The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-20 00:00:00

PROF ER7.

IFrern a Sunday Paper.l
This unfortunate man having been ordered for emeeudon to-
morrow, as the fatal moment approaches. his mind hourly lows the
firmness that once distinguished him. Hr occasionally burns into
exclamations and complaint. He says he was driven to the coin-
mission of the offence, and he ought not to suffer, especially as
many of the trading horse-stealers have been only transported. On
Thursday night he wrote a few hurried lines to his solicitor, Mr.
Humphreys, which evinced almost the absence of reason. The
latter appointed an interview with hint at nir.e o'clock on Friday
morning. At the time appointed 31r. Humphreys repaired to the
prison, and found Probert is the company of the Reverend Ordi-
nary and 31r. Baker. both of whom were endeavouring to tran.
quillme him ; and on Mr. Baker endeavouring to enter into a reli-
gious discourse, he turned aside, saying, " 1 thank you, Sir, fur
your kindness, but there is no occasion for it ; I know my duty
towards my God and my country, both of which I have offended.
I know all this as well as you can explain to me. although I have
not so much knowledge of the Scriptures." He afterwards in-
veighed against the Privy Council. for having taken such a view of
his case, ant! observed, that he knew the country would have bred
satisfied, had Ile been sentenced to a milder punishment than that
which he was doomed to suffer. Mr. Baker told him that the
Privy Council had mote to their decision slier mature deliberation,
and the only thing that remained for him, was to turn his mind
from earthly objects, and beck forgiveness from the Almighty.—
Probert seemed to pay little attention to the gentleman's advice,
and turning to Ale.- Humphreys, again broke out against those who
had awarded his approaching fate, and implored him to seek
another interview with the &tannery of State, and by his entreaties
endeavour to procure for him a commutation of the dreadful son.
tence.- Mr. H. told him that he feared it was a forlorn hope, but,
to satisfy him, he would go immediately to .Mr. Capper, but that
all he could do, would be to ask, if a petition, signed by the Jury
who had triedhim.wnuht be deny avail to avert the awful mandate ?
Probert shook Hr. H. by the hand, saying, " God bless you! I
know you have a good heart, and I till leave my life in your hands;
but do let me see you after your return." Mr. Humphreys told
him he would see him again at six o'clock in the evening ; at which
the unhappy man seemed thankfol; and Mr. Humphreys with-
drew, much affected with the interview.
It appears Mr. Capper received Mr. Humphreys with his well-
known kindness, and paid the deepest attention to all he advanced
in favour of Prob:rt, who, Mr. H. saot, declared to him most so-
lemnly, that he knew nothing of the Hertfordvhire business till It
had been completed. Mr. Capper assured Mr. Humphreys that
every thing that had been titled in the criminal's behalf should be
attended tonne( fairly investigated, but advised him to entertain no
hope on the subject.
Again did Mr. Humphreys visit the unhappy man, who remains
in the same state of mind. He was extremely anxious to hear the
result of his mission to Mr. Capper, and on being made aequninted
with it, he earnestly inquired if he thought there was a shadow of
hope? His Solicitor, as well as Mr. Baker, told l.im to trust in
God, and to turn his mind to religious subjects. This answer
seemed to be little attended to by hint. and, turning to a table, he
produced a letter, written at considerable tenth, in a very affecting
strain, to the Earl of Uxbridge, in which he implored the Noble
Earl to intercede in his behalf, if not entirely to avert the dreadful
sentence, at least to procure for him a respite rot a short period, to
give him an opportunity to take a last farewell of his unfortunate
mother, wife, and child. This letter hesent off yesterday morning.
On being asked by his Attorney how he passed the night, be, after
a short pause, said, " I could not rest a moment."
His wife and children had in interview Saturday morning, at ten
o'clock, with Sir Richard filmic and Mr. flail, at Bow-street, to
state some particulars respecting the unhappy man, in hopes the
Msgistratea will turn them to good account.
Thursday, Mrs. Probert, Mr. Noyes, and his sister, had an in-
terview with Dlr. Hobhouse, and related some circumstances fu the
unfortunate man's ease that were thought by them to be favourable
to hint, which Mr. Ilabhou-e promised should be forwarded to the
proper quarter. Meredith (the pm/traitor), we are infom.ed, is in
London, and is very
.unhappy at the approaching fate of his unfor-
tunate relative. It is but justice to Mr. Humphreys to state, that
all he has done, anti is still doing, in behalf of the culprit, is with-
out any remuneration.