Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-19

cape, and which result from the facts above
stated. In fine, Roquette, senior, the gao
Ter, has not exculpated himself from the
offence imputed to him, Of having, by his
negligence. facilitated the escape OF the
convict entrusted to mis- keeping.
HE CRIMINAL enquiry relative to the "a
above named persons implicated, had ter
minated, and proceedings were about to be
held upon 1T, when an unexpected event.
which appeared to be the consequence of
Lavalette's escape, ard had the closest
connexion with the first fact, reached the
ears OF justice, aud nccesStated new epoui-
ries.
Levalettc, escaped from the Concierge
RE, was stillnot sheltered from danger he
was still not enabled to leave Paris and
the very active searches which were made
there, could not have failed speedily to dis
cover him. In order TO escape from his
sentence. he had no other means but that
ot getting out of France at all hazards );
but tins was perous. bccaussa description
OF hun had been sent to all the authorities,
and to the gendarmerie nevertheless it
was soon learned that this convict had sue
ceeced in getting from Paris and even in
passing the frontiers of France and those
persons who had provided him with the
means, did not remain long unlnown A
letter written by Sir Robert Wilson, an
Engl.shman, q Major General not in active
service, under date of the 1I.h of January,
1916, cent lining the most circumstantial
details of Lavalette's escape from France,
confirmed the susp cioDs which were eXcit-
ed in this retpect against the said Wilson,
and also, against John Hely Hutchinson,
and Michael Bruce. 1t made known the
part which each of them had taken in the
concealment of I.avalette, and in facilitat-
ing his escape cut of France.
In consequence. criminal inquiry was
directed against them. Gu this enquiry it
appeared that. from the Ist of January.
Wilson and Bruce beng acquainted with
the fact that Lavaletie was still at Paris.
had formed the project of rescuine him
from justice /; that they had communicated
this project to Hutchinson, who had Joined
IN 1t that, in fact. on the 9TH of January
ttey met at the house OF the latter, and con-
certed and agreed with Lavalette upon the
means which it would be necessary to en-
pioy to secure the escape of this convict :;
that Bruce and Hutchinson employed
themselves in directing the preparation of
the dress nece ssary to facilitate the light of
Lavalette that Hut hinson concealed him
at his lodgings on the night, from the 7th
to tn 0h; that the following day he ac-
compaaied on horseback the cabriolet IN
last the said Wilson did not quit Lavalette
til after having conducted him beyond
France. and having facilitated to him the
means OF surmouutng all the obstacles
which might stop him by the way. In
part oi Wilson's correspondence, which has
reached the knowledge of Justice, passages
have been remarked in which the accused,
and those with whom he corresponds IN
England, in protesting principles the most
dangerous and most opposite to every kind
OF social order, manifested great hatred a.
Ganst the government actually existing in
France, and appeared to invoke by their
prayers, events that might disturb its ex-
istlng order, and weaken its force or stabi-
lity Expressions might be inserted, con-
tanned in these letters, to shew that the
partisans of these frightful doctrines, the
sworn enemies of all wise and regular go
vernments, were not far from plotting its
ruin in consequence of this, in the enquiry
which has taken place regarding Wilson
and his accompiices, it has been attempted
to be ascertained ii the fact which has been
imputed TO him, rel tive to the conc ealrnent
and the escape of Lavalette, be connected
with a plot formed by them against the in
ternai security OF the kingdom, and, if they
had not tor their object to produce q polti-
cal commotioB, that might shake or even
overturn the government but the charges
which have resulted from the documents
and the enquiry, however serious the char
acter they assume. do not appear sufficient
to warrant, in the terms of the law against
the accused, an Indictment for an attempt
or plot TO overthrow the government.
The correspondence f Wilson did not pre-
sent on his side concerted and fixed reso-
luton, OF acting in conformity with the
trightful principles which he PROCESSES :;
and Bruce and Hutchinson were besides
strangers to that correspondence. Never
the'ess, the enquiry being terminated, and
the proceedings being annexed to it in due
order, the tribunal of first instance in Paris.
by an ordinance that issued from it on the
second OF the present month, decided on
the whole OF the procedure.
l. charged Wilson, 1st, with plot di-
rectcd generally against the political sys-
TEN OF Europe, and having for its pa, ticu-
lar object, to destroy or change the French
government, to excite the inhabitants to
take up arms against the kings authority
2nd, with having endeavoured to attain the
execution of this plot, by seeking TO snatch
from the pursuit of justice, by address, or
by violence, individuals comprehended in
the first article OF the ordinance of the 2Ath
July, 1915, and principally by Concert
ing, settling, and concentrating the escape
and concealment of Layalette, oniemned
for the crime Of high trsason. Hutchinson
and Bruce were charged with being &C
completes OF Wilson, by knowingly aiding
and assist 6 the latter in the acts which
prepared, facilitated and consummated the
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