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Postponement of the trial, where thechild

was not capable of giving testimony.

But this must

not be done in order that an

adult may be come capable.

convicted on such evidence, alone and unsupported, the degree of corroboration which the account given by the witness requires, is a question exclusively for the jury, from all the circumstances of the case, and especially from the manner in which the child has given its evidence. That evidence may be such as to leave no reasonable doubt of the prisoner's guilt, although it stands unsupported by other witnesses. (m)

Where a criminal prosecution was coming on to be tried, and the learned Judge found that the principal witness was a female infant, wholly incompetent to take an oath, he postponed the trial till the following assizes; and ordered the child to be instructed in the mean time, by a clergyman, in the principles of her duty, and the nature and obligation of an oath. (n) And at the next assizes, the prisoner was put upon his trial; and the infant, being found by the court on examination to have a proper sense of the nature of an oath, was sworn; and the prisoner was convicted upon her testimony, and executed. (o) But in a late case where it appeared that the material witness, though an adult, and of sufficient intellect, had no idea of a future state of rewards and punishments, and the learned Judge had on that account stopped the case, and discharged the Jury, in order that the witness might have an opportunity of being instructed upon that subject, before the next assizes; the Judges were of opinion, that the discharge of the jury was improper, and that an acquittal should have been directed. (p)

(m) Phil. on Evid. 16.

(n) Anon. cor. Rooke, J. at Gloucester. Mr. J. Rooke mentioned the case on a trial at the Old Bailey in 1795; and added, that upon a conference with the other Judges, on his return from the circuit, they unanimously approved of what he had done.

See note (a) to White's case, I Leach 430.; and 2 Bac. Abr. 577 in the notes.

(0) Id. ibid.

(p) Rex v. Wade, East. T. 1825. Ry. & Mood. C. C. 86. An application for a pardon was recommended.

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.

OF SODOMY.

IN treating of the offence of sodomy, peccatum illud horribile, inter Christianos non nominandum, it is not intended to depart from the reserved and concise mode of statement which has been adopted by other writers.

It appears from different authors, that in ancient times the Offence made punishment of this offence was death: (a) but it had ceased to be capital by 27 so highly penal, when the statute 27 H. 8. c. 6. again made it a H. 8. c. 6. capital offence. That statute reciting that there was not sufficient and condign punishment appointed and limited by the due course of the laws of the realm, for the detestable and abominable vice of buggery, committed with mankind or beast, enacts, "that the "same offence be from henceforth adjudged felony, and such order "and form of process therein be used against the offenders as in 66 cases of felony at common law and that the offenders being "hereof convicted by verdict, confession, or outlawry, shall suffer "such pains of death, and losses and penalties of their goods, "chattels, &c. as felons be accustomed to do, according to the "order of the common laws of this realm; and that no person, offending in any such offence, shall be admitted to his " clergy."(b)

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The offence consists in a carnal knowledge committted against Definition of the order of nature by man with man; or in the same unnatural the offence. manner with woman; or by man or woman in any manner with

(a) But the books differ as to the mode of punishment, According to Britton, a sodomite was to be burnt, Britt. lib. 6. c. 9. In Fleta it is said, pecorantes et sodomita in terrâ vivi confodiantur. With this the Mirror agrees: but adds, "issint que me"moire seont restraine, pur le grand "abomination del fait ;" thereby consigning them, with just indignation, to shameful and eternal oblivion. Mirr. c. 4. s. 14. About the time of Richard the First, the practice was to hang a man, and drown a woman, guilty of this offence. 3 Inst. 58.

(b) This act was at first only temporary, but made perpetual by 32 Hen. 8. c. 3. It was afterwards repealed

by the general act of 1 Ed. 6. c. 12.;
but by 2 Ed. 6. c. 29. the offence was
made felony without clergy, though
without loss of lands or goods, or cor-
ruption of blood. But this act of 2
Ed. 6. was repealed by the 1 M. c. 1.
and the 25 H. 8. c. 6. also stood re-
pealed till the fifth year of Elizabeth.
Then by the statute 5 Eliz. c. 17. the
entire act of 25 H. 8. c. 6. is revived and
re-enacted, so that the offence stands
at this day absolutely felony without
benefit of clergy. 1 Hale 669. And
offenders standing mute, not directly
answering, or challenging peremp
torily, above twenty, are deprived of
clergy, by the general enactment of
the 3 and 4 W. and M. c. 9. s. 2.

