ABSTRACT
Mr. J.J. Murphy came before the magistrates of this office yesterday, and made the following application on behalf of Harriet Hurst, the young woman who some time since charged two officers of the 3d Dragoons with an assault, the details of which must be fresh in the memory of our readers. Mr. Murphy stated that it was his painful duty to apply to the magistrates, not only for their advice, but also for their assistance on behalf of Harriet Hurst. The present application arose (he said) out of a case which occurred some time since in that office, and which he thought should have been by this time buried in oblivion. A few weeks back—as it might be in the recollection of the bench—two officers of the 3d Dragoons were summoned by the young woman on whose behalf he appeared for an assault which amounted a misdemeanour. When the case was heard a second time it was suggested by the counsel of the defendants that an arrangement should be entered into between the parties, and it was agreed to on the part of Harriet Hurst; but in justice to that person he (Mr. M.) must say that one farthing of money received by her she had not appropriated to her own use, as he (Mr. Murphy) had handed it over by her direction to charitable purposes, and held receipts for it. She treated the two officers very leniently, nay, with mercy, and she little expected that such a return would be made to her for that kindness. She was subject to the greatest annoyance ever since, as he would presently show. It appeared that the gallant colonel of the regiment was a near relative to one of the parties, who had been formerly before the bench in that office, and that he (the colonel) must be aware of a certain order which was posted up on the gate and in the guard-room—for no order could be posted without the colonel’s knowledge—and this notice had the name of Harriet Hurst amongst the number of prostitutes who were ordered to be kept out of the barrack by the soldiers. Now, if such was the fact, it must have been done with the knowledge of the parties, and what remedy had the poor girl except the bench afforded her protection from such an insult? She acted charitably towards the officers—she gave the money in charity, and this was her return for the mercy she had shown to them. They would have been sent for trial from that place for the offence they had committed if she had been less merciful. There was an attempt now made to crush, and put her amongst the vilest persons who were prohibited from entering the barracks. He would ask was this fair and manly, or was it done without the knowledge of the colonel and the officers of the regiment?
