The Virginia Gazette

April 30. About the latter End of last Month Application was made to Mr. Justice Fielding on the following Case: M. Bertin, Master of Requests, and Counsellor of the Parliament at Bourdeaux, on some Family Quarrel, had been formerly conveyed from France to Spain, by some of his Relations: There he was afterwards imprison'd, but escaped by the Assistance of Count Marcilac, his Cousin. About three Years ago, he came into England, and lodged privately at one Mrs. Giles's at Marybone, 'til the 27th past, when late at Night, he was arrested by one Alexander Bladsdale, a Marshal's Court Officer, who had with him as a Follower, an Italian, a Person before known to the Marquis, upon whose Appearance, he started, and instantly cried out, I am a dead Man, and refused to go with the Officer. Mrs. Giles then sent for the Rev. Nicholas Robert, to whom Bladsdale shew'd his Writ, which Mr. Robert persuaded the Marquis to obey, and to go with the Officer to his House, whither one M. Dubois accompanied him, intending to stay with him 'til next Morning; but the Marquis and his Friend had not been together half an Hour, before the Italian Follower acquainted M. Dubois that one wanted him, but, on going to see, found only the Bailiff, who roughly told him, that he must not lie there, and in a Manner thrust him out of Doors. On his Return next Morning with some other Friends, they were told by the Maid, that the Marquis was gone thence in Company with several Gentlemen, and that the Bailiff himself was gone out of Town; upon this Relation, a Warrant was granted immediately by the Justice, on a Supposition of Murder; and Application made to the L. C. J. for a Habeas Corpus, as well as to the Secretary of State to prevent the carrying the unfortunate Gentleman out of the Kingdom; but all to no Effect, for certain Advice has since been received of his Arrival in France, where the Gates of Calais were opened for his Admittance after usual Hour, and he was from thence arrested to his Father's House at Paris; but soon after removed by Order of the Court, to the Bastile, to prevent any private Attempts upon his Life. A Subscription however is setting up here, in Order to prosecute all concerned in this dangerous Violation of our Laws; and it is said a foreign Nobleman is already in the Custody of the King's Messenger for this Offence, where he is so closely confin'd, that no Friend is permitted to have Access to him, neither is he allow'd the Use of Pen, Ink, or Paper. The Officer who arrested him is escaped out of the Kingdom.