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192 SUSSEX SMUGGLERS. |
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Steel. There was nobody took the lead, one more than the other.
The counsel for the King then called Robert Fogden, who being come into court, was sworn.
Eobert Fogden. I remember the time the tea was seized upon. I was at the consultation in Charlton Forest; there we concluded to go after the tea; there was a noted tree that stood in the forest, called the Center-tree. I do not know whether either of the prisoners were there. I was not at Eowland's Castle; I was with others of the company, on a common just below, for we met at both places, and then met altogether at a place appointed in the Forest of Bere.
Q. Were any of the prisoners at the house you was at?
Fogden. No, not one. At the Forest of Bere there were, I believe, all the five prisoners. We met together at a lone place there; we stayed there till the Hawk-hurst men came to us ; then there were thirty of us in number. The prisoners Kingsmill and Fairall were with the Hawkhurst gang, aud were part of that gang.
Q. Were you all armed ?
Fogden. To the best of my knowledge we were all armed.
Q. For what purpose did you meet there ?
Fogden. We were going to fetch away the tea that had been taken from us by Captain Johnson, and lodged in the custom-house at Poole.
Q. How did you take it ?
Fogden. Bv force: went from thence to Lindhurst: we got there in the night, just as it was light. We stayed there till near night again; then in the night we went to Poole, and went to the backside of the town, and left our horses in a little lane. I never was at |
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