The Sun.
London, England, 1840-06-08 00:00:00

WILLIAM PROWTING ROBERTS.

PETITION OF MARY ROBERTS.
The humble petition of Mary Roberts, of the city of
Bath, Gentlewoman, _
Showeth,—That petitioner is the wife of William
Prowting Roberts, of Bath, attorney-at-law, and solici-
tor of her Mujestys Courts at Westminster, and re-
lated to one of the Judges of the land.
That the said William Prowting Roberts was con-
victed on a charge of sedition, in conjunction with
Messrs. Potts and Carrier (the latter being subject to
hard labour), on the eleventh of March last, at the as-
size at Salisbury, for attending public meetings, at and
near Trowbridge ; and, in pursuance of the verdict, he
was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Fisher-
on gaol, in Wiltshire, and to find at the expiration of
that term two sureties in two hundred and fifty pounds,
and himself in five hundred pounds.
That the offences of the said William Prowting Re_
outs for which he was charged were of the most venial
character, as the report of the trial will corroborate. i
immediately afterwards
That your petitioner was present at the trial and con-
victim), and earnestly entreated the authorities to be al-
lowed to speak to her husband previous to his Incarce-
ration, hut which was abruptly refused, with a declara-
tionrtliia hean slampuplitileantioori tbewass eenbyany one for six ca-
lendar months.
That
made by your petitioners uncle to leave with him his great
coat, which he had been wearing, and was most essen-
tial for his health, but which request was also refused.
That your petitioner for sever.'.l weeks had no corn-
munication or correspondence with her husband.
That at a quarter session held subsequent to the
conviction a \lr. Duke, a magistrate for Wilts,
brought
the cruel treat neat before the notice of the Court, and
moved that h should be permitted to correspond
iN,
his fatuity, on the ground that the cruel exclusion was
calculated to impair the mental faculties of an educated
man, like your petitioner's husband.
This relaxation was deterleincdly opposed by the

magistrates present ; and the Court dissolved without
making any Orden on the subject.
That your petitioner understands that, in consequence
of the said discussion, the visiting magistrates permitted
your petitioner's husband to write home once a week,
on the education of his children only ; which letters
pass under the surveillance of the gaoler, and his name
is attached to every page of the correspondence ; that
your petitioner's answers are in like manner conveyed to
her husband, subject to the same restrictions.
That the cruel indignities and privations to which
your petitioner's husband is subjected, your petitioner
has been &ways led to believe was that only inflicted on
the worst of felons. That his hair, upon which be used
to pride himself, was forthwith cut and cropped close, as
is usual with the felons of the said gaol.
That his clothing and money were taken, and the
indignity of a prison dress forced upon him ; that he is
limited to the ordinary prison diet, which consists of
bread and gruel.
That he is confined in a separate cell, and when exer-
cising the silent system is enforced ; not being allowed
to converse with any one, though walking in the same
court-yard.
That he is not allowed the use of pen, ink, or paper,
with the exception aforesaid ; and that all books, even
those requisite for his profession as a solicitor, are re-
fused him, and those only allowed are what the chap-
lain furnishes.
That he is labouring under a pulmonary complaint, a
disease of which two of his brothers some time since
died ; and that about two years since he applied to the
treater number of insurance offices in London for an
insurance on his life, which was refused on the ground
that his life was not insurable.
Your petitioner, therefore, humbly prays that the li-
beration of her husband may forthwith take place, on
the ground of the cruel indignity to which he has been
subjected ; or that the common or ordinary rules of
humanity, which have been grossly violated in his per-
son, may be extended to him ; or that in the event of
your Honourable House not being induced to extend
this mercy towards a member of the legal profession,
your petitioner prays that access to his friends may be
granted at reasonable hours ; that the silent system may
not be enforced an him ; and that he may not be con-
fined in a separate cell.
That he may be allowed the use of law hooks, and
dens, ink, and paper ; otherwise he may be seriously
damaged in his profession at the expiration of his long
centence, and that he may be allowed his own food,
bedding, and clothing.
And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
MARY ROBERTS.
THE PARISH OF' ST. MARY'S