The Sun.
London, England, 1830-07-30 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

About a week or ten days ago, en elderly man 0.
very respectable appearance, although evidently in
reduced circumstances, was conveyed to this office,
and underwent an examination in private before Sir
RICHARD BIRNIE, after which he was conveyed to
prison, and was subsequently examined again, but
neither the nature of the charge, nor the name of
the accused, were staffed to transpire, and all that
could be inferred was, that the prosecution was con-
ducted by Government, from the circumstance 'of
the attendance of Mr. Mettle, the solicitor for the
Treasury, on each examination of the prisoner.
Yesterday the same individual was convoyed in
a coach to this office, and placed at the bir in the
public justice-room, hen it appeared that he stood
charged with having sent a letter to his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cumberland, declaring his
intention to assassinate him. The prisoner's name
is Thomas Arlie, and he formerly, it is said, held
commission in the army. He hits already derived
some degree of notoriety, from the circumstance of
his having written a work called " The Spirit of
the Book," which attracted considerable notice many
years ago, when the differences between the late
King and his consort Queen Caroline (then Prince
and Prince*. of Wales) were the theme of general
conversation. #
On being placed at the bar yesterday, and Mr.
Mettle being in attendance,
Sir RICHARD BIRNIP: said—" Mr. Ashe, I have
transmitted the memorial, which you intrusted to
my care, to the proper quarter, but I regret to say
that it has been attended with no bent ficial result,
as Government have determined to prosecute. You
have, therefore, no chance from the quarter to which
you have appealed." The prisoner—" lam pre-
pared to meet the worst, but I am without a friend
in the world, and should wish to be provided with
the means of making my defence."
Sir RICHARD BIRNIR, having consultel for a few
moments with Mr. Mauls, observed that all that
was now required was to bind over the witnesses,
and commit the prisoner for trial. The Magis
trate then called forward Mr. May, the superinten-
dent of letter A division of police, and placing a
letter before him, said—" Mr. May, you know this
letter; is it the same that, the prisoner acknow-
ledged in your presence to have written ?" Mr.
May replied that it was.
Sir R. IlittNtE again addressed the prisoner,
saying--" I have also forwarded your letter to
France. I did not, however, pay the postage, but
got it franked is a quarter which will secure its sate
delivery."
The prisoner said he felt thankful for the Magi-
strate's kindness, and then added, from the steps
which are taking against me, it appears that I am to
contend with the whole power of Government. At
Amy time of life, without friends or means, these ate.
fearful odds, and the difficulties which I shall have
to encounter are still farther increased by withholding
from me a MS. which is absolutely necessary for my
defence. It is a cruel thing to charge me with
crime, and at the tame time deprive me of the
means to defend myself. - I assure you any situation
is the most deplorable you can, possibly imagine. I