Evils of demanding justice

EVILS OF DEMANDING JUSTICE. - Sophia Chapman was placed at the bar of one of the police offices, and a tall, dark, well dressed young man entered the witness box. The latter was asked his name, and what his charge was against the prisoner? He replied, in broken English, “My name is Ben Hyam; I am a Turk, and I travel with goods to sell; I met de woman de last night; I go home with her; I did show her de half-sovereign, which I had in a paper, and I put in my littel pocket where I put de watch. In the morning when I got up, I go to littel pocket, and no paper and no half-sovereign; but I find de paper in de breeches pocket, and de money gone. After de policeman came, de prisoner and landlady of de house say they will give me 8s. if I go away, as the girl ought to have 5s.; but de policeman say, "No; give him nothing; it must go to justice."

The prisoner said she never saw the half sovereign.

Mr. Marriot. You must prosecute this woman for the robbery.

Ben Hyam. Me no want to prosecute, Sare; me shall lose my business in de country; it was not de half-sovereign I did care for so much; no, Sare, me no wish to prosecute, though she did rob me very bad.

Mr. Marriot. Oh, you don't wish to prosecute? Then I shall compel you; for, if you do not find sureties to prosecute, I will send you to gaol with her.

Ben Hyam. Pray, Sare, let me go; I do not care for the half sovereign

Mr. Marriot. You know your immoral conduct has been such, that you will not be allowed your expenses on the trial, so you do not wish to prosecute.

Ben Hyam. I do not know what you say, Sare, about immoral; but I wish to go to my business, if you please, in de country.

Mr. Marriot. Have you got bail to be answerable for your appearance.

Ben Hyam. Me have no friends except in de country.

The policeman confirmed the Turk’s statement, and the latter, having signed his deposition, was locked up, and afterwards was handcuffed and taken by the gaoler, with the female, to Kingston; the latter being committed for the felony, and the former for want of sureties, to appear to give evidence against her at the next sessions.

He was subsequently liberated on his own recognizance.