the dis- pleasure ofmy master, and what would I be able to say in my defence? that I was still'an appren- tice,,“that I considered the manner in which I had been betrayed and brought before them was improper. That questions had been put to me which, although I had answered them, still I thought that I ought not to have done so without knowing for what purpose this examination was intended—that I knew nothing of a political na- ture other than what appeared in the paper. I was stopped from proceeding further, by theper- son who had been interrogating me all through, and who appeared to pay little attention to what I said. He again commenced—

‘Who communicates with the Editor of the Public Ledger ?’—‘ I do not exactly understand you.’ '

‘ Are communications for the Paper sent to the Printmg-ofiice in the handwriting of the person who sends them, or_in Mr. Winton’s writing ’l’—— ‘ I cannot say whether they are in the handwri- ting of the person who sends them or not, but they are not in the handwriting of Mr. Winton.’

‘iAre you ever able to recognise the handwri- tipIg its being that of any person you know 'l’—— ‘ o. . . '

‘ Do you know where you are ’l’-'—‘ No.’

‘JIave you any idea’l’—‘ No ; I wish I had.’

‘Why ’!’——‘ Because then I should know' by whose authority I am questioned, and for what reason.’

"Then you will not know.’

“A pause ensued here for about ten minutes, and althdugh‘sometimes agitated when I thought of the situation in which I was placed, I took every opportunity to observe what I could, for the purpose of identification ; but everything was disguised with the exception of the door, which was on my right hau'd ; it was a common made door, not painted, with a japanued lock, and a brass ring handle, and above the lock was a sliding wooden bolt. 'This’was all that I was able to make out, and I should know the door again inside. ‘

“ I was again addressed by being told-float I would,be conducted out..—-that I was'riot’to di-

verges“. wordiot what had transpired—not to~

fear my master, he could not hurt me— he (my master)“had asserted thrit the Irish emigrants were “refugee ribbonmen,” and Irishmen who had .“ left their country for their country’s good,” but that he and others like him, would perhaps find out. that there was a RIBBON SOCIETY in this country equally as terrible as ever it was in Ireland, and that be (Mr. Winton) would soon find his house too hot for Iiim.”——I was also asked if Mr. Winton was not in the habit of re- ceiving communications from the Governor—if Iknew Governor Prescott’s writing? To which I answered in the negative. The person who had thus examined me then waved his hand, at the same time he stood up and said-to me in an. emphatic tone, nearly the following words :— Remember that you daré'uot divulge one word of what his transpired here thisnjght; what has been done cannot injure you :—keep silence—or perhaps an unseen and unknown hand will be in your way.——We are done with 'you.

i “The person who had been standing behind me then bound my eyes as before——a bell was rung (which hell 'I had not seen during the night, although it seemed as if it was in the room,) the door was opened and I was led out, going ‘over two or three steps as when I had en- tered, conducted by two men——the second joining after I had gone over the steps—On our return, I was led through deep snow and some water, and after about fifteen minutes walking we suddenly stopped. The rope or cord which bound my arms was suddenly cut or untied, but I was still held by one who violently turned me round twice so violently that the last time staggered me, and I fell up againsta fence. I immediately arose and tore the handkerchief from my eyes, which was tied so very tight, even to hurt me, I could not do very quickly. Iheard retreating footsteps, but in what direction I could not say. I found myself in the Lane between Mr. D. Hen- nessey’s and Constable ‘M‘Lellan’s, and then made the best of my way home.

“The foregoing is a true and faithful account of what happened to me on Thursday night and Friday morning, the thirteenth and fourteenth February, between the hours of 11 and 2 o’clock, and to which I am fully prqared to make affida-

Vit. " HERMAN P. C. LOTT.”

(Sworn before me at St. John’s, Newfound- land, the fifteenth day of February, 1840.)

(Signed) P. w. CARTER, J. P. Central District, .

4

St. John‘s to wit. .

Herman P. C. Lott further maketh oath and saitb,that he hath just now been in company with-Mr. Finlay, the high constable, to inspect a certain house situate on the circular road near this town, upon suspicion that the same is the house which deponent was carried to by force on the night ofThurs'day the 13th inst, as stated in his former deposition; and this' deponent saith that he doesbelieve that the same is the house to which he was so taken by force, but that the ersons inside refused ad- missionio him and the saidhigh constable, so that depo-

nent could not satislly his mind as to the identity ofthe said house, and therefore prays the protection of the law, HERMAN P. C. LOTT. Sworn before us this 17th February 1840. P. W. CARTER, J. P. CHARLES SIMMS, J. P.

