The National Register.
London, England, 1820-04-24 00:00:00

$1

No. 1,256.—V0L. XIII.]

TEE TRIAL OF ARTHUR THISTLE WOOD FOR
HIGH TREASON.

OLD BAILEY. BAILEY. Mortnive, ATTU!. 17.
The interest excited by the trials of the State Prisoners was
this morning strongly manifested by the assemblage of a crowd in
front of the Sessions House, as early as seven o'clock. Previous
to this time a numerous body of the civil force had arrived, and
were stationed in such situations as to controll the multitude.—
For the purpose of preventing the interruption arising from the
passage of carriages and carts through the Old Bailey, rail., were
erected at the two ends, next Ludgate Hill and Fleet Lane.—
These were only opened to admit the carriages of persona engaged
in the business of the Court.
At eight o'clock the arrival of the Jurymen who had been sum-
moned created considerable bustle, and that was greatly enhanced
by the pressure of other persons for admission to the court.—
Regulations were adopted to prevent the admission of those who
were not provided with tickets. This was the more necessary,
as from the limited mime of the Court but a small portion of
the public could obtain accommodation. The Jury alone, who
stood in the body of the court, were upwards of 200 in number.
Certain boxes were devoted to the reception of ladies; a great
number of whom were present.
The witnesses ter the Crown were divided into two parties.—
Some were placed in the grand Jury room, and others remained
in a contiguous apartment. Monument, who has remained a
prisoner in the 'rower, was brought from thence in the care
of two warders and Lavender and Bishop. lie was placed in a
room by himself; as was Adams, who was brought from the
house of correction in the custody of Governor Adkins. The
pikes, swords. guns, pistols, grenades, ammunition, and other
articles intended to be introduced on the trial, and which, the
witnesses brought with them, presented a most formidable
appeerance.
At half.past eight, Thistlewood was Conducted from his cell,
in the care of one of the turnkeys. He still remains greedy
dejected. He was placed in the apartment usually devoted to
these about to be put on their trials. The other prisoners were
not brought down.
As the tame appointed for the sitting of the commissioners ap-
, the body of the court became greatly crowded. The
he loxes assigned to the committee of city lands and the grand
jury were tilled with an overflowing audience.
At nine o'clock the com Missioners entered the court in the
name order as observed on Saturday. The court was then opened
in the usual form.
Mr. Shelton immediately proceeded to call over the names of
edge Juryinen summoned. As they answered, they were asked,
whether they were freeholders in the county of Middlesex to the
amount of ten pounds a year, or of a freehold and copylsold
'nether of that amount ? in the event of their answering in the
negative, they were passed over. Those who did not answer
when called, were called upon their summonses *• to come forth
and save their fines of a hundred shillings and issue." Several
were in this predicament. While this form was going throug:),
the prisoner 'ritistlewood was put to the bar, and attracted general
attention. He was dressed aeon Saturday, and came forward
with apparent firmness. He had in his hand a pencil and a
sheet of paper. He paid particular attention to the names as they
were called over.
The Counsel for the Crown in attendance were, the Attorney.
General, the Solicitor General, Mr. Gurney, Mr. Rolland, and
Mr. l.ittledale. Those for the prisoners, as assigned by the Court,
were Messrs. Curwood, Adolphus. Walford, and Broderick. Such
was the pressure uccasioned by the assemblage of the Jury that
they were constrained to ask permission to quit the Court as their
tames were called over. This request was complied with, but
they were desired to remain within hearing.
As the prisoner stood at the bar, and while the Court was °c-
oupled in attending to the list of the Jury being called over, a
man of shabby appearance contrived to get to the corner of the
dock, and to place his hat on the board in front, and then calling
Thistlewoosra attention, directed him to take the contents.—
Thistlewood immediately took from the hat five oranges, which
he put in his pocket. Mr. Brown. who was in hi; box, witnessed
the transaction, and admonished the obtruder. He afterwanis
directed one of his turnkeys to take the oranges into his possession.
Thistlnwood, on being asked, delivered up the fruit, and they
were carried out of court to be examined. There might seem,
in this conduct ou the part of Mr. Brown, something of harsh-
ness, but when it is milks:tech that an orange might be made
the vehicle of conveying to the prisoner the means of personal
destruction, or sonic other thing winch the precautions already
taken were meant to prevent, it will be seen that be did no more
than became the vigilant execution of Ms duty. it was intimated
to Thistlewood, that he shoidd be provided with any thing ni the
way of refreshment which he might revire.
Subsequent to this transaction two letters, which had come by
post, were delivered to thrown. %Vc believe they were
addressed to the prisoner, and after they had been shown to him,
Mr. Brown felt it his duty to enclose and send them to die
Solicitor of the Treasury.
At twelve o'clock the whole of theinry lied Is2en called over.
Thistlea nod then addressed the Court and said, •• Will your
Lordship allow me a chair?"
The Lord Chief Justice.—" Considering the length of tittle
which your trial is likely to last, the Court will grout yid this
indolence.
A chair was then placed at the front of the dock, and the pri-
mmer sat down.