After breakfast I at the request of Mr Joseph Burgess walked with him to Lewes where we dined at the White Horse on a hog’s haslet baked… We came home about 7:30 very sober.
I received today of Mr George Verrall in cash 8.0.9 for Mrs Hannah Atkins. I called and paid it to Mrs Atkins and stayed and supped with her on some cold roast pig and came home about 9:50.
The reason of my journey today was this: about four years ago Mr Porter bought of Mr Burgess a farm. The house he has now just taken down, in doing of which a bricklayer or bricklayer’s servant, in digging up the foundation, found several pieces (about 4) of old gold coin, of which one was a piece called a Jacobus (which I bought the 14th instant for 20/- and used to pass for 25/-), and some few pieces of silver, which I think is all that I have heard of being found. Now for Porter, as proprietor of the premises (and I doubt spurred on by self-interest, a vice very predominant in the breast of too many of us), claimed the same, but however upon move mature de-liberation and persuasion he has been brought over to think it belonged to the Lord of the Franchise (or manor), as undoubtedly it does by the common law.
Now after Mr Porter is cool in his claim and has freely given up the thoughts of any right, it appears that about 37 years ago the father of the present Mr Burgess (who then lived in the house) was robbed of several such old pieces of gold and silver, several gold rings and about £5 in crown pieces, none of which could ever be found or heard anything of to this day, notwithstanding several people were at the same time of the robbery taken up on suspicion. Therefore it is conjectured the money now found is in all probability a part of that which was then taken, and according to many circumstances it appears to be so. Mr Burgess therefore applied to a justice in order to try if he could obtain any of this treasure trove, but, alas, all in vain. As there could be no oath made to anything that has hitherto been found, no warrant could be granted. But however, Mr Shelley, one of his Majesty’s justices of the peace, did grant a summons to have the men examined, a good-natured action indeed, but what Mr Justice had no business to grant. For I assure him it as common law business, and his Worship had no business with it.
Mr Burgess paid all expenses and thanked me for my company; so I sped well enough. Sam Jenner, coming in the evening, and being very much in liquor, stayed all night.