Part 13 (1/2)
Where was Miss Blandy then?--She was then in the house.
[Sidenote: E. Herne]
EDWARD HERNE, examined--I formerly was a servant in Mr. Blandy's family; I went there eighteen years ago, and left them about twelve years ago last November, but have been frequently at the house ever since, that is, may be once, twice, thrice, or four times in a week.
What was Miss's general behaviour to her father and in the family?--She behaved, according to what I always observed, as well to her father and the family as anybody could do, an affectionate, dutiful daughter.
Did you see her during the time of Mr. Blandy's illness?--I did. The first time I went into the room she was not able to speak to me nor I to her for ten minutes.
What was that owing to?--It was owing to the greatness of her grief.
When was this?--It was the 12th of August, at night.
How did her father seem to be satisfied with her behaviour and conduct?--She was put into my custody that night; when I went into the room (upon hearing the groans of her father) she said, at my return, ”Pray, Ned, how does he do?”
Did you ever hear her speak ill of her father?--I never heard her swear an oath all the time I have known her, or speak a disrespectful word of her father.
Cross-examined--What are you?--I am s.e.xton of the parish.
On what night did Mr. Blandy die?--On the Wednesday night.
How came you, as she was put under your care, to let her get away?--I was gone to dig a grave, and was sent for home; they told me she was gone over the bridge.
Had you any talk with her about this affair?--She declared to me that Captain Cranstoun put some powder into tea one morning for Mr. Blandy, and she turned herself about he was stirring it in the cup.
When did she tell you this?--In August, 1750.
Have you seen her since she has been in Oxford Gaol?--I have. When the report was spread that the captain was taken I was with her in the gaol; a gentleman came in and said he was taken; she wrung her hands and said, ”I hope in G.o.d it is true, that he may be brought to justice as well as I, and that he may suffer the punishment due to his crime as she should do for hers.”
PRISONER--Give me leave to ask the last witness some questions.
COURT--You had better tell your questions to your counsel, for you may do yourself harm by asking questions.
PRISONER'S COUNSEL--Did not the prisoner at the same time declare that as to herself she was totally innocent, and had no design to hurt her father?--At that time she declared that when Cranstoun put the powder into the tea, upon which no damage at all came, and when she put powder afterwards herself, she apprehended no damage could come to her father.
When she spoke of her own suffering did she not mean the same misfortune that she then laboured under?--She said she should be glad Cranstoun should be taken and brought to justice; she thought it would bring the whole to light, he being the occasion of it all, for she suffered (by being in prison) and was innocent, and knew nothing that it was poison no more than I or any one person in the house.
[Sidenote: T. Cawley]
THOMAS CAWLEY, examined--I have known Miss Blandy twenty years and upwards, and her father likewise; I was intimate in the family, and have frequently drunk tea there.
What was her behaviour to her father during your knowledge of her?--I never saw any other than dutiful.
[Sidenote: T. Staverton]
THOMAS STAVERTON, examined--I have lived near them five or six and twenty years and upwards, and was always intimate with them; I always thought they were two happy people, he happy in a daughter and she in a father, as any in the world. The last time she was at our house she expressed her father had had many wives laid out for him, but she was satisfied he never would marry till she was settled.