The National Register.
London, England, 1817-01-06 00:00:00

JANUARY 6:

PRESTON.
-OP-

•
The fhllow•ing is a copy of a letter which this per.
son sent on Wednesday to the Lonl Mayor;.-.

'I TO TIM iewirr HOY. M 'ITTRIEW WOOD, LORD MAYOR Or

J.ON ZION. •
" My Lord—Being at length restored to that state of per-
sonal liberty. which I defy even my most inveterate enemies
to prove me unworthy of possessing at any time, Ica I re-
frain from offering to your Lordship my grateful acknowledge
molts, for the kindness and dignified impartiality, siniforinly
displayed by your Lordship, throughout my late examinations,
on charges arising front the tumult and riots in the Pity of
London. Happy indeed may I consider myself, in falling
under the protection of a Magistrate who, possessing ability,
inclination, and industry, to detect the conspiracies of thu
profligate, and unravel the intricacies of clashing and preva-
ricating evidence, is alike the scourge of the guilty and the
shield of the innocent. I ant well aware of the extraordinary
fatigue sustained by your Lordship, since the occurrences of
that disgraceful day which threw this great metrorolis into
such confusion and alarm ; amid, when I reflect on y our im-
minent danger, •ashing almost alone among the infuriated
and infatuated multitude—your sobseqneeit exertions aint
harrassing vigilance, I do confess, that I feel more astonished
at the equanimity of your • I. and the admirable equity of
your magisterial conduct towards one who stood charged be.
fore your Lordship as the prime instigator, and pi !
actor in those very scenes which had plint.sit yourself and
the city into a state of peril that nos alone averted by yoor
distinguished prudence and personal prowess.
" My bird, if any thin.,' could add to the pleasure resulting
m fro the conscious rectitude of my own actions, and the ge.
neral approbation of my countrymen, it is the satisfaction 1
have derived during my confinement from obseruing the Vi t
... I . sprayed practical excellence of our criminal code, when
administered in those sacred retreats of civic freedom, where,
if not totally destroyed, at It Jst the corrupting influence of
the all-devouring oligarchy is effectually restrained, by the
presidency of an exalted patriot, whose unsullied haunts bear
unequivocal testimony to the nicommtible purity of his
heart.

" Believe me, my Lord, no one breathing more ardently
loves or reverences our eonstitution than the humble indivi-
dual now addressing your Lordship. Butt it is the whole,
undefiled constitution or our ancestors, not the paltry phantont
of modern corruption. For this I feel the firmest contempt and
abhorrence: for that, I am milling to gibe up my life, %%011111
the sacrifice deliver my (Ninth), front 113 distress and degra.
dation.

" In concluding, I again beg your Lordship's acceptance
of my most respectful thanks for the litany obligations eon-
ferrtil on me through your Lordship's benevolence, u bast im-
mured, for the first time, in those receptacles for the refuse of
society, to which, if any ought to he committed, it should be
the plunderers and enslavers of the people, and slot their well-
wishers, who come forward in a constitutional mode to ac-
complish the restoration of right, and redress of public
grievances. .

" To Mr. Teague, keeper of Giltspur-street Comptcr, and
his turnkeys, I return my acknowledgments or their goodness
both to my injured friend Hooper, and myself In short, I
have nothing to complain of but the unaccountable violenvo
of the rioters, which has brought so mach undeserved
pu-
nishment and trouble um my friend and myself, and the vin-
dictive persecutions of theself-convicted oligarchy, 'Who have
stirred heareo and earth to destroy me, humble as I 4111, for
my past exertions to promote the public good; as they also
insulted my know-citizens, by endeavouring to thrust • • • •
• • • • into the seat which was nobly and justly reserved, by
a signal expression of public opinion, to be again filled with
undeviating political consistency, princely munificence and
unquestionable integi Ity.—l ant your Lordship's twist obliged
and obedient servant,
" December 13, Di Vt. " THOMAS PRESTON,
N 0.14, King's Head-court, Gough-square, Fleet-street.'