The National Register.
London, England, 1812-05-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL •REGISTER.

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

This wretched man is statel to be a native of St. N'eot's, in Hunting-
donshire, aged 42 years. It is added, that he was Lrought up in a count-
ing-house in London; and some years ago went to Archangel, whrtrefie
lived with a Russian merchant, in whose employment clerk he conti-
nued three years. Having formed a connexion with a Mr. Borbecku2r,
in the timber line, he returned to England in order to seek a cont.ract
for the supply of timber • and entered into considerable engagements
with the merchants of Hull. Ships were in consequence sent out to
Archangel to bring home cargoes; but Mr. Illorbeckner having mean-
while become a bankrupt, the vessels returned in ballast. Bellingham,
who still remained at Hun, was arrested, and thrown into prison, II the
disappointed merchants, for the noel-fulfilment of the contract ; and
during his confinement, or soon afterwards, lie wrote a pamphlet with
the intent of ridiculing the merchants of Hull. On the recovery of l•
liberty he" proceeded again to Archangel, where he entered into van is
speculations, which ended in his involving himself in still more nutnt.-
rous diSculties.—He was there very troublesome to the Government,
sending to them memorial after memorial, on subjects relative to his
private concerns; and he, moreover, generally cotetacted himself with
so much passion, that at length he was stilt to prison, where he re-
mained a considerable time ; claiming, in vain, the protection of the
British Minister, who, indeed, could render him no assistance. The
term of his confinement having expired, Bellingham repaired to England
full of complaints against the Russian Government. He married in
London, but took up his abode in Liverpool. He commenced the bu-
siness of an insurance-broker, whilst his wife pursued that of a milliner.
He continued at intervals to present memorials to the British Govern-
ment on the subject of his claims ; but these were concerns with which
Government had nothing to do. It is said, that his last application to
Government on his affairs, was made on Monday morning, when he
received a repulsive answer, which is supposed to have confirmed him
in that dark and bloody 'purpose, which he has since been able to carry
into effect.

The following letter was sent on Tuesday by Mr. Bellingham, from
his cell in Newgate, to Mrs. Roberts, No. 9, New Milman-street, thia
lady at whose house he lodged :
" Tuesday Morning, Old Bailey.
" DEAR MA on hi—Yesterday midnight I was escorted to this neigh-
bourhood by a noble troop of Light Horse, and delivered into the care
of Mr. Newman (hy Mr. Taylor, the Magistrate, and M. P ) as a
State Prisoner of the first class. For eight years 4 have never found
my mind bo tranquil as since this melancholy but necessary catastrop!ie;
as the merits or denaerits of my peculiar case must he regularly un-
folded in a Criminal Court of Justice to ascertain the guilty party. by
a Jury of my country, I have to request the fayskur of you to send me
three or four shirts, ionic cravats, handkerchiefs, night-caps, stock-
ings, &c. out of my drawers, together with comb, soap, tooth-brush,
with any other trifle that prtsents itself, which you think I may
have occasion for, and enclose thtin in my leather trunk, and the
key please to send sealed, per bearer ; also my great-coat, flannel-
gown, and black waistcoat, which will much oblige,
"Dear Madam, your very obedient servant,
" JOHN BELLINGHAM.

" To the above please to add the Prayer-book.
" To Mrs. Roberti."
Circular Ictter to the Menibers of Parliament (enetnsing copies of a
petition, intende to be pre 3eutc-il to tile House of Cqmtnona), and of
two letters `rani Mr. Beckett, under Secretary of State for the Hume

•
Department, relating to the sane.
Six—Having starred i❑ a most unprecedented manner, I,r a period
of us years in Russia—on my return iNVO years ago, i made a reple•