Central District,

St John's to wit, E g

The Deposition of Henry Winton, of St. John’s, Pro- prietor and Editor ofthe Public Lodger newspaper, who states that on Thursday night the 13th instant, February, an apprentice ofdeponent, Herman Lott, being absent at a very late‘hour, contrary to his usual habits, deponent became somwliat alarmed, and apprehended that some disastrous circumstance had occurred. Deponcnt there- fore, about half-past two in" the morning, sent two of his other apprentices in quest of said Herman Lott; that shortly after they had gone out dcponent hoard ayiolent ringing of the hall bell, and on descending to open the door he found the said Herman Lott at the door; that upon entering the house he had an extremely pale and frightened appearance—and upon being questioned where he had been at so late an hour, he replied, that he could not tell where he had been. Deponent at first thought he had been drinking, and charged him with having done so, which he denied. Deponent observed to him that he was in u very excited state, and again questioned him as to where he had been. Mr. Lott then in a hurried man- ner stated that he had been pinioned and blindfolded, and

'taken to some house where certain questions had been

put to him by persons disguised with masks and other- wise. Tllnt deponent became perfectly satisfied that he had been mistaken as to the cause of the young” man’s excitement, and that he gave him two glasses Lof‘wipe, which appeared to restore him. And deponent having seen the deposition which has been sworn to in this mat- ter, declares that it perfectly agrees with the statement made by the young man when first questioned respecting it. That after Mr. Lott had retired to bod, deponed ob- served that his but had been left on a table in the kitch- en, his handkerchief being in it; that he had the curios- ity to take said handkerchief out ofthe hat, when be ob- served that,instea‘d of its being in a rumpled state as a. pocket handkerchief worn in tliepOcket usually is, it was folded cornerwisc, us if it had been used as a bandage, the corners having the appearance ofhaving been tightly tied. That Mr. Lott is a sober, steady, well—conducted young man, and in every way, so far as deponent has reason to think, entitled to implicit credit. HENRY ,‘INTON. Sworn before me this 21st February, 1840. P. W. CARTER, J. P.

In consequence of the deposition of Mr. LOTT as to his belief, arising from various circumstan- ces, that the house of one DELANEY, Situated about half a mile out of town, was that to which he had been blindfolded and led, the house was

examined,.,but there was no satisfactory evidence _ . »

that the suspicious were correct. ButDEiANEY' is one ofthe doorkeepers of the House of Assem- bly, and forthwith the Assembly, affecting to be, indignant that the dwelling-house of one of its» servants should be séarched, even by the officers of the Peace under a warrant, appointed a Com- mittee of Inquiry, of which Mr. JOHN ,YALEN- TINE NUGENT was chairman ; and at the same time several of the members of the Assembly, in their places in the House, used the strongest terms of vituperation and abuse respecting the young man, wh0se story they pretended to disbe-‘ lieve. Monms declared that he did not believe one word of it, and with some such rhodomons tade as he is accustomed to utter, called it a. “Blind-buck-o’-Davy” concert); and NUGENT, in one of his harangues, called him a drunken young scoundrel, observing that thus had be en- ded his midnight revellings ; and so the case of

‘Mr. LOTT was prejudged by the very men who

had been appointed to examine into its truth. The “Committee of Inquiry,” however, sat

for several weeks, and ultimately rose without,

“ Report.” They had cited before them several witnesses, whose testimony only corroborated the truth of the deposition taken before the Police magistrates—and they also cited the magiétrates themselves, and proceeded in such anrextraordi-A nary manner as necessarily to induce the belief- that the “inquiry” was intended for noother purpose than to defeat mounds of Justice, by crushing al‘l’ inquiry on the part ofthe magisgn‘ntes. In proof that the object of the committee was to intimidate the magistrates, and frustrate the ends of Justice, NUGENT, the chairman in com- mittee of supply of the House of Assembly, suc- ceeded in reducing the salaries of the magiss trates £100 each! were afterwards placed on the former scale—up- on the ground that the Assembly would stand convicted on the face of its own proceedings with an. interference with the comae of (limos); and that it would prejudice it with Her Majesty’s

Government; but the iniquitous'principle;duos,-

adopted and permitted, that a. malignant pend» bigotted faction shall not only threaten and try' to intimfie' judicial and other public officers, but ‘act punish them, for the more perform- ance o eir duty, and away flies theboasted protection of British laws, and with it, the safety not 'i y of our property but of our’lives. Wg shou then, in Newfoundland, exist but upon th sufferancc of an intolerant Priests’ faction, an :their nominee membersflitbe- House of Assembly; and all that they. ed not do openly