Luckily for Jos. Robinson (languishing in prison), a Mr. Spurr was a reader of the Mercury and was able to correct some facts about an attempted robbery, which lead to Robinson’s pardon.
“Gainsboro’. – Great sensation has been produced in this town by certain singular relevations which have been made respecting the burglary alleged to have been attempted at the residence of the Rev. J. H. Willan, master of the Grammar-school, on Monday evening the 26th ult. It will be remembered that a man named Jos. Robinson was taken in custody by Mr. Cheney, from a description given by the two servant girls: he was examined before the magistrates, and although a woman with whom he lodged swore that he was in bed at the time the attempt was said to have been made, he was committed to the house of correction. Mr. J. F. Spurr, of Scarboro’, but formerly of Gainsboro’, on seeing the statements in the Mercury , wrote to Mr., Guy, the magistrates’ clerk, to say that the reporter of the Mercury must have been misinformed as to the facts of the case; and it will be seen that other persons were misinformed also – and on this misinformation, if it may be called so, the prisoner Robinson has suffered nearly a month’s imprisonment for a crime of which he is innocent! Mr. Spurr then goes on to say that on the evening in question (April 26th), and at the time stated, viz. ten minutes to nine o’clock, he, in company with a young friend, called on Mr. Willan: the girl refused to open the door, but said Mr. Willan was at home and she could fetch him. Mr. Spurr again rapped, and told the girl she might venture to open the door. He says he then gave his name, and pushed his card under the door. In less than a minute, the school bell began to ring violently, and becoming perplexed he walked down the play-ground and joined his friend, and they met several persons hastening to the house to render assistance. – On the other hand, the servant girls on oath declared there were two men, whose dress they described, that they pushed violently at the door, and threatened to murder them if they did not open it, and that the prisoner Robinson was one of the men. On the receipt of Mr. Spurr’s letter, they were closely re-examined: they persist in their original statement in every particular, and deny that Mr. Spurr told his name, or that any card was ever found under the door. – There is not a shadow of doubt that these conflicting statements refer to one and the same event, as the day and hour and the ringing of the bell stated by both parties exactly correspond, and the girls mention being disturbed only once. ~The statements in evidence, accompanied by a copy of Mr. Spurr’s letter, were transmitted to the Secretary of State, and after some delay Mr. Guy received a communication from the Home-office, stating that Sir Geo. Grey had been induced, from careful consideration of all the circumstances, to grant a free pardon to Robinson, who has consequently been set at liberty. – [Through the kindness of Mr. Guy, the whole of the documents have been submitted to our inspection, and from them we have gathered the above account.]”
The Stamford Mercury, 26th May, 1848.