Of aiders, &c. and accessories,

Indictment.

Evidence.

beast. (c) With respect to the carnal knowledge necessary to constitute this offence, as it is the same that is required in the case of rape, it will be sufficient to refer to the preceding Chapter. (d) To constitute this offence, the act must be in that part where sodomy is usually committed. The act in a child's mouth does not constitute the offence. (o) An unnatural connection with an animal of the fowl kind is not sodomy; a fowl not coming under the term "beast:" and it was agreed clearly not to be sodomy, when the fowl was so small that its private parts would not admit those of a man, and were torn away in the attempt.(p)

Those who are present, aiding and abetting in this offence, are all principals, and deprived of the benefit of clergy: (e) but if the party on whom the offence is committed be within the age of discretion, namely, under fourteen, (ƒ) it is not felony in him, but only in the agent. (g) There may be accessories before and after in this offence, as the statute makes it felony generally: but accessories are not excluded from clergy. (h)

The indictment must charge that the offender contrà naturæ ordinem rem habuit veneream, et carnaliter cognovit. (i) But it is said, that this alone would not be sufficient; and that, as the statute describes the offence by the term "buggery," the indictment should also charge peccatumque illud sodomiticum Anglicè dictum buggery adtunc et ibidem nequiter, felonicè, diabolicè, fac contrà naturam, commisit, ac perpetravit. (k)

That which has been before stated with regard to the evi. dence and manner of proof in cases of rape, ought especially to be observed upon a trial for this still more heinous offence. When strictly and impartially proved, the offence well merits strict and impartial punishment: but it is from its nature so easily charged, and the negative so difficult to be proved, that the accusation ought clearly to be made out. The evidence should be plain and satisfactory, in proportion as the crime is detestable. (7)

In cases where it is not probable that all the circumstances neAttempts to commit felony. cessary to constitute this offence will be proved, it may be advisable only to prefer an indictment for an assault with intent to commit an unnatural crime. And it should be observed, that the mere soliciting another to the commission of this crime has been treated as an indictable offence. (m)

(c) 1 Hale 669. Sum. 117. 3 Inst. 58, 59. 1 Hawk. P. C. c. 4. 6 Bac. Ab. Sodomy. 4 Blac. Com. 215. 1 Burn. Just. Buggery. 1 East. P. C. c. 14. s. 1. Wiseman's case, Fortesc. 91. As to the offence by man with woman if the case should occur, it may be proper to enquire whether the doctrine in the text is sufficiently supported by the authorities cited.'

(d) Ante, 558, et sequ.

(0) Rex v. Jacobs, East. T. 1817. Russ. & Ry. 331.

(p) Rex v. Mulreaty, Hil. T. 1812. MS. Bayley, J.

3 Inst. 59. 1 East.

(f) Ante, 2, 3. (g) 1 Hale 670. P. C. c. 14. s. 2. (h) 1 Hale 670. Fost. 422, 423. (i) 1 Hawk. P. C. c. 4. s. 2. 3 Inst. 58, 59.

(k) Fost. 424. referring to Co. Ent. 351. b. as a precedent settled by great advice.

(1) 4 Blac. Com. 215. Ante, 563. (m) See a precedent of an indictment for such solicitation, 2 Chit. Crim. L. 50. And for the principles and cases upon which such an indictment may be supported, see ante,

(e) 1 Hale 670. 3 Inst. 59. Fost. 44, 45. 422, 423.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.

OF THE FORCIBLE ABDUCTION AND UNLAWFUL TAKING AWAY
OF FEMALES; AND OF CLANDESTINE MARRIAGES.

Ir appears to be the better opinion that if a man marry a woman Offences at under age, without the consent of her father or guardian, it will common law. not be an indictable offence at common law. (a) But if children

