The Sun.
London, England, 1822-09-17 00:00:00

the trading vessels of another nation, accompanied
by an armed squadron, sought to supply a place
with provisions biockaded by
,the Greeks.
An intrigue prepared from afar, has recently
been detected. A number of pretended exiles,
under the pretext of seeking service hi Greece,
wished to engage other foreigners to join with
them in their intrigues. The confessions of some
of these vile instruments 'have taught the Greeks
what they have to fear from the secret and un-
declared war.

_COURT OF ASSIZES OF POICTIERS.
SITTING OP SEPT. 11.
When the PRESIDENT had asked whether the accused had
any thing to add to what had been said by their Advocates ?
Berton remarked that he had been without an advocate, and
consequently without defence, as his want of experience in ju-
dicial proceedings made him unable to collect and express his
thoughts. He made some observations on the conduct of the
Procure= General. " Gentlemen," he observed, " You, as
well as we have been able to examine his ferocious looks, which
in vain endeavoured to soften themselves when they turned to
you for help. He has neglected nothing to breathe into your
souls the cruel feelings which animate his own. The act of ac-
cusation, which has been read to you, would Of itself suffice to
render his name horribly notorious, and you have seen, I think,
that he admires himself in his work. I have already told you,
if your conscience demands blood, 1 offer you mine ; I aban-
don my life to you, but spare, I pray you in the name of hu-
manity, in. the name of your own glory,' these men who
marched with me ; they were deceived, they yielded to solicita-
tions, they were dragged on, restore them to their families.
Far seven months they have suffered all the horrors - of. a ri-
gorous imprisonment ; cast for the'most part into dungeons, de=
paved of help which their poverty could not afford them, their
families, their children will bless you, your names will not be
forgotten in their prayers; your sleep will be the more tranquil,
and no remorse will shake your consciences." After relating
some petty vexations to which he had been subjected in prison,
and among others, that the gaoler was in the habit of insulting
him. by telling him that he (the General) was namesake to a
turnkey, he observed, I answered, " Co to him who tutored
you, and' tell him that the name of Berton shall be honoured
in France when the name of Mangin (the Procureur-General)
shall be execrated. My children shall ever bear that name
with pride. Remember that the family name of the brave
Crillon was Berson ! This is an honour which the Procureur.:
General would not dispute, but aristocracy does not stand in
stead of courage. On that point, I appeal to the testimony of
all my companions in arms and glory. An inward feeling tells
me, that. the shades of the brave Crillon and so many other
heroes who have died for their country will not repulse mine.
,I offer you my breast ; strike, Gentlemen, And I shall die with-
out fear. My soul is bold—it will be content—l shall mount
with joy towards my everlasting dwelling, if I can obtain in fa-
vour of all these unfortunate men your justice and your indul-
gence, which I ,implore., Many Frenchmen will envy my fate,
and I will yield this honour to no one ; my death will be useful
to my fellow-citizens and to my country."
The Sub-Prefect of. Saumur, Joseph A. de Carr2:re, was
afterwards introduced and examined as a witness. lie
.gave
an account of the insurrection, which had nothing new in it.
He-was asked by the President what effect the presence of
M. Benjamin Constant, at some previous time, had produced
in Saumur ?
Witness=-I can affirm, that in effect the presence of M. B.
Constant produced in Saumur 'very'disagreeable results on the
spirit of the inlia.bitants:of that town. It was seen even that some
of the National Guard were forgetful of authority, and wandered
from their duty, which was never seen before. The witness then
entered into details on the events which then passed at Saumur.
Benj. Constant, he added, determined,to, set out, on our reite-
rated request. The day being fixed, he excused himself, alleg-
ing the indisposition of Madame. It was thus he designated a
lady who accompanied him, and whom he called his wife. We
knew afterwards what there was in it. .At last. the health of Ma-
dame was a little better, and B. C. determined to set out. At the
moment of his leaving the town a considerable crowd surrounded
him ; he threw here and there his looks, as if •to call for ap-
plause ' • I cried " Vive le Roi !" I was answered by several
cries of " Viva Benjamin Constant !" but the majority of the
population cried " Vive le Roi !"
the witness was also asked several questions by the Presi-
dent, as to the characters borne in Saumur by such of the ac-
cused as were natives of it.
The President having summed up, the Jury retired at a. quar-
ter before twelve in the morning, and returned at half-past nine
in the evening. We have already given the result of their de-
cision. Berton, Caffe, Sange, H. Fradin, Senechault, have
'been sentenced to.death. Affix was found guilty of the plot by
seven of the Jury to five, but the majority of the Judges (as is
usual in the case of so close a division) joined the minority of
the Jury, and declared his acquittrd. Affix, and all the others,
with the exception of two who were acquitted, were found guilty
of not revealing the plot, and sentenced to various terms of
confinement, from five years to one year, and to fines of from
2,000 to 50 francs.