| Reference Number | t17580628-19 |
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| Verdict | Not Guilty |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 04 July 2022), June 1758, trial of David Macauly (t17580628-19). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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237. (M.) David Macauly was indicted for stealing eighteen ounces wt. of brass, value 18 d. the goods of Edward Navine , June 13 . ++
Edward Navine . The prisoner worked at my house about four years; about a fortnight before he was taken up, I was told by my other men, that he made things up with my stuff, and in my time, and sold them to other people; this made me take care to watch him. On the 13th of June he brought me some brass from Mr. Alexander's foundery; it was charged to me at 14 lb. 4 oz. we weighed it, and it weighed 13 lb. 2 oz. so it wanted 18 oz. of what it was charged to me. I went and searched the prisoner's room, there I found one of the pieces cast from my pattern, which weighed just 18 oz. I can swear it to be my property; he himself delivered it to me.
Q. What are you?
Navine. I am a mathematical and optical instrument maker .
Q. How can you say, that that brass was yours?
Navine. (He produced a book.) This book is carried to the founder; and when he sends a parcel of cast brass, he enters it in this book. Here I am charged with 14 lb. 4 oz. out of which the prisoner took a piece of 18 oz. and delivered me but 13 lb. 2 oz. What is set down in this book, I must pay to the founder, it being set down when it is weighed there.
It being only a breach of trust, he was acquitted .