William Lane to Sackville West, March 22, 1882

Mr. Lane to Mr. West.

Sir: I am an Englishman, a native of Bristol, Gloucestershire, and claim your assistance under the following circumstances:

On the 18th June last I was arrested on a charge of attempted murder, and have since then been held in jail awaiting trial, which I am utterly unable to obtain. I have been taken into court eight or nine times, and always remanded on some pretext or other. I can easily prove my innocence if I have half a chance, but as I have no relations and no money I cannot get it. I have written to judge, prosecuting attorney, and the papers to demand the trial that I think I am entitled to, but this is such a free country that they do as they like, and do not like to give me one. A week ago I was in court and the judge promised to discharge me to-day if the prosecution would not go on with the case, but to-day 1 went down and was again remanded.

I am 20 years of age, a printer by trade, and have been four years in this country, coming to New York in January, 1878. I have never even been arrested before, and always bore a good character. The holding of me so is contrary to the laws of Michigan, and grossly unjust anyway. Will you please put a stop to this sort of thing as quickly as possible. If you write a line to the judge I think he will discharge me directly, and I would sooner it was done quietly, but anyway get me out of this. The judge’s name is Chambers, Wayne circuit court, Detroit, Mich.

Hoping to have an answer by return, I remain, &c.,