The trials of Samuel Goodere, Esq : Matthew Mahony, and Charles White, for the murder of Sir John Dineley Goodere, Bart. (brother to the said Samuel Goodere) on board His Majesty's ship the Ruby / [Samuel Goodere].
- Samuel Goodere
- Date:
- 1741
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The trials of Samuel Goodere, Esq : Matthew Mahony, and Charles White, for the murder of Sir John Dineley Goodere, Bart. (brother to the said Samuel Goodere) on board His Majesty's ship the Ruby / [Samuel Goodere]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![foners at the Bar-, and the rather, as knowing it almoft impoflible fo to ad, in a Bufi- nefs of this nature, as not to be thought on the one fide to have done too much, and on the other too httle : However, Sir, I fhall, in the Courfe of this Profecution, en- deavour to obferve that Mediocrity which is ever infeparable from humane Minds; and if lean be fo fortunate as to condud niyfelf to the Satisfadion of you, Mr. Recorder, and the Court, I ftiall readily give up the reft, and content myfelf with the Thoughts of having aimed at a juft Difcharge of my Duty. Sir, the Prifoners, Mr. Goodere and Mahony, have thought proper to plead in chief to their Indictment, and put themfelves upon their Trial in the ordinary Courfe of Law ; and as far as may be judged from outward Appearance, Mr. Goodere feems able enough at prefent to take his Trial on the Merits or Demerits of his Cafe: and if fo, we for the King are ready, on our parts, to enter upon our Duty. On the other hand, if, in the Opinion of that Learned Gentleman [Dr. Middletori] Mr. Goodere is not in a fit Condition (through bodily Weaknefs or Indifpofition) to be brought upon his Trial, God forbid we fhould be for preffing it on with fuch Celerity, as to prejudice him in the making of his Defence. But then, as we would not be for accelerating his Trial, fo neither would we be for giving in to any afFedled Delay. I therefore hope. Sir, fuch a Day will be fixed for the coming on of this Bufinefs, as that the Sea-faring part of our Witnelfes, whom at prefent publick Juftice calls for abroad as well as at home, may be difpatched in due time for the other necelfary Service of their King and Country. Mr. Recorder. 1 think we ought to proceed to the Trial immediately, unlefs Caufe be fliewn to the contrary. Mr. Frederick, Coun- 7 I appeal. Sir, to the Doftor, whether Mr. Goodere*^ Cafe fel for Mr. Goodere. J and Circumftances will at prefent admit of it. Mr. Recorder. Let Dr. Middleton be fworn. Dr. Middleton fworn, Mr. Vernon. Dr. Middleton, I think. Sir, you have attended Mr. Goodere (the Prifoner at the Bar) during the Courfe of his Illnefs, will you pleafe therefore to givp the Court an Account of his prefent State of Health Dr. Middleton. Mr. Goodere has been my Patient for fome time in a malignant Fe- ver, which left him laft Sunday Evening, and fince that Time he has been growing better, and on the mending hand ; in his Fever his Head was very much difordered (as at prefent happens to be the Cafe of many that are feized with diis Epidemical Fe- .ver, the Head being generally much affedted in moft of them) I think he will not be able to bear the Fatigue of his Trial at prefent. If he is put upon his Trial, it will be an hardXhip. Mr. Recorder. If the Cafe be fo, that his Head is difordered, whereby he is ren- dered lefs capable of making his Defence, I think it would be a piece of Inhumanity not to put off his Trial. What if we adjourn it to this day feven-night Mr. Vernon. I am heartily glad to find Mr. Goodere is on the mending hand, and hope he will continue to mend ; his Coimfel feems to think he may now come upon his •Trial i yet, for the honour of Dr. Middleton., I would not prefs it on at this Jundture. . Mr. Recorder. What doth Mr. Goodere himfelf fay to it } Samuel Goodere. I hope in eight or nine Days to be better, or dead. Mr. Recorder. I have propofed this Day feven-night. Samuel Goodere. Whatever you pleafe, I fubmit to. Mr. Vernon. Dr. Middleton, Sir, as you are known to be a Gendeman of great Ho- nour and Abilities, we may fafely depend upon your Account; therefore I Ihould be glad to know how foon (humanly fpeaking) Mr. Goodere*^ bodily Health may admit of his taking his Trial. I know. Sir, you are a Gendeman that has a great Regard and Care for your Patients. Dr. Middleton. I Ihould rather choofe to exceed in Care than fall Ihort of it. Mr. Vernon. But *ds pofiTible to have an Over-care; Therefore, Sir, I would aflc you, whether, upon your Oath, you do not think he will be able, in point of Health, to take his Trial in three or four Days ? Dr. Middleton. The Captain may put himfelf on his Trial now, if he pleafes but I don't think he is fit for it, upon my Oath. If it was left to me, I fhould defire the whole Time the Recorder has mentioned. Mr. Frederick. That is to this Day feven-night, we lhall not be able to attend the Court fooner. We hope the Trial will be put off till this Day feven-night ? Mr. Recorder. Let it be fo. CI. of Jrr. Matthew Mahony, you ftand charged likewife upon the Coroner's In- quefl: for the fame Felony and Murder, art thou guilty, or not guilty ? 3 Matthew /](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b20443833_0006.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
