The Express. — 1862-10-11 (London, England)

STREET.  John Paget Tretnkti nu mgnim;;;;ght before Mr. Henry, no the charge of writing a threatening letter to Sir Richard Marne. Mr. William R. F. Lane, M.R.C.S.—I live at the north aide of Bethird.green. I have attended the priemer for months. I think he is in his right state of mind, but when excited he is somewhat rash, and disposed to use stronger language than is prudent. . . .  Sir. lienry-I.Z you think he is competent to distinguish between right and wrong! Mr. Lane—l have never had reason to suppose to the contrary. He is very excitable when put out, or when he has been drinking, and if be tbinka he is in the right he will go to great lengths, . .  ir. Hen4—Ah ! but he must be restrained from going such lengths u to threaten Immo, with the example of Rush and William& You bad better read that letter, Mr. Lane • you will probably remember that the pemous referred to were persons who were executed for murder. Mr Lane, after reading the letter, said he did not consider that defendant's mind ICY disordered. The prisoner, addressing the magistrate in an angry and vehement manner, said he should be very guarded in his observations, as it had gone forth that at the former examination he expressed himull incoherently. Mr. Henry—Now, Tremlett, let me advise yon to be mint.  The prisoner (fiercely)—Calm, sir? Oh, I'll becalm! I'll be calm !  Mr. Henry—You certainly were very excited yesterday. The prisoner —Any mar may be excited at times. Mr. Henry—Yes, but I want you to endeavour to control that excitement. I want to point out to you how you have erred. You aeem to have thought that boa bad a grievance, and that Sir Richard Mayne wished to withhold from you the name and number of the policeman. Now you were quite wrong in that. There is no hesitation or difficulty about giving his name and number, but even if theta was, nutting can justify such threats. No antecedent letters, no previous circumstances whatever could justify then.  • The prisoner—l beg your pardon. 1 think I was quite justified. I only say lam as determined to have an answer as Rush was to do what he did. There is no threat in that.  Mr. Henry—No reasonable person would interpret it as you say. . . . . . . .  °The primmer—Hid that letter been written to an ordinary private individual, would you have taken any notice of it?  Mr. Henry—Certainly. The position in life of the parties makes no difference whatever.  The prisoner—The decisions of magistrates vary so much that the law is nothing bat a lottery. The risoner then recalled Mr. Harvey to prove that he (the prisoner) bad never been informed of the policeman's number. He complained that the report in the newspapers stated that he had. [Mr. Tramlett is mistaken. The report contains no such statement.] The prisoner then went into a number of details as to the correspoodeuce. all which. Mr. Homy reminded him, he had already stated the day before. . . . .  Mr.lleory then that but letter you have cerainly used language calculated to create alarm ; and as it is the opinion of your mi.dical man that you do understand the difference between right and wrong—  c The prisoner (inmetiently)— Ainl yr I do. Mr. Henry—Therefore I must hold you to bail to keep the peace and be of goad behaviour for the next twelve months, in two sureties of 501. each, and your own recognisance of 1001.  The prisoner—That is pretty heavy hail. Mr. Henry—And let me caution you, that if you write to Sir Richard Mayne, or to any one else, any more letters containing similar threats. you will be committed for trial. The priaouer—No jury in England would convict. Two gentlemen, neighbours of the prisoner, offered themselves as ball. Both, however, requested the magistrate to • lower amount, suggesting that 2l /. would be snakiest.  Mr. Heary—l thick not. I have considered the matter carefully, and I think fixing that amount may have the effect of restraining him. You appear to be Isla Irked', and  hs would probably be reluctant to eullect you to the loss of the money. Owed the sureties admitted that be should not like such Latta/. 't6 be written to himself. The other said, if the prisoner would take his advice, he would give up letterwntieg altogether. The recognisances were then enteredinto, and the prisoner liberated.