But Nemesis was at hand. One of his victims—that Miss Porter, who was stabbed after the Drawing Room, on the Queen's birthday—was walking with Mr. John Coleman, in St. James's Park, on Sunday, June 13th, and the Monster passed her. She at once recognised him, and, her agitation being remarked by Mr. Coleman, she said, "There is the wretch who wounded me." Mr. Coleman left her in charge of her friends, and followed the man, who walked very fast—evidently feeling he had been noticed, and endeavoured to dodge about from Spring Gardens, to Admiralty Passage, back again to Spring Gardens, and up Cockspur Street, to Pall Mall: thence to St. James's Street, and Bolton Street, where he knocked at the door of a house, and was let in. He stayed there about five minutes, and then went to Piccadilly, and St. James's Street, where he knocked at another house, and asked the servant some question. Leaving there, he went to Bond Street, Mr. Coleman endeavouring to insult him, by walking before and behind him, and staring him in the face. He then went to Oxford Street—then called Oxford Road—and Vere Street, where he knocked at an empty house. Then Mr. Coleman spoke to him, and asked him what was the use of knocking so violently at a house palpably empty; and he replied that he knew the people of the house, named Pearce, and knocked again for three or four minutes. He then crossed to South Molton Street, knocked at a house, and was admitted. Mr. Coleman asked the master of the house, Mr. Smith, for information as to the man, but he refused to give any, unless some reason was assigned. Mr. Coleman replied that the other had insulted some ladies under his protection, and that he demanded satisfaction. The Monster offered to meet him at any coffee-house, and gave his address as Fifty-two Jermyn Street. Mr. Coleman then let him go, but upon second thoughts hurried back, and again met him in St. James's Street; and looking at him, told him he did not think he was what he described himself, and asked him to come with him to Mr. Porter's house, which was not far off. He consented, and on seeing him, two of the Miss Porters immediately fainted, but upon recovery unhesitatingly declared him to be "the wretch." He turned to Mr. Coleman and asked: "Do the ladies suspect me to be the person advertised? Am I suspected?"
He was given into custody, and on the 15th of June, the newspapers gave full accounts of his capture and examination.
He proved to be a native of Wales, named Renwick (or Rhynwick) Williams, aged about twenty-three, who was sent young to London, where he was bound apprentice to Sir John Gallini, with a view to his becoming a dancer on the stage. A misunderstanding, as to the disappearance of a watch, severed this connection, and he then led a very loose life. For some little time, about two months, he was a lawyer's clerk, but this employment being only temporary, he was reduced to difficulties, until he met with Mr. Aimable Michell, of Dover Street, who taught him artificial-flower making, and with whom he remained until his arrest.
He was dressed very respectably, in a blue coat, lined, and edged, with buff, buff waistcoat, and black satin breeches.
He was fully identified by the Misses Porter, Miss Frost, Miss Baughan, and Mrs. Franklin, whilst numerous ladies who had been wounded could not identify him. He was of course, remanded. Royalty, in the person of the Duke of Cumberland (afterwards King of Hanover), was present at his examination, and great difficulty was experienced in preserving the prisoner from the fury of the exasperated mob.
On the 16th of June he was again brought up, was identified by two more ladies, and confronted with others, who could not be sure he was the man who had wounded them. The Dukes of York, and Cumberland, and Prince William of Gloucester, besides several peers, were present.
He was brought before the magistrates once more, when another lady identified him, and he was committed for trial.
Renwick Williams.—1790.
Owing to the novelty of the crime, great difficulty was experienced as to his indictment, but it was at last settled that he should be tried under the statute 6th Geo. I. c. 23, s. 11, which made it felony, punishable with transportation, for seven years, to assault any person in the public streets, with intent to tear, spoil, cut, burn, or deface, the garments, or clothes, of such person, or persons, provided the act be done in pursuance of such intention.