be taken from their parents or guardians, or others entrusted with the care of them, by any sinister means; either by violence, deceit, conspiracy, or any corrupt or improper practices, as by intoxication; for the purpose of marrying them; it appears that such criminal means will render the act an offence at common law, though the parties themselves may be consenting to the marriage. (b) And seduction may be attended with such circumstances of combination and conspiracy as to make it an indictable offence. A case is reported where Lord Grey and others were charged, by an information at common law, with conspiring and intending the ruin of the Lady Henrietta Berkeley, then a virgin unmarried within the age of eighteen years, one of the daughters of the Earl of Berkeley, (she being under the custody, &c. of her father) and soliciting her to desert her father, and to commit whoredom and adultery with Lord Grey, who was the husband of another daughter of the Earl of Berkeley, sister of the Lady Henrietta, and to live and cohabit with him: and further, the defendants were charged that, in prosecution of such conspiracy, they took away the lady Henrietta at night, from her father's house and custody, and against his will, and caused her to live and cohabit in divers secret places with Lord Grey: to the ruin of the lady, and to the evil example, &c. The defendants were found guilty; though there was no proof of any force; but on the contrary it appeared, that the lady, who was herself examined as a witness, was desirous of leaving her father's house, and concurred in all the measures taken for her departure and subsequent concealment. It was not shewn that any artifice was used to prevail on her to leave her father's house: but the case was put upon the ground that there was a solicitation and enticement of her to unlawful lust by Lord Grey, who was the principal person concerned, the others being

(a) 1 East. P. C. c. 11. s. 9. p. 458. (b) Id. ibid. p. 459. And see in 3 Chit. Crim. L. 713. a precedent of an

information for a misdemeanor, in
procuring a marriage with a minor, by
false allegations.

Offences by statutes.

3 Hen. 7. c. 2. makes the forcible taking away of a wo

man of sub

stance a felony.

And offenders are now punishable by transportation or imprisonment.

Accessories.

his servants, or persons acting by his command, and under his controul. (c)

The forcible abduction and unlawful taking away of women and female children are made highly penal by the provisions of several

statutes.

The statute 3 Hen. 7. c. 2. relates to the forcible taking away of a woman of substance against her will. It recites that women, as well maidens as widows and wives, having substances, some in goods moveable, and some in lands and tenements, and some being heirs apparent unto their ancestors, for the lucre of such substances, had been oftentimes taken by misdoers, contrary to their will, and after married to such misdoers, or to others by their assent, or defiled, to the great displeasure of God, and contrary to the King's laws, and disparagement of the said women, and utter heaviness and discomfort of their friends, and to the evil ensample of all other and then enacts, "that what person or persons from "henceforth that taketh any woman so against her will, unlaw66 fully; that is to say, maid, widow, or wife, that such taking, "procuring, and abetting to the same, and also receiving wittingly "the same woman, so taken against her will, and knowing the same, be felony; and that such misdoers, takers, and procura"tors to the same, and receitors, knowing the said offence, in form "aforesaid, be henceforth reputed and judged as principal felons. "Provided always, that this act extend not to any person taking "any woman, only claiming her as his ward or bondwoman."

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:

Clergy was taken away from persons found guilty of offences against this statute, by the 39 Eliz. c. 9.: but the late statute, 1 Geo. 4. c. 115., repeals this enactment of the 39 Eliz. c. 9., and enacts, that persons duly convicted of such offences shall be liable to be transported beyond the seas for life, or for such term not less than seven years, as the court before which such person shall be convicted shall adjudge; or shall be liable, in case the said court shall think fit, to be imprisoned only, or imprisoned and kept to hard labour in the common gaol, penitentiary house, or house of correction, for any term not exceeding seven years.

It was made a question of considerable doubt whether persons "receiving wittingly the woman so taken against her will, and "knowing the same," were ousted of clergy by the statute of Elizabeth, when that statute was in existence. (d) But it was agreed that those who received the offender, knowingly, were only accessories after the fact, according to the rule of the common law. (f) With respect to those who are only privy to the marriage, but in no way parties or consenting to the forcible taking away, it has been holden that they are not within the statute. (g) Where the woman has nothing, and is not heir apparent, the case is not within the statute. (x) Thus where a man, worth 5,000l. in lands and goods, had a son and a daughter, and the

(c) Rex v. Lord Grey and others, 3 St. Tri. 519. 1 East. P. C. c. 11. s. 10. p. 460.

41. s. 9. 3 Inst. 61. St. P. C. 44. 1
East. P. C. c. 11. s. 2. p. 452, 453.
(g) Fulwood's case, Cro. Car. 488,
1 Hawk. P. C. c. 41. s. 10.
(x) 12 Co. 100.

(d) 1 Hale 661. 1 East. P. C. c. 11. 489.
s. 2. p. 452, 453.
(f) 1 Hale 661.

1 Hawk. P. C. c.

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