The following letter, which narrates the particulars of the escape of John Mitchel, the Irish State Prisoner, from the Bothwell district, is published according to the wish of the individual whom it most concerns. It will be seen that the information formerly given in the Courier was generally correct.
June 9th, 1853. My dear ______, I entrust to you a short narrative of a transaction which occurred this afternoon in Bothwell. Some of the Hobart Town newspapers, or the Launceston Examiner, will perhaps do me the courtesy to publish it. Finding that warrants had been actually issued some weeks ago against me as an absconder, under which warrants a gentleman was hunted like a wild beast, and even taken prisoner by mistake, as John Mitchel an absconder - while I was all the time quietly living at my cottage, and under parole of honour not to abscond, - I felt outraged by this insult. I had not reclaimed my parole, had intimated no intention of reclaiming it, and perceiving how little value the convict authorities placed upon that security, and how little respect they paid it (though it has been my only fetter for three years), I resolved to withdraw it in due form, and let them try how they could hold me without it. I therefore addressed the following note to the Lieutenant-Governor:
Bothwell, 8th June, 1853.
"Sir, I hereby resign the 'comparative liberty' which is called ticket-of-leave, and revoke my parole of honour. In pursuance of this determination, I shall forthwith present myself before the Police Magistrate of Bothwell, at his Police Office, show him this letter, and offer myself to be taken into custody.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, John Mitchel."
This day (Thursday), being post-day from Bothwell, I rode into the village, accompanied by my friend _____, went to the Police Office (where, as usual, a constable was on guard outside the door), walked into the Magistrate's room, where I found the Police Magistrate and Police Clerk; and, addressing the former, said, "Sir, I have written to the Lieutenant-Governor, and have thought it right to show you a copy of my note," placing it in his hands. He said, "Am I to read it?" - "If you please," I replied, "it was for that purpose I gave it to you." He then looked at the letter for a moment. "The purport of that note," I said, "Is very plain - you see, it is to revoke my parole." He looked at me as if for further explanation, so I repeated what I had said. "You observe my parole is now at an end, and I am here that you may take me into custody." Then, feeling that my business there was done, and that he had the opportunity which I was bound to allow him, I turned, and, after wishing the Magistrate good morning, put on my hat and left the room. The moment I was out of the office door, and while I was still in the passage, he and the clerk made a loud outcry, calling on the Chief Constable (whose office is at the other side of the passage) to secure me. The constable who officiates as clerk to the District Constable immediately rushed out, calling on me to stop. The other constable on guard at the door had fortunately occupied himself in holding two horses, so that my friend and myself passed him without the necessity of using any violence, and we were instantly in our saddles. I did not see the District Constable at all. This is precisely and accurately what passed. Once mounted, we stayed no further parley, but rode off; and it is outside the purpose of my present writing to tell you any more.
Yours very much, John Mitchel.