THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT."

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 778, 9 October 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT."

The " Claimant" has still great faith in himself, and little of the opinion of the judges and jury. He has addressed the following letter to Mr. Guildford Onslow : ■" Thomas Castro, August 5, 1878. Portsea Convict Prison. Dear Onslow, — Many thanks for your kind letter, just received. The declarations of Mrs. Cresswell and of Peebles are verj' good ; but, alas, in a case where the truth is not acceptable, what use are they 1 If an angel came from heaven and gave evidence in my favor, it would not be believed, and all because, when put in a place where I was called on in conscience before God to speak the truth, I spoke it. Had I feared God less than wily man, I should not have been here now. But notwithstanding all I have suffered, and still likely to suffer—if God does not relieve me—l never have, and never shall regret having done so. This declaration, my dear Onslow, I know will bring fresh odium on me, but what care need I have for the opinion of such people ? They may be able to crush me bodily, by influencing others to keep me here, but they cannot affect my conscience, and cannot injure me in the sight of God—that God who will judge them that judged me. There will be no prejudiced judgeß or paid juries there. I fear all you and my many friends have done for me is only labor lost. Sir Alexander Cockburn having threatened to resign his seat if I nm released, comparatively speaking, not only wrests the attribute from the Home Minister, but the very prerogative from our gracious Majesty, because it would be considered a disgrace for tlie Lord Chief Justice of a nation to resign his seat on account of a prisoner being released whom he had exhausted all his power and energies to convict. lam going to petition j the Home Secretary next week, asking i him to make the two sentences concurrent, so as to enable mo to finish my imprisonment when I have completed one sentence, or otherwise, to order me to be tried on the charge of forgery. If I am Arthur Orton, I have committed forgery on each and every petition, for I have signed my own name to them. I shall do all I can to get a fresh trial on my liberty, and sincerely hope all will unite in helping me. Since reading Peebles' statement, I have no ! doubt °about Cresswell and Orton being the same, for I remember him telling me about the ferret biting him. Please take all compliments to yourself and friendß. Yours, Roger-Thomas Castro."