Star.
London, England, 1829-01-10 00:00:00

MR. ROWLAND STEPEIENSON.

The following ktta details the phr.-nzied language sixTheliniour
of Mr. Sliftwaitsost, a few hours before his-flight from the
tropolis, while under fears of being apprehended and'brought to
justice. It is a singular epistle. The writer, Mr. Weser, is
proprietor of the Argyll-rooms.

,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
ARGYLL ROOlll, R1C11312 JANUAIT 9, 1829.
Sta—My name having been mentioned as the indi-
vidual whp accompanied Mr. Rowland Stephenson
from London on Saturday morning, the 27th ult. I
feel myself bound to admit the accuracyof the assertion,
and to submit through your paper the following state-
vient—but, in the first instance, I am most ansious to
show that a long' intimacy and friendship have sub-
sisted between Mr. Stephenson and myself, and to
instance some of the proofs of friendship which he has
given me, and the deep obligations undet which he has
raid me. In consequence of partnership differences, I
apprehended a run of my creditors upon my estib-
lishment, and communicated my apprehensions to Kr.
Stephenson, who immediately removed my uneasiness
by desiring me, if' necessat y. to draw upon 'him to the
• amount of 10,0001. . .

In another emergency he became guarantee for me,
•Ind remains so, for the pigment of • no less a sum than
nine thousand pounds. Many other pio'fs of the most
disinterested friendship I could produce, buVilie two I
havq mentighed will be quite sufficient to sbew the
debt of gratitude I owed him. Such a' benefactor was.,
Mr. Stephenson, who on a sudden solicited my pto-
tecdon on Friday, the 26rh of December, at half-past
five in the afternoon. He assured me that .a ;ileum.
stancehad-oecultederbich rendered it impossible'for him
again to return to Lombard-sneer, for hat Itaskiusetsome
property of the Mete dbring the late tun. wh:ch, in one
fortnight after the payment of the dividends, he could
have replaced, but the discoiery of his having so used
it having taken place at the Banking-house at eleven
o'clock that morning. hi bad not fortitude to bear
the interrogations to which he should be subjected.—
He had therefore quitied Lombard-street, and if
wished to preserve his life, I. should afford him
shelter tinder my roof. I endeavoured to persuade
him to allow me to send for his partners, saying that it
would be to their own advantage to,replace the property
so used, and 1 made no doubt but they might again be
friends. He said, rather than see either of them he
would blow his brains out in my pa4our, and
dre* from hts pocket a brace of pistols. He then
told me that he had abeady attempted suicide in a pawn-
broke, 's shop in Quet.n-stteet,Cheapside, but that the pis-
tols bad missed fire. I used every effort to divert him from
so liturible a purpose, and to calm his mind, in which
lat length succeeded. After a great deal cf persitasion,
he permitted me to send fur his eldest son, and the in
Ureic* beta era them being over; I proposed that be
should return to his home at St.*Battholotnew's Hos-
pital, and abide the consequences of the discovery...-
Hiving with much difficulty overcome his sctu,ilerito
'this measure, I said ! would send for a coach to convey
us, erhenhe put. his hand into his pocket, saying, o
cannot pay for one, as 1 have but.6J in the world." 1
ditectly nest up stalls to borrow Mrs. Welsh's pulse.
We (Mr. Stephenson. Mr. Hornor. of the Colovseam.
and myself ) then set out and' reached the Hus~rital.
U"finkunatelYs 11" /Wl', Mr. Lloyd 'aimed the room,
and told us that the attempt Mr. Stephenson had
made upon his life in Queen-street was known to
his partner, and that they were ransacking the drawers.
This communication led Mr. S:ephensoo to abandon at
once his former resolution. and to determine upon im-
mediate flight. But be exclaimed "that he had no
money.'. His eldest son instantly emptied his pockets
for his father's service. Mr. Stephenson burst lute
tears, and rejected the offer, saying he c• old nit
use his sou s pittance. Mt. Lloyd then said, 4. I
have ninney, Sir ; I have eight hundred pounds."--
4 Then swill both go," replied Mr. Stephenson. He
ordered a few clothes to be got reedy; -and his car-
riageouJing he would go one stage with his own
.He requested me to accompany him a few
sttiles;Snsi.that he might, when his mind was more col-
lected,: give me directions respecting his children. I
consented, and Bristol was the road ,he determined to
take. On my proposing to quit him at Hounslow, heor-
dered the coachman to proceed to Staines with the same
horses, and on the road requested of me, in the name of
the mom 1 and long friendship th t had subsisted be-
tween its. to give him are and the last proof of it, and to
arty him until he Was on board some vessel. I
cuuld n rt .efu:e, and we swivel at Pill at nine o'clock
on Soul day night, and had an interview with the
Calmat) of a pilot yacht, when I recommended that the
boat should be hired for one mot 0. at two guineas a•
day the terms proposed by the pilut. Mr. Stephenson'
said he thoughl.it would be throwing money away oh-
necess.o4y. fair no doubt they would meet a vessel
bound tb Arnerica•within a fortnight. I advised them,
When therviese ai sea, to disclose to the Captain the
necessisfel- their going to America. an I if be would
take clew:-he-should be amply remitter: ted. Mr. Ste-
phenson• aziiet risi,lngreat distress of mind, where the
money
,itirs t;O'Come froio—they had but 80.1
Oa _Suliday morning, at half-past seven o'clock, they
went ...on 'bond. I returned to London, and was in
Itegenr-,eteetat seven on Monday moining-nor have
I, as erroneousiX *Westin some of the papers, returned
to Air. Stephenson, or had any letter os communicatioa.
since, directly.or indirectly, from either of the parties.
Such is .the statement which I beg, through your
Paper. to' iobhtlt to the'puhlic. 1 was totally ignorant
when 1 accompanied Mt; Stephenson if the extent of
his embartassnient, or the embarrassments in which be
had involared'ufeers. I listened only to the dictates uf
gratituder.ahiehlmpelied• ire to render all the service
—the only one I was ever able to render him—to the
man whoiradvien so long my Itiend and so often my
benefactor.. •