Constitutional Whig

From a London paper.

Interesting Circumstance.--Last week, a very modest and interesting girl, about sixteen years of age, presented herself at the Home Department Office, with a petition which she said she wished to present to the King: and being informed that it must be presented through Mr. Peel to His Majesty, she said she would call again. It appears that her name is Harrison, and she is the daughter of a respectable tradesman at Birmingham; that her brother, a boy about her age, had been seduced by two elder boys, to join them in stealing some gold belonging to a Mr. Price, of that town, and Harrison and one of his companions were convicted of the offence, at the last Warwick Assizes. No distinction was made between the old offender and Harrison who had never before committed a theft, and they were both sentenced to transportation for life. When Miss Harrison heard of the situation of her brother, and that her mother's life was despaired of, in consequence of her excessive grief occasioned by her child being forever separated from her, the poor girl packed up a few articles of apparel, and, without advising with her friends, started by the coach from Birmingham to London, to present a petition to the King in his favour.-- When she learned that the petition could only be presented through Mr. Peel, she called again at the Home Office, and enclosed with the petition addressed to his Majesty, the following letter addressed to Mr. Peel;

London. May 28, 1825.

"Right honorable Sir: A very humble individual, a young female only sixteen years of age, has travelled from Birmingham to London to have the satisfaction of personally laying before you a petition in favor of her brother. This is her first journey; she is perfectly inexperienced, and she has no opportunity of inquiring the most proper mode of applying for so great a favor, but she trusts the innocence of her character, which is unimpeachable, as well as the delicacy of her sex, and the distressing nature of her case —to obtain mercy for her brother, will excuse by a gentleman of well enough benevolence. to her any unimportant violation of the rules of etiquette. and she hopes much the claims of humanity are regarded by a great Minister, before those of ceremony. My reason, Right Honourable Sir, for taking the long journey, and for soliciting this audience, is, that my parents may have the solace of knowing that the case of my unfortunate brother was really known to, and duly considered by you, and that I may hereafter reflect that my humble voice was heard for me by you Right Honorable Sir.

I have the honor to be, Right Honorable Sir. your most obedient, most humble servant.

ANNE MARIA HARRISON

To the Right Honourable Robert Peel, Esq. His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department."

It is almost unnecessary to say, that Mr. Peel, with the humanity for which he is distinguished, gave the poor girl an interview. and promised not only to present her petition to the King, but to make inquiries into her brother's case. and if there were circumstances to his favour, he would recommend commutation of his sentence. The youth is now on board the Dolphin, at Chatham, and the affectionate sister waits in town for Mr. Peel's